Deer season in Pennsylvania is less than four weeks off — time enough for hunters, from novices to experts, to add a bit more knowledge to their skill sets before hitting the woods Nov. 26.

Erie Times-News outdoors writer Mike Bleech is on the job. Starting Nov. 4, Mike’s Four Weeks to Better Deer Hunting series will be published each Sunday in November on the NWPA Outdoors page in the Times-News sports section and on NWPAOutdoors.com.

This Sunday, learn more about one of the most misunderstood elements of the hunt, the rut.

On Nov. 11, eliminate some of the guesswork from your days afield by learning how to properly prepare your rifle.

On Nov. 18, get Mike’s tips on hunting from a stand.

And on Nov. 25, learn how to make the most of the second week of the season, when hunter pressure decreases and opportunity grows.

Have a question for Mike? E-mail him at mikeb73@verizon.net.

The second annual Great Lakes Steelhead Expo is scheduled for Nov. 3 from 11 a.m. to 5 pm. at Rainbow Gardens, 3100 West Lake Road.

Admission to the Pennsylvania Steelhead Association-sponsored event is $15 per person, and free for those 15 and younger who are accompanied by a parent or guardian.

More than 40 vendors are scheduled to attend. Ox roast, hot dogs and beverages will be served throughout the day.

Three speakers also will appear:

April Vokey is an ambassador for Patagonia, the host of Buccaneers & Bones and a fishing guide on the Dean River in British Columbia. She also writes for several magazines including Fly Fusion Magazine. She is a world famous fly-tier specializing in Northwest patterns.

George Daniel, a Pennsylvania resident and member of the U.S. Fly Fishing team, is the author of “Dynamic Nymphing.” He will autograph his books after his presentation.

Mike Bleech, Erie Times-News outdoors writer, has published more than 5,000 articles in more than 100 publications since 1980.

Here’s a story from the first expo in November 2011.

NWPA Outdoors reader Jim Macie recently asked outdoors writer Mike Bleech for his opinion on getting extra distance when he casts Rapalas from shore walleye:

“I use a 9.5-foot Okuma Guide Series rod with eight poun- mono line. What reel and line would you use to optimize your cast distance with this rod?”

Mike’s response: I have been using Trilene XL for many years and have seen no reason to change. The theories on long-distance casting include using fairly stiff line that springs off the spool. I also have had very good results using Sufix line. I suggest that you go to the Pure Fishing web site and get into the pages on line, then see if they rate any as best for distance casting.

About 25 years ago reel makers came out with narrower spools that tapered slightly toward the front. Supposedly that was to make them cast farther. More recently a newer reel manufacturer, or marketer, came out with wider-spooled spinning reels, which also were for long-distance casting. I have one of these, the U.S.  Reel 230 Pro. It’s just fine, but I’ve never measured casts.

You have taken the most important step in distance casting with the rod. An extra-fast action rod, all other things being equal, casts farthest. That is why the designations of slow, moderate, fast and extra-fast are used with rods, the speeds they generate. If your rod is a moderate action, changing to fast or extra-fast is the most important thing to do.

Dropping down to 6 pound-test line also will help.

Then, be sure your casting mechanics are good. One thing few anglers do well is load the rod during the cast. Cast with one motion so the rod bends on the back cast and strengthens as you bring the rod forward.

Erie Times-News outdoors writer Mike Bleech recently wrote about the latest version in his series of annual fishing projects. He’s built his own 3-weight fly rod with the intention of chasing wild trout.

Mike promised specs to anyone interested. Here they are:

Guide sizes and spacing (distance from tip)  4 5/8 inches, #2/0; 9 5/8 inches, #1/0; 15 3/8 inches, #1; 22 inches, #1; 29 1/4 inches, #1; 38 inches, #1; 46 7/8 inches, #2; 56 inches, #3; 65 1/8 inches, #16 Hialoy Ring stripping guide. All guides except the stripping guide are single foot fly guides that I got from the Netcraft catalog. Guides on page 79.

I altered the guide spacing just slightly so the wrap on guide #7 is also the ferrule wrap. Otherwise it is a pretty standard spacing for a rod of this length. It seems to be right, since it casts very nicely. Of course, a 3-weight fly rod is not meant to cast very far.

I got the blank from the Cabela’s Tackle Craft catalog, page 7, model No. RF2F793. It is a 7-foot 9-inch, 3-weight.

I used a half wells reversed cork handle, about 7 inches long. I already had this and I do not know where it came from. Likewise, I already had the reel seat. It is about 3 3/4 inches long. It has a rosewood insert. Then I added a Royal Coachman decal. Also, I used a winding check at the front of the handle.

Please keep Erie Times-News outdoors writer Mike Bleech and his family in mind today. Mike’s brother, Greg Bleech, died Tuesday in Warren at age 53.

Memorial contributions may be made through Hospice of Warren County, P.O. Box 68, Warren, PA 16365

Join Erie Times-News outdoors writer Mike Bleech for seminars that will help develop your outdoors skills and knowledge. All seminars are free and take place on Sundays at 2 p.m. in the Lodge Room at Gander Mountain, 2088 Interchange Road.

Feb. 26: Coyote hunting
March 4: Crappie fishing
March 11: Lake Erie walleye
March 18: How well do you know your rifle?
March 25: Allegheny River trout fishing
April 1: Trout fishing

An NWPA Outdoors reader who is interested in taking up spring turkey hunting for the first time this year recently wrote to Erie Times-News outdoors columnist Mike Bleech to ask for a few tips about how to get started. If you’re considering going after turkey sometime soon, maybe Mike’s hints can help you, too:

Read the rest of this entry »

Erie Times-News outdoors writer Mike Bleech will present a free seminar on Lake Erie Walleye fishing May 21 noon at Gander Mountain, 2088 Interchange Road. Stop in and say hi.

Erie Times-News outdoors writer Mike Bleech invites you to take part in his three remaining free seminars this winter at Gander Mountain, 2088 Interchange Road.

The Feb. 27 topic is to be determined, but coyote hunting is a possibility.

The March 6 seminar will be about open-water fishing for crappie, including the region’s best crappie sites.

On March 13, learn more about trout fishing, particularly effective early-season tactics.

All seminars will start at 2 p.m. and will run for at least one hour.

ThermaCell is offering a $5 rebate through Aug. 14 on two lanterns meant to repel mosquitoes. NWPA Outdoors has not field-tested either, but contributing writer Mike Bleech has taken a liking to the company’s various products.