George used the creative opportunity presented by the publication of the Madison Press Connection to expand his writing. He wrote a number of columns under his North Country Notebook format, some news reporting and then he introduced Papa Hambone’s Fishing Report. He wanted to mix in a bit of his humor from North Country Notebook, with a column that provided excellent fishing information from some of the best fishing minds in Madison.

It may just have been an excuse to hang out at Blair St. Bait Shop and Captain Jack’s Fishing Pro Shop. But hanging out at Blair St. Bait Shop was time well spent. He spent a lot of time with owner Ed Teela, who became the immortal Steady Eddy. Ed would later change the name of his shop to “Steady Eddy’s Blair St. Bait Shop.” If you don’t know who Steady Eddy is… spend some time looking through the website. You’ll soon find out!

8-30-79: Lots of talk, not much pressure

7-5-79: Bluegill time is almost with us

5-31-79: 38-inch ‘Thing’ put up a fight

9-1-78: Aggressive perch acting up

8-25-78: August dog days: Time to think like a fish

8-4-78: Anglers avoiding Mendota

7-28-78: Spraying makes lake a ‘desert’

7-21-78: For want of nightcrawlers

7-7-78: Bar closes; fishing still open – The legendary 400 Bar closes

6-30-78: Fish (fry) action is picking up – Stan Shivers’ recipe for frying panfish

6-16-78: No warm-water fishing, yet

6-9-78: Fishing report mixed

6-2-78: Fishing success remains mixed in area

5-26-78: Stuck on a pier in a mallard symphony

5-12-78 – Fishin’ not too hot, yet

(Madison Press Connection)