I just got my longboard deck back from my friend Roxanne, who is a very gifted artist that I "commissioned" to have her re-paint my deck. I think you can guess what I had her put on there, but I have to say, IT IS EPIC. I couldn't be happier with how it turned out. It's beautiful. I can't wait to shred it up once this god-forsaken rain stops and the pavement dries. Pictures to come.
Second, trout opener is this weekend, and I am going Sunday. Let me know if you want to come along. Should have a spare rod or two, gonna get up close and personal for some traditional Michigan trout fishing. It'll change your life!
Brian
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Monday, April 25, 2011
Not the Last Post
Good Morning!
I know this is supposed to be the "final" post, but I have to admit, this won't be the last post from the Lodge. I love it too much! I really didn't think I would earlier in the semester, I thought I would just delete it and graduate and all that but...I rather enjoy being able to put my opinions and thoughts down for people to read. That, and it's about the outdoors, which is awesome anyways! I AM going to keep the Lodge going, for as long as I can!
This coming Sunday the club is going to try and head out to the spring honey-hole in kzoo, I am going to bring a spare ultra-light down, but if you have your own, that'd be great. Remember, BUY YOUR FISHING LISCENCE IF YOU HAVENT ALREADY. It's like $30 with a trout stamp, which means you can catch any fish swimming in our state's waters. It may seem expensive, but trust me, it's not. The state needs the money anyways! So if your'e sticking around this summer and wanna learn to be a trout bum, get ahold of me! It's an addiction worth having.
good luck on finals. We're almost there! Stay positive, and crack those books!
tight lines,
Brian
I know this is supposed to be the "final" post, but I have to admit, this won't be the last post from the Lodge. I love it too much! I really didn't think I would earlier in the semester, I thought I would just delete it and graduate and all that but...I rather enjoy being able to put my opinions and thoughts down for people to read. That, and it's about the outdoors, which is awesome anyways! I AM going to keep the Lodge going, for as long as I can!
This coming Sunday the club is going to try and head out to the spring honey-hole in kzoo, I am going to bring a spare ultra-light down, but if you have your own, that'd be great. Remember, BUY YOUR FISHING LISCENCE IF YOU HAVENT ALREADY. It's like $30 with a trout stamp, which means you can catch any fish swimming in our state's waters. It may seem expensive, but trust me, it's not. The state needs the money anyways! So if your'e sticking around this summer and wanna learn to be a trout bum, get ahold of me! It's an addiction worth having.
good luck on finals. We're almost there! Stay positive, and crack those books!
tight lines,
Brian
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Where we've been, and where we're headed
Hello!
This weekend the fishing club went to the Rogue River to try for some late-season steelhead and to do a little cleaning. I was not able to make it out with them due to the weather (sometimes fishing in the rain is unpleasant) but I was happy to see the guys picked up $3.50 worth in cans and about 200 yards of monofilament line, plus 6 rusty hooks. They didn't do too bad in the fish-department either, landing 3. They dropped their camera in the river (recovered) so the pictures they shot are useless!
I myself went with Donny Richards to check out a potential spring-trout honey hole, RIGHT here in Kalamazoo. Trout season opens up next weekend, but we wanted to check things out and of course, pick up some litter. Because I can be a covetous trout-bum, the name of the stream is top secret until the opener. However, it is right here in Kzoo, only a 20 minute drive. And I have to say, things look promising. We found some killer spots, saw some fish, and only had to pick up 3 McDonalds cups.
Speaking of trout, April 30th is the season opener. If you decide to stick around kalamazoo for the summer (I suggest you do) I will be hosting several trips to the local honey-hole as well as several expeditions up north. We are eyeing several world-class rivers, like the Pine, Pigeon, Manistee, Big Sable, and maybe the Au Sable if there's time. Plus, we have a 1 to 2 week UP Excursion planned for late May to go try our luck on the legendary Big Two Hearted and Fox rivers, the two best rivers in the Upper Peninsula! The Fox is the premiere destination in Michigan for trophy native Brook trout. So, keep an eye on the River Lodge! It'll be chock full of trip info, and its a great way to keep tabs on the WMU Fishing Club's doings. I graduate the 30th so I'll have nothing better to do for awhile than go fish (hopefully with some of you!) pick up some litter and then write all about it.
keep in touch and that rod-tip high!
Brian
This weekend the fishing club went to the Rogue River to try for some late-season steelhead and to do a little cleaning. I was not able to make it out with them due to the weather (sometimes fishing in the rain is unpleasant) but I was happy to see the guys picked up $3.50 worth in cans and about 200 yards of monofilament line, plus 6 rusty hooks. They didn't do too bad in the fish-department either, landing 3. They dropped their camera in the river (recovered) so the pictures they shot are useless!
I myself went with Donny Richards to check out a potential spring-trout honey hole, RIGHT here in Kalamazoo. Trout season opens up next weekend, but we wanted to check things out and of course, pick up some litter. Because I can be a covetous trout-bum, the name of the stream is top secret until the opener. However, it is right here in Kzoo, only a 20 minute drive. And I have to say, things look promising. We found some killer spots, saw some fish, and only had to pick up 3 McDonalds cups.
Speaking of trout, April 30th is the season opener. If you decide to stick around kalamazoo for the summer (I suggest you do) I will be hosting several trips to the local honey-hole as well as several expeditions up north. We are eyeing several world-class rivers, like the Pine, Pigeon, Manistee, Big Sable, and maybe the Au Sable if there's time. Plus, we have a 1 to 2 week UP Excursion planned for late May to go try our luck on the legendary Big Two Hearted and Fox rivers, the two best rivers in the Upper Peninsula! The Fox is the premiere destination in Michigan for trophy native Brook trout. So, keep an eye on the River Lodge! It'll be chock full of trip info, and its a great way to keep tabs on the WMU Fishing Club's doings. I graduate the 30th so I'll have nothing better to do for awhile than go fish (hopefully with some of you!) pick up some litter and then write all about it.
keep in touch and that rod-tip high!
Brian
Friday, April 15, 2011
Fly, Bait or Hardware? The Great Debate on Ethics
So, I don't know of many fishing blogs, websites or whatever that DON'T have a part dealing with the touchy subject of river ethics. Therefore, here's my take on the whole issue (an attempt anyways) as well as what separates these issues.
When I say "hardware", I mean artificial lures. These can be inline spinners, spoons, crank baits, stick baits...basically a lure.
Bait is well....bait. Worms, crickets, minnows...live stuff that you can either buy at the bait store or, you just catch it on the banks of the river before you step off downstream.
Flies are artificial, but are tied by the angler (usually) but can be bought at Fly Shops and run about the same price as a lure does. They range from big streamers (look like minnows or crayfish) down to tiny dry flies that are smaller than your pinky-finger nail. Sometimes it really is amazing a giant fish can be fooled by a tiny speck. Just goes to show you how good their eyesight really is!
As far as MY preference goes, I'd have to say...neither. It makes no difference to me what I used. I caught my first steelhead on a fly rod, but before that I'd use spawn, or a spinner if I had it. As for trout goes, I prefer an ultra-light spinning rod (4.5' long) with small spinners, or a small "leaf-worm" on a hook. Or, mood pending, i'll pick up a fly rod and smack streamers. I pride myself on being a "live and let live" fisherman. As long as you don't litter and are respectful of fellow anglers and the river, I'll fish with you.
There are, however, those out there who will flat out not fish with you if you don't use what THEY do. Seriously. I've met people who are fly-fishers and simply won't talk to you if you mention a hot spinner or if you have fresh spawn. They have some weird issue about being "pure"...I think that's a load of crap since those flies they brag about using are as artificial as the spinner in my vest. In fact, if you REALLY wanted to be super "pure" you'd use nothing but the grasshoppers, worms, crickets, whatever, you found on the VERY bank of the river you were going to fish, and nothing more. I mean...what's more pure than using things the fish would probably end up eating anyways, from the exact same ecosystem? But what do I know? I'm just a trout bum.
Now, that's not to say every person who picks up a flyrod is going to be a huge jerk about it. They are the exception, not the norm. People can be arrogant about using spinners, or even bait.
Which brings me to the whole point I've been trying to get across. It does not matter what you choose to use on the end of your line or how you choose to get that thing across the river. Such blatant arrogance and elitism has NO PLACE among people who have a love of rivers and creatures with fins. After all, didn't we learn to get along and SHARE on the playground when we were like, 5? Maybe I missed something...anyway, don't be disheartened by the jerks. I don't care what you use, and I'll fish with you.
tight lines to all
Brian
When I say "hardware", I mean artificial lures. These can be inline spinners, spoons, crank baits, stick baits...basically a lure.
Bait is well....bait. Worms, crickets, minnows...live stuff that you can either buy at the bait store or, you just catch it on the banks of the river before you step off downstream.
Flies are artificial, but are tied by the angler (usually) but can be bought at Fly Shops and run about the same price as a lure does. They range from big streamers (look like minnows or crayfish) down to tiny dry flies that are smaller than your pinky-finger nail. Sometimes it really is amazing a giant fish can be fooled by a tiny speck. Just goes to show you how good their eyesight really is!
As far as MY preference goes, I'd have to say...neither. It makes no difference to me what I used. I caught my first steelhead on a fly rod, but before that I'd use spawn, or a spinner if I had it. As for trout goes, I prefer an ultra-light spinning rod (4.5' long) with small spinners, or a small "leaf-worm" on a hook. Or, mood pending, i'll pick up a fly rod and smack streamers. I pride myself on being a "live and let live" fisherman. As long as you don't litter and are respectful of fellow anglers and the river, I'll fish with you.
There are, however, those out there who will flat out not fish with you if you don't use what THEY do. Seriously. I've met people who are fly-fishers and simply won't talk to you if you mention a hot spinner or if you have fresh spawn. They have some weird issue about being "pure"...I think that's a load of crap since those flies they brag about using are as artificial as the spinner in my vest. In fact, if you REALLY wanted to be super "pure" you'd use nothing but the grasshoppers, worms, crickets, whatever, you found on the VERY bank of the river you were going to fish, and nothing more. I mean...what's more pure than using things the fish would probably end up eating anyways, from the exact same ecosystem? But what do I know? I'm just a trout bum.
Now, that's not to say every person who picks up a flyrod is going to be a huge jerk about it. They are the exception, not the norm. People can be arrogant about using spinners, or even bait.
Which brings me to the whole point I've been trying to get across. It does not matter what you choose to use on the end of your line or how you choose to get that thing across the river. Such blatant arrogance and elitism has NO PLACE among people who have a love of rivers and creatures with fins. After all, didn't we learn to get along and SHARE on the playground when we were like, 5? Maybe I missed something...anyway, don't be disheartened by the jerks. I don't care what you use, and I'll fish with you.
tight lines to all
Brian
Thursday, April 14, 2011
To The Rogue
Plans for my little "river-cleanup" project are going swimmingly (hahahah did you see that?! witty.) and this weekend I am going to try and tag along on a trip to the Rogue River near Grand Rapids. It's a great steelhead river, and actually its the very first river I went fishing for them on with my dad and brother like 10 years ago. Anyway, it's a crucial river for cleanups because unlike the more remote Northern rivers, it's like 20 minutes from GR and about 45 from Kzoo. That means a LOT of people are on it, especially the weekends during steelhead season. Which means alot of trash. I don't plan on fishing, but instead going for a boat ride and pickin' up trash. I hope there isn't much of it. This should be the last steelhead trip of the year for the club, as their spawning run is almost over before they head back to the big lake. Should be fun though, and besides, Trout Season opens up the LAST saturday in april. That means those of you still hanging around Kzoo this summer that want to get some trouting in with your own "guide" (me) CAN! How great is that?
And on an unrelated note, THE WINGS ARE IN THE PLAYOFFS! And they won Game 1! WOOO!
Go Wings!
Brian
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Carbon Footprints
I know this is kind of late to be posting, but our internet was down at my place...I did the carbon footprints for both my apartment here in Kalamazoo as well as my parent's house in St. Johns, north of Lansing.
My house back in SJ used roughly 870 kilowatt hours of energy a month, plus around 800 gallons of propane per year, although my dad said we usually don't use all of it. There are 3 cars (mom, dad and brother) that all drive less than 175 miles per month, and all cars get over 20 miles per gallon. When I calculated the footprint, it came out to "emissions less than average"...the little green guy had a halo and everything.
As for my apartment here in kzoo, there are 3 people, 3 cars (all over 21 mpg) and we use less than 600 kw/hr per year, as well as less than 600 gallons of propane for heat. The 3 cars log less than 200 miles apeice for a month, and again, our emissions were "Less than Average"! I'm awesome! I'm glad that I don't have much of an impact on the environment, not like I know some people that do. Now, to brag.
Brian
My house back in SJ used roughly 870 kilowatt hours of energy a month, plus around 800 gallons of propane per year, although my dad said we usually don't use all of it. There are 3 cars (mom, dad and brother) that all drive less than 175 miles per month, and all cars get over 20 miles per gallon. When I calculated the footprint, it came out to "emissions less than average"...the little green guy had a halo and everything.
As for my apartment here in kzoo, there are 3 people, 3 cars (all over 21 mpg) and we use less than 600 kw/hr per year, as well as less than 600 gallons of propane for heat. The 3 cars log less than 200 miles apeice for a month, and again, our emissions were "Less than Average"! I'm awesome! I'm glad that I don't have much of an impact on the environment, not like I know some people that do. Now, to brag.
Brian
Monday, April 11, 2011
Spring Steelhead Classic
Greetings everyone!
I am happy to announce that the 2011 Spring Collegiate Steelhead Classic was a great success! We had great weather, a great turn-out and great fishing conditions. Teams from all across Michigan came to compete, including MSU, UM, Ferris, CMU, Aquinas College, OU, KVCC, NMU, LSSU, and GVSU all showed up, plus a team from Ohio University, and for the first time Army actually sent a team! And, I swear I have some pictures, of both the project as well as some fish pictures, and I swear I'll get them on here ASAP since they're on my friend Donny's camera.
I got up to the Pine River corridor on Thursday evening, and got right to work chopping wood and getting tables set up for the tournament, as well as setting my new tent up. The weather was perfect, and my fishing parter and fellow club-member Donny Richards decided to hit the river a little early to see how the fishing was. We opted for the Little Manistee River off of M-55, and it is a special river indeed. The Little Manistee is one of the more iconic names in steelhead angling due to the fact that it is the "mother river" for Michigan's steelhead. It is on this river that all the spawn used for planting steelhead smolts across the state are taken from, and the "little man" has 100% wild fish, no stocking is done. We found the river to be low and clear, but there were indeed steelhead spawning and holding in pools. However, they were very uncooperative, refusing all presentations from egg and nymph flies, to spawn sacs. We returned to camp defeated.
Friday dawned chilly and clear, but we were on the river by 7:30, again headed to the Little Manistee, but this time to the water below the DNR Weir (where the spawn is taken from the fish) to see how many fish had stacked up below the weir or were trapped there, awaiting release upon having a few eggs and milt removed. There were fish below the weir (as well as heavy angler pressure) below the weir, and Donny manage to hook into a nice steelhead, but it broke off seconds after. It then proceeded to jump in front of us, haughtily mocking our efforts. When we looked into the weir to see how many fish were there, I was astonished to see hundreds of steelhead trapped in holding tanks, shoulder to shoulder and fins peeking above the surface. THAT was why there weren't many fish to be seen, they were all in the weir! However, once we got back to the Corridor, we found it occupied by more teams from across the state, and a fire was roaring. In addition, several more members from WMU's fishing team arrived, and Billy Madej pulled in bringing his brother John who was visiting from his home in Taiwan, completed our fishing quartet. We planned an early start to try a different river, the hallowed Pere Marquette.
Saturday was again chilly but gorgeous and we arrived at the Pere Marquette river (a national scenic river) at 7:45 am to find high water conditions, making the prospect of wading the stream suicidal! We only fished a few holes before returning to the Little Manistee, hoping our luck had changed...it didn't. All four of us hadn't had even a bite, and we even gave up entirely on steelhead, instead trying for trout at around noon. Again, nothing. Frustrated, sitting on the river bank with our feet in the river, we pondered what to do next. We decided on trying the Pere Marquette again, this time going to the flies-only waters at Claybanks. There were alot of anglers there, and we finally found a spot that presented some nice pocket water, a spot that usually holds decent amounts of fish. Some anglers down stream from us around 50 yards were hooking fish, the splashes echoing off the stands of white pine, and the scream of a drag could be heard too. We began fishing with no success, but then as evening grew Donny gave sang out with the long-awaited "Fish On!" Soon enough a silver explosion took off down the river, leaping and boiling at the surface, running around 100 yards down river! We finally landed the fish, a magnificent male "buck". That set the tone, with Donny hooking up several more times, and eventually landing a gorgeous female "hen" that was adorned subtlety with pinks, purples and magestic blues that only a woman can bring out in full splendor. She was released, and none too soon because Billy landed another male on a streamer, and I myself hooked into six fish, having exhilarating battles with two, both ending in heart-breaking snaps of the line. I didn't go home skunked though, I managed to bring in a nice 12 inch brown trout, who engulfed the egg fly I drifted through the "pocket". But the steelhead were making mincemeat out of our light leaders. We limped home with sore arms from holding on for dear life on our rods to plan the next day.
Sunday was tournament day, and started with literally a bang, as thunderstorms rolled through at about 4:30 am, complete with wind, hail and copious amounts of rain. The show stopped at around 7, and by 7:30 Donny and I were back on the Flies-Only water of the Pere Marquette, anxious to continue the explosive action we experienced the night before. We arrived at the same pocket water as before, and before too long, I had netted a pretty 11-inch rainbow trout, undoubtedly a future steelhead. It began to drizzle as we moved downstream to the next pocket where I rolled my two egg flies along the bottom, when my fly came to a smashing halt, I set the hook and the steelhead exploded into the air. My drag screamed as it cartwheeled in the air, boiled the surface and streaked from bank to bank in flashing runs. I have never, before or since, fought a fish like this. Words cannot describe the awe and power I witnessed! There were times when I could literally NOT move the fish an inch. It just sat there, wondering what to do next before ripping line out downstream. After many tense minutes, I managed to land a chrome and pink hen steelhead, weighing about 9 pounds! She was everything I'd ever dreamed of, and on a fly rod to boot! I posed for a quick picture, revived her, gave her a farewell kiss and bid her adieu. The satisfaction of watching her swim powerfully away to deposit the next generation of steelhead was one of the most rewarding things I've experienced as a fisherman, and it's something I plan on witnessing for a long time to come. Plus, Billy's brother managed to hook and land a dandy brown trout measuring 17 inches. It was great to see him come all this way from Taiwan and actually land a fish!
I'm also happy to report that we didn't have much trash to clean up along the river. While it was still there in quantity, the amount of monafilament line found on river banks has dropped, since line manufacturers have begun making 100% biodegradable line, so that it disappears from the system instead of hanging up. We did find regular line though, collecting approximately 500 yards of it from JUST WMU's fishing team. Other schools retrieved less amounts, but we ended up collecting roughly 1700 yards total of monafilament line. that's well below the 3-mile goal, but when you think about it, that's a GOOD thing we didn't meet our goal. We did however, pick up lots of spawn-sac cases and netting, as well as aluminum cans and chip bags. In the end, WMU walked away with the Trash Bash trophy, but MSU won the Spring Tournament with the most overall inches. Congratulations to MSU! In all everyone had a great time on the river. I'm already looking forward to the fall tournament! I hope you come with me!
keep that rod tip high!
Brian
I am happy to announce that the 2011 Spring Collegiate Steelhead Classic was a great success! We had great weather, a great turn-out and great fishing conditions. Teams from all across Michigan came to compete, including MSU, UM, Ferris, CMU, Aquinas College, OU, KVCC, NMU, LSSU, and GVSU all showed up, plus a team from Ohio University, and for the first time Army actually sent a team! And, I swear I have some pictures, of both the project as well as some fish pictures, and I swear I'll get them on here ASAP since they're on my friend Donny's camera.
I got up to the Pine River corridor on Thursday evening, and got right to work chopping wood and getting tables set up for the tournament, as well as setting my new tent up. The weather was perfect, and my fishing parter and fellow club-member Donny Richards decided to hit the river a little early to see how the fishing was. We opted for the Little Manistee River off of M-55, and it is a special river indeed. The Little Manistee is one of the more iconic names in steelhead angling due to the fact that it is the "mother river" for Michigan's steelhead. It is on this river that all the spawn used for planting steelhead smolts across the state are taken from, and the "little man" has 100% wild fish, no stocking is done. We found the river to be low and clear, but there were indeed steelhead spawning and holding in pools. However, they were very uncooperative, refusing all presentations from egg and nymph flies, to spawn sacs. We returned to camp defeated.
Friday dawned chilly and clear, but we were on the river by 7:30, again headed to the Little Manistee, but this time to the water below the DNR Weir (where the spawn is taken from the fish) to see how many fish had stacked up below the weir or were trapped there, awaiting release upon having a few eggs and milt removed. There were fish below the weir (as well as heavy angler pressure) below the weir, and Donny manage to hook into a nice steelhead, but it broke off seconds after. It then proceeded to jump in front of us, haughtily mocking our efforts. When we looked into the weir to see how many fish were there, I was astonished to see hundreds of steelhead trapped in holding tanks, shoulder to shoulder and fins peeking above the surface. THAT was why there weren't many fish to be seen, they were all in the weir! However, once we got back to the Corridor, we found it occupied by more teams from across the state, and a fire was roaring. In addition, several more members from WMU's fishing team arrived, and Billy Madej pulled in bringing his brother John who was visiting from his home in Taiwan, completed our fishing quartet. We planned an early start to try a different river, the hallowed Pere Marquette.
Saturday was again chilly but gorgeous and we arrived at the Pere Marquette river (a national scenic river) at 7:45 am to find high water conditions, making the prospect of wading the stream suicidal! We only fished a few holes before returning to the Little Manistee, hoping our luck had changed...it didn't. All four of us hadn't had even a bite, and we even gave up entirely on steelhead, instead trying for trout at around noon. Again, nothing. Frustrated, sitting on the river bank with our feet in the river, we pondered what to do next. We decided on trying the Pere Marquette again, this time going to the flies-only waters at Claybanks. There were alot of anglers there, and we finally found a spot that presented some nice pocket water, a spot that usually holds decent amounts of fish. Some anglers down stream from us around 50 yards were hooking fish, the splashes echoing off the stands of white pine, and the scream of a drag could be heard too. We began fishing with no success, but then as evening grew Donny gave sang out with the long-awaited "Fish On!" Soon enough a silver explosion took off down the river, leaping and boiling at the surface, running around 100 yards down river! We finally landed the fish, a magnificent male "buck". That set the tone, with Donny hooking up several more times, and eventually landing a gorgeous female "hen" that was adorned subtlety with pinks, purples and magestic blues that only a woman can bring out in full splendor. She was released, and none too soon because Billy landed another male on a streamer, and I myself hooked into six fish, having exhilarating battles with two, both ending in heart-breaking snaps of the line. I didn't go home skunked though, I managed to bring in a nice 12 inch brown trout, who engulfed the egg fly I drifted through the "pocket". But the steelhead were making mincemeat out of our light leaders. We limped home with sore arms from holding on for dear life on our rods to plan the next day.
Sunday was tournament day, and started with literally a bang, as thunderstorms rolled through at about 4:30 am, complete with wind, hail and copious amounts of rain. The show stopped at around 7, and by 7:30 Donny and I were back on the Flies-Only water of the Pere Marquette, anxious to continue the explosive action we experienced the night before. We arrived at the same pocket water as before, and before too long, I had netted a pretty 11-inch rainbow trout, undoubtedly a future steelhead. It began to drizzle as we moved downstream to the next pocket where I rolled my two egg flies along the bottom, when my fly came to a smashing halt, I set the hook and the steelhead exploded into the air. My drag screamed as it cartwheeled in the air, boiled the surface and streaked from bank to bank in flashing runs. I have never, before or since, fought a fish like this. Words cannot describe the awe and power I witnessed! There were times when I could literally NOT move the fish an inch. It just sat there, wondering what to do next before ripping line out downstream. After many tense minutes, I managed to land a chrome and pink hen steelhead, weighing about 9 pounds! She was everything I'd ever dreamed of, and on a fly rod to boot! I posed for a quick picture, revived her, gave her a farewell kiss and bid her adieu. The satisfaction of watching her swim powerfully away to deposit the next generation of steelhead was one of the most rewarding things I've experienced as a fisherman, and it's something I plan on witnessing for a long time to come. Plus, Billy's brother managed to hook and land a dandy brown trout measuring 17 inches. It was great to see him come all this way from Taiwan and actually land a fish!
I'm also happy to report that we didn't have much trash to clean up along the river. While it was still there in quantity, the amount of monafilament line found on river banks has dropped, since line manufacturers have begun making 100% biodegradable line, so that it disappears from the system instead of hanging up. We did find regular line though, collecting approximately 500 yards of it from JUST WMU's fishing team. Other schools retrieved less amounts, but we ended up collecting roughly 1700 yards total of monafilament line. that's well below the 3-mile goal, but when you think about it, that's a GOOD thing we didn't meet our goal. We did however, pick up lots of spawn-sac cases and netting, as well as aluminum cans and chip bags. In the end, WMU walked away with the Trash Bash trophy, but MSU won the Spring Tournament with the most overall inches. Congratulations to MSU! In all everyone had a great time on the river. I'm already looking forward to the fall tournament! I hope you come with me!
keep that rod tip high!
Brian
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Steelhead Tournament
As promised (maybe a tad late) here are the directions to the Pine river Corridor where the Spring Tournament will be held.
Take US 131 North to US 10.
Take US-10 WEST to 37 running through the town of Baldwin.
Continue on 37 NORTH until you reach M-55.
Take M-55 WEST (left) up a small hill and look for a balloon or cone marking the trail. It is LITERALLY the 3rd trail head going up the first hill. Proceed down the trail following markers until you see the tents.
WARNINGS
It is supposed to be rather rainy on Friday, but nice on Saturday so bring rain gear and a nice waterproof tent! Also, chest waders are heartily recommended to expand the fishing opportunities, and sometimes wading is easier than climbing the banks, which can be extremely steep.
BRING YOUR FISHING LICENSE. YOU MUST HAVE THE TROUT STAMP. We are not responsible for tickets you may incur by having an outdated license or lacking one entirely. don't ruin your weekend.
and as always my phone will be on (signal pending) in case you get lost. The tricky part really is the final turn on the trail, but if there are markers it won't be an issue. Here's my number. 517-614-5847 and just keep calling until I answer. I will be up there on thursday night.
tight lines!
Brian
Take US 131 North to US 10.
Take US-10 WEST to 37 running through the town of Baldwin.
Continue on 37 NORTH until you reach M-55.
Take M-55 WEST (left) up a small hill and look for a balloon or cone marking the trail. It is LITERALLY the 3rd trail head going up the first hill. Proceed down the trail following markers until you see the tents.
WARNINGS
It is supposed to be rather rainy on Friday, but nice on Saturday so bring rain gear and a nice waterproof tent! Also, chest waders are heartily recommended to expand the fishing opportunities, and sometimes wading is easier than climbing the banks, which can be extremely steep.
BRING YOUR FISHING LICENSE. YOU MUST HAVE THE TROUT STAMP. We are not responsible for tickets you may incur by having an outdated license or lacking one entirely. don't ruin your weekend.
and as always my phone will be on (signal pending) in case you get lost. The tricky part really is the final turn on the trail, but if there are markers it won't be an issue. Here's my number. 517-614-5847 and just keep calling until I answer. I will be up there on thursday night.
tight lines!
Brian
Monday, April 4, 2011
EAARTH.
When I read through chapters 1 and 2 of Bill McKibben's "Eaarth" I was hit with such a barrage of different emotions, thoughts and internal comments that I think this is my 3rd or 4th attempt at a post because I couldn't seem to be able to get most of what I was thinking down in a coherent manner. I was literally all over the place reading. I would go from wanting to call Bill an outright liar to siding with him 100%. You might find that odd but, hey, it's what happened.
On one hand, I applaud and hail Bill McKibben for taking the time and obvious effort to re-iterate the dire threats that we as a species are bringing upon our planet. He covers the gamut, from excess carbon in the atmosphere to acidic oceans, intense fires and storms to the melting of the ice caps. He brings to light powerfully what others might not know: we are killing our planet. We are not living how we should be living, burning fossil fuels at an increasing rate, spewing millions of tons of carbon into the atmosphere despite knowing what is going on (GW deniers not included). We are truly living on a different planet. His re-naming of Earth to Eaarth is accurate. This planet I live on now is nothing like the world in 1700. He admits the obvious in that this planet has known nothing BUT change, and that our idea of "normal" is by no means the definition of the word in terms of the planet's lifetime. Fluctuations and changes unlike we will ever encounter have occurred, and indeed, we are inflicting change unlike the world has previously seen. But that point is moot since people weren't around 100 million years ago. We must focus on what WE know and protect it. He brings every point up that needs to be said in a very persuasive manner, because after all, you can't argue with the numbers.
However, it was his overall tone (how I took it) to be the biggest issue I had with him. To me, it seems as though ol' Bill has effectively thrown in the towel. I mean, can you really blame him? People like him have been saying this since Al Gore came out with An Inconvenient Truth and yet no-body seems to listen! We keep burning fossil fuels and burning forest to make way for grazing pasture. But gosh, do you really need to take such a negative tone? Last I checked, overwhelming negativity does nothing for inspiration! Does he really think that by taking a glass-half-empty approach will motivate people? I have news for you Bill: If people that do not understand global warming as well as you do read this and get that same sense of tone I did, they aren't going to care anymore because, if you don't, why should they? What's the use? Incredibly still, Bill makes the claim that he thinks we can reduce our carbon ppm from the approximatley 390ppm to around 350...and I have to be honest, that's not going to happen. He himself points out that even if we were to cut our carbon emissions to ZERO, right NOW, it would take several hundred years to naturally reduce carbon to "normal" levels. So, how exactly do you propose we REDUCE those levels? I really didn't find anything.
He proposed that we should raise the prices of oil so much that people are forced to park their cars and take the bus, but I wonder: how plausible is that? Honestly. Do you REALLY think that people living in rural areas where buses DON'T run and never have will sign onto that? I'm not saying its a bad idea since I take the bus frequently, but I don't live 100 miles from the nearest town. Some people DEPEND on their vehicles! And ignoring the people who don't live in a city is just madness. You'd spend millions of dollars in fuel ALONE just getting busses to those people! To make that even possible, billions would need to be spent to radically change the nation's infastructure. A good idea, but I wonder, how are you going to convince every taxpayer in the nation to fork over another couple hundred bucks in this economy? You have to pay for it somehow don't you? Not everyone can afford it.
Or better yet, he wants windmills to sprout up everywhere. Another great idea, since in some areas, wind could be the solution to cheap, clean energy. But even there they meet resistance! Why? to be blunt: they're ugly. People (for the most part) just don't want to look our their window and see hundreds of windmills turning. Even here in Michigan they are fighting it, forcing the proposed Lake Michigan Wind Farm at Muskegon to go further and further offshore so that the windmills will not be an eyesore for beach goers. Last I checked, they were moved to almost 13 miles offshore. Not to mention many people are concerned they interfere with bird migration routes, and can kill many birds and bats every year.
In the 2nd chapter, I thought he did a marvelous job of pointing out the cost of transforming our infrastructure over to a highly efficient one. And again, I thought it odd that he assumes that people are willing to underwrite those countless billions without batting an eye. I myself have no problem pitching in, but unfortunately, a majority of Americans would argue against such costs. At the same time, he brings the monumental task of doing exactly that front and center. It WILL take astronomical amounts of money to change things, and that everyone is going to have to bite the bullet so to speak, and help pay for it. Perhaps not all at once (that's just nuts) but gradually, before things get out of hand too much.
On the whole, I have to say I agree AND disagree with McKibben. He really does (to me anyway) seem like he's about given up. And that is where I draw the line: you can NEVER give up. There must always be new method to explore, and never once should you take the "all hope is lost" position. If you do, you drag others with you. I find his seemingly disconnected view with true cost of doing what he proposes should be done to what can actually BE done (politics notwithstanding). He is impatient, but I would imagine spending your professional career shouting "charge!" to a mass of people out of earshot gets old after awhile too.
hope you agree.
Brian
On one hand, I applaud and hail Bill McKibben for taking the time and obvious effort to re-iterate the dire threats that we as a species are bringing upon our planet. He covers the gamut, from excess carbon in the atmosphere to acidic oceans, intense fires and storms to the melting of the ice caps. He brings to light powerfully what others might not know: we are killing our planet. We are not living how we should be living, burning fossil fuels at an increasing rate, spewing millions of tons of carbon into the atmosphere despite knowing what is going on (GW deniers not included). We are truly living on a different planet. His re-naming of Earth to Eaarth is accurate. This planet I live on now is nothing like the world in 1700. He admits the obvious in that this planet has known nothing BUT change, and that our idea of "normal" is by no means the definition of the word in terms of the planet's lifetime. Fluctuations and changes unlike we will ever encounter have occurred, and indeed, we are inflicting change unlike the world has previously seen. But that point is moot since people weren't around 100 million years ago. We must focus on what WE know and protect it. He brings every point up that needs to be said in a very persuasive manner, because after all, you can't argue with the numbers.
However, it was his overall tone (how I took it) to be the biggest issue I had with him. To me, it seems as though ol' Bill has effectively thrown in the towel. I mean, can you really blame him? People like him have been saying this since Al Gore came out with An Inconvenient Truth and yet no-body seems to listen! We keep burning fossil fuels and burning forest to make way for grazing pasture. But gosh, do you really need to take such a negative tone? Last I checked, overwhelming negativity does nothing for inspiration! Does he really think that by taking a glass-half-empty approach will motivate people? I have news for you Bill: If people that do not understand global warming as well as you do read this and get that same sense of tone I did, they aren't going to care anymore because, if you don't, why should they? What's the use? Incredibly still, Bill makes the claim that he thinks we can reduce our carbon ppm from the approximatley 390ppm to around 350...and I have to be honest, that's not going to happen. He himself points out that even if we were to cut our carbon emissions to ZERO, right NOW, it would take several hundred years to naturally reduce carbon to "normal" levels. So, how exactly do you propose we REDUCE those levels? I really didn't find anything.
He proposed that we should raise the prices of oil so much that people are forced to park their cars and take the bus, but I wonder: how plausible is that? Honestly. Do you REALLY think that people living in rural areas where buses DON'T run and never have will sign onto that? I'm not saying its a bad idea since I take the bus frequently, but I don't live 100 miles from the nearest town. Some people DEPEND on their vehicles! And ignoring the people who don't live in a city is just madness. You'd spend millions of dollars in fuel ALONE just getting busses to those people! To make that even possible, billions would need to be spent to radically change the nation's infastructure. A good idea, but I wonder, how are you going to convince every taxpayer in the nation to fork over another couple hundred bucks in this economy? You have to pay for it somehow don't you? Not everyone can afford it.
Or better yet, he wants windmills to sprout up everywhere. Another great idea, since in some areas, wind could be the solution to cheap, clean energy. But even there they meet resistance! Why? to be blunt: they're ugly. People (for the most part) just don't want to look our their window and see hundreds of windmills turning. Even here in Michigan they are fighting it, forcing the proposed Lake Michigan Wind Farm at Muskegon to go further and further offshore so that the windmills will not be an eyesore for beach goers. Last I checked, they were moved to almost 13 miles offshore. Not to mention many people are concerned they interfere with bird migration routes, and can kill many birds and bats every year.
In the 2nd chapter, I thought he did a marvelous job of pointing out the cost of transforming our infrastructure over to a highly efficient one. And again, I thought it odd that he assumes that people are willing to underwrite those countless billions without batting an eye. I myself have no problem pitching in, but unfortunately, a majority of Americans would argue against such costs. At the same time, he brings the monumental task of doing exactly that front and center. It WILL take astronomical amounts of money to change things, and that everyone is going to have to bite the bullet so to speak, and help pay for it. Perhaps not all at once (that's just nuts) but gradually, before things get out of hand too much.
On the whole, I have to say I agree AND disagree with McKibben. He really does (to me anyway) seem like he's about given up. And that is where I draw the line: you can NEVER give up. There must always be new method to explore, and never once should you take the "all hope is lost" position. If you do, you drag others with you. I find his seemingly disconnected view with true cost of doing what he proposes should be done to what can actually BE done (politics notwithstanding). He is impatient, but I would imagine spending your professional career shouting "charge!" to a mass of people out of earshot gets old after awhile too.
hope you agree.
Brian
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