Thanks to the kindness and generosity of friends and family, I’ve done quite a bit of fishing this year. This action included Francis Case Reservoir, Saskatchewan, area bass ponds, and lately Wisconsin’s Lakes Mendota and Winnebago. Using light spinning tackle, I’ve been fortunate enough to land northern pike, walleye, largemouth bass, and smallmouth bass that would look good on the cover of any outdoor publication. I’ve kept a few smallmouths and walleyes for the table, but what I relished most is the actual fight. With all, I eagerly look forward to seeing what’s actually on the end of my line though I can usually tell by the nature of the fight.

I’ve come to realize that if I lived in a world completely free of opinion from both other anglers and outdoor media including television and magazines, none of the above mentioned fish would be my favorite – especially fight wise although the smallmouth bass would be right up there. My favorite fish would be the freshwater drum. This guy is the Rodney Dangerfield of fish species. He gets absolutely no respect.

When I think of the fight given to me by all the fish I’ve caught this year, not a single fish, not even the northern pike, has given me the tussle that a drum weighing five to six pounds did. His head shaking and his repeated powerful dives under the boat were unequaled. Was I disappointed when I saw a drum on the end of my line? Maybe a wee bit as I had hoped it was a large walleye or smallmouth bass, but my slightly negative attitude was a product of the biased environment around me. When I came to my senses, I realized that he had just given me one heck of a fight, and that’s why I was out there.

There’s more to like about the drum. He likes artificial lures - especially the jig, and jigging is my favorite way to fish. The drum is also excellent table fare if you remove the dark red meat from the fillet which is easily done. I’ve put drum on the table with walleye, and no one detected the difference. Drum or sheepshead are found from Mexico to Canada’s Lake Winnipeg, from the east to west coast, and are relatively easy to catch as they always seem to be hungry. They can also reach 50 pounds or more in weight. I can’t even imagine a double-digit drum on my line.

On Monday, July 18th, Tom, my son-in-law, and I made the twohour drive to Wisconsin’s Lake Winnebago for walleyes. In the hot sun we only caught two walleyes in nine hours of fishing, but drum saved the day as they were aggressive. What I’m hoping for with today’s column is a slight attitude adjustment toward the freshwater drum. He is well deserving.

I don’t know that reaching eighty years of age is significant today, but I am well aware that things can suddenly turn for the worst health wise. I don’t dwell on it, but when I apply for deer tags, it crosses my mind that my deer hunt days are numbered. I could hunt alone if I had to, but I can no longer drag a 180 pound buck to my pickup or get him loaded into the back. I must also be aware of falls as my balance is suspect to say the least. And so I’m dependent on friends.

This fall my Corson County West River Deer hunt will once again be with Mike Hall. Mike and I go way back. We have shared a caribou hunt in the Arctic, a moose hunt in British Columbia, a waterfowl and red stag hunt in Argentina, a plains game hunt in Africa, and a number of elk hunts in Wyoming. Mike looks out for me, and I am very grateful for his company.

This year’s East River Deer Hunt will be in Bon Homme County, a deer paradise if such a place exists. Once again I’ll be under the guidance of Chuck Zacharias, a former student and master hunter. With Mike and Chuck, I see no senior deer hunter luckier or more grateful than I.

As you read today’s column, our entire family will be in Gulf Shores, Alabama. While charter boat fishing with the grandkids will be our top priority, I plan to bring tackle along for surf casting and pier fishing. I hope my freshwater gear is applicable.

See you next week.