Reader's Tips
Readers are invited to submit tips for this column. Length of tip should be less than 150 words. Tips should be helpful ideas to help people enjoy fishing, hunting and camping.

The reader whose tip is selected will receive a fishing product and be eligible for a drawing for $100 worth of fishing merchandise. The drawing will be held every month. Send your tips to: Tips Editor, MidWest Outdoors, 111 Shore Drive, Burr Ridge, IL 60527.

Our email address is info@midwestoutdoors.com.

This month’s winner is Bob Lambke of Elmhurst, Ill. Bob will receive a
package of outdoor products in addition to the gift sent to every
eligible contributor.

Dear Tips Editor:
Every fisherman should have a worm rag. I keep a half dozen ready all the time. I use an old hand towel—fold one of the corners over for strength and install a brass tarp grommet. I use a brass shower curtain ring to attach it to my belt or belt loop. It’s always ready and keeps you from wiping your hands on your pants.
Bob Lambke
Elmhurst, Ill.
 

Dear Tips Editor:
Be sure to have plenty of anchor rope when anchoring on windy days or steep edges. Drop your anchor near to shore and let out lots of rope so the angle is slight. Your anchors will catch and hold. This also works in deep water on very windy days. This allows the claws of the anchors to dig in.
Jerry Strand
Dousman, Wis.
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Dear Tips Editor:
In the outdoors, it is always good to anticipate a dangerous situation and to be aware of your options if such a situation occurs. When wearing chest waders while stream fishing, or if you anticipate getting out of the boat and fishing selected spots, there’s an important thing to remember. In most streams—and certainly in rivers and lakes—you can
suddenly and unexpectedly step into a deep spot and find yourself in water over your head.
Another less obvious situation would be attempting to wade across a swift current in a stream or river and getting swept off your feet and into deep water. This can happen in surprisingly shallow water. It’s important in both these situations to have a wader belt on and to have it securely fastened around your waist.
When you suddenly find yourself in deep water, just roll onto your back and use your hands to paddle to the bank or to shallow water. The air trapped in the waders and held there by the belt will provide floatation and allow you to get to safety.
Ronald K. Beasley
St. Louis, Mo.
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Dear Tips Editor:
I always forget the depth range of my stick baits and crankbaits. Now I take a permanent marker and write the depth range right on the belly of the lure. This way, I always have the information readily available.
Fred Hennessy
Gordon, Wis.
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Dear Tips Editor:
Truck Cap Or Topper
If you have the cap with only the back door and sliding windows and can’t reach things in the front, here is a tip for you. Take the 35 or so screws out that hold the sliding window in place and push the window out. Then, clean off the thick layer of sealer. Rotate the window frame 180 degrees around so the sliding part is forward. Reinsert the window
and put the screws back in the holes, they are self taping and will probably all seat into a new spot.
Take a screwdriver and widen the track some so the window slides easier. Cut a piece of waste wood long enough to place in the track from the back to act as a lock. And if you want, seal the outside edges with caulk. A handle can be glued on with the new glues if you want. Voila—front opening windows.
John Koyen
Cogan Station, Pa.
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Dear Tips Editor:
When using more than one hook while using live bait, try using a three-way swivel. This helps to keep your baited lines from tangling with the main line. You can also space the swivels to cover two different depths at one time.
Gary Schacht
Kenosha, Wis.