It started for me long ago. My daddy always had a copy or two of the Big Three in outdoor magazines – Field and Stream, Sports Afield, or Outdoor Life lying around, and one of my early childhood pleasures was picking one up, flipping through the pages, and reading articles written by guys that became my heroes.

My favorite was Grits Gresham. I thought of him as a local guy since his hometown, Natchitoches, was only 40 miles or so from where I grew up. Grits would transport me in fantasy to far distance lands as he wrote about hunting wild game animals all the way from Colorado to the Congo.

Other favorite writers were those who majored in humor writing. Ed Zern, Charlie Dickey, and Pat McManus, et al would find me flipping to the back pages to chuckle at the brilliant way they handled humor.

Today, you’ll be hard-pressed to find actual print copies of these favorite magazines of mine. Take Outdoor Life, for instance. I checked online to see how this magazine is offered to readers today.

Here’s what I read…”Outdoor Life is a digital-only magazine covering hunting, fishing, camping, survival, and outdoor gear.”

Sports Afield? “Please click the link below to access your copy of the digital version.”

Field and Stream? They are giving it a shot at bringing back the print version of this popular magazine. “That’s right – print! We’re bringing back the magazine!”

Good luck with that

My interest has been drawn to a couple of online magazines that have emerged from the pack in recent years. Both Catfish NOW! And Crappie NOW! is edited by outdoor writer friends of mine. Keith “Catfish” Sutton heads the one on catfish, while Richard Simms is editor of the one targeting crappie anglers.

About Catfish NOW, in checking the website, I read the following: “…is a user-friendly web-based magazine and social media platform. Our goal is to entertain and educate catfish anglers at all skill levels and outdoors enthusiasts from all walks of life. Catfish NOW is FREE. A new issue is released around the 15th of each month. Readers can subscribe by using our subscribe button on the home page.”

Here’s what I learned about Crappie NOW. “An unequaled online-only crappie fishing magazine aimed at passionate crappie anglers from all skill levels. It is presented on a platform where readers can search for information on new crappie fishing tips, techniques, destinations, equipment, tackle, tournaments, and the latest news from industry-leading professionals.” This publication is also free and can be accessed by using the subscribe button on the home page.

You can subscribe to Outdoor Life and Sports Afield online, but you pay for the privilege. On the other hand, both the catfish and crappie magazines are entirely free and are financed by magazine sponsors.

I enjoy reading both of these free ones, and I can take them with me wherever I go; all I have to do is click a button and find out all I need to know about how to catch catfish and crappie. However, I have to admit that I miss sitting down and flipping through the pages of a magazine you can hold in your hands.

The times, folks, they are a-changing, aren’t they?

FISHING REPORT

CANEY LAKE –. Bass have moved up around the grass and Texas rigged plastic worms are taking some fish around the boat docks as well as on secondary points using crank baits. Some schooling activity is being noted with fish hitting shad imitations. Crappie are around the deep tops and jigs and shiners are taking some. Bream both chinquapins and bluegills are on the beds and hitting crickets and worms. For information, contact Caney Lake Landing at 259-6649, Hooks Marina at 249-2347, Terzia Tackle at 278-4498 or the Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
BUSSEY BRAKE – Bass have been good with some big fish hitting on soft plastics and wacky worms. Crappie are on the flats with shiners and jig taking some fish. The bream are bedding around the edges of the brush. For latest information, contact the Honey Hole at 323-8707.
OUACHITA RIVER – High water and rising. For latest information, contact the Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
LAKE D’ARBONNE – Bass fishing has been good early mornings on topwater lures along the banks with soft plastics, jigs and chatter baits working best later in the day away from the banks. Crappie have begun to move out to deeper water. Jigs and shiners are taking some nice fish. Bream are bedding shallow and hitting worms and crickets and catfish are good fishing off the banks. For latest information, call Anderson Sport Center at 368-9669 or Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
LAKE CLAIBORNE – Crappie fishing has been good on suspended fish on jigs and shiners. Bass are around the banks and hitting topwaters early while later hitting hit jigs, spinners and soft plastics. Bream are on the beds and worms and crickets are working on them. Stripers are beginning to school and hitting shad imitations. For latest information, call Kel’s Cove at 927-2264 or Terzia Tackle at 278-4498.
LAKE POVERTY POINT – Catfish and bream are best bets this week. Bass and crappie are fair. For information, contact the marina at 318/878-0101.
LAKE YUCATAN – The water is high but on a stand-still with a slow fall predicted next week. No fishing to report. For info call Surplus City Landing at 318/467-2259.