Houghton Lake Ice Off-Fishing Licenses April 1, 2016

Day 133

The ice is gone from Houghton Lake. There is a small amount along the shore, washed up from the wind in a few spots. The weather is predicted to be near 40 degrees for the next two weeks but that can change at any time.

I won't get out fishing until the temps hit 60 degrees consistently, I'm not young anymore and don't like the cold when I'm fishing.

I like to just set up my folding chair in a nice open spot along the shore, or go out trolling in my Bass Raider two man boat. I've been fishing with the Bass Raider for 6 or 7 years and have never had anyone else along. I might take my nephew this year if he wants to go. My brother and I together would put us way over the weight limit of the small boat. But my nephew is very thin. No weight problem.

I get excited just thinking about it.

I love fishing. But I don't eat fish. I catch and release. Anyone who fishes with me knows if your not going to eat it I'll tell you to release it. There's no reason to keep fish until they are dead, just to dump them out. Put the fish back and let them get bigger.

I have already stocked up on my favorite jig heads. I bought the last bottle of fish attractant at the Walmart. I have to check my bobbers and be sure the reels are oiled and ready.

I need to start exercising so I can make it down the embankment and back up again at the Reedsburg Dam. Fishing by the river is suppose to be good all year long. I don't fish once the fall high temps hit 50 degrees and lower so I can't verify the winter fishing.

I'll be reporting fishing conditions throughout the rest of the year. Don't forget 2016 fishing licenses are required starting April 1.

Until tomorrow,

Ken

Backus Lake Ice Will Be Off Soon

Day 128

My two man Bass Raider at Backus Lake summer 2012.

I drove to Backus Lake today. Surprisingly the road was in good shape. I assume there wasn't much traffic during the short winter and with the lower than normal snowfall the runoff did minor damage. There was plenty of dead fall across the road from the high winds, but they have already been cut back.

The ice is gone from the flooding area and the ice is half off the lake. No surprise there as Backus is a shallow lake, only about five feet at its deepest. With the lack off snowfall I can only hope there will be plenty of spring rain to fill the lake or at least maintain a decent level.

The mild winter should result in a low number of winter kill (the number of fish that die due to the lack of oxygen producing vegetation in winter). Some near record fish were being pulled out of both Houghton and Higgins lakes over the winter and I believe this trend will continue through the summer.

I can hardly wait to drop my small two man Bass Raider in at Backus Lake or Reedsburg Dam flooding. I don't expect to catch much until late May but it just feels good to be on the lake puttering around in my boat.

Once a sailor, always a sailor.

Until tomorrow,

Ken

Higgins Lake-Roscommon Winterfest Feb 12 & 13, 2016

Day 92

This coming weekend is the Higgin Lake-Roscommon Winterfest Feb 12 & 13, 2016. And the cold winter weather will be returning just in time as temperatures on Saturday are forecast to be in the single digits. But that remains to be substantiated. The way this winter has gone so far any predictions of cold weather has been inaccurate at best. The wind so far has come mostly from the south if it swings around and comes from the north we could get a gift from Canada. A gift of frigid air.

Colder air would be better for the Crazy Cardboard Classic at Pioneer Hill on Saturday starting at 10 AM. It's a fun time where groups compete with sleds made of cardboard, duct tape and paint. Judged by style and usability (can it make it down the hill). The crazy designs are what make this so fun.

The fishing contest is on Saturday from 11-3 at the North State Park. Some of the anglers on Higgins Lake have been pulling some monster pike and lake trout out of the lake this year,

There is also a Snowmobile Radar Run, Broomball competition, Polar dip to benefit Special Olympics, Chili Cookoff and much more. Badges are just $5.

Due to the warm temperatures this winter some of the events that take place on the lake may be cancelled. Better safe than sorry as we have already had on pick up truck go through the ice at Tip Up Town a couple of weeks ago. No one was hurt.

For more info see flyer below or click here to go to Higgins Lake-Roscommon Chamber of Commerce.

Until tomorrow,

Ken

Tip Up Town USA Election Night-Jan 9,2016

Day 56

Looking for a fun night out that will benefit Tip Up Town? Try election night for Town Mayor, Town Marshal and Tip Up Town Queen. For applications click here.

Election night will be held on January 9, 2016 at the new location Houghton Lake Playhouse at 1601 W Houghton Lake Dr. Admission to the election is free.

New this year. There will be an After Party with live music by Dominic and hors d'oeuvres. There will be 50/50 drawings, door prizes, raffles and a cash bar. For a modest $10 admission. Proceeds go to help keep Tip Up Town happening. See below or click here Tip Up Town kickoff. 

Until tomorrow,

Ken

"Dashing Through The Snow" Coming to Kirtland Community College

Day 22

Coming to Kirtland Center for the Performing Arts "Dashing Through the Snow" performed live December 11 at 8 pm, December 12 at 7 pm and December 13 at 2 pm. For more info click here.  Then scroll down.

Kirtland Center for the Performing Arts will be doing a LIVE radio broadcast of "A Christmas Carol" on December 19th at 5 pm. Broadcast on 100.3 FM. Seating is limited and no one will be admitted after 4:55 pm. For more info click here.

Until tomorrow,

Ken

Michigan Bigfoot or Dogman Does It Matter Which?

Day 21

Cut River at Lansing Rd Houghton Lake Area

Fact: A few years back a group of Bigfoot hunters came to Houghton Lake to film the stories of local residents claiming to have seen, heard or smelled the elusive Michigan Bigfoot. There was an ad in the local paper inviting anyone with a story to come to the Playhouse on a certain day. I don't remember the exact day but I do remember thinking I would have something better to do with my time than listen to a bunch of reality TV wanna be's. What happened next was about 18 months later. It doesn't matter if you believe me. I'm just telling a story. A fish story if you will because that's where this begins.

Lansing Rd is a scenic dirt road that runs about five miles between Roscommon County Rd. 100 and Michigan Hwy. 18. The Cut is a small river that runs from Higgins Lake south to Marl Lake along the east side then wanders through thousands of acres of mostly undeveloped land. Eventually crossing under Lansing Rd and then on to meet Backus Creek before spilling into Houghton Lake. The spot where the river runs under Lansing Rd was a favorite fishing spot for Bluegill and Rock Bass until the fish moved on. Now it's mostly tangles of deadfall, and home to a few small Suckers and one very large snapping turtle. And there's something else.

I enjoy fishing in this spot because no one goes there anymore. Except for the occasional sight-seer driving by it's peaceful, almost secluded. It was a moderately warm sunny day in the fall. I set up my folding camp chair, baited my hook and took aim to the left of the dead tree reaching halfway across the water. As I sat in quiet reflection of my wasted youth, I noticed a small black snake called a Water Moccasin slither across my shoe and down a snake hole I hadn't noticed before. I learned long ago in nature if leave it alone it will leave you alone. Usually.

I was there about fifteen minutes when the wind shifted and I caught a whiff of what I thought was skunk grass. It was at some distance away because my eyes hadn't started to water. Then I heard it. A loud bellow the likes of which I had never heard. It sounded like a cross between an elephants trumpet, a lions roar and a bawling bear. All mixed into one.

At first I thought someone was driving up the road with their sound system cranked up loud. But no one passed me and the sound wasn't repeated. I resumed my attempt to catch anything. A few minutes later the bellow came again only louder and closer. This time I could tell it was coming from the woods to the left of the river. I considered someone might be camping nearby but the trees and vegetation on both sides of the river is very dense. Also there are no roads or two track paths coming off the road and going into the woods anywhere nearby. Still I decided that it was just someone playing a joke on me. I wasn't about to let anyone get the better of me by running off. I kept on fishing.

It came again, louder and longer than before. Suddenly I realized the strange odor which had increased, was coming from the same place. The area was inaccessible. No one could get back in there, especially with a sound system strong enough to produce this volume of sound. This was no teenage prank.

A bear, I thought, perhaps coming for a drink of water or some fish. I kept looking to the road half expecting to see a bear standing there. Watching me. Each time I looked, just empty dirt road. My bravado began to fade. Fifteen minutes passed and I thought the creature must have moved on. Anxiety built inside me. I reasoned the fish weren't biting so I reeled in my line and began to pack up my gear. I glanced at the road. Nothing

Now let me interject right here that I am a portly man. I weigh over 300 lbs. If you were being chased by a bear, I'm the one you would want along because you could outrun me. But let me tell you, when I heard that last roar, sounding like it was right next to my ear, I could have outrun Satan himself. It wasn't until I was in my Ford Explorer, fishtailing down the road spraying dirt and gravel everywhere, that I chanced a look in my rear view mirror. All I could see was the fishing gear and chair I had left behind.

I stopped and made a Y turn, driving back toward the river over pass. There was nothing but dirt road. I loaded up my gear and kept on driving west to M-18. I thought I might catch sight of some of some jokers having a laugh at my expense. I didn't see anyone until I got to M-18.

It was a few months later that I remembered the television show on Bigfoot. It was on OnDemand so I watched it. My experience was not exclusive as others had described hearing an almost identical sound and describing the same odor. I was not alone.

 Eventually I went back but I haven't heard the sound since then. I have found several extremely large and deep prints, like a dogs prints only bigger and wider. Was it Bigfoot? Was it Dogman? The footprints would lean toward the later. I have seen those prints near the Muskegon River also though no odor or sound.

Well, that's my story. Believe it, don't believe it. It doesn't change anything. But if you find yourself on Lansing Rd by the Cut River, and there's an odor like skunk grass in the air, I would just keep on going. After all the fishing there isn't very good. Besides I've found if you leave nature alone it will leave you alone. Usually.

Until tomorrow,

Ken

Houghton Lake Ice Fishing 2015 No Ice Yet

 Day 20

There is no joy in shanty town because there's no ice and no telling how soon there will be. Last year at this time there was already an ice angler on the lake. Ill advised to be sure but every year someone has to try for bragging rights, to be the first fisherman on the ice. No matter how dangerous. So far this year there is not even a hint of ice. Whitecaps can still be seen in a high wind.

The reason as I understand it is a tropical storm called El Nino (there's a tilde above the n you just can't see it). This causes warm air to work it's way north giving us in Michigan a mild winter. The last time we had one of these tropical storms the lake barely iced over in time for Tip Up Town in late January.

My rule of thumb is when the temperature drops below 50 degrees I put my boat away. If a warm spell comes through I go to Reedsburg and fish from shore. I seldom trudge out onto the lake for ice fishing so I don't mind a nice warm winter. It keeps my heating bill down. But many people here do enjoy winter fishing. The proof is in the number of fishing shanties on the lake when the ice is thick enough. Groups of shanties pop up as fisherman return to their favorite fishing spot. Others just assume the fishing must be good wherever there is a large number of wooden shacks. Mostly people fish near a bait and tackle store for the convenience and the parking.

The last couple of years the temperatures have been at record lows and the ice thickness may have hit records too. This is great for snowmobiles and quad runners but the extra thick ice took a toll on fishing with higher than normal winter kill numbers. This is the number of fish that die during the winter due to low oxygen levels caused by the ice limiting the amount of sun getting to the vegetation which produces oxygen.

Some of the smaller bodies of water were hit hard and fishing has not been as good as in past years. Two of my favorite small fishing areas Reedsburg Dam and Backus Lake were definitely down the past two years. I want everyone to have a good fishing experience in the winter time, but if the fish population isn't given a chance to survive, the sport will suffer in the long run.

When I see some ice I'll be sure to let my readers know. Come back again, come back often.

Until tomorrow,

Ken

Ebay on My Mind & Over 100 Views...Thank You Readers

Day 12

Houghton Lake Adventures has reached over 100 views. It can't be my mom, she doesn't have the internet. They can't all be by accident. So somebody is reading my blog. To you I say, "Thanks". 

I have many more entries to make on my way to 365 straight days of blogging. I am doing this to work myself into the habit of writing everyday. I hope that soon I will be able to list my published novels as that is the overall goal.

Today I'm trying to work on my Ebay business. I need to get into the habit of spending a certain number of hours each day on listing merchandise (though I would rather be writing). I sell used clothes on Ebay and I have bags upon bags of clothes yet to be listed. They are cluttering up my home. Now is the best time of the year for selling suits and sport coats, dress shirts and neckties. So it must be done.

Shopping is the fun part. I drive to several thrift stores and cherry pick the best high end clothes and resell them on the internet. First comes the photographing and close inspection for flaws. Taking measurements. Then load photos to my computer and sort photos for easier loading to the internet. Finally setting up on Ebay, loading pictures and writing a description including measurements. Then do it again and again and again until I can't stand anymore. The next day start over. Just like a real job.

It's not hard work, it's just BORING! At least the listing is boring. Shopping is fun hence all of the bags of clothes. My plan is to get these listed and out of here either by selling or returning the ones that don't sell to the thrift store. I just want my house back. 

Thanks again for the 100 + views. Come back again soon.

Ken

Santa's Workshop is Coming to Houghton Lake Playhouse This Sunday November 22,2015

Day 11

Santa checking his list

Santa Claus IS coming to town this Sunday, November 22,2015 to the Houghton Lake Playhouse on M-55 in Houghton Lake. Santa and Mrs Claus are coming to spread some Christmas cheer at the annual Santa's Workshop sponsored by the Houghton Lake Chamber of Commerce and local businesses. The workshop is from 10 am to 3 pm. C'mon out and start the season right. Hope to see you there.  

The weather report for Saturday is 3-5 inches of snow. Coincidence? I think NOT! The big guy just wants to get us in the mood. Plus the sleigh works better on snow than asphalt. Until tomorrow thanks for stopping by.

Ken

Fishing Down & Hunting Slow at Reedsburg Dam Fall 2015

Day 9

Reedsburg Dam Northern Pike 2012

The last two winters have been extra cold here and the ice has been extra thick, over 20" on Houghton Lake. Basically when the ice gets thick the vegetation gets less winter sun and can't produce enough oxygen for the fish. Each winter some of the fish die off. This is known as winter kill. With the ice extra thick more fish die. So although fishing has been good it hasn't been great, as it has been in previous years. Two years ago in the late summer and early fall there was a tremendous run on crappie on the low side of the dam. The year before that it was smallmouth bass, before that it was northern pike, and so on.

Reedsburg Dam Crappie 2013

Fishing for sunfish and bass on the flooding from a boat has always been great. This year though it was interfered with when the DNR decided to upgrade the boat launch with new slabs and a removable dock. The removal of the old slabs started at the end of June and construction wasn't finished until August. Without the boats buzzing around the lake the vegetation grew wild and made maneuvering through the seaweed near impassable. I use a two man boat with an electric trolling motor for power. I never even put my boat in at Reedsburg this year. I was afraid my 50 lb thrust trolling motor wouldn't be able to cut through the weeds. Normally I enjoy fishing Reedsburg flooding as there aren't to many boats and it's a bit more of a challenge. But this year the challenge was just too much.

 Bass Raider Two Man Boat at Backus Lake

Hunting also seems to be down possibly due to the warm weather. Normally I see a large number of hunters at Reedsburg but not this year.  The season is still young though and I'll wait and see. If another warm day comes along I may sneak over to Reedsburg and try some fishing.

Until tomorrow take care.

Ken  

Tales from Deer Camp Opening Day Humor

Day 7

"These stories are so funny."

When I was growing up in Royal Oak (a suburb of Detroit), for several Thanksgiving weekends, my father would pack my mother, brother and I into the car and drive north to a small town in northern Michigan called Glennie to visit my aunt, uncle and cousins. This would be the tail end of the deer hunting season and both my uncle and my father being avid deer hunters had plenty of stories to tell.

Things heard around a campfire at deer camp.

"A month before opening day I went out to my super secret hunting spot that no one else knows about and built the ultimate deer blind out of pine boughs. On opening day, just before dawn, I went back to my spot and started looking for the blind. After several hours of searching, stomping and cussing, I gave up and came back to camp. Seems I had done such a good job of building the hunting blind that I couldn't see it."

"Hey. Got anymore of those baked beans?"
"Whew! You've had too much already!"

"I had noticed a huge buck with a twelve point rack following this particular deer run a couple of times before and felt certain he would return. It wasn't long and I was rewarded with the biggest buck I had ever seen cautiously moving along the trail. Suddenly he stopped in a small clearing and I could see his ears swivel. He must have heard something. The presentation was perfect. I slowly raised my rifle and sighted in just behind the buck's shoulder. I pulled the hammer back and steadied my breathing. As I let out the last breath I squeezed the trigger. CLICK! I had forgotten to load a round into the chamber. Quickly I jacked a round into the chamber but the deer was gone."

"I had purchased a new gun. It was love at first sight when I saw that black barrel beauty. I was hesitant to buy it, opening day was the next day and I wouldn't have time to sight it in. The salesman behind the counter insured me that the sights came already set at the factory. Spot-on up to one hundred yards. I didn't expect to make a shot any farther away than that where I would be huntin'. I slapped my cash down and left with my new rifle. The next day I saw the largest buck I've ever seen. It had to have at least 14 points. I swung my new rifle up and got off a quick shot. The buck dropped into a crouch, looking for the source of the noise. I sighted in more carefully and tried again. The pine bough above and to the left of the deer broke off showering snow to the ground. The buck jumped, white tail in the air and ran off in the opposite direction. Later I went to the range and discovered the sights were NOT set at the factory."

"So I was just sittin' there when my stomach gave a rumble. I paid it no mind when suddenly I let one go that sounded like a lighthouse fog horn. Strangely enough I heard an answering call from the woods to my right. It was a buck snortin' and from the sound of it it must have been a trophy size. I couldn't quite see it so I let go another blast.This one comin' easier than the first, if you know what I mean. Sure enough the ol' fellow answered with a shrill bawl. I felt I could chance one more trumpet blast but this one I gave an extra push, seeking maximum volume. Long I waited, listening.There was no other sound. I noticed a fowl odor that did not go away even though there was a strong wind. I moved to another spot to get away from the stench. No relief. I moved again but I could not get free of the reek. It was after I returned to camp, amidst the others, mostly keeping their distance, I realized the odor was emanating from me. It seems I pushed too hard on the last one. Nothing that a shower and clean underwear couldn't fix."

"I was sittin' on a ridge lookin' down on the biggest buck in the county, possibly the whole state. It was dead in the sights of my favorite antique Remington .30-.06 bolt action huntin' rifle that I had inherited from my granddad. I squeezed the trigger and nothing happened. I worked the bolt and chambered a new round, took a deep breath and tried again. Nothing. I watched the big white flag jumping through the pines and quickly disappear. I was so angry I smashed my gun against the oak tree I was standing behind and broke the stock. Later I realized the safety had been on."

"Well I was all set up and comfortable when I had a sudden need to answer the call of nature. Quickly I crawled out of my blind and searched for a spot downwind to do my business. I stripped down to my long johns, opened the flap and backed up to a tree to hide my white backside from view. Just as I finished up I realized all I had was white toilet paper. Nobody from the camp was hunting in my area so I was feeling pretty safe using white instead of hunters orange. Just as I reached around to clean myself, I heard a gun shot. I dropped down and looked in the direction of the shot. Then there was another shot and some snow fell out of a tree near me. I pulled up my pants and started to run, toilet paper trailing behind. When I returned to camp and heard one of the other hunters telling a story about the one he missed, I thanked God they don't set the sights at the factory."

A few of the stories I have heard over the years. Happy Hunting. Until tomorrow then keep your powder, and other things, dry.

Ken

Houghton Lake Bye Bye Birdie a Delight

The audience filed into the auditorium waiting breathlessly for the start of the school play. A special treat. Backstage, last minute touches were applied to the stage props and costumes. The actors nervously rehearsed their lines one last time before the curtain went up. Showtime. The play went off flawlessly without a hitch and finished to a standing ovation of the 300+ students and parents. That was 1973 and the only school play I ever acted in. It was glorious.

The Houghton Lake High School production of Bye Bye Birdie went off smoothly if not flawlessly. There were some apparent jitters as some of the lines seemed a bit hurried at times. And one or two momentary pauses as though lines had been temporarily forgotten. Such is opening night.

The opening night gremlins were also present and up to their old tricks. The audio system filled with static several times during the first act, possibly the result of static electricity due to the inclement weather and the costume sweaters. And numerous times the microphones cut out. Through all of this the company maintained professionalism and continued on as if nothing happened.

My hat's off to all the cast members for a fine performance. And to the performers who sang the solo numbers a job well done. I know that it's difficult to be onstage in front of friends and family but that it a hundred times harder to sing (unless you've been drinking in a karaoke bar). Overall the evening was delightful and the cast and crew appeared to have fun. Kudos to the orchestra who also played very well.

If your going to either the Friday or Saturday performance and don't already have your tickets, I suggest getting there a little early as the seats are assigned and it takes a while to get though the line at the box office.

Until tomorrow then. Good night.

Ken

Mid Michigan Writers Group Is Awesome

Hello,
This is the first post to my new blog. I plan to post everyday about my life here in Houghton Lake, Michigan. I'll write about some of the events and other things happening around town. Most of it real with a little "blarney" mixed in. From the general store with the two old guys playing checkers, to the barber shop philosophy and, of course, the fish stories. The coffee is always hot, the cider cold and the stories are plentiful. So if you enjoy what you read share it with your friends.

Today is the second Monday of the month which means the Mid Michigan Writers are meeting in West Branch. Tonight is special as it is the first meeting that I will be the moderator, I was voted in at the last meeting by near unanimous yea vote, with one nay vote (mine). I'm sure this will be an honor and a lot of fun. I enjoy the group and look forward to the meetings twice each month ( the second and fourth Monday).

Mid Michigan Writers are a great bunch who are serious about writing and offer constructive criticism of each others work. Two members read something they recently wrote for critique by the group. No more than ten pages double spaced if you run over you'll have to save it for the next opening. We schedule will who read for us once a quarter at the business meeting. Even though we schedule ahead all members are encouraged to bring something to read in case we have an opening or the scheduled readings are short as is often the case with poems.

So if you are a writer or an aspiring writer who doesn't know where to start. and interested in interacting with like minded people. Come to one of our meetings held in the downstairs meeting room of the West Branch Public Library on the second and fourth Monday each month at 6:30 pm. For more information about the group, the groups activities and the benefits of membership click here Mid Michigan Writers. Let us you know you saw this article (it will make me feel good) and I hope to see you at one of our meetings.

Note: No meeting on December 14th do to our Christmas Dinner. I'll be sure to post about that after.

Thanks for stopping by. Hope you'll come back soon and often.