Two keeper books celebrate the exploits of beloved fishing guru Lefty Kreh

The tribute book is out now. You can pick up My Life Was This Big starting in October.

Loch Raven deer hunt

The big powwow on deer hunting in the land around Loch Raven Reservoir will take place at 7 p.m. Thursday at Loch Raven High School.

Baltimore County and city officials are trying to decide whether a bow hunt is the best way to bring the burgeoning deer population under control and give vegetation a chance to regenerate. The number of deer browsing the landscape is eight times what it should be, and the loss of plant life and corresponding erosion is a major water quality concern.

The last time officials announced that they wanted to open up Loch Raven to hunting, the hunting haters spooked them so badly they reversed position. Deer hunting is permitted at Baltimore's two other reservoirs - Liberty and Prettyboy.

No doubt the same forces are gathering again. It will be interesting to see whether hunters and people concerned about restoring the natural balance of the landscape will cowboy up.

Deale Pro-Am tourney

The Deale Pro-Am fishing tournament is fast approaching, and organizers have added another reason to participate.

On each day of the contest, Sept. 6 and 7, young anglers under the age of 14 fishing with a registered captain will be allowed to check in one fish. Trophies will be awarded each day to the top three finishers, and every angler will receive a certificate of participation.

Every tournament should have a division for kids.

Also, keep an eye out for the 15 patients from Walter Reed Army Hospital who will be competing aboard Capt. Bob Baker's boat, the Miss Grace. Even if they don't catch a single fish (I'm not betting against them), they'll give you a reason to cheer when they reach the dock.

The tournament couldn't be any easier: no morning check-ins, captain's meetings or boundary limits. The weigh station is Deale Marina on Rockhold Creek, which will be open from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. both days. Top winners will be the four largest rockfish, plus the largest bluefish and largest Spanish mackerel.

The entry fee is $75 per day per boat, with no limit on the number of fishermen per boat.

All the rules and fine print are at www.dealeproam.com, or call Capt. Kerry Muse (1-800-381-2727).