2006 Report

Tuesday, December 12th, 2006.

My timing for these updates makes me chuckle. Especially in light of the most recent weather pattern to invade the region.

It's raining cats and dogs upon an early season foundation of snow and inland lake ice; making conditions rather unfavorable for anything other than work. So I think I'll take a few moments to inform visitors of conservation concerns near the headwaters region. 

A number of these items won't be news, but the theme will be familiar; very familiar.  Starting with an e-mail from the President of the Anglers of the Ausable this afternoon: www.AuSableAnglers.org

It appears an exploratory well located in section 16 of South Branch Township, a short distance from the AuSable South Branch and the famed Mason Tract... is a DUD! It could be over-zealous reporting but it looks like a cap has been placed on a test well located in SE South Branch Township. This would have been placed near the upper reaches of Douglas Creek just off River-Lake Road. I'll spend some time tomorrow trying to confirm this evenings news. Also: Nestle / Ice Mountain is back in the conservation news. This time with a request to sink another well for bottling purposes on both the White River and the Pere Marquette. All this while the Michigan Supreme Court has asked the parties in the original Nestle Case to provide briefings to the Court. Concerned outdoor enthusiasts should know the High Court is looking at "Standing" issues as they consider the arguements over the Mecosta County bottling facility.

Wisconsin simply kicked Nestle's ASS out of the state and said 'find another sucker', that will allow you to plunder its groundwater. The Company promptly cozied up to the Elephants in Lansing and now has become a huge beneficiary of recent regulation passed by those same Lansing Elephants. Good thing some of those Elephants have been retired to pasture. Which leaves me to wonder how long it will take before I'm calling a Mule or a Donkey something like a jack-ass? We'll see!

Here's some positive news on the issue of dam removal; and I don't mean mid-term elections. The operating licenses for Brown Street and Sabin Dams have been surrendered to FERC. This removes another major obstacle to return the Boardman River to a free-flowing river; one that will rival any system in the Midwest!         Local property owners are slowing the process on the Boardman Dam. These owners are understandably concerned about the loss of their lake front privilages and they have been vocal in their disdain of the proposed draw-down. The courts may settle this contest but I don't think a plat or subdivision after the impoundments' creation will receive an extension of the boundaries to the new high water mark. We'll see!

Additional studies will occur next summer regarding water quality standards for impoundments on the Muskegon (Croton), Manistee (Hodenpyl) and AuSable (Mio) Rivers. This is good news for one interested in the probablities of removing the negative effects of their warm-water impoundments. 

Court is scheduled next week in the 46th Circuit; to allow for expert testimony regarding Kolke Creek. BTX and Chlorine and wetlands and beaver dams and Section 301 Inland Lake Permits and MEPA and... Stay Tuned! What I once thought was simply a valiant effort could become a rallying cry for the next generation of Northern Michigan Conservationists. 

A final word before signing off; HeadWater. I've renamed my real estate company and will roll out an updated web-site in 2007. I'll make a concerted effort to bring more photographs, related links and deeper insights to this journal and the site in general.

I have enjoyed this forum and appreciate the conversations we've held discussing these topics; either electronically or while heading to a favorite log in anticipation of the evening rise. Here's to you, your family, friends and favorite fishing holes... Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and continued good-health in 2007! 

Tightlines!  

Thursday, November 30th, 2006.

We're awaiting the re-arrival of winter as November segues into the years final month. December looks like a lion in full roar and the barometer seems to agree. The local meterologist has posted warnings for a majority of the peninsula and I'm saying good-bye to any remnants of fall. It must be time for an update.

Today marks the end of the firearm deer season but it feels like I'm saying "so long" to something other than that. It's like the time has come to acknowledge the power of the seasons and his majesty; the calender. We're quickly approaching another new year but I'm not yet ready to admit that my fishing season is drawing to a conclusion... Though I probably should.

The past two months have landed me in a variety of places chasing end-of-season trout and salmon. My travels have taken me to waters unfamiliar in search of something I often hope to find in neighborhood waters. Places and people who otherwise wouldn't be part of my memory, are now planted in the soils of my mind... With the hope that those seeds will manage to carry me forward until our days once again lengthen. Until another season brings rising temperatures and expectations.

Looking forward I see a forecast reminiscent of winter containing highs in the 20's, windy, with plenty of snow and cold nights. No more daytime stream readings of 42 degrees like yesterday on the Sturgeon. This was both welcome and surprising when measured against those taken at noon on Thanksgiving (38 degrees) prior to the annual slaughter of Lions and Turkey; or the Turkey Lions? Wouldn't it be great if Sunday football games were as enjoyable as Friday night or Saturday afternoon? We can certainly hope; especially based on the turnaround this year of the other Mo-Town Kitties? Hope does spring eternal. It doesn't matter if the calender reads May 1st or the end of November.

Right now I'll need to remove myself from the office. Damn! It seems the homes septic system will require some unscheduled maintenance. Just what one needs prior to a frozen back yard and 10 inches of fresh snow. Anybody got an extra shovel?

Tightlines!

Sunday, November 12th, 2006.

The mad dash formally known as deer-season is underway in northern Michigan. It's also a spectacular time to fish some of the largest salmonids in the Great Lakes system; while standing in your waders.

Our resident trout have been procreating the next generation of wild trout for more than a month. Their early activity has been triggered by cooler water temps and that's left me with a choice: (1) Disturb those native adults and jeopardize the next generation? (2) Travel a bit from my homewaters and partake in the bounty of Michigans' anadromous fishes?   "Bob, I'll take what's behind door number 2!"

Thus, the fish car has rolled through another milestone... And I'm seeing water not yet familiar while learning a bit more about our varied fishery.

This week I headed for the Big Mack and Sault Ste. Marie with a couple of buddies from the Headwaters Chapter of Trout Unlimited. Our Chapter has become a sponsor of a schlorship at Lake Superior State University. John Walters, Eric Anderson and I took advantage of this time incorporating fishing into the official business of the Chapter. It seems like the thing to do anytime you're headed outside your normal travel destinations.  Check out the following link to the department web-site: www.lssu.edu/arl      Some of you will recognize this department for the "fish-cam" placed outside the power generation plant on the St. Mary's River. The camera drove the department site through the roof and often crashed due to the number of visitors. I wonder about the number of man-hours employers have paid while employees or associates where cruising the site? I've been there on numerous times myself!

While treated cordially by the Universitys' President, we were taken with the various department instructors and professors! All of them expressed a level of sincerity and gratitude that exceeded our expectations, without exception.

I'll take an additional moment to mention Roger Greil, the Aquatic Research Lab Manager. The man has a passion for knowledge and great respect of coldwater species. Our fishery is better off for him too!

Atlantic Salmon are the main focus of the lab this season. Salar (great leaper) has a reputation that's the envy of most fishes and an outstanding advocate in Roger, his staff and the University.  As an avid flyfisherman, I firmly think there's an incredible opportunity to enhance our own knowledge and benefit the resource through partnerships like this one at LSSU. A couple examples of my reasoning came from our short visit last Thursday. Imagine two raceways or tanks of 5,000 fingerlings. Each receives the same amount of food and has the same amount of space. Both tanks are covered and receive the same preventative treatments. The lone deviation comes in the form of water temperature. Just 6 degrees Fahrenheit separates a fish growing to 9 inches  versus 5. The difference in fish we catch from Michigan or Huron and those we chase reared in Superior.

Another eye-opener came in the mortality rate of spawning fish. Specifically steelhead, atlantic and lake-run brown trout. Those Oncorhynchus that have made the big lakes or impoundments within our river systems' their home. 70%-80% mortality for those fish that are capable of surviving the stresses of spawning really shocked me. The information helps me solidify my opinion and practice regarding angling pressure.

A final revelation came in the form of efficiency; that of the stocking program overseen by Mr. Greil and his students. 50,000 eggs from approximately 20 mating pair of adult Salar will result in 20,000 smolt delivered directly to the St. Marys. A trip in July, 2007 seems in order after a visit to the Aquatic Research Lab at LSSU.

While Wednesday was a travel day and Thursday was spent in academia, Friday was all about Chinook, Steelhead and the Two-Heated River. Tom Cadwalader, another Headwaters TU Board member, joined us for the day.

The tannin-stained water of Eastern Upper Peninsula rivers' adds another dimension to the equation. A level of intrigue. Long flats and tag alder highlight those streams and my early memories. But fish reside there and I'm beginning to look North more often than West once my head-waters require quiet reprieve.

Wednesday marks another opening day and I'm looking forward to the Muskegon. The White is fishing well too and the weir in the Little Manistee was opened this week. Today looks like a fine one for an afternoon drive with Drake and Cindy and a couple of 8 weights.

There's news to report regarding Kolke Creek but I've got to spend some time with the Gator prior to posting. It looks like winter but I've got a tip or two to check out.

Enjoy camp! Our days are always getting shorter regardless of the season.  

Saturday morning, October 28th, 2006.

Damn! Most of this month has had the look and feel of November; even though we've been basking in the heady glory of baseball sunshine... But not today.

The Tigers wrapped up a rather dubious Fall Classic appearance last evening just in time for another round of early winter weather. Snow, cold and lots of wind are on the wing as I write this update.

Anadromous fish are moving well in advance of their typical fall schedule. Nearly all the seasonal indicators have been pushed two or more weeks ealry since April. This seems to correlate with the unexpected joy the Bengals brought all long-suffering fans. I wonder if there's a "connection"?

Regardless of the Series' outcome, there's even more reason to be excited about the eventual arrival of springtime in northern Michigan. Thank you Tigers! It been a fantastic year.

The Sturgeon, Jordan and Elk River are destinations today. My passanger and fishing companion is a die-hard Yankee fan... What a great season!

Tightlines.  

Tuesday, October 17th, 2006.

There's been a lot of miles added to the fish-cars odometer since my last update; here's a brief synopsis of those travels. The Escanaba River on Sunday, October 8th, the Bois Brule beginning on Monday the 9th through Friday the 13th, the Ontonogan on Saturday the 14th back to the AuSable North Branch for this afternoon, October 17th.

Wild steelhead, crazy weather and an unimaginable run to the World Series have made this fall one to remember! Even autumns' color got into the act by exploding well ahead of time from Michigan through Wisconsin. Significant snow seems certain to be a harbinger of the years final season. Winter, too, looks like it will be an early arrival.

The Bois Brule River came to my attention during this year as an extension of my emerging interest in steelhead fishing. A number of publications have touted this watershed as the premier place for fall-run steelies. After purchasing Bob Linsenman's book on Great Lakes Steelhead, the deal was done and plans were made. The river and region is well worth the time and travel! It's people are pleasant and the landscape meshes smoothly with the southern shores of Lake Superior. The weather is fickle but the fish are strong and plentiful. Pretty good stuff even in the face of early October snows and Superior gales.

My last two elongated fishing excursions have been in the company of Ron Urkuski, aka; Tank.

He's a fine navigator who always outfishes me regardless of the place, hatch or weather conditions. This trip was no different. Though I did enjoy landing the trips largest fish on Wednesday evening. While he was within ear-shot of my request for a camera. 

Water temperatures plunged from that time until our departure; requiring strike indicators and plenty of time looking for these fish in pools versus runs or riffles. Nymphs and egg patterns outperformed my preferred flies (streamers) but that's a small price to pay for an opportunity to fish those fish in that type of environ.

The Ontonogan and Agate Falls were simply spectacular but the river paled when compared to the Bois Brule on this particular trip. Snow had settled over the region by Saturday and the drive along U.S. 2, back to the Mackinaw Bridge was foremost on my mind; despite some beautiful scenery. Even a couple resident trout wouldn't keep my interest long. It must have been time for home and dinner at my own table.

We did visit the Sturgeon and Black while traveling U.S. 2. These rivers probably deserve a trip to specifically explore their aqueous inhabitants. And the Escanaba certainly deserves high consideration and another lengthy visit. But the Brule will rule as far as I'm concerned.

I mentioned the North Branch earlier in my update. Friends know that I have a fishing cap with a single fly ( an Isonychia energer) adhered in it. The hat was a gift to me from my buddy John Walters nearly three years ago. It's setting on a chair in my office; drying from this afternoons foray. It now has two flies stuck into the caps logo.

Size 20 olives, 6x tippet, ashen gray skies and a river all to myself. Wild trout everywhere looking for calories before winter rolls across this parallel. Man; it's why I call this place home.

Very Tightlines... And GO TIGERS! 

Thursday, October 5th, 2006.

Rain and lots of it, made its way through the area early Wednesday morning. Some areas in the upper reaches of the Manistee and AuSable systems saw 4 inches of the stuff in less than 6 hours. Yesterday was a day for comparing water levels and general turbidity against known benchmarks like sudden spring thaws. An incredible amount of moisture for even these environs!

I watched much of this unfold after those damn yankees took the first game of the AL Wild-Card series. The moisture associated with the cold-front here arrived in New York about 15 hours later, washing out game two last evening. Hopefully it'll slow down that offensive arsenal and Derek Jeter long enough to extend this series past Friday night in Detroit. That shortstop is sooo good! I'd build my entire team around him too.

There are unique meteorological affects brought about by the area topography near the 45th parallel. Lake Michigan and those other Great Lakes combine with an increase in the elevation to create some interesting dynamics in our local weather. Great Snow during the winter and fantastic light-shows along my horizon and the entire length of Otsego Lake amidst the more temperate months... Like Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning.

Storms moving across Lake Michigan stack up between Charlevoix, Emmett, Antrim and Grand Traverse Counties. They seem to encounter this increase in elevation by skirting along the west edge of this ridge eventually traveling north into upper Otsego County or south into Kalkaska County; before making their way east toward Lake Huron. While this is happening, my deck overlooking the lake becomes a front-row seat for some of the finest pyrotechnics I've ever witnessed. Simply very cool stuff!

The rivers of the headwater region around Gaylord receive this added moisture which temporarily makes our waters difficult to fish. But it's really a bonus in an otherwise bountiful ecosystem.

These cascading tributaries eventually bring their excess to middle branches and main streams and then to the deltas of those bodies we call Huron, Michigan, Ontario, Erie and Superior. It's here that the superfluity carries a message to the anadromous fishes; a message to charge through the surf and answer the call contained in the molecular extravagance. Its fall!! Its fall!! Its fall!!

All the color one can imagine is found in sky, water and land this time of year. Enjoy the bounty and GO TIGERS!

Tightlines! 

Tigers 4 - Yankees 3, Game 2 Final!  

Tuesday, September 26th, 2006.

October looks good indeed... as we segue into the harvest season there's going to be playoff baseball in the Motor City; for the first time in 19 years. Way-to-go Tigers!

As much as I've enjoyed the sucess of the Red Wings and Pistons, baseball remains my first sports-love. It's probably because of those childhood memories but there's simply something special about pennant baseball. Bring on the Fall Classic!

I took a drive early Sunday through Traverse City up along M-22 toward Suttons Bay. Rain and wind with 35 m.p.h. gusts; perfect cover for anadromous fishes like Chinook and Coho! From Glen Arbor and the Crystal River to Sleeping Bear Dunes and the Platte; fish were on the move. Fisherman were plying the waters with all forms of offerings including spawn, spoons and streamers. From drift boats to surf bums those big-water salmonid had plenty of company. Watching these creatures make their initial trek into their birthing water is both inspiring and solemn. Somewhat apropos on the first Sunday of this new season. A great way to spend a blustery day in the company of my golden, Drake.

I sat in 46th Circuit Court last week listening to a short list of witnesses during the opening salvos of the Preliminary Injunction Hearing between Merit Energy, the Michigan D.E.Q. and the Plaintiffs which include Anglers of the AuSable and Lynn Lake property owners.

On Tuesday and Wednesday approximately a dozen individuals testified before Judge Dennis Murphy, in Grayling. Legal counsel for the plaintiffs included Jim Olson and Susan Topp while Merit countered with a fellow whose name reminded me of officer Barberreri of South Park fame. That may have been his name! The State of Michigan had a representative from the Attorney Generals office and the Department of Environmental Quality was represented by counsel too! A rather contentious affair that will require far more than two days to complete... just to get through the list of witnesses and proposed exhibits will likely require a full week!

Wednesdays proceedings ended with Dr. Christopher Grobbel on the stand; and the Court looking for more time to schedule a continuation. Meanwhile the clock keeps ticking and a plume is working its way into otherwise clean, healthy groundwater.

I'll bring you any updates on this matter and the pending decision in Federal Court on the Mason Tract as soon as it happens.

Meanwhile, this Saturday marks the end of the regular season throughout our Great River State. The world sees lakes when looking at these two peninsulas but our rivers harbor a bounty that requires conserving, protecting and restoring. I think the bounty of fresh water emanating from our State will be the vehicle of our recovery. I doubt any elected official; regardless of party affiliation can change the dynamics of the current manufacturing complex. But we can elect legislatures and others that will put our natural resources above any short-term gains. Employment, education and environment; the three "e's" that are critical every election cycle. When this cycle is over I hope a healthy river will still run through it! 

A late-afternoon thunderstorm ran me off the Deward Tract last evening; but not before I managed to fool a couple of notable trout. These guys were eating with reckless abandon. Olives and another intriguing mayfly were busy about the river's vegatation. Winds were blustery but an afternoon sun warmed the surroundings enough to trigger a fine spinner fall. Brook trout in their fall splendor and brown trout that prefer airborne acrobatics... does it get any better than this?

Meanwhile: Tightlines! 

Friday, September 15th, 2006.

It's the start of the second season throughout northern Michigan. Grouse, salmon, trout, frost, rain, isonychia, color and pennant races all mean that summer is giving way to autumn near the 45th paralell.

While the boys of summer are stumbling toward the finish line (1 game over Minnesota), adults, children and kids at heart are in the woods and water chasing the bounty we call northen Michigan.

We're clear of two days rain and rising rivers, on course to enjoy what looks like the last of summer; just in time for the autumnal equinox.

Fall migrations of fish and fowl are underway too. Salmon are in the Bear in Petoskey, the Grand in G.R., the Boardman in Traverse and the Boyne near the Mountain. I imagine they've shown up in all the likely spots on the Betsie, Platte and P.M. too, but I haven't been there or had specific conversation about them to date.

The wheels are turning in a couple ongoing court cases. Kolke Creek is quickly approaching agruement time while all parties are awaiting the Federal Judge's decision on the proposed exploratory well near the Mason Tract. Both cases have captured an incredible amount of press coverage and the public has been fantastic in their support! It's a shame that we've needed to spend the capital and good-will in these battles instead of continuing woody debris BUT... Our State and Federal stewards were blatantly asleep-at-the-switch in these matters. So the courts may provide the remedy.

It's sunshine for the next several days near Otsego Lake and time for a ride to the river. I'm planning an excursion into the upper peninsula and Wisconsin in a couple weeks. We'll still be fishing ants, olives, cahills (hebe's) and isonychia through the months end. October is a great time in these parts; and would be something special if the Tigers managed to right-the-ship in time for a playoff spot! Until then...

Tightlines! 

Wednesday, August 23rd, 2006.

This summer has flown by as I sit down to the keyboard. It's been nearly a month since my last update; but that doesn't mean the fishing hasn't been noteworthy.

 I've taken some time for friends and family together with visiting waters in preparation for the next season. Fall with its autumnal flavor is in the air and I'm looking forward to adronomous fish stories. There's also the late season dry-flies on our special regulation waters. These extended seasons make time in northern Michigan sweeter than most places in the midwest.

Ephrons have been working their maddening magic on the trophy water of the AuSable system. They made their initial appearance at the end of our 100 degree hot-spell; but have been sporadic since. Ants, olives and caddis are providing dry fly enthusiasts ample surface opportunities throughout most area rivers.

Friends from Muskegon have been chasing the white flies on the White and Mo' for more than two weeks while others are looking at the early arrivals that signal the beginning of another salmon run off Lake Michigan.

While we're in need of August showers near the 45th parallel, the thermometer has been dropping into the 40's or lower for nearly two weeks. This has helped cool area rivers enough to trigger mid-morning hatches of Tricos and Olives. Both of these insects will strain your eyesight and test your resolve. Size 24's and smaller on 7x tippet still produce as much pleasure as any form of fishing I know. Morning sun and cedar waxwings flutter through riffles and runs. Dimpling trout show just their snout as these late-season mayflies bring our river valley to life; prior to the cascade of summer visitors in their assorted craft. It's one of the primary reasons I call this place home.

Water craft has figured rather prominently this summer season: especially since the arrival of a new AuSable River boat and my buddy Joe Reed.

You may recognize an occasional "Joe" from prior updates. There's Muskegon Joe f.k.a., Chicago Joe. There's young Joe from Gates Lodge and then there's Joe Reed. The same guy who stumbled into the wacky world of fly fishing three short years ago with his wife Lynn. The same guy whose entire family plans their gatherings around hatches and yet to-be-explored rivers. And now there's a river boat!

I've been privileged to keep my waders damp for nearly four straight years. I've also come to a point in my life where it's not about the fish; but the fishin'. New waters to explore; friendships to share; stories to forge. Life is good indeed folks. Very good indeed!

Tightlines!                Tigers lead by 7 1/2! 

Friday, July 28th, 2006.

Baby it's warm outside... some would say it's down-right hot! The forecast is calling for 90 degrees and humidity in the 85-90% range for the next several days. We've had some volatile weather and ample rain so our trout are in good shape despite these high temperatures. The fishings been pretty good too for folks willing to use size #24's through 18's the past three weeks.

Trico's and slate-wing olives are still the may flies of choice most mornings but that should be changing with this weekends hot-spell. I'll probably be fishing terrestrials like beetles, ants and hoppers just prior to the annual sojorn to Mio. All our hatches have been 7-10 days ahead of schedule this season and I don't see any reason to expect the Ehprons won't follow suit. 

The U.S. Forest Service provided their "Defendant's Objections To Magistrate Judge's Report and Recommendation" on Wednesday afternoon around 4:00 pm. 

The FS suggests that Magistrate Binder made a number of erroneous assumptions and errored regarding the effects of proposed mineral exploration within the Huron Forest near the Mason Tract. The Plaintiffs now have 10 days to respond (again) to the latest commentary from the FS and BLM. All of this will be laid before Judge Lawson shortly; probalbly before the white flies are finished on the AuSable Trophy Water. I wonder if we're simply destined for Cincinatti and the 6th Curcuit Court of Appeals? Time will soon tell.

Summer is flying by and there are times when September and October look awfully inviting. I try to remind myself that wishing away 30-45 days of very warm weather doesn't make much sense when living at this parallel! Cooler temps, fall colors and spawning fish sound awfully attractive when the heat index is busting 100 degrees. But that will happen soon enough!

There are still summer visitors scheduled and baseball races that need to play out during the dog-days of August.  There's also some fun to be had on the lake and night fly fishing for those tempremental browns of the South Branch.

Tightlines and Go Tigers!

Friday, July7th, 2006.

It's a new season as we're half-way through the summer. The giant known as hex are moving significantly north of the headwaters region and we're ushering in a kinder, gentler time on the areas waterways. Really!

The tiny Tricorythodes (Tricos) are on the mind and menu of most fisherman that I'm seeing each day. These are making their way through the AuSable North Branch and should be a big part of the daily routine on the Main and South Branch before my next update. We've moved from the largest mayfly in North America to one of the tiniest in a matter of 10 days. Actually less than that for me.

I spent several days with my family and friends in the "thumb" during the prior holiday as the transition was happening. It's now early morning and evening spinner fall time on my favorite waters near the 45th parallel. What a contrast!

I've replaced the 2 and 3x tippet for 5, 6 and 7x. I'm also grabbing the nine-foot green stick instead of the 8 foot-six inch T-3. The slower action of the Winny forces me to take more time with my back-cast; which helps minimize wind knots and other tangles when using 6x and size #22 flies. The green stick also causes me to pause and thank the Stock Family as I remember Jim Stock, the rods prior owner.

Summer sunshine, early morning birds, rising trout and a river all to ones-self makes this place unbeatable this time of year. Trico's are followed in the morning by Ephemerella lata ( Slate Wing Olives). These roll off in numbers that cause surprisingly large trout to make some decisions about their nocturnal tendencies. Pretty cool stuff after more than a month of after-dark emergences!

There's plenty of action about for the evening fisherman too. Those Slate wings come back to the river beginning around 8:30 pm to mate. They add to a gathering of other insects that include midges, gnats, mosquitos and another emerging Olive like the Pseudocloen anoka. Add the ever-present Isonychia in an emerger together with Stenomena (Cahills) and a caddis or two stones just before twilight and you've got yourself some spectacular fishing! Without all the crowds of the prior month.

There's been a request by the U.S. Forest Service asking for 30 additional days to respond to the Magistrates ruling concering the Mason Tract. The end of this month is their new deadline instead of the past week. I'll keep you informed of this and the Kolke Creek issue as news breaks.

Summer is in full-swing and life is pretty good in these parts come this time of year folks! Tightlines...

Thursday, June 22nd, 2006.

Great News and good fishing as the summer solstice rolls into the headwaters region!

Hex and an assortment of other minor drakes are making for fantastic stories; some of which may be true. There's also news on the conservation front... That needs telling.

Magistrate Binder ruled in favor of the Plaintiffs this Tuesday from Bay City, Michigan, in the matter of proposed exploratory facilities near the Mason Tract. He ruled against the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management in this hotly contested case.

The Forest Service now has 10 days to appeal his decision. If they do so the Plaintiffs have 10 more days for a rebuttal. All of this is then laid before the Judge for a final ruling.

There's the possibility of the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinatti before this matter is finished! Stay tuned and dig in where you can with time, talent or money if you enjoy the quality we've come to know on our area trout streams.

I've asked my web designer to place the entire opinion on my home page as well as the bottom of todays update. There's still work to do on this one folks and the war for these minerals will not end during our lifetime! Enjoy this today for the wolf is at the door!

Tightlines! 

Thursday, June 15th, 2006.

It's just past 1:00 am and I'm determined to get at least 6 hours of sleep before running into another day of work and play, so here's the latest.

Fishing has become an evening and night-time event as we're warming into the summer and looking for the biggest of North America's mayflies: Hexagenia Limbata! Fisherman tend to lock into these and the earlier brown drakes but I've had a steady reminder not to ignore our less revered maylies. Several nice fish on the AuSable and Manistee systems have succumbed to Isonychia, Stenomena and Siphlonurus the past three nights. We're also seeing nice emergence activity of three different stone flies in runs with gravel on both systems!  Throw some leftover Suphur spinners in the mix and anything becomes possible. Especially large fish!

We're looking at temps in the 90's this weekend with lows of 70 degrees on Saturday night. Hex should be exploding throughout the area in time for Fathers Day this Sunday.  

We're anxiously awaiting some definitive news on the Mason Tract issue so I may break into an update prior to this time next week. Let's hope the news is positive for we conservationists even if gas remains at $3.00 per gallon. There's only one Tract and listening for heavy-shouldered brown trout shouldn't be complicated with mineral extraction within the South Branch River corridor.

Beware the Vex and very Tightlines!  

Thursday, June 8th, 2006.

Another quick update predicated by yesterday's rain... Four inches in two hours for Kalkaska County. Our weather turned turbulent yesterday after several picturesque days. The middle counties were affected less by the front than those to our immediate west; however rain and cooler temps have made their way into the headwaters region.

We're still awaiting official word from Bay City on the Mason Tract while suit has been filed in Circuit Court on Kolke Creek. The latter has already cost three times more than the Federal action! That's a lot of woody debri and new cedar plantings.

Isonychia have replaced Sulphur's as the companion mayfly while the Brown Drakes (simulans) are still working their way through the local systems. We're seeing Hexagenia on the warm-water sections of the AuSable system as of Tuesday. At this rate we'll be in the middle of Limbata during Fathers Day and we'll be looking at Trico's for July 4th!

A buddy called last evening from the White prior to mid-night. That system was blown out from the same moisture pattern but the Brown Drakes were busy spinning anyway. They've had fine Drake fishing on the Muskegon this month and the big bugs are beginninig to show in that system too.

The Pigeon has turned into a bug factory after a rather quiet May. This river tends to run a week later than it's southern counter-parts. The upper Sturgeon and Black within the Pigeon Forest are fishing in a similar fashion though I haven't been to either since opening day. That's a common problem this time of year... Too many rivers and not enough time! A fine dilemma indeed.

Tightlines!

Saturday, June 3rd, 2006.

A quick word... DRAKES! I'm staying out very late and it's only the first of June!

The AuSable system has seen Simulans for more than a week on the North Branch. There was a decent spinner fall last night followed by a fantastic emergene between 11:00 pm and 12:30 am on the Main Streams "holy waters". The South Branch is fishing well too after an incredible hot-spell last Sunday - Tuesday.

I've spent little time on waters other than the AuSable the prior month but I did make it to the Pigeon last Tuesday. The Manistee has my name on it Sunday through the next spinner fall; as that river typically runs several days behind its brothren AuSable.

It's time for more coffee and less sleep but that's the price we pay for living in trout paradise! Until the next spinner fall...

Tightlines! 

Tuesday May 23rd, 2006.

In the prior 10 days we've seen several cold nights and frost covered mornings. We've also seen enough rain and wind to temper the severe fire conditions. Snow showers on Sunday afternoon made the decision to watch game 7 in Detroit a bit easier and the Pistons prevailed. So good - so far. And now we've got sunshine and moderating temperatures to usher in the upcoming Memorial Day Weekend! Bring on the evening spinner falls...

There's no news to report regarding the Mason Tract as we're all awaiting word from the bench out of Bay City. We can expect some official news regarding Kolke Creek but that will likely wait for my next update. Today we're all about trout fishing!

It's been more than three weeks since I've been part of an evening spinner fall but that streak is about to change. We're two full weeks into Sulphurs and March Browns are making an occasional appearance on some afternoon waters. Temps have moderated nicely to bring us within a few days of typical insect hatches. The next several days look like great dry fly fishing!

Most area rivers have settled back into their banks in the headwaters region and afternoon water temps are running from the high 40's into the mid 50's. Those numbers will probably increase by several degrees as we're finally going to see a return to warmer nights and moderate bouts of sunshine during the day.

Popcorn Caddis on sunny afternoons will preceed a minor Olive emergence followed by light Hendricksons and Sulphurs. Those Sulphurs should begin their afternoon mating dances starting today. The forecast is calling for temps to remain above 60 degrees during several upcoming days. That number is often the key to an afternoon or evening spinner fall. If it stays much cooler than that we'll continue to see sporadic morning and ealry afteroon falls. The prevailing winds are losing their northern component. The neighbors flag indicates a change is under way and I've got an afternoon hike planned for a favorite stretch of the AuSable North Branch.

Happy Memorial Day and Tightlines!

Saturday May 13th, 2006.

Just a quick update to let you know about a couple of items : (1) Sulphurs and (2) Rain and (3) An Honorary Chairman Announcement.

Sulphurs made their annual appearance 10 days ahead of schedule in conjunction with a couple inches of much needed rain. Both arrived in the headwaters region on Wednesday and Thursday as a cold front finally brought an end to an early season fire-scare. We've been running nearly 30 days between significant rain events minus a shower on the 22nd day of April!

Hendricksons' have worked their way through the AuSable and Manistee systems; they've been here for nearly four weeks! Black caddis have been replaced by popcorn caddis in these systems while those watersheds above the 45th parallel are seeing Subvaria.

We'll have moderately cool and wet weather for the next several days compared to the last month. That's good news for most of us as the fire conditions have been relaxed. The insects are still ahead of schedule and the fish are already wet so it's time to fish!

Item three on this mornings report has everything to do with next years opening day festivities in Gaylord. Bill Ford Jr., has committed to the Anglers of the AuSable's 20th year celebration! www.AuSableAnglers.org

Expect to see plenty of information on my site regarding that event as we move closer to announcing a myriad great gifts and donation items for this banquet.

I'll post a local report with river and fishing conditions before the week is up. There should be some definitive action in the ongoing actions regarding the Ausable watershed too!

Until the next upodate... Tightlines! 

Thursday May 3rd, 2006.

There's news to report regarding Kolke Creek and fire in the sky! We're in need of rain as we've had one major rain event in four weeks.

The National Weather Service informs me that this April was about normal for total moisture. Just over two inches fell for the month but the problem lies with the fact that more than 80% of it fell between the first and fourth of the month. Saturday, the 22nd was the last measuarable precipitation so things are very dry in the north woods!

Nearly 6,000 acres burned last weekend in Oscoda County, primarily within the Huron-Manistee National Forest. The fire is considered contained as of this morning and the source of the fire has been identified. Like most fires this one was started by a careless human. A number of private property owners were affected by the blaze and we can be certain there'll be more to follow based on the local forecast.

About Kolke Creek and Merit Energy...

The Anglers case before Administrative Law Judge Lacasse of the Michigan D.E.Q. was dismissed on Tuesday. The ALJ dismissed our case by denying our motion for summary judgement. The Judge wrote that our arguement was based upon gasoline by-products instead of contamination in the field. He granted Merit's motion for summary judgement and dismissed the Anglers arguements.

While this is considered a loss the real battle will be joined in Circuit Court! Our legal team has advised the Anglers all-along that the ALJ (Lacasse) was likely to side against us even though he narrowly construed his proper scope of review under the Michigan Environmental Proptection Act. (MEPA) In reality the judges action will save the Anglers money by fast forwarding the case to the courts.

There's also the possibility that new drilling actions may be under review for the Pigeon River Forest. I have some due-diligence to perform regarding this but there are rumblings from various sub-committe's that an operating agreement forbiding this type of action may be under review! $3.00 gas and home heating fuel have had a huge impact no doubt!

There's still no word on the Mason Tract but look for that announcement any day!

Fishing.... Has been GREAT! Hendrickson's, Mahogonies, Caddis, Olives and evening spinner falls! It doesn't get much better than this for early season action. I'll provide an update as the weather may bring us some much needed rain over the weekend.

Tightlines and tighten your conservation-belts... We're in for a rough ride folks!

Tuesday April 25th, 2006.

First things first... There's no news to report regarding the USFS/BLM/Savoy and Anglers action. That word could be any day but there's been nothing reported as of this morning.

SNOW last night has melted away and I'm predicting that we've seen the last of any accumulaton until next October or November. Evening lows will fall into the 20's during the next several nights but we'll rebound nicely into the 50's starting Wednesday running through this weekend. About this weekend...

Welcome to the official start of the 2006 Trout Season!

Black caddis were everywhere yesterday afternoon as the most recent cold front lifted off for the Atlantic and sunshine poured into the river valleys of the headwaters region. Water temps have been stable for nearly three weeks with all the day-time heating and we're running 7-10 days ahead of normal. Olives will start the afternoon hatch followed by a few sporadic stones. Caddis will then begin busting the surface and the trout are likely chase them as the pupae molt into adult form. Enough sun or warming breezes then usher in the late afternoon Hendrickson's. It's all gotten pretty good just in time for the last Saturday in April!

The South Branch looks like a trout river again as the swamp has settled into early May form. The water level and clarity were dynamite yesterday as I had my first solid dry-fly day on that branch. I'm leaving to float the Tract as soon as this update is finished. 

Hendrickson's filled last evening's sky beginning at 7:00 pm. They've been gathering regualrly since the hatch started 10 days ago on the AuSable main stream. Our temperatures plummeted again last night. Snow arrived around mid-night and the thermometer dropped into the mid 20's this morning under clearing skies. I wish those Hennies had fallen last evening! I expect we'll see some afternoon spinner falls just in time for this weekend. Time will tell!

Enjoy your weekend folks and here's to another new season... TIGHTLINES! 

Monday, April 17th, 2006.

Spring has vanquished winters final remnants. This has been accomplished with the help of day-long sunshine and southerly breezes. The swamp has been cleared of remaning frost while the lake ice disappeared between Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning on Otsego Lake. Temps climed into the low 70's this Friday and settled into the 60's for the weekend. There's green and red and violet shades emerging on the hillside as we roll into another sweet dry-fly season in blue-ribbon trout country. Bring it on!!

Water levels on our rivers will continue to settle as the last of the snow-pack empties. Those temps have reached critical mass for several insects and I expect to fish a number of spinner falls between tonight and my next update. Morels will likely sprout with the next rainfall, so woods and water will be bustling with human activity;  in pursuit of Michigan's finest creatures. It's a great time to live up north!

The special reg waters of the AuSable and Manistee have climbed into the 50's over the last week. Our evening lows have remained above freezing and the forecast looks like more of the same. At this point I'd like to shout-out to my buddy Chicago Joe, soon to be known as Muskegon Joe. Another of the fine folks that make this sport far more than chasing trout. There's nothing like a couple afternoons on a favorite stretch of river in order to "catch-up". Our lives move at a wickedly hectic pace but the cadence is remarkably slowed when insects emerge and trout are rising.

Friendships are renewed this time of year despite new jobs, new homes, new women or new dogs. Slowly diminishing eye-sight and bodies that react somewhat differently than last year really don't matter once trout can be caught in-the-film or on the surface. It's that time of year again in northern Michigan.

They'll be more to report in short order but there's work to be done in order to visit a favorite haunt this afternoon. Stay tuned as we segue into a fantastic opening day weekend. Here's to the seasons first spinner falls!

TIGHTLINES and hello subvaria!

Wednesday, April 5th, 2006.

I'm in the midst of a week that probably won't include any fishing so I'll provide a synopsis of last weekends escapades and call it "good" for now! Before delving into the highlights of our time on the Mighty 'Mo', I'd like to thank a good friend for bailing me out last weekend.

I was previewing properties in Oscoda and Alcona Counties last Wednesday. I decided to take Drake and make a full day of it with a visit to the AuSable's Foote Dam. I managed to hit the river by 4:00 pm and break my chuck-and-duck rod without landing a fish. This isn't a big deal but I was left without one for the Muskegon River... Enter Joe Reed and his remarkably economical Pflueger-Purist; all 9 feet and 4 pieces! An eight weight rod touting an IM-6 blank made in that new-world hub of entrepreneurial nirvana known as China. A rod that saved the day and deserves mention in this weeks update for a couple reasons.

Reason one is because of my friends generosity. Joe has become a huge part of my weekly updates. He's one of a small number of friends that always manages to stay in-touch and provides support regardless of the fishing conditions. He and his family have become dear friends. My days are fuller and my life for more complete since they discovered fly fishing at Gates AuSable Lodge. www.GatesLodge.com

The second reason has everything to do with fish and the reasons we chase trout! Traver said it best so I often paraphrase at times like this: The fish don't care who you are, what you own, what you drive or how expensive your equipment is. Little else matters if the drift is right and the fly looks like something typcially considered food! That said, the Pflueger performed flawlessly as we chucked black-stones and eggs to the dark runs and pools of the Muskegon.

The water was up enough to cause significant turbidity and difficulty wading for those without craft. Tim and Ron did masterful jobs with the boats and I'd like to thank them for a great couple days. Tim works this river in expert fashion and has tremendous respect for the fishery. You can contact him for his guide service via e-mail: Tim.Oliphant@Verizon.net 

Friday sunshine and good stone flies gave way to cooler temps and far less wind on Saturday. Walleye are also running so resident trout are getting fat on a variety of adronomous fish eggs. My streak of fishless-steelhead days has come to an end and I've got all those earlier culprits to thank for that! 

Sunday evening near Gaylord turned into an all-night downpour. This was followed by two successive fronts touting snow and wind. Enough to make the place look like January and require using the last of this years fire-wood. Sunshine and moderating temps are forecast through the weekend. Winds with a southerly component will usher in seasonal moderation while area streams settled back into their banks.

I'm pleased to report that intermittent flurries are giving way to light showers and evening lows are creeping ever higher. Blue-winged olives are likely to be found together with midges and early stones. Trout are dimpling as we're throwing heavy tippet and monster streamers into subsiding waters. Migratory fish are everywhere and our feathered friends have arrived at my front-yard feeder. Spring is in the air and it's good to say "farewell" to another northern Michigan winter.

It's time for a final trek into metro-Detroit on behalf of our cold-water fisheries. A presentation and a couple banquets will complete this winters obligations. Evening light beyond 8:30 pm, increasing water temps and the end of another tax year. I love this time of year in northern Michigan!

Tightlines Friends, very tight-lines...   

Monday, March 27th, 2006.   www.AuSableAnglers.org

Ahh!! Sunshine and 50 degrees means several things... (1) Spring steelhead, (2) Rising water temps, (3) Early Baetis, (4) Stones x's 2 , (5) Dimpling trout. Yea...It is ON!

There's fishing from coast-to-coast to report but a few words about two major conservation battles that are making their way through the bureuacratic and judical system. I'm speaking of (1) The Mason Tract and (2) Kolke Creek. On the Tract...

Final arguements were contucted last Tuesday in Bay City, Michigan, before Federal Magistrate, Binder. The proceedings began shortly after 2:00 pm and ended shortly before 5:00 pm; and I thought this would be a succinct 45 minute program with little drama! Wrong indeed, but my first time in Federal Court was worth the elongated testimony. www.AuSableAnglers.org

The Plaintiffs (Anglers) attorney, Mary Ann Duggan, hit 7 of 10 NEPA topics indicating how the USFS Environmental Assessment fell short of its own requirements.

The Governments rebuttal took and hour-and-a-half and ended with fifteen minutes of additional Plaintiff dispute. When it was over the Magistrate asked for clarification from both parties in written form up to 20 pages. He also asked for the State's Natural River Act covering the AuSable System and the USFS plan for Semi-Primitive-Non-Motorized (SPNM) Old Growth Forest near the Tract. He then allotted two more weeks for both teams to present their supplement arguements. www.AuSableAnglers.org

Kolke Creek... The jockeying has begun in earnest with some rather high financial obligations required from the Anglers Organization. Jim Olson of Nestle' and Ice-Mountain notoriety has been retained as lead council by the Anglers of the AuSable.    The club was granted "standing" and is seeking a remedy of the permit through an Administrative Law Judge. Once this runs its course, we'll likely be headed to District Court looking for a solution other than that which is proposed in the D.E.Q.'s permit to Merit Energy. This action is ramping up as the Tract / Savoy / USFS / BLM is coming to a head so stay tuned because there's even larger issues headed our way in the form of Native-Tribal Game Restrictions.   www.AuSableAnglers.org

Now, about the fishing. The forecast and calendar really tell the story around most of the water near my place in Gaylord. There's still 15 inches of ice on Otsego Lake, despite several days of 40 degree temps. I augered the lake this evening out of curiosity. We've still got snow pack and minor run-off each day but the majority of our river systems have settled into their banks. Some systems are a bit off-color and turbid but the fish are responsing to warming water temps.

I'm headed to the Muskegon this weekend looking for some chromers or egg-eating trout. An assorted and motley-crew have made plans to float below Croton. I'll provide an update about this time next week. Meanwhile... Treat your fellow angler better than you'd treat your favorite dog, or girl, or fishing buddy, or ...

You get the picture: Tightlines!  www.AuSableAnglers.org

Tuesday March 14th, 2006.

Old man winter is back after a short reprieve. Winds gusting to 30 mph and temps in the teens accompanied by six inches of fresh snow. A fine book-end to a couple weeks of late-winter / early-spring fishing in northen Michigan.

I had hoped to spend a little more time regarding steelhead for this update but I've had a limited number of trips to those waters. Others on the Pere Marquette, Wednesday through Friday reported few additional arrivals in that system while snow melt and heavy rains have blown out the tailwater sections of the Manistee and Muskegon. This includes the White for now and probably includes Bear Creek below Tippy.

A buddy and I fished the Bear Creek on Saturday, March 4th without moving any notable fish. Small stone flies were everywhere beginning around 2:00 pm, but that didn't seem to matter. We fished the same water that produced steelhead in late December so we figured we'd encounter some holdover steelies even if a fresh run hadn't yet pushed upstream. 

I can report some fine trout fishing on the special reg waters near my home in Otsego County. A number of us have managed to fool both browns and brook trout with streamers and nymphs since my last update. Water temps climbed into the low 40's on the AuSable North Branch last Saturday. Sunny skies and early spring conditions eroded a majority of the area snow-pack. The sun also brought water levels up on portions of local systems that make it difficult or impossible to wade.

I'll end this abbreviated update with a note about rising trout: Midges on March 2nd! Pretty cool stuff when the air temp is 29 degrees. I didn't land any of them but it was great fun to spend fourty-five minutes re-rigging the streamer rod for size 24 drys.

Final arguements are scheduled for next Tuesday in Bay City, before Circuit Court Judge Lawson. I'll be in the crowd watching the proceedings. The Michigan Fly Fishing Expo is this weekend in Metro Detroit too. Check out their information at this link: www.mffc.org

If the Judge issues any ruling regarding the USFS, BLM and Savoy Energy cabal it'll be posted promptly. There's too much windshield time scheduled during the upcoming week but winter looks like it's making a last stand anyway. Here's to red-winged blackbirds and drumming grouse. Until the next update...

Tightlines and so-long winter!

Friday, February 24th, 2006.

No Kidding... More snow is forecast beginning a few hours from now. My buddy from the National Weather Service was rather exuberent a short time ago describing the soon-to-be new totals for the month of February. We're well on our way to five feet this month with several more days to add to the total. We've got snow banks along our walk and drive that make it difficult to see people or vehicles; so I'm not terribly excited about more of the stuff. But we'll manage and I'm digressing.

The afternoon sun is producing much needed warming effects on our area rivers, if they're open for fishing and free of ice. A couple favorites are nearby and I've managed to find myself in the middle of them for some terrific late-afternoon forays. The thermometer may be reading 26 degrees but the water temps are in the 35-37 degree range and that sun I was referring to seems to make a huge difference after a cold spell and low barometric pressure. I'm joking with others of my ilk that there's no need to fish right now unless your rod-guides have ice and your fingers are numb. The fishing has been that good!

The NWS was reporting 24 degrees as I started today's update but a local business thermometer along Old-27 was displaying 33 degrees in the sun. The same can be said of the river even though we fished in a series of heavy snow squalls yesterday, between 3-5 pm. I left the river after picking my thermometer out of an inside bend. It read 35.5 degrees... and fish were still actively taking our offerings and the north wind was blowing with snow and nobody was around! I'm rambling here but you get the picture; it's truly great to have a world class body of water to yourself in these elements... and leave the river while trout are still willing to eat your fly!

The forecast for the headwaters region looks like more winter through the first week of March. The tempreture differential between our area and southern Michigan has been significant for the past two weeks. While thunder, lightning and rain pelted that region, we were seeing the same atmospheric events but snow was the mositure form instead of rain. Last Thursday was the hardest I've seen it snow in three winters up north. Thunder and lightning provided the melodramatic back-drop to an already wild meteorological day.

The Anlers of the AuSable ( www.AuSableAnglers.org ) are  preparing to announce their 20 Year Celebration. It's slated for April 28, 2007 at the Otsego Club in Gaylord, Michigan. There's a limited number of seats available for the nights activities. I'm certain you'll be able to read about the upcoming festivities in this forum. If you're interested in attending then pay close attention. Only 300 seats are available and are certain to leave others wishing they had acted sooner! Tickets will go on sale beginning opening day of this year, 2006. Trust me folks... if you want to be there you'll need to act quickly. You can contact me or John Novak, (989.348.1206) for ticket information.

News this week from the State of Michigan and the Federal Court in Bay City, Michigan, will round out my update.

An Aministrative Law Judge (ALJ) determined that the Anglers of the AuSable have standing in the matter of Merit Energy and the DEQ's proposed remediation plans on Kolke Creek. Merit Energy had asked the Judge to throw out the plantiffs arguments based on "Standing".

The organizations' been issued standing and now it looks like this action is headed to the courts too... right on the heals of the Federal case involving Savoy Energy's request to explore for natural gas beneath the Mason Tract. I'll have the latest determination posted on my home page.

A postponement of final arguements on the Mason Tract came about late last week.  February 22nd's arguement date has been pushed back to March 22nd. There's plenty at stake in this matter so asking for and receiving more time seems positive on the whole. Time will certainly tell and it may be on our-side in this case!

Steelhead are certain to be a big part of my next update. Between now and then stay warm and keep the wood-stove burning! Tight-Lines! 

Sunday, February 12th, 2006.

Winter has returned to the area but the days are getting longer despite some of the coldest temps this year. Snow has been plentiful too the past 10 days!

I found myself in the Grayling area yesterday after a morning / early afternoon session for the Anglers of the AuSable... we're well into the formative stages of next years 20th Anniversary celebration. (See www.AuSableAnglers.org for more details.) I also had winter gear and a certain five-weight in tow for a late-afternoon loop on the main stream.

The afternoon temps hovered around 30 degrees and the rods guides iced up rather frequently but that didn't seem to bother the trout during yesterdays peak warming period. The thermometer bottomed-out at zero yesteray morning though the day-long sun warmed the river to 37 degrees by 3:30 pm. I've been ending my afternoon forrays in January about this time instead of starting them. But we've picked up a significant amount of daylight the prior month and yesterday just happened to be my finest trip this new year. Landing trout at 5:15 pm when a month ago we were nearly dark has me typing on the computer this afternoon with this update.

January set records in northen Michigan as the warmest since the mid 30's. February has run slightly colder than normal but we're turning the corner up here when the sun shines. Our fish seem to be weathering this winter rather well though one of yesterdays browns made me feel poor about fooling this fellow. His colors were good and his tail and fins were healthy but he looked short a couple good meals.

There appears to be good ice on most of our inland lakes and our rivers have remained open for the majority of this winter. The next weeks forecast suggests no early end of winter so I'd best hit the North Branch this afternoon. It's overcast today and I'm likely to be humbled after yesterdays outing but that's why we call it fishing!

MASON TRACT UPDATE  Here's some news regarding the proposed exploratory gas well near the Mason Tract.

Rebuttal arguements are scheduled in Bay City, Tuesday, February 21, before Judge Lawson. The USFS will likely be asking his honor to remove the Preliminary Injunction and allow the leaseholder the opportunity to prepare the site for development prior to April 1st of this year.

It's been quiet near the Tract this winter but that could change soon after these arguements are concluded. Stay tuned as the Anglers and other Plaintiffs' await the Judge's decision. I'll bring you an update promptly!

There's also plenty of ongoing legal wrangling regarding the Merit Energy-Kolke Creek remediation plan. I'll post regarding this once there's official change or actions from any of the parties.

The North Branch is calling! Tightlines!

Thursday January 26th, 2006!

Welcome to my first post of the year. This month may be nearly over and the holidays are long past but early sings of spring have a number of us hitting the local rivers with some regularity so it's time for a fishing update!

A couple of decent snow falls this week are giving way to rising temps and barometers... which means there are trout and steelhead in our area rivers that will be on the bite. Today is the first of four or five consecutive afternoons were we'll be in the upper 30's and 40's with favorable river conditions for the afternoon bite.

Ice fisherman have good snow and ice cover for their daily pursuits with 12-14 inches on Otsego Lake. Shanties are scattered in their normal locations and vehicles are now making the rounds in the company of ever-present snowmobiles. Evening temps have stayed cold enough to offset any major melting though our lows have been very mild compared to typical winters. This fact has led to some terrific mid-afternoon forrays on Class 5 and 7 trout water here in northern Michigan.

Steamers are proving productive for those of us willing to throw on a couple additional layers of clothing beneath our waders. The bite has been centered between noon and three each day for the prior month; so we're forced to start our work while its still dark in order to enjoy some solitude on a favorite section of river. Fish are responding well to the overall-mild winter conditions and the outlook through the end of this month suggests that February will start much like January. That's good news for the general trout population! We may see the benefits this spring and summer during the dry-fly season if the current patter holds!

A number of us have been busy fishing the tailwater sections of the Muskegon and Manistee this month with decent results. Be advised the the reserviors above Croton Damn were scheduled to begin their draw-down three weeks ago. The report I heard indicated that six feet of water would be withdrawn over the next two-months so wading could become rather dangerous.

I've had decent reports of steelhead in the lower stretches of the Jordan this month but I haven't yet made a drive to fish it first-hand. Friends have had moderate success on the Pere Marquette but they've also been in the company of others during the peak weekend push to this river.

The Manistee below Tippy was in fine shape on my last visit and trout were still eating the last of the fall salmon eggs but I imagine you'll find success with streamers or nymphs on that tail-water too.

The upper sections of the AuSable and Manistee have been fine choices for those  interested in an afternoon of tranquility... not to mention decent fishing. And we've been able to drive to a number of public access points without fear of becoming stuck in a snow-bank until this week.

I'll be implementing some changes in the general web-site for the upcoming Spring selling and fishing season. Photos, photos and more photos are what's most likely to change for the majority of my regular visitors. A name change for the real estate company will better reflect my geographic location too... but all that will have little effect on my on-going journal.

There's good news to report regarding the proposed exploratory well near the Mason Tract; but most of you know by now that 6th Circut Court Judge Lawson issued a Preliminary Injunction on December 7th, 2005, stating he "wants to review the arguements before him prior to any further disruption of the area near the tract". His honor delivered a much needed holiday decree with that decision... One that was sorely needed.

Meanwhile the Merit Energy issue at Kolke Creek finds the Anglers of the AuSable in another court battle in an effort to stop a proposed discharge into the headwaters of the main stream just below Mancelona Road in Otsego County. The club has hired Jim Olson of Traverse City and has kept its word to the Lynn Lake property owners to pursue an action in the State Courts. There's more to come regarding this so stay tuned!

Here's to another year and early spring... Tight-Lines Too!