Quick Quip...

Just because the ice has just left, it doesn't necessarily mean that crappies are hot and heavy. Our TFN sources tell us that they come and go with the weather. In fact, Crappie are very closely related to bass, and although they may venture into the shallows on warm days to feed, they don't actually spawn until the water exceeds 62 degrees fahrenheit.

What's New...

If you come across a link that isn't working properly, email to the Webmaster and we'll get it fixed.

We've uploaded most of the Tournament Links on the TFN Tourneys Page although it's a constant struggle. We'll now be turing our attention to the Clubs Section, so if you've emailed in your club name, we really will be getting back to you shortly.

Our new Lodges, Charters and Guides Pages (which will put the rest of the Net to shame) are now taking shape. We have made a first pass of Canada (we still have to cross-reference some phone numbers) and have pages up for 16 states from the US. We'll be increasing the number as we go along. If you happen to be involved with a fishing-related lodge, resort, guide or charter service, and are not listed on the pages we've completed, we offer a free Basic One-Line Listing with your name, location and telephone number. Of course, with the number of listings we're dealing with here, we strongly suggest checking out the Upgraded Listing options available from every page in the system. To give you an idea, we've listed over 2,000 destinations so far!

This Issue...

You will notice that there is not yet any winner for the CDRomCo Walleye contest. Why? (you ask) - Simply because we have not received a story worthy of consideration. So this month, we'll be offering 2 prizes instead of 1! SO GET YOUR STORIES IN! If we have some good stories this month and none as good next month, we'll use the best we have for nex't month's prize as well! We'd like to welcome Luiz Philipe Daudt as one of our new writers. Philipe is from Brazil, and this month's article points out that there is some good freshwater fishing in that country -- not only saltwater!

Follow-up...

In the last issue's Comment, I mentioned that the Federal Canadian Government would create some loopholes in the Non Smoking Advertising Bill to allow tobacco-related racing events such as the Vancouver and Toronto Indy Races to become exempt from the law. Well, it happened. AND WHAT A BUNCH OF BUMPH! It would seem that unless you are involved in these particular events, you are now being discriminated agianst. I mean hey, if they can do it why can't we?!?! But then again, these races get all the press, and we're now in an election campaign, so...

Comment... (Beef of the Month)

Just the other evening, I watched a story on a local TV newscast about a Canada Goose in Hamilton (Ontario, just west of Toronto) Harbour with a fishing hook imbedded in it's neck. What the heck was this angler thinking? This is exactly the type of information that groups like PETA feed on! How could, and why would anyone cast a hook (that was apparently connected to a 6" wire leader) anywhere near a waterfowl?

I'm not trying to be politically correct here. But hunting with fishing tackle IS unethical. More than that, it's stupid. All anglers must realize that nature has provided us with an incredible resource -- sportfish -- and that in order to continue to be able to partake of our favourite pastime, we must also observe some simple courtesy toward other species that share our outdoor environment!

People who intentionally catch out-of-season fish can be criminally prosecuted. Even snagging (foul-hooking) fish is illegal in many areas. Why shouldn't these laws (and the consequences of breaking them) also apply to other animal species? I think that anyone who purposely tries to snag a waterfowl or any other aquatic animal -- muskrats, beavers, mink, etc. -- should have their tackle confiscated and be heavily fined.

In the meantime, if I ever see anyone purposely trying to snag anything that breathes, the least they will receive is a terse admonishment. If that person is trying to snag an animal other than a fish, I'll personally walk over and break their fishing rod over my knee!

Until next issue...
(tight lines, get it wet, good fishin', see you on the water, etc., etc.).

Scott M. Binnie, Managing Editor