America’s most popular insecticide, Imidacloprid, is sold under a number of different brand names that are readily available in a number of outlets . Recent research released by South Dakota State University indicates that exposure of this insecticide has a negative effect on white-tailed deer. These negative effects include smaller reproductive organs, pronounced overbite, declined thyroid function, and fawns that are less healthy and smaller than the norm. A Dr. Jonathan Lundgren was mentioned as part of the study.

These troublesome findings certainly lead to speculation. Could exposure to Imidacloprid affect human beings? The SDSU research people are currently trying to determine whether or not Imidacloprid affects pheasants. This could be a major breakthrough in our pheasant decline. If you google Imidacloprid on your computer, it will show you the various boxes and bottles and their brand names. There might well be some of this stuff on a shelf in your garage.

On another negative note, a recent release by our SD Game, Fish, & Parks Department confirms that zebra mussels now inhabit Lake Francis Case. This calls for diligence on our part to avoid further spread. We should carefully clean our boat and trailer following use in Francis Case, and we should drain all water including live wells.

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My father once told me that the most difficult part of growing old was losing your friends. That took years to sink in, but I now know where he was coming from. With this in mind, I’m going to make a personal plea that might also benefit you. I have always been an adventuresome sort. For years 10-12 of us made an annual spring pilgrimage to the northern reaches of Saskatchewan for walleyes and big pike. I had five partners for a caribou hunt to Nunavut, and four of us once got together for a stripped bass outing to Beaver Lake Arkansas.

Today most of those partners are gone or they have quit hunting and fishing. Thankfully I still have a few great partners, but these guys are often busier than me. I’m looking for one, two, or three guys to share the driving and gasoline, motel, and guide expenses to make the trip affordable. I have a quad cab pickup with a topper, and I’d be happy to drive. We can also take my boat.

Here’ my destination list. The longer trips can be reached in two full days or three shorter days on the road. I aim to do all of these, and together we can make this possible.

1. Arizona’s Lake Powell in the fall for big stripped bass on surface lures. We would actually be fishing in Grand Canyon - beautiful. I’ve been there in the spring when we caught lots of smaller strippers.

2. Huge flathead catfish in South Carolina’s Santee Cooper Reservoir. The guides boast “No catfish, no pay!”

3. Giant channel catfish in Manitoba’s Red River – an easy one day drive.

4. At a recent volleyball game, a friend told me about fishing in Oregon’s Columbia River this past summer for sturgeon. They caught fifty fish – the biggest a 400 lb. specimen. Walleyes were abundant – no possession limit. This is a MUST adventure. Their arms ached, but I’d welcome that kind of pain!

5. Muskies in Ontario, Minnesota, or Wisconsin – an easy days drive. It takes at least two guys as one has to man the landing net.

6. The Gulf Coast - Texas or Louisiana for red fish, hopefully shark, and whatever else swims those waters.

7. Lake Oahe most any time for two or three days. We might be looking at a motel room as I don’t have a camper, and I don’t want to do that big water by myself as I don’t have a cell phone. The same for going to North Dakota’s Devils Lake. On the simpler side, I like to have a partner when I go out on my home Francis Case waters.

I think that most folks feel that I’m easy enough to get along with. For me, if you’re a smoker, leave the cigarettes at home. I can handle an after dinner drink, but if you need to take a bottle along, this isn’t going to work very well. Let’s get together and talk about it.

See you next week.