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Berkley Nanofil� Uni-Filament Fishing Line

Featuring Unified Filament Technology

The world leader in fishing line development has introduced a new ultimate spinning reel line that pushes the limits for minimum diameter and maximum strength.  Berkley NanoFil with its thin smooth texture allows anglers to effortlessly cast further with unsurpassed precision. 

Walleye anglers are going to appreciate the markedly longer casts using NanoFil and finesse fishing for bass has never been finer.

NanoFil allows anglers to use lighter line and cast further than they ever have before. Light presentation is a key to catching a wide range of species throughout the year, and NanoFil allows anglers to feel even the softest pickups.

Berkley Nanofil is not a Mono; it�s not a Braid;  it�s the Next Generation of Fishing line. NanoFil is made out of gel-spun polyethylene, much like a superline. This ultimate spinning reel fishing line consists of hundreds of

Dyneema� nanofilaments that are molecularly linked and

shaped into a unified filament fishing line. Dyneema, The World�s Strongest Fiber�, gives this line superline type strength and our uni-filament process makes it feel and handle like a smooth monofilament.

Thin and smooth are the first words that you think of when you touch it. NanoFil line lends itself to a wide variety of techniques, but it is most useful when anglers desire an ultra small diameter line for greater casting yet also desire the ultimate in sensitivity to feel the subtlest of bites. For best knot strength results use the NanoFil Knot a �Double Palomar� that increases knot strength by over 15% over a standard Palomar knot.

Available in pound tests ranging from 1 to 12 lb test, and unbelievably thin diameters of 0.001� to 0.008�, Berkley NanoFil is available in 150-, 300- and 1500-yard spools.

About $19.95 to $179.95

800-237-5539    

[email protected]     www.berkley-fishing.com

Dan Ashe New Director of USFWS

Senate confirms Daniel M. Ashe as the 16th Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

WASHINGTON --On December 3, President Obama formally nominated Ashe, who has served as the service�s deputy director for policy since 2009, to be the agency�s director.  As deputy director, Ashe developed policy and guidance to support and promote program development and fulfill the service�s mission.

�I�m humbled by the trust that the Secretary and the President have placed in me, and most of all, by the responsibility of leading the finest wildlife conservation organization in the world,� Ashe said. �As director, I will strive to create an atmosphere where we can bring to bear our collective imagination, our tenacity, and our commitment to public service to  address today�s challenges to the future of our nation�s fish and wildlife heritage.�

During his tenure with the service, Ashe has helped to craft the strategy that will guide the agency�s efforts to deal with the effects of a changing climate. That plan outlined interagency cooperative efforts across landscapes as the most effective way to help fish and wildlife populations adapt to rapidly changing environmental conditions.  Ashe also been a leader in the development of the agency�s Landscape Conservation Cooperatives, which are intended to leverage resources and strategically target science to inform conservation decisions and actions.

President Obama awarded Ashe a Presidential Rank

Distinguished Service Award in recognition of his outstanding service.  Prior to being named deputy director, Ashe served as the science advisor to the service�s director from 2003-2009, providing leadership on science policy and scientific applications to resource management. Ashe served as the chief of the National Wildlife Refuge System from 1998 to 2003, directing operation and management of the 93 million-acre system, and the service�s land acquisition program.

From 1995 to 1998, he served as the Fish and Wildlife Service�s assistant director for external affairs, where he directed the agency�s programs in legislative, public, and Native American affairs, research coordination, and state grants-in-aid. Prior to joining the Service, Ashe served as a member of the professional staff of the former Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1982 until 1995.

Ashe was born and spent his childhood in Atlanta, Georgia, where his father began his 37-year career with the service. Much of Ashe�s childhood was spent on national wildlife refuges and fish hatcheries in the Southeast, where he learned to band birds, fish, hunt and enjoy the outdoors.

He earned a graduate degree in Marine Affairs from the University of Washington, where he studied under a fellowship from the Jessie Smith Noyes Foundation.  He is very active in local civic affairs in Montgomery County, Maryland, where he and his family reside.  He is an avid waterfowl hunter, angler and tennis player.

Obama Administration to Host Public Meeting on Asian Carp in Port Clinton, OH

WASHINGTON, D.C. � White House Council on Environmental Quality Asian Carp Director John Goss will lead a public meeting of the Asian Carp Regional Coordinating Committee (ACRCC) on Thursday, July 7, 2011, in Port Clinton, OH, to discuss the proactive efforts of the Obama Administration and the Great Lakes states to prevent Asian carp from establishing a self-sustaining population in the Great Lakes. The meeting will feature updates by ACRCC members on actions underway as part of the Asian Carp Control Strategy Framework, an unprecedented, multi-tiered strategy that includes monitoring; barrier construction; harvesting; enforcement; outreach; and research and development of long-term biological controls for Asian carp. The event also will include an opportunity for the public to comment and provide feedback on ACRCC efforts.

The ACRCC is led by the White House Council on Environmental Quality and includes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Environmental 

Protection Agency, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation and all eight Great Lakes states, as well as the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, and the City of Chicago.

WHO: John Goss, Asian Carp Director, White House Council on Environmental Quality

Members of the Asian Carp Regional Coordinating Committee

WHAT: Asian Carp Regional Coordinating Committee Public Meeting and Media Availability

WHEN: Thursday, July 7, 2011

Public Forum from 9:00 AM - 11:45 AM (EDT)

Media Availability from 11:45 AM - 12:15 PM (EDT)

WHERE: Sutton Center Technology Conference Center

1848 E. Perry Street

Port Clinton, OH 43452

WATCH: The event will be webcast at: https://www.mymeetings.com/tetratech/join/

Conference number: PG5314996

Passcode: ASIAN CARP

LISTEN: Dial: (888) 603-8914 to listen in to the conference.

Great Lakes Water Levels for July 1, 2011 

WEATHER CONDITIONS

The Great Lakes basin was sunny and dry for most of the week, with scattered showers recorded in a few locations.  Temperatures were near seasonal averages throughout the week.  There is a chance for showers and thunderstorms in the region this weekend, bringing a possible 0.25 inches of rain in some areas.  Temperatures are expected to be above seasonal averages tomorrow and into the weekend.  The Great Lakes basin precipitation for the month of June was above average for Lakes Superior and Michigan-Huron and below averaged for Lakes Erie and Ontario. 

LAKE LEVEL CONDITIONS

Currently, Lakes Superior and Michigan-Huron are both 1 inch above their levels of a year ago.  Lakes St. Clair, Erie, and Ontario are 5, 9, and 12 inches, respectively, higher than they were at this time last year. Over the next thirty days, Lake Superior is projected to rise 2 inches and Lake Michigan-Huron is expected to remain at its current level.  The water levels of Lakes St. Clair, Erie, and Ontario are forecasted to decrease 4, 5, and 8 inches, respectively, over the next month. 

FORECASTED MONTHLY OUTFLOWS/CHANNEL CONDITIONS

Lake Superior's outflow through the St. Mary's River is projected to be below average for the month of July.  The outflows from Lake Huron into the St. Clair River, and from 

Lake St. Clair into the Detroit River, are expected to be below average throughout the month of July.  Lake Erie's outflow through the Niagara River is predicted to be above average and the outflow of Lake Ontario into the St. Lawrence River is predicted to be above average.

ALERTS

Users of the Great Lakes, connecting channels and St. Lawrence River should keep informed of current conditions before undertaking any activities that could be affected by changing water levels.  Mariners should utilize navigation charts and refer to current water level readings.

Group Challenges NYC Handgun Fee

A brief was recently filed by the Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) asking for a summary judgment to strike down a fee for owning a handgun in New York City.  The organization says that the $340 fee the city requires for a handgun license is �inherently prohibitive.�

�The recurring $340 fee is plainly exclusionary and prohibitive because it far exceeds the comparable license fees charged by all other New York localities � and for that matter, by all other U.S. jurisdictions,� the legal brief reads. �A New York City resident who seeks to exercise

his or her right to keep and bear arms by keeping a handgun at home must pay a total of $434.25 to obtain a license, which is equivalent to over 60 hours of work at the $7.25 minimum wage.�

The SAF has been fighting to preserve citizens� 2nd Amendment rights in California as well. The group filed an amicus brief in a San Diego County case that challenges certain gun permit rules. According to the SAF, the rules give authorities too much power over who can receive a carry permit.

Fishing Tournaments Popular Among Anglers

Nine recreational anglers compete in derbies compared to one competing professional angler

FERNANDINA BEACH, Fla. - When anglers were asked in a recent survey if they participated in fishing tournaments, it was discovered that for every one competing professional angler there are roughly nine fishermen who compete at least occasionally in amateur tournaments. The Angler Survey results indicate tournament fishing is a popular activity among some sportsmen.

Among those anglers who reported competing in tournaments in the past year, for every full or part-time angler that competes at the professional level, there are approximately three anglers who compete regularly in amateur tournaments and just over six who do it at least occasionally. Local contests have the most participants are the most participated in, probably because they are easier for more anglers to access, with 72.7 percent of tournament anglers citing their involvement in them. Thirty-five percent of all pro and amateur tournament competitors participated in regional (within state) events, 17.5 percent in state events, 14.5 percent at regional (multi-state) tournaments and only 10.1 percent in national events.

"Fishing tournaments are a great way for anglers at every skill level to compete and have a lot of fun. Looking at some of the more storied tournaments held around the country, purse winnings can be quite large for some of 

these events, which I am sure is a big draw for many anglers," said Rob Southwick, president of Southwick Associates, which designs and conducts the surveys at HunterSurvey.com, ShooterSurvey.com and AnglerSurvey.com.

To help continually improve, protect and advance this treasured way of life, all anglers are encouraged to participate in the surveys at HunterSurvey.com, ShooterSurvey.com and AnglerSurvey.com. Each month, participants who complete the survey are entered into a drawing for one of five $100 gift certificates to the sporting goods retailer of their choice.

About AnglerSurvey.com and HunterSurvey.com: Launched in 2006, AnglerSurvey.com, ShooterSurvey.com and HunterSurvey.com help the outdoor equipment industry, government fisheries and wildlife officials and conservation organizations track consumer activities and expenditure trends. The information above represents only a small sample of the vast amount of data collected from the complete survey results and available to government agencies, businesses, the media and other interested parties. Results are scientifically analyzed to reflect the attitudes and habits of anglers and hunters across the United States. Find them on Facebook at http://facebook.com/huntersurvey  and http://facebook.com/anglersurvey .

Ohio Forum on Asian Carp Prevention strategies - July 7

Public invited to attend, provide feedback

COLUMBUS, OH � The State of Ohio, Department of Natural Resources is hosting the quarterly meeting of the Asian Carp Regional Coordinating Committee (ACRCC). Current and future efforts to combat the spread Asian carp from entering into the Great Lakes will be the topics of

discussion at a public forum on Thursday, July 7. Agenda items include presentations of an Aquatic Nuisance Species White Paper by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. and Canadian Risk Assessments by the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, and Monitoring Work Group Activities by the State of Illinois and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

Natural Resources Administrator retires from ODNR

Deputy Director to serve as Acting Chief for the Division of Mineral Resources Management

COLUMBUS, OH � Columbus resident John F. Husted retired June 30 from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources� Division of Mineral Resources Management after 31 years with the department. Since 2007, Husted 

served as chief and was responsible for overseeing coal and industrial mineral mining and reclamation, miner safety and rescue, abandoned mine land and oil and gas production.

Beginning July 1, ODNR Deputy Director J. Michael Biddison will serve as acting Chief for the Division of Mineral Resources.

Ohio Lake Erie Commission seeking photos from Shutterbugs

TOLEDO, OH � Camera buffs who want to capture the essence of Lake Erie life on film � or on memory card in this digital age � and share the wonders of the lake can enter the Ohio Lake Erie Commission (OLEC) 2011 photo contest. Winning images will be displayed as part of a traveling exhibit and in an online photo gallery.

The 2011 �Life on Lake Erie� photo contest is an opportunity for amateur photographers, age 18 and older, to reveal their passion for one of Ohio�s most valuable and dynamic natural features, Lake Erie. Photographs taken between July 9, 2010 and July 8, 2011 in and around the Lake Erie watershed can be submitted to the OLEC through July 14, 2011.

Submissions must be the original work of the photographer  

and can portray sustainable use, development or protection of Ohio�s Lake Erie coastal resources. They can incorporate shoreline landscapes, wildlife, plants or even people enjoying various coastal activities. Digital photos must be minimum 300 dpi (600 dpi preferred) and in jpg or tif format, sized to 5 x 6. Up to five entries are allowed per household with all photos submitted on a CD. All submissions become the property of the Ohio Lake Erie Commission.

Winning photographs will be featured on the OLEC web site and will be part of the Commission�s traveling photo gallery. The inspiring art display will appear at prime Ohio shoreline locations throughout the year. The outstanding images may also be used to promote Lake Erie through environmental and educational programs and publications.  To enter and read complete rules visit www.lakeerie.ohio.gov.

Ten counties in line for new conservation wardens

New wardens begin to fill high number of warden vacancies

MADISON -- Ten new conservation wardens will go on duty in their permanent field stations this summer, following a year of training designed to make them proficient in a wide range of job responsibilities aimed at enhancing public safety and protecting Wisconsin's natural resources.

Randy Stark, WDNR chief warden, says the arrival of these new wardens is welcome news in the force challenged by high vacancies due to baby-boom retirements. The wardens will be assigned to the counties of: Polk, Rusk, Outagamie, Calumet, Fond du Lac, Jackson, Kenosha, Milwaukee, Racine and Ozaukee.

�The work conservation wardens do is complex, demanding, fulfilling and important to our state�s future vitality. These new wardens are a welcome addition, hitting the field to give us greater customer service at a time when we have a high number of vacancies,� Stark said. Based on the current age structure in the warden service, Stark anticipates more than 30 more retirements by the end of 2013. "We feel very fortunate the new state budget contains authorization to hire additional classes of wardens in each of the next two fiscal years.

�We are proud of our new wardens. They have worked hard to prepare themselves to begin work in their field stations. We anticipate the people these wardens serve will quickly see they have a highly trained, dedicated and personable professional officer working in their communities," Stark said.

The new wardens started their DNR career in June 2010. Their first year was spent training. They began in the recruit academy at Fort McCoy, graduating in September. The rest of the year they attended various specialized training assignments � including several tours with experienced field training officers.

The new wardens will begin their duties in the following counties by mid-July.

 They are:

• Shaun Tyznik will be based in Amery and cover Polk County. Tyznik is replacing Rich Thole who transferred to Vilas County. Tyznik grew up in Thorp, Wis. He is a University of Wisconsin-River Falls graduate. He majored in biology and minored in chemistry. He also worked as a deputy sheriff in Minnesota for more than four years. The other Polk County warden is Jesse Ashton.

• Kirk Konichek will be based in Ladysmith and cover Rusk County. His office will be in the Ladysmith DNR Service Center at N4103 Highway 27. He replaces Jeremy Peery who now serves as the warden supervisor in Eau Claire. Konichek is a native of Prairie du Chien. He earned his associate degree as a natural resources technician from the Fox Valley Technical College in Appleton. He also worked for the Richland Center Police Department for eight years.

• Ryan Propson will be based out of Appleton. He will be one of two wardens in Outagamie County. Propson will cover the southern half of Outagamie County and the Town of Harrison in Calumet County. He also will cover the Neenah area until that warden vacancy is filled. Warden Mike Young covers the northern half of Outagamie County. Propson is a 2010 graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point where he majored in resource management law enforcement and minored in wildlife and natural resources. He was a member of the 2008 DNR Water Guard program.

• Alan Erickson will be based in Fond du Lac and cover Fond du Lac County. He replaces warden Kyle Kosin, who transferred to the Campbellsport station to take over the duties previously held by retired warden Doug Bilgo. Warden Ben Nadolski covers the Brandon field station. Erickson is a native of Madison. He graduated from UW-Stevens Point with a degree in resource management and land planning. He also worked as a patrol deputy with the Iowa County Sheriff�s Department, as well as a deputy conservation warden. Erickson�s office will be the Wisconsin State Patrol headquarters in Fond du Lac at 851 S. Rolling Meadows Drive.

• Shaun Deeney will be based at Black River Falls and cover Jackson County. He replaces warden John Bronsdon who retired. Deeney�s office will be at the Black River Falls DNR Service Center at 910 Highway 54E. Deeney has lived in Massachusetts and Colorado, where he earned his wildlife biology degree from Colorado State University. He also worked as a wildlife manager and conservation officer in Colorado.

• Kyle Dilley will be based at Burlington and cover portions of Racine and Kenosha counties. His office is at the Bong Field Station, 26313 Burlington Road in Kansasville. Dilley replaces Juan Gomez who transferred to Walworth County. Dilley grew up in Janesville, the son of a sheriff�s department lieutenant. Dilley graduated from UW-Stevens Point with a degree in natural resources management and a minor in environmental law enforcement. He worked as a Portage County Deputy Sheriff and as a deputy conservation warden in Madison.

• MacKenzie (Mac)Hannon was assigned to Kenosha County in April and is based in the U.S. Coast Guard station, 5036 4th Ave., Kenosha. He filled a vacant position. Hannon is from Winona, Minn. He graduated from the UW-Madison with a double major in political science and legal studies. He became a deputy conservation warden and water guard in 2008.

• Benjamin Mott will be stationed in Milwaukee and help cover Milwaukee County. He replaces Steve Sanidas, who transferred to Waukesha County. Mott will be stationed at the DNR Regional Headquarters and Service Center in Milwaukee, 2300 North, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. Mott joins wardens Gervis Myles and Nick Blankenheim in covering the county. Mott is a Neenah native. He graduated from the UW-Stevens Point with a major in wildlife management and environmental law enforcement minor. Mott also has served as the DNR Learn to Hunt coordinator, a deputy warden and a water guard.

• Christopher Shea will be based in Port Washington and cover Ozaukee County. He replaces Matt Groppi, who transferred to Waukesha County. Shea can be contacted through the DNR Service Center in Plymouth, 1155 Pilgrim Road. Shea grew up in Winona, Minn. He earned his degree in natural resources management from UW-Stevens Point. He also worked as a senior conservation officer in the Idaho Department of Fish and Game.

• Tom Dickson is in the process of completing his final field training assignment. Once completed, he�ll be assigned to one of the vacant field stations in the West Central Region by late summer.