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Show Salt Water Stuff This is the season tt Ik year when the more fortunate among northern and eastern anglers already al-ready are in the southland or heading there as speedily as possible. possi-ble. For these favored gentry, there are all the thrills and excitement of southern bass fishing, as well as the more strenuous' sport of deep sea angling with its exciting prospect pros-pect of the quarry being bigger than the stalker. For the deep sen addict, the range and type of his fishing are almost limitless. If he desires, he can clamber aboard the charter and cruise boats and do battle with sailfish, giant swords and marlin, to say nothing of the killer, mako and lesser sharks that may fall to his lure. If his tastes are less for the giants of the deep, there are almost a million-and-one smaller species which will offer him much sport and many swell fish dinners. Among these, of course, are the weakfish (spotted trout), the groupers, snappers snap-pers and a host of others. Should the angler be out sheerly for sport and wishes to risk his tackle, he may go after baby tarpon tar-pon with his fly-rod admittedly one of the most spectacular and exciting types of fishing to be found anywhere. As for tackle for most deep-sea sport, the rare thing about it is that he need have no tackle at all. For, on most of the charter and cruise boats, there is always ample tackle and it will be rented to the angler and the price included in the overall cost of the trip. The surf fisherman, too, will be coming in for his share of sport as he haunts the lonely beaches, casting, cast-ing, ever casting into the foaming surf in search of the battling striper or other salt water denizen. For the ice-bound Ike Walton, there is nothing to do to while away the long days until spring except read outdoor magazines, refurbish items of tackle or hopefully wait for tackle catalogues detailing next year's equipment offerings. AAA Fire In Winter Starting a fire in winter, when ground and fuel are likely to be wet with rain or snow is sometimes very difficult but it can be done. Previous preparation is many times the answer. For instance, paraffin is an excellent tinder, and several small cubes wrapped individually and carried in your pack will pay valuable dividends. The stub of a candle, or a newspaper rolled tightly, dipped into paraffin and cut into small lengths, are also excellent materials. A little piece of sandpaper or a lady's small fingerboard glued in the top of your waterproof matchbox will provide pro-vide a dry place for striking matches. In selecting your wood, naturally get the driest it is possible to find and make some "prayer" or "fuzz" sticks. To do this, cut long slivers along all sides of the twigs and leave them attached. Place your tinder on the driest possible spot of ground and lay some of the dry shavings over it. Over this, place one or two of the "prayer" sticks you have made. As the fire is lighted and the "fuzz sticks" catch fire, more and more can be added until a fair-sized fair-sized flame is going. To this should be added the small kindling which already you have prepared. Add kindling gradually, working up to the big limbs which, finally, will make your fire. AAA Knife-Sharpening Every sharp-edged tool requires periodic sharpening regardless of quality. Of course, the finer quality the knife, the less sharpening will be necessary. To get the most from your hunting or pocket knife, use this procedure to maintain a sharp edge: Use a natural oil stone or composition com-position stone of medium fine grade. Hold the blade of your knife at about a 20-degree angle and draw against the edge of the stone from heel to point, a few strokes on each side of the blade. A sharp edge will soon be restored. Never lay the blade flat on the stone, and take care to use even, straight strokes on both sides. With the last few strokes, you may lessen the pressure being applied. Use a few drops of kerosene or light machine oil on the stone in order to obtain a smooth, keen edge on the blade. Never use a coarse stone or a grinding wheel, as these will destroy a fine cutting edge. AAA Bench Rest Rifles Bench rest rifles for the most part boast long, heavy barrels. Some of these look like a telephone pole on Main street, and look, too, as if they'd weigh just about as much. A rifle with an inch-and-a-quarter barrel, about 28 inches long, a strong action and a high-powered scope will tip the scales at around 20 pounds, maybe more. That is a lot of steel, but who cares? You don't have to carry it around. |