JACK WOLLITZ Holiday wishes for everyone

It's too late to get my last-minute requests to the North Pole in time for Santa's dash around the world tonight, but I do have some special wishes for anglers this Christmas season.
We anglers are so blessed that it's difficult to imagine we are in need of anything the Jolly Ol' Elf might stash under the Christmas tree. OK, maybe a new Shimano Curado reel and a couple spools of Gamma fluorocarbon line would be nice. And who can resist a few bright new Bomber and Bill Norman crankbaits, the perfect stocking stuffers? You can't go wrong there.
But I digress.
Blessed indeed
Judging by the growing number of anglers I encounter on our nearby lakes, I've concluded we are indeed blessed. We've got nice boats, great equipment and the wherewithal to get out on the water on a fairly regular basis.
So, with the Christmas spirit bubbling over, I want to share a few of my own special wishes for our deserving readers.
Here's hoping for a bumper crop of Mosquito Creek Reservoir walleyes in 2006. Everybody likes to visit the big reservoir in Trumbull County, especially in April and May when the walleyes are at the peak of their activity.
And let's not forget the children who will benefit from proper introduction to our favorite sport. Anglers who find a way to support youth fishing activities contribute to the continuation of America's outdoor heritage.
Best wishes, too, to our Mahoning River Consortium, the people dedicated to creating the means to dredge more than 100 years of pollution from the bed of the waterway for which our valley is named. Their efforts will result in recreational opportunities about which previous generations could only dream.
To help raise awareness about the Mahoning River clean-up, the consortium is promoting a way for fishing fans to fly their colors. The organization has arranged for special Ohio license plates depicting a muskie, a native of the Mahoning drainage, and needs a minimum of 1,000 orders by June. For information about ordering a muskie plate, phone Bill DeCicco at CASTLO Community Improvement Corp., (330) 750-1363.
We also can make life merrier for the merchants who operate lakeside bait and tackle stores. Make it a point to stop at a bait shop on your way to the lake and browse the aisles for the good stuff that is difficult to find in the big stores. As a bonus, you'll also pick up lots of useful information about what's biting and where.
More wishes
Enough of the serious stuff. Here's what we wish for the lighter side of things:
How about short lines and speedy launching and loading at local boat ramps? Yes, this is asking for a lot. But until the time comes when all boaters have figured things out, ramps are a great place for Sunday afternoon comedy.
Here's a tall order, but what the heck? No lost lunkers, broken lines, jammed drags, back-lashed reels or sun-blistered cheeks for any local anglers.
And maybe, just maybe, Santa can bring a TV time slot for News Radio 570's "Outdoor Icons" Rob Palowitz and Denny Malloy. Of course, they'd have to dress a bit nicer and wear makeup for television.
Last, but not least, our wishes include accident-free outings for all in 2006. Be safe first and the fun will be sure to follow.
Merry Christmas!
jwwollitz@aol.com