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2011 Report
Friday, December 31st, 2011. We'll put a shiny bow on this one and call it "good" as another evening rolls into the next year... Rising temps this morning in advance of a forecast filled with snow and cold have me itching for a quick streamer wade near Lovells. So I'll scratch that itch prior to working the New Year on some local ski slopes. Thanks to those folks that placed their confidence in me the past year. It's truly appreciated!! Happy New Year and... Tightlines! ps... Hey friends and associated chumps who didn't see fit to include me in your 2011 real estate transactions... A wise man once told me, You've got no friends in business or matters of money!
Thursday, December 22nd, 2011. Winter officially arrived today though you'd hardly recognize such. We're running a huge deficit in the snow and cold departments for a third consecutive year. Check out the corresponding link from the Gaylord Office of the National Weather Service. Records indicate a similar streak occured in the 1950's. La Nina' is to blame for a jet-stream that's pushing both cold and moisture around the Great Lakes again in November-December; setting the stage for another early spring with associated concerns about these sandy drumlins and moraines? http://www.crh.noaa.gov/news/display_cmsstory.php?wfo=apx&storyid=76185&source=0 When presented lemons what better then meringue or lemon-aide? Area rivers are ice-free and any given day offers a window of catching opportunity. With this premise in mind, I've resolved to hone my nymphing skills in advance of the next seasons hatches. Mild conditions, no snow and more special-reg water; the place is a virtual smorgesbord for winter time nymphing. Dress for the elements and who knows what good may come of these forrays? Through a decade of journals I've tried to chronicle the intrinsic wealth and beauty of this; the Headwaters Region. There's been wonderful times afield. There's been bitter opposite sweet and hope has always renewed the spirit after loss or disappointment. These environs provide healing and nourishment for body and soul; hence the call to protect and defend them. Even the most difficult times provided some semblence of possibility and renewal... We'll revisit matters like Michigan Senate Bill 248 again in 2012 and we'll hear plenty about the economic virtues of being fracked. Michigan holds the key to 60% of this Worlds most precious resource... Just how valuable is that as a commodity? A Year-In-Review in lieu of a fishing report... Merry Christmas. Tightlines!
Thursday, December 15th, 2011 46 degrees at 9:00am mid-December!! No problem friends. It's time to fish!! Once the hot water heater is replaced and the canoe loaded on the fish car. Seems those things mechanical give-up-the-ghost during most inopportune times... There's been some catching and some stories but most importantly time in waders enjoying the bounty of this place I call home. Hopefully a few photos will be worthy of posting. Look for another update prior to Christmas chronicling the return of winter to 45th parallel. Hello Spring...?? Tightlines!
Friday, December 9th, 2011 As Otsego Lake froze for the season eagles gathered near the remaining open water... Nearly a dozen diurnal masters; their numbers growing over last years cabal... December must be the month of romance in that part of the avian world?! Alas; I'd like very much to write an update concerning the wonders of our bountiful peninsula and its surrounding waterways. But matters of politics, consevation and economic shenanigans will be the core of todays update... Consider this... A move to cap the amount of land owned by the State of Michigan at its current level of 4.5 million acres; in the name of futrure development opportunity. What's next; a legislative move to rescind the Voters and undo the cap for the Michigan Natural Rresources Trust Fund? Say perhaps, diverting oil and gas or other mineral royalty payments to the general operating fund; undoing decades of conservation initiatives? Just as Pure Michigan touts all the beauty this pleaseant peninsula is known for? Friends; look over a fracking operation and you'll wonder just what part of this whole-scale industrial development fits into an ad campaign touting the North Woods... Consider too the closure of Hunt Creek Research Station... Yet our elected and appointed officials tout the party-line that any increase in license fees is an increased-tax on their constituents... Tell that to Field and Stream Magazine as they touted Michigan as the best fly fishing destination in the US of A, if variety and diversity is what you seek at the end of your fly-rod. Compare our daily user rates to those of Montana, Wyoming, California, Arkansa, Wisconsin or any Canadian Province.... We're the best deal going and have been for nearly two-decades... So why not increase some protections for our State Resources and increase the cost to Out-Of-State Visitors to help cover the Consevation Nut?? Or how about royalty payments to WE the residents of Michigan from those that extract record profits from operations like the Kennecott Mine now operating in the UP near Marquette? We're receiving payments predicated upon royalty payments and markets that are now a century old! Rio Tintos Corporation and the Chinese are laughing all the way to their proverbial banks... And how many Michiganders have been hired by Kennecott or its sub-contractors?? You really should see the surrounding landcape. What once was a small creek and a rock formation in the middle of a couple rutted-two-tracks is now a City in this middle of conifer woods. All concentrated on a quarter-mile square rock formation rising above the general elevation... Oh, and don't forget the armed guards and barb-wire security fences. They too bring a certain hard-to-define majesty to the North Woods. Just what is that sucking sound I continually hear... I agree Michigan's onerous tax structure needs simplicity. The way we fund our public schools places real economic hardship on private property owners that desire more then one property... Saying nothing of the white-elephant in our midst called the Prison System and its huge economic drain on the general budget... Nearly 1 of 5 dollars collected by the Tax Man... Without abundant, clean water this place is far too-cold, far-too-often... Enjoy the three-minute snippet of Fracking... Just in from everyone's favorite agency to hate... Link.... http://www.npr.org/2011/12/08/143386908/epa-connects-fracking-with-water-contamination And Tightlines!
Saturday, December 3rd, 2011. A fish story and musings about a river I fished long-ago... The only waterfall in Our lower peninsual runs lakeward through the shale formations of Presque Isle County near the small hamlet of Millersburg; on the River Ocqueoc. Several hundred feet of cascading water cutting through debris to shale bottoms swept clean of sand and stone. A site worthy of an afternoon visit. Walkways recently established along the falls allow visitors to ponder the beauty of free-flowing water over such terrain; with day-time amenities that include picnic tables and grills for extended visits just north of M-68 between Onaway and Alpena. The entire region ensconsed within an era difficult to define but readily palpable... The sunrise-side of this spectacular peninsula. Below the Falls a meandering river cuts through farm and forest; carrying with it sediment and particulate from its upper reaches. Once clear of impounments, the Ocqueoc resembles a UP river dark and tannic. Daunting in November requiring respect and vigilance. Its waters primarily flat yet current heavy enough to undercut the moraine and drumlins deposited by the last glaciers... No place for folly or fool-hardy activity. Now 50, I first fished this river as a teen... Those riverine characterists left me then feeling overwhelmed and out-witted; wondering where would these silver leviathans called Steelhead hold up? Today, I wonder the same. My wanderlust now saited, I'll search upper reaches for anadromous creatures knowing what below Ocqueoc Lake offers. I'm writing into the noon hour this Saturday as a mixture of snow and rain move over-head. Conditions that are really very good for early-winter fishing... But no longer ideallyic for me... My extremities simply won't allow the privilege of cold-weather wading no matter how many layers and precautions. A condition that once frustrated me is one I've come to accept... Grudginly! Breaks in the forecast still entice me to gather Drake for an afternoon wade. So off we'll go completing a round-trip of 40 miles in an afternoon... Wading familiar stretches on local rivers; borrowing from a treasure-chest of unknown quantities, hoping none go unclaimed before leg or limbs fail either or all of us... We now limp after a day awash and afield... Wishing each of you... Tightlines!
Tuesday, November 22nd, 2011. Fascinating Reading... http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/20/magazine/fracking-amwell-township.html?pagewanted=8&tntemail1=y&_r=2&emc=tnt Pleasant much of the month and a forecast through Thanksgiving that resembles early-May... We've had snow and enough cold for ice formation though moderate conditions are headed this way. The general consensus places this years steelhead run as-good-as-we've-seen in a decade. Large, healthy fish that have evaded me to date. I'm looking forward to the Pere Marquette tomorrow and something a bit more urban between Thanksgiving and the weekend finale in the Thumb. Making our way toward another years' end... Challenging, interesting, frustrating and rewarding as any I recall; mind you, my recollection isn't what it should be:))! Good health to all of you. Tightlines!
Thursday, November 17th, 2011. We're under some form of Winter Weather Advisory today through this evening... Snow and blustery winds have me looking forward to the weekend forecast. I opted to vacate the river as the traditional firearm season descended upon otherwise quiet moraines. The notion of flying projectiles and ill-informed visitors helped solidify my decision; after the last trout cooperated on a dry... Four-weights now packed-away. The Muskegon River last weekend didn't soothe my mid-November Angst. Perhaps the lower Sturgeon will tomorrow?? How different would fall and winter be if I concentrated more on gathering game instead of chasing piscatorial figures throughout these natal waters... An answer may be but a season away! Tightlines!
Friday, November 4th, 2011. I'll fish the remainder of my life and never land a brown trout the size of which I encounered Wednesday... Fishing the less-then-prisitine surroundings known as Manistique off US-2. There's commonly a "story" amidst outstanding circumstances; and this tale's no different. ... Two witnesses can collaborate certain criteria including a foggy photo from a cell phone... What will haunt me is the ephifany when this large fish rolls on his flank displaying bronze and gold belonging to Salmo Trutta, not Chinook, as I thought when initially hooked... Family matters require my attention through this weekend but the forecast looks incredible for early-November. I hope that photo does this fish some form of justice... Tightlines!
Thursday, October 27th, 2011. The first sleet and snow is falling over the moraine... courtesy of the north wind. We're actually lagging compared to other years and this won't accumulate based upon forecasts and radar readings. The Tamarck has turned providing a final bust of autumnal colors within our river basins. Olives; once so dependable are tapering in numbers. Trout once willing seem to have another purpose; redds appearing along sweepers and deep channels... Recent cold and rain have triggered the spawning season. A report on the State of Fisherman in Michigan follows... http://bridgemi.com/2011/10/is-state-losing-its-love-of-fish/ Sobering but hardly surprising! Layers are now required for morning walks and afternoons afield. Steelhead, steelhead, steelhead. Streamers and indicators. Chuck-and-duck and bottom bouncing... Tightlines!
Thursday, October 20, 2011. A front spins in cyclonic fashion over the region bringing copious amounts of wind and rain... http://radar.weather.gov/Conus/centgrtlakes_loop.php Fowl are moving through these Headwaters as the jet-stream dips; a harbinger of the next seasons offering. The wood-pile's stocked and the fish car resembles an end-of-season clearance sale... Drake lobbies simply by curling-up a short distance from the author; an eye wary for any number of trigger points indicating "it's time to go". Always a willing travel companion... Olives in the Mason Tract and skinny North Branch salvaged this week after a float on the Au Sable main stream. Waters that produced memories the prior month seemed void of willing trout. Movement now all about these river cooridors. Steelhead now occupy more of my thoughts. Six, seven or eight weights at the beckoning. Rising water sure to trigger those natal instincts. Too often, the joy associated with living in these environs is jaded by threats to our quality-of-life. Here's an organization doing great work despite difficult economic conditions. Their September-2011, newsletter is worthy of your support... http://www.huronpines.org/ With that... Tightlines!
Thursday, October 13, 2011. Fall is descending as needed rain moves over the region... Our colors peaked on the heals of October's full-moon. The Yankees vanquished; Ryans' Rangers have nearly sealed the Tigers fate while the Lions keep winning! Hath Hell frozen over?? The canoe will be in action today once Drake has been walked and business attended to. Streamers small, dark and nimble should do the deed. Olives will roll; a second rod strung with diminutive flies on fine tippet at the ready. Is this my favorite season?? Anglers of the Au Sable gathered last weekend for retreat and one of the early assignments required of us was selecting our favorite season. I was conflicted then about my decision and remain so... Does it get any better then October for denizens of the North Woods?!? The past 10 days were glorious indeed; but the next 10 look simply invigorating... Tightlines!
Thursday, October 6, 2011. 70's, low humidity, light winds, glorious color and generally spectacular conditions... Indian Summer is all about Northern Michigan!! It's post-card- perfect everywhere you look as we wind our way into October. A float through the Mason Tract yesterday was nothing less then sensational. Color and remarkable weather helped enhanced the large-woody-debris recently placed throughout the Tract. Eager brown and brook trout chased brightly colored streamers while olives hatched until sun-set. Trout that were feasting on #24 emergers were unanimous in their willingness to chase swinging patterns placed before their lye; nearly without exception! A few unexpected fish emerged from cover to rush our offerings and once again the numbers were more exciting the overall size of trout landed. Man, what a blast!! Yesterdays float was just the tonic needed after those Damned Yankees crushed the Tigers Tuesday evening in Detroit... So it's Game 5 tonight from the Bronx amidst all the ghosts of playoff's past... The forecast is calling for late-summer weather through this weekend. There's little one can do about such things but enjoy the pleasant conditions... And hope the baseball season isn't yet over for Tiger Fans. and btw... Can you believe those Detroit Lions?? Tightlines!
Thursday Evening, September 29, 2011. Simply put; the streamer fishing has been fantastic and will only improve as we move into fall on the heels of fantastic and much-needed rain these prior five days. 25-50 fish per afternoon hasn't been uncommon though I can't boast of any large net-bending pigs that have come to hand. Still it's been fantastic and will only get better as we segue into the extended season on waters now under the jurisdiction of "Special Regulations"... Good Stuff! I expect to hone my skills on afternoon trout that will opt for the myriad of blue-winged olives sure to entice those caloric-craving, pre-spawn denizens of our local riverine environs. A great time of the season for folks that enjoy an afternoon afield amoung maple, birch, poplar and sumac. All aglow with the last of summers' riches. Here's a little primer of things to come for most watersheds near the Headwaters Region of the lower peninsula... And it ain't very pretty. Visit the fishing report and make your way through this weeks update. Tightlines!
Wednesday, September 21, 2011. We're welcoming the first day of autumn with a sobering report concerning matters of Conservation in Michigan... http://bridgemi.com/2011/09/pure-slacking-michigan-falters-on-conservation/ Not mentioned here is the closure of the Hunt Creek Research Station due to budgetary cuts or the fact that license fees haven't been increased in two decades. Those that currently wield the POWER in Lansing will tell you We're making Michigan more competitive for Business... My Ass!! Meanwhile the Freshman Representative from my district had more free lunches then any other in the current Michigan House... To The Victor goes the Spoils.... Senate Majority Leader Randy RICHARDVILLE <http://www.mirsnews.com/leg_bio.php?lid=81> (R-Monroe) and freshman Rep. Frank FOSTER <http://www.mirsnews.com/leg_bio.php?lid=478> (R-Pellston) have enjoyed the most free lunches from lobbyists, according to a new report by the Michigan Campaign Finance Network (MCFN).
Richardville was the top beneficiary of the food and beverage hospitality, according to MCFN. Richardville enjoyed $2,985 worth of food and libations. That is more than $47 per day when the Senate was in session.
MCFN wrote that the "leading member of the Free Lunch Club" in the House was Foster at $2,814.
Lobbyists reported spending $526,753 for food and beverages for lobbyable officials in the first seven months of 2011. Leading providers of consumable hospitality were: Kelley Cawthorne ($86,372); AT&T of Michigan, reporting under the name of Michigan Bell Telephone ($51,736); GCSI ($25,823); Michigan Licensed Beverage Association ($24,222); and Public Affairs Associates ($20,492).
This leaves me wondering just how far the pendulm may swing next time around???
Tightlines?
Thursday, September 15th, 2011. Fall moved into Northern Michiagn while Septembers' full-moon began to wane; bringing with it the unofficial start of the next season. Colors along the river and within these woods announce the start of harvest season... And the rebirth of others found in our natal waters. I sat with a friend yesterday upon an old log-jam; watching a myriad of fall olives circle upon the eddies. A pod of resident trout awaiting those unable to take flight. Casting and sometimes catching the unsuspecting amoung them. This was the same place I introduced Drake to the fall Isonychia and a brown trout made the entire season magical. That was seven years ago and Drake was just a pup growing into his adult-self. He rode shot-gun with me on the ride home that night as a full-moon rose overhead; our windows down heading west, then north to our place above Waters. That was before the bubble burst and the Gator or Shep or John departed the planet and called in the dancing girls... A year ago I found myself learning things about myself I couldn't have imagined; like a heart-rate that fell below 30 beats per minute once I ascended into REM sleep. Normally not that big-of-deal unless you're recovering from brain surgery and you're in need of nothing but healing rest. A year later I'm awaiting the return of some senses but the outlook; much like the forecast, is all-good! Tightlines!
Saturday, September 10th, 2011. It's clean-up day on the upper Au Sable and Manistee Rivers! http://www.ausableanglers.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=1 The fishing has been good at times and the weather has been utterly fantastic. For some it's been simply too nice!! http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2011/20110908_auguststats.html We could use rain but the cool evening have nearly as much benefit as one could hope for. I'll post a report in the coming week and update some photos for those that need photographic proof of the catching... Enjoy our last hurrah's of Summer 2011. Tightlines!
Tuesday, August 29th, 2011. A little somethin'-somethin' this fine August morning to consider... http://www.michiganlcv.org/news-press/news-archives/news-story-2011-08-25-6041 There's little that brings me such joy as Monday morning awaiting the first insects of the day while the world awakens and wild trout begin their feeding rituals. Until you're deep into your vest looking for smaller tippet to compliment ever-decreasing numbers of trico, midge and gnat before the olives arrive! I've spent much of an entire summer awaiting these first cool mornings as temperatures adjusted nicely post the historic month of July. We're still relatively dry but there's color between Waters and Frederic on those maples that line the Intersate; the first that I'm aware of on an annual basis; likely due to extremely dry conditions earlier this summer. The grasses found along these moraines and drumlins are turning too and there's a decided nip found in the evening air as we work toward the Labor Day Holiday weekend. And about that trip into the Rapids on the St. Mary's?? I did manage to land four fish over two days that included a young Atlantic, a small steelhead and two resident rainbows; though I fished dawn-until-dusk on day number two! The positive side of the equation was all of this came about from swinging streamers through runs or portions of pools known as the American or Canadian... Something I prefer until conditions dictate the use of strike indicators and weighted flies and split-shot. These results left me wondering if the mood of the Atlantics had been affected by the arrival of the first Chinook of the season? An intersting hypothesis to consider... Locally and outside of the main-streams... Judge Murphy took rather unkindly to the antics of the defendants last Thursday in the Golden Lotus vs. State of Michigan / TU case. I'll post the three page declaration from his honor on the home page of the web-site for those interested in such matters. We'll warm-up during the middle of this week before foul (fowl) wether invades the region; just in time for holiday festivities... It'll soon be September and we wouldn't have it any other way! Tightlines!
Sunday, August 21st, 2011. Congratulations to those 13-14 year old Croswell-Lexington softball players... Known now as World Champions! Though I know none of them personally; their parents, aunts, uncles, grand-parents and coaches are folks I grew up with and it's an amazing feat for a small town group of athletes... http://www.thetimesherald.com/article/20110821/SPORTS/108210306/Softball-Champions-last?odyssey=mod|newswell|img|FRONTPAGE|p Fishing yesterday between home inspections and other real estate activities was fantastic medicine. The decision seemed like a relaxing alternative to an hour in front of the telly when the river was beckoning and a frontal boundary passed through the region. I think it was the right call on all accounts as several trout chased the streamer despite steady canoe and kayak traffic. The Au Sable main stream sees a healthy number of personal watercraft once Memorial Day segues into summer and August suddenly alerts folks to the approach of fall. And fall is just an update or two away... There'll be a hearing before Judge Murphy this Thursday in Gaylord concerning the damned dam... And I'll post updates promptly. There's also a trip to the St. Mary's on Tuesday if plans hold... And that smallmouth trip discussed in the last update?? A spectacular game-fish on a fly rod:))) Let's hope the passport does the trick and the Atlantics are cooperative... Tightlines!
Thursday, August 11th, 2011. Ahh; just what the good-doctor ordered... Cool, clear nights on the heels of much-needed moisture. Welcome to late-summer in Northern Michigan! July 2011, now in the books was recored setting. (1) Just over .50 inches of moisture was recorded at the NWS Gaylord Station located near Otsego Lake; (2) a departure of 3.7 degrees above the recorded norm; making the month one of the hottest and driest ever in these parts. Our last update trumpeted the good-news concerning Judge Dennis Murphy's decision requiring Golden Lotus Corporation to remove their long-troubled dam from the Pigeon River... Followed within 24 hours by the MDEQ issueing a permit allowing Golden Lotus to draw-down their sediment pond and remove little of the existing structure; looking like an orchestrated attempt to show up a local Judge and plaintiffs in this contentious case. Even now, after two weeks of bantering, the issue is far from resolved and appears to be headed beyond local jurisdictions; if the Defendants' attorney threats are genuine. A hearing is set for later this month in front of Judge Murphy. This could get very interesting! And the fishing?? Simply Splendid! Trico's for early morning fans follow those tantalizing gnats as the first insects of the day. Then come a variety of olives ranging from the Lata (#18) to something as diminutive as a #24; twice renamed into a psuedonym of its former self... To terrestrials that perform double-duty as strike indicators over nymph droppers... Until evening descends and those morning olives spin over broken riffles... Beckoning one to spend some time post-twilight awaiting leviathans in search of large protein-laden portions... Rolling once again into morning... The Jordan River and its associated Valley is the prettiest of those emanating from the Headwaters Region. This isn't an official declaration but one I claim on behalf of the dynamics associated within its watershed. Its a great place to spend those hot, oppressive afternoons wet-wading above the Pinney Bridge in search of the trifecta called brook, brown and bow... A bouyant pattern as your strike-indicator, just over a foot of tippet and a small bead-head nymph; will have you coaxing an array of trout from their holding spots while idlying away the heat of day. Smallmouth today on the lower Au Sable with a fellow lovingly referred to as BFT... I'm looking forward to floating a portion of this river I've little knowledge of! Tightlines!
Tuesday, July 26th, 2011. Finally some good news for conservation and fans of coldwater resources!! Victory for the Pigeon River!
Court sides with Michigan Trout Unlimited and Pigeon River Country Association in Golden Lotus Dam case motion.
July, 25, 2011
A recent opinion from the courts just validated what we at TU already knew, that an agreement for a "dam removal" means the physical removal of all of the parts of the dam. It does not mean partial dam removal, dam modification, or dam drawdown as alleged by Golden Lotus and the State of Michigan! With the judge’s ruling today, Golden Lotus is required to completely remove all of its dam on the Pigeon River – the same dam that has caused three large fish kills in the past.
Michigan Trout Unlimited and the Pigeon River Country Association (PRCA) filed motions in the case earlier this year when the dam owners, Golden Lotus, Inc., put forward a plan for dam drawdown that would not remove all of the dam, and would continue blocking fish passage. They stated their responsibilities stopped there, despite the Court Ordered settlement calling for “dam removal” (these documents can be found and read at www.michigantu.org ). The State of Michigan (the Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Environmental Quality) represented by Attorney General Bill Schuette’s office surprisingly sided with Golden Lotus in their reinterpretation of the Court Order, and began processing a permit application for the project despite MITU and PRCA objections. Both Golden Lotus and the State argued that despite leaving the base and sides of the dam in the river and blocking fish passage, that the project should be considered “dam removal”.
In an Opinion and Order issued by the Honorable Judge Murphy of the Otsego County Circuit Court, on July 22, 2011, the Court sided in favor of Michigan Trout Unlimited and the Pigeon River Country Association. Judge Murphy stated “In other words, ‘dam removal’ means dam removal.” The court also found that “the meaning of ‘dam removal’ is clear and statutorily defined”, and “…the Interim Order is not ambiguous.”
“We are very pleased with the opinion and its affirmation of our understanding of the settlement agreement we signed onto and of Michigan law,” states Bryan Burroughs, Executive Director for Michigan Trout Unlimited. “This required significant resources for us compared with that of the State of Michigan and an insurance company-paid Golden Lotus defense. But we knew what was right, and what the Pigeon River deserved, and standing up for that at all costs is what we do and why we exist.”
“It’s frustrating that the dam removal was so seriously side-tracked during this dispute,” states Dave Smith, Chair of Michigan Trout Unlimited. “We’re anxious to get back into a productive planning mode to see this project is done and done right, and get the Pigeon River healing from over 100 years of this dam’s impacts to it.”
The parties will now have to work together to develop a new plan for completely removing the dam.
Bryan Burroughs, Ph.D. Executive Director Michigan Trout Unlimited P.O. Box 442, Dewitt, MI 48820 517-599-5238
Thursday, July 21st, 2011. Just how warm has it been??? http://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?site=APX&issuedby=APX&product=RWS&format=CI&version=1&glossary=0
Tuesday, July 19th, 2011. Baby it's warm outside... If you like summer; true summer, then you're probably giddy when the local forecast calls for afternoon highs above 90 degrees and little rain. That's been the case for 10 days as some form of Bernuda High is now encamped over a large portion of these contiguous States. Haze, almost purple, hangs over the westerly shore of Otsego Lake tonight while our inland lake hums; folks groggy with heat seeking acquatic relief. These conditions are now pushing into the chilled waters of Superior. Hex have been subplanted by trico's and August sits atop the horizon as we've parted ways with July's full moon. A fantastic thunder storm brought needed rain but battering winds and rumbled rough-shod over the region Sunday evening. It may be the only moisture we'll have over a three week period. Regardless; there's time to sit the canoe atop the fish car this evening before rertiring. A short float on the upper North Branch tomorrow followed by an afternoon of hopper fishing on the middle-Manistee; should make everything all-right... Perhaps a photo or two of daytime trout will help the place seem cooler? Tightlines!
Tuesday, July 5th, 2011. An exodus following the weekend festivities; leaving those inclined to linger somewhat longer, river and trout to ourselves... Though exceptions rule once H. Limbata begins their annual emergence. Splendid temperatures combined with otherwise ideal conditions this mid-summer holiday. Fireworks rumbled across the landscape while friends and family celebrate the glory of the great land. What a place! Tightlines!
Sunday, June 19th, 2011. First things first... Happy Father's Day to all who claim to be. I owe a great deal of gratitude to the man that claimed me. Thanks Dad!! Summer has been tempered and that trend will continue this week as we'll struggle to reach 65 degrees Wednesday and Thursday. Big bugs are beginning to show in locations like impoundments and tail-waters. They're right on time as the iris' bloom... I've spent precious-little time fishing this season; I think primarily due to my inability to juggle multiple tasks on the heels of brain surgery. While I'm currentlly frustrated with my memory lapses and general stamina; I'm trying to remember this isn't my final dry-fly season... At least I don't think this is my last June on the planet... But there concerns that leave me uneasy and wondering... Economic and political strife have gutted one of this Nations' best fishery divisions. Idiotic Lawmakers like the meterologist elected to represent Michigans' 105th District coupled with reactionary Judges now overseeing the Michigan Supreme Court should remember the "Pendulum swings both ways"... Elephants would be wise to remember the same. http://www.gophouse.com/welcome.asp?District=105 More Reason to go fishing... http://michiganlcv.org/connect-us/blog/2011-05-08-5994#powergrab http://www.michiganlcv.org/news-press/news-archives/news-story-2011-06-16-6015 The solstice beckons... To Those Able To Find the TIME...Tightlines!!
Friday, June 3rd, 2011. Daylight seems to me the most significant factor for predicting what insects will appear when... June hosts a whole bunch of yellow characters trout find irresitable! Stone flies of three varieties, some caddis coupled with E. dorothea; known as the true sulhpur, and then the drakes show up just to make life ex-sessively ridiculous! Ridiculous that foot-long trout would ignore insects the size of silver-dollars in exchange for an emerger or spinner that twice fits on a penny... Each of the Au Sable's reaches are fishing well. All are wadable after several weeks of moist, cool weather alleviated immediate concerns about drought conditions. The Manistee will run slightly later then its Eastern-twin, so expect some quality insect reports from this watershed in my next update. Of particular interest to those that enjoy the upper Manistee comes news of permits for "fracking wells" near Sand Lake in Kalkaska County; after the damn thing twice failed the Water Withdrawal Assessment Tool!! Open For Business as some would like to say! Oh... And how's this sound to you??? Please Call your State Senator on SB 248 which not only cap State Land ownership but require the sale of up to 300,000 acres. This is the first step in the goal of some to end the legacy of the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund. For NE Michigan – PLEASE call Senator Moolenaar on this: 517-373-7946 and pass the word. State Land for Sale?
The Senate Committee on Natural Resources, Environment and Great Lakes passed a bill onto the full Senate Tuesday afternoon that would put a permanent cap on the amount of land the DNR may own or control. Economic factors are cited as reason for the land cap, but the short-sighted legislation loses sight of what’s best for Michigan and its residents in the long run.
At best, the legislation will have unintended consequences. At worst, it’s simply an end-around attempt at forcing the state to sell off public land to deep-pocketed developers. Most importantly, if passed in its existing form, this legislation would require the immediate sale of more than 250,000 acres of state land! Is this piece of legislation a fixer-upper? Please contact your Michigan Senator and tell them to vote NO on SB 248.
mancelona-1-28_waterWithdrawal.pdf
I've spent little time fishing the Black, Jordan, Pigeon or Sturgeon so far this dry-fly season... But it's early relative to most years and there's business and conservation matters demanding my attention right now. Drakes are upon us and sleep is in short supply. I wouldn't have it any other way... Rust and Lunacy Never Sleep. Tightlines!
Monday. May 23, 2011. A multitude of reasons to celebrate these seasons... We segue to summer on the heals of an over-indulgent spring. Color, vibrant and lush now everywhere, our coffers runneth over. Yesterday and the one before were the first back-to-back afterrnoons reminescent of early summer. Later then most years we're now fully engulfed in the yellow bugs of May, light hennies giving way to E. Dorothea. Ignoring remnant flights of male E. Subvaria. Strong storms associated with colliding air masses produced a light-show last evening worthy of mention. More rain poured upon this belching moraine after an evening chasing yellow emergers on the fabled South Branch. An entire seasons' worth frustration melting away. The best of which came prior to evening rise while wandering roads not traveled since my own physical concerns overwhelmed my pursuit in the Tract... What a way to end the day! Water levels are still up. Our trout and fat and nearly saited. A cool-week is forecast as Memorial Day Weekend approaches... These rivers simply overwhelm all I do... Tightlines!
Saturday (Early-Morning) Update, May 14th, 2011. I thought this was rather hilarious... http://maddowblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/05/12/6630732-fracking-the-music-video Did I mention our drought has ended?? Stay dry friends!
Sunday, May 8th, 2011. Our woodlands are bloommig as rivers settle into mid-season form. The dry-fly season's upon us and the sun works warming magic through an expanding day... Still cool, I'll look for fungi before this Day ends; sitting streamside in search of rising trout. Olive, mahogany and hendrickson's now joined by caddis or stones as we work through the sweet days of May. I've not seen a slower developing spring in a decade... The seasons official start now a week removed. Everything running later then I can recall and a full-month from where we were in 2010! The upper Manistee produced catching opportunities yesterday as hennies and caddis emerged at the apex of the days' heat... Spinning as evening descended and temperatures fell below 60... A fattened brown or two made the trip into Kalkaska County a worthy departure from the Au Sable system and Crawford County. Cheboygan County will wait another week as streams emanating from Roscommon County are offering up their bounties; all on the heels of record moisture recorded in April. Happy Mothers' Day! Tightlines...
Tuesday, April 26th, 2011. The old adage; Careful what one wishes for as you just might get it... Moisture missed all of winter has filled swamps and lowlands, flushing area creeks and streams again this week. We'll be weeks before we're able to wade the fabled Mason Tract in search of flood-fattened brown trout. The spring-run steelhead have nearly departed the Rifle as waters near Sterling will rise again through flood stage... The Sturgeon and Jordan, twins, mimic the other as the flashiest riverine environs in the headwaters regions... Manistee and Au Sable main streams aligned near the 45th parallel running west or east; through Crawford Counties' sandy-outwash... Creeks like Hunt and Gilchrist posses virtues ignored in a watershed called Thunder Bay... And the Black and Pigeon? Emanating from the same neighborhood of central Otsego County known more for resorts and golf... So many choices and so little time! The general trout season opens this Saturday, April 30th. Cindy turns 50 and I'm inclined to do something in honor of our time together that should be done... Either of us getting much younger or any bolder! There will be Olives, Stones, some Hennies and reports of trout eating dry flies... It'll be as active socially as Opening Weekend has ever been. Another Season flush with opportunity and friendship despite the meteorlogical challenges... Oh and just so we don't get to comfortable or cozy in this new ERA in Michigan Politics... The Michigan Supreme Court just overturned the Anglers' of the Au Sable Ruling regarding standing... The elephant in the room is now the elephant in the room... From Anglers' President Bruce Pregler just moments ago... Dear Anglers Board-Sadly the Supreme Court played politics again and granted the motion for reconsideration. The appeal has also been dismissed. The two new judges (Zahra and Kelly) did participate in the motion choosing not to follow court tradition (It has been tradition that if you did not participate in the initial hearings you did not participate in motions for rehearing. This is a clear indication of party politics.) Cavanagh writes a well worded and thought provoking dissent. I particularly like his comments on page 9 of the opinion:
The facts have not changed. The text of the statute at issue has not changed. The parties' arguments have not changed.
And the rationale advanced in the opinions of this Court has not changed. Yet, within a matter of months, a decision of this
Court, thoughtfully briefed, argued, and considered by seven justices, is no longer worth the paper it was written on. Even the casual
observer, however, does not really need to ask why. The reason is obvious...the composition of this Court changed. Page 9.
Michigan... Open For Business??
Tightlines!
Saturday, April 16th, 2011. To every thing there is a season... turn, turn, turn... And such did Otseog Lake last evening. Winters final vestige departing amid rain and thunder a week earlier. Frost giving way as Spring ran head-long on southerly breezes; our swamps and creeks loosed from their frozen bondage. Up came our rivers. Dark and Cold! Flow and detritus not wittnessed in two years just knocked back the excitment. Rivers running 150 cfs surged to 450 and then came the Easterlies... And today all is grey. But life is springing forth! Birds are seranding while defending a lofty perch. Buds highlight the rim of these valleys; a soft palate of crimson... Each day bringing three more minutes light as we wake from winter slumber... The occasional Olive may cause a rise or dimple... Next weekend being Easter then Second New Year... My calendar looks cramped and the days seem more gleeful... I struggled to land a fish this week but had some great moments afield. Many more moments were dedicated to hearings and discussions of conservation matters like these: http://www.petoskeynews.com/news/pnr-resort-township-officials-no-to-injection-well-20110413,0,1515208.story Or public comment like this: http://www.petoskeynews.com/gaylord/news/ght-n-pigeondam-041611,0,7374595.story But that's the price one pays for living in a place like this! The Headwaters Chapter of Trout Unlimited holds its banquet this evening and friends will gathering in support of these environs: http://www.headwaterstu.org/ Next week we'll moderate after a cold, wet third weekend in April... Those showers sure to spur May's flowers... And when should we expect area rivers to offer-up the first piscatorial fruits? Opener should be spectacular this year! Tightlines!
Monday Morning, April 4th, 2011. First things First... Go Bulldogs! How cool if this small University from Indianapolis should win the mens college basketball National Championship; after their 2009-10 team lost on the final shot last season? I love that the draw of the NBA has leveled the playing field between the College Behemouths and its Mid-Majors. This is the last basketball I'll watch until next year and it would be so sweet to see those boys from Indiana hoisting the National Championship trophy. This time last week I found myself in our nations capitol... It was simply Awe-Inspiring! Most of my time was focused on persuading key officails to do the right thing regarding mercury emisions from coal-powered generating plants. Our nation receives nearly 50% of its electrical power by way of this antiquated process and a nasty by-product includes this dangerous element; as well as numerous others. EPA and the industry have agreed to kick-the-proverbial-can through several administrations and now the balance of power in DC has swung in favor of less regulation; at the cost of cleaner air, soil and water. There are processes and technology available to eliminate or greatly reduce these harmful emissions; but the industry has opted to attack our nations clean-air act under the guise of economic hardship. So a battle has been waged that suggests we have to sacrifice our environs or suffer more economic hardship... And I don't buy that arguement. How could I?? I chose to visit DC on behalf of two nephews, now 16, that somehow wound up with too much mercury in their blood-stream. Drew and Darren will never read this blog. They'll never know the opportunity or fully experience those difficulties every teenager should; like friends or family; the talks and conflictions about school, girls, their parents, or their hopes and fears. Theirs' is a world where much is muted and the rest exaggerated beyond what you and I see or hear. Somewhere along-the-line MERCURY made its presence apparent, settling into synapses, blocking the circuitry necessary for normal function. Cleansing, light-therapy, bovine and swine-based injections; all in the hope of bringing some form of normalcy simply proved fruitless. So off to Washington I went, asking Upton, Warner, Stabenow, Beneshik and others of their ilk to do the right thing... Yea, Friday ushered in the start of April and with it the chance to fish water rarely traversed this time of year. It fish well too! Five beautiful brown trout over 15 inches landed and twice that number bumped streamers and chased our offerings. A great way to start the month of April. Couple moderating temperatures with advancing moisture and we'll have fine streamer fishing leading right up to the start of the dry-fly season later this month. Yesterday the snow, sleet, rain and thunder did little to spur those piscatorial creatures of the Pigeon River... But that is fishing. Tightlines!
Friday, March 25th, 2011. As the jet-stream retreats it's brought with it long-missing moisture and significant snowfall. Welcome to the first week of this new season! It also brought COLD with temps Wednesday evening and again last night below zero in area river valleys... Placing in jeopordy my prognostication for an early dry-fly season. http://www.crh.noaa.gov/news/display_cmsstory.php?wfo=apx&storyid=65675&source=0 So be it! April 1st is but an update away and the fruits of our labors will be available under new regulations... New Year and April Fools Day wrappd into one! Ice had disappeared from Otsego Lake by March 24th, last year. We're far from open water as a foot of snow blanketed these environs reinvigorating die-hard winter enthusiasts. Never mind the occaisonal black stone fly, flittering over riffles, ignored while floating along a favorite stretch of North Branch. An adult bald eagle sits paternally atop their latest brood. Me; under watch of a vigilant partner until I've waded too close. Regal hardly describes the audient and visual scene as these birds chatter about my presence. They are fantastic perched in a white pine of 150 years... After nearly a decade of discussions, some fellas from Indiana made good on their word, closing on a beautiful place called Camp Cahill... Their local University continues another stellar year in the Tourney. Go Bulldogs! A decade has passed too since my own move North... It's been one fantastic time! Below are a series of trailers concerning an expansion of natural gas development coming to a favorite trout stream near you. http://saveourstreamspa.blogspot.com/2011/02/facts-on-fracking-by-dr-anthony.html This is a presentation nearly 2-hours long... And difficult to dismiss once you've heard it! http://coudynews.com/entertainment/frack-the-movie-trailer/ http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/677-e2-wire/152997-white-house-does-little-to- http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/25/us/25ttfracking.html?_r=1&emc=eta1 http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/23/opinion/23wed2.html?_r=1&nl=todaysheadlines&emc=tha211 http://www.propublica.org/search/search.php?q=fracking Lest anyone think I'm simply concerned about saving a tree; there's plenty in this Op-Ed I happen to agree with... Ranting and Rating Michigan as a Place for Future Business. Tightlines!
Friday, March 18, 2011. An interesting week in the North Woods as spring came calling. Thermometers read crazy-like and snow turned to water before our very eyes; filling divets and depressions still frosted beneath their surface. Paths into cabins beckoning wanton travelers often traped unsuspecting denizens, hell-bent on reaching a favorite stretch of water not seen in a couple seasons. The tow-strap always at the ready... Still wet and dirtied from the last unsuccessful sojourn. Two wheel efficiency quickly evaporates once the chasis begins rubbing against unforgiving earth. The forecast not yet ready to exhalt the start of a new season; but the calendar shouts its arrival on Monday. Welcome Spring!! Last weekend reminded me of 2007, the parking lot adjacent to the Exposition Center at Macomb Community College, packed before noon. Exhibitors hawking their wares, telling unique stories, selling some form of the same dream a thousand times over... It's been four years since I last saw unbridled enthusiasm in those halls. Yes, problems are still plentiful but opportunities are present and an aire of well-being permeated our surroundings. It was a very good weekend spent with friends and family some 200 miles south of the 45th Parallel. And props to those folks working on behalf of Wayne County at the Federal Building in downtwon Detroit! Your customer service wildly exceeded my expectations. The same can be said of those folks working for the City of Detroit a short distance off the Lodge Freeway. Cindy and I were able to accomplish our business in record time at two locations dispersed throughout the City with no trouble what-so-ever! This week held such promise as Southerly-winds accentuated temps that moved into the 50's. Something we've not seen for five full-months. A day-trip to the Jordan River Watershed, Wednesday, didn't produce piscatorally but it did place me in the company of a packed house at the Friends of the Jordan Center in East Jordan. http://www.friendsofthejordan.org/ Look their site over and you'll find some very dedicated folks that give selflessly of their time and talent. Its the prettiest valley I know in the lower peninsula! Several conservation organizations find themselves preparing for a rather insidious invasion with a dubious name... FRACKING... Check out the Anglers' Special Issue concerning Oil & Gas in RiverWatch #60 for a primer on the topic too! The entire issue is dedicated to the transmission, development and regulation of the Industry. FRACKING is covered her too! Of note... Water Withdrawals for this purpose ARE NOT covered by the Water Assessment Tool!! Somber news for lovers of small creeks and streams that harbour wild trout... http://www.ausableanglers.org/files/Riverwatch60-4colorWeb.pdf Business is business and mine is intertwined with these lovely environs with names like Pigeon, Sturgeon, Jordan, Manistee and Au Sable... All of which emanate from the Gaylord Morainne, below which lies the Collingwood Formation. It's time for more geology briefs and primers from those in halls of academia as a fresh push for extraction of our natural resources comes to Northern Michigan. We are "Open-For-Business" and the consequences have seldom been greater!
Tightlines!
Friday, March 11, 2011. So today marks the start of the annual pilgrimage to the Midwest Fly Fishing Show, now into it 34th year. http://www.midwestflyfishingexpo.com/ Prior to set-up this afternoon I'll make a trip into downtown-Detroit, for what should be an interesting visit at the Wayne County Clerk's Office... We'll see how that goes. A few hours ago Japan experienced an earthquake of 8.9 on the Richter Scale, sending a Tsunami across portions of the eastern hemishpere. As details are just emerging, it looks like Hawaii, New Zealand and Japan are going to suffer significant impact from these ocean-birthed waves. I've watched a couple minute segments this morning of incredible video along these coastal communities, ravaged despite alarms to warn their general public... Powerful stuff for a mid-westerner to comprehend! As we approach the Spring Equinox these environs are enjoying much needed moisture in the form of late-winter snow, full of invigorating H2O! The general population has grumbled about the end of winter and I'm inclined to agree except for the much needed moisture that simplky didn't make it north during most of this fading winter. Bring on the rain, snow, sleet or other impediments! The sun will rise later this month over the North Pole and take six full months before it sets in September; making for one-long Borealis Day... And I still think we'll have Hennies by the 10th of April! Steelhead are nosing into natal waters and resident fish will pack-on calories as water temps begin their climb into the upper 30's. It's that time my friends... Tightlines!
Wednesday, February 23, 2011. In honor of my 50th birthday; a friend showed some pity on this old boy and took me fishing under clear-blue, sunny skies... I hope you enjoy the two-minute clip! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWOv3XV5ZmQ I'll do the same for another tomorrow as we float the aluminum Michi-craft down the Au Sable somewhere in Crawford County. Hopefully, we'll find trout willing to engage in our winter sherade. Daylight's spreading rapidly as we approach the start of March. How long until the first reports of fluttering black stones and the dimpled dorsal-fin? I think we'll see Hendrickson's within 40 days and trout pounding them long before our traditional opening weekend arrives! We're running a significant moisture deficiet and winter is winding down much like last year... And my memory still serves me as hennies poured off the Au Sable and Manistee systems the first five days of April, 2010. A repeat performance looks likey as we wind our way through the final weeks of Winter 2010-2011. Bring it on! There's little good news in the budget released last week by the Governor. The Fishery Division has taken a huge hit including the closure of the Hunt Creek Research Station and retirement of several biologists and technicians that won't be replaced. Our rivers and streams are slowly becoming privatized and we can expect more sour news as oil and gas exploration ramps up and FRACKING becomes the answer to the turmoil now underway in the Middle-East. All on the heels of what will soon be $4.00 per gallon gasoline! It should be a very interesting time for conservation supporters as Michigan's Supreme Court prepares to gut our right to protect our resources by overturning the Anglers vs. MDEQ / Merit Energy ruling on Kolke Creek. I had hoped the Governor didn't mean "Open-For-The-Same-Old-Business" when he swept into the Office but our Attorney General has made it clear that the Right doesn't mean to do right. It's a good thing the pendulum is always swinging... Tightlines!
Sunday, February 13, 2011. Moderation once mid-February rolls around, is a very good thing! I'm speaking here of things meteorological... What's peculiar is the timing of this warm-front relative to the last such event. Both coming before the busiest weekends of the winter season for local businesses catering to snow-based enthusiasts. That said, it's been bitter between warm-ups and a forecast of 30's and 40's generates plenty of optimistic planning for those willing to wade and float rivers open for late-winter fly-fishing. I visited the rivers of the Pigeon River Country State Forest finding little open water this week. That should change beginning today though there's a thick shield of shelf ice to contend with. Anchor ice has pushed most species into the deepest of holding waters regardless of the system and water temps registered 32.6 degrees yesterday despite day-long sunshine... Leading to an invigorating stroll down-river without interruption but for iced-guides. A week-ago today a couple of us spent the better portion of our day-light hours on the Manistee at Tippy Dam, landing a couple trout while others managed a couple bright-chromers just up from the Big Lake. Unfortunately those chromers won't be part of the spawning group this spring; as they wound-up on stringers after fighting 10 foot noodle-rods in a life-or-death struggle. A couple fish managed to free themselves from the spawn-sackers and their 50 pound test tow-straps. Something I'm genuinely pleased to see as spawning season approaches for these migratory rainbows... The culprit responsible for this dry-seasoned winter should recede over portions of North America, allowing gulf-coast and Pacific moisture to roll over the Great Plains into our Great Lakes. We'll make up some of our liquid deficiency heading into the Spring season; spurring piscatorial movements. Meanwhile, I'll look for winter-holdovers willing to eat small nymphs or a streamer bouncing through dark and frigid waters. Until then... Tightlines!
Sunday, January 30th, 2011. Brrr... Cold again this morning throughout the northland but not as bitter as last Sunday when my thermometer hit -23 driving between Otsego Lake and Treetops Resort, east of Gaylord. And I know the cold sank deeper and heavier in lowlands and river valleys in these Headwaters found in northern Michigan. This morning seems nearly tropical at a mere -8 fahrenheit. I missed the general warm-up and associated fishing opportunities this week as friends hit the PM, Big Manistee and Au Sable Rivers for trout and winter steelhead. Instead, I had the good-fortune to show properties and write winter purchase agreements for clients; getting the jump on a place in time for the nest dry-fly season... A reasonable trade-off that I'm especially grateful for! Speaking of which... Local interest rates together with tempered sellers expectations have created opportunities on rivers and lakes that simply hasn't been available for a generation! It's a great time to be in the market as area banks are still lending at rates of 5% or less!! There's significant inventory available within every market segment and the lack of snow has made it relatively easy to gain access to these places all winter-long. A shameless plug but that's how I manage to do-what-I-do... We're not forecast for anything near 20 degrees until next Sunday so I'll continue to pay-it-forward as one month segues into the next. February knocks on our door and daylight grows ever longer. Tightlines!
Thursday, January 20th, 2011. The coldest weather this winter bears down upon us while portions of the Country claim snow normally destined for our Great Lakes; headed again for the Atlantic Seaboard. Our winter drought masked by a slight layer of snow now solidified by ice and cold... Drake and I fished a favorite section of the North Branch, Tuesday morning on the heels of a front that brought temps into the upper 20's. We found trout in shallow, side-channels feeding most likely on nymphs moving in accordanace with the rise in temps. The dog seemed glad to get back to the fish-car once our wade was done; as temps again started falling toward single-digits...
I listened last night to our new Governor, address those remaining Michiganders... Offering sharp contrast to his predecessors' including the notion that a two-year budget will be presented versus a single year... And it will be presented a month or more prior to its due date. Friends that make a living in the peculiar maze called Lansing gave the Gov good reviews; presenting his first SOM Speech without a teleprompter. I simply listened over the radio while looking at fishing sites dreaming of leaves, grasses and summer hatches... And then there's the "Dashboard"! A pretty bold move even for a self-described geek! http://www.michigan.gov/som/0,1607,7-192----S,00.html It's apparent that the Michigan Supreme Court will play politics with recent decisions that favored the Anglers-of-the-AuSable... And likely hamper Michigan Citizens from bringing suite against our own Government Agencies because they'll lack "Standing". So the Corporation knows Michigan's Natural Resources are again In-Play... And the State is "Open-For-Business"... Nestle' and Kennecott could hardly be happier. Just wait until the term "Fracking" becomes commonplace around your campfire or deer-camp discussions. If my recollection serves me, Mr. Snyder wasn't the first choice of the GOP as the Primary Season started... But his campaign crushed those seasoned politico's and his tactics steam-rolled a free-falling Democratic Party. So I'm pleased to hear him present an idea for securing funding for Pure Michigan and I'm inclined to give him my continuing support despite the politics. He's mentioned quality-of-life and his white-paper mentioned keeping the lakes great in the Great Lakes, free from any more invasive species or surface water withdrawals. Maybe he's really got a plan for forcing local, county and state government to operate within the same confines Michiganders' live by! Wouldn't that be Something?? Tightlines!
January 19th, 2011. Awaiting the State of the State Address.
Welcome To 2011!
Tuesday, January 11th, 2011. Another new year rolled into the region bringing warming moisture and the trout sure seemed to like it! I loaded the Michi-Craft on the roof of the fish car and headed for the North Branch to float into the fresh year... A brief break from the grip of winter seems a common occurance around the Christmas Season anymore. I'm one of the locals that despair as early-season snow pack melts away but there's little one can do about the jet-stream so I've opted to make the most of these balmy breaks; and fish. A quick look at the day revealed temperatures of 38 degrees at 6:00am falling to 30 degrees by noon and 23 by 3:00pm; but by then the canoe was once-again loaded atop the jeep and I was headed back to Gaylord for a fire and several more hours of football. Simply making the most of the opportunities provided us... I don't think it's been warmer than 25 degrees since, though that didn't stop me from visiting the Sturgeon last Sunday. At least Drake and I had a good walk through the camp-ground north of Wolverine. Something that needs to happen daily in order to shed the weight associated with these calories stored around a mid-section I hardly recognize. Oddly enough I'm not surprised or even disappointed that my travels produce little or no hook-ups, especially fishing Haakwood Park this time of year; but I love the landscapes and I've enjoyed just enough success to continue believeing that "this" trip is going to be "different" and this one was. Not because of the trout or steelhead encontered but due to ice and slush building up on every pool or bend, eminating from the river floor. Shelve ice isn't uncommon while fishing in December but I don't often encounter anchor-ice as it's building and birthing bergs that will completely encapsulate the river until sun, rain or warming temps turn these molecules back to liquid form... So I'm content with fishing two-of-ten days in 2011! There have been surprises and disappointments coming from the appointments of the newly elected Governor; just 10 days into his administrative duties. A look at those and other significant conservation stories in my next update... But now a word about one-of-those-folks we'll never replace; Glen Sheppard. "Shep" ran an 'admittedly biased newspaper'. One dedicated to the proposition that there is only one side in any issue involving natural resources... NATURE'S! The publication known as The North Woods Call. http://www.northwoodscall.com/ Though I never called him anything other than "Shep", I wish to pay my respects to Mr. Sheppard for never wavering in his belief and perspective. He was an ardent fan of Michigan, its Great Lakes, its varied flora and fauna, its streams and rivers and its conservation leadership. He didn't mince words and he wouldn't apologize for twisting the facts to support his (conservations) arguement. I'll miss the arrival of his Call. My condolenscenes to Mary Lou and others of his tribe I never new. Rest well, Shep! Friends, Tightlines!
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