Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010.

Somewhere between night and morning, winter and spring, work and play, living and simply surviving... February has come and gone and with it any more trepidation or trembling concerning winter 09-10. A piece-of-cake and a-walk-in-the-park compared to the prior one or those considered normal up here. The shortest month of the year is often blamed for feeling like the longest despite the fact that it produces more sunshine than those preceding it; even at 28 days. It must be the lunar impact on such things?

I'm headed for Lansing in an hour to attend the Coldwater Resources Committee meeting scheduled by the MDNRE Fishery Division; specifically to support arguements for more "gear-restricted" waters. I'll likely post links or commentary of the experience within this report to augment what's been written this morning... But know this... Little black stones have become a common site on several rivers known for their springtime visitors. Anadromous fishes will be nosing into gravel as we welcome a new season to Michigan's blue-ribbon rivers!  In like a lamb...

Tightlines!

Thursday, February 11th, 2010.

Winter has been neither harsh or exasperating; in fact we're running a snowfal deficit of more than 6 feet from this time last year! The sun has shone plenty while nary a night has forced the mercury to plunge into negative, mind-numbing readings associated with these environs... All too pleasant really for the 45th parallel in mid-February.   http://www.crh.noaa.gov/apx/climate/graph/snow/snowgraph.php

A minor thaw in January helped light rain compact the existing snow base and we've waited for fresh system moisture and lake effect for nearly a month. Neither has transpired but areas south and east of the region are pummelled by blizzard conditions rivaling anything recorded in a century... Conditions would be dire if this were June and July and the woods were full of summer users. El Nino` may be adjusting our seasonal norms right now but the jet-stream is  prone to change even as the days-light lengthens. Just 72 days until the general trout season is upon us!

With this in mind a few points of interest that may impact our enjoyment of area trout streams and the wild fish that inhabit them...

1). Regulations and Gear Restrictions Due the MDNRE. Here's a link to Anglers of the Au Sable and this organizations recommendations for the upper Au Sable and Manistee River Systems... www.AuSableAnglers.org  The official comment period ends tomorrow, 02/12/10!

2). Once in Court, always in Court? The Victory won doesn't mean the case is over in Kolke Creek versus Merit Energy of Texas...               http://www.record-eagle.com/local/local_story_042075024.html  Briefs are being prepared to argue before the Michigan Supreme Court to codify the victory and correct the ruling in Nestle Corp. vs. Michigan Citizens For Water Conservation. A complicated matter but necessary for residents of this Water-Wonderland!

3). Asain Crap! a/k/a Carp...  A whirlwind of political manuvering and machinations that leave me wondering; Is It Already Too Late??

http://theroundriver.com/2010/02/10/mr-carp-goes-to-washington/

http://www.michigan.gov/gov/0,1607,7-168-23442-231330--,00.html  and yet another link...

http://michiganmessenger.com/34502/granholm-on-asian-carp-meeting-at-white-house-we-have-a-disagreement

Item #3 could make most of items #1 and #2 rather meaningless if the Crap continues to invade and spread at its current rate!!

Tightlines!

Wednesday, January 13th, 2010.

Some much hoped-for breaking news... Plus temps are rising this afternoon as a fever infects several suspected trout bums known for winter trout and steelhead fishing! Enjoy the following.

Contact:Hugh McDiarmid Jr.: 248-660-4300

Environmental Council: Becky Humphries a smart, sound choice to lead new MDNRE

The Michigan Environmental Council today praised Gov. Jennifer Granholm’s selection of Becky Humphries to lead the new Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment.

Humphries, formerly director of the state’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR), will oversee the agency created by the merger of the DNR and the state Department of Environmental Quality.

“Becky Humphries is a proven leader with a strong commitment to the protection and sound management of the state’s natural resources,” said Chris Kolb, president of the Michigan Environmental Council. “She combines solid executive and managerial experience with a passion for the state’s environmental health and an open-door approach to public input on important conservation issues.”

Humphries was the preferred choice of virtually the entire Michigan environmental and conservation community. That support was based on her track record of accessibility, willingness to take public input from myriad stakeholders, and pragmatic approach to solving problems confronting the state’s natural resources.

Kolb said her challenge will be to effectively operate an agency whose core services have been decimated by budget cuts during the past decade.

“This is a good day for Michiganders who care about our Great Lakes, great cities and great forests and the economic activity and health benefits that they generate,” said Kolb. “But the real challenge is to find stable, secure funding sources to ensure that these ‘Pure Michigan’ resources continue to be the foundation of a strong economy and high quality of life.”###

Friday, New Year's Day, 2010.

With the prior year barely in the rear-view mirror I thought it appropriate to write a report detailing the year that just was... And to wish those of you visiting this site tidings for a healthy 2010! I trust the upcoming days, weeks, months and year treat you kindly and include healthy hatches, ample spinner falls and cooperative wild trout.

The fly-fishing and conservation world had some tremendous victories this year and some truly monumental loses. Amoung them were resolution of the USFS-Savoy Energy plans for mineral exploration near the Fisherman's Chapel under the Au Sable Rivers' South Branch adjacent to the Mason Tract. Another ruling regarding remedial waste from the same industry will be heard by the Michigan Supreme Court based on arguments involving Kolke Creek, the headwaters of the Au Sable Main Stream. Battles that required invlovement of hundreds of conservation-minded individuals supporting area groups financially with capital and professional services. More information is available at www.AusableAnglers.org

Most readers and advocates of the area know that friend and mentor Rusty Gates, died December 19th, 2009. Sadly, another staunch conservation veteran passed quietly while home on the Manistee River last Tuesday evening, December 29th. Mr. Joseph Kutkuhn.  

If you're a fan of the Au Sable's sister river, The Manistee, then you're inbebted to and need to know more of this most regal fellow... An early supporter of the natural river plan for the upper Manistee River and a founder of the Upper Manistee River Association. www.umrasite.org  

Joe, a retired USFWS biologist, saw tremendous potential in this jewels upper watershed... He helped create nirvana left of carnage from over-developed timber and mineral extraction. He was every bit the professional scientist with charm and a pleasant demeanor that disguised his fervant love of the Manistee River. That charm could quickly rise to animus if your intentions were not virtuous toward His river!  Most recently his deft communication skills resulted in needed clean-up of several sands traps within his beloved Deward Tract. As State funding left this necessary activity to the Citizens', Joe took matters into his own hands this summer and the upper River is so much the better for it! The bounty of which we gladly receive...        Thank You, Mr. Kutkuhn! 

Also breaking late in the year was an Executive Order from the office of Michigan's Governor. EO # 45 will combine the DNR and DEQ into the MDNRE! Simply put, this may be good or it may be not. What is most troubling to many is the governor will now appoint the Director of this combined entity instead of the Natural Resources Commission doing so. More consolidation of governmental control versus citizen over-site is how I see it. A political appointment replaces what's worked relatively-well for 60 years...  I'm hopeful that the current DNR Director', Rebecca Humphries, will win the appointment! I've provided a link if you're interested in supporting her appointment.   http://www.michigan.gov/gov/0,1607,7-168-21995-65331--,00.html

About the fishing..? Short sticks and quick trips. Most live vicariously through a lucky few able to hit the sweet spots on area rivers. Pan fish for New Years Eve or early-winter streamer fishing that would shame even Spring... The full-moon will once again wane as we wind our way toward longer days and warmer nights. A high today, nearly 20 degrees; set hours ago; the thermometer now plunging as the annual trek to the North Branch begins full of folly. Students now writing the next chapter in this book of Life. Our mentors work now done, we who survive owe them and others not-yet known, this diligent and delirious exercise, in futility?                     Perhaps...  Happy New Year.

It's Y I Fish... Tightlines!

Sunday Morning, December 20th, 2009.

December both forgiving and cruel... Broken tippet between the first and second fly as a beautiful rainbow called Steelhead boils the bubble-line. Now a mirage and memory of lore; gone but not forgotten. He's why I Fish .

The individual most responsible for my indefensible addiction slipped away last evening. His devotion to this riverine-wonderland has made an indelible mark on many... I can't say any better that which is said in the following link. Farewell Gator, Farewell!

http://theriverspecialist.com/gates/rusty/Fishing%20Report.htm

Tight-lines My Friends!

Look Over My Annual Reports for the prior 7 Years!