We're usually mean fishing t-a-l-e-s when it comes to telling stories about our fishing exploits. But, this time, we're talking fishing t-a-i-l-s.

Mepps, the company known for making hair-covered spinners with that enticing throbbing action in water, has put out the word it is offering a bounty on squirrel tails to use in its manufacturing business.

There is one proviso: The company only wants tails from squirrels that were hunted for food. Mepps does not condone harvesting squirrels for their tails alone.

You won't get rich selling tails to Mepps, which has been buying the hair for 30 years. Premium specimens net only 20 cents if you sell fewer than 100 at a time. That climbs to 26 cents each if you sell more than 1,000. The cash value can be doubled if you take the bounty in tackle rather than money, which most people do, the company said.

Store in a freezer, salt the tail butt liberally and keep the flies away, the company says. Do not store them in plastic. Put them in a package with the count, your name and address on the inside and ship them to Sheldons' Inc., 626 Center St., Antigo, WI 54409-2496. Shipping is refunded on 50 tails or more. Ship by UPS or surface parcel post only.

Visit www.mepps.com /squirrels for details on the offer and handling instructions.

Muskie time

The Illinois Muskie Tournament Trail will compete on Evergreen Lake north of Normal this fall during the second half of its 2006 season.

The Central Illinois Muskie Hunters will host the Evergreen Lake tournament on Oct. 21. Top three teams receive trophies. Phone Randy Kakara at (815) 672-5320.

Other IMTT events this autumn include the two-day Lake Shelbyville Fall Muskie Classic, which was formerly the IDNR Director's Cup, on Oct. 7-8. Phone (217) 423-0932.

The fall season kicks off at Lake Shelbyville Sept. 24 in an event hosted by the Lake Shelbyville Muskie Club. Phone (217) 863-4102.

Tournaments also will be held Oct. 28-29 at Lake Kinkaid. Host is the Shawnee Muskie Hunters. Phone (815) 756-3231.

The IMTT will return to Lake Kinkaid for the IMTT State Championship on Nov. 4-5. A banquet will be held the night of Nov. 4. Phone (217) 432-0932.

For information, visit www.illmuskie.com . E-mail Ron Skala at MuskyRon1@aol.com or phone (708) 877-8894.

Tread lightly

The nonprofit group Tread Lightly points out ways we can do less damage when we are in nature. Here's Treading Lightly's "10 Ways to Reduce Environmental Impact When Boating"

1. Avoid traveling in shallow water, which can harm aquatic plants and animals living there. It can also suck harmful things into your outboard.

2. Maneuver your craft slowly when launching and coming ashore to avoid impacting sensitive habitats and damaging your vessel.

3. If you do need to fill up with fuel or oil on the water, take precautions not to spill.

4. Don't litter, and pick up litter left by others.

5. Launch boats only at designated launching ramps. Backing a vehicle on a river bank or lake shoreline can damage the bank and cause erosion.

6. Be aware of the noise your craft produces. Noise complaints are a leading reason authorities are called.

7. Wash your boat after every use to avoid transport of harmful exotic plants and animals like Eurasian milfoil and zebra mussels.

8. Obey posted signs.

9. Dispose of fishing line and other plastic items that can be lethal to fish, marine mammals, birds and reptiles.

10. Know the fishing regulations. Return undersized, oversized or unwanted fish to the water as soon as possible.

Learn more at www.treadlightly.org.

Tournament notes

w Bloomington-Normal continues to dominate Illinois bass fishing competition. This time, two B-N teams placed first and second in the Bass Federation Nation six-man team tournament on Pool 19 on the Mississippi River last weekend. The Mackinaw Valley Bassmasters won the event with more than 70 pounds of bass. The team consisted of David Fritts, David Thompson, Tom Kaufman, Brian Koch, Bobby Evans and Eric Varner. The Bloomington-Normal Bassmasters were second. That team included Jamie Maisenbacher, Mark Dyer, A.J. Bailey, Scott Bree, Jack Menssen and A.J. Menssen. Both teams qualify for a regional competition that leads to the World Championship next year. Congratulations.

- Mike Schilkofski and Aaron Therion won the Bloomington-Normal Bass Club Tuesday night event at Lake Bloomington with 9.31 pounds. Greg Bayles and Dave Norris were second, and Mark Fuller and John Miller were third.

- Three local teams qualified for the Illinois Team Trail Classic in September. They are Jeff Henson and Bryan Thrasher, Jerry Martoglio and David Fritts, and Fred Myers and Jason Waldschmidt.

Scott Richardson is Pantagraph outdoor editor. Phone (309) 820-3227 or e-mail srichardson@pantagraph.com . Read and comment on past outdoor and fishing columns or take part in online discussions at www.pantagraph.com /blogs.