Beware the dreaded "sting" of a catfish...quite an appropriate health-related topic for an outdoor newsletter. Like many of my fellow readers, I've been warned all my life the sharp spinous rays at the leading edge of the pectoral and dorsal fins contained a poison that could produce a possibly severe allergic reaction in those unlucky enough to be stuck. In fact, this was reinforced when my child managed to prick herself on a channel cat spine during a fishing trip. The next day we were at the clinic with her hand swollen and red streaks moving up her wrist.

I was surprised to find the catfish I fish for, channel and bullhead, don't have poisonous spines.

"There are 28 species of catfish in United States' waters, varying in size from the inch-long least madtom to the giant blue catfish which may weigh up to 120 pounds." "The sharp spinous ray at the leading edge of the pectoral fin has a locking structure which enables the catfish to hold it erect as a defensive weapon. In the madtoms and sea catfish this needlepoint ray has a poison gland at its base. When the spine punctures flesh the toxin is injected and produces a paralyzing sensation much like a severe bee sting. Although the pain usually disappears in a few hours the wound may continue to hurt for weeks." ("McClane's New Standard Fishing Encyclopedia & International Angling Guide" Holt, Rinehart and Winston; 1974.)

What then causes the swelling if the catfish stinger doesn't contain poison? The culprit appears to be cellulitis. Cellulitis is an acute noncontagious inflammation of the connective tissue of the skin caused by staphylococcus, streptococcus, or other bacterial infection. The skin normally has many types of bacteria on it, but intact skin provides an effective barrier that keeps bacteria from entering and growing within the body. When there is a break in the skin, bacteria can enter the body and grow there, causing infection and inflammation. The skin tissues in the infected area become red, hot, and painful.

Although the most-fished-for varieties of catfish may not have poison in their spines, they still should be handled with great care. The sharp spine can penetrate the skin leaving bacteria from its surface in your body as it pulls back out. Puncture wounds can be even more serious than cuts and scratches because they carry bacteria deep into the body. The body may inadvertently seal these bacteria in the body as it begins the healing process. Cellulitis may develop.

As usual, the best medicine is prevention. Take care when handling catfish to avoid the spines. Wear thick gloves if possible to provide a better grasp on this slippery fish.

Clean any breaks in the skin immediately with soap and water, then apply antibiotic ointment and a band-aid. Watch for redness, pain, drainage, or other signs of infection. You may see a tight, glossy, "stretched" appearance of the skin. Skin redness or inflammation increases in size as the infection spreads. A thin red line that follows a vein (lymphangitis) from the cellulitis towards the heart is another indication the infection is spreading. Seek medical attention at the first sign that cellulitis is present. Antibiotics are typically necessary to help the body control infection. Hospitalization may be necessary if the infection is severe enough.

Although the catfish you're fishing for may not contain actual poison in its "stinger", the bacteria present on the spine and/or the bacteria present on your skin that gets pushed into your body can produce serious health problems. Until next time...Maggie.

This can be a touchy subject for some people. I will take it very seriously, because going poo-poo and wee-wee in the wilderness is a serious subject. (Sorry-I couldn't resist.)

It really is a subject worth discussing. How we handle human waste in the back country has a major impact on the environment and our health. There are six methods of handling it:
1. Outhouses or Bathrooms
2. Pack it out
3. Cat Holes
4. Surface Disposal
5. Latrine
6. Go wherever you feel like it - Who cares?

Number one in the list is the most preferable since the outhouses and bathrooms have been provided for you in appropriate locations. For many family campers and car campers this is the obvious choice.

For locations where outhouses/bathrooms are unavailable Packing it Out is the best choice. It may not be the most practical or the favorite choice, but in terms of environmental impact it is the best. Usually, this is done by boaters or horse packers since they can carry portable toilets. Backpackers and campers however can pack it out if they choose to do so. Use a brown paper back inside of a heavy duty ziplock bag that has been covered in duct tape. Be sure to mark the bag well so there are no unpleasant surprises.

For those that can't or decide not to pack it out, the most common choice for backpackers and campers when bathrooms are not around is number three - Cat Holes. The best site for a cat hole is at least 200 feet from any water source, trail, or campsite. Using a garden trowel (often called a "woogie shovel") dig a hole 6 to 8" deep and 6" wide. Take care of business in the hole, and when you are finished just stir in some dirt with a stick and cover with 2 to 4" of topsoil. Make sure you cover the area with leaves, sticks, and duff to make the site camouflaged.

Next up is Surface Disposal. This is done by smearing the feces with a rock or a stick so that it is completely exposed to the sun and air. This increases the rate of decomposition. Surface disposal is not legal in some places so be sure to check before you do this. It should also only be one where there is little soil in remote areas that people are unlikely to visit. Also, make sure that it is at least 200 feet away from water.

A Latrine is sort of like a cat hole, only it is bigger and used by more than one person. It is a pit that is at least 12" deep and 16" wide. After someone is done, they should cover it up with soil and compress it. When the latrine gets to within 4" of the top it should be completely filled in and camouflaged. Once again, make sure the latrine is at least 200 feet away from water. Latrines have become less favorable because they create a much larger impact than scattered cat holes.

Finally, we've come to option number six - Go Wherever-Who Cares. Unfortunately, some people choose this method more frequently than you might think. It leads to contaminated water which leads to health hazards, and it can be quite a disgusting discovery if you are the next person to come along. This is the worst method of handling human waste, and it should never be done. Enough said about that.

There is one last thing that needs covering, and that's the use of toilet paper. If you use methods one or two (bathrooms and outhouses or packing it out), then toilet paper is fine. If you use the other methods and choose to use toilet paper you should at least pack it with you until you can burn it in a very hot camp fire. A better option is to use Mother Nature's TP. This can be sticks (avoid bumpy ones), leaves (avoid poison ivy), rocks (avoid sharp ones), and my personal favorite - snow (avoid yellow snow). You might be surprised how comfortable it can be, and the snow can be invigorating and refreshing as well!

So the next time nature calls when you're in nature, you will know what to do and how to do it. For more detailed information on handling human waste in the wilderness as well as Leave No Trace outdoor ethics, just pick up a copy of 'Soft Paths'(1995) by Bruce Hampton and David Cole. You should also check out the Leave No Trace web site at: http://www.lnt.org

Submitted by Lukas Lamb. Visit Lukas at CoolCampingSupply.com. He can handle your camping supply needs.

When I think of trout fishing, one place in particular stands out in my mind, Lake Taneycomo. Nestled in the beautiful Ozark Mountains and running right through Branson, Mo. Lake Taneycomo is a trout fisherman’s paradise. The Lake itself is 22 miles long starting below the Table Rock Lake Dam and ending as it cascades over the dam that begins Bull Shoals Lake. For the most part Taneycomo is no wider than a river, with the water remaining cool enough all year to support both rainbow and brown trout. From its beginning at Table Rock Lake to Fall Creek only artificial bait is allowed. Hard plastic, hair or feathers, no soft body lures and there is a slot length limit. Fish in this area must be under 12 inches or over 20 inches to keep. All other fish must be released unharmed immediately. This rule was put into effect a few years ago to help improve the quality of fish in the lake overall. Below Fall Creek and throughout the rest of the lake normal state laws apply. You may use natural baits, power eggs, etc. and the daily trout limit is 5 fish of which only 1 can be a brown trout 20 inches or longer in length.

On a recent trip there, a friend and I fished two days and caught fish by the boatloads. We practiced catch and release for the most part and kept a few fish each day for eating. Minnows, night crawlers, and power bait all yielded excellent results. I highly recommend that all of our newsletter subscribers visit Lake Taneycomo.

I also recommend that when visiting Lake Taneycomo you stay where I have stayed for the last ten years in a row; Lilley’s Landing. I am sure that there are many fine trout lodges along Lake Taneycomo, but it would sure be hard to beat Lilley’s Landing. Owner operator Phil Lilley and his staff have a first rate operation. Phil’s knowledge of trout fishing is remarkable and it’s worth the stay just to be able to talk to him.

But his place offers much more. Clean comfortable rooms with stove, refrigerator, microwave, pots, pans, plates, etc. Covered floating fishing dock and boat slip, nice boats with newer engines (I have never had one fail in 10 years), indoor modern fish cleaning stations right on the dock, bait, tackle, advice and probably 20 other amenities that I haven’t even mentioned (To make reservation go to Lilleys Landing.com). I am sure you will have a great time.

I’m Kenny: I hope I have all of you in my corner.

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