The Tails Of November

With apologies for the pun of the title, I do have a meaningful point to this post. It is an odd point as such, but as certain as the leaves falling, I feel Whitetail fever. At best, I have only dabbled in hunting, but it was rifle season for deer. My father was not a hunter, so it was only at the mercy of friends that I was introduced to the sport.

Perhaps I can trace it back to watching Mort Neff on Thursdays. Through my young eyes, every guy in Michigan headed north for 2 weeks of deer camp. And what a time they had. Even being camped at Mackinaw City waiting for the next ferry had a romantic side. We’re headed to the U.P.-Big Buck Country. It may be that the culture of rifle season is so engrained in Michigan that it flows beyond those who actually participate.

Though most southern Michigan hunters are remaining closer to home, it has always been a ritual for me to wander though some of northern Michigan’s prime deer towns just to get a whiff of how the season is going. There is a buzz in these places that is not around the rest of the year. Likely this is from the locals coming in with their tales. Still, it spruces up even the most modest watering hole.

So, being a voyeur on someone else’s season has a great deal of satisfaction. The Last Saturday In April may never be as sexy as November 15, but why should it? Both have been eroded over the years by rule changes, yet each remains a stalwart to those who honor it. I fish year round for trout, and you can shoot a deer almost as long, but tradition remains relevant.

I’ll be tuned in for those Big Buck nights on tv. It’ll feel a bit like spying, but mostly just a rooting section. Hard to root against the guy who shot a 10 point in his backyard after work. And, after all, is there really any better way to celebrate the bounty of this great state during the Thanksgiving season?

Some Things I Can’t Figure Out

There are times when I come across some news that is beyond my understanding. For instance, this article on the Brule River, which forms the northwest boundary of  the Upper Peninsula.  I’ve  fished this stream near it’s mouth by Little Girl’s Point, and at the very least found it to be representative of the great Western UP rivers.

The Brule River was once known as a blue ribbon trout stream.  Recent logging practices along its banks, however, have taken away the trout’s natural habitats.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is taking matters into its own hands by dropping entire trees into the river to attract the fish.

“The large, woody debris installations are trees, full size trees, root ball intact, flown in from an off-site area and put in the river and along its banks using a helicopter.  This mimics what would happen in nature–naturally–if logging didn’t reduce the number of trees along the river corridor,” said Mark Mylchreest, DNR Fisheries Technician.

So with the cooperation of the Wisconsin DNR, the U.S. Forest Service and a $70,000 grant from Wisconsin Electric, the chopper was airborne, and it was time to drop some trees.

“They can lift up to 4,500 pounds, which would be an 8 to 10 inch (wide) tree with the root ball intact.  They’ll be placed in the river at strategic locations to narrow the river, increase the flow, the depth and provide trout habitats,” Mylchreest said.

A total of 600 trees will be dropped along three miles of the river over the next three years.  The DNR said they hope where there are fish habitats, there will be fish; and where there are fish, there will be fishermen.

The River Of No Returns

Trout streams to me are like the line from that old Neil Young song, ‘they give you this, but you pay for that’.  There’s usually some form of ecological barter, one outing may be unexplainably successful, while the next on may claim all your flies on the back cast.  In the long run, however, your level of achievement  will usually balance out. Every angler seems to settle on his favorite rivers eventually, and every explanation of the criteria will be individual.

There are some streams I go to because they are convenient, others because of the scenery, and still others because I have the opportunity. All have their place, as they all fulfill a spot in each year’s angling. Some fish better in the spring, some have the fall steelhead, and others will surrender a brookie in the heat of August.  These rivers all have a logical basis to cast a line in, but there are others, one in particular, that defy logic in my instance, yet it remains my favorite.

Training my new lab puppy has underscored the value of rewards. If she does it right, she gets the treat. Still there are instances when even after doing everything right, the reward does not come.  Every cast, fly choice and decision can be replayed  with no fault found.  Maybe it’s just one of those days, except that I have one of those days every time on this river. She guards her secrets like the depths of Lake Superior keep dark sentinel upon theirs.

This is my river of no returns. In the last quarter century, it has yielded but one smallish brown. Fluke for some, this was to me the equivalent of a tarpon on a 3 weight.  Had the drought been broken? All subsequent journeys back have reproved it merely a drop of rain in the desert. Fishing a nearby river the following day with great results only underscores the futility wading here. At one time, it became a chip on the shoulder, these waters will surrender the trout they contain.

If I were able to design a stream, this would be it. A comfortable drive, great access with incredible variety, easy wading, rarely crowded, and lots of trout (supposedly). There are riffles, pools, sweepers, undercut banks, great gravel beds, along with fallen trees and everything else from the trout stream design textbook. Other anglers I encounter tell of their great success, and politely inquire of mine-just a slow day, I guess.

Now, I look forward to returning here. It is a place of great peace and beauty. A sanctuary of sorts as I have never considered flyfishing to be much about the limits of fish as it is about the splendor of my of my surroundings. Here I have found a place the calms my soul. There is still that nagging vestige of denial, though. Perhaps a Pandora’s Box filled with hell fire awaits me should I ever unlock her secrets, but I feel about due for  some fireworks

Michigan State Forest Campground News

One of the favorite and actually most practical access sites to many Michigan trout streams is from state forest campgrounds. Many of these were actually created by trout fishermen at favorite stream sites and later developed into rustic campground by the Department of Conservation. In recent years, budget cuts have closed nearly half of the campgrounds, while instituting nightly fees of $15 at the formerly free facilities.

On August 17, the DNR posted a questionnaire in the Michigan.gov website, to allow public input to identify which campgrounds should be considered for closure or management by others. The questionnaire may be filled out online and e-mailed, or sent via snail mail before September 14. Here is the link: http://www.michigan.gov/documents/dnr/New_Campground_Assessment_288900_7.pdf
It’s quite important to trout fisherman to weigh in on this, as secluded camps on streams seem to be closed in favor of busier and higher revenue producing spots on lakes.

While all of this sidesteps the greater issue of legitimate funding to maintain these resources, it’s just another chance for conservationists to hold their ground.

Michigan Trout Celebrating 50 Years

The idea for Trout Unlimited was "born" on July 18, 1959 at George
Griffith’s cabin on the banks of the AuSable River right here in
Grayling. Fifty years later, TU remains dedicated to the protection of
coldwater fisheries across America. America's largest coldwater
conservation organization, Trout Unlimited boasts 140,000 members
nationally, including almost 7,000 in Michigan alone.

Next Saturday July 18, 2009, the Michigan Council of Trout Unlimited
is holding a party to celebrate the first 50 years of Trout Unlimited
in Michigan. The “Michigan Celebration” will be held at the DNR
Rayburn property on the banks of the AuSable River, which is located
about two miles east of Grayling off of North Down River Road. The
event is free and open to the public. Canoeists, tubers, kayakers and
other river users are also encouraged to attend as the Rayburn site is
located right on the River. 

The Michigan Celebration will include food, raffles, displays, games,
entertainment, kid’s activities; fly casting & fly tying
demonstrations and much more. There will be music, art and special
presentations. Everyone is invited to come and learn about
conservation efforts from numerous Trout Unlimited partners. We expect
the event to be fun, interactive, informative and an all around
special day. For more information, please visit the Michigan
Celebration website: http://www.celebratetu.org
.

**July 18th 			Activities **

10 AM - 			Clinton River Watershed Council – Volunteers and River
Monitoring

11 AM - Writings of Robert Traver by Glen Blackwood

12 PM - 			Huron Pines – River Habitat Improvement 

1 PM - Award Presentation

1:30 PM - 			Sierra Club – Water Sentinels and CAFOs

2 PM - Fly Casting Workshop

2 PM - 4 PM - Music by Mike Freer

3 PM - 			 			Michigan Environmental Council – Great 			Lakes
Compact and Water Withdrawals

4 PM - 			Conservation Resource 			Alliance 			– River Projects in
NW 			Michigan

5 PM - 7 PM - Music by Alan Cayn

7 PM - End Raffle

**Ongoing Activities**

10 AM - 4 PM - Face Painting 

10 AM - 6 PM - Fly Casting

10 AM - 6 PM - Fly Tying Workshop

10 AM - 6 PM - Kids Fly Tying
**

The idea for Trout Unlimited was "born" on July 18, 1959 at George
Griffith’s cabin on the banks of the AuSable River right here in
Grayling. Fifty years later, TU remains dedicated to the protection of
coldwater fisheries across America. America's largest coldwater
conservation organization, Trout Unlimited boasts 140,000 members
nationally, including almost 7,000 in Michigan alone.

Next Saturday July 18, 2009, the Michigan Council of Trout Unlimited
is holding a party to celebrate the first 50 years of Trout Unlimited
in Michigan. The “Michigan Celebration” will be held at the DNR
Rayburn property on the banks of the AuSable River, which is located
about two miles east of Grayling off of North Down River Road. The
event is free and open to the public. Canoeists, tubers, kayakers and
other river users are also encouraged to attend as the Rayburn site is
located right on the River.

The Michigan Celebration will include food, raffles, displays, games,
entertainment, kid’s activities; fly casting & fly tying
demonstrations and much more. There will be music, art and special
presentations. Everyone is invited to come and learn about
conservation efforts from numerous Trout Unlimited partners. We expect
the event to be fun, interactive, informative and an all around
special day. For more information, please visit the Michigan
Celebration website: http://www.celebratetu.org
.

**July 18th 			Activities **

10 AM - 			Clinton River Watershed Council – Volunteers and River
Monitoring

11 AM - Writings of Robert Traver by Glen Blackwood

12 PM - 			Huron Pines – River Habitat Improvement

1 PM - Award Presentation

1:30 PM - 			Sierra Club – Water Sentinels and CAFOs

2 PM - Fly Casting Workshop

2 PM - 4 PM - Music by Mike Freer

3 PM - 			 			Michigan Environmental Council – Great 			Lakes
Compact and Water Withdrawals

4 PM - 			Conservation Resource 			Alliance 			– River Projects in
NW 			Michigan

5 PM - 7 PM - Music by Alan Cayn

7 PM - End Raffle

**Ongoing Activities**

10 AM - 4 PM - Face Painting

10 AM - 6 PM - Fly Casting

10 AM - 6 PM - Fly Tying Workshop

10 AM - 6 PM - Kids Fly Tying

The Road Of Faith-CR581

Who in the Michigan Department Of Transportation had the bright idea of including this two-track on the state highway map is certainly a sadist or knows that there are bumpkins like me who assume that if a road is on the state map, it must be a road. The thing is that I’d already driven about two thirds of this street without really trying. That in itself is what makes the quest for completion even that much more of a leap of faith.

I was staying in Iron Mountain, and had the day penciled in to fish the upper stretches of the Escanaba River. According to the maps I had available, 581 crossed the mainstream or its tributaries roughly 5 times. However each map was slightly different in its cartography, apparently a bad omen. Despite that, going though any town named Ralph can’t be too bad.
The first stop was at the now closed West Branch State Forest Campground about 5 minutes north of Ralph. Escanaba’s west branch is an decent river here, where forgiving bookies will respond to less than perfect presentations.

While it is understood that the DNR has closed campgrounds like this in response to budget constraints, it is difficult to grasp that these natural resources are being squandered. While this is a small isolated campground to be sure, it seems hard to understand that these once free campsites cannot find funding for their upkeep.

Continuing on a road crossing the river just west of the campground, it quickly disintegrated into a barely passable logging trail. After several miles of declining road quality, with only ATV signs as a guide, turning back seemed the lesser of evils. So, with that, a return to Ralph, and westward bypass on M95 to Ishpeming. No beef with Ralph, but it’s not a destination.

Lunch beckoned upon arriving in Ishpeming, so a stop at Beefaroo seemed in order. While technically in Negaunee, I’ll split the difference. They’ve got another restaurant as you enter Marquette on 41 from the east. So, with a roast beef downed, tackling 581 from the north was the new objective. Oh, such an innocent looking stretch of pavement.

This road was familiar, having inadvertently stumbled upon it while accidently discovering the whereabouts of the Navy’s ELF project, a controversial program from the mid 1970’s. The river was here, Main Branch of the Escanaba, and with a paved well marked road, all seemed falling into place. But casting a fly was no longer a priority, this damn road must go somewhere. After all, some sadist from MDOT put it on the state map

Judging from the maps I had, just try and find this on GPS, the pavement ended at the next intersection. Apparently it followed a course to the road I’d been on in the morning. Looked to be about ten miles left to go. Thank God that is where faith kicked in. So, burdened with faith and no reason to turn back, in I went. Calling the UP a lonely land has never had a more willing believer.

After ten (?) make believe miles, encroaching blackness, and not even the tourist courtesy of seeing a moose, the surroundings began to appear familiar. There was the bridge, the empty campground, and Ralph. It was still the same.

Pigeon River Country

This is from a post I made on Upper Midwest Flyfishing June 8.

Had the honor of spending a couple days angling in The Pigeon River Country last week. It was quieter up there than it was when I was last there 2 years ago. This mas have something to do with the Sturgeon Valley Road Bridge over the Pigeon being rebuilt, effectively slicing the area in half. Spent a day seeking brookies in the new Special Regulation area on the Black River. While the Brook Trout seemed more plentiful than my last trip here, they were noticeably smaller. Near this spot on opening day with my son 5 years ago, the fish were noticeably larger and more plentiful. Spent Thursday morning dapping through the Sturgeon, with mixed results. A frost had covered the area that night, and while I stepped foot in the river just shy of 9 am, never really got any sense of what was a good fly. Saw elk for the first time after 20 some odd years of coming to this area, so my trip was clearly successful.

Please feel free to contact me at northwoodsangler@gmail.com

Trout Fishing

Living in an area blessed with an abundance of trout streams, I have realized the luxury of being fussy. Our local TU chapter, despite being in a metropolitan area approaching a million people, has often faced the political ramifications of having several quality rivers within its boundaries, has done an admirable job of navigating such waters.
Therein lies the luxury I have in deciding to specialize my angling pursuits. Downsizing my gear to address this interest was the first step. Secondly, being a map geek helped immeasurably. There were so many streams and creeks I’d already crossed that were perfect targets for brookies that a process of elimination was required. It was surprising to me how easily a secret brookie spot could be spilled in almost any casual conversation. Many years ago, an angling acquaintance whispered to me at a TU gathering, “you can trust anything with these guys”.
So, as I continue on this adventure, I’ll post my impressions here.

Hello world!

Welcome to WordPress.com. This is your first post. Edit or delete it and start blogging!