December 2015 | Page 7

Editor Notes Table of Contents FEATURES 30 Tis the Season Prepare by Capt. Casey Brunning 36 Grey Skies by Capt. Ty Hibbs 44 Kids Outdoors by Butch Thurmond On the Cover: Josh Stogner, Double D Meats Photo by Capt. Casey Brunning 47 LA Fish Blog w/Capt. Devin Denman 50 Offshore Insider by Russ Pylant COLUMNS Fishing Forecast Camp Cookin’ Coastal Concepts Fly Guy BigFish Finder Kayak Corner Facebook Photo’s Pg. 14 Pg. 18 Pg. 20 Pg. 21 Pg. 24 Pg. 26 Pg. 52 Staff Chris Tiblier Publisher Melanie Tiblier Production Manager Troy Tiblier Editor Ben Tiblier Features Editor Contributing Writers Ray Huntz Butch Thurmond Capt. J.P. Morel Capt. Charlie Thomason Capt. Danny Wray Dr. Nick Rauber Capt. Ty Hibbs John Manion Capt. Casey Brunning Mark Page Chef Phil Farris Capt. CT Williams Linda Cuccia Chris Schieble Marsh & Bayou Outdoor News for Southeast Louisiana is published monthly by Marsh and Bayou, P.O. Box 0023, Slidell, LA 70459, (985) 960-0824 Copyright 2015 by Marsh & Bayou Outdoor News for Southeast Louisiana. No part of this publication can be reproduced without the written, expressed consent of the publisher. Reproduction of editorial content or graphics in any manner or in any medium is prohibited. Opinions of staff & contributing writers do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher. For advertising information, contact Marsh & Bayou business department at 985-9600824, or e-mail at [email protected]. Letters to the Editor are welcome – send signed letters to P.O. Box 0023, Slidell, LA 70459. Please include a phone number for verification (it will not be published.) E-mail letters to [email protected]. The Editor reserves the right to edit for length, style and spelling. Postmaster: Send address changes to Marsh & Bayou Outdoor News for Southeast Louisiana, P.O. Box 0023, Slidell, LA 70459 As we enjoy the many outdoor opportunities afforded us by living in the south, Louisiana in particular, let us not lose sight of the fact that Mother Nature can be quite unforgiving at times. She cares not that you forgot the emergency kit or that nice new wind proof parka at the house. Being ill prepared or plain unlucky while enjoying our great outdoors during the winter months can show one just how cruel Mother Nature can be. Falling out of a boat doesn’t happen very often but it does happen. I freely admit to having fallen off my poling platform twice, neither time being graceful or very much fun. Luckily both times were in the warmer months and nothing more than my pride was bruised. In the winter months I carry an extra set of clothes and towels just in case. Mother Nature has this thing called hypothermia and it can kill you if you are not prepared. Hypothermia is a condition where the body loses heat faster than it can produce heat usually brought on by prolonged exposure to cold. Now think of a 20 mile boat ride while soaking wet in the dead of winter and one realizes just how quick hypothermia sets in even if the mercury is above freezing. It only takes one wrong step and you’re in a survival situation or take a few minutes to pack those extra clothes and be prepared. Hunters are also vulnerable and often more so, as many of us hunt alone especially when deer hunting. Imagine falling in a creek late in the evening when temperatures are rapidly dropping and being a mile or so from the truck. Or worse yet have a broken leg as well. It happens to someone every year. Pack a small survival kit with one of those waterproof lighters so you can at least start a fire and stay warm. A small day pack can hold various items such as snacks, fire starters, and dry clothes to help you get thru the night. It will not be pleasant but at least you will be alive when found. It took one float trip on the Nueces River for me to realize that once I left the launch site there was NOTHING for the next 5 miles. If anything had happened to me I might still be there. After that float I put together a small pack of items to at least get me thru the night. I included a pistol after seeing the mountain lion walking on a bluff above me. Tell someone where you are going especially if doing a solo. It gives the rescue team a starting point and hopefully a jump on getting you to a medical team if needed. Do not take Mother Nature for granted for when you do she will remind you, sometimes with great force, of her power. Finally, We would like to wish all of our readers and supporters a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! - Capt. J.P. Morel Marsh & Bayou Magazine SAVE THE DATES MARCH 18-20, 2016 BETTER & R E G IG B Bulk Space Call: (985