Leeches, Night Crawlers, Minnows or Artificial?

Day 202

I just saw a picture of an angler who caught a 24" walleye, using leeches, on Houghton Lake. It wasn't me. I'm rather squeamish concerning leeches. My brother uses them but complains their hard to put on the hook.

Many people swear by leeches. I can't see the difference in shape and color from a nightcrawler. I must assume the leech moves differently in the water. Fish are attracted by motion.

Nightcrawlers come from earth but will wiggle around in water for a short time. Leeches are water dwellers and will "swim" if put on the hook properly, for a longer time.

My father always swore by small minnows. His favorite fish was perch. I've never had much success with minnows. It seems no matter how I put a minnow on the hook, the hook ends up bare and I don't have a fish. I've hooked them through the lips. I've hooked them through the middle. I've never hooked a minnow through the tail, maybe that would work.

Other than my lack of success with minnows, they just don't last. With an aerator they last a couple of days. Without an aerator they only last hours.

I have great success with nightcrawlers. When bottom fishing with a panfish rig, I use a small piece of worm, thereby I stretch out a dozen crawlers over several fishing trips. I've kept nightcrawlers in my fridge for over a month. If you try this I suggest taking them outside before opening the container to check them, Once dead they decompose quickly and stink something awful.

Here are some other ways to put the bait on the hook.

Artificial bait.

My dad never used artificial bait when fishing with me. He may have when fishing with my brothers, but by the time he got me out there, it was just panfish rigs with two separate hooks and live bait, fished off the bottom. I accidentally discovered bottom bouncing because I was always lifting and dropping my pole to feel the sinker hit the bottom. I usually caught the most fish. Of course, my dad sleeping didn't help his catch numbers.

Now I like to troll with a 2 hook spinner rig. Often, as I troll along, I can feel small fish tugging at the end of the bait. If I was to use a live bait, it would be gone a piece at a time.

Instead, I use an artificial bait that resembles a fat nightcrawler called a shimmy stick. It wiggles as it moves through the water and unlike plastic it has a real feel to it. This causes the fish to keep the bait in it's mouth longer.

Once the fish decides your bait isn't food, it will spit it out. This can take just a few seconds. So you want to use an artificial bait that looks and "feels" like the real thing, so the fish will keep the bait in it's mouth long enough for you to set the hook. I have caught a lot of big fish with this rig.

Another of my favorite artificial bait rigs for trolling is a combination jighead set inside a white shad with a swim tail. I know I wrote I don't have success with minnows, but that's live minnows on a panfish rig. This is trolling while on a shallow lake with an artificial. It works well for bass and northern pike.

I haven't been out yet on either of the two smaller lakes that I like to fish in my two man Bass Raider boat. But I will soon. The winter was mild so the winter kill should be low. That means fewer fish have died during the winter months due to lack of oxygen caused by thick ice.

It's going to be great year for fishing.

Until tomorrow,

Ken

Winter Cheap Shot...Snow in Mid May

Day 189

I haven't been out on the lake much. The weather hasn't been cooperating so far. Too windy or too cold for this old man to get out there. As can be seen by the snow we had today.

Others including my nephew, have had some luck in or near the canals catching northern pike, rock bass and large crappies.

I haven't heard anything about perch or bluegill biting.

The water at Reedsburg dam is still running high, so no chance to try there yet. I did mention before that I tried by the boat launch but had no success, neither did another angler fishing while I was there.

Temperatures are set to go up into the seventies in the next week. Fishing should get better as the temps warm up.

I hope to get out onto Backus lake this week. The winds are suppose to be down for a few days.

Until tomorrow,

Ken 

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

TIP UP TOWN USA 2016 Fundraiser Event January 16, 2016

Day 63

There will be a fundraiser event held at Shenanigans Pub on Saturday, January 16th at 7pm with live entertainment and a free Nacho Bar. Will be asking for a $5 donation that will go to Houghton Lake Chamber of Commerce in support of Tip Up Town.

Tip Up Town gets more expensive each year as the cost of insurance and rides goes up. The local business community does great but this they need a little help. Thus the fundraiser asking a mere $5 donation. Wow. What a deal. Hope to see you there.

Houghton Lake Has Ice-Not Yet Safe

Day 55


For all of you ice angler's out there. The ice has finally begun to form on the lakes in our area. This is great news with Tip Up Town USA only a few weeks away. Whether or not the ice will be safe in time for TUT remains to be seen. The festival will go on either way as all of the rides, vendors and contests are held on snow covered land with the exception of a few, such as the ice fishing contest.

Late ice on the lake has happened before. A few years ago the ice didn't form up until the very end of December and TUT went on without a hitch. I'm sure I'll see someone on the ice in the next two weeks whether the ice is safe or not.

Unusually warm weather was the culprit a few years back. This year we set a new record for December average temperatures. Just over 40 degrees average for the month.

I don't ice fish so I'm not upset in the least. I look forward to an early spring and getting my boat back in the water at either Backus Lake or Reedsburg Dam area. I prefer fishing from my small two man boat. Over the last four years I have become very fond of trolling at Backus Lake. Partly for bigger fish but lately for any fish. The winter kill over the past two winters has been devastating to the smaller and shallower bodies of water.

Fishing has gone down so much at Backus there were hardly any campers there this past summer. One good thing though, the deer flies were almost none existent. Deer flies like to fly around your head and they bite. Mostly they bite my hands and ankles. Right through my socks! It's hard to catch fish when your constantly swatting at biting flies. I don't look forward to the flies but I have an electric fly swatter. Once you zap the first dozen they don't come back right away. So it's all good.

Anyway, the point is there's ice forming on Houghton Lake and a little snow on the ground. So ice fishing and snowmobiling aren't far away. Spring isn't far away either.

Until tomorrow,

Ken

Star Wars to Ice Fishing to Prime Rib

Day 37

Wow. December 15 and the lake has no signs of freezing. It's also looking like a brown Christmas here as the temperatures are too warm for snow, although we have had plenty of rain.

Three days to the December 18th release of the new Star Wars: The Force Awakens movie and it is scheduled for the local Pines Theater. Hurray! THe Pines has a showing scheduled for the 17th for more info Pines Theater info. I won't be fighting for a seat until after the first few days but I'm sure it will be a sell out every night of the three weeks it is scheduled to run (assuming it doesn't get extended).

On December 19th the Kirtland Center for the Performing Arts will be doing a live radio broadcast of Charles Dickens "A Christmas Carol" at 5pm on 100.3 FM.

Finally because I'm hungry and need to finish this entry so I can eat.

Matt's Lake Street Grill and Pizzeria will be open on December 25th with a Christmas Dinner Prime Rib buffet from 11am to 5pm. Including Ham, chicken and shrimp and many other holiday favorites. So if your not invited to Christmas dinner or you don't celebrate Christmas you can still have a fabulous dinner. Mom and I aren't doing anything this year so I'll see you there.

The new Little Caesars pizza is still under construction although I've heard there will be a grand opening on January 8, 2016. The new Little Caesars is situated between Arbys and Garretts restaurants. Should be a better location than the current one at the west end of the lake. The current one will be closed when the new one is opened.

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

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  

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.