ERIC SHARP

Time is short for snowy fun

BOYNE FALLS -- Tyler Lancaster rides her snowboard like an Olympic competitor, carving turns and skidding to a stop whenever she wants. And why shouldn't she? After all, the 8-year-old from Chicago has been snowboarding for two days.

Gander Mountain rod offers versatility

Long float rods are effective for everything. A 12-foot rod gives an angler greater control over the line and protects light leaders while still providing power to fight big fish.

March 22, 2008

America's Cup update: Oracle offering Swiss defender Alinghi a chance to race

To end a squabble over when the next America’s Cup will be held, the American challenger Oracle reportedly is considering offering the Swiss defender Alinghi a chance to race next winter at a site of Alinghi’s choosing somewhere in the Southern Hemisphere.

March 21, 2008

AMERICA'S CUP

Bertarelli says its impossible for Alinghi to be ready

Ernesto Bertarelli, the billionaire owner of the Swiss Alinghi team that holds the America’s Cup, Friday told the American Oracle team that “it is simply impossible for us to construct a boat to defend the cup in a seven month time frame” as the Americans say the Swiss must do.

March 20, 2008

Cougar country: tracks hint at presence in Delta County

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources said tracks found last week in the Upper Peninsula's Delta County were "most likely" from a cougar, although it refuses to say that this is further evidence for a small population of resident mountain lions in Michigan.

Inside the outdoors

wily wabbits If you've had it up to here with ice fishing or don't like the weekend crowds on most steelhead streams yet still need an outdoors fix, remember that rabbit hunting season doesn't close until March 31.

Outpost: events around the state of Michigan

Inland walleye fishing is closed. The inland season for walleye, pike, and musky will reopen April 26. Walleye fishing is open year-round in the Lower Peninsula Great Lakes, Lake St. Clair, St. Clair River and Detroit River.

Cold weather took toll on ducks as thick ice seals up their feeding areas

Blame it on a winter that started mild and suddenly got cold, and on increased numbers of ducks with limited dietary preferences and a poor sense of when it's time to get out of Dodge.

Ask Eric: should we be afraid of bears?

We are going camping in the Pigeon River Country Forest in April. Are the bears out of hibernation then or still in their dens? Margaret Wilson, Bay City

March 16, 2008

ERIC SHARP

Pre-spawning quest can net steelhead

MANISTEE -- In another three weeks, maybe a little longer in this snowy year, tens of thousands of steelhead will start making spawning beds on gravelly riffles in dozens of Michigan rivers.

A sharp purchase

Sharpening knives is one of my minor hobbies, and I'm always on the lookout for a good sharpening tool. The problem with many of them is that they are too big, have too many loose parts or don't work very well.

March 14, 2008

Some fishermen think sitting over a hole in the ice is hot

CLEAR LAKE, Iowa -- Bob Humberg is a contented man. He's watching "Dr. Phil" on his TV, sorting through some antique coins and keeping an eye on two fishing lines that extend down holes he cut through 28 inches of ice and into the lake beneath his fishing shack.

March 13, 2008

ERIC SHARP

Howell's Reed in demand for creative lures

It irks me to have to buy fishing flies, and it's not just because I'm terminally Scottish. It's because there's a lot more satisfaction in catching fish on flies I've tied myself than on store-bought versions.

Inside the Outdoors

A couple of weeks ago, I fished for steelhead with a friend. We finished a very cold day with no fish for six hours of effort, and his comment as we left the river was, "I guess they weren't feeding today." My qualified answer was, "At least they weren't feeding on what we were offering them."

OUTPOST

SCI group has party, fund-raiser

The Safari Club International Southeast Michigan Bowhunters Chapter is hosting its 17th annual fund-raiser Saturday at Laurel Manor in Livonia. The event features live and silent auctions (12 hunting trips) and raffles. Doors open at 3:30 p.m. with dinner at 6.

Ask Eric - when's the latest snow has ever fallen in the Detroit area?

My brother is happy because there has been so much snow this winter that he says he'll be able to ride his snowmobile into April. Do you know the latest date that snow has fallen in the Detroit area? Kim Johnston, Berkley

ERIC SHARP

Rod dealers not out to bamboozle you

When he got into collecting vintage bamboo fly rods, Phil Heck had cards made that said he would "Buy-Sell-Trade." His wife looked at them and asked, "Why doesn't it just say 'Buy-Buy-Buy?' "

March 10, 2008

AMERICA'S CUP

New Zealand team sues Alinghi over rules interpretation

Emirates Team New Zealand has sued the Swiss America’s Cup defender, Alinghi, in a New York State court for breach of contract and in a U.S. District Court for an antitrust violation in allegedly trying to twist the rules to gain an unfair advantage in the 157-year-old event.

March 9, 2008

ERIC SHARP

Scientists: Low lake levels part of cycle

If you've wondered what affect this winter's increased snowfall might have on Great Lakes fish populations, the answer in the short term is: not much.

Some handy pliers

Few tools in a boat or deer camp are handier than a pair of pliers, and the Rapala ProGuide Essentials pliers I've been using for more than a year have done yeoman service and then some.

March 6, 2008

Steelhead stalemate - Fluctuating weather conditions frustrating to anglers

WELLSTON -- It's 42 degrees and raining steadily, punctuated with gusts of sleet that occasionally spatter our faces. Thank you!

ERIC SHARP

The point is, buck hunting rules must change

It's one of the great dichotomies of deer hunting: Everyone dreams of killing a buck with enormous antlers, yet many hunters seem unable to resist shooting the first deer they see that has anything sticking above its eyebrows.

INSIDE THE OUTDOORS

Midwest Fly Fishing Expo is your place to go this weekend

If you like fly fishing, or even wonder if you'd like fly fishing, I can think of nothing better you could do this weekend than visit the Midwest Fly Fishing Expo.

ASK ERIC

European elk? News to me

In a magazine, I saw a reference to a European elk. I thought elk were only found in the United States and Canada. Kathy Bucholtz, Novi This really causes confusion.

OUTPOST

Events from around the state of Michigan

Sporting goods show: Detroit Sportsmen's Congress, Shelby Township, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday. Buy, sell or trade. Admission $1, open to the public. Call 586-739-3500 or go to www.d-s-c.org.

March 2, 2008

ERIC SHARP

Cool things at Outdoorama

The next big thing in fishing is going to be a sinuous piece of painted tin that looks like an ice-fishing jig but will be used in open water for everything, including panfish and salmon.

February 28, 2008

ERIC SHARP

Outdoorsman touts old ways as expertise revives ancient crafts

You shoot a deer and take it to the processor. He hands you back packages of steaks, chops, sausage and burger.

ERIC SHARP

Kids programs need parental push

For some years, I've been musing on the declining numbers of hunters and anglers and efforts by well-meaning people to reverse the trend.

INSIDE THE OUTDOORS

Kevin VanDam and his light lines

A few days ago I was fishing with Kevin VanDam, one of the hottest guys on the pro bass tour. The reels he used on Lake Hartwell, S.C., were spooled with eight- to 14-pound line. Many of his Southern-bred colleagues consider anything less than 20-pound mere thread.

OUTPOST

Outdoor events from around the state of Michigan

Fishing expo: The Midwest Fly Fishing Expo will run 9 a.m.-6 p.m. March 8 and 10-4 March 9 at the Macomb Community College Sports & Expo Center in Warren (12 Mile, west of Hayes).

ASK ERIC

Can it get too cold to snow?

The Weather Channel recently showed that some places in the northern Midwest were getting temperatures of 20 below (Fahrenheit). Does it ever get too cold to snow? Len James, Kansas City, Mo.