Salmon Season Drawing To A Close

Salmon fishing has neared an end.  Here are a few of the spots that I hit this year.

Check out this map of some of my favorite fishing spots!

 I also put together a graph of anglers' success rates from this season.

I also thought this word cloud was cool!

Fall Tranquility at Central Michigan University

Ivy grows on the side of Smith Hall on the campus of Central Michigan University (CMU), Tuesday, October 18, 2016.

Lia Azveka, junior, enjoys lunch in front of the CMU Seal, Tuesday, October 18, 2016.

CMU blooms fall color this week.  Photo taken on Tuesday, October 18, 2016.

Alyson Shafer, sophomore, relaxes on a bench on the campus of CMU, Tuesday, October 18, 2016.

Beauty spreads across CMU's campus, even along the sidewalks.  Photo taken on Tuesday, October 18, 2016.

Salmon Season Comes Early

The salmon of our lakes are back in force, and it is great for not only anglers, but the entire economies of lakeshore and fishing towns across Michigan.

It seems like just last year we were struggling through a tough salmon run, with warm-cold fluctuations in the air temperatures that left the temperamental fish confused and weary. This year, however, things have changed.

The waters have been raised across the state with some early fall rain, and the chrome is cruising.  For folks like me, that is a huge boost in spirit this time of year.

When the Michigan DNR announced that they would be reducing the stocking of salmon, many people worried. Now, however, the fish appear to making a comeback without the help of people, something that speaks volumes about the Great Lakes ecosystem.

Personally, I have full plans to head to the river as much as possible this fall.  When I realized that the salmon population could be dropping, I was devastated that I hadn't spent enough time fishing when I had the chance.

That won't happen again.

Fishing in Michigan, especially salmon fishing, is something that so many states and countries do not have.  Even when the government gives up on our fish, we cannot do the same.  We must commit to being ethical in the way we carry ourselves around the waterways, and pave a path for a better tomorrow.

I would encourage everyone to make a trip to chase the elusive king salmon this fall.  It is a great way to make a memory that will last a lifetime, and a way to appreciate one of nature's most beautiful creatures.

For many Michiganders, Morel hunting is a favorite spring pastime.

The time is here again.  Morel season.  For so many, this is not just a hobby, but a way of life.  

Many people in the state were raised hunting for the ever-elusive Morel.  They can recall trips with parents and other relatives into the deep woods north of Clare, all the way up to above the bridge, searching for the natural delicacy.

Even with the prices of these at a pretty penny for just one pound, many would not sell their finds for millions of dollars.  It seems to be a common perception that the hunt is where the real money is.

So, this spring, get out in the woods.  Get your hands dirty, and take in some of mother nature's creation.  You never know what you might find!

Found some Morels? Follow this link for a nice recipe!

http://www.wideopenspaces.com/springtime-succulence-fried-turkey-morel-mushrooms-video/?utm_content=bufferb51c4&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&utm_campaign=Buffer

Sucker spearing season here in Michigan begins soon. 

PHOTO CREDIT -Michigan DNR

With the melting of the snow and the new leaf buds hitting the trees, now is the time to get out the spears and lanterns.  It's time to go sucker spearing.

In recent years, most following the sucker run closely have been met literally by hell from high water. The creeks and streams of Michigan's woods have been above their banks, and by the time they sink back to walkable levels, the few fish that remain are unhealthy and nearing death.

With this year's spring showers coming early and often, weather reports suggest a chance of a one-week dry window, something that is music to the ears of those with a spear in hand.

Often, it only takes one night of spearing to collect a year's supply of fish.  When the run is at its peak, it is not uncommon to see anglers with full bags of  fish from only an hour or two of spearing.

This year promises to bring surprises, whether good or bad.  When it comes to spearing, it is not a matter of if a setback comes, but rather when.

Those who successfully adjust will find smokers full of fish one month from now.

Picking up what I can't put down

A late-summer's catfish in 2015.

Picking up what I can't put down

As those who have been following my blog have discovered, I am a fisherman at heart.  It consumes every free moment for me, and I enjoy the thrill of every cast.

The fish pictured above was one of those thrills.  At one of my favorite fishing holes, this grumpy old cat came out to play, and we had a hell of a fight.

The night had been slow, and the bite was not really there.  It was a hot one, it had to be 80 degrees even when this picture was taken at 10 p.m.

We were ready to call a loss, and were reeling up our lines.  Then, we were stopped by a screaming noise.

It sounded like a coyote.  Wrong. It was actually the reel on my heavy-duty pole, screaming out line.

After a ten-minute fight and being stung by the fish twice, I grabbed a hold of him and threw him to shore.

These are the moments that keep me coming back to the water.  These are the moments that keep me wondering what's lurking under the surface.

Beaver Creek as the sun sets just south of Breckenridge, Michigan

Shown here is the mighty and beautiful Beaver Creek.  A tributary of the Tittabawassee, this is the stream that I spent many-a-day on when I was growing up.  It is true that the stream is not much to look at on the surface, but if it s followed deep past its curves and bends into the fields and woods of Gratiot and Saginaw counties, there is much to be discovered.  I have some of the best memories of this place, be it spearing for suckers or falling through the ice in the winter to the amusement of my friends.  This is where it all started for me, the place that will always be home.  They say that home is where the heart is.  For me, my heart lies on my home stream.  That is Beaver Creek.