News Briefs

[Lee Borgersen]

Outdoors news briefs
April 03, 2011 at 11:07 AM
DOUG GOODMAN
Rockford Register Star

Dan Palmer has added another job in the world of competitive fishing.

The Machesney Park resident recently was named on-site tournament director for the new Masters Bass Circuit.

The circuit has qualifying events this summer at Lake Winnebago in Oshkosh Wis., Bays de Noc in Escanaba, Mich., and Lake Minnetonka in Minnesota, followed by a championship Sept. 24-25 at Leech Lake in Minnesota.

The MBC was created by the same company that runs the Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit.

Palmer is the on-site tournament director, bump master and TV co-host for the Masters Walleye Circuit.

‘Sturgeon guards’ sought

Wisconsin’s Department of Natural Resources is seeking volunteers to help protect lake sturgeon spawning in the Wolf River from poachers.

Volunteer “sturgeon guards” stay at designated spots along the river through the spawning season, which runs five to seven days from late April to early May.

For more information about becoming a guard, call 920-303-5444 or check the website DNRSturgeonGuard@wisconsin.gov.

Nugent lobbies Mich. governor

Michigan native Ted Nugent did some lobbying this week with the state’s new governor.

Nugent contends Michigan’s game laws are too restrictive, forcing hunters to go to other states to enjoy their sport, and Michigan loses that revenue.

He also believes Michigan hunters should be able to shoot wild turkeys without a license, saying turkeys are as plentiful as mosquitoes now.

Fly fishing sales grow

Retailers saw continued sales growth of fly fishing gear last year, according to a recently released survey.

Near 60 percent of anglers reported buying fly fishing tackle in 2010, which was 4.1 percent more than in the previous year.

The Southwick Associates survey showed Temple Fork Outfitters was the most popular fly rod (15.4 percent of purchases) and Orvis was the most purchased reel (23.5 percent).

And, the survey showed trout was the most popular species for fly fishermen (66 percent).

[Lee Borgersen]

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