DAN SIMMONS Sportsman's Quest MORE COLUMNS SPECIAL TO THE PVT Dick Carson, an avid outdoorsman who died recently, is shown doing one of his favorite things: fishing. Advertisement

Dove season starts Saturday and our groups of regulars are converging for the traditional opening day hunt.

These guys are dedicated outdoorsmen from around the country and epitomized by my pal, Dick Carson, who was usually the one who puts these things together. It's no small task.

Dick was the one who first introduced me to the African Safari's, Salmon fishing on the Kenai River, and he initiated our group's opening-day hunt for the fast flying dove, and therefore the beginnings of The Fraternity of Fine Fellows Hunt Club.

I wrote about one of his African Safaris in an earlier column. He, his wife Jeri and granddaughter Chelsea enjoyed Chelsea's first hunt (now that's some beginning).

They traveled Southern Africa, encountered adventures, brought home some nice trophies, learned of the land's culture and history (Dick's favorite part), but mostly they spent some time together. That's called bonding.

Dick and I did some of the same on the Kenai River of Alaska, salmon fishing for sockeye. This was the craziest type of fishing I had ever experienced, and I had fished salmon for decades. These fish are essentially snagged in the mouth, as they bump the lure, and takes a lot more skill than I possessed.

It was the first time I was so embarrassingly outfished, by perhaps 20 to 1. Dick was an acknowledged master at this technique. I'm still working on it.

We had a great time and we caught lots of fish, but most of all we spent time together cruzing the Kenai Peninsula from Soldotna, to Seward, to Homer in his beat-up old Dodge power wagon -- the bonding thing again.

Dove hunting was the same. I was outgunned by at least 10 to 1, until he showed me how to properly lead those avian speedsters and anticipate their constantly changing direction of flight. I got better, and could almost keep up with him. He enjoyed saying, "I taught Dan all he knows, but not all I know." He's right. I still have a lot to learn.

We'll gather again Saturday. Dick will be with us on our dove hunt and for many hunts to come. I'll certainly use him as an example of mentor, good friend and hunting pal.

He will, however, be with us in spirit only. You see, he recently went to where the game is always plentiful, the waters calm, the winds mild, and from the right direction.

He'll be with us, but we'll miss him. We lift our cup to "Fair chase, straight shots and tight lines". Dick Carson: 1934 - 2007.

Events

The Fraternity of the Desert Bighorn is an organization dedicated to the preservation of this majestic animal and they are looking for assistance monitoring "guzzlers," that provide water to wildlife and assist with their water project installations.

For more information contact the new fraternity president, Jelindo Tiberti, at 1-702-382-7070. The fraternity meets on the first Wednesday (Sept. 5 this time) of each month at the Blue Ox Tavern on Sahara Blvd in Las Vegas.

Recipe of week

Carson's Deep

Fried Halibut

On almost every outing and at many of the Mt. Charleston Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation's get-togethers, a group that Dick helped start, his Alaska deep fried halibut and salmon always seemed to have the most folks returning for seconds, or thirds; I usually brought a Ziploc for the next day's lunch.

It's easy to prepare and makes a great shore lunch with your catch of the day.

Serve with rice or fried potatoes and onions and your favorite coleslaw. It will be one of your favorites, too.

It's rumored, however, that his wife Jeri actually taught him this one.

Ingredients: halibut chunks; Panko Breading (available at most supermarkets); flour; 1 egg; 3 tbsp milk; 1 cup flour; salt.

Directions: Lightly salt halibut and dredge in flour. Dip in beaten eggs mixed with milk.

Coat halibut with breading. Bring oil temperature to 350 degrees. Place halibut in oil, turning often, until golden brown.