Blade Outdoors

Boating education course offered

Certified instructors from the Toledo Sail & Power Squadron will teach “America’s Boating Course” at Jefferson Junior High School beginning Thursday, Feb. 7 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. for five consecutive Thursdays. The course covers the rules of the road, boater responsibilities, passing and crossing other boats, and many other boating topics. Jefferson Junior High is located next to Whitmer High School at 5530 Whitmer Drive. The course costs $45 per person/book and $25 for an additional person sharing the book. When participants complete the course and pass the exam, they receive a certificate that is required to operate a boat by anyone in Michigan born after December 31, 1978 and anyone in Ohio born after January 1, 1982. To register or for more information about advanced boating classes offered by the group, contact Larry Cole at 734-755-7252, or via email at the boater734@chartermi.net address.

Walleye Trolling book available on Robertson's website

We had a feature piece on Sunday, Jan.27, on the book "Walleye Trolling" by Toledo native and pro fisherman Ross Robertson. It is a great reference for the recreational angler, and the serious ones. The details are priceless, and the illustrations bring it all together. Since it is self-published, Ross is selling it through his website:

http://www.bigwaterfishing.com

the retail cost is $24.95.

I am anxious to see the ice come off so I can try his methods on some very elusive reservoir walleyes.

Game on the menu for South Side Sportsmen’s Club

   The South Side Sportsmen’s Club hosts its wild game dinner on Feb. 16 at 5:30 p.m. at Glass City Boardwalk in Moline. There will be pheasant, buffalo, elk, venison, rabbit, boar and turtle soup served, along with a cash bar. Live entertainment will be provided by Johnny Rodriguez. For tickets and information call: Bob Summerskill at 419-836-2046, Jeff Wright at 419-467-4187, David Theiss at 419-320-3584 or Keith Michalski at 419-466-7627.

Fort Meigs Sertoma sponsoring wild game meal

On Jan. 25, the Fort Meigs Sertoma Club hosts its 39th Annual Wild Game dinner at Holland Gardens. The table fare will include wild hog, venison, moose, wild turkey, gator, walleye, pheasant and rabbit. If you have never sampled some of these unusual offerings, here is an opportunity to try them all in one evening. Leave the standard beef and pork for one day and sample some alligator or moose. For tickets and more information, contact George Damasco at 419-740-0675.

 

I

Urban Birding Series available

   The Toledo Naturalists Association has a pair of field trips coming in January, beginning with the January 12th outing to Woodlawn Cemetery. These are part of the popular "Urban Birding Series" and are free and open to the public. You do not need to be a member of TNA to take part.

  Woodlawn Cemetery is one of the more interesting places in the area for winter birding, and recent sightings at this historic site include many Pine Siskins and White-winged Crossbills, a few Common Redpolls and Red Crossbills, a Merlin and even a lingering Gray Catbird. Meet tour leaders Mark and Sherry Plessner at 1 p.m. near the main headquarters building, close to the gate on Central Avenue.

More on the winter beauty of Hocking Hills

Our Sunday Outdoors Page on the winter wonders in the Hocking Hills region has prompted a lot of responses, and questions on how to get more details on visiting the area. The Inn & Spa at Cedar Falls is centrally located near some of the most stunning rock formations, caves and waterfalls. You can reach the inn at 1-800-653-2557 or at their www.innatcedarfalls.com website.

For general information on the area, or the Jan. 19 Winter Hike, contact 1-800-HOCKING or visit the www.1800hocking.com  website.