Disappointment

Just realized that most of my blog posts (from 2011 and before) no longer display the pictures correctly. Apparently I forgot to move them when I migrated my blog from Posterous Spaces to Blogger. Guess I have another project! Now where did I put all those photos? Check me out on Instagram

The Border to Border Trail (B2B Trail) near Dexter Michigan

On the Border2Border Trail today, I walked almost 5 miles. And I saw this. This brand new section of the trail follows the Huron River near Dexter Michigan. If you want to go there, park at the Dexter-Huron Metropark.

Barton Pond, Ann Arbor Michigan

A Stand-Up Paddle-boarder seen from the pedestrian bridge on the Barton Nature Area Trail.

Fly fishing the Huron River at Dexter-Huron Metropark, Northwest of Ann Arbor Michigan

Fly fishing the Ephron Leukon (White Fly) hatch on the Huron River yesterday I had a couple of interesting experiences. 

One: I got stuck in mud above my knees.

Two: A dead tree trunk fell from the shore and landed about 20 yards from me while I was untangling a rats nest in my fly line. Had I not been stopped to work on my line I would have been standing right under it when it fell. As it happened, the waves it generated washed right around me along with a bunch of bark and other debris. It doesn't look like much laying in the river, but it looked HUGE while it was coming down.

Three: I caught some fish!

Now, that doesn't happen every day!

Huron River, Wixom Michigan

Photo taken at the Powers Unit of Proud Lake State Recreation Area. 

One of the benefits of walking allot of trails in area parks is that I sometimes get to see views like this.

#PureMichigan

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Proud-Lake-Recreation-Area/112137869546

Heritage Park, Farmington Hills Michigan -

Spotted on the "Meadow Trail" - it was not so much a flower, but was more of a bush or a tree that was filled with these. According to #whattheflora, a a crowdsourced plant identification service, the species is: #rhusCoriaria #elmleavedSumac

Interesting - Walled Lake Michigan

We were waiting for our table at Bayside Sports Grille when we spotted these:

A talented entertainer who sang, played keyboard, electric guitar, and even blew a trumpet. Our waiter told us that the musician's name was Rick.

Also, we saw a group of ladies being trained at Mercer Beach in stand-up paddle boards.

 Then they proceeded to paddle their way around the lake. I think they made it about 1/3 of the way around, then they returned to the dock the way they had come. they were all dry, so I assume none went overboard. I found this: http://bit.ly/13z7dFG

Portage Lake Michigan - an evening view from Flook Dam.

I Caught this image on Sunday evening while returning from my Huron River fishing expedition. Portage Lake is between Dexter and Pinckney, Michigan. There are not many things more calming than watching a sunset over a Michigan lake! 

Bell Road Bridge - Bridge Out!

These shots are of the Bell Road Bridge near Hudson Mills Metropark at North Terretorial and Huron River Drive. If you look closely, you can see that the bridge has been removed and is sitting on the side of the trail, covered in vines and bushes! I wonder how long ago that happened. Anyway, this is the upper limit of the so-called "Book Section" of the so-called "Upper Huron River" and is a popular fly-fishing destination. Except after heavy rains, when it becomes un-wadeable. 

Huron River Rapids at Zeeb Road

This shot of the Huron River was taken from the Burns-Stokes Preserve, at Zeeb Road. It is a popular fly-fishing destination, especially during the Hexagenia and Ephoron hatches,  and on opening day for Smallmouth Bass. Looks quite fishable to me!

Boyden Creek - Huron River Tributary

According to the Huron River Watershed Council, this creek has recovered well over the last few years following a breech to the dam that can be seen in the rear of this photo. Apparently lots of soil washed down the creek, wiping it free of all insect life. Just a few short years later and most of the bugs have returned. Looks like a nice little place to toss a flyline!

Depot Town - Ypsilanti, MI - Hex and Ephoron on the Horizon

I paid a visit to Depot Town yesterday to attend a fly-fishing seminar at Shultz Outfitters. It was a nice evening in the Riverside Park and at a Depot Town eatery for a quick burger. I even got to witness one of Shultz's guides doing some Spey Casting before the seminar began.

Here is what Shultzy was talking about that was so interesting to me:

"Hex & Ephoron on the Horizon. While the bugs haven't appeared yet, the Hex should be popping on the Huron any day now, followed shortly after by the Ephoron (White Fly) hatch. These often blizzard hatches are a great way to experience "up north" Hex fishing without the three hour drive! Smallmouth from Dexter to Ann Arbor will be looking up and feeding eagerly, making for some of the best topwater fishing of the year."

The bugs that Shultzy was mainly talking about at the seminar were those which we have in abundance in the "Upper Huron" (from Barton Pond to Portage Lake Dam)- the Hexagenia Recurvata and the Ephoron Leukon. He also mentioned the Isonychia hatch and the Caddis hatch. Huron River Smallmouth love eating these insects, so I say bring on the bugs!

Huron River - Hudson Mills Metropark, Dexter MI

A nice day of fly fishing - Wet-waded upstream on the Huron River at Hudson Mills Metropark. Met 4 or 5 fly fishers on the river, and about 100 tubers and kayakers. Was only run into by one tube - no casualties. Started the day with a #6 Blue Shenandoah Popper on the end of a 12' bonefish leader. After my first few casts, I shortened the leader to 9' and added a short 3X tippet. Casting was easy, and the popper went where I wanted -- but the fish didn't notice it. I switched to a black #6 Parachute Ant with brown rubber legs. Again I was snubbed. After spotting a couple of bass cruising past (including one hefty 15" smallie who swam right under my fly and kept going) I decided to switch to a sub-surface rig. So I tied on my biggest nymph, a #6 Yellow Stonefly - and added a bit of indicator putty about 2' above the fly. Again, the rig cast nicely, but this time it paid off by giving me a few hits from curious bluegills. After dodging a few more tubes, I decided to call it a day.

The Boss - Ford Field, Livonia MI

Ford Field in Livonia, MI.

Check out the boss. She ordered all of her minions to line up on the grass, and to be sure and face to the south. Most complied. The latecomer will comply also.

According to the Michigan DNR Weekly Fishing Report that just came out today:

"Huron River:  Bass are being caught from Dexter to Ypsilanti."

Lets go fishing!

http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-153-10364_59567---,00.html

The Onion River, Near Waldo - Sheboygan County Wisconsin

This river has been beautifully restored by the Wisconsin DNR, Trout Unlimited and several other organizations. It coughed up 2 trout during my recent visit. The larger one was a 9" Brookie that my Son-in-Law Chris spotted. He said, "Dad, cast over there, I gotta take a call." and after a couple of casts the fish grabbed my parachute sulpher. At least one of us went home smiling!

Woodland Hills Nature Park in Farmington Hills, MI

This is a beautiful spot that you can only see if you hike about 1/2 mile back into the Woodland Hills Nature Park.

Sunset on Kent Lake at the North Shore Fishing Site of Kensington Metropark

Can't believe that I did not know about this location. I will need to take my fly rod there and do some casting. Pike, Bass, Carp, all are there. Hopefully I will not get skunked!

Wisconsin: Free Fishing Weekend - and More! June 1st and 2nd

Fish anywhere in Wisconsin for free

Fish anywhere in Wisconsin without a license or trout stamp on Free Fishing Weekend. This includes all inland waters and Wisconsin’s side of the Great Lakes and Mississippi River. Other fishing rules apply, such as limits on the number and size of fish you can keep and any seasons when you must release certain fish species. So, pack up the family or call your friends and head to the water for fishing fun.

But wait, there is more!

• Free fishing June 1,2
• Free DNR trails June 1,2
• Free entry to state parks and forests Sunday, June 2 only
• Free ATV/UTV riding June 1,2

For more info check out these links:

http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/fishing/anglereducation/FreeFishingWeekend.html

http://dnr.wi.gov/news/features/feature.asp?id=8&article=2

Learning how to do a "Single-Handed Spey Cast"

Today I was at the park - then the river - to try to do this "Single-Handed Spey Cast". To make matters more difficult, I was attempting to cast a sink-tip line and the wind was in my face. I have gotta learn this!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EJAl8eSrz8

Cabela's in Dundee Michigan caught fire and closed for repairs last week - just in time for me to want to go there and look at their fishing gear. Fortunately it is opening this Friday.

http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/story/22130096/closed-by-fire-cabelas-in-dundee-prepares-to-reopen

Opening day for trout on Paint Creek.

Fished upstream of Clarkston Rd in Lake Orion. No trout but I did see lots of fly fishers.

Fiberglass Art!

Fiberglass Art!

Check out my beautifully rebuilt Fiberglass fly rod, thanks to James DeLoria of Petosky Michigan.

I met James at the Michigan Fly Fishing Show this year, and sent him my old Wright & McGill 8-ft glass rod that had half of its guides missing. Little did I realize what a talented artist James is. He did a masterful job, don't you think?

My new rod now sports a freshly scraped blank with a clear-coat finish. James told me that my rod has an uncommon grip shape. I have since learned that the shape is called a "Hammer Handle" because it has an elliptical cross-section. James cleaned and filled the cork. He replaced the missing and damaged guides with new titanium ones, and added 3 additional guides to bring the total number to 9. The extra guides add both beauty and function. A new hook-keeper replaces my old rubber band. New red wraps and a spiral flourish makes the rod look great.

The best feature is the logo. James re-touched the worn "Wright & McGill Fre-Line FLR-8" logo and added "DeLoria rebuild 4/2013". This really makes my rod unique. I am definitely going to call it my "deLoria" when talking to it in the future. (yes, I talk to my fly rods)

Now all I need is for Bass season to open up and the recent flooding to subside, and I will be heading down to Dexter/Ann Arbor to fish the "Book Section" of the Huron River. Hopefully I will get a nice photo to post here of a big smallie next to my lovely glass rod.

To see some other wonderful art by James deLoria, and to check out some unique canoes that James also converted to art, click this post on the Fiberglass Manifesto Blog: http://bit.ly/XX9u14 and this post http://bit.ly/YChJus on The Graphic Weekly.

Oh, and here are a couple of photos of me using my fiberglass rod on the Hershey River in pre-rebuild condition: http://bit.ly/Z70AwB

And here is a link to a really dumb video I made while standing in the middle of Johnson Creek -the first time I ever fly-fished. Be sure to turn your speakers on. http://bit.ly/17BY3L4 Yeah, I was using my deLoria.

The "Hammer Handle" grip.

Wright & McGill "Fre-Line" - 8ft.  No. FLR-8

de Loria rebuild 4/2013 and a nice new spiral flourish.

The business end - featuring a new hook keeper.

Nice new red wraps and titanium guides.

Additional snake guides.

A new tip to replace my old cracked one.

Michigan Catch & Cook

Catch & Cook allows charter fishing clients who catch fish from Michigan’s Great Lakes an opportunity to take their fresh catch to a participating Michigan restaurant to cook and serve those fish to those clients. http://www.michigancatchandcook.com/

Catch one of these Michigan fish.

Sign at the Union Lake Michigan DNR boat launch.

Trout Fishing Today in SE Michigan

2OI3 ADULT TROUT STOCKING PROGRAM
HURON RMR - Proud Lake Recreation Area
SPRING MILL POND - Island Lake Recreation Area
Our hatcheries maintain broodstock for rearing the trout needed around the state. Every year
they have a certain amount of these larger fish that are surplus to their needs. These are the fish
stocked in these special regulation areas. The number of fish varies each year. This year there
are good numbers of both brown trout and rainbow trout. ENJOY!
The numbers and sizes of trout to be stocked this year are listed below.
Water bod)' Number - Species Averase Lensth (weieht)

Huron River 
1000 Brown Trout 13-14 inches (1 lb)
1000 Brown Trout 16-19 inches (1-3 lbs)
100 Brown Trout 24-26 inches (6-8 lbs
400 Rainbow Trout 14-16 inches (1-2 lbs)
500 Rainbow Trout 20-22 inches (3-5 lbs

spring mill pond 
150 Brown Trout 16-19 inches (1-3 lbs)
50 Brown Trout 24-26 inches (6-8 lbs
200 Rainbow Trout 14-16 inches (1-2 lbs)
200 Rainbow Trout 20-22 inches (3-5 lbs)

SPECIAL FISHING REGULATIONS APPLY:
Huron River in Proud Lake Recreation Area
Closed to fishing October 1 through March 31. From April I through Apri|26,2013, anglers are
limited to flies-only , catch & release. Youth under 12 years old may keep one fish between 8-12
inches. Beginning Aprll27 ,20L3, all baits are allowed and anglers may keep up to 5 trout over 8
inches, but only 3 over 15 inches, from the Huron River.
Sprins Mill Pond in Island Lake Recreation Area
Closed to fishing from March 15 through March 31. From April 1 through Aprll26,2013,
anglers are limited to artificial lures only, catch & release. Youth under 12 years old may keep
one fish between 8-12 inches. Beginning April27,2013, allbaits are allowed and anglers may
keep up to 5 fish over 8 inches, but only 3 fish over 15 inches, from Spring Mill Pond.
See the 2013 Michigan Fishing Guide for complete special regulation details. For additional
information about this program please feel free to contact one of the following Michigan DNR
Offices:
Proud Lake Recreation Area Headquarters 248'685-2433
Island Lake Recreation Area Headquarters 810-229-7061
Southeast Michigan DNR District Office 248-359-9040
SEE CURRENT FISHING GUIDE FOR COMPLETE DESCRIPTION OF REGULATIONS

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/forum/showthread.php?t=460106
http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-153-10364_63235-274824--,00.html

Proud Lake Recreation Area

Freshly stocked with huge trout for the season.

Swans on Ice - Robert H. Long Nature Park in Commerce Township Michigan

Nankin Lake, Livonia Michigan

It's a beautiful scene - just 5 minutes from my work. You can't tell from this photo that it is in the middle of a city of 100,000 people.

80 foot casts

Anglers making 80-foot casts at the Michigan Fly Fishing Show. http://vimeo.com/62374983

35th Annual Midwest Fly Fishing Expo

This is my favorite annual fishing show. If you have some time this weekend, I recommend it!

Woodland Lake, Brighton, Michigan

Come here fishies!

Walled Lake

I counted 50 shanties on the lake today. A bunch of drunks said the local bar was having a tournament. More drinking and yelling than fishing.

Outdoorama

Nice show this year. Including a live (amputee) Bald Eagle. My one purchase will be this fishing devotional book from the Sportspersons Ministries International booth, signed by the author.