I love to fish! Being outdoors near the water is a very enjoyable passtime. Whether on a boat or standing on the shore, some of my closest contacts with nature have occurred on or near the water. All animals have a need for water so you are likely to see many of them while you are around it. All of the fish pictured below were returned, alive to their home!

	The fish in the picture on the left is a 13 lb Freshwater Drum that was caught on a natural colored medium diving Shad-Rap in the Ohio River. The Freshwater Drum is one of the most prolific species in the Ohio River. This one measured 28" long.
The fish to the right is a 21" 5 lb. Hybrid Striper. Hybrid Striper are not indigenous to the Ohio River and cannot reproduce. Their numbers have continuosly increased in the Ohio River through a concerted stocking effort by the State of Ky. They are voracious eaters of live minnows, and compete with the native smallmouth and largemouth bass. They draw ire from the bass fishermen in the area because of this. However, they are much fun to catch as they fight as well as any fish in the Ohio.
	The fish on the left is a 26" 10 lb. carp that I caught in the Ohio River on an artificial minnow. In late March or early April in the Ohio River, they horde together. They look like aquatic herds of buffalo. Their mouth is very soft at that time and they are difficult to land if you pull too hard. It took me over ten minutes to bring this one in.