I'd like to make an appeal, on behalf of my boyfriend.  You see, I know nothing of fly fishing, except that he's been daydreaming of "fly fishing in New Mexico" for the past 3 years. I'd like to fulfill this daydream for his upcoming birthday, but I have no idea where, when, or exactly how, to send him.

I am hoping, on behalf of my out-doorsy boyfiend who has chosen an in-doorsy girlfriend, that some of you can help me so that I don't send him to a river which is sans fish and/or frozen over.

Any advice, in my state of utter ignorance, would be helpful.
Thanks!

ROCKPORT, Texas — This winter, the world’s last natural wild population of whooping cranes pushed past the 200 mark, a landmark event for an endangered bird species that has come back from the brink of extinction in the past six decades. Biologists at the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge completed a census flight on the Texas coast and tallied 216 birds recently. That number exceeds the previous high of 194 whoopers counted in the winter of 2003-04. The whooper population that winters in Texas and nests in northwestern Canada reached a low of only 15 birds in 1941 when efforts to protect the species and its habitat were just beginning. The population has since been growing at about four percent annually. Although the federal refuge and nearby state lands provide the historic nucleus of whooper wintering habitat, state biologists say private landowners play an important, if often overlooked, role in helping whoopers and other wildlife, since they manage and protect private property along the coastal bays and estuaries where whooping cranes winter. This year’s increase in numbers is due to good nest production last summer. A total of 54 nesting pairs hatched 66 chicks on their nesting grounds in Wood Buffalo National Park, Canada, according to the Canadian Wildlife Service. This year’s record population of 216 includes 33 young cranes that have completed their first migration to Texas. The 33 juvenile cranes, including two sets of twins, are the most to ever arrive at Aransas, three more than the previous record high of 30 juveniles in 1997. Although the whooping crane population remains endangered, the comeback of the species sets a standard for conservation efforts in North America. “It’s been a slow process for recovery of this species,” said Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Biologist Lee Ann Linam, who speaks from experience. Her father Frank Johnson managed the Aransas refuge when Linam was younger and helped to bring the population to the 100-bird mark in 1986. “It takes 3-5 years for a whooping crane to mature, and when they nest, they usually only produce one chick.” “We were hoping for 200 whooping cranes in the year 2000, but the population went into a decline for a couple years before rebounding back to 194 cranes last winter. Getting a record-high count right around the Thanksgiving holiday is certainly something to be thankful for,” said Tom Stehn, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service whooping crane coordinator at the Aransas refuge. The whooping crane population continues to face many threats, including collisions with power lines during migration, limited genetic variability in the birds themselves, loss of crane migration habitat, and winter habitat threatened with loss of productivity due to reduced fresh water inflows and chemical spills. Also, Linam notes, sandhill crane and snow goose hunters in Texas have a special responsibility in safeguarding whooping cranes that may still be migrating through Texas during hunting seasons. Hunters need to be able to recognize the difference between these similar-looking species. TPWD has posted a file on its Web site titled “Be Sure Before You Shoot,” which offers drawings and information to help hunters distinguish whooping cranes from game birds. This sole natural wild population of whooping cranes nests in the Northwest Territories of Canada in summer and migrates 2,400 miles to winter at the Aransas and Matagorda Island National Wildlife Refuges and surrounding areas. Their winter range stretches out over 35 miles of the Texas coast about 45 miles north of Corpus Christi. Wintering whooping cranes use salt marsh habitat foraging primarily for blue crabs. Unlike most other bird species, whooping cranes are territorial in both summer and winter and will defend and chase all other whooping cranes out of their estimated 350-acre territories. Since whooping crane migration starts in mid-September and is usually not completed until mid-December, it is still possible that a few additional cranes will turn up to be counted on the weekly census flights conducted by the USFWS. It takes as many as eight hours of flying to cover the 55,600 acres of marsh over a 35-mile stretch of the Texas coast to find all the cranes. These flights determine the size of the total population, locate crane territories, and note any deaths that may have occurred. “Counting every whooping crane every week is quite a challenge. We have thousands of other white birds in the marsh, including pelicans and egrets that make aerial spotting of cranes more difficult. Also, the cranes can move during a census flight and either not be counted or else be counted twice,” said Stehn. During the last several decades, biologists have implemented several measures to try to bring whoopers back to the wild in other locations. Since 1993, captive bred whooping cranes have been released annually in central Florida. Today, that non-migratory flock numbers approximately 75 birds. During the past three years, these cranes demonstrated their maturity by nesting and producing chicks on their own. In addition, a migratory flock was established using an ultra light aircraft to teach the whooping cranes a migration route between Wisconsin and Florida. This migratory flock now numbers 49, with the cranes flying solo after being led on their initial trip across the eastern U.S. behind the aircraft. This number includes 14 juvenile whooping cranes currently in Georgia being led by the migration team. The team of pilots and biologists assigned this task make up the Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership.

Ask any die hard tournament or weekend bass fisherman that question and you will receive the same answer.YUK!!!! But ask Wayne Stark long time “BASS CAT” driver and local tournament angler that question and you will hear I LOVE IT! I LOVE IT! This writer and Wayne with a group of local anglers made an exploratory trip few years ago to Port Mansfield, to verify the stories told of Salt Water top water and artificial fishing action to rival the best days we have ever had fresh water fishing. Wayne was so impressed that last year he and his wonder wife Mary bought a place at Port Mansfield and constructed what we affectionately call STARK”S COMPOUND. Effective Jan.1 ,1997 Capt. Wayne and Mary opened “Capt. Waynes Bed and Breakfast Guide Service “, Port Mansfield ,Texas. Capt. Wayne has the unique ability to meet anyone’s Salt Water fishing requirements, from flats fishing in the Laguna Madre to Blue Water adventures offshore. He can provide a complete package including lodging , meals and guide service, or one day guide trips. I recommend the complete package as not only is the fishing outstanding, the food and lodging are first cabin. On a recent trip this writer, Charlie Adams, and Keith Porter spent three days with Capt. Wayne and as usual had a great three days of fishing. Thursday was spent in the Laguna Madre catching reds, specks, and founder. Friday was spent off shore where at ten AM we had limited out on red snapper in the four to ten pound range. As Keith had to leave on Friday it was myself, Charlie and Capt. Wayne on Saturday where we had another outstanding day in the Laguna Madre, we caught reds, specks and twenty four flounder. Catching flounder on Hogie plastic shrimp tails is as challenging as Carolina rigging for bass. The photos along with this article should help in reassuring any skeptics that Capt. Wayne has arrived at being one of the premiere lower coast guides and his ability to take his fresh water knowledge and apply it to salt water gives him the ability to put his clients on outstanding fish day after day. To contact Capt. Wayne call 956-944-2508. NOTE: if you book the complete package be sure to request Capt. Wayne’s home made chicken noodle soup you will not be disappointed, I quarantee! Capt. Wayne is sponsored by All Stars Rods, Mariner Salt Water,Hogie Baits, Shallow Sport Boats, Wahoe Boats, Quantum ,MotorGuide, McClain Trailers, Boots -Follmar Marine and Lowrance Electronics.

SYRACUSE, IN--When Lossie Rinker gave up dairy farming in 1945 to build fishing boats, it was unlikely that he envisioned his efforts growing into one of the largest independently-owned boat companies in the world. From their shop along the banks of the White River in Noblesville, Indiana, Rinker and his sons, John and Jan soon expanded the business from rowboats to runabouts. Building their boats from molded birch hulls they imported from Nova Scotia, they soon earned a reputation for their performance racing craft, the design of which continues to impact every boat the company builds today. Following their service in the Korean War, John and Jan moved the family business to Syracuse, Indiana, near the shores of Lake Wawasee, the state largest natural body of water. Under the name Rinkerbuilt, it was there that they began their experimentation with fiberglass hulls in the mid 1950’s and, a short time later, became among the first companies to build fiberglass boats on a production basis. It was also during this period that the Rinker dealer network was born. One of the company's earliest dealers, Boats, Inc. of Dearborn Heights, Michigan took delivery on its first load of Rinker Boats in 1956. Today, Boats Inc. is Rinker’s Top Worldwide Dealer for 1994, an honor it has received for nine of the last 10 years. During the 1960’s, Rinker began to explore new technologies such as the inboard/outdrive engine; and by the 1980’s, the Mercruiser stern drive would become a Rinker standard that endures today. In 1968, Rinker fulfilled its first international order with the shipment of four 14’ runabouts to Sweden. Rinker's production efforts during the 1970’s were dominated by 15’ and 17’ tri-hulls, a design popular throughtout the industry at that time. The company did continue to design, build and refine V-hulls throughout the 70’s, however, and, today, the 20 degree deep-vee signature hull is found on nearly every Rinker model. By the 1980s, Rinker had dropped the "built" suffix from its brand name and again refined production technique and quality, bringing virtually all component assembly and manufacturing in-house. And in 1985, Rinker launched its first express cruiser, the 250, testing the waters for what would become among the three best-selling express cruisers in the world--the Fiesta Vee 265, 280, and 300. Dedication to design innovation during the 1980’s would bring the integrated swim platform, which quickly became a popular feature on most Rinker models. And by the end of the decade, Rinker's exports had grown to become an important part of their overall sales, helping to immunize the company from downturns in the domestic market. Today, Rinker boats are sold by a loyal network of quality dealers, both across the United States and around the world. In it's 50th year, Rinker currently builds 10 models ranging from the 331 Fiesta Vee 300 to the Rocket, a 141711 jet boat. The company’s highly successful “Captiva” series of runabouts includes 191, 211 and 231 models that set industry standards for performance, quality and value. While many of the nation’s boat builders have lost their autonomy in acquisition sprees by marine conglomerates, the Rinker Boat Company has remained both fiercely independent and highly successful. The company's golden anniversary is celebrated by the third generation of Rinker family members actively involved in managing the business, maintaining the traditions of popular styling and a commitment to the quality/value relationship that marked Rinker's beginnings 50 years ago. The Rinker Boat Company, Inc. is located at 300 W Chicago Street, Syracuse, Indiana 46567.

Lake Conroe is a popular lake for boating, fishing, camping and just relaxing. Eric Howard, a Game Warden of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department assigned to Montgomery County, calls the lake "Houston's Playground" because it is located just an hour's drive north of the city. The popularity of Lake Conroe has created a need for the Montgomery County Marine Division, a law enforcement unit made up of two full-time deputy sheriffs. The sole responsibility of the Marine Division is the preservation of safety on the lake. Officers Cullen Thomas and Jim Ford enforce the Texas Water Safety Act and the Rules and Regulations of the Lake Conroe Reservoir as mandated by the San Jacinto River Authority in the performance of this duty. The Precinct 1 Constable's Office also has a full-time officer assigned to the lake, Deputy Constable Greg Gibson, who works closely with Thomas and Ford. The Marine Division spends a majority of their time on the south end of Lake Conroe. This is where the heavier boating traffic and boating novices are found on the lake. Thomas and Ford generally patrol as far north as the Walker County line, which crosses the lake just south of State Highway 1375. The north end of the lake, Ford explains, is a minefield of stumps and a boater really has to know where he's going. Mostly fishermen are attracted to the north end of Lake Conroe and, Ford adds, "we don't have much of a problem with fishermen as a whole". In the enforcement of the Texas Water Safety Act, the deputy sheriff's are very strict. Thomas explains that every boater is required by state law to know these regulations and the Marine Division will not hesitate to write a citation for a violation of this Act. A copy of the Texas Water Safety can be picked up at the Montgomery County Commissioner's Office or at some marinas on Lake Conroe. In addition to the state laws on boating, a boater on Lake Conroe should be familiar with the local rules and regulations of the lake. The Marine Division wants these rules adhered to, but they are more lenient when it comes to these regulations. Several of the regulations deal with personal watercraft, including jet skis, water bikes and aqua planes. "No person shall operate ...a personal watercraft...at a greater than 'No Wake' speed, within 50 feet of another vessel, personal watercraft or water skier." Another regulation makes it unlawful for a person to operate any water vessel at a speed greater than 'No Wake' speed within 100 feet of a boat dock or an inlet being used for swimming. Banana Bay has been nicknamed "torpedo alley" by the sheriffs of Montgomery County because, as Deputy Sheriff Cullen Thomas contends, personal watercraft disturbances are very common there. Another unique aspect of the local Lake Conroe regulations is the "Skier Down Flag Rule". This rule requires a rear observer to be in the ski boat "who must hold up an orange flag...high enough to alert other traffic when the skier is in the water and no longer being towed." Provisions are made in this rule so that operators without a separate observer may raise the necessary flag. Deputy Sheriff Thomas feels that this rule prevents many skiers from becoming victims of boating accidents and "mutilated in a boat's propellers". The Texas Water Safety Act provides strict guidelines pertaining to the Boating While Intoxicated law. The Marine Division is quick to point out that Banana Bay is where most of these citations are written. The penalties for violation of the BWI law range from a fine of $100 to a sentence of five years in prison. In some areas of the country, according to Deputy Sheriff Ford, peace officers are equipped with "portable intoxilizers" that give the officer at least a good idea of how much the boater has had to drink. Montgomery County is not equipped with this new technology, so it becomes necessary to keep the suspected boater in custody on land for fifteen minutes before the effect of "sea legs" is sure to have worn off and a sobriety test can be given. Deputy Sheriff Jim Ford elucidates, "if you want to enforce BWI, you have to ignore everything else. It's something you really have to target." Montgomery County is also favored with "a cracker-jack dive team" boasts Ford. The team is made up of a group of volunteers who leave their various jobs when they are needed on Lake Conroe. They have also been called to Walker County and Lake Somerville for their expertise. The group includes some reserve peace officers and they are very talented and well known for their diving skill, according to Officer Ford. The divers provide their own equipment and transportation and Montgomery County is very proud and lucky to have them. The Marine Division was preparing for the Labor Day weekend when I spoke with them. Labor Day, says Officer Thomas, is less busy than the July Fourth and Memorial Day weekends. Though still busier than other weekends of the summer, the impending hunting season diverts interest away from the lake and "lightens the load on the lake". Labor Day does attract its share of out-of-towners, however, just like every big weekend. On big weekends, the Marine Division spends a great deal of time "getting out-of-towners in compliance with local regulations". The Marine Division is an important part of law enforcement on Lake Conroe. Officers Thomas and Ford seem very fair and interested in keeping the lake a safe lake for everyone. This lake lover feels comfortable in knowing the Marine Division is on Lake Conroe.