Dave Lehman with two of the largemouth bass caught and released during a rainy outing last week.

The water spray coming off the tires of the passing vehicles had an almost hypnotic affect. Rather than allowing myself to become too comfortable during the hour-and-a-half drive home, instead, I went into a reflective state, recalling the many times the fishing and hunting had been good during a rainy day.

My buddy, Dave Lehman, and I had just finished an exceptionally fine day of largemouth bass fishing, one in which more than 30 fish had been boated.

While I later learned of the damaging storms that had struck many areas of Southwestern Pennsylvania, the weather a bit to the north had been kinder. Though we had to wear rainwear for much of the outing, storms never chased us from the water.

Rainy days provide many advantages for those who pursue their activities on the water, as well as in field and forest.

Since most folks won't stay out in the rain, chances are pretty good that you'll have the place to yourself.

Having a 1,000-acre lake to yourself can take a lot of the discomfort out of being in the rain. And, with the quality rainwear that's available now, there's really not that much discomfort.

It's well accepted that fish and game become more active as a frontal system approaches. I've found that many times, as the front arrives and brings rain with it, the fish continue to bite.

The bass trip that Lehman and I made took place Thursday, when several thunderstorm lines made their way across Western Pennsylvania.

It reminded me of a day many years ago on Kyle Lake, a small electric-motors only lake located near DuBois. During that midsummer day my longtime partner-in-the-outdoors, Dave Keith, and I had ventured to Kyle after we got a tip that the lake's bass were biting.

Kyle, which had more of a reputation as a lake full of skinny northern pike, had been reclaimed by the Fish and Boat Commission, a multiyear effort that saw the lake emptied, dredged, then refilled.

The storms chased us off of the water several times that day. In between the wild weather activity, though, we boated more than a hundred largemouths. They were relatively small fish, as they'd only been in the lake about three years at that point, but they still provided great action.

Dave Keith and I enjoyed another fine rainy day on a local lake. This one took place on Keystone Lake, back when it contained a lot of walleyes in the 13- to 18-inch class.

When we arrived on the lake in early afternoon, a light but steady rain was falling. We anchored the boat just off the deep edge of a weed covered point.

Using light leadhead jigs tipped with ribbon leeches, we began plucking walleyes off the edge of the weeds. I can't recall for how long the action continued, but it was at least a couple of hours. It seemed like every walleye in the lake was holding on the one little spot and quite willing to bite. I doubt that I've had a day on Keystone when more walleyes were boated.

Game can be active during a warm, light rain as well. Squirrels, in particular, seem to relish a gentle rain.

I've also seen large numbers of deer during such conditions during the early part of the bow season. You have to be extra alert since the wet ground is a silent one. These are the days when deer seem to materialize out of nowhere. Shots should be of the slam-dunk variety, though, as blood trails won't remain.

Tempting as it might be, you shouldn't allow the potential for good hunting or fishing to compromise your judgment. If thunderstorm activity is approaching, it's time to take cover.