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Welcome To Sportsman's Elite
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Greetings!
Dove Season is Here!
Dove season opened in
Texas on
September 1 and the excitement that has been building
over the last
few months has finally arrived in The Lone Star State. If you're new to
dove hunting, or maybe you just haven't hit the field in a couple of
seasons,
here are some quick, essential tips to get you ready for some prime time
wing
shooting.
What to Hunt With: Your trusty 12 or 20 gauge
shotgun will
do just fine. An automatic is preferable since dove are fast fliers. And
because dove are small in size, you'll only need to hunt with a small
load,
such as 7 1/2 or 8 shot. If you're new to the sport, or a bit rusty,
you're
going to waste an embarrassing amount of shells, so buy several boxes.
But,
that's what dove hunting is all about. Just have fun!
What to Wear: Dove have good eyesight and are very
sensitive to movement, so matching your clothing to your surroundings is
very
important. Early in the season, If you're going to be on a treeline or
in green
fields, that Mossy Oak or Real tree camo will do just fine. If you're
planning
to hunt in harvested stalks or grain fields (especially later in the
season when
all the green has faded) then a duck hunting pattern may work a little
better
for you such as Shadow grass/Wetlands/MAX 4 and if your hunting in the
desert
with little to no vegetation, khaki colors blend in the best.
Where to Hunt: Generally, dove avoid tall
vegetation. Try
recently harvested fields, along power lines and fence rows, around
barns or
other similar structures and even gravel spots, as they eat gravel to
aid in
digestion) Dove will also hold-up in small groups of trees for shade.
Anywhere
near a water-hole in these environments is a good bet, especially at
dawn, as
dove fly from the roost to the closest water source. The opposite is
true at
dusk.
If you don't have a good place to hunt, call us at the shop and we
can give
you some recommendations.
Check out the Texas Parks and Wild Life and New Mexico Game
and Fish
websites for any additional information about season dates,
limits and
regulations.
Get out there and have fun but most of all be safe!!
Sincerely, Sportsman's Elite
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Fall Fly Fishing
I enjoy fly fishing in the fall for many reasons. It is the most colorful time of the year and the fishing in most places is the best it will be all year. There is nothing like seeing the fall colors reflecting off the water or the Brown Trout with their vivid spots during this, their spawning season. You can hunt in the morning, fish during the day and hunt again in the evening (Cast and Blast).
The last of the big hatches are coming off as the weather cools. Late season caddis, PMD and beatis hatches are being gobbled up by trout trying to fatten up before the winter. Beetle and ant activity increases as they prepare for the winter and they accidentally find their way into the water where trout eagerly await them. I have seen trout so tune up on feeding that they have even strike at leaves falling from the trees and landing on the water.
For some this is the last fishing for the year as fishing gives way to hunting, then into the cold days of winter. Here are a few tips to help you enjoy fishing this time of year.
Like I mentioned before this is the time of year the Brown Trout are spawning and the males have bright red dots with bright electric blue rings against their golden skin. The males are very aggressive as they compete with each to get the choice spawning areas where they wait for the females. You can use large streamers to trigger aggressive strikes from the males whom are protecting their chosen spawning areas. It is a good idea for me to mention this begins at the very beginning of the spawn, later in the spawn female will stay in those areas protecting the eggs. Try not to wade into these areas or disturb the females. It might be tempting to fish the females (or reds) because they are usually much bigger but if you disturbed them, the eggs become unprotected. Other fish and animals can eat the eggs, wiping out a generation of Brown Trout. Look at the stream or river bed before wading into or fishing, if you see a cleared, clean spot on the cobble stone bottom do not walk through it as you will crush the eggs hiding there. If there is a fish there on top on that spot and it does not have a kipe (a hook jaw on the male), it is a female. I would suggest moving on, even though it is not illegal, it is considered unethical by many fly fishing circles.
Another tip I have for fall fly fishing is always prepare for sudden weather changes. You need to take rain gear and warm clothing as snow flurry can come out of no where. I take a sleeping bag in the truck just in case I get stranded. I might also suggest you take matches, lighter or magnesium fire starter to light campfires and extra food and water. People sometimes forget to drink plenty of water in the cooler weather but you can still dehydrate. In cooler weather you body burns more energy trying to stay warm. MRE's, or meals ready to eat, are good to have. They are in small packaging so they do not take up much space and they give you plenty of calories.
If you have never fished during the fall give a try, you might be pleasantly surprised. Try setting up a cast and blast, it is a great time. For current reports and tips call Tim at 915-587-4867.
Sportsman's Elite 915-587-4867 or email tim@sportsmanselite.com.
Tim Mack
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Project Healing Waters
Sportsman's Elite is proud to announce our partnership with project healing waters. Our Pro Staffer Tim Mack has spent many hours working with Mesilla Valley Fly Fishers in an effort to help heal our soldiers through the sport of fly fishing.
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Fly Tying - Fly Casting Classes
 Private Fly Tying - $45/hour
6 Weeks Beginner Session $240
Basic Casting Classes $40/hour
7 Weeks Advanced Session $280
Contact 587-4867 for more info...
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CHL Classes
CHL Course $120
CHL Renewal $60
Class Schedule:
September 4th
September 25th
September 13th & 15th
October 4th & 6th
October 16th
October 18th & 20th
October 30th
All classes are now
held at Sportsman's Elite, 7500 N. Mesa,
Ste. 105Contact 587-4867 for more info... |
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About Us
At Sportsman's Elite Hunting, Fly Fishing and Gun Pro Shop, we are dedicated to providing quality name brand products in a comfortable and professional atmosphere with exceptional customer service. We look forward to being able to serve you!
Sportsman's Elite
7500 N. Mesa, Suite 105
El Paso, Texas 79912
Phone: 915-587-4867
Fax: 915-584-7599
www.sportsmanselite.com
info@sportsmanselite.com
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Monthly Specials:
All In Stock Fly Fishing Apparel 25%
All Browning & Beretta Long Sleeve Shirts
25%
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Upcoming Events
Sportsman's
Elite
Outdoor Show
Join Mike and Don live every Saturday morning on Talk Radio 1150AM from 10am-11am On the Sportsman's
Elite Outdoor Show. If you're a hunter, fisherman, or gun enthusiast
listen in or come on by the store.
2nd Annual
West Texas/New Mexico
Coyote Hunt
Entry forms Due Nov. 5th
Event will be Nov. 13th
CHL schedule:
September 4th
September
25th
September 13th & 15th
October 4th & 6th
October 16th
October 18th & 20th
October 30th
All classes are now
held at Sportsman's Elite, 7500 N. Mesa,
Ste. 105
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PMD Parachute
Hook:TMC 100BL #14 to #22
Thread: UNI-8/0 Light Cahill Tail: Med Dun Fibetts
Body:Super Fine PMD color
Wing post: Poly-pro
Hackle: Whiting's Farms Med Dun Dry fly hackle
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