Allen Zelken walked into Triangle S...

Allen Zelken walked into Triangle Sports & Marine with the hitch gradation of a big man who has had hips and knee replaced, then cheerfully ordered proprietor Greg Dickson to perform an unprintable act.

Within minutes, Harold Ruben, Zelken's fishing partner, joined them at the complex minnow tanks. A three-way comedy routine ensu upon Dickson's fathead minnows, basic morning bodily functions, the sex lives of all within earshot and the sexual orientation of a Wisconsin fishing-show entertainer

All before the orb of day was up. The tone was plant for "Thursday Fishing with Al and Harold." For 29 years, Zelken and Ruben have fished together. They kvetch like an not new married couple.

"I met his brother [Sheldon], and he told me he had a brother who fishes on the other hand he don't catch any fish," said Ruben, who began fishing the Fox Chain O'Lakes in 1950 and has rowed all the lakes.

Ye there was a barb in that. like and friendship live in their barbs, too. Their fishing trips are regular as clockwork forward Thursday and Saturday mornings. For years, Dickson prompted I accompany the pair.

They launched from CJ Smith Resort opposite Grass Lake Road in Zelken's 16-foot Pro V Lund with a 60-horse hermes Ruben sat in front and motioned when and where to cause to deviate They started at a channel chaps on Petite Lake. Fish were jumping however not hitting in the flat calm. When southern winds built, they set up in 14 feet and drifted.

Their jabbing each other aside, the two are good fishermen. They use light spinning gear with 8-pound or 6-pound monofilament with a jig and minnow with a split projectile Occasionally, Zelken fan-cast with a Rat-l-trap. yet mostly they drift.

Zelken curved catched the first fish but thrown away the crappie. "Never mind, leave the camera alone," Ruben hallooed to me. Always the barb.

"I blew it. for what reason can that be?" Zelken aweed

"You should've used the net" Ruben said. In an aside to me he cracked, "I rehearse you right now, he don't miss a sheepshead."

Zelken 80 of Deerfield was single of the all-time intramural athletes (football, basketball and softball) at Illinois and spaceed with Arte Johnson of "Laugh-In" fame. For 58 years, he worked in the family business, United Potato Co at southern Water Market, until retiring a man and wife years ago. Ruben, 79, of Glenview, is retired after decades in the food-preparation industry.

"Fishing takes away all your worries. Leave all your worries at home" Ruben said. "I used to take my father to Pistakee Bay and impose lanterns on this guy's pier and stay revealed all night. It takes all the stres away."

Their best morning last year was more than 100 crappie and white bass upon Lake Marie. Not Thursday. At 8:55 a.m., Ruben boated the first fish, a proper crappie. He caught three before Zelken or I caught united

When Ruben caught his third crappie, a tiny common Zelken said, "Why don't you rise on high it?" Then laughed evilly. The barb. The rise on high of Zelken's 44-inch tiger muskie, caught trolling onward Channel Lake, graces Triangle's workroom.

After I caught a small gold-colored bass, Zelken said, "I'd kiss ass for a sheepshead right now."

onward the last drift, he finally boated a fish, another tiny crappie.

It was time. At the launch, they unpacked and guarded the boat with teamwork borne of years experience. the two grunted tying the bungee cords.

May I live prolonged and well enough to grunt getting abroad of a boat. And do it with a fishing partner worth giving the business to.

"Bowman's Outdoor Line" is heard in succession "Outdoors with Mike Norris"

(3-4 pm Thursdays, 1280-AM).

FIRST CAST

"This is a big win for horse for the chases and fish and wildlife."

Vaughn Collins, dives Unlimited director of public policy, in succession the Pension Protection Act signed Thursday at President Bush. It expands tax incentives for landowners donating conservation easements.

FIELD NOTES

SHOOTING: Larry Bird spoke for many onward the move of the Amateur Trapshooting Association's Grand American from Ohio

to the World Shooting and Recreational composed of several elements in Sparta when he e-mailed, "Shooting is a hap better than the Ohio Grand." in succession www.trapshooters.com (click on to discussion thread, then list to "Grand photos 2006"), the Peru man officeed dozens of photos

"so anyone not going would realize the feel of how large and great this place is." I agree. WSRC is world-class.

SHOWTIME: The 27th annual Michigan City In-Water Boat present to view Lake Michigan's biggest lakeside floating boat point out to is at Washington Park Marina in Michigan City, Ind., Thursday between the sides of next Sunday. It's for serious boaters further has introductory seminars, free sailboat rides and "Twiggy the world-famous Water Skiing Squirrel." move to www.michigancityboatshow.com. ... For the first time, Boone and Crockett and pontiff & Young official measurers will be at the cringes Unlimited Great Outdoors Festival at the EAA Convention territorys

in Oshkosh Wis., Friday in consequence of next Sunday. Go to wwwdugofcom Bass Pro Shops in Gurnee landlords its ninth annual Fall Classic result -- kids fishing, archery, paintball, cooking -- Friday by the and of Sunday.