By Dave Hurteau & Chad Love

You’ve heard of blanket hatches. You may even think you’ve seen one or two. But the good folks of Kittanning, PA, would probably argue that you ain’t seen nothing until you’ve witnessed the mayfly mayhem along the Allegheny River in July. This year, the annual invaders have piled up nearly a foot deep on roads and buildings. And after three motorcyclists dumped their bikes crossing over the river, town officials have decided to close the Kittanning Bridge. Still, the locals aren’t complaining.  “This time wasn't as bad,” said the Fire Chief. “This was very light compared to what it looked like last time.”
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/leadertimes/s_463301.html

By Dave Hurteau & Chad Love

According to a National Wildlife Federation study, sportsmen voted nearly 2-1 for George W. Bush in the last election.  Clearly, most never guessed that his administration and the Republican congress could botch environmental, land, and energy policy so badly. But that is what’s happening, according to this Denver Post article, making strange bedfellows of sportsmen, environmentalists, and yes, even Democrats, some of whom are promising something other than a “knee-jerk liberal reaction” to issues such as gun control.
http://www.denverpost.com/legislature/ci_4084683

By Dave Hurteau & Chad Love

Anyone with a magazine subscription has read umpteen times that if you want to catch big bass, give them live bait. And that’s just what Indiana angler Larry Hinesley did to break one of the state’s longest standing records. Hinesley saw the giant spotted bass before he started casting. “I threw every lure in my box but it wouldn't take any of them,” he told the IDFW Wild Bulletin. As soon as he switched to a nightcrawler, though, there was little left to do but persuade his fishing line to hold up. "I was talking to [it] the whole time saying ‘don’t break, don’t break.’” It didn’t, and his 5 pound, 5 ounce spotted bass is now officially the new state record. http://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/recordfish/bass.htm

By Dave Hurteau & Chad Love

Some people have money to burn but Fred Revils Jr. of Shreveport, LA, apparently prefers to throw it into the Red River. After catching a tagged bass potentially worth $25K—but not knowing what the tag signified—he allowed his fishing partner throw the catch back.  “You cannot believe how sick I’ve been since I found out, and I know I’m gonna hear about this for a couple of years,” Revils said. Yes, you are.
http://www.shreveporttimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060722/SPORTS06/307220004/1001/SPORTS