Just Keep Fishing: Steelhead Tips from Gander Mountain

It may sound crazy to talk about fishing in the midst of a polar vortex; but it's supposed to be 52 degrees this Saturday, according to the 5-day forecast. (Ohio, am I right?)

Round here, that makes it steelhead weather.

When fishers talk about it being “the season,” they’re not talking about blizzards or frozen pipes. They’re talking about steelhead trout.

Lake County is one of the best places to catch steelhead in the state. The Chagrin and Grand Rivers both receive more than 90,000 yearlings annually.

But catching steelhead can be difficult for novice or even the experienced angler. Consequently, the Gander Mountain and Mentor Public Library are teaming for a seminar on the fly fishing steelhead this Thursday at the library’s Main Branch.

The experts from Gander Mountain will talk about the best places to find steelhead, what baits and lures work best, and offer some inside tips on making the most of the season. They will also go over the basics of fly fishing with gear and demonstrations.

The seminar is free and open to the public. However, people are asked to register beforehand. They can do so by calling the library at (440) 255-8811 ext. 214 or by visiting the library's website.

Mentor Public Library and the Gander Mountain in Mentor have been holding programs for hunting and outdoor enthusiasts since 2002. In the last two years, the experts from Gander Mountain have talked about urban deer hunting, the safe way to deep fry a turkey, fishing from a kayak and much more.

And they're not done. The library and Gander Mountain will continue the outdoor series in 2014.

They will have seminars on Lake Erie fishing, grilling, camping and tailgating later next year. All of those talks are free and open to anyone.

Catch More Steelhead with Tips from Gander Mountain

Update: Due to an emergency, this program has been rescheduled for January 9. We apologize for any inconvenience.

When fishers talk about it being “the season,” they’re not talking about Christmas. They’re talking about steelhead trout.

Steelhead are not native to the Great Lakes, but they have been stocked in the region for decades; and fishing for them has become increasingly popular.

Furthermore, Lake County is one of the best places to catch steelhead in the state. The Chagrin and Grand Rivers both receive more than 90,000 yearlings annually.

But catching steelhead can be difficult for novice or even the experienced angler. Consequently, the Gander Mountain and Mentor Public Library are teaming for a seminar on the fly fishing steelhead this Thursday at the library’s Main Branch.

The experts from Gander Mountain will talk about the best places to find steelhead, what baits and lures work best, and offer some inside tips on making the most of the season. They will also go over the basics of fly fishing with gear and demonstrations.

The seminar is free and open to the public. However, people are asked to register beforehand. They can do so by calling the library at (440) 255-8811 ext. 214 or by visiting the library's website.

Mentor Public Library and the Gander Mountain in Mentor have been holding programs for hunting and outdoor enthusiasts since 2002. In the last two years, the experts from Gander Mountain have talked about urban deer hunting, the safe way to deep fry a turkey, fishing from a kayak and much more.

And they're not done. The library and Gander Mountain will continue the outdoor series in 2014.

They will have seminars on Lake Erie fishing, grilling, camping and tailgating later next year. All of those talks are free and open to anyone.

Learn the Right Way to Deep Fry a Turkey

Want to know what happens when you deep fry a frozen turkey?

It explodes.

And, yes, that may look cool in slow motion on YouTube; but it's significantly less cool when it's your garage burning.

But here's the rub: fried turkey is tasty. It's not tasty enough to justify burning down your house, but it is delicious.

The solution: Learn the right way to fry a turkey.

Then you can enjoy a perfectly fried bird and not turn your house into kindling.

Fortunately, the professionals from Gander Mountain are giving a demonstration on the safe (and delicious) way to fry a turkey on Thursday, Oct. 17, in the parking lot of Mentor Public Library’s Main Branch. The demonstration will begin at 6:30 p.m.

And, yes, there will be free samples when they're finished.

The outdoor chefs will even suggest special marinades and spice rubs that can you can use.

This program is part of a partnered seminar series by Mentor Public Library and the Mentor Gander for hunting and fishing enthusiasts.

During the last year, the professionals from Gander Mountain have talked about everything from kayak fishing to urban deer hunting at the library.

The outdoor cooking program is free and open to the public. However, the library asks that people register beforehand. People can sign up by calling (440) 255-8811 ext. 215 or by visiting the library's website.

Urban Deer Hunting Tips with Gander Mountain

Mitch Leppelmeier (the one on the ground) helps Kevin Matty set up a tree stand outside the Mentor Public Library's Read House.

The professionals from the Gander Mountain store in Mentor visited our Main Branch last week to talk about urban deer hunting.

It's difficult to glean 90 minutes of good advice (itself gleaned from decades of experience) into a few bullet points, but I'll do my best.

1. While the state of Ohio has both gun- and bow-hunting seasons, only bow hunting is legal in Mentor. (Here's a FAQ for deer-hunting laws in Mentor.) Consequently, Kevin Matty and Mitch Leppelmeier of Gander Mountain focused on bow hunting during their talk.

There are three types of bows: longbows (the kind you might see the elves of Mirkwood use,) compound bows and crossbows.

Mitch and Kevin both recommended crossbows for new hunters. It takes a lot more practice to become competent with a longbow or compound bow, they said.

Also, you don't need to be able to pull back 40 pounds of pressure with a crossbow (like you would with a compound bow.)

You can get a good crossbow starting at about $300, they said.

Mitch and Kevin talk about the differences between a crossbow (left) and a compound bow.

2. Tree stands are mandatory in Mentor. You can't hunt deer from the ground.

Consequently, Mitch and Kevin spent a lot of time talking about safety and tree stands.

"You don't just put a ladder up and sit on top. You want to be safe," Kevin said.

Whenever possible, have someone else help you set up your stand. It's a safer and easier job with two people.

When you're climbing up your stand, always maintain three points of contact. Out of your two hands and two feet, at least three of them should be on the ladder at all times. It doesn't matter much if you get up the stand three seconds faster. It matters a lot if you fall off while climbing.

Along those same lines, don't climb the stand with your bow in hand. Use a bow hoist to pull it up to you once you're situated on the stand.

Every new stand should come with a safety belt. (You can buy them too.) Use it! One you're atop the stand, strap yourself to the tree.

Kevin demonstrates the strength of the strap on his tree stand.

3. Practice makes perfect.

To hunt in Mentor, you need to pass an archery test; but, in general, you want to know what you're doing when you're up in that tree stand -- especially for the deer.

Kevin stressed that most hunters are conservationists, and part of the reason they hunt is because they want the deer herds to be healthy levels.

As conservationists, they want to hunt while causing the deer as little pain as possible. That means knowing where to aim on the deer and being able to put an arrow (or bolt) where you intend.

The square on the deer's torso is where hunters should aim for the quickest, least painful death.

4. Never be too proud to ask for help or advice.

The guys from the Gander Mountain store are always up for discussing hunting tactics or equipment.

Kevin and Mitch also recommended YouTube has a valuable source of information. Mitch said he learned how to field dress a deer from watching videos on YouTube.

For more information on deer hunting equipment and tactics, visit the Mentor Gander Mountain store's website. For more on the hunting laws in Mentor, here's a FAQ. For more programs and events at the Mentor Public Library, visit www.mentorpl.org.

At the Library: Gander Mountain pros to talk about urban deer hunting

Kevin Matty, the manager at the Mentor Gander Mountain store, demonstrates the proper way to set up and use a tree stand during a hunting seminar last year at the Mentor Public Library's Read House.

With the bow hunting season beginning Sept. 28, Mentor Public Library is hosting a program on urban deer hunting with Gander Mountain from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 22, at the library’s main branch.

The professionals from the Gander Mountain Store in Mentor will offer tips on bow hunting, explain how to set up a tree stand, show different equipment that’s available to hunters and – most of all – talk about safety.

“Safety is the first thing when it comes to deer hunting,” said Kevin Matty, the Mentor Gander Mountain store manager.

“It doesn’t matter if you’re using a bow or something else. It doesn’t matter if you’re using a tree stand or standing on the ground. Everything starts with safety.”

The speakers will also have information on bag limits and other Ohio hunting regulations.

Bow hunting of white tailed deer was made legal in parts of Mentor last year. It’s also legal on some Lake Metroparks’ property and other areas of Lake County.

MPL Adult Information Services Librarian Cailey Williams said the library is always looking to hold programs that are relevant to its patrons.

“Urban deer hunting is a relatively new trend that people still have questions about,” she said.

“The professionals at Gander Mountain can not only answer these questions, they can also use their expertise to advise about equipment and best practices. Hopefully our patrons will walk away from this program more knowledgeable about the topic.”

The program is open to the public. However, people are asked to register for the program beforehand. They can do so by calling (440) 255-8811 ext. 215 or visiting the library’s website.

Tips on Kayak Fishing from Gander Mountain

Matt Buck of Gander Mountain explains how to fish from a kayak without tipping over.

The professionals from the Gander Mountain store in Mentor visited the Mentor Public Library Thursday to offer tips on how to fish from a kayak.

Here are some of the suggestions from Gander Mountain's Matt Buck and Mitch Leppelmeier:

1. There are two types of kayaks: sit-on and sit-in. As you might expect from the name, you sit atop sit-on kayaks. You actually get inside of sit-in kayaks. (Matt Buck is using a sit-in kayak in the above photo. He is showing a sit-on in the shot below.)

Matt Buck shows the drainage holes in a sit-on kayak.

Both sit-in and sit-on kayaks have their benefits and the difference often comes down to a matter of taste.

Buck said that sit-ons are more stable despite having a higher center of gravity and are probably a little better for fishing.

Also, if a sit-on flips, you can get back on it -- even in the water, Buck said. But if your sit-in flips, you're swimming that thing back to dry land; because the water rushes into the sit-in's cockpit and forms a vacuum.

However, sit-ins tend to keep your drier. (Leppelmeier stressed that no kayak keeps you completely dry. If you don't want to get any water on you, stay on land.)

Buck and Leppelmeier both use sit-in kayaks in their personal lives.

"I fish from a sit-in," Buck said. "I feel more secure."

A kayak -- whether sit-in or sit-on -- can run you between $200 and $1,300.

(Buck also mentioned a type of kayak called Hobie Cats that are similar to pedal boats, because you can pedal them with your feet. That makes them ideal to fish with because your hands don't need to handle a paddle and a fishing rod. However, they are on the pricey side.)

2. Kayaks also differ in weight and length. A shorter kayak -- a 10-footer, for example -- is extremely maneuverable and great for more enclosed or harder to reach areas.

But if you're in a lot of open water -- like, say, a great lake -- larger kayaks are much faster.

3. Picking the right paddle is just as important as picking the right boat, and the right paddle will depend predominantly on the height of the kayaker and width of his or her boat.

Try the paddle out before you buy it. See if it feels right. (Actually, that's good advice for anything kayak-related. There are a lot of places where you can rent kayaks around here. Rent a sit-on and a sit-in. Try them both before you decide what feels right for you.)

Mitch Leppelmeier explains how to pick a paddle.

People can buy both aluminum and graphite paddles. Graphite is lighter but less rigid; aluminum is more rigid but heavier.

It sometimes helps to have a more rigid paddle. (They can balance you when you're getting in and out of the kayak or can pry you forward if you get stuck on a stump.) But if the aluminum paddle is too heavy for you to use comfortable -- go with the graphite.

4. Speaking of must-have gear -- have a dry box, preferably one with a carrabiner that you can attach to the kayak. That way, even if your kayak flips, you'll still have your car keys and cell phone, and they'll still be dry.

Kayaks can also be outfitted with rod holders, fish finders and even outriggers.

5. You also need a life jacket.

"I wear a life jacket 100 percent of the time," Buck said. "I don't care if it's 90 degrees. I rolled my kayak several times, especially while fishing."

Before you buy a life jacket, try paddling with it. You don't want something that's going to rub your torso raw when you paddle.

6. Speaking of uncomfortable friction, take your wedding band and other rings off when you kayak.

"You will get calluses if you leave it on," Buck said. "Right underneath it. That's what dry boxes are for."

7. You also need registration to own and use a kayak. It costs $25 for three years. You can get it at BMV or the Mentor Gander Mountain store.

8. Fishing from a kayak presents some unique opportunities and some unique challenges.

"The great thing about fishing from a kayak is accessibility," Leppelmeier said. "You can reach places that boats can't get to. You can get to places that people on shore can't reach."

However, kayaks are lightweight and more tenuously balanced than a boat. If your body is rocking one way or another while trying to bring a fish in, then that can be enough to tip the kayak.

Buck stressed that the best way to stay afloat is to keep everything in front of you while fishing.

"Always fish in front of you. It will keep you dry. It will keep you safe," Buck said.

9. Also, kayaks don't have as much storage space as other boats, so fishers need to be practical about what they bring with them on the kayak.

"It's like normal fishing scaled down," Leppelmeier said of kayak fishing. "Don't take your giant tackle box with you."

Buck and Leppelmeier tend to fish catch-and-release when on their kayaks, but some fishermen bring a cooler with them to store their fish.

10. Watch the weather.

This is true whenever you're boating but especially important in a smaller craft like a kayak -- doubly so if you're on open water.

It's very difficult to paddle a kayak against turbulent water and a single Lake Erie wave can dump four to five inches of water into a kayak, Leppelmeier said.

"If the wind says 'north,' go home," Buck said of kayaking on Lake Erie.

11. Enjoy yourself.

Kayaking is about the atmosphere.

"The fishing is secondary," Buck said. "You're just paddling and having a great day in the water."

Paddling in a parking lot is slightly less fun.

For more information on programs and events at the Mentor Public Library, visit www.mentorpl.org.

Outdoor Cooking With Gander Mountain At The Library

We got to combine three of my favorite things Thursday evening at the library: grilling, chocolate cake and the folks at Gander Mountain.

(Here's a video if you're curious as to where these three things intersect.)

Gander Mountain store representatives Nick Young and Deb Barmess visited the Mentor Public Library to give a delicious demo and answer questions about outdoor cooking May 16 on the Read House lawn.

They used a charcoal grill and Dutch oven to make a chocolate-cherry dump cake from cherry pie filling, a box of chocolate cake mix and some soda.

While the cake baked, they answered questions from the crowd about campfire cooking, smoking, tailgating and other forms of outdoor cooking.

Here are just a few of their tips:

• Young recommended the classic road-trip grill with cast-iron grates for tailgaters -- though he said more ambitious tailgaters could try a deep fryer to make wings or even a turkey, as long as they remember to thaw the turkey first. 
• For backpackers, Young and Barmess recommended a MicroRocket Stove – a stove that’s not much bigger than a jewelry box that can boil a liter of water in fewer than four minutes, they said. 
• Barmess said the single most important thing (though not the only important thing) while cooking outdoors was to remember food safety. Don't mix your perishable and non-perishables and keep uncooked meat away from the rest of your food. 

And, yes, they shared the cake when it was finished.

The pros from Gander Mountain will be back at the library on June 20 for another installment of their seminar series for outdoor enthusiasts.

The next talk will cover walleye fishing, lure selection and trolling techniques.

The talk (like all the events at the library) is free but registration is required.

For more information on the Gander Mountain seminar series call the Mentor Public Library at (440) 255-8811, ext. 215 or visit the Mentor Public Library website at www.mentorpl.org.