Canterbury Tales October 2006
by Harry Canterbury
October, 2006

Canterbury Tales

I can’t believe it; ASO will publish its 120th issue this coming month. We started on a kitchen table at my house in 1996. I sold 70 ads in two days, called Milt Wernsman to ask him, do you know anybody who can help me get this thing off the ground? Thanks to Milt our first issue was born. He found me a printer and the rest is history. Our first cover was drawn by a friend of mine Dave Markham a local artist. I had no idea what we were about to create.
This little paper has grown from 20 pages to 124 and is now the number one outdoor publication in the Midwest. Not only in size and content but also by the ground we cover. We have more articles in our magazine in one month than some do in a year. I have to thank all of our outdoor writers who have been with us for so long. I don’t think there is a magazine with such diversity as ours. We cover trappers, fisherman, and hunters of all kinds and tackle the political end of things that effect sportsman here in our own back yard.
Most publications stay away from controversy but we encourage it. If there is something out there that may affect you and your rights as a sportsman, ASO tries to be on top of it. The threat of PETA, liberal gun grabbers and the like are out there to do their best to put you out of business. It is our purpose to make sure these anti forces stay out of our lives and we are able to continue are American traditions as our forefathers did before us. It is an on going battle that we all have a part in. Until that last shot is fired and that last cast is made we will be there till the fat lady sings; ASO is the voice of the American Sportsman.
In passing the praises to our great writers, advertisers and readers, I must say thanks to the real backbone of this paper and that is my wife Cathy Canterbury. For those of you who know her you know what I mean. She works countless hours on the computer, sometimes not getting to bed till 4 in the morning. She does more than I can write about and without her ASO would not be what it is today. So again folks thanks for hanging with us, we are here for the duration through the thick and thin, and always will be.
In rambling through the woods there are some things to mention that are important. The new apprentice program for kids has started for those who would like to go hunting with their dad, uncle and so on. You can buy it through the Internet by going to our web site and clicking on DNR links. Click on the state of Illinois and at that site look for the apprentice program. It only costs $7.50. It allows a young person to hunt with a member of the family before they take the hunter safety course. This is how everyone over 30 years old was taught before the government stepped in to make your life better and safer. Maybe we knew what was good for our kid’s years ago.
Talk about tough, I just got back from U.S.C.A.T.S. World Champion catfish tournament at Owensboro Kentucky. I thought it would be another typical trip; the usual stuff a little rain maybe with some wind and a possible tornado warning. Boy was I in for a surprise. When we were almost to Owensboro we had blinding rain. When we arrived at the Executive Inn we were locked up for 2 hours in a tornado proof room. And only till the main storm passed over us were we allowed to leave. It was reported that 4 tornados were on or near Owensboro that evening. Friday night a couple of boats were blown into cars, down trees and debris were all over the place.
On Saturday the rain still continued all day. It was estimated we had between 10 and 12 inches in two days. What amazed me was this crazy weather did not deter the spirit or the determination of these fishermen. These catfish guys are some real tough hombres, who went fishing as if it was a typical day. You know if you base a country’s backbone by the people who live in it, we as a nation are in pretty good shape. It might have been bad judgment to get soaked to the bone, get blown all over the place and risk life, limb, equipment and dodge tress floating down the river for a little fun, but it was worth it to these guys.
The Ohio is a mean and fast river that deserves respect. But the American spirit lives and breath’s still today in the hardy river men. The U.S.C.A.T.S. world champion 1st place winners were Vern Harness and James Merrill from Omaha, Nebraska, with a total fish weight of 111 pounds and 4 ounces in two days. They also won big fish at 36.2. All fish were big blues and the bait of choice was beef blood home made in Nebraska. Congratulations guys on a great job. We filmed a TV show for our PBS affiliates that will air sometime this fall. ASO sends a big thanks to the Frabill Corporation for making this show possible.
Denny Dennis a well-known outdoorsman from Fenton, Missouri passed away in September while dove hunting. Denny owned and operated Denny Dennis Sporting goods in Fenton for almost 50 years. Denny’s name was synonymous with the outdoor industry around St. Louis. He started a small tackle and hunting supply shop years ago, and with his honest and hard working attitude became one of the most successful outdoor stores in the Midwest. Denny was a fine man and will missed by all who knew him. He had a special passion for hunting turkey and deer. He loved to fish and hunt all game and traveled a lot to throughout the country. Denny was with our paper for a long time and we circulated thousands of ASO Magazines through his store over the years. If there is a special place in heaven for sportsman Denny will be there. See ya old friend.
An update on our son Billy who is in basic training for the US Marine Corps in San Diego California. He has gone to Camp Pendleton for rifle training this week and will be there for 3 weeks. We received our first phone call Fri. 9/22 and he is doing fine. He said that he is up at 4:30 goes to bed at 9:30 and is in the best physical condition of his life. He misses hunting season and his folks, but especially his girl friend. We will be going out there in November for his graduation, which will be a big event for all of us. I mention this because you folks out there are like family. You have been with us for 10 years and I thought you would like to know, we are very proud of him.
Last but not least it is almost election time, the liberals are all worked up and will do their best to put you out of business. So ALL OUTDOORS FOLKS get out there and VOTE. It doesn’t cost anything, it doesn’t hurt, and when folks are talking about politics you don’t have to keep your mouth shut.
Keep your powder dry and your worm wet.
Harry

ASO Writer and Outdoor Information Links