This week found me in our nations capitol meeting with legislators about the health of our Great Lakes. Ed McCoy and myself attended Great Lakes Day in Washington, DC to represent the Michigan River Guides Association in the the fight against the invasion of the Asian Carp.
Great Lakes Day is a gathering of over 100 conservationists from across the Great Lakes region, our main reason in attending was to voice our concern on invasive species. We met with many of our Michigan legislators to discuss their stand on this issue, they feel that the Asian Carp is a direct threat to Michigan’s destination sport fishery as well as the recreational boating industry. It was very refreshing to hear such positive comments from our elected officials, the federal action plan that has been drawn up has many questionable aspects. Our Michigan legislators have been very diligent in releasing new bills to Congress that have addressed a better approach to the Asian Carp issue. Please contact your local legislator to voice your opinion on this issue-the future of the Great Lakes depends upon the you taking a stand!
A little over a week ago the fly fishing world lost a friend, Paul Gary was an avid angler/gifted artist that spent many a days every season upon the rivers of Michigan & beyond. Paul’s passion for fishing was very evident in his breathtaking artwork , the fish that adorned the canvas all held a special place in his heart. His artwork is very unique, the fish displayed were fish that he had caught as an angler-his artwork was all about the fish, not the angler (as a tribute to the fish). Paul had an infectious personality, he was always smiling & enjoying life to the fullest-even when times were a bit tough for him, he used the fly rod as his peace of mind.
Paul especially enjoying fly fishing the St.Marys River for Atlantic Salmon-he created several pieces of artwork that featured some great fish. He was very appreciative of the work Lake Superior State University ARL has put into the Atlantic Salmon program. He stressed how special the Atlantic Salmon fishery was & enjoyed every moment he was able to spend pursing this great fish.
We have been working on putting together a memorial fund to honor Paul Gray at Lake Superior State University. The fund will be used to help fund the LSSU Arl that raises the Atlantic Salmon that call the St.Marys River home. The ARL is fully responsible for all the Atlantic Salmon of the St.Marys, I know Paul would smile if he knew he would be part of someone else enjoying this great fishery that he so much enjoyed.
If you enjoy this fishery or knew Paul, please feel free to contact riversnorth@yahoo.com or rgreil@lssu.edu for more information. All donations to the ARL are tax deductable.
Green Flannels Catch Mad Fish- Rest in Peace Paul………
Just finished up with this new video compilation from the 2009 season of Trout fishing here in the U.P.-brings back some good memories from last year! Kinda tough to watch Trout rising on a video when it is only like 15 degrees out here, it gets me looking forward to a very promising 2010 season! Show season is starting very soon & some good remaining dates are currently open for all seasons. Contact us now for a relaxing day of fishing here in the Upper Peninsula! Some new outings are available for the 2010 season!
Sunshine & some beautiful weather encompassed the Upper Peninsula this past weekend, this was a welcome sight to see the thermometer reach above the 30 degree mark! It is amazing how a little bit of sunshine during the Winter brings a smile & gives you the sense that Spring is not that far off in the distance. The warm up really didn’t do anything in the snow melt or runoff causes as water levels/clarity/temps are still the same as prior to the warm up. Lately fishing has been difficult, but it seems that the nicer weather has provided for a bit more activity/cooperation in the eating dept from the Steelhead & resident Trout! Winter is a peaceful time to be out on the river, not many anglers & a beautiful backdrop.
It is a very scary thought to consider that our world class Steelhead & Salmon fisheries could be a distant memory if the Asian Carp situation continues much more upstream. More evidence has been found to link the Asian carp even closer to the Lake Michigan this week. Michigan is taking a stand against this & trying to protect our Sport fisheries.
Please visit http://www.stopasiancarp.com/index.html & sign the petition to immediately require the U.S. Army Corps to close the locks connecting Chicago’s carp infested waterways with the Great Lakes to prevent Asian carp from entering Lake Michigan and the other Great Lakes. By signing this petition you are doing your part in helping to keep our Great Lakes fisheries strong!
Michigan Trout Unlimited urges the U.S. Supreme Court to rule in favor of the State of Michigan’s (and Wisconsin’s, Minnesota’s, Ohio’s, New York’s and Ontario’s) request for preliminary injunctive relief to protect the Great Lakes‘ coldwater trout fisheries from the Asian Carp (bighead and silver carp).
Contrary to arguments made by State of Illinois and the Obama Administration in response to Michigan’s legal action, the threat posed by Asian Carps to the Great Lakes economy and its coldwater trout fisheries is real and grave. In fact, the opinion of the U.S EPA is that, ” Asian Carp are a significant threat to the Great Lakes because they are large, extremely prolific, and consume vast amounts of food. They can weigh up to 100 pounds, and can grow to a length of more than four feet. According to the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, Asian Carp “are well-suited to the cold water climate of the Great Lakes region, which is similar to their native Eastern Hemisphere habitats. It is expected that they would compete for food with the valuable sport and commercial fish. If they entered the system, they would likely become a dominant species in the Moreover, according to the Illinois DNR, once they are in the Great Lakes, the Asian Carp will be difficult to control. Asian Carp were released into the Mississippi River in the 1970s from catfish farms that were using them to clean up their ponds. Since that time the carp migrated northward into the Illinois River - undeterred by the colder northern conditions. Had Illinois not illegally created the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal in the late 1800s, diverting water from Lake Michigan and connecting the Mississippi River to the Great Lakes via the Illinois River, Asian Carps would not pose the threat to the Great Lakes it does today.
The last week or so has been spent on a very pleasant escape south of the border. A little bit of fishing was done as well as a recharge of the soul in the nice sunny Caribbean atmosphere! It was quite a treat coming from snow & subzero temps to daytime highs in the upper 80’s- now back to the cruel reality of Winter! I can see many more salt excursions in the future as the angling opportunities are so much more different than freshwater.
Here in the Upper Peninsula more seasonable weather is upon on us as some good snowfalls has our base on track for a good Winter snow pack. Rivers are at a normal level & fish are in Winter mode. Forecast is calling for snow nearly daily for the near future-looks like its time get get the ice fishing gear out!
River fishing right now has been about as brutally tough as one can ask for, fish are present but downright bone chilling air temps has made actually going fishing nearly impossible. It’s kinda tough to motivate yourself to go stand in a river when the thermometer is reading 6 degrees @ the warmest part of the day.. humm.. The nice weather we had been blessed with all Fall & early Winter is long gone as daytime high temps have been in the single digits & low teens nearly every day. Night time temps have been reaching well into the negative teens in the interior areas of the Upper Peninsula, sure seems early for this cold of weather. This cold makes it really hard on angler & equipment, so short sessions on the water is about all that can happen. Water temps are in the low 30’s & Steelhead/Trout are in full Winter mode-good presentations near dark safe areas is what will get some interest. Some nice fish are available for those willing to tough out the conditions!
As Fall is quickly fading in to early Winter the guiding season has begun to slow, this is an excellent opportunity to get out & explore new waters. When fishing new waters it is truly a trial & error process, many outings prove to be fruitless while others offer great opportunities-you never know what species you will catch! This is what is so exciting about new areas, the chance at finding something really special. All fisherman have been on adventures that seem to be more work than it is really worth, but then after years of searching they stumble upon something very unique & cool. This is what exploring & fishing is all about after all-the Upper Peninsula is one place where if someone has the ambition this is still possible! Steelhead fishing remains fair/good as some new fish continue to move in with the wet/warmer than normal weather. Along with fishing i have been spending a fair amount of time chasing the illusive Whitetail Deer of Michigan this Fall, the Deer have definitely won in this department so far! Nonetheless is is quite relaxing to sit in the quiet of the woods & await for some excitement to head your way. Deer counts are much lower (40%) this year here in the U.P., seems as if the last two harsh Winters have taken their toll on our Deer herd. Weather is calling for a bit more seasonable temps/precip over the next week, darn!
Give the gift of fishing this Christmas-book an outing to fly fish the U.P.!
Lately fishing accros the U.P has left one scracthing their head & wondering-some days produce while others have been challenging. Bright sunshine & downright beautiful conditions really don’t help matters-this type of weather leaves our finned friends hunkered down hiding/not feeding. Steelhead are present & the resident Trout have just finished up their spawning duties-both do enjoy the cloudy weather better than the beach like sun. Nonetheless this nice weather has felt great and is much more pleasurable to fish in verses a bliding snowstorm which is the norm for this time of the year! The next few days some rain & cloud is forecasted-much better for the Steelhead fisherman!
A feat 4 long years in the making- Congrats to P. Mahone on finally getting one in da net!
Going out fishing is a great past time, I truly believe that many of us take it for granted that we are able to enjoy such a great sport on a daily basis. We are lucky to have such a wonderful place to call home, these days many of our fellow sportsman are stationed throughout the world making sure that us Americans have a safe place to come home to every night. Thanks to these brave people we are able to enjoy our lives in this great country!
Here in the U.P. water levels have been dropping on a daily basis & some beautiful sunny days have been present lately. Bright sun & dropping water levels can make for some tougher conditions-fishing shaded areas with good presentations is key. Steelhead have been eager to take good presentations and some high quality Lake Run Browns are available. Good luck to all the deer hunters heading out for the fabled opening day- a true U.P. family tradition. This season looks to be a bit more tolerable-no blizzards predicted!
