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Published: 27 December 2016

By Louie Stout

Ledet’s Shoes Will Be Tough to Fill

Another Indiana DNR veteran is calling it quits and this one is going to be missed dearly in Michiana.

Neil Ledet (pronounced La-DAY), a name you’ve seen frequently in this column, is trading his green state issued uniform for camo hunting garb and a fishing hat.

The 64-year-old district 2 fish biologist retires at the end of 2016.

Although his jurisdiction covers most of northeastern Indiana where he managed several natural lakes, he has played a critical role in the nurturing of several fish-related projects on the St. Joseph River.

The next time you catch a walleye or trout and salmon from the St. Joseph River, know that Ledet was one of the key DNR people who helped make it possible.

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Published: 21 December 2016

By Louie Stout

Ice anglers are getting their wish - frozen water before the holidays.

After last year’s abbreviated season, the hard-water dunkers have been champing at the bit, which was quite evident during Clear H2o Tackle’s recent Open House for ice anglers.

Remember when ice tackle was simple and you could carry it all in a five-gallon bucket?

That’s not the case now, as winter fishing has gotten about as high tech as it is for open-water anglers.

Of course, you can still sit on a bucket, hold clunky $5 ice rods and stare into holes without any knowledge of fish being nearby. That method still produces a fair share of fish, but modern-day equipment will get you around more fish and make you a more efficient ice angler.

For example, today’s ice anglers are arming themselves with software-driven electronics, underwater cameras, specialized rods, reels and lures and utilizing them within the comfort of heat-retaining portable shanties.

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