You want outdoor extras? We’ve got outdoor extras …
Lure of the week
Lure name: Rippin Rap
Rippin Rap
Company: Rapala (www.rapala.com)
Lure type: Lipless crankbait
Sizes and colors: Available in 2-, 2 1/2- and 2 ¾-inch models in a variety of colors, including firetiger, redfire crawdad, chrome blue, purple clown, chrome, chartreuses shad and pearl grey shiner.
Target species: Largemouth and smallmouth bass.
Technique: A lipless crankbait, the Rippin Rap is skinny from side to side, but with a deep belly. It’s meant to be fished over or through grass, timber or rocks. It really shines as a cold water bass bait when drug just over that kind of cover. And if that water is dirty or stained, all the better. It can be fished fast or slow, at variable depths.
Sugg. retail price: $6.79.
Notable: These have large internal rattles, textured scale bodies and VMC black nickel hooks. They’re easy to cast long distances.
Tip of the week
Spring is coming, really. It officially arrives on March 20. But it’s not here yet. So, when going outside, it pays to plan for cold – or at least potentially cold — weather. One thing to take care of is your water filter system. If you use a pump or filter, be sure to keep it warm enough that it doesn’t freeze up on you. If you’re spending the night in a tent, for example, tuck the filter inside your sleeping bag.
Recipe of the week
Dutch oven stuffed peppers
Ingredients
- 4 large green bell peppers
- 1 ½ pounds ground meat
- 1 can vegetable beef soup
- 1 package dry onion soup mix
- 1 egg
Directions
Here’s a good camping recipe that can be made with ground beef. Or, if you have any left, ground venison.
Cut the tops off the peppers and set aside. Mix the remaining ingredients in a bowl, then form into four hamburger balls. Put one of those inside each pepper.
Next, put the tops back on the peppers and place them on a rack inside the Dutch oven. Put 12 pieces of charcoal under the oven and another dozen or so spread around the lid.
Cook 1.5 to 2 hours or until the meat is done, being sure to change out the old charcoal for new pieces every 30 minutes during the process.
