Discover the gentle humor and astute observations of a true outdoorsman as he shares stories of natural wonders and personal revelations, family traditions and triumphant treks in beloved midwestern landscapes. Ron Schara has long been a voice for the midwestern outdoors, as a writer for the Minneapolis Tribune and through his adventures—accompanied by his black Lab, Raven—on the popular Minnesota Bound TV show. His storytelling is inspired by childhood excursions along the Mississippi River as well as later and numerous encounters with wildlife from Minnesota to Manitoba and beyond. Whether hunting squirrels or turkey or whitetails, whether pursuing walleye on Opening Day or retelling fishing yarns, Schara captures the sensory thrills and restorative solitude of being out in nature. In this collection, Schara gathers favorite stories from fifty-plus years of celebrating opportunities found in natural environments. He relates childhood lessons on hunting safety and treasured memories of summer days at the creek. He champions preserving midwestern landscapes—to the benefit of hunters and fishers, yes, but more importantly for protecting wild habitats so that the grandchildren of today’s outdoor enthusiasts might also experience the woods at daybreak, the pristine trout stream, the prolific prairie. In these "mostly true tales," Schara offers wisdom from the tree stand and tells of others' record-breaking achievements. He invites readers to join him in this life out-of-doors—and maybe to see their own adventures in a new light. "Reflecting the interests and passions of many Minnesotans, Ron's collected columns chronicle days well spent fishing and hunting over four decades, as well as well attempts to conserve Minnesota's natural resources." Dennis Anderson in The Star Tribune Advance Praise: "Ron is a masterful storyteller, with a treasure trove of insightful experiences. The Johnny Carson of the outdoor industry, he has done more to launch up-and-comers’ careers than anyone I know in the field. As a friend for over forty years, I always look forward to his next endeavor.” Al Lindner, Lindner Media Productions "Through these vignettes from Ron’s life we trace the journey from a boy’s carefree pursuits to full-grown advocacy and stewardship. A case study in the importance of a childhood spent outdoors. Plus, it’s a fun read.” Roy Heilman, neveragoosechase.com Ron Schara is a writer and television personality who has been sharing outdoor stories with readers and viewers for four decades, bringing to life the joys of nature watching, fishing, hunting, and camping. He is founder/executive producer of Ron Schara Productions, recipient of nine Emmy Awards. The Damnest Fish Story Ever In the quiet of their Minnesota country home, Bob and Snookie Ploeger could sit in front of their television set and, time and again, watch that awful moment. Roll the video tape. See Bob Ploeger's bended fishing rod. . . . See the huge salmon hooked in Alaska's Kenai River. . . . Watch the landing nets scoop and come up empty. . . . Hear the river guide's shout of despair. . . .Bob Ploeger says nothing….. Feel the silence of defeat. A visitor is tempted to watch that fishing moment unfold again. Okay, one more time. Maybe the outcome will change. Roll the tape. So begins a classic fishing story of our times. A classic? When there’s a 37-hour fight between angler and fish the story is classic. Yah, 37 hours. Consecutive. Starring a quiet, devout Minnesotan, Bob Ploeger who at the age of 63 found himself in a modern-day version of Hemingway’s epic "Old Man and the Sea." However, there is one difference. The fish on Ploeger’s line wasn’t fiction. It was a giant king salmon. It was so huge and Ploeger fought the giant for so many hours, the battle was recorded by Anchorage television news crews, reported on live radio reports from the river banks and carried on the wires to the nation's newspapers. Witnesses suspected the salmon was a possible new world hook-and-line record, a legendary 100-pounder. Anxiously, all of Alaska waited for Ploeger to subdue the giant. Imagine the drama. The stress. The adrenalin rush. If fighting a big fish for 10 minutes is gut-wrenching, try 37 hours. Oh, the fishing adventure started routinely enough. Not much biting. Then, at about 12:30 in the afternoon, Ploeger was having lunch when he felt a strike on the line. He set the hook, twice, in fact, but the big fish didn’t move much for two hours. For the same two hours, Ploeger’s guide kept the drift boat near the fish in the swift current of the Kenai. Suddenly, the fish decided to move. In a hurry downstream. Ploeger’s 30 pound test line was about to be tested. The fish stopped again. Time went by. Lots of time. Next, the salmon moved back up the river, swimming into some short rapids, beyond the path of the drift boat. Ploeger had to jump to a different boat with another guide and outboard power. Snookie, his wife, a