Happy Summer!
Sorry it's been so long since my last post, I've been pretty busy what with graduating, and the start of trout season. I'm still around kzoo, and have made three trips to the new honey-hole to learn the water and just to see if it is as good as the DNR says it is, and just how prolific the trout are, and what sizes they grow to.
I have been using my new 4 and a half foot ultra-light spinning rod, throwing small size 2 panther martin spinners. Since the stream we have been fishing is seriously only 12 feet wide, sometimes less (like 3) or bigger, where you can actually back-cast a flyrod. Those spots are few and far between though. In three trips to the same stretch I have landed at least 12 trout, nearly 90% are 8 inches or bigger. My best is a 12" brown trout, but my regular fishing partner Donny has reported a brown at least 17 inches, a monster for such small water!
As far as I can tell, this stream (whos name/location is a secret till I learn it more) is TEEMING with Brown Trout, although I have heard brook trout are still there, but I have yet to hook one. Needless to say things are looking up for local trouting trips, and gas prices pending, some further expeditions are in the works. Looks like the Pine and Pigeon rivers are up next. I'll keep you posted on when we are hosting trips too, and if you're lucky, we might show you the honey-hole...you might have to be blindfolded though.
tight lines,
Brian
Monday, May 16, 2011
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
My new Longboard deck
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
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
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
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