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WNW NEWS MAY 2017 3
 By Tom Campbell
Field Notes...
W
oods-N-Water News writer, e-Store or for more information, contact park inter-
walleye pro and Hall of Famer preter Valerie Blaschka at 989-667-0717 or blasch-
Mark Martin will be the keynote kav@michigan.gov.
speaker at the DNRs Outdoor Newaygo County Steer Tests Positive
Skills Academy in-depth, two- for TB; DNR now Must Test Deer
day clinic on fishing Saginaw In mid-March, the Michigan Department of
Bay walleyes. Joining Mark will be Captain Bran- Agriculture and Rural Development announced
don Stanton of Team the finding of bovine tuberculosis (TB) in a sample
Gunsmoke Sportfishing taken from a 2-year-old steer from Newaygo County.
and Guide Service. The The animal was identified as possibly diseased and
clinic takes place May removed from the human food chain by the U.S.
9 and 10, at the Sagi- Department of Agriculture Food Safety Inspection
naw Bay Visitor Center Service.
in Bay City. According to the a DNR press release, In ac-
The two-day clinic cordance with the Michigan Department of Natural
begins with a tips and Resources and MDARD joint bovine TB response
techniques session plan, the DNR is responsible for testing a minimum
from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. of 30 free-ranging deer within a 3-mile radius of the
Instructors Martin and affected facility.
Stanton will cover Annually, the DNR tests thousands of white-
the equipment and tailed deer for bovine TB statewide. Due to this new
skills needed to catch steer finding, hunters within the 3-mile radius of this
Saginaw Bay walleye. facility will be asked to voluntarily submit their deer
The class will take the heads for TB testing. This increased surveillance
novice angler through effort is planned to ensure the disease has not spilled
rod and reel selection, Walleye pro and exper t Mark over into the deer population.
rigging and presenta- Mar tin to give walleye clinic. We appreciate all that hunters do to help us fight
tion techniques, and wildlife disease across Michigan. This surveillance
natural history tips is a routine part of our states TB response. It is criti-
about walleye in Saginaw Bay. cal that hunters understand there is no link between
According to the DNR, On the second day of CWD and TB, commented Dr. Kelly Straka, DNR
the clinic, running 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., participants
will have an opportunity to experience hands-on,
one-on-one time with Martins pro-staff as they
board pro boats and fish Saginaw Bay. Cost for the
clinic is $165, which includes lunch both days and
Volunteers needed to help guard Michigans sturgeon
pro boat trips. Participants are encouraged to bring The Black Lake Chapter of Sturgeon for
the fishing gear they already have. Tomorrow in Cheboygan County is seeking volunteers
Registration is limited to 28 participants. Sign up to join in its effort, in partnership with the Michigan
for the Saginaw Bay Walleye Clinic in the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement
and Fisheries Divisions, to help protect lake sturgeon
SEASONS
from illegal harvest during the annual spawning run.
Every spring, mature lake sturgeon, a fish species
that is threatened in Michigan and rare throughout the
United States, become vulnerable to poaching as they
Open All Year Pike and walleye season on Lower
Peninsula Great Lakes, Lake St. Clair & St. Clair & briefly leave Black Lake for spawning sites upstream
Detroit Rivers in the Black River.
Open All Year Salmon and trout season on Great Hundreds of volunteers are needed to stand guard
Lakes, St. Marys River, Lake St. Clair & St. Clair & along the Black River during the spawning season,
Detroit Rivers from mid-April through early June, to report any sus-
Open All Year Catch-and-immediate-release bass sea- picious activity and deter the unlawful take of this
son on all Michigan waters open to fishing iconic fish.
Now-Dec. 31 Pure Michigan Hunt Application For over 17 years, the annual Sturgeon Guarding
April 17-May 31 Spring turkey hunting, special regu- Program has proven that people serving as sturgeon
lations and hunt dates check digest for more information guards watching over the river have virtually eliminat-
April 29-March 15 pike, walleye, muskie seasons on ed poaching, while helping to ensure the protection
Lower Peninsula inland waters and reproductive success of the species, said Ann
April 29-Sept. 30 Trout and salmon on inland Type 1 Feldhauser, a DNR retiree and the guarding programs
and 2 streams and Type A & D lakes volunteer coordinator. Its a unique and rewarding
May 1-June 1 Application period for elk and bear experience to witness these majestic fish, which can
licenses
live up to 100 years and weigh over 200 pounds,
May 15-March 15 pike, walleye, muskie seasons on
Upper Peninsula Great Lakes, inland waters and St swimming up the Black River and to be a key player
Marys River in safeguarding one of Michigans most valuable natu-
May 27-Dec. 31 Bass; catch and keep season on all ral resources.
waters except; Lake St. Clair, St. Clair and Detroit When spawning begins, sturgeon guards are
Rivers assigned in shifts to sites along the river. The volun-
June 3-Dec. 15 Muskie season on Lake St. Clair, St. teers stand watch and, if suspicious activity occurs,
Clair and Detroit Rivers use cellular phones provided by Sturgeon for
June 17-Dec. 31 Bass; catch and keep season on Lake Tomorrow to contact DNR Conservation Officers who
St. Clair, St. Clair and Detroit Rivers are actively patrolling the area in support of the guard-
ing effort. Aerial surveillance is also deployed to help
MJC MJC secure the area.
ARCHERY
MACOMB
ARCHERY
OAKLAND
The experience of watching researchers capture,
tag and release these amazing fish is, in itself, worth
the effort of becoming involved, said Brenda
19744 15 Mile Rd 3001 Rochester Rd
Archambo, coordinator of the Sturgeon Recovery
Clinton Twp. 48035 Royal Oak, MI 48073 effort in the Black River watershed. We also encour-
586-791-4600 248-589-2480 age those who enjoy mountain biking, mushrooming,
4 MAY 2017 WNW NEWS
Last months (April) Big Buck story on page 74 was
by Jesse Blake (not Jeff).
wildlife veterinarian.
Bovine TB is a bacterial disease that can be
spread between wildlife populations and other mam-
mals, including humans. In Michigan, TB is primar-
ily found in the northeast Lower Peninsula, where
MDARD conducts surveillance in cattle herds. Using
whole genome sequencing, it was determined that
the infected animal from Newaygo County was most
likely exposed to other cattle from northeastern Low-
er Peninsula. The disease has never been detected in
deer in Newaygo County.
In the northeastern Lower Peninsula, deer man-
agement units 452 and 487 have been established to
help manage the prevalence of bovine TB in white-
tailed deer in this area where, historically, cattle
herds have been found to be infected.
This response is standard protocol for the DNR
when cattle are found positive for TB outside Deer
Management Unit 487, which does happen from
time to time. Bovine TB was last detected in October
2016 from a cattle facility in Huron County.n
hiking, kayaking, canoeing and camping in beautiful
wild areas to partner with the sturgeon guarding effort,
where the diversity of the experience on the Black
River offers a wonderful experience.
Many opportunities over the approximately six-
week-long spawning season are available for those
who wish to help. Coordinators will be on-site at the
river to assist and answer questions. In addition to
guarding the sturgeon, volunteers can also play a key
role by recording the number and activity of fish they
see. This has become a popular
activity for families, scouting
and church groups, as well as
students interested in natural
resource management. Often
artists participate as well, espe-
cially photographers.
Individuals or groups inter-
ested in volunteering should
contact Mark and Ann
Feldhauser at 906-201-2484, or 906-346-9511.
Volunteers can also register online at www.stur-
geonfortomorrow.org/guarding-program.php or web
search Sturgeon for Tomorrow, Black Lake Chapter.
For those traveling from outside the local area,
hotels, restaurants and Onaway State Park (located on
Black Lake) which has improved camping and cabin
rentals, are close to the guarding locations.
Volunteers are also encouraged to set up their rus-
tic camps along the banks of the Black River. There is
no charge for camping on the state land adjacent to the
Black River.
Lake sturgeon rehabilitation in the Cheboygan
River watershed is a cooperative effort involving the
Black Lake Chapter of Sturgeon for Tomorrow, the
Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Michigan
State University and Tower-Kleber Limited
Partnership.
In addition to the guarding program, this effort
includes activities such as tagging sturgeon adults and
raising young fish for stocking in the Black, Burt and
Mullet Lakes, all in Cheboygan County.
WNW NEWS MAY 2017 5

Life slows down
on a trout stream
Tom Carney...page 20
HUNTING
Get in the
GOBBLER ZONE
By Kenny Darwin page 12
Grouse Hunter Cooperator
Lee Arten page 22
Recovered deer mount
Richard P. Smith page 28
Electronic collars
and dog training
Charlie Linblade page 35
Experience
M i c h i g a ns
Tr a i l s
...page 54
Creating the maximum
combination bow and firearm plots
Ed Spinazzola page 64
30 training thoughts
Len Jenkins page 75
COVER PHOTOS
Become a Shroomer...
By Tom Huggler page 38
White Bass...
By Mark Romanack page 14
Tom Time - Gobbler Zone...
By Kenny Darwin page 12
6 MAY 2017 WNW NEWS
Morel Hunting Part IV...COs on deer patrol
FISHING Joe Lunkas page 52 Jeff Pendergraff page 78
Drop shot smallies Dear Fish Diary:
Kenny Darwin page 8
White bass just for the fun of it
Eye glasses caught...
and returned? What?
Ron St. Germain page 63
PERSPECTIVE
Mark Romanack page 14
Sporting Collectibles...
Ill call a turkey for ya!
Darryl Quidort page 24
The Next Bite... Even more sport show specials The fisherman and the wolf
Transitioning Tactics Terry McBurney page 76 Sharon Kennedy page 34
Gary Parsons/Keith Kavajecz
page 16
Big Water Kayaking
Brian Miller page 18
Spinning a web
for spring walleyes
Mark Romanack page 26
Todays yak anglers
have options
Roger Beukema page 30
Take your kids/grandkids
fishing and dont
The Spring Smolt Bite
forget your daughters
Bill Ziegler page 36
Great Lakes fishing in May
Mark Martin page 50
Living and dying by the Ned Rig Jim Bedford...page 46
Dave Mull page 51
River and lakes
north and south
John Bergsma page 56
OUTDOOR NEWS The Good Well
Patrick Bevier page 48
U.P. deer habitat improvements
Saginaw Bays hot page 41 Guest Column
spring walleye bite The cycle starts again
Mike Veine page 60 Dedicating the Michigan By Joe Remenap page 62
Dynamite Bluegills Outdoor Hall of Fame
Mark Sak page 58
Kenny Darwin page 70
OPINIONS
Northern Ontarios Pheasant Forever president
Kabinakagami Lake page 59 Research: Hunting Trends
Tom Lounsbury page 72 page 67
Where can I ride
my ATV in the UP? Saginaw Bay needs
FEATURE Stephen King page 66 to return the favor
page 68
Michigans quintessential seagull 2017 Free ORV Weekends
THE HERRING GULL page 66
Jonathan Schechter page 32
Fishing for answers:
GUNS/AMMO
Confessions of a confirmed Heres how you can help Traditional Black Powder Hunting
Shroomer Great Lake fisheries Bridging the abyss
Tom Huggler page 38 Michigan Sea Grant page 69 Dennis Neely page 42
Boat launch preparation
Capt. Fred Davis page 40
Mushrooming in Michigan
George Rowe page 44 DEPARTMENTS . . .
Trophy Page. . . . . . 80 Classifieds . . . . 81-82
MAY 2017 $4.00
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Michigans Premier Outdoor Publication
Letters/Op-Ed . . 66-68 Real Estate . . . . 83-89
Become A Michigan...
Shroomer
8107240254
Tom
Time
White Bass Get in the
Gobbler P.O. Box 278, Imlay City, MI 48444
Just For The Fun of it! Zone!
Dynamite Bluegills Spinning a Web for Spring Walleyes
Creating Combo Food Plots for Archery and Firearm Seasons
Experience Michigan's Trails Now They're NOT Seagulls
www.woods-n-waternews.com Like us on facebook Follow us on www.facebook.com/woodsnwaternews
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WNW NEWS MAY 2017 7

 DROP SHOT
SMALLIES
Drop shotting is a deadly method from ice out until ice up. It is a
hot tactic you can use in deep or shallow water, around drop offs,
banks, rock piles, sunken trees, weeds and just about any
structure where smallies congregate...By Kenny Darwin
W
e were fishing Lake
St. Clair four or five
miles from shore
when all of a sudden
I felt a solid strike
as the bass shark
attacked my plastic. I jerked the
rod high overhead and the hook set
brought the lunker blasting out of
the water like a Polaris missile gone
amok. For an instant the huge tiger
striped monster bass was suspended
in the sunlight, surrounded by a
halo of water droplets. But when it
crashed back into the emerald green
water it made a headlong sprint for
bottom, and like a rookie I muscled
back on the rod and the leader
snapped. For an instant I had that
sickening stomach feeling and could
not believe what happened, but the
leader came back with no hook, no
plastic, and thats when my fish-
ing buddy said, You should have
given that hawg an opportunity to
strip line off the drag. That was a 7
pounder!
His words of advice still ring
in my ears. Fact is, Michigans
smallmouth bass populations are
booming and five pound-plus fish
Michigan anglers need to be aware it is illegal to use drop shot
fishing tactics on rivers, streams or drowned river mouth lakes.
8 MAY 2017 WNW NEWS
are common on Lake St. Clair, De-
troit River, Lake Erie, Saginaw Bay,
Grand Traverse Bays and all along
the west Michigan coast. More
importantly, anglers have hit on a
new fishing technique that big bass
simply cannot resist.
Perhaps the most productive
technique ever developed for catch-
ing bass is drop shotting using a
weight placed below a jiggling, wig-
gling, twisting, tantalizing plastic
suspended above bottom. The fish-
ing technique is simple, you cast,
allow the weight to touch bottom
and you hold your rod at a 10-12
oclock high position and you twitch
the rod tip. This causes the plastic
to come alive, go ballistic and swim
like a minnow on steroids. With
drop shotting, a single hook is tied
12-20 inches above the weight and a
plastic is attached to the single hook.
When you give the rod a wiggle, it
causes the plastic to shimmy, jiggle,
twitch and mimic baitfish in dis-
tress. Smallies can see the dancing
plastic at long distances because Author, Kenny Darwin, with large Detroit River smallie taken in 30 ft.
it is suspended off bottom. They of water using drop shot tricks in early spring. When bass congre-
investigate, get kissin close then gate in deep water, he uses electronics to locate schools and a bow
flare gills, vent water at lightning mounted powerful electric trolling motor to stay on fish.
speed through their mouth and out This tactic is best used with
gills and suck in the presentation. relatively light fishing line, 6-10 lb.
The strike comes as a solid thud, test for long casts and sensitive fish-
although sometimes it is difficult to ing. Spinning rods that are 6 to 8
detect and feels like added weight ft. long with sensitive tips will help
on the hook. Thats when you set for long distance casting and to feel
the hook and the fun begins. the strike. With this style of fishing,
Michigans smallmouth popula- you hold your rod tip high, say 10-
tions are booming and solid num- 12 oclock and constantly keep the
bers can be found in just about all plastic wiggling by jiggling the rod
major rivers, and lakes. But if you tip. This makes the hook dance and
are looking for monster fish that tip the electric action causes the plastic
the scales over six pounds my top to come alive. Most savvy bassin
picks are Lake Erie, Detroit River, boys use a size #2 VMC or Mustad
Lake St. Clair, Charity Islands on drop shot hook with turned out eye.
Saginaw Bay, Grand Traverse Bays Heres how you rig it.
and Pentwater Lake and channel. Experienced anglers use 6-8 lb.
Drop shotting is a deadly fluorocarbon clear mono leader and
method from ice out until ice up. It they snip off a 3 ft. piece and at-
is a hot tactic you can use in deep tach the hook in the center using an
or shallow water, around drop offs, overhand knot and passing the hook
banks, rock piles, sunken trees, through the loop so it faces up when
weeds and just about any structure
where smallies congregate. Drop shot smallies page 10
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WNW NEWS MAY 2017 9

Drop shot smallies:
from page 8
the knot is tight. The weight is at-
tached 12-18 inches below and the
leader is attached to the main fishing
line using an Albright knot.
One of the deadliest tricks
going is to rig a 4-6-inch worm
whacky-style by placing the hook
in the center of the worm. Drop it
to bottom, reel slack line and give
the rod tip a jiggle which causes the
worm to come to life. This makes it
dance, swim, wiggle and look like a
stranded, wounded critter suspended
off bottom. Whacky rigging worms
is a fantastic tactic when fishing
deep water structure. With this tac-
tic, you are vertical fishing and you
can use your electric motor to stay
over structure like rocks, banks and
weed edges that hold fish. Often
you can see fish approaching the
worm. If they dont bite, try reeling
the offering away and see if they
slam the bait trying to escape.
Another strategy is to cast away
from the boat and jiggle the offer-
ing toward you. In shallow water
long casts are needed to keep from
spooking wary bass. In Saginaw
Bay and Lake St. Clair, shorter casts
will get the job done and the secret
to success is selecting minnow
imitation baits, smallish worms with
action tails and you gotta shake it
baby.
The weight you use can range
from a cone shape to round or pencil
style. Most tournament fishermen
swear by tungsten weight that gives
them sensitive contact with bottom.
They also maintain that custom-
made weights with ball bearing or
swivel attachments keep your leader
from twisting and allow the plastic
to swim with a life-like action. In
shallow water, try 3/16 oz. to oz.
weights. For deeper water, try oz.
weights, but if wind, waves or cur-
rent make it difficult to feel bottom,
feel free to increase weight to 3/8
oz. or oz. sizes.
Distance between hook and
weight can be critical. In most cases
you want to stick with 12-18 inch
leader from hook to weight. How-
ever, if fishing along tall weed beds,
super clear water or steep banks,
you might want to lengthen the lead
to 24-36-inches. Heres how you
fish it.
Make a cast to a likely look-
ing smallie hotspot where there is
some structure like a steep bank,
rock pile, boulders or zebra mussel
condominium. Let it sink to bottom.
Reel up slack line and begin shak-
ing the tip. This causes the plastic
to come alive. If you dont get hit,
slowly drag the weight toward the
boat and keep shaking baby to make
the plastic look like it is swimming
10 MAY 2017 WNW NEWS
Mona Lake, Muskegon Lake and
piers, White Lake and piers, Pent-
Great Lakes and Great Lakes con-
necting waters only. This gear may
water Lake and pier, Pere Marquette not be used on rivers, streams, or
Lake at Ludington, Manistee Lake drowned river mouth lakes.
away. Repeat the process until the and lower river, Portage Lake, Ar- One deadly drop shot tactic is to
rig is near the boat, and you cast cadia Lake, Betsie Lake and chan- pass the hook through the head of
again and begin working the plastic. nel and many, many more bassin the plastic and out the nose. Do not
Most of the time the weight is in di- hotspots. It is my opinion this law expose the hook and it will be 100
rect contact with bottom. Id say in is an excellent example of how percent weedless. More impor-
most situations you want the weight Michigans DNR laws entrap law tantly, the entire soft plastic dangles
touching 90 percent of the time, abiding sportsmen and restrict sport below the hook and gives off an
although sometimes the fish want fishing on literally some of the finest enticing vibration, drawing smallies
it swimming fast, and you will get smallie lakes in the entire state. like kids running for candy. While
slammed by reeling, stopping and Dean Molnar, DNR Law En- twitching a soft plastic is hot,
reeling to keep the weight touching forcement Assistant Chief, refer- some new innovative fish, worm,
bottom 20 percent of the time. The enced page 10 of the 2017 Michigan crawfish and goby look-alikes have
trick is to experiment with retrieve, Fishing Guide under Drop Shotting developed into a bass fishing suc-
lure color, and concentrate on mak- which states The practice of having cess breakthrough. The exciting
ing repeated casts to likely bass a weight suspended below a hook new soft plastics are again using
hideouts. If you are blind casting in that is tied directly to the main fish- drop shotting and thats another
a large lake, try moving the offering ing line is lawful on inland lakes, story.n
rather quickly across bottom until it
hits structure like a clam bed, rock,
boulder, or zebra mussel colony, and
slow the retrieve and jiggle the lure
where bass may be schooled.
Some anglers are sold on craw-
fish colors when using plastics, and
the boys filling their livewells with
pig-shaped tiger-striped Great Lakes
smallies are having fantastic success
with Goby-looking plastics. Ive
had excellent success using plas-
tics colored watermelon, motor oil
and other brownish varieties, but I
like lures with a touch of metallic
specks. Some of those specks shine
purple while others give off a flash
of silver, red, blue or copper, and the
smallies detect the shine and come
calling.
Some bassin pros make a living
at drop shotting, but a recent Michi-
gan tournament winner was dis-
qualified because he was using the
deadly technique in a drowned river
mouth. The Michigan DNR issued
him a ticket and he lost $40,000 in
tournament prize and was disquali-
fied from national competition.
Michigan fishermen need to
be aware of an old DNR law go-
ing back to the salmon snagging
days that makes fishing with your
hook above the weight illegal. In
my opinion, this DNR law needs to
change. First, drop shot fishermen
use single, not treble, hooks. Sec-
ond, they are not ripping the hook
upward but jiggling plastics near
bottom. Third, bass are released
unharmed, and most importantly
there are fewer salmon due to DNR
reduced planting efforts. Few an-
glers understand the outdated DNR
law. Their intent is to respect the
resource, catch bass legally in the
mouth and they are not snagging.
Keep in mind this obsolete law
applies to all Great Lakes drowned
rivermouths and pier heads includ- Note size #2 Mustad drop shot hook in the corner of this tigers
ing the lower St. Joe River, Lake mouth and clear fluorocarbon leader running to drop shot weight
Macatawa, Grand River at Grand with swivel attachment near fishs tail. Brandon Conner of Ionia
Haven, lower Kalamazoo River uses 8 ft. light action rods to stay in contact with bottom and help
and Kalamazoo Lake at Saugatuck, feel bites. Kenny Darwin photos
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WNW NEWS MAY 2017 11

 Get in the
GOBBLER ZONE
W ild turkeys are
wary birds and
sometimes it
seems like you
simply cannot
get close enough
for a shot. They
certainly have
unbelievable instants and perhaps
keener eyesight that any other bird
in Michigan. If they get one glimpse
of you or if something appears out
of place they turn tail and become a
Michigan road runner and sprint out
of sight at lightning speed.
Overshadowing all other hunt-
ing factors, perhaps the number one
reason Michigan turkey hunters fill
The author used a few yelps and a Primos Killer on a quality tripod. But
B decoy to bring this adult gobbler into easy
crossbow range on a warm sunny mid-day hunt. the shutter; notice the
12 MAY 2017 WNW NEWS
By Kenny Darwin
a tag is because of location. Scout-
ing can be a major factor in identify-
ing turkey rich locations, determin-
ing travel routes and establishing
movement patterns. But that does
not mean by simply being in a gob-
bler hot spot will guarantee success,
rather to be successful turkey hunt-
ers must utilize camouflage or blend
into the environment and use savvy
decoying tricks and calling strate-
large lens with shiny glass and skirt
out of sight.
However, over the years Ive
noticed that once you get in a gob-
blers comfort zone they tend to
ignore you. It is almost like they
accept any unusual forms that are
close. Seldom do they go bonkers if
they pick you out and many times
once you get inside 15 yards turkeys
seem to not notice you.
gies to get wild birds in easy range. It is exciting to slip into the
This involves getting inside comfort zone and witness the char-
a wild turkeys comfort zone and acteristics of these huge birds up
using smart hunting tricks to seal close in your face. They are con-
the deal. Getting in the zone is what stantly communicating by making
turkey hunting is all about and once soft purrs and yelps to stay in con-
you get kissin close to a big gobbler tact. Close range loud gobbles will
it will change the way send a chill up your spine. There
you hunt for the rest of is something powerfully addictive
your life. You will no about getting close to adult gob-
longer be happy with blers. You learn to love their strut-
random long distance tin, spittin, drummin, chirping
encounters and work and the multitude of sounds they
diligently to seduce wild make to attract mates. When other
birds into easy range. birds are close gobblers tend to be
I learned about very relaxed yet constantly watching
gobbler comfort zones nearby hens that act as lookouts and
years ago while tak- sound a sharp alarm putt if danger
ing telephoto pictures. is near. Sometimes a troop of gob-
I quickly realized that blers will get downright goofy as
in order to get quality they chase each other like teens at a
photos I needed to get dance, purring, clucking and dash-
very close, inside 30 ing helter skelter.
yards, and go undetected In order to get inside a gob-
while snapping images. blers zone you need to identify his
Of course I discovered territory, learn his strut zone and
that hiding in a pop-up determine which travel patterns he
blind provided cover uses and the fields that are his home
needed to get close. I turf. Start by scouting in advance
was amazed at how wild and entering his domain undetected,
turkeys pay no attention usually under the cover of darkness
to man-made structures before daylight. The idea is to set up
and I could take photos where you can cover a large area,
with ease. I still set up say the length of a football field but
wearing full camouflage your intention is to encourage the
and learned how to gobbler to eventually come your
steady my 500mm lens way and end up less than 30 yards
from you.
savvy birds would hear In some cases a big bird might
stray from his zone or perhaps he
is henned up and busy with breed-
ing chores. Not every wild turkey
charges you at first light. Sometimes
you need to be patient, give him
time to cross a ridge or navigate a
swamp before you get a peek at his
huge black form coming through the
forest. Each hunting scenario is dif-
ferent and you need to be adaptable
if you want to succeed.
It helps if you can find a clear
area for decoys and ideal backdrop
to conceal your outline. Sometimes
the best set ups have paths leading
in several directions which allows
birds to approach from a variety
of locations. The trick is to try and
foresee the future by anticipating a
gobbler will hear your calls, answer
and head in your direction. Select a
stand where you can move without
being spotted.
Far too many Michigan rookie
hunters place too much faith in tur-
key calls and they neglect the basics
of concealment, and most important-
ly decoying. Attracting a wild turkey
is an art form. You just dont make
some yelps and continue with the
same cadence and sound and expect
birds to come running. Savvy callers
use a variety of calls and often open
up with a loud box call, then switch
to yelps from a mouth call and seal
the deal with sweet purrs made on a
slate call. It is almost like perform-
ing a dance where one move cues a
corresponding action. You make a
few calls, a gobbler responds, you
entice him with a variety of other
calls and he sneaks close enough to
see your decoys and now you are
in a tango that includes moves and
counter moves that entices the bird
into the kill zone.
Deadly decoys are the trick to
quick success; they are far more
important than calls and set up loca-
tion. Getting a boss gobbler to strut
your way and come kissin close
requires your understanding of wild
turkey decoys and how to use them.
The key to success hinges on use of
a full strut gobbler with fanned tail.
While some hunters swear by hen
and jake decoys it has been my ex-
perience that full deks are absolutely
deadly. If you are a novice turkey
hunter or have difficulty calling
gobblers I recommend you cut to the
chase and learn how to use full fan
decoys to bring gobblers running.
The trick is to replace the fake
fan with real feathers and make the
decoy mimic the exact visual cue
as a wild bird. I like to glue on real
wing feathers, butt feathers and
custom paint the head. This deadly
tactic brings gobblers running like
no other, period. You see, there is
the powerful sexual message that
a fan tail sends out to all and sex
crazed toms come running. To
wild turkeys a fan indicates sexual
readiness, dominance and gives
birds a visual clue that a hot hen is
nearby, ready to breed which causes
gobblers to investigate the fanned
decoy and they walk into the kill
zone. One strategy is to position the
decoy, hide in tall grass, brush or
cover nearby and not do any calling.
You would be amazed at the draw-
ing power of a strutting gobbler de-
coy. Savvy hunters give some sweet
turkey talk calls to get the attention
of birds in the area but many times
they go silent once the incoming
gobbler is headed directly toward
the kill zone. A full fan gobbler
decoy brings toms to you, puts them
in easy range and you are automati-
cally inside their comfort zone.
Other times getting inside the
comfort zone requires utilizing call-
ing to seal the deal. This involves
many different variables most of
which are used on the fly as hunters
feel their way through each hunt.
Sometimes you need an understand-
ing of the land, the layout of woods
and fields so you can maneuver into
position. Interpreting the mood of
gobblers can be important and if
birds are call shy you limit com-
munication. On the other hand if a
gobbler is fired up and willing to
quickly respond to calls you can
easily attract a gobbler with a series
of yelps. Some hunters are expert
callers and they can get the atten-
tion of toms and bring them close
at lightning speed. The late Doug
Thornton from Haslett was an ace
at calling turkeys and on more than
one occasion Ive seen him light
em up and bring em close with
soft purrs. He was an expert at
turkey communication and he could
create a visual aspect of location to
an unseen quarry. It was always a
A hunters dream comes true as three longbeards come across an open field to greet a fanned decoy. Love sick
spring gobblers can appear from any direction, through swamps, over hills, across open fields when searching
for a receptive mate. The action really heats up when multiple toms arrive simultaneously and come struttin into
your kill zone. Kenny Darwin photos
pleasure to see his birds come scout- not in sight. The key to success is in and mess with gobblers in a par-
ing with head high, looking for love dictated by the mood of the gobbler. ticular parcel, the sooner birds will
only to find Dougs 3 mag. He If you make the right move you can eventually avoid it. Try to plan
was a master caller and excelled at have birds in the zone before they your hunt and use travel routes that
finishing wild turkeys. make a break. The key to success in- do not disturb birds. If you are hunt-
Often rookie hunters use the volves finding open areas for calling ing a location with only a few birds
same vocalizations over and over and not making a peep unless you wait for the best conditions and
and smart gobblers will hang up, find a good backdrop to sit against. slip into the area under the cover of
not convinced the monotone is the Instead of just blindly walking and darkness. Learn to sit tight and coax
real deal. Sometimes vocalizations calling, try to foresee or anticipate birds into the zone using realistic
outside the zone can last for hours where a bird will answer and be calls and full fan decoys. Youll only
and hunters never get close enough prepared before you call. This will get a few chances to bag a long-
for a shot. It is always rewarding make getting wild turkeys inside the beard and convince him to tip toe
to have a gobbler talkin turkey but zone less complicated and end up into easy shooting range. Take your
you cannot fill your tag on birds spooking far fewer birds. time, dont rush the shot and enjoy
outside the zone. If you are hunting small proper- the thrill of a magnificent game bird
There are also birds that sim- ties do not over-hunt your location. kissin close, fanning, drummin and
ply are too busy following hens to Just like with deer, the more you go dancing in your kill zone.n
come to calls or decoys. Sure they
will gobble in response to your call
but slowly melt into the landscape
going the other way. In this situa-
tion a hunter must learn to get out
in front of him. The trick to success
often hinges on your ability to slip
undetected through woodlands,
swamps and rolling terrain and set
up where hens actually walk past.
This requires patience, advanced
woodsmanship and knowing when
it is time to shoot as Mr. Big strolls
into the shooting zone.
If no birds are visible or you get
no response to calling, try a run and
gun hunting strategy. The idea is to
cover ground and try calling in sev-
eral different locations until you get
a gobble. Once you hear him move
to a better vantage point and call
again. If he responds immediately
that means he is facing your direc-
tion and could be headed directly
at you. Some birds come in slow
and easy with head high looking
for other turkeys. Others drop their
guard and dash into the kill zone Are you prepared to attract wild birds into easy shooting range? Do you
in response to the call and they are know how to use decoys and calls to bring gobblers directly to you? Can
dumbfounded that other turkeys are you get them fired-up, fanning and spittin with excitement?
WNW NEWS MAY 2017 13
White Bass
fun of it
just for the
S
pring is a busy time for
those who enjoy getting
a tug on the end of their
fishing line. The month
of May in Michigan is
prime time for target-
ing a wealth of popular fish species
including stream trout, salmon,
walleye, crappie, bluegills, bass,
perch and pike.
Its always puzzled me
why some species of fish
become popular with the
masses and others seeming-
ly not so much. My vote for
the most overlooked and
underappreciated species of
fish in Michigan goes to the
white bass, or what a lot of
anglers refer to
as silver bass.
White bass
By Mark Romanack
are members of the temperate bass
family and closely related to white
perch and also striped bass. These
fish travel in huge schools and are
notorious for their voracious ap-
petite and willingness to slash and
strike at a wide variety of live baits
and artificial lures.
White bass are common in a
number of fisheries across Michi-
gan, but the annual spawning run
these fish make into the Detroit
River is something every avid angler
should experience. Nowhere else
in the Great Lakes can anglers find
more white bass than in the Detroit
River during the month of May.
In fact, white bass are so abun-
dant at this time of year a lot of
anglers who are targeting other spe-
cies consider them a nuisance rather
than a sport fishing resource! Its
true that white bass get in the way of
catching other species, but its also
true that white bass are fun to catch,
good on the table and catching a
fish on every cast is an experience
lots of anglers look forward to every
spring!
Table Fare
I think one of the reasons why
white bass are not more popular
is that the average angler doesnt
understand how to prepare this fish
14 MAY 2017 WNW NEWS
for the table. The process of prepar-
ing a noteworthy meal of white bass
starts the instant they are caught.
Crowding white bass into a livewell
usually leads to lots of fish dying
and spending hours soaking in the
warm water, slime and grunge of a
livewell.
Instead of using the livewell,
its best to put white bass in
a cooler full of crushed ice.
The faster a white bass is
chilled down, the better the
fillets will taste.
The best way to clean
white bass is another issue
most anglers dont fully
understand. The lateral line
is a sensory organ and ex-
ceptionally well
developed in
white bass. The
lateral line is an oily and dark layer
of meat located just under the skin
and along the center line of the fillet.
If white bass is cooked with
the lateral line in place, the flavor
can be rather strong. Removing the
lateral line with a sharp fillet knife
and cooking just the firm white meat
produces a much better tasting fillet.
Many anglers only save the thicker
back-strap portion of the fillet
and discard the middle and lower
portion of the fillet along with the
lateral line.
White bass are also best when
cooked and eaten fresh. Like
whitefish, crappie and many species
of stream trout, white bass do not
freeze and store well. If white bass
are to be frozen, its best to freeze
the fillets in water to help lock in
freshness and ward off freezer burn.
The fillets should be eaten within a
month or two.
Light Tackle Please
White bass get a bad rap from
many anglers because they are often
caught by accident while targeting
another species. Its true that reeling
in a white bass on a trolling outfit
designed for much larger fish like
walleye leaves a little to be desired.
The best way to appreciate white
bass is to target them using light ac-
White bass will hit a wide variety of lures and baits, but in-line spinners
like this Rooster Tail are one of the best search lures. Casting a 1/4
ounce size spinner allows anglers to cover lots of water and when white
bass are around, land tons of fish. Mark Romanack photo
tion spinning tackle. White bass are River, but the fastest action is usu-
stubborn fighters and often weigh in ally associated with seawalls where
at two pounds or more! Like other these fish routinely corral schools
species of fish, the males are a little of emerald shiners and gizzard shad
smaller and typically more aggres- near the surface.
sive than the females. Watch for seagulls and terns
Throughout most of May, a good along the river bank. The presence
mixed bag of both male and female of these birds is a dead giveaway
fish can be expected. As May winds that schools of white bass are in the
down towards June, many of the neighborhood.
larger female fish have spawned and White bass are also routinely
returned to the Great Lakes. Left found concentrated near warm water
behind are the smaller male fish that discharge sites. The Edison power
linger in the river for weeks after the plant just upstream of Erie Metro
spawn. Park is a popular place to find white
bass in early May. Near the steel
Best Lures mills 80 inch discharge tube located
One of the nice things about just upstream of Wyandotte is also a
white bass is they will strike a
good place to find concentrations of
wide variety of lures, including jigs white bass.
dressed with soft plastics, small
crankbaits, casting spoons and also A Fish Made for Kids
in-line spinners. The flashing blade Fishermen of all ages enjoy
and vibration of a spinner is tough catching white bass, but this is one
to beat for white bass. species that is particularly ideal
A slow, steady retrieve is usually for introducing kids to fishing. The
the best approach for generating white bass run on the Detroit River
bone jarring strikes from white bass, coincides with some beautiful spring
cast after cast. weather.
Avid fishermen who are look-
Handle with Care ing for ways to get kids hooked
To make handling fish easier, its on fishing will find that white bass
a good idea to pinch down the hook are the perfect species. Load up
barb. White bass have very sharp the boat with lots of kids, plenty of
dorsal and anal spines and the edges snacks, some cold drinks and make
of the gill plate are razor sharp. a day of it! The white bass may not
Wearing a work glove or one of be Michigans most popular fish
the gloves designed for fish clean- species, but try telling that to a kid
ing when handling white bass helps whos landing one after another
keep nicks and cuts to a minimum. after another. Sometimes fishing
should be just for the fun of it and
Fishing Hot Spots no other species can match the white
White bass can literally be found bass when it comes to pure angling
almost anywhere on the Detroit pleasure.n
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WNW NEWS MAY 2017 15
 The Next Bite...
Transitioning
TACTICS
By Gary Parsons and Keith Kavajecz
E
very year, walleye fisher-
men across the country
go through a very visible
transition. In early spring
it can be pretty hard to
recognize your buddy
fishing right next to you. Chances
are he will be bundled from head to
toe in a parka, bibs, hat and gloves.
A few weeks later, he may appear
about 20 pounds lighter, as he will
now be fishing with bare hands and
wearing a sweatshirt. Before long
he will be trading in his stocking hat
for a ball cap, enjoying a sunny day
on the water in a t-shirt.
During this same time frame, the
walleyes are continuously changing
their habits. The water is warming
up, bait is getting bigger, and the
metabolism of fish is increasing.
The walleye also go from holding in
tight places to spreading out over a
large area. To stay on the bite, you
need to change along with them.
Lets take a look at some different
presentations and how you need to
tweak each of them as the walleyes
transition throughout spring and into
summer.
Jigging:
In early spring, you will want to
start out jigging by using live bait
or Berkley Gulp!, which is the best
imitator of live bait you can find.
Since Gulp! is a very soft bait, it
has really good action. Plus, in cold
water, the scent it gives off really
attracts the walleyes.
Gulp! is made with water-based
resins. This allows for excellent
scent distribution, unlike baits cre-
ated from oil-based resins, where
the oil literally traps the scent inside
the bait. While some of the scent
does get out, the oil is actually
functioning as a barrier. Gulp! on
the other hand, disperses the water-
soluble scent as soon as it hits the
water because there is no oil barrier
keeping the water out.
This allows the bait to disperse
scent almost like a blood trail, ex-
panding the strike zone by attracting
fish that do not see the bait. Thats
why it is important to fish Gulp! bait
slowly and allow the bait to do what
it is intended to do: disperse scent.
Some of the baits you will want to
try are a 3 Gulp! Minnow, 4 Gulp!
Crawler, or a 3 Gulp! Fry.
When the water starts to warm
up, you will want to get more ag-
16 MAY 2017 WNW NEWS
gressive with action tails such as
the Berkley PowerBait 3 and 3.5
Ripple Shads, Pro Series Jig Worm,
and Rib Worm. These tails often
draw fish to them because of the
vibration they put out.
The Ripple Shad has a rippled
minnow-shaped body that gives it
a swimming action. The paddle-tail
puts out a lot of vibration as the lure
is retrieved. We often use this lure
like we would a mini-crankbait or
small swimbait, but with a jigging
action rather than a steady retrieve.
When you are using this lure,
you want to make sure that the
paddle tail vibrates vigorously
on the up-swing and flutters as it
drops back down. Use a heavier jig
than you would normally use for
live bait, by going to a quarter or
3/8-ounce range. This will help you
get the action you need to work the
tail the way you want to. We also
work these tails quicker than we do
Gulp! baits and pop them off the
bottom instead of lifting.
The Pro Jig Worm doesnt have
a lot of vibration in the tail, but it is
very limber and has a flattened bot-
tom on the tail that gives it a really
good flipping action. As you jig,
the tail flips up and down, displac-
ing water, which the fish can sense.
You can fish it vertically or pitch it
out, let it settle to bottom, and then
lift and hold while it swims back to
you, then let it fall back to bottom
again.
The PowerBait Rib Worm has
a curly tail that gives it a subtle
vibration, moves with the slightest
rod movement and undulates in the
current. While this bait was made
for river use, it is a great alternative
when casting anywhere.
We like to use the Bass Pro
Shops XPS Walleye Angler semi-
standup jig heads when jigging.
Not only does this jig reduce your
chance of getting snagged, but it
also puts the hook in the right posi-
tion for walleyes that grab it off the
bottom.
For rods, we like to use a 6 me-
dium-light Bass Pro Shops Walleye
Angler (Model WL60MLJS). This
is important, because if we are using
a no-stretch line, such as 8-pound
Berkley NanoFil, we will want the
rod to be able to handle the shock
absorption. We tie a 10-pound Berk-
ley 100 percent Fluorocarbon leader
to the jig. This is especially impor-
A #7 Flicker Minnow is bound to get you some gold.
tant when fishing in clear water.
To turn it up another notch as
summer nears, you can test the lim-
its by using blade baits or working
Moonshine Shiver Minnows. The
darting action of the Shiver Minnow
draws the attention of the fish. We
have written a lot about Shiver-
ing recently, but remember the
key is to give the rod a pretty good
stroke to get the bait to jump to the
side, but then immediately give it
slack line so the Shiver Minnow can
glide back to it starting position. For
blades like the Johnson Thin Fisher,
be sure to stroke the bait off the bot-
tom and feel the tell-tale vibration
as it sweeps up, then let it swim on
a semi-tight line to the bottom so it
looks like a dying bait fish. Both are
aggressive both trigger fish to bite!
Working Structure:
We love getting on a bite where
the fish are relating to structure. Jig
trolling is a great way to catch the
fish early on and cover small areas
with finesse.
We begin by moving along the
structure with our MotorGuide Xi5
bow mount trolling motor at to
mph. You dont want to let out
too much line, as you need to have
a handle on what the jig is doing at
all times. Keep the jig at a 45-degree
angle to the rod tip for maximum
sensitivity in the presentation. By
using a basic lift-pause-drop ac-
tion, you will be able to keep the jig
in the strike zone, while also being
able feel bottom as you slowly move
along the break. Use a 3/8-ounce
Bass Pro Shops Walleye Angler
XPS semi-standup jig tipped with a
Gulp! or PowerBait tail.
As the water warms up, you
will want to pick up the pace and
cover more water by trolling with a
bottom bouncer. We like to use a 7
bottom bouncer rod with a soft tip,
such as the Bass Pro Shops Wall-
eye Angler baitcasting rod (Model
WL70BBT). The typical range for
bottom bouncers is 1-2 ounces,
with 1.5 ounces being the standard
choice. Tie a Berkley 100 percent
fluorocarbon snell about that is up
to an arms length long to the bottom
bouncer. Then tie the other end to a
#2 Mustad Slow Death Hook (Mod-
el 33863NP) baited with either a
half a live crawler or a Gulp! Killer
Crawler just make sure the worm
is spinning and youll catch fish.
Later in the spring, transition to
a Super Death Hook and a 3 Gulp!
Fry or 4 Gulp! Crawler or even a
full real night crawler.
The Killer Crawler and half
crawler have a tight corkscrew ac-
tion and the Fry has a wider action.
The Gulp! Crawler has a unique
lazy roll, which when using the
Pumpkinseed color it imitates a
crawler, while Watermelon Pearl
imitates baitfish. Spinning a full
crawler can be especially good on
bigger fish.
Cranking:
Super slow is the way to go
when it comes to pulling cranks
early in the spring. You will want to
start out at about 1mph, and by early
summer be up to 2mph. To achieve
the slower speeds, you may have to
use your MotorGuide Xi5 trolling
motor before going to your kicker
motor.
From spring into summer you
will generally move from smaller
baits to larger baits. The term
small can mean different things in
different places. On a natural lake,
or bodies of water with 2-4 lb. fish,
a small bait to start with might be
a #4 Berkley Flicker Shad or a #5
Berkley Flicker Minnow. On the
Great Lakes, a small bait might be a
#7 Flicker Shad or a #9 Flicker Min-
now. Larger baits on a small lake
would be a #6 or #7 Flicker Shad,
while on the larger bodies of water
it would be a #9 Flicker Shad or #11
Flicker Minnow.
It is important to remember no
matter if you are jigging, working
structure or cranking, that you have
to constantly change your presenta-
tion as the seasons and conditions
change. The best time to experi-
ment is when the fish are biting, and
if you push the envelope, you are
bound to get your Next Bite!n
WNW NEWS MAY 2017 17
 Big Water Kayaking
Kayak fishing is one of the
hottest trends in outdoor
sports right now. But why
is it such a hot trend lately?
Its all about freedom! This
is the freedom to go
anywhere and do anything
with no limits. More
fishermen are starting to
explore this option of fishing
than ever before...
By Brian Miller
E
ven more challenging
than kayak fishing is
yet another twist Big
Water Kayaking. Alex
Roberts is one of those
guys pushing the bound-
aries of kayaking by challenging the
big water of Lake Erie. Each spring
he hits Lake Erie during the spring
walleye spawning season to catch
fish nearly a mile offshore. When
I first heard about this trend my
reaction was, That is just insanely
crazy! However, my skepticism
quickly turned into curiosity. I was
intrigued to understand how these
guys are pulling it off.
There is no doubt these guys are
kayaking and fishing experts. They
combined those two skills together
to catch bragging sized walleye on
Lake Erie during the spring. Its a go
anywhere and do anything attitude
that is what get kayak fisherman to
venture out on the big water. Lets
take a deep dive into their brains on
how they are pulling off the impos-
sible.
Kayak Geeks
Kayaks have come a long way in
the last two decades. Most fisher-
men are using the sit on top kayaks
that are outfitted fishing machines.
These kayaks have comfortable
seats, storage hatches, peddle drive,
side rails and more. They remind me
of a mini fishing boat with all the
accessories.
More fishermen are star ting to
explore this option of kayak
fishing than ever before.
18 MAY 2017 WNW NEWS
There are a variety of kayaks
but when heading to the big water
Roberts says, Sit on tops are a
necessity because they have scupper
holes going throughout the kayak.
Meaning any water that comes
over the edge of your kayak will
just drain into those holes and right
back into the lake. Therefore if
you take a wave over any part of the
kayak it just drains back out of those
holes back into the lake. You could
literally dump gallons of water into
a kayak and it would do nothing
because it will just drain right out.
On the contrary a sit in kayak that
took on one good size wave over the
edge begins to fill up your kayak.
This forces the kayak to sit further
down in the water making it easier
for another wave to come over the
edge until it ultimately sinks.
Most high quality sit on top kay-
aks today are virtually unsinkable.
Roberts has attempted to rock his
kayak and says, It very hard to tip
it over. Also, we have never fallen
out during a Lake Erie trip.
An important feature is to make
sure to have rails the run along most
the kayak. These rails allow a fisher-
man to mount accessories all along
the kayak. You name it, they make
an accessory for it; rod holders, fish
finder, and camera mounts. Then
when youre not using this accesso-
ry its easy to slide it out of the way.
Pedal kayaks make things way
easier while fishing. They allow for
hands free while trolling for wall-
eye. Roberts said, With a pedal
kayak I can troll and at the same
time I can get on my phone, check
the radar, pick up a pole to change
a lure, and put the line back out.
Without a pedal drive this would re-
quire Roberts to stop paddling, reel
in both rods and reset everything.
Stability is imperative! Although
Roberts never stands while on Lake
Erie, he does stand up while bass
fishing and is never worried about
flipping. Many people think about
kayaks as the older sit in that will
tip over very easily. These new sit
on top styles are engineered to have
incredible stability.
Gearing Up
Roberts remembers his first
trip out on the big water when he
hooked into his first ever kayak
walleye. This is the day that got him
hooked on big water kayaking. After
connecting with a walleye then suc-
cessfully reeling it in, he realized
this walleye wouldnt fit into his
tiny net. He caught a giant 30.5 inch
walleye. Therefore he grabbed the
walleye behind the gill plate then
luckily pulled into onto the kayak.
Since then, without exception,
he carries a large net with a long
handle.
Walleye gear on a kayak is very
much similar to a boat. The differ-
ence is a kayak has limited space
so keep your accessories limited
to your compartments. Most often
kayakers keep the fish either on
a stringer to clip off the side of a
kayak or a cooler strapped on top.
With the legal limit being 15 inches,
a measuring board in a necessity.
Although he has never fallen out
or knows anyone that has fallen out
of a kayak in Lake Erie, he takes
precautions. Spare clothes put in a
compartment are important in case
the worst happens. Also a paddle, a
It will not take long before you will
whistle or signaling device, a flag,
two poles and fishing gear are all
necessities.
Wind and Weather
The weather and water condi-
tions have to be perfect when hitting
the big water on a kayak. There is
no room for error or carelessness.
Roberts has loaded up his gear and
driven 60 miles to determine the
lake didnt look right. Instead of
chancing it he turned around and
went home.
What do the right conditions
look like? Usually Roberts is look-
Can you imagine the
thrill of landing a
monster walleye, like
this, from a kayak?
ing for winds that are blowing less
than 5 mph. With this subtle of a
wind it can be blowing in any direc-
tion. Typically south or southwest
wind at 10 mph or less is the most
ideal conditions. On Lake Erie,
north winds cause rough conditions
in the Western Basin of Lake Erie. It
gets a lot rougher even in low wind
conditions. The wind has the whole
lake to blow across and build. How-
ever, with north winds its blowing
you back where you came from and
back into the shore.
A south wind is actually pushing
you out towards open water. How-
ever, the winds have to be higher to
cause larger waves. This is because
it does not have time for the waves
to continue to build. When on the
water, if conditions change, fog rolls
in or anything else, it is time to call
it a day. There is far more caution
needed when on a kayak.
Dress for Success
Hitting the big water in the
spring is not for the light hearted.
The water temperatures are only
40-50 degrees in the spring which
means the water is frigid cold. When
youre a mile from any land it can
become dangerous very quickly. Fall
in the water and your body tem-
perature will begin to cool quickly.
be shaking from both the cold water
temperatures and stress. If you dont
get to safety or back on your kayak,
your time to exhaustion or uncon-
sciousness is only 30 minutes.
So how do these guys prepare
for the possible dangers that come
with big water kayaking? Roberts
says many wear dry suits to prevent
any problems. If you fall in that
water then the water wont be touch-
ing your skin. These suits help retain
your body temperature.
If you cant afford a dry suit
then wear as little cotton as possible.
If you fall in with cotton clothing
you are going be so much heavier
when youre trying to get back on
the kayak. The way to go is a dry
suit, anything else and youre taking
more of a risk than necessary. There
is no shortage of safety on the big
water. Without any exceptions, kay-
akers must always wear a life jacket.
Kayaks are low profile boats.
When you add a small amount of
chop on the water, it would be hard
to see them on the water. Its impor-
tant to make sure to always have a
flag on the kayak so boats can see
you in the water. For extra precau-
tion, a wear whistle around your
neck and have an extra horn in case
you need to signal for help. His fish-
ing partner also has a radio he can
call the Coast Guard or other boats
with in case they get into a problem.
Kayak Trolling
You may not think about troll-
ing in Lake Erie out of a kayak, but
that is a deadly technique. Roberts
says, One of our Lake Erie spots
we mainly just troll. They have
great success paddling along to get
walleye to bite. During the spring
time when the fish are close to the
shore this is what they do to get the
bigger walleye.
Roberts says that trolling pro-
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duces better than casting most of the
time. The technique is to have two
poles, one out to left and one out to
the right. Using counter reels allows
them to set the rods at the specific
depth we want and slowly peddle.
As youre trolling along, watch for
the tell-tale bend in the rod. That
is when the fun begins. Reeling in
a giant walleye on a kayak is the
ultimate challenge.
Trolling is very different from a
boat vs. a kayak. In a boat its easy
to control the speed. In a kayak
everything falls onto your ability.
Roberts loves doing his homework
to select the location, depth of baits,
what lure to use, and fishing tech-
nique. Gaining that fishing knowl-
edge is his biggest take-away.
His ideal setup is two trolling
rods with line counters to know
exactly how deep his baits are in
the water. They do well by trolling
big crankbaits. Roberts trolling
lure preference is Bandits, Rapala
Husky Jerks, and Smithwick Perfect
10s. All of them can be found in his
kayak trolling tackle box.
Jigging Options
Another great fishing option is
jigging from a kayak. When jigging,
the rods and reels are completely
different. Instead of counter rods,
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There is no doubt these guys are kayaking and fishing exper ts.
They combined those two skills together to catch bragging sized
walleye on Lake Erie during the spring.
Roberts swaps them out for spinning
gear. Dont let anyone fool you, they
always stay sitting down. While
cold water fishing on Lake Erie you
never have to make a cast. Most
often its either vertical jigging or
trolling so there is no need to stand.
If its the summer and the water
is warm then standing is a good
option. This is not the case while
spring walleye fishing. Roberts jok-
ingly says, The only time youll see
us standing in our kayaks is right
next to the shore while holding up
our fish for a picture!
Roberts loves to head to the
reefs for jigging. When jigging, the
best lure is either hair jigs in clear
water, or if the water is muddy, Vibe
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extra vibrations which allows the
walleye an opportunity to find that
bait.
Conclusion
There is nothing better than tak-
ing on a new challenge. Kayak fish-
ing is one of those sports that gives
you independence and freedom.
Even when fishing with a couple
friends, everyone can fish at their
own speed and location. They are
not tied together in a single vessel.
If you have to do anything with a no
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WNW NEWS MAY 2017 19
Life slows down on a trout stream
1 -- Perhaps the most deliberate and personal
moment on a trout stream, the selection draws
on the anglers intuition as much as it does on
knowledge, history, water conditions, calendar and
geographical location. When anglers speak of mo-
ments when time stands still, this is one of them.
2 -- Its like shaking hands with an old friend or
picking up a tool you havent used in ages. How
many times have we just delayed that first cast just
because it felt so good to have that rod back in
our hand?
3 -- To truly par take in the activity, the angler
must become one with the habitat. He must take
care, with the placement of both his feet and his
cast line; no need to tarnish the moment with a
stumble or a snag.
20 MAY 2017 WNW NEWS
Text and Photos
By Tom Carney
H enry David Thoreau loved
to deliver aphorisms, those
Hey, Im a smart guy, get
this little observations
meant to illuminate oth-
ers on some aspect of life
he felt he had discovered
and wanted to share. If I remember correctly,
one of the reasons his Walden; Or Life in
the Woods, was so difficult to read was it
is filled with more aphorisms than narration.
You had to stop every minute or two to try to
figure out what truth he was delivering rather
4 -- Make enough casts, and the handwork be-
comes automatic. In another bit of deliberate
action, the angler needs first to read the fish, the
than just blowing through the story of some
guy in the woods who liked to watch ants water, and the vegetation both in front of and
battle each other. behind him.
Recently, one of his sayings popped to the
surface of my thoughts: Let us spend one
day as deliberately as Nature, and not be
thrown off the track by every nutshell and
mosquitos wing that falls on the rails.
Try as we might, though, we get caught
up with daily details and nutshells like
rushing from here to there, jamming down
whatever we can find in the pantry or on our
cars backseat that resembles food rather than
preparing meals, living life according to the
demands of the hands on the clock and the
mosquito wings of answering to too many
schedules. Every now and then, though, if we
remain aware, life will tap us on the shoulder
5 -- Fish on! Restraint is the word of the moment,
as an angler must bring his excitement to heel like
and remind us that deliberately is some- a hound, lest he break the line or yank the fly from
times possible. the mouth of his quarry.
Especially on a trout stream. With a fly
rod in hand.
And its not as if deliberation forces itself
upon us. Rather it embraces us and, if we al-
low it, calms us and revivifies us, not only by
delivering new experiences but also by meld-
ing them with the clearly recalled past.
Standing there, at a certain run on a
certain river waiting for a certain hatch to
ignite the fish into an all-too-quickly-over
with feeding frenzy, one can sense time
rushing upstream and awakening all the old
feeling, as Hemingway mentions in The
Big-Two Hearted River. This eddy, where 6 -- The final act: At no time in the catching of
the natural current meets the tug of the past, a fish is deliberate action more impor tant than
blends the now with the before; any fish we with the removal of the fly and the return to the
cast to tonight we will have met dozens and water. While the angler wants to move quickly and
if lucky, hundreds of times before. with precision, he still has enough time to get a
And on dozens if lucky hundreds nice look at the little guy he was able to fool
more tomorrows.n this time.
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WNW NEWS MAY 2017 21
 A Great Way for Hunters to Log Yearly Statistics and it Provides Valuable Information to the MDNR...
Grouse Hunter Cooperator
T
he MDNRs Grouse Hunter Coop-
erator Program started in the 1950s
and has been in effect since then. I
found out about it in the 1970s and
joined up then.
The MDNRs grouse page says
the program provides DNR grouse biologists ...
with an early indication of the hunting season and
population status of ruffed grouse and wood-
cock.
The DNR sends a postcard to be
filled out and sent in after the first three
days of the season. And longer forms on
which to keep track of hunts, report flush
rates, if a dog was involved, and hunter
hours per county. Those are sent in after
the season.
Hunters can also download forms
from the MDNR website. (The year
my forms were late, I did that. Then
I had two sets when the DNR forms By Lee Arten
arrived.) The DNR suggests mak-
ing copies of the completed forms ...for your
records.
Besides providing information to DNR biolo-
gists, a collection of cooperator forms can give a
hunter a look back across grouse seasons. If that
hunter manages to keep the reports filed in one
place over time, and no one discards them. Ive
lived in two states, three counties, a trailer and
four houses, since joining the Grouse Hunter Co-
operator program. The reports I intended to file
carefully, while not scattered to the winds, are not
in one place, or in chronological order, either.
Recently, a remodeling project that involved
moving nearly everything on the ground floor of
our house to someplace else, and back, brought
some reports to light. A few more have appeared
since. They provided me a snapshot of 10 years
of grouse hunting in Michigans Upper Peninsula.
Although I dont have any of the older ones in
hand, my reports began in Ontonagon County in
1977 or 1978. I hunted around White Pine, near
Bergland, and in the Porcupine Mountains Wil-
derness State Park. There were also trips to Iron
and Menominee Counties, where I had friends.
On one of the Menominee County hunts, I saw a
perfect flush for a guy with a shotgun. The grouse
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looked big and slow as it passed in front of me,
flying from right to left. Unfortunately, I was car-
rying a bow and arrow at the time. In 1980, my
wife and I moved to Houghton County.
For several years, I hunted on 40 acres
outside Calumet, and in places my brother and I
had hunted as kids in Keweenaw County. In the
reports on flush rates by county the DNR sent, I
noticed that Keweenaw County was often below
20 reported hours of hunting. I took that
as a challenge and shifted most of my
efforts northward. It was no sacrifice.
Some of the most beautiful places to
hunt grouse are in Michigans northern-
most county.
Southern Houghton County often
has more flushes per hour, but I can be
hunting in Keweenaw 15 minutes after
leaving my house. Thats something
to appreciate.
The earliest form I found was
from 2005. It wasnt much of a
year. I hunted three times in September, and
twice in October and November, for a total of 11
hours in the woods. In that time, I flushed three
grouse. The weather was hot in September and
October and peak color appeared to have arrived
on October 16.
Things went better in 2008. There were five
trips in September, six in October and three in
November. After notes about cover, color, and
weather, on Nov. 4 this appears, Took one with a
nice shot. On Nov. 7, the last trip of the season,
the note read. Son shot first grouse. I shot one.
Ethan and I took grouse that day within 200 yards
of where my brother, Jon, killed his first, back in
the 1960s. A good day. Thanksgiving that year, The program provides the biologists an
when we had three grouse on the table, was a fine indication of the grouse hunting season and
one as well. My wife wrapped the grouse in ba- populations status. Rick Baetsen photo
con and basted them with apple cider. After that,
who needs turkey? October, he killed another. The same afternoon,
In 09, the year before Ethan went off to col- I shot a young snowshoe hare that Ethan jumped
lege, we hunted harder, spending 24 hours in 18 out of a brush pile and pushed in front of me. I
trips. Most of them occurred in October, and on was so used to missing hares with my first barrel
the 27th, the note says, Color past peak. No- that I fired again as the snowshoe somersaulted.
vember 10, I wrote, Nice day for November. Still, there were no pellets back of the front legs.
On September 16, I noted, Saw 80 geese. We ate well that Thanksgiving, too.
The next day Ethan took a grouse. On the 9th of In 2011, on October 2 the note read, Had a
Dont trust your hunt to anything less
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flat in the woods. On the 25th I wrote, Cold.
Jumped a deer, too. On November 2, I noted,
Took one with Federal 7 1/2. Cool day.
I usually hunt with sixes but that afternoon
had loaded a shell with 7 shot. Id parked in a
big field, walked the remains of a haul road, and
wandered through a clearing. As the afternoon
sputtered, I decided to wade through raspberry
canes clogging the end of another small trail and
go down it awhile. I marked a stopping place by
two small pines beside the trail, halfway down a
steep slope. As I got there, there was a squawking
commotion below me. After what seemed a long
time, a grouse flew up about 30 yards out going
from right to left. The gun came up and I swung
hard before firing. The bird went down imme-
diately. It was farther away than it looked, so it
took awhile to find it. (That often happens with
grouse.) That November shot is one of the best
Ive made.
In 2012, I spent an hour and a quarter in Ke-
weenaw County on opening day. My September
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15 note says, Killed a small one. Warm. Windy
and warm weather predominated on the next few
trips and, in fact, I hunted mostly warm days that
year. October 20, I noted, Almost 50. New vest.
My old vest had taken to dropping 20 gauge
shells on the ground whenever I leaned over. Id
been looking for another, and finally found one
that fit at a local gun store. I only made 11 hunts
that fall. Injuring my foot by stepping on a small
tree, bent down but still springy, on the 28th had
something to do with that.
With Ethan gone the next fall, I was missing
him, my old springer and several other hunting
companions, some dead, some just gone from
the woods. Even the best places in Keweenaw
County didnt always suit me.
In 2014, I hunted 12 times, putting in 15 and
a quarter hours. On September 26, I was jumpy
in the woods. My note says, Warm. Leaves and
acorns falling. The acorns were loud and al-
most constant, they had me jumping and looking
around for grouse, rabbits or spookier things. On
October 10, I wrote, Cloudy, cool, took two.
One of those was taken off of an overgrown road
Ive been hunting around since high school. The
second was on the next small trail, but in a place
where Id never seen a grouse before.
The next hunt, on the 12th, I noted, Beautiful
day. No grouse. On the 16th I had an odd experi-
ence jumping something large and black (or black
and green?) out of a creek bed. I called it a heron
in my notes but even after looking through a
couple of bird books, Im not sure.
My last hunt that year was on November Besides providing information to DNR biolo-
2. The note reads, Cool. Leaves down. If I
remember right, it rained until a few days from
gists, a collection of cooperator forms can
the deer opener, and then we had tons of early, give a hunter a look back across grouse
wet snow. It got so bad hunters with deer camps seasons. MDNR photo
back in the woods couldnt get to them. I didnt the grouse population. Much of the reason I hunt
hunt deer that fall, just shoveled my driveway, grouse is to let the fall color, and armed walks
grumbled, and waited for a better year. in familiar woods, inoculate me against the drab
The cooperator report for 2015 is missing but tones of the coming winter. (Some years the color
I know I hunted for more than 20 hours in Ke- shot doesnt take. Last year it did.)
weenaw. Ethan was home for part of the season Its July as I write this and the day is gray and
and we made the most of it, even making two windy. It could be September if it tried a little
late-season hunts in December. The leaves were harder. I havent gone to the calendar and counted
fine and the weather didnt beat me up much. up the days till the opener yet, but that exercise
I fired at nine grouse and missed every one in may not be far off. After that, Ill start looking for
2015. For Thanksgiving we had to have a turkey the grouse and woodcock cooperator report from
won at a late September Turkey Shoot at the gun the MDNR, and the forms. When they arrive, my
club. Still, Ive never done a lot of damage to favorite season will have started.n
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WNW NEWS MAY 2017 23
 Ill call a
turkey for ya!
F
or many turkey hunters,
the best part of the spring
turkey season is in the
calling. Any time they
can talk to a big tom
turkey with their call and
get a response of lusty gobbling and
a display of puffed-up strutting is
considered a successful outing. The
excitement of the hunt and the joy
of accomplishment have already
been realized when a wary game
bird is fooled by their calling efforts.
It doesnt really matter if the bird
becomes a Thanksgiving dinner or
not.
My friend, Scott, an experienced
turkey hunter, was known as an ex-
pert caller. He had a certain
confidence in his call-
ing. Besides taking many
turkeys himself, he really
enjoyed calling in birds for
others, especially beginners.
Friends, brothers, nephews,
and neighbors all have been
privileged to have him
call in their first
spring turkey.
Although I
By Darryl Quidort
had previously taken gobblers with
a shotgun, it was Scott who called
in my first wild turkey to be taken
with a recurve bow and arrow. I
had been frustrated by the turkeys
in my hunting area. Getting one
within my limited bow range was a
problem for me. I called my friend
Scott. Ill call a turkey for ya!
Scott volunteered happily.
The very next morning, before
daylight, we quietly entered my
hunting area. Maybe I can get one
to shock gobble with an owl hoot,
Scott whispered. Cupping his hands
around his mouth he cut loose with
such realistic Barred Owl hoots
that two real owls actually flew in,
landed in the trees above us, and
started hooting loudly. (No lie!)
We ducked our heads and moved on
quickly. Scott put on a turkey call-
ing exhibition for me that morning.
After calling in a nice tom, which
I promptly missed, he called in a
whole group of jakes. I managed to
get an arrow into one of them and
collected my first turkey taken with
a bow and arrow. I think Scott had
more fun calling than I did shoot-
ing. camera rolling for the kill shot, but
We bowhunted together often,
and we especially enjoyed turkey
hunting together. As well as hunting
around our homes, we often went
on turkey hunting road trips to other
states. If the success of a trip can be
24 MAY 2017 WNW NEWS
judged by how much your gut hurts
from laughing, those were real good
trips.
On those trips, I usually let
Scott do most of the calling. Ive
seen him pull off some great calling
stunts, like using two calls at once to
sound like a couple of hens arguing.
It worked too. Not on gobblers,
but the hens all came in and closely
inspected our decoys. One even
bedded down and took a short nap
among her plastic friends.
On a Kansas hunt we carried all
our gear, bows, arrows, blinds, calls,
stools, etc., across a very muddy
milo field to set up near the tree
line along a creek. Scott set up his
pop-up blind about fifteen
yards from a cut bank with
the creek running below.
I was hunting from my
blind a short distance away.
A gobbler answered his
calling that morning, but
approached out of sight
down in the creek bottom
below him. No
matter how Scott
sweet talked him,
that tom turkey would spit and drum
but wouldnt fly up out of the steep
creek bottom. Thats when I noticed
Scotts blind scooching toward the
cut bank. One yard at a time he
slowly moved the whole blind over,
right to the edge of the cut bank.
From where I sat, it looked like
pending disaster. When he reached
the very edge of the bank, he simply
opened a window and shot the gob-
bler with his recurve bow.
Along with all the other gear
needed to bowhunt turkeys, Scott
once carried a full mount of a strut-
ting gobbler out to use as a decoy.
That worked almost too well. In
fact it worked so well that he had
to glue some feathers back on his
mounted trophy after a big, angry
tom worked it over with his spurs.
We attempted to make a turkey
hunting video once. I sat in my
blind with a video camera on a tri-
pod while, a short distance in front
of me, Scott sat in a small easier
to carry blind. As the morning sun
topped the trees, Scott called in a
nice gobbler which walked within
ten yards of his blind. I had the
Scotts arrow zinged under the birds
feet and ricocheted off. After doing
a big crow-hop, the gobbler contin-
ued slowly walking. Scotts second
shot hit exactly like the first one,
right at the turkeys feet, and also
The authors friend, Scott, and a gobbler taken with his recur ve
bow on one of their good days.
zinged away. That was too much
for the turkey and he left on the run.
I could hear Scott laughing as he un-
tangled himself from the tiny blind.
I didnt realize that my recurve
bow was too long to shoot from that
blind, he explained. So I dug a
hole in the ground between my feet
to stick the lower bow limb into.
Didnt work though, he laughed.
The lower limb hit the hole every
time and threw my shots low. We
couldnt stop laughing about the had a diaphragm call in his mouth
experience. Nothing bothered Scott.
Im usually a timid caller, striv-
ing for the confidence to be a bold
caller like Scott. After a successful
turkey hunt I asked him, Hows my
calling coming?
Well Scott started. Youre walking along the barn wall. The
a smart hunter and you call pretty
well, but
But what? I coaxed. Be
brutally honest with me.
ButId know you were a
hunter, not a turkey, he said. You
call too pretty. You need to call ugly
for turkeys.
Thats when Scott gave me a
short but priceless lesson in turkey
calling. Real turkeys make all sorts
of noises, Scott continued. You
need to break up your rhythm and
be careful not to develop any pattern
to your calls. Learn to use a variety
of calls and switch calls often. Each
one has a slightly different sound, so
find one that interests that particular
turkey. Throw away your old mouth
diaphragm and buy a new one every
year. The latex reeds will eventu-
ally rot and stick together making it
sound thin and tinny. Andwell,
just call ugly, He grinned.
Scott once shot a nice gobbler
from the inside of a barn. No, it
wasnt a farm turkey. We were
hunting a river bottom when we
came across an old, mostly fallen
down, barn with thick brush grown
up around it. We cautiously entered
to explore the end of the barn that
was still standing. Scott always
and he gave out a few clucks as we
looked around. Suddenly, a tom
gobbled just outside of the barn.
We both froze right where we were
standing. Through the cracks in
the old boards, I saw the turkey
brush was so thick that the bird was
walking along just inches outside of
the boards. There was an opening
where some boards were missing in
front of where Scott was standing. I
silently pointed to the opening and,
although he couldnt see the turkey,
Scott squared off and drew his bow
for the shot. When the gobbler hit
the opening, Scott let loose on him.
The big bird pin-wheeled into the
barn flopping. Is this even legal?
Scott shouted. We both laughed
until we cried.
Those were good days, my
friend. Your friendship was price-
less.
Scott Bishop is gone now. He
was much too young when he left
us.
And I miss him.n
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25 MAY 2017 WNW NEWS
 Spinning a web
For Spring Walleyes...By Mark Romanack
T
he month of May in Michigan is
one of the most productive times
for boxing walleye and lots of
them. Post spawn walleye go on
the feed bag, and for countless
anglers targeting fish on Lake Erie,
Saginaw Bay, Little Bay de Noc
and Munuscong Bay, the best way
to catch these fish is with a lure group simply
known as spinners.
Not to confuse anyone, but the spinners that
walleye guys use are better described as night
crawler harnesses. Ranging in length from about
36 inches to 60 inches, the various forms of the
spinner rig are used in different ways to target
both structure loving walleye and those fish that
suspend in the water column to feed.
Structure Tactics
When walleye are on bottom, no other rig
outproduces the common bottom bouncer sinker
equipped with a 36 to 42 inch crawler harness.
Leaders in this length range work nicely at
presenting the trailing spinner just off the bot-
tom. Longer leaders tend to allow the harness to
contact bottom and pick up debris and also zebra
mussels from the bottom.
Considered by many anglers to be the meat
rig of walleye fishing, this rig could also be just-
ly called the money rig because it has produced
Fishing 411 TV host Jake Romanack poses
with a typical Lake Erie walleye caught
trolling spinner rigs. Note the pink backed
blade. On Erie, brighter colors like pink,
char treuse and antifreeze are popular
choices. Mark Romanack photos
26 MAY 2017 WNW NEWS
so many tournament wins over the years. The
reason the bottom bouncer and spinner rig is so
deadly is it fishes live bait enticingly near bottom
in a way that is virtually impossible to duplicate
with any other presentation.
The trick to catching fish on a bottom bouncer
and spinner is understanding that this rig is fished
in soft contact with the bottom. What that
means is the sinker doesnt need to be in constant
contact with the bottom, but rather fishes better
when set so as to tick the bottom every few feet
while slow trolling.
To accomplish this delicate balance of tick
and go fishing, its important to first set the boat
trolling speed and also to maintain a consistent
speed. For most spinner fishing applications a
speed of 1.2 to 1.5 MPH is about perfect. Es-
tablishing a speed and sticking with it makes it
easier to set the bottom bouncer precisely.
To set a bouncer and spinner rig correctly,
simply place the sinker in the water, watch to
see the harness is trailing straight behind and
note that the blade is spinning freely. Next, free
spool the rig until it hits bottom. The instant the
bouncer hits bottom the line will stop playing off
the reel momentarily. Place your thumb on the
reel spool to prevent additional line from playing
off the reel, and troll for a few seconds until the
Warming days and stable weather like this
line pulls taut. Now let the bouncer free spool a are Mark Romanack, the authors favorite
second time until it crashes bottom. Close the reel
bail at this point and dont let out any more line.
times to troll spinner rigs for walleye. The
Set up in this manner the bouncer and spinner month of May and June are prime time for
rig can be fished as a flat line in a conveniently boxing limit catches of fish like this in Erie,
located rod holder or fished in combination with Saginaw Bay, Little Bay de Noc and other
an in-line planer board to get the rig out to the fisheries.
side of the boat.
The Tadpole Diver is a resettable trolling weight
Rods matter that dives when the snap on the end of the fishing
The ideal rod for fishing a bottom bouncer line is placed in the elbow of the tow arm. When
and spinner is a baitcasting model with a slow a fish is hooked on the spinner rig attached to
action and a medium to medium/light action. the back of the Tadpole, the snap slides forward,
The tip of a bottom bouncer rod needs to be light converting the Tadpole from a diving trolling
enough to read the bouncer touching bottom and sinker into an in-line weight with little resistance
the backbone of the rod should be soft enough on the line.
that when a fish grabs the bait, the rod can bend What makes Tadpole Divers superior for
without putting direct pressure on the fish. open water trolling is the fact they are easy to rig
Back bouncing rods made for fishing steel- and fish, and they dive deeper than other trolling
head plugs in rivers are about the right length and weights which means anglers can reach target
action for walleye bottom bouncer fishing. A few depths using shorter trolling leads.
rod manufacturers actually make bouncer rods Also, because Tadpoles actually dive they
that are telescopic so they fit nicely in the rod have resistance in the water when a fish strikes
lockers of smaller fishing boats. the trailing spinner that helps to set the hook into
Bottom bouncer fishing is also a game best light biting walleye. Tadpoles can be fished as flat
played with monofilament line that stretches and lines, but most anglers in the Great Lakes are us-
gives this set up a slow reaction time. Again, its ing them in combination with in-line boards like
important that when a fish strikes, the rod tele- the famous Side-Planer by Off Shore Tackle to
graphs the bite before the fish can figure out that spread out their gear and contact more fish.
something is wrong.
Blade Types and Sizes
Targeting Suspended Fish Spinner fishing for walleye is a game played
As deadly as the bottom bouncer is on struc- with a wide variety of blade sizes and types.
ture loving fish, this set up is useless when wall- Clearly, the Colorado style blade is the most
eye start to suspend in the water column to feed popular, and the most popular sizes include No.
on pelagic forage species like alewives, gizzard 4, 5 and 6 blades. Anglers fishing on the bottom
shad and emerald shiners. To target suspended tend to favor smaller No. 4 blades and those fish-
fish a Tadpole Diver produced by Off Shore ing for suspended fish often opt for larger No. 5
Tackle is a better option. or 6 blades.

No surprises here. The Colorado blade is the most popular choice among serious walleye anglers.
This one is produced by Yakima Bait and is known as the HammerTime Walleye Spinner.
The Fishing 411 TRolling Rig Down Wind Is Best
The Fishing 411 TV crew fishes walleye using
spinner rigs often and in lots of different bodies of
water. Routinely, they find that in most situations
some fish are found on the bottom, but others are
suspending at the same time.
The best set up for these situations is a trolling
rig that combines both bottom bouncers for fishing
the bottom and Tadpole Divers for targeting sus-
pended fish. Our typical spinner set up includes
two bottom bouncer and spinner rigs fished as flat
lines straight out the back of the boat, plus two
Tadpole Diver and spinner rigs fishing on in-line
boards off each side of the boat, says Jake Ro-
manack, Co-Host of Fishing 411. This set up cov-
ers the entire water column and allows us to dial in
the best depths and most active fish quickly.
Dive Curves
Tadpole Divers come in four sizes, includ-
ing a No. 1, 2, 3 and Magnum. For most walleye
applications, the No. 1 and 2 are the most popu-
lar sizes and reach the depths walleye anglers
routinely are faced with achieving. The Precision
Trolling Data iPhone and Android apps have
published data on exactly how deep these trolling
sinkers achieve on common line diameters and
trolling lead lengths.
Adding a Little Bling
A few years ago the Fishing 411 crew started
experimenting by adding attractors directly to
the back of the Tadpole Divers. The Big Al Fish
Flash is a triangle shaped flasher that spins in the
water and creates lots of fish attracting flash and
near zero drag in the water.
We like the four inch Fish Flash for wall-
eye trolling, says Jake Romanack. To help in
narrowing down the best color choices we also
color match by fishing a flasher that has similar
colors to the spinners we are fishing.
Attractors like the Fish Flash do a nice job of
attracting walleye from further away than spin-
ner rigs. In clear water, flashers are not absolutely
necessary, but in stained or dirty water using a
flasher like the Fish Flash pays off big time in
more and bigger fish.
3 1/4, 1/3 oz
11 colours
4 1/4, 3/5 oz
Because spinner fishing requires maintaining
precise trolling speeds, its best to fish these rigs
downwind and avoid trolling into a facing sea.
Not only does fishing downwind help in control-
ling boat speed, it makes it easier to steer the boat
from waypoint to waypoint.
Every time we catch a fish, we save a way-
point on our sonar/GPS chart plotters, explains
Romanack. When its time to make another
pass, we run back upwind and set up so we can
troll literally into the same water that produced
on previous passes. Genuine silver
GPS guided electric motors like the Mo- & 24k gold.
torGuide Xi5 not only make it easier to dial in
precise trolling speeds, with the assistance of
an accessory called Gateway these motors can Nothing matches
communicate with an Lowrance HDS sonar/GPS the visibility.
chart plotter. Gateway allows the electric motor
to be controlled from a sonar/plotter screen. By
simply touching on a desired waypoint the Xi5
is instantly programmed to troll directly to spots
that have produced fish recently. This technology
makes it far easier to stay on fish and virtually MATCH THE BAITFISH
eliminates the issue of near missing waypoints
while trolling. PROFILE!
Blue Zone Black Hole
Night Vision
Precise Speed/Location NGVS BLZN BKHL
The keys to effectively fishing spinner rigs
for walleye boils down to the ability to precisely
control and monitor trolling speeds and also the
skills of staying on fish once a productive spot is
located. Without the benefit of the technologies
that make these important elements of fishing
possible, spinner fishing becomes a hit or miss
deal.
Final Thoughts
Spinner trolling is arguably the most produc-
tive way that anglers across Michigan consistent-
ly find and catch walleye. From bottom huggers
to open water suspended fish, spinner rigs are /williamslures
what it takes to produce walleye day in and day
out during the months of May and June. From the @williamsfishing
Great Lakes to inland waters, spinners are win-
ners when it comes to walleye fishing.n www.williams.ca
WNW NEWS MAY 2017 27
 Recovered
deer mount
N
ovember 15, 2016
was a special day for
79-year-old Michigan
deer hunter Harold
Kleinow from Carleton
besides the fact it was
opening day of another firearms
deer season. Thats also the day he
was presented with a refurbished
head mount of his fathers (George
Kleinows) first buck that he shot in
the UP during 1923. The fact that
deer hunting was so much different
back then than today, requiring three
full months of Georges time, most
of which was to travel to and from
the UP from his home in Wyandotte,
is an important part of the
story behind the celebration
surrounding that historical
deer.
An even more impor-
tant reason for celebrating
the possession of that deer
mount is the family had it
returned to their possession
after it had been
stolen almost 40
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28 MAY 2017 WNW NEWS
years earlier.
George Kleinow, Sr. was 37
years old and single in 1923 when
he set out on his deer hunting adven-
ture to the UP during mid-Septem-
ber and he wouldnt get back home
until mid-December. The UP was
THE deer hunting destination back
then, but there were no paved roads
like we have today and the modes of
transportation were limited. The first
125-mile leg of Georges journey
north from Detroit to Bay City was
via interurban street car.
All George carried with him
were a bag of supplies, his rifle and
some money to buy meals, food
and lodging during his
long journey. Im sure the
bag of supplies con-
tained some food and extra
clothes, but in much more
modest amounts than most
hunters would pack for a
3-month trip today. A dollar
could be stretched much
further back
then, too, so
Seventy-nine-year-old Harold Kleinow from Carleton with the refur-
bished mount of the buck his father killed in the UP during 1923.
Im sure George spent far less dur-
ing his trip than we could imagine.
From Bay City to Mackinac
City, George had to hitch rides on
horse drawn logging haulers then
take a ferry to St. Ignace. Once in
St. Ignace, George had to rely on
horse-drawn logging haulers again
to reach his destination, which was
Trout Lake. While hunting, George
stayed at a logging camp for shelter
and meals. Im sure he took advan-
tage of the same type of accommo-
dations on his way north and south.
November 15 was opening day
of deer season in 1923 just like it
is today. George was successful
in shooting a big 9-pointer with a
dressed weight of 210 pounds on
the 16th. He shot the deer with a .30
caliber Remington pump rifle. That
buck was the first deer George ever
shot and he had the head mounted.
Based on the mass of the antlers
and the deers body size, Im sure
the buck that grew them was a
mature animal that was at least 4 1/2
years old and the whitetail certainly
could have been older. Although
only 8 antler points are visible in the
photo accompanying this article of
Harold Kleinow with the mount of
his fathers buck, the left brow tine
is forked, which is where the 9th
point is.
For many years, the head mount
of that buck hung in a vacation
cabin George built on a lake in Rose
City. George eventually gave the
mount to his son, Harold, in 1971
who hung it in a cabin he built in
Hawks. That cabin was broken into
during the summer of 1976 and the
head mount of Georges buck was
one of the things that were stolen.
George died two years later.
Harold had given up hope of
ever seeing the head mount of his
fathers first buck again. Then, 37
years after the head disappeared,
Harold got a phone call from the
person who stole it, offering to give
it back. The thiefs conscience got
the best of him after hearing the
story of the long trip George under-
took to get the deer. The fact that the
thief had become a taxidermist also
increased his understanding of how
much sentimental value the mount
had for the Kleinow family.
While the head was in the taxi-
dermists possession, he remounted
the antlers. After the mount was
returned to Harold, he didnt like
the way it looked, so the decision
was made to have the mount redone.
A cape from an 8-pointer Harolds
youngest son, Scott, shot with a
crossbow in Monroe County on
October 27, 2015 was used for the
new mount. That buck had a dressed
weight of 185 pounds, so it was
similar in size to the buck his grand-
father shot in the UP during 1923.
The refurbished mount was pre-
sented to Harold by his three sons
(Scott, Dan and John) 93 years after
George bagged the buck that grew
the rack. To make the 2016 deer sea-
son even more special, Harold shot a
buck, a 4-pointer, on November 16,
the same day his father connected
on the UP 9-pointer in 1923, while
hunting out of his cabin at Hawks.
My dad turns 80 this year,
Scott commented. We all hope he
gets a big one this year!
Scott and his wife Anne provid-
ed the background information for
this article.n
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WNW NEWS MAY 2017 29
 Todays yak anglers have options
W
ith the booming
popularity of
kayak fishing,
new equipment
is continually
being intro-
duced or being improved on. Until
recently, about all you could find
for yak fishing was a variety of rod
holders. About the time that track
systems were introduced-some of-
fered as standard equipment on new
kayaks all sorts of mounts, gadgets
and related equipment has become
available.
Lets not give credit totally to
the track system. The hands-on
crowd that saw a need then built
something with parts and supplies
lying around from other projects de-
serve a lot of credit too. The build
your own or do-it-yourself folks
have been attracted to kayak owner-
ship from day one. Go to any kayak
tournament and observe how boats
are set up.
In the not-too-distant past,
equipment readily available now
had to be handmade by average
folks, seeing a need, and then find-
ing some parts in the garage, adapt-
ing what was on hand to the project
that was just an idea.
We are the
Turkey Experts!
WE ARE YOUR BEST CHOICE FOR GLOBAL WILDLIFE ARTISTRY
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30 MAY 2017 WNW NEWS
Over the
years, a lot of By Roger Beukema place to hap-
pen. Once that
PVC has been
sold and adapted for kayak uses
such as stakeout poles, outriggers
and rod holders. Theres a good
chance that many of the modifica-
tions or mods you see at tourna-
ments are homemade.
Fast forward to present day
where you can find anything from
A to Z in kayak equipment. As the
younger generation says, Google
it. Here are suggestions for only a
few items in that A-Z category you
might find appealing.
A is for Anchor Wizard. If
youve fished from a kayak for any
length of time you know how dif-
ficult it can be to remain in one spot.
Anchoring is definitely the way
to do this but conventional anchor
systems dont necessarily convert to
kayaks.
You river anglers know how
difficult it can be to keep your boat
pointed in the direction you want
to go while avoiding submerged
rocks and logs, trying to fish at the
same time. From experience, do not
tie the anchor to your seat or some
other spot in the middle of the boat.
This is an accident looking for a
Spring Bears are
Our Specialty!
anchor grabs
the bottom or gets hooked around
a log, the current will turn you
sideways at the same time pulling
the boat over in the direction of your
anchor line. The best way out of
this is to quickly release the anchor
line, chalking up your donation of
an anchor and rope to the river as a
learning experience.
Your Anchor Wizard comes with
hardware to mount it to your track
system or self-tapping screws to
mount directly to the boat. Youll
want it close to the cockpit or your
seat.
With 70 feet of 1/8 parachute
cord and made of cast aluminum,
the Anchor Wizard is good to go in
both salt and fresh water. From your
mounting position, run a length of
anchor line aft or toward the rear
and into the chute fitting provided
with your Anchor Wizard. The chute
lies flat until line is let out. At this
point the chute folds down toward
the water. When retrieving the line,
the chute folds back up holding the
anchor up and out of the water.
To drop anchor, turn the handle
counter-clockwise. Control the
TaxidermyByDourlain
speed of the descent by turning the
handle clockwise. Crank clockwise
to lock the spool. The anchor will
stay in that position. To raise the
anchor, crank clockwise. The use of
the Anchor Wizard means dry hands
when anchoring and eliminates any
tangled line lying around the boat.
For more information visit anchor
wizard.com.
Although the Backwater Paddle
has been out for a couple of years,
its one of those pieces of equipment
that not only is nice to have but is
handy too. At 22-inches long and
12-ounces it hardly takes up any
room. With a padded handle and
wrist lanyard, this small paddle may
be used for boat positioning, has a
blade with a hook that allows you to
push off or grab obstacles and stows
easily under or alongside your seat
or between your legs. Learn more
about Assault Paddles by visiting
backwater paddles.com.
Speaking of paddles, where do
you stow yours to fight a fish or
when you are otherwise involved
with changing lures, adding leader
or eating a sandwich? Instead of
laying it in your lap or trying to fit
it in the cockpit, snap that paddle
into Yak Attacks Roto Grip Paddle
Like Us On
Holder.
The Roto Grip Paddle Holder
was voted number one for 2016 in
the Angler Choice Awards, Yak At-
tack spokesman John Hipsher said.
The Yak Attack Anchor Trolley
System was voted number three, he
said.
Sooner or later youre going to
take a break for a drink, eat a snack
or just relax. At some point youre
going to put your paddle down.
You reach back for a snack and a
bottle of water, turn back around
and see your paddle drifting away
from you in the freshening wind.
The Roto Grip-actually two
grips-attaches to your track system.
The rubber wheels comprise the grip
part. Lay your rod across the grips
and lightly push down to engage the
paddle. Your worries about a float-
ing paddle are a thing of the past.
Enjoy that PBJ sandwich. When
youre ready to resume fishing, grab
your paddle and slightly pull up. Its
that easy.
Theres something special
CHARTER DIRECTORY
about catching sizeable fish from a
kayak, Hipsher said. New for Yak
Attack is the Stability Assist Bar. As
the name implies, this bar helps the
angler when standing in a kayak.
With a track system there are no
alterations required. By pulling two
pins, the bar can be lowered to deck
height in an instant. The bar isnt
bulky, comes with a case and can be
easily moved around.
Attach it at the lake to your
track. When youre done fishing,
pull the pins collapsing the bar then
strap it down for the ride home,
Hipsher said. For more information
visit yakattackus.com.
Zipper Lures from Fishing Com-
plete, Inc., is the Z in everything
A-Z and is home to several brand
names including OWacky tool,
Case Plastics, Zipper Worms, Lunch
Money Lures, Scales and Tales car-
toon decals, RS Nets USA, Sunline
fishing line, and others.
If you fish worms, like the Ned
Rig, Texas Rig or Carolina Rig,
Fishing Complete has your baits.
Walleye
Run Now!
been added making it easy to clip on
to a zinger, fishing lanyard or attach
to your pfd.
Soft plastics are manufactured
on the companys premises in
Canton. We have over 50,000 bags
of soft plastic baits in stock, pro
staffer and marketing manager Jeri
Toner said. To see the complete line
of Fishing Complete products visit
fishingcompleteinc.com.
You can contact the author at
dutchbeuk12@gmail.com.n
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Catch limits there are very
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734-475-9146
www.trophyspecialists.com
WNW NEWS MAY 2017 31
 Michigans quintessential seagull
THE HERRING GULL
Michigan has no its seen at the ocean, or on our
Great Lakes. To set the stage for
seagulls. Not even one. todays seagull tale, my use of the
Confused? Dont be. word seagull will only refer to our
quintessential seagull, the herring
Seagulls do not exist! gull.

T
Herring Gulls
(Larus argentatus)
here is no such thing
as a seagull, but that
common name has They are perhaps the most famil-
stuck and frequently iar and most recognizable seabird
creates confusion when in the Northern Hemisphere and
large gatherings of are very much at home in Michi-
gulls are seen along our thousands gan. Adult herring gulls are gray
of miles of Great Lakes and white with pinkish
shoreline, or at much legs and yellow eyes. The
smaller inland lakes, and hefty beak is yellow with a
the viewer wonders why noticeable red spot on the
seagulls flew so far inland. lower mandible. Herring
The author felt like the proud stepdad being accepted by this family
They did not fly in from the gulls raucously circle over
ocean. They live in Michi- fishing boats and ferries, of gulls. Jonathan Schechter photos
gan. Seagull is a lay- loiter on docks, hang out in starred in Alfred Hitchcocks 1960s climate change than other species.
persons word to describe parking lots and raid sum- thriller, The Birds. It was there Individual herring gulls may witness
mer picnic at Bodega Bay that great flocks of significant change in their lifetime
By Jonathan Schechter
any gull
species tables. eye-poking, head-pecking, children- as winters weaken and summers
whether And they chasing herring gulls, with backup sizzle. Herring gulls are long lived.
from large flocks of mean-spirited, Again from Audubon, The oldest
homicidal crows, ravaged the town recorded herring gull was at least
and maimed and killed humans. 29 years, 3 months old when it was
JOE THOMAS PRO SERIES ROOSTER TAIL

seen in the wild in Michigan in 2015
Climate -- Adaptation
DESIGNED SPECIFICALLY and identified by its band. It had

FOR BASS
The Audubon Society describes
herring gulls with three words: big,
lively and successful. And I will
add inquisitive and adaptable. The
Audubon website includes gull
ornithology facts related to climate
Classic Rooster Tail w/HD change. While many bird species,
Split Ring & Pre-Sharpened mammals, and a two legged spe-
Black Nickel Hook cies known as homo sapiens will
be at increased risk with warming
Pulsating Hackle/Tinsel
Dressed Hook Attracts Fish of our planet, herring gulls come
out as winners. Audubon writes,
Genuine Silver, With the right combination of
Brass and/or
Painted Blades garbage dumps, shopping malls,
and coastlines, herring gulls may
have a better chance at weathering
been banded in Wisconsin in 1986.
Gull Food
Herring gulls love of herrings
(alewives) led to its name, but these
opportunistic hunters and scav-
engers adapt quickly to whatever
nature or humanity offers. The loose
soil of newly plowed spring fields
offers worms and other tiny crea-
tures. Fishing boats, docks and river
bank campsites present scraps, and
muddy river banks are rich with
treats. They will also take crayfish,
small crabs and the eggs of other
gulls. They are masters of soaring

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32 MAY 2017 WNW NEWS
above the surface with an eye to the
water. When a small fish is spotted,
they will plunge-dive from near the
surface. Some herring gulls fish
with bait. According to the Cor-
nell Lab of Ornithology, The gull
floated bits of bread on the surface
of a pond and attracted goldfish
feeding on the bread. It ate none of
the bread itself, indicating deliberate
tool use.
Corsair Trail
and Tawas Bay
Herring gulls also hike for their
food, as an unseasonably warm,
sunny late February adventure near
Tawas confirmed. A trio of the
gulls that overwintered in Michigan
walked slowly about scavenging for
food scraps in the parking area of
the Lumbermans Monument near
the bluffs above the AuSable River.
I suspect they were veteran picnic
table robbers and were sorely disap-
pointed in me. I had no offerings
for them. Later in the day while
hiking the Corsair Trail System in
the Silver Valley area of the Huron
National Forest, I encountered
a lone Herring Gull exploring for
food, or perhaps just loafing at the
edge of a field of melting snow.
That day ended perfectly with a side
trip to Tawas State Park, where her-
ring gulls walked the crumbling ice
a few feet from the open water, stop-
ping every few feet to poke about
the slush, perhaps snagging sluggish
minnows.
Nesting Habitat
Herring gulls select nesting sites
very near water, often in locations
protected from prevailing winds
by boulders or driftwood. Island
locations are a favorite, especially
when free of land predators. Crev-
ices between rocks are a favored
spot, and perhaps keep them out of
sight of predators. The mated pair
creates a shallow depression the
depth of the eggs and lines the incu-
bation site with materials that may
include dried leaves, feathers, dried
vegetation, scraps of tissue or cloth
and whatever else nature or human
behavior offers. Three eggs seem to
be the norm, with incubation lasting
just about a month. Most people
never have a chance to witness the
entire process. I did.
Lighthouse Gulls
My most personal herring gull
encounter lasted for forty amaz-
ing days last year from late May
through most of June during my
stay on South Manitou Island as
Gulls can be very territorial. This gull circled the author shrieking a
warning loudly and then dive-bombed him.
the lighthouse keeper for Sleeping
Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
It was there, literally within the
late afternoon shadow of the 1871
lighthouse, that I experienced their
strong territorial/aggressive-defen-
sive behavior during breeding sea-
son. On day one on my memorable
island adventure as a volunteer with
the National Park Service, one of
the gulls circled above me, shrieking
a warning loudly and then dive-
bombed me. I got the message and
altered my route to the lighthouse by
about fifty feet.
Two weeks passed and the gulls
no longer alarmed at my approach.
By the third week on the island the
eggs were hatching and the adults
let me sit twenty feet away and wit-
ness feeding. The gulls hunted the
shallows of the Manitou Passage
surf and returned quickly with food.
Favorite entre for the chicks? Go-
bies, snatched from the surf of the
Manitou Passage. The gobies were
regurgitated and ravenously gobbled
by the chicks. I felt like the proud
stepdad the last evening on the is-
land and slowly walked towards the
pair with their three chicks and
knelt to say goodbye to the
seagulls of South Manitou
Island. They accepted my pres-
ence. I was family. And they
were no longer seagulls to me.
They were herring gulls.
Jonathan Schechter is a natu-
ralist/writer in Oakland County
and will be returning to the South
Manitou Lighthouse in late May
for a second tour of duty with his
seagulls. E-mail: Oaknature@aol.
comn

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WNW NEWS MAY 2017 33

The fisherman and the wolf
T
he sun was low in the sky
and the day was almost
done when Jimmy Mills
of Newberry spied the
wolf. It was lurking 200
yards from his fishing
hole on Milikokia Lake near Gould
City, MI. Jimmys no stranger to wild-
life having fished and hunted since
childhood, but this was the first time
he encountered a wolf who appeared
to be eyeing him up for supper. Jimmy
had snowshoed in from the east public
access and was about 300 yards off
shore and an equal distance to the
north of the landing. His heart beat a
little faster as the wolf neared.
When a man is alone on the ice
with only a spud and knife for protec-
tion from what appears to be an im-
minent predator, he might get a little
shaky. As Jimmy put it in a recent
interview, You talk about scary. At
62 years of age, I wasnt going down
without at least a couple seconds of
glory if it came to that. I respect the
natural wonders we are given from
our Creator, but I was prepared to use
the only weapons at hand if it was
between me or the wolf. At different
times, Ive encountered bear and a
mountain lion in the wild and both ran
when I yelled, but the wolf was differ-
ent. It wasnt fazed.
I was facing the shoreline and
By Sharon Kennedy
had been fishing since two in the af-
ternoon and caught a couple of small
perch. It was starting to get dark but I
wasnt ready to head for home. I was
thinking I might get a walleye around
dark. Theres nothing like walleye to
make an ice fishing trip worth endur-
ing a cold northwest wind, but as I
looked shoreward and saw the wolf
coming towards me, I knew it was
time to hightail it off the ice.
Jimmy paused as he mentally re-
lived what he had seen. It was obvious
the sight of a wild animal approaching
had deeply touched him. Although
fishing is his favorite pastime and he
enjoys all aspects from fly to troll-
ing to sitting on the bank of a lake or
river or boating, ice fishing is often
fraught with dangers. Theres the
possibility of the ice being too thin to
hold the weight of a man or a sudden
change in the weather turning a sunny
day into a blinding snowstorm. If
theres no shack with a small stove in
it, a fellow sits on a bucket and hopes
his parka keeps the cold at bay. It
takes a serious fisherman to withstand
the obstacles winter imposes.
Jimmys fished in Wyoming,
Montana, Oregon, Washington, Colo-
rado, Arizona, and Canada, but it took
dropping a line in an Upper Peninsula
lake to remind him of unknown perils.
You never know what surprises are
going to happen. By 4 p.m. a dog
had been barking steady for at least
an hour. I wondered why someone
hadnt checked on it to find out what
had disturbed the animal. It was about
this time I saw the wolf. It was huge.
Its tail was in a high position indicat-
ing its dominance as an alpha male.
I yelled and waved my arms, but it
did not move. I stood up and yelled
again, but the wolf never changed its Rick Baetsen photo
posture.
I forgot about catching a walleye followed me and ducked just inside
and slowly packed my gear back on the tree line parallel to me within
my sled while keeping a sharp eye 50 yards of my truck and did not
on the wolf. It kept its position, not run when I honked the horn. It just
moving anything but its tail. Although watched my every move as I stowed
it began slowly waving it back and away my gear. When the engine
forth which usually means an animal started, I was thankful for the warmth
is starting to relax, I wasnt taking and safety of the vehicle. I decided
any chances. Textbooks might say this might be the last time Ill venture
one thing, but when you see a lone onto the ice alone. Next time Ill bring
wolf gazing at you as if contemplating a buddy or relative. He can record any
its next move, a wagging tail means wildlife encounters. I was lucky, and
anything but relaxation. It means head its good to remember that here in the
for shore, pronto! Upper Peninsula were not at the top
I put on my snowshoes and of the food chain. At least not yet.
when I looked up; I noticed the wolf And with those sage words, our
had moved closer to me. I decided to interview ended. So for all you ice
walk slowly back to my truck while fishermen out there, be careful and
pulling the sled and watching for any keep your powder dry. You never
movement from my stalker. The wolf know when youll need it.n

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 Electronic collars and dog training
U
By Charlie Linblade
nderstanding my posi- turns away, use remove it and try to me for help. I dont want them to
tive reinforcement meth- the-collar. Then again. I wont use think I am angry and mean or that I
od of using an electronic call again with the the collar on a want to hurt them.
dog training collar can be happy voice. If the dog looks at you dog thats looking at me. I wait until My last point is that not everyone
helpful to dog owners. I and doesnt come or sits down do not they turn away. So, if I call it and it is capable of training dogs. You may
developed this method use the e-collar. Go to them and move refuses to come but stays where it is not be able to see what is going on
thirty years ago and have used it while them off the spot they are stuck on, and looks at me I would approach and or understand how to change bad be-
training thousands of dogs from many and then try again. move it off the spot. If when I call it havior. It does take some skill, insight
different breeds and temperaments. Remember kindness and patience it turns away, I give it the one to two and understanding of what motivates
The proper use of the e-collar are keys to training. Impatience and second dose of the collar and keep a dog and how they think. Point being
starts with keeping your emotions harshness will confuse and scare the encouraging it in a friendly voice. I that many of you are better off going
in check and realizing that it is not a dog so keep your emotions in check. want the dog to think I am a safe spot to a professional.
punishment device. What we are try- Once the ground work has been laid for them. If anything is hurting or Email the author at charlie@
ing to do is show the dog the best path with the long line on the dog you may bothering them they can come back michiganwingshooter.com n
to take, the one with the least resis-
tance. During the course of this we
will be using the e-collar as negative
stimuli, the down side of choosing the
wrong path.
One of the keys to this is to keep
a calm demeanor and dont use a
harsh voice. Use a happy friendly
voice, not a command voice. You
are happy and friendly the entire
time youre working with the dog.
You dont have to scream like a
drill instructor and show anger.
Because this will only tell the dog
you are out of control. You were
having issues before you bought the
e-collar, you yelled and carried on
while your dog ignored you. So dont
do it with the e-collar on the dog.
Now, of course the dog doesnt
know what an e-collar is and wont
obey just because you put one on
them. But they will start complying
with your requests when the wrong
choice brings them some discomfort. www.burnips.com mail@burnips.com
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will need more power when meterout
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the dog complies you reward with Engine Option

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your approval and kindness. When it
doesnt you give it the e-collar with HD
with GT-Trac

&
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26hp Big Block Vanguard
206
3 year residential / commercial
54
engine warranty
61
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a short one to two second hit while Option

Engine RT-HD Model Engine Options: 26hp Vanguard or 32hp Big Block Vanguard
54 Cut, Cash Price $6,599 32hp Big Block Van
keeping that happy friendly voice. Patented TCB-3 Elastomer bushings under the seat for a smooth
61 ride
Cut, Cash Price $6,799 3 year residential / commercial e
GT-Trac Precision handling, traction and balance 54 Cut, Cash Price $
When they comply, even with RT-HD Model Engine Options: 26hp Vanguard or 32hp Big Block Vanguard
Parker HTJ 10cc Hydro Transaxles 1000 hour fluid change,32hp 3 year Big Block Vanguard
warranty
Patented TCB-3 Elastomer bushings under the seat for a smooth ride 61 Cut, Cash Price $
the simplest command, make a big 24 Radial tires standard on 61
GT-Trac Precision handling, traction and balance
3 year residential / commercial engine warranty
54 Cut, Cash Price $7,299
deal by showing your approval. If Parker HTJ 10cc Hydro Transaxles 1000
Control
hourPanel with LCD
fluid change, 3 yeardisplay
warranty Keyless/enter personal code61 toCut,
start, hour
Cash Price $7,499
it doesnt, maintain the same happy 24 Radial tires standard on 61 meter (engine and deck), tachometer, low battery, time between oil change
Control Panel with LCD display Keyless/enter
Standardpersonal
foldingcode
ROPS,to start, hour
adjustable control handles and 4-bearing spindles
demeanor while you use the appro- meter (engine and deck), tachometer, low battery, time between oil change
Warranty: Lifetime Deck, 2 year limited, 3 year engine and hydraulic Cash Price starting
Standard folding ROPS, adjustable control handles and 4-bearing spindles
priate level of stimulation. Usually I Cash Price starting as low:

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advise people to start with a simple www.burnips.com mail@burnips.com www.burnips.com mail@burnips.com

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low stress recall command while the
dog is on a long line. The first step is
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as lowCarleton
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starting
Dr. * as low asDorr, MI Big Rapids,mo.
MI$0$134Coopersville,
* MI Hudson, MI
3073 142nd Ave. 18612 Northland Dr. 7353 State Rd. 15838 Carleton Rd. 55232 Franklin Dr.
Three Rivers, MI $134
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and show affection. If it doesnt come * *
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Destination charges not included. Ask a sales representative for details. Destination charges not included. Ask a sales representative for details.
even with some coaxing or if the dog Destination charges not included. Ask a sales representative for details. Destination charges not included. Ask a sales r

*Tax, finance, destination, accessories and additional charges may apply. Spartan RT-HD 54 with 26hp Vanguard MSRP $7,259 with
3.99% for 60 months financing shown. All Payments will be determined by the financial
*Tax, finance, institutionaccessories
destination, funding the loan
andbased on the charges
additional
may apply. Spartan RT-HD 54 with 26hp Vanguard MSRP $7,259 with

WNW NEWS MAY 2017 35

applicants credit score and/or other information obtained from credit reporting agencies.
3.99% for 60 months financing shown. All Payments will be determined by the financial institution funding the loan based on the
 Take your kids/grandkids fishing
and dont forget your daughters

P
assing on the heritage Now I have two granddaugh-
of fishing to your kids/ ters and my son is passing on the
grandkids gives them a example set early in exposing his
lifetime sport and activ- daughters to fishing at every oppor-
ity. Taking sons/grand- tunity. My daughters do not have
sons fishing is a common children yet, although I am sure
activity on a family vacation or when they do, they will take an ac-
weekend although dont forget to tive role in taking their kids fishing.
include your daughters/granddaugh- As is commonly known, most chil-
ters. I can not speak to all young dren emulate their parents parenting
girls, although when my kids were style and activities.
growing up my son was always Any parent, grandparent or adult
excited about fishing with Dad and who has tried to take young kids out
Mom. angling knows you need
My daughters were to find some fishing action
harder for me to under- without too much delay. Floyd Dropps and Paul Larmour of Iron County Wildlife Unlimited
stand, although I made a Accomplishing that will take kids out on a pontoon boat in Runkle Lake for panfish. The
point of including both of make it an enjoyable and pontoon boat acts as a moving fishing pier and is an excellent way
them. As young girls my longer lasting outing. For
open water season, panfish
to expose a number of novice anglers to fishing.
daughters would be greatly
interested in a fishing out- fishing is probably the best fisheries biologist and ask for a list Unit) in the search box (top right)
ing with Dad one time, option available. If you are of locations conducive to abundant and when you get to the desired
and then the next be taking several kids, panfish and public access. The gen- Management Unit, click on Con-
much more interest-
ed in a social activity By Bill Ziegler unless you have a
larger boat, it is also
eral phone numbers for each DNR
management unit is located on page
tact Us and a list of each biologists
phone and email address is shown.
with their friends. good to consider a 67 of the Michigan Fishing Guide, Another link below contact site
Although I was unsure of how com- shore fishing option. This allows available where you buy your is Family Friendly Fishing Wa-
mitted they were to fishing; I can them to run around some when they fishing license. You can get more ters. As a retired DNR Fisheries
now say that exposure to fishing at a lose interest between bites. Most contact information for your local Biologist, a review of the waters
young age made a major impact on areas of Michigan have several op- DNR fish biologist by going to the listed in the UP counties I formerly
their interests as they grew up. My tions since many state, county and DNR Fisheries online at http://www. provided this same information to
daughters both enjoy fishing as the community parks are located on michigan.gov/dnr . To obtain your anglers and revealed some of the
opportunity presents itself, and one water. local fisheries biologist name and DNR Units listings are incomplete.
of them has developed a real passion Adults looking to find good specific contact information, type Although the waters listed are likely
for fishing making it a large part of family oriented panfish experiences the name of the Fish Management good choices for family waters,
her adult lifes regular pastime. should contact their local DNR Unit (e.g. Northern Lake Michigan an inexperienced parent or mentor
angler will find that the area fisher-
ies biologists may know of more
Church Tackle Co. ALL MADE
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TX-007 Stern Planer & TX-005 Mini Stern Planer TX-44 Tournament Series Unique error-proof design allows anglers to put
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The TX-44 is the first and the only in line planer to pull the large Divers,
(10 1/4 long, weighs about 3 oz) (7 long, weighs about 1.5 oz) Lead Core, Wire or Copper Lines and Heavy Weights. The size of the TX-44 forcing the Stingray downward. A fish on will
An all new type of planer! makes it harder for fish to pull the board under, however it is still easy to force the nose upward & Stingray to the surface.
retrieve. The Vise Clip comes standard with the TX-44; especially Available in unpainted or painted. 2 snaps for
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Effective for all species. Run more lines out the back of the boat by staggering tow-arm removal. Part# 30630 Size #2 - 1.4 oz
the Stern Planers. Run any distance from the boat yet maintain desired depth. Standard TX-44 Part# 30610 Stainless Steel Rear Pin (14 x 4 1/4 x 7/8)

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-22 SCop
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ecia
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& TX-22 side planers. Slide the tow-arm off for storage or change Includes a Lock-Jaw Clip
to another tow-arm & clip then slide back on when youre ready to E-Z Store & Stainless Erich Ziegler and the author with
fish again. Part# 40519 sold 2 per package 1 left & 1 right Rear Pin Assembly. (Part# 30640) #40305 unpainted #40306 chartreuse daughter and nephews fishing
Please check with your local tackle shop first, if they dont carry our products visit us at www.churchtackle.com to view all panfish at the Runkle Lake Fish-
of our great American made fishing gear, or call us at 269-934-8528 to request a catalog. ing Pier near Cyrstal Falls.
36 MAY 2017 WNW NEWS
ation and fish species interest.
When you contact the fisheries
biologist, ask for a list of the areas
more abundant panfish waters with
lots of action for kids in mind. Ask
for a list of local fishing piers or
shore fishing opportunities. Good
species of fish for kid action are
bluegill, sunfish, rock bass, and
perch. Panfish lakes are common
throughout Michigan; the ones to
focus on are the panfish lakes where
they can be accessed easily with a
pier or from shore.
As the water temperature warms
in the late spring (68 to 70 F)
bluegill and sunfish start bedding/
nesting. This is a time period where
novice anglers can often get lots of
action from shore fishing. If you
get your young angler into nesting
fish, you should encourage them
to selectively harvest and not take
many larger bluegills and eat the
medium (less than 8 inch fish). If
you are a beginner at cleaning fish
you will want to limit the number
you have to clean after the trip.
Some sportsmans clubs, state
parks and National Forests sponsor
youth fishing days. These are often
timed to take place on Free Fishing
Weekend. On that day adults and
youth under 17 years of age do not
need a state fishing license for Satur-
day and Sunday. This weekend will
be June 10-11 this year, and is annu-
ally scheduled in early June. Often
groups sponsoring these events have
simple fishing equipment to loan out
to kids who dont have their own
fishing gear. These events are great
opportunities for kids to get instruc-
tion from more experienced anglers
Chandra and Emma Ziegler with
a nice sunfish caught at the
Wildlife Unlimited Youth Fishing
Day at Runkle Lake near Crystal
Falls.
that typically mentor the kids while
fishing. This is also a good oppor-
tunity for beginner angler parents
to pick up some effective fishing
methods. Most groups who sponsor
youth fishing events appreciate if
at least one parent sticks around to
help with the kids.
Recently, a single grandmother
asked me for advice about panfish
methods from a pier. Her real prob-
lem was her grandson kept getting
tangles in his inexpensive spin cast
reel when casting. Closed face spin
casting rod and reel combinations
are good for beginners, although
if you dont regularly change the Emma Ziegler shows her little sister Hali how to fish for panfish off
monofilament line it gets tangles. a local dock. Chandra Ziegler photo
I told her an extremely low tech
back-up is to use the old fashioned As an avid angler with a normal coaches for young children, have the
cane pole. I have not seen bamboo level of patience, when I was tak- following suggestions. Make sure
fishing poles for sale in many years, ing my young kids out I took them to keep the fishing outing fun for
although you can buy more modern about every other outing. That way the kids. Do not go out expecting
versions that are telescoping fiber- I could have some angling out- to have a highly productive fishing
glass or graphite poles (10 to 12 feet ings where I could try to have good outing for the adults. Great patience
in length) with a simple line and expectations of adult angling. When needs to be maintained. The parent
bobber that can be casted to the fish you go out with real young kids, or mentor must be willing to be
by anyone big enough to hold up the realize that you may not catch as very flexible with the time period
light poles. This type of cane pole many fish. That will keep you much the youth are fishing. And lastly
fishing works really good from pier more patient while working with dont forget to pack a snack; that
or a boat. As said previously, a your kids. I found as my kids grew alone has saved many of their
spin cast (closed face) rod and reel more experienced and older it took fishing outings with their young
combination is a really good combi- much less time to help them, and daughters.
nation, especially with a slip bobber they eventually became relatively If you take the time to intro-
and simple hook. self sufficient. There is a great duce your children to fishing, it can
Most anglers use worms or night feeling when your kids start catch- provide an outstanding activity for
crawlers for panfish bait. Most bait ing fish on their own with minimal you to share quality time with your
shops will show you how to rig a coaching from you. kids. This often results in a lifetime
slip bobber or the other simple gear My son and daughter-in-law, of quality experiences to share with
when you buy it from them. who are both teachers and athletic your family.n
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WNW NEWS MAY 2017 37
 Confessions of a confirmed
Shroomer
T
o paraphrase novelist
Stephen King: If you
want to be a writer,
why arent you writing
now? According to
that logic, if you want
to find morel mush-
rooms, why arent you
out there looking for them?
To be sure, you can
pick mushrooms in April,
especially the smaller black
morels, which are usually
grayish in color. And the
picking season for white
morels, typically caramel or
tan, runs well into June. But
after more than 40 years of
mushroom hunting, give
Michigan Meanders
me the month
of May for the
best time to go.
Its one
of only a few
By Tom Huggler
outdoor activities that cost nothing.
Nature unfolding in spring is a beau-
tiful experience. Walking is good
exercise. And, if you are successful,
A prime example of a dead/
dying slippery elm where I find
morels in May.
38 MAY 2017 WNW NEWS
youll return home with an onion
sack full of delectable morels. Some
tips on preparing them for the table
follow; first we have to find them.
When to Go
Cold mornings when you can
see your breath and the ground is
clammy to the touch are for sleeping
in. The best days for picking fol-
low warm nights when the
temperature is rising. This
condition often brings rain,
which I believe helps trig-
ger the fungi to pop.
I remember a misty
Sunday morning a few
years ago when I slipped
out back of the house for a
brief scouting
mission before
church. A mid-
night shower
had given way
to a warm-
ing trend and there they were, like
magical beacons, along the wooded
slope. I stood there a long moment
silently counting five-six-seven mo-
rels among the deadfalls and prickly
ash just starting to sprout green
leaves. Sudden movement turned
into a red fox pup emerging from
his den, followed by six brothers
and sisters. I watched them play for
a quarter-hour before they melted
back into the den as mysteriously as
they had appeared.
That morning I filled my base-
ball cap with morels, which went
into omelets for the family before
we hustled off to church.
Where to Look
Morels can appear anywhere and
often do, A DNR wildlife biolo-
gist told me she picked a couple
along a City of Lansing sidewalk
while walking to work from the car
parking lot one spring morning.
Individual mushrooms show up on
peoples lawns, in farm pastures and
on construction sites.
A good place to find them in
large numbers, however, are spots
that have experienced recent distur-
bance such as logging or dredging.
The late Larry Lonik, who sought
morels all over North America and
was Michigans foremost expert,
never drove past burn areas. One
time in Canada, Lonik and friends
filled a pickup with mushrooms
that sprouted after a forest fire had
passed.
I remember picking white mo-
rels near apple trees I had pruned
the previous winter but never found
A good place to find morels in large numbers are spots that have
experienced recent disturbance. Author photos
them there again. Another time,
the power company dumped a load
of wood chips near my unattached
garage. When I went to spread the
chips, I was surprised to find several
mushrooms around the pile.
Over the years, the hands-down
best spot for morels, at least in my
experience, is near slippery elms
that are dead or dying. Now, when-
ever I forage, I first look for these
trees with their loose bark hanging
in shards. If you dont find morels
in bunches, usually within the drip
linebut sometimes beyond the
drip linecome back tomorrow or
the next day.
Early last May, my 10-year-old
son and I picked more than 120
black morels, clustered like specta-
tors in a theater of the round, from a
single slippery elm. Daniel spotted
them first, probably because his eyes
are better than his fathers and hes
closer to the ground. Two weeks
later, we plucked a dozen or more
white morels from this same tree,
perhaps an anomaly because this
had never happened before.
How to Look
Ever try to find a jumbo paper
clip in a kitchen junk drawer? Until
you can imagine what the paper
clip looks like, the search is hope-
less. Spotting morels among the leaf
litter, fiddlehead ferns uncurling
and May apples sprouting is equally
challenging. Picture the mushroom
first; if it is there, you will likely
find it. Walk slowly and stop often
while scanning the forest floor
ahead and around you before
moving on.
One fellow I know sometimes
relies on pocket binoculars for scan-
ning surroundings. That trick didnt
work for me, but slipping on a pair
of Hi-Def Spex, specialty eyewear
designed for shooters, did help to
clarify objects, including several
mushrooms, on the cloudy day I
tested them.
A Mushroom Memo
A tip that Larry Lonik passed
along is worth repeating: Drop any
morels you find in a mesh bag and
swing it as you walk through the
woods. This practice will help to
cast spores, which is how mush-
rooms propagate. Plastic bags and
paper sacks (and baseball caps) are
a no-no. Carry a sharp knife and cut
the morel stalk above the ground.
Never rip out mushrooms by their
roots.
At home, I gently wash the
mushrooms at the kitchen sink and
lay them on paper towels to dry.
This practice will remove any in-
sects. A tip I picked up from Theresa
Maybrier, a Missouri expert who
studied under Lonik and who often
appears at Michigan sport shows,
is to slice the morels in rings rather
than cutting them lengthwise. Sau-
ted in butter, the mushrooms will
cook more evenly.
When picking is plentiful, I
often preserve excess morels by dry-
ing them in a food dehydrator, avail-
able online or from the housewares
department at big box stores. The
finished product, as light as potato
chips, can then be stored with other
canned goods in airtight quart jars.
To reconstitute, simply soak them in
water for a few minutes.
May is morel mushroom time.
Heres hoping you find the mother
lode.n
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WNW NEWS MAY 2017 39
Boat Launch
preparation
M
any boat owners
clean up their pride
and joy in the spring
with a coat of paint,
good wax job and
shiny rails. They use
a lot of energy making her
look good as new but over-
look items of importance
that are not visible.
A complete check of
your engine area should
be made. If you have an
owners manual, refer to
the manufacturers direc-
tives before startup. Hook
up water to
your intake By Capt. Fred Davis
and run the
engine, see that all pulleys are run-
ning freely and the water pump is
operating properly. Belts need to
be checked for cracks or rot and
replaced. Fuel lines develop wear
from vibration and will show cracks.
Rubber inlet and circulation hoses
will have soft spots as well as cracks
and all should be double clamped.
Check closely around the clamps for
any cuts.
A few drops of oil in generators
or alternators, fresh grease in pumps
that require it and some oil in wicks
of distributors is a good idea. Check
wiring and fuse connector or holders
for corrosion and proper contact.
Check bulbs on running
and deck lights (always
carry spares); fluid levels
for engine and transmis-
sion as well as steering and
power trim or tilt.
Outboards should
be checked for steering
and power tilt fluids if so
equipped and clean electri-
cal connec-
tions if corro-
sion is evident.
Try coating with a sealer to avoid
future problems.
Check your propeller, if chipped
or dinged, repair it because a slight
balance change can cause severe
damage.
I/Os have rubber boots around
the stern drive that will crack and
rot. Inboards and some I/Os have
exhaust outlets that will also crack
or develop corrosion. Check to be
During a Coast Guard Auxiliary safety check, your fire extinguisher will be
looked at along with all your other required safety equipment.
sure there are no bird nests inside
your muffler.
Get out your tool kit and make
sure all you need is in good condi-
tion and none are missing. Check
your spare parts supply; extra belts,
spark plugs, bulbs, and fuses. Look
your first aid kit over to be sure you
have all items you need in an emer-
gency and that none of them have
deteriorated while in storage.
Safety equipment exams are
critical. If you have not had an in-
spection by the Coast Guard Auxil-
iary, spring launch is a good time to
give them a call. They will check
your life jackets for sunburn, tears,
poor stitching or air leak packs. Be
sure your Inflatable styles have extra
cylinders. The inspector will check
your fire extinguisher to insure it
is in good shape. Your flare kits
expiration dates will be noted.
Check your hull for any cracks
or soft spots, many fiberglass boats
have glass over wood transoms/
stringers and a slight crack can al-
low moisture to rot and weaken the
wood.
If you trailer your boat, check
the trailer lights, wiring, tires, wheel
bearings, hitch and coupler to be
sure your trip to the launch is not
interrupted.
Its a good idea to make a com-
plete checklist for launch just as you
do for fall lay-up. Use my ideas and
add items you think of.
Have a safe and happy boating
season.n

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 U.P. deer habitat
improvement grants
$100,000 to eleven projects funded across 13 counties
T
he MDNR has awarded
a total of $100,000 in
deer habitat improve-
ment grants in the
Upper Peninsula. The
funds will be allocated
to 11 grant award recipients.
The Deer Habitat Improvement
Partnership Initiative is a com-
petitive grant program designed to
enhance deer habitat on non-state-
managed lands in the U.P.
This years grants are for
excellent projects designed to ad-
dress local and regional deer habitat
needs, said Bill Scullon, grant
program administrator and DNR
field operations manager from the
Norway Field Office. Many of the
projects funded in this latest grant
cycle focus on improving long-term
cover in deer wintering complexes
(deer yards) and improving forag-
ing opportunities for deer going into
and coming out of stressful winter
conditions.
Projects have been approved
for partnering organizations in Iron,
Gogebic, Dickinson, Schoolcraft,
Menominee, Iron, Ontonagon,
Chippewa, Luce, Mackinac, Baraga,
Marquette and Delta counties.
The grant proposal recipients
selected for 2017 are:
U.P. Whitetails Inc. - $6,829
Ontonagon County Chapter of
Whitetails Unlimited - $8,000
Dickinson C.D. - $12,000
Gogebic C.D. - $5,811
Camp Debby LLC. - $10,000
Sustainable Resources/ Forest
Park School District - $5,360
Chippewa-Luce-Mackinac
C.D. - $10,000
Iron-Baraga C.D. - $13,000
Marquette County C.D. -
$13,000
The Forestland Group and U.P.
Whitetails Inc. - $10,000
Schoolcraft C.D. - $6,000
This seasons grant projects
involve enhancing spring breakout
wildlife openings with nutritious
forage, planting large oak saplings
in areas impacted by beech bark
disease, planting soft mast trees
for high-calorie fall foods, conifer
plantings in deer wintering com-
plexes, creating hunter walking
trails, and scarifying land within
deer wintering complexes to pro-
mote regeneration of long-lived
conifers and other trees that need
bare mineral soils exposed to
grow in.
A committee reviewed and
scored 13 grant proposals, based
on five specific grant evalua-
tion criteria. The criteria included
production of tangible deer habitat
enhancement benefits; proposal
logistical feasibility; public acces-
sibility or proximity to public lands;
partner cost share and participation
in the project implementation; and
the inclusion of a communications
strategy.
Now in its ninth year, the initia-
tive is supported by the states Deer
Range Improvement Program,
which is funded by a portion of deer
hunting license revenue.
To date, a total of $450,000 has
been spent on 60 grant projects.
Grant-funded projects have been
completed in every U.P. county,
involving hundreds of individual
private landowners and thousands of
acres of deer habitat.
These projects often become
the catalyst for lasting partnerships
and promote community conserva-
tion efforts across the region, said
J.R. Richardson, a Michigan Natural
Resources Commissioner who lives
in Ontonagon. Many times they
lead to self-sustaining efforts by par-
ticipants long after the grant money
has been spent.
For more information, visit the
DNR website at www.michigan.gov/
dnr-grants.n
WNW NEWS MAY 2017 41
 Traditional Black Powder Hunting...
Bridging
the abyss
The taking of a wild gobbler is not
the end of the hunt for a traditional
woodsman. Instead, it is simply the
continuation of a pleasant time-traveling
journey through what once was...
C
autious exuberance
counterbalanced a
dead turkeys bulk.
Bony legs pried
against tensed
shoulder muscles.
Stubby, pointed
spurs dug through
trail worn linen; one broke skin
and drew blood. Fingers cramped
as they strained to keep a
firm grip on the gobblers
purple, limp feet. Now and
again tail feathers poked at
a sweat-stained head scarf.
Despite the discomfort,
the joyous task of lugging
a wild turkey back to the
cedar-brush camp provided
an unmatched 18th-century
delight.
Hours earlier, aBy Dennis Neely
pre-dawn still-hunt
crossed times threshold, then pen-
etrated deep in the Old Northwest
Territory of 1793, three hills east of
the River Raisins headwaters. That
calm and somewhat chilly April
morn began with great anticipation.
Gob-obl-obl-obl! Obl-obl-obl-
obl! Obl-obl-obl-obl! Just after first
light a series of chain gobbles from
the north end of the hogback ridge
heightened the excitement. In the
midst of the pontifications, four or
five raspy-voiced hens clucked, soft
in tone. Those birds roosted in the
oaks on the ridges east face. At fly
down, only the songs of the robins,
cardinals and a few chickadees
drifted through the frosty glade.
Scu-reeeeeeScu-reeeeee, or a clean miss. Your will, O Lord,
a red-tailed hawk screeched as it
circled to the south. Not long after,
an abbreviated gobble, uttered just
42 MAY 2017 WNW NEWS
north of the hens roost, offered the
only hint as to the wild turkeys
whereabouts.
Twenty minutes ticked away
before the wing bones single
Arrkkk, hushed and seductive,
resonated from the cluster of five
cedar trees that grew just to the west
of the main trail that snaked along
the ridge crest. Hips skootched to
the left. The Northwest
guns turtle sight followed.
Better to cover the up-
per trail, the trading post
hunter whispered to an
inquisitive titmouse.
Two blue jays and a
crimson cardinal came and
went. Four cawing crows
winged in the direction of
the Raisins sandy
flats. Once those
raucous demons
were well gone, a barn owl swooped
low, banked around the huckleberry
swamp and disappeared into the
hardwoods.
Then bronze feathers slipped
through an opening in the cedar
trees, sixty paces down the upper
trail. An eager finger worked the
trigger as an anxious thumb pulled
back the flintlocks hammer, all to
avoid the telltale click of the sear
bar snapping into the tumblers
full-cock notch. The tarnished brass
butt plate eased to the woodsmans
right shoulder. His left hand, its
elbow steadied on a raised knee,
gripped the smoothbores forestock.
The hunters prayer, A clean kill,
wild cherry sapling that marked the
passed over dry lips.
Purple legs advanced with cau-
tion, one agonizing step at a time.
Rather than returning to the 21 st century and walking back to a
pickup truck, the traditional woodsman continued on with a back-
country hunters daily activities and star ted back to his station
camp. Wild River tree photos
The young bird was alone, but in a wild turkey slung over ones
familiar territory. His head turned shoulder does not seem all that life
back and forth as he sought the changing. Outdoor magazines, hunt-
whereabouts of the seductive hen ing websites and gear manufacturers
that beckoned a suitor over an hour feature such images to bait poten-
before. It appeared his concern was tial readers or customers. One might
not with danger, but rather avoiding argue the excessive use of such pho-
a fight with an older, more experi- tos has dulled their attractive value,
enced tom. but that is not our cause today.
The red-headed gobblers still- Rather, for a traditional black
hunt mirrored that of the trading powder hunter, lugging a gobbler
post hunters woodland habit: step back to a 1790s-era station camp is
and pausestep and pausestep an unforgettable 18th-century thrill,
The birds short black beard bobbed, a pristine moment that bridges the
but did not sway. Tail feathers half- abyss between what is and what
fanned thrice. Instead of attracting was.
the non-existent hen from the shad- Few hunters sit with a gun of
ows, the toms deliberate approach their own manufacture resting in
simply agitated the death bees. their lap. The same holds true for
Then a footfall came even with the buffalo-hide moccasins, deerskin
leggins, linen knee breeches or os-
farthest limit of the Northwest guns naburg trade shirtsall hand sewn
cylinder bore by that same woodsman to dupli-
On the surface, packing out cate the originals used by his or her
hunter heroes.
Dont forget to add in the sinew-
stitched leather shot pouch, a hand-
shaped powder horn, a loom-woven
sash, a forged ax and a river-stone-
sharpened butcher knife, all neces-
sities documented in the yellowed
pages of a backcountry hunters
almost-forgotten journals.
And then there is the overlooked
detail of the single radius bone of a
wild turkey, taken years before with
that same Northwest trade gun, the
one loaded with leaves for wad-
dingand in deer season, a lead
round ball cast over an open fire.
Consider further that bone, cut
from the wing, scraped of all tissue,
ends trimmed and marrow pushed
from the center. Washed and dried,
that bone waited in the shot pouch.
Then, on that April morning, cold
fingers retrieved it. With a judicious
draw of air, a soft, seductive cluck
caressed the ridge crest. Imagine
watching a young gobbler, bedecked
in all his woodland magnificence,
stalk to that solitary utterance.
Such circumstances do not occur
by accident. A traditional woods-
man must nurture a willingness to
forsake what is in favor of what The cedar-brush camp imitated a forest shelter described in the writings of Meshach Browning. For
was, at the least, on a somewhat several years, the shelter acted as the learning center for many wilderness classroom lessons.
regular basis. The goal is to engage
in a simple pursuit that limits the ability and authenticity of the por- described in the published narra- seeped through the boughs. The
participant to the resources available trayal, to say nothing of enhancing tive of Meshach Browning, Forty- foot-thick covering harbored vicious
to a person in a specific time period, the learning potential. That is why Four Years of the Life of a Hunter. mosquitoes, but the smoke from a
geographical location and societal the majority of my 18th-century Interpreting Brownings words, wet-wood fire drove them off. These
life station. adventures include a hunting camp then holding true to their character are the failures and successes hid-
Beyond donning linen and based on actual descriptions from yielded a humble abode in the midst den beyond times thresholdthe
leather and striking off into the my beloved time period, the 1790s. of the hardwoods. infinite chances to hone ones forest
glade with a favorite muzzleload- As a meat provider for a local That shelter became a learning skills, the opportunities to share a
ing smoothbore, lurks a passionate trading post, my 1793 hunting ex- center in the wilderness classroom. sense of kinship with the ancients,
desire to discover what it was really ploits began and ended at a cedar- The cedar-brush camp held back to experience the texture of life that
like to live, hunt and survive in a by- brush camp that was similar to one heavy snow, but even a mild rain once was.

Muzzle Loading State Events

gone era. Careful historical research
is important in shaping an individ-
uals overall knowledge of the past,
but hands-on practical experience
in the wilderness classroom is also
required.
For example, knowing when to
offer the single cluck, to turn for a
better shot at the upper trail or when
to cock and shoulder the Northwest
gun are all acquired skills, learned
through trial and error. An integral
part of that educational process is
the unavoidable reality that game
will be chased off due to personal
failure. The key is learning from
those mistakes and applying that
understanding to the next similar
situation.
In addition, expanding the
scope of a given scenario, whether
it involves a one morning hunt or a
series of simple pursuits spread over
many months, enhances the believ-
And when that glorious, sul-
furous stench cleared, the trading
post hunter did not step over times
threshold and walk forty yards back
Michigan State Muzzle Loading Association State Shoots
to a pickup truck as most mod-
erns do. No, instead that tenant of
May 5-7 - Spring Shoot: Grand Valley Cap n Ballers the forest slung the bird upon his
616-681-0164 or 269-792-4384 shoulder and strolled on, enjoying a
May 5-7 - 30 Shot Woodswalk: Sauk Trail Longrifles; 517-522-8976 delightful late-April forenoon in the
May 6 - Columbiaville S. C. Pistol Shoot: Columbiaville Sportsman Year of our Lord, 1793.
Club: 810-223-3956 or 810-793-7799 For down the hill, through the
valley and up over the rise the
May 6 - Black Powder Cartridge Shoot: Pine River Long Riflemen: cedar-brush camp whispered its
989-465-9265 own seductive request, a haunting,
May 7 - Woods Walk: Clinton River Muzzle Loaders addictive beseeching that bridged
Detroit Sportsman Congress: 586-731-6088 the abyss between what is and what
was
May 12-14 - Rendezvous: Hart Long Rifles: 231-923-8213 Give traditional black powder
May 20-21 - Trade Gun: Grand Valley Cap n BallersTM: 517-852-0939 hunting a try, be safe and may God
bless you.
May 20 - Sporting Clays (modern shotgun): Dennis Neely maintains a web
Grand Valley Cap n BallersTM: 616-307-7728 or 616-836-5760 site devoted to traditional hunting
May 26-29 - Grand Traverse Rendezvous: Benzie Sportsman Club at www.traditionalblackpowder-
231-378-2145 hunting.com.n
WNW NEWS MAY 2017 43
Mushrooming in Michigan
Morels are a wonderful treat once you learn how to find them and how to keep them...

I
f you live in the north woods,
you can expect to be amazed
every year at the number of
cars you see parked along the
back roads and the number
of people in restaurants,
motels and other gathering spots,
all dedicated to the pursuit of edible
fungi. Mushrooming is very popular
in Michigan. There are numerous
festivals and contests built around
festivals and the mushroom rules
those gatherings. To get the real
inside information on how to find
so we couldnt really call the tricks
secrets. On the other hand, they do
practice some techniques that are
not generally pursued by the rank
and file of mushroomers.
These are the main themes
from successful morel seek-
ers:
Get off the road way
off the road. In the contest
environment, these guys
get off the bus running and
they run way back away
from any accessible point.
trees. They like soil with some sand
content and they will grow in almost
pure sand but then you cant eat
them you cant rinse all the sand
out of them.
Start your looking on
rolling terrain. One expert
says he always works his
way uphill and likes to
search shallow ravines.
The ravine traps leaves and
debris and often holds a
concentration of morels and
walking slightly uphill puts
that might be a hot spot.
Avoid really poor soils. If there
is little growing out in the open ex-
cept scraggly weeds and lichens that
is a sure indication of poor soil.
When you find some mush-
rooms, note carefully the sort of
soil and plants and trees that sur-
round your find and make a mental
note to find some more of that cover.
Search that initial area carefully,
there may be many more morels
right around close.
If you have any trouble identify-

morels, I talked to several of the win-
ners of one of the biggest mushroom
competitions in the state. I was able
to talk to mushroomers that were
grand champions in a number of
years, including several repeat win-
ners. Their observations have been
added to my own meager knowledge
of how to find and keep morels.
Finding
Many of the experts share the
same philosophy on finding morels,
By George Rowe
The contests are
held on public
land and in a loca-
tion that is unknown before the gun
goes off but they always head for
the hills at their first opportunity.
Search the right ground. Un-
like some other mushrooms, morels
dont like boggy ground. They
prefer a light soil, with some sand
and a good foundation of forest duff.
They feed off the leaves and other
debris that accumulates under the
the mushrooms a
little closer to the
searching eyes.
Certain trees species foster the
growth of morels. Look for small
stands of maturing aspens (popples,
if you live up north). Look for sin-
gle old dead elms and stands of ash.
Watch for some really old aspen
they may be surrounded with a litter
of dead branches. If you can find an
area that has some open glades or
meadows with small stands of aspen
ing morels, get a mushroom guide
book and carry it with you. There
are mushrooms that will make you
very sick and even the false morel
has been known to give some people
problems. Better yet, go to a class
conducted by a qualified person and
really learn about mushrooms. After
all, there are many varieties that
may be safely gathered and eaten
and mushrooming can be a pursuit
for many seasons, not just early
summer.

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Gathering quickly, however.
The best way to preserve morels
and Storing is to dry them. They can be air-
Mushrooms are rather fragile dried in the right environment but
things and they need to be handled this probably wont work well in
carefully, if you are to extract the conditions that provide even normal
full benefit from your valuable find. humidity. It is best to use a hydrator
To start with, cut your mush- or dry them on oven racks. When
rooms, rather than pluck or pick they are dried, they seem to take
them. They will be cleaner if you on a little extra nutty flavor. Once
remove them with a small sharp dried, they can be stored for some
knife and they will leave more time in air-tight containers or in
promise of future mushrooms in the bags in the freezer.
soil than if you pull them out. If you havent eaten morels
Carry your prizes in a mesh bag before, try just a few the first time.
or a basket. A plastic bag is the Some people get a small allergic
worst thing you can do for them. reaction to them. My fishing partner
An open paper bag will work but gathers lots of morels every spring
not as well as something that will let but he cant eat them. He dries and
the air circulate around your trea- sells them.
sures. Remember that mushrooms An alternative to drying is to
will start to deteriorate as soon as drop them into a frying pan with a
you cut them, and try to retard that little butter, stir them a bit and place
deterioration at every opportunity. them on a plate next to a brace of
Eat or dry your morels as quick- fresh-caught and pan-fried brook
ly as possible. If necessary, they trout.
can be stored in the refrigerator, in Morels are a wonderful treat
a basket or open paper bag or in the from nature and once you learn how
mesh bag you used for gathering. Watercolor by Gail Innes to find them and how to keep them,
They should be dealt with fairly you will enjoy them regularly.n

NORTH WOODS MINISTRIES

Rev. Steven J. Moffett Evangelist
Email: northwoodsministries@yahoo.com
Website: northwoodsministries.com
Reaching out to those who
love the great outdoors with
the Gospel of Jesus Christ
John 3:16 For God so loved the world,
that He gave His only begotten Son,
that whosoever believeth in Him should
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WNW NEWS MAY 2017 45
 THE SPRING SMOLT BITE
E
ach spring hundreds of thousands of chinook,
coho, and steelhead smolts migrate from the
Great Lakes tributaries down to the big lakes.
In some streams they are joined by pink and
Atlantic salmon smolts. Most of the species
smolt in early to mid-May but
young chinook salmon usually
wait until early June to move
down to the Great Lakes. On a smaller scale this
migration also occurs in the tributaries of our
large, deep, and cold inland lakes that support
populations of rainbows. Most of these streams
also support good populations of resident trout.
Brown trout are the most common, but there will
be many streams that also contain brook trout
and resident rainbows.
It is for sure that when stream resident trout
reach a large size, they become fish eaters. They
will eat their own if minnows are not available.
When young salmon and steelhead begin their
migration down to the Great Lakes, they
become less cover oriented and thus are By Jim Bedford
more vulnerable to predation. The resident
trout take notice and really focus on these very hearty potential
meals. The combination of a vulnerable source of food and
streams which are usually up a bit with spring flows that offer
the feeding resident trout extra protection gives trout anglers
their best shot of the year at landing trophy trout.
Minnow shaped plugs are very effective lures during the
smolt migration. They are most effective when cast across
or quartering downstream and retrieved across or against the
Large trout are very cover oriented and will ambush smolts from their hideouts. Examples of prime cover include
logs with space under them, overhanging grass, bushes, or other vegetation, undercut banks, and riffled or chop-
py water surfaces. Jim Bedford photos
46 MAY 2017 WNW NEWS
current. This usually limits you to fairly good sized streams
where you can get above the fish but not be detected. They
will still catch fish when cast upstream and retrieved with the
current which lets you also fish small creeks where you need to
stay below the fish to go undetected.
Even though you will be casting across and
down, it is usually best to move upstream when
wading. This keeps you from alerting the trout
of your presence by sending sand and silt and a
wake downstream ahead of you. As you move
upstream and read the water, plan
to sneak up along the opposite
side of the river from where the
best depth and cover is located
and then cast as close to the fish
holding spots as you can. Re-
trieve the plugs slowly for the
most part so they act like smolts
or wounded minnows strug-
gling with the current. Starting
and stopping the retrieve
is a good plan and many
times adding twitches with
your rod as you retrieve your lure will trigger
a strike. The idea is to make the stickbait look
like an easy, high calorie meal for the trout.
You can also very effectively fish minnow
plugs from a floating craft in large streams and
rivers. Again, planning ahead is important
as well as making long casts. It will also be
important to be quiet in the boat and try to keep
as low a profile as possible. Anchors should only be as heavy
as necessary and slowly lowered to the river bed. Utilizing a
brush clip instead of an anchor may be helpful in slow moving
streams with lots of overhanging bushes and tree limbs.
Casting and stripping streamers is a lot like fishing plugs
and gives fly anglers the chance to take advantage of the smolt
bite. There are many streamer patterns that imitate small, sil-
very fish. Fly fishermen quickly learn that often big trout will
often try to stun the streamer, their prey, first and then come
back and grab it. So they must steel themselves into waiting
until they feel the weight of the fish before they set the hook.
Big browns often do the same thing to a plug, sometimes
seeming to hit with their mouth closed. Waiting until you
can feel the weight of the trout doesnt work quite as well
with the hard plugs as the trout may not hold on to the lures
long enough for you to set the hook. So, often, setting the
hook with the first strike might be the best way to get hooked
up.
This kill before eating trait is a key reason to fish down-
stream with plugs whenever the situation allows you to with-
out spooking the trout. If you do fail to hook the fish you can
leave or back the plug back down a bit to where the strike took
place and twitch it without moving it. This will often bring the
trout back out for the big meal it missed. Laterally moving the
(Left) The authors daughter, Terri Bedford with a spring brown trout. (Above) Retrieve plugs slowly
for the most par t so they act like smolts or wounded minnows struggling with the current. Star ting
and stopping the retrieve is a good plan and many times adding twitches with your rod as you re-
trieve your lure will trigger a strike
lure toward the cover will also be helpful if you
can do it by moving your rod but not your feet.
Many of the trout streams that salmon and
steelhead reproduce in are small. They drain
directly to the lakes or, probably more often,
they are tributaries to larger streams that may
be too warm to support trout. When fishing
small trout streams, one of my favorite things
to do, it is rarely possible to get upstream
from the trout without spooking them. If the
trout know you are present, there is very little
chance they will strike a lure.
Thus, you must usually cast your minnow
plug upstream and retrieve it with the current.
This makes hooking the trout that try to kill
the stickbait first more difficult because you
cant leave it in place for them to circle back
and grab. Also, Ive found that the plugs only
work well when you are fishing a fairly long
run or hole where you have a chance to get the
lure down and give the trout a fairly long look.
There are many pocket, nooks, and very short
runs that hold trout where the plugs wont work
well.
Weighted spinners and compact spoons
dont resemble smolts very closely but they do
flash like the future salmon and steelhead do.
So the solution for me has been to constantly
switch back and forth between these lures
and minnow plugs as I fish upstream. Given
the time, I think most big browns would hit a
stickbait imitating a chinook smolt in a stream in May more
readily than a spinner. But there are so many spots that you
can fish better with a quick sinking spoon or spinner. In a
couple miles of stream I will probably change lures 50 times.
Cutting and retying would be way too time consuming so I use
a small, black duo lock snap to attach my lures to the line. You
will want to use a snap for minnow plugs anyway as the loose
attachment allows the best action from the lure. By the way, if
your chosen crankbait comes with a split ring, I suggest taking
it off and using the snap as it is difficult to tie a good knot to
the split ring. The split ring inherently has a spot with smaller
diameter and sometimes the ends of the wire that is formed
into the ring can be sharp.
Because you are changing lures without retying, it is easy
to neglect checking your knot and the line near it. Casting and
retrieving lures can be tough on your knot and the end of your
line. Check your line and knot often and perhaps retie after
every good sized trout you catch.
Large trout are very cover oriented and will ambush smolts
from their hideouts. Examples of prime cover include logs
with space under them, overhanging grass, bushes, or other
vegetation, undercut banks, and riffled or choppy water sur-
faces. Water depth also provides protection but trout feed less
efficiently when the water is deep. Retrieving your plug as
close to as much trout-holding cover as possible will be a key
to your success. Often you will want to cast past the suspected
lair so that the lure is down and swimming when it passes the
log or bush.
While some of the smaller, lighter minnow plugs can be
cast with the fly rod, I believe ultra-light spinning tackle is
ideal for fishing smolt-imitating stickbaits for trout. With this
tackle, you can cast light lures a fair distance and accurately
land them close to good cover. A quality reel with a high
retrieve ratio is very important as the reel is a big time work
horse for cast and retrieve fishing. Pick a premium, highly
castable line in 6 or 8 pound test. My favorites are Trilene XL
and Silver Thread AN 40 because of their fine diameter and
limpness. The drawback to them is a slight lack of durabil-
ity or abrasion resistance but I solve that by changing my line
often. You only need to change the top 40-50 yards of work-
ing line, so it is not a big expense to keep fresh line on your
reel.
For minnow plugs, I like those that suspend such as the Ra-
pala Husky Jerk, Kinchou Minnow and the Rebel Holographic
Minnow. They still float when they land so you can drift them
into position before starting your retrieve. Then, when you
pull them under on the retrieve they will remain there if you
need to pause them to entice a big brown that has made pass at
your lure to come back and grab it.
Finally, if some of your favorite salmon and steelhead
tributaries are good trout streams but are also stocked with
smolts to supplement the natural reproduction that takes place,
give them extra attention with minnow plugs. Hatchery smolts
are usually stocked before they are ready to smolt to make sure
they imprint to their stocking location. They mill around in
the streams prior to smolting and then usually take their time
migrating. These fish are not stream savvy like their wild
brethren and thus are very vulnerable to predation by the larger
resident trout.n
WNW NEWS MAY 2017 47
 THE SPRING SMOLT BITE
E
ach spring hundreds of thousands of chinook,
coho, and steelhead smolts migrate from the
Great Lakes tributaries down to the big lakes.
In some streams they are joined by pink and
Atlantic salmon smolts. Most of the species
smolt in early to mid-May but
young chinook salmon usually
wait until early June to move
down to the Great Lakes. On a smaller scale this
migration also occurs in the tributaries of our
large, deep, and cold inland lakes that support
populations of rainbows. Most of these streams
also support good populations of resident trout.
Brown trout are the most common, but there will
be many streams that also contain brook trout
and resident rainbows.
It is for sure that when stream resident trout
reach a large size, they become fish eaters. They
will eat their own if minnows are not available.
When young salmon and steelhead begin their
migration down to the Great Lakes, they
become less cover oriented and thus are By Jim Bedford
more vulnerable to predation. The resident
trout take notice and really focus on these very hearty potential
meals. The combination of a vulnerable source of food and
streams which are usually up a bit with spring flows that offer
the feeding resident trout extra protection gives trout anglers
their best shot of the year at landing trophy trout.
Minnow shaped plugs are very effective lures during the
smolt migration. They are most effective when cast across
or quartering downstream and retrieved across or against the
Large trout are very cover oriented and will ambush smolts from their hideouts. Examples of prime cover include
logs with space under them, overhanging grass, bushes, or other vegetation, undercut banks, and riffled or chop-
py water surfaces. Jim Bedford photos
46 MAY 2017 WNW NEWS
current. This usually limits you to fairly good sized streams
where you can get above the fish but not be detected. They
will still catch fish when cast upstream and retrieved with the
current which lets you also fish small creeks where you need to
stay below the fish to go undetected.
Even though you will be casting across and
down, it is usually best to move upstream when
wading. This keeps you from alerting the trout
of your presence by sending sand and silt and a
wake downstream ahead of you. As you move
upstream and read the water, plan
to sneak up along the opposite
side of the river from where the
best depth and cover is located
and then cast as close to the fish
holding spots as you can. Re-
trieve the plugs slowly for the
most part so they act like smolts
or wounded minnows strug-
gling with the current. Starting
and stopping the retrieve
is a good plan and many
times adding twitches with
your rod as you retrieve your lure will trigger
a strike. The idea is to make the stickbait look
like an easy, high calorie meal for the trout.
You can also very effectively fish minnow
plugs from a floating craft in large streams and
rivers. Again, planning ahead is important
as well as making long casts. It will also be
important to be quiet in the boat and try to keep
as low a profile as possible. Anchors should only be as heavy
as necessary and slowly lowered to the river bed. Utilizing a
brush clip instead of an anchor may be helpful in slow moving
streams with lots of overhanging bushes and tree limbs.
Casting and stripping streamers is a lot like fishing plugs
and gives fly anglers the chance to take advantage of the smolt
bite. There are many streamer patterns that imitate small, sil-
very fish. Fly fishermen quickly learn that often big trout will
often try to stun the streamer, their prey, first and then come
back and grab it. So they must steel themselves into waiting
until they feel the weight of the fish before they set the hook.
Big browns often do the same thing to a plug, sometimes
seeming to hit with their mouth closed. Waiting until you
can feel the weight of the trout doesnt work quite as well
with the hard plugs as the trout may not hold on to the lures
long enough for you to set the hook. So, often, setting the
hook with the first strike might be the best way to get hooked
up.
This kill before eating trait is a key reason to fish down-
stream with plugs whenever the situation allows you to with-
out spooking the trout. If you do fail to hook the fish you can
leave or back the plug back down a bit to where the strike took
place and twitch it without moving it. This will often bring the
trout back out for the big meal it missed. Laterally moving the
(Left) The authors daughter, Terri Bedford with a spring brown trout. (Above) Retrieve plugs slowly
for the most par t so they act like smolts or wounded minnows struggling with the current. Star ting
and stopping the retrieve is a good plan and many times adding twitches with your rod as you re-
trieve your lure will trigger a strike
lure toward the cover will also be helpful if you
can do it by moving your rod but not your feet.
Many of the trout streams that salmon and
steelhead reproduce in are small. They drain
directly to the lakes or, probably more often,
they are tributaries to larger streams that may
be too warm to support trout. When fishing
small trout streams, one of my favorite things
to do, it is rarely possible to get upstream
from the trout without spooking them. If the
trout know you are present, there is very little
chance they will strike a lure.
Thus, you must usually cast your minnow
plug upstream and retrieve it with the current.
This makes hooking the trout that try to kill
the stickbait first more difficult because you
cant leave it in place for them to circle back
and grab. Also, Ive found that the plugs only
work well when you are fishing a fairly long
run or hole where you have a chance to get the
lure down and give the trout a fairly long look.
There are many pocket, nooks, and very short
runs that hold trout where the plugs wont work
well.
Weighted spinners and compact spoons
dont resemble smolts very closely but they do
flash like the future salmon and steelhead do.
So the solution for me has been to constantly
switch back and forth between these lures
and minnow plugs as I fish upstream. Given
the time, I think most big browns would hit a
stickbait imitating a chinook smolt in a stream in May more
readily than a spinner. But there are so many spots that you
can fish better with a quick sinking spoon or spinner. In a
couple miles of stream I will probably change lures 50 times.
Cutting and retying would be way too time consuming so I use
a small, black duo lock snap to attach my lures to the line. You
will want to use a snap for minnow plugs anyway as the loose
attachment allows the best action from the lure. By the way, if
your chosen crankbait comes with a split ring, I suggest taking
it off and using the snap as it is difficult to tie a good knot to
the split ring. The split ring inherently has a spot with smaller
diameter and sometimes the ends of the wire that is formed
into the ring can be sharp.
Because you are changing lures without retying, it is easy
to neglect checking your knot and the line near it. Casting and
retrieving lures can be tough on your knot and the end of your
line. Check your line and knot often and perhaps retie after
every good sized trout you catch.
Large trout are very cover oriented and will ambush smolts
from their hideouts. Examples of prime cover include logs
with space under them, overhanging grass, bushes, or other
vegetation, undercut banks, and riffled or choppy water sur-
faces. Water depth also provides protection but trout feed less
efficiently when the water is deep. Retrieving your plug as
close to as much trout-holding cover as possible will be a key
to your success. Often you will want to cast past the suspected
lair so that the lure is down and swimming when it passes the
log or bush.
While some of the smaller, lighter minnow plugs can be
cast with the fly rod, I believe ultra-light spinning tackle is
ideal for fishing smolt-imitating stickbaits for trout. With this
tackle, you can cast light lures a fair distance and accurately
land them close to good cover. A quality reel with a high
retrieve ratio is very important as the reel is a big time work
horse for cast and retrieve fishing. Pick a premium, highly
castable line in 6 or 8 pound test. My favorites are Trilene XL
and Silver Thread AN 40 because of their fine diameter and
limpness. The drawback to them is a slight lack of durabil-
ity or abrasion resistance but I solve that by changing my line
often. You only need to change the top 40-50 yards of work-
ing line, so it is not a big expense to keep fresh line on your
reel.
For minnow plugs, I like those that suspend such as the Ra-
pala Husky Jerk, Kinchou Minnow and the Rebel Holographic
Minnow. They still float when they land so you can drift them
into position before starting your retrieve. Then, when you
pull them under on the retrieve they will remain there if you
need to pause them to entice a big brown that has made pass at
your lure to come back and grab it.
Finally, if some of your favorite salmon and steelhead
tributaries are good trout streams but are also stocked with
smolts to supplement the natural reproduction that takes place,
give them extra attention with minnow plugs. Hatchery smolts
are usually stocked before they are ready to smolt to make sure
they imprint to their stocking location. They mill around in
the streams prior to smolting and then usually take their time
migrating. These fish are not stream savvy like their wild
brethren and thus are very vulnerable to predation by the larger
resident trout.n
WNW NEWS MAY 2017 47
 Lets Get Outdoors:
The Good Well
T
he inspiration for this
piece came from the
intersection of two
activities. The first was
a favorite bike ride on
the paved, 8.5-mile
stretch of the North Western State
Trail between Spring Lake Park on
M-119 and Alanson. On a season-
ably warm late April trek I made
my typical stop at the Artesian well
near the intersection of West
Conway Rd. and US-31 N.
As I read the plaque it truly
boggled my mind to think
that this ice cold, delicious
water has been continu-
ally flowing out of this
well since 1882! A gentle-
man biker also stopped and
By Patrick Bevier
shared that he be-
lieves the aquifer
that supplies the
well is from Lake Superior!
This thought, as well as my
seemingly hundredth read of Aldo
48 MAY 2017 WNW NEWS
Leopolds quintessential nature-ori-
ented book A Sand County Alma-
nac, inspired me to mimic a portion
of his memoir. My favorite passage
from this masterpiece is, Good
Oak which portrays a chronology
of environmental occurrences as
Leopold saws through an ancient
oak tree on his Wisconsin farm. I
thought it might be interesting to
use a similar style-trust me, Im not
claiming to be a writer of
Aldos caliber-about the Ar-
tesian well I just described.
Using a timeline broken
into decade segments, the
following chronicles impor-
tant conservation/outdoors
events in Michigan since
the time when the well was
tapped:
1880-1890:
As the well sup-
plied water for the former Grand
Rapids and Indiana rail station this
decade saw Michigan becoming the
Natalya Lohrer (lt) and Lydia Lohrer-Bevier proudly display a Lake
Michigan king salmon. Whats considered to be the most successful
fish stocking experiment in Michigan history-the 1966 introduction
of Pacific salmon-made this catch possible.
first state in the country to create
a paid state game warden position
in 1887. William Alden Smith of
Dowagiac was given the job. I won-
der if Smith had been at the helm
just a decade prior if he would have
been able to stop the massive over-
kill of the passenger pigeon whose
last significant roosting in this area
occurred in 1878.
1890-1900: In 1899 the
Michigan legislature created a new
Forestry Commission and gave it the
power to limit sales of state lands
to the forestry industry. This was in
response to an earlier commission
that failed to stop 95 percent of the
states virgin forests from being
cut. The forestry profit for these so
called lumber barons was an as-
tonishing $2.5 billion accompanied
by a shameful lack of replanting.
1900-1910: In response to
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growing concern regarding wild-
life preservation, conservationists
formed the first Michigan Audubon
Society in 1904. Just six years later
the group became more active under
the presidency of Edith Munger who
championed bird and habitat protec-
tion.
Also in this decade in 1909
the Michigan legislature created
the Public Domain Commission, a
forerunner of the DNR, to manage
forests, fish and game.
1910-1920: In 1919 the
Michigan State Park Commission
was created to develop our state
park system. We now boast over 100
State Parks and Outdoor Recreation
Areas that provide enumerable out-
door activities for Michiganders and
visitors to the Mitten State.
1920-1930: If you were chug-
ging past the area in an early Ford
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Model A or Packard Model 3-35 1960-1970: We just celebrated the Mason Tract section of the South spring of 2013.
Special Runabout you might have the 50th anniversary of one of the Branch of the storied river. The next time you enjoy the
been treated to the grand opening most successful fish stocking ex- 2010-2020: After the birds resplendent water from an Artesian
of the Oden Fish Hatchery in 1921. periments in history. In 1966 the were all but extirpated in the early well perhaps you will reflect on
The now popular Michigan Fisher- Michigan Department of Conserva- 1900s, Michigans focused habitat the historical occurrences that have
ies Visitors Center, which underwent tion, led by director Howard Tanner, management and hunter-generated made Michigan the greatest place
major renovations in 2002, offers unleashed Coho madness with revenues led to a record wild turkey in the world to be an
hatchery tours and other interesting the introduction of Pacific salmon harvest of over 300,000 birds in outdoorsperson!n
outdoor endeavors. to Lake Michigan. This bold move

Rep. Howell named Legislator

The Oden facility was still two eventually created one of the most
decades after Michigans first such prolific Coho and Chinook salmon
operation, the Harrietta State Fish fisheries on the planet, providing
Hatchery whose ribbon cutting oc-
curred in 1901.
1930-1940: In 1933 two
enormous enjoyment for Great
Lakes anglers and billions of dollars
in tourism revenue!
of the Year by local Safari Club
State Rep. Gary Howell of Lapeer
hundred strapping young men from Also in this decade, in 1969 was recently honored by the regional
Detroit arrived at an isolated spot in Conservation Director Ralph Mac- chapter of the Safari Club International
Chippewa County and set up Camp Mullen helped Michigan to become as Legislator of the Year at its annual
Raco - Michigans first Civilian the first state to ban most uses of the banquet.
Conservation Corps (CCC) facility. environmentally devastating pesti- As chair of the House Natural Re-
Before the program was discon- cide DDT. sources Committee, I look forward to
tinued, 106,000 men served in the 1970-1980: In 1976, 1977, working closely with this fine organiza-
CCC and planted over 480 million and 1979, respectively, Michigan tion to preserve and enhance hunting
red pine trees throughout the state. approved deposits on beer and soda and fishing opportunities in our state,
said Howell.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt containers, tough limits on phos- I particularly appreciate the work
favored such programs because phates in laundry detergents, and the that the Safari Club International does
they employed millions of jobless powerful Wetlands Protection Act. in supporting archery and shooting
men during the Great Depression 1980-1990: State funding sports programs in our local schools
and said, We can eliminate, to for various environmental projects as well as helping to fund the pheasant
some extent at least, the threat that is approved. These bills included habitat improvement project right here
enforced idleness brings to spiritual money for toxic waste clean-ups, in the Lapeer State Game Area.
and moral stability. land acquisition, and sand dune The Safari Club International is a Safari Club International Chapter President
1940-1950: Conservation di- protection. Voters also approved an world leader in wildlife conservation Dennis Gepfrey (left), congratulates Rep.
and habitat improvement. Gary Howell
rector P.J. Hoffmaster and Ironwood $800 million environmental and rec-
businessman Raymond Dick suc- reational bond to improve outdoor
cessfully fought off lumber interests opportunities throughout the state.
to preserve the Porcupine Mountains 1990-2000: The Governor split
as a State Park. This remains one of the DNR into two agencies, and cre-
the Wolverine States most precious ated the new Michigan Department
wilderness areas featuring a 60,000- of Environmental Quality. Addi-
acre park that boasts the largest old- tionally, a $675 million pollution
growth hardwood-hemlock forests cleanup and recreation bond was
in the Great Lakes region. approved by citizens.
1950-1960: In 1959 the Trout 2000-2010: Michigans wolf
Unlimited (TU) organization was population skyrocketed from around
hatched on the banks of the Au 150 to close to 600 individuals. The
Sable River near Grayling. It started increase led to the U.S. Fish and
when a cadre of concerned Michi- Wildlife Service removing wolves
gan anglers banded together with from threatened and endangered
the mission of ensuring the health species lists.
of trout, their habitat, and the sport Also occurring was the Anglers
of angling. Almost six decades later, of the Au Sable, led by the late
TU includes 400 chapters nation- Rusty Gates, successfully challeng-
wide with a total membership of ing a U.S. Forest Service lease that
over 150,000. would have allowed gas drilling on

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WNW NEWS MAY 2017 49

 Great Lakes
fishing in May
By Mark Martin
R
emember before the
walleye season started
on most inland waters
last month, when the
options were anything
but plentiful? The
only possibilitythe only game in
townwas fishing the Great Lakes,
from Michigan to Erie and beyond,
where the waters around the river
mouths were the few exceptions
open year-round.
Well, Im here to tell you that
those places that were your only
choice then are still great areas to
be this month. And the best thing is
now that most inland waterways are
open, folks are forgoing the Great
Lakes in lieu of targeting other wa-
ters; thus, you now have these large
lakes to yourselves.
Which is why theres no time
like the present to hit the couple of
miles around the rivers and the reefs
and adjacent depths where walleyes
once congregated for procreation
last month.
And when covering water is at a
premium and baitfish are in abun-
dancewhich is the rule, not the
exceptiontrolling is the ticket not
only to put a bait in front of more
predators, but, to stand out from the
crowd of smelt, alewives and giz-
zard shad that are here, as well.
And this is where the big wall-
eyes live, often suspended over open
water, feeding both day and night.
For numbers, theres always the
opportunity to hit the reefs with jigs,
where youll mop up on smaller
males that often stick around after
the spawn.
Sun Up
In my early years, fishing with
my grandfather and father around
the Muskegon Lake river mouth,
in Michigan, we caught monster
walleyes trolling near the beach and
around the pier heads late spring
through early summer. That pattern
still holds true, but since then Ive
found even greater numbers within a
two-mile radius of the river mouth.
And so it is from the Muskegon to
Eries Maumee.
During the day, I start looking
for bait with my electronics, and
then troll for suspended fish that
may be down, say, 10 to 25 feet.
Most of the time Ill see the bait, but
unless the walleyes are highly con-
centrated, its seldom Ill see fish.
Still, I put my lines out so my
crankbaits are running atop the
schools of bait, since predators such
as walleyes tend to look up, not
50 MAY 2017 WNW NEWS
down, when pursuing prey. When I
spot a blob of bait on my Lowrance
HDS-12 Gen3 unit, which also has
GPS and StructureScan HD capa-
bilities, Ill punch in a waypoint for
future reference.
As Im trolling, Ill often iden-
tify four or five key schools of bait
and then troll between them. Some-
times only one or two of the schools
are holding walleyes. You have to
cover water to find out.
Speed control and the proper
lures are keys to connecting. I troll
with my four-stroke kicker, which
will push my big Lund at a slow
crawl. My favorite speed during the
daytime is about 1.5 mph.
At this pace, I get solid action
out of Rapalas Down Deep Husky
Jerks, as well their new Scatter Rap
Deep Husky Jerks - both slim-
shaped minnow baits that achieve
excellent depth; the former with a
light wobble and the latter an erratic
action, but both triggering fish in
cold water.
If I cant get the suspended fish
going, or if I mark some big arcs
near bottom, Ill switch over to my
ABU Garcia line-counter reel filled
with 18-pound test Sufix 832 Ad-
vanced Lead Core to get my crank-
baits within a foot or two of bottom.
But I have to watch my Lowrance
and pay close attention to the depth.
The beauty of leadcore is that
if the bottom rises, I simply speed
up and the line lifts (due to its think
diameter) above the hump or ledge.
Once past it, Ill count to 30 and
then slow down and the leadcore
will sink back into the walleyes
range.
Where to Look
On Erie, for example, prin-
ciples stay the same with bait and
speed control, but Ill often troll the
edges of reefs where the big females
suspend. Here, where fish scoot
out when the boat goes over them,
planer boards are incredibly impor-
tant to spread lines to the side. The
walleyes simply move right into the
path of the lures.
For running small crankbaits, I
use Church Tackles smaller TX-6
in-line planer boards, which are
about the size of a deck of play-
ing cards. Ill then boost up to the
more sizable TX-12s with deeper,
harder-diving crankbaits. In seri-
ous wind, The Walleye Board, with
its accompanying ballast, rides the
with waves no problem. For the
crankbaits running directly behind
the boat, I use the newer TX-005 or
TX-007 Stern Planers.
And I always spool my trolling
reels with 12-pound test Berkley
Trilene XT for main line, and use
a 10-pound leader of the same as a
leader when using leadcore.
Small Fish
Can Save the Day
While the pinnacles of the reefs
arent the place to be for big fish,
theyre the deal for hordes of males
that congregate here, waiting for late
spawning hens to move in. Again,
Ill keep an eye on my electronics,
and when fish are seen, get a jig
down into them.
Almost anything goes if its a
leadhead coupled with a GULP!
minnow, but I side with Northland
Fire-Balls or Whistler jigs, with
their propellers, for added flash and
hum. A little trick around a lot of
small, aggressive walleyes is to put
two Gulp! minnows on the hook -
the first one right side up, the second
one upside down.
This way, if one walleye snatch-
es one GULP!, theres another on
the hook in case the same fish comes
back or another one moves in. The
best depths Ive found are from
eight to 15 feet.
Night Moves
At night, the waters come alive
with even more monster eyes, feed-
ing under the cover of darkness. The
same trolling techniques are the way
to go, the prime technique to move
from one baitfish pod to another. But
its important to make some adjust-
ments. The reason: The fish do, too.
After dark, walleyes tend to
move higher in the water column,
up into the top 10 feet. Now is the
time to switch from the gas kicker
to a powerful bow-mounted troll-
The author,
Mark Mar tin,
holds a post-
spawn hen
walleye that hit
a Rapala Deep
Down Husky
Jerk trolled be-
hind a Church
Tackle Stern
Planer.
ing motor that has quality batteries
and will ease along at 1.0 mph. My
107-pound thrust saps little juice
from dependable Optima batteries.
Now I can troll all night long with
plenty of power. When I have tried
trolling with the gas motor, Ive
caught fish the first few passes and
had them turn off because of the
noise. With the electric, I keep catch-
ing them.
To work up higher toward the
surface, I switch to No. 13 Original
Rapalas on ABU reels filled with
20-pound Berkley FireLine. Three
No. 7 split shots a few feet above it
will get you down to 10 to 13 feet
with 120 feet of line out. Remove a
split shot or let out less line to move
higher.
I very seldom use planer boards
at night, but if you must, keep small
boards close to the boat, just beyond
your other rods, to prevent conges-
tion and bottlenecks with others troll-
ing. Another reason to go without
boards is the ability to pump the
Rapala forward and drop it back - a
key trigger.
Slowly ease the rod forward
about 18 inches and drop it back on
a tight line. I do this about 20 to 30
times a minute. Keep it gentle, other-
wise youll pull the lure away from
too many walleyes, which miss when
the bait has too much erratic action.
May is indeed a month of feast
without the famine on the Great
Lakes. Now is the time to make
your move while others are on other
waterways.
Fishing Hall of Famer Mark Mar-
tin is a touring walleye tournament
angler, as well an instructor with the
Fishing Vacation/Schools. For more
information, check out his website at
markmartins.net.n
 Kayak Fishing Tournament...
Living and dying
by the Ned Rig
T
he Ned Rig, that little
piece of nearly indestruc-
tible soft plastic from
Z-Man on a 1/32- to
1/15-ounce jighead,
hooks a lot of fish. It also loses lot
of fish.
For the last two seasons, it has
been my favorite lure for fishing
from my kayak, whether just catch-
ing a lot of different species for fun
or when competing in a kayak bass
tournament. However, in the wake
of the two-day Kayak Bass Fishing
Open Tournament based in Paris,
Tennessee March 31-April 1, I am
trying hard to regain much love for
it.
Its not that the Ned
Rig didnt get my string
stretchedit did, as fish
after fish bit it. It just
didnt keep the string
stretched long enough for
me to net the fish. Im
sure angler error was a
factor, too, as fish after
fish pulled free.
The last time I was
at Kentucky Lake, in
By Dave Mull
June of 2015, I did
pretty well, finishing seventh in the
Hobie Kayak Open and all of my
second-day fish came on the little
Ned Rig. So for the KBF Open, I
decided I would commit to fish-
ing the Ned, bringing along seven
rod-and-reel combos, all but one
intended to take a different Ned Rig.
The seventh was a medium-heavy
baitcaster and I put some football-
head jigs and swimbait heads in
a separate tackle box. I ended up
throwing just two Ned Rigs, a 2
3/4-inch T.R.D. in the Mudbug pat-
tern and a slightly shortened Finesse
WormZ in the Dirt color.
Every time Ive fished the
Ned in a tournament, Ive second-
The author
caught a bass
that barely
measured eight
inches, and it
probably would
have been the
shor test fish
submitted from
all 308 anglers,
but he just kept
the image on
his phone.
guessed myself as soon as that first
decent fish gets off. Id immediately
switch to throwing something else
and not getting many bites. So if I
only brought Ned Rig fixings Id
keep fishing a lure that would get
bit, fully recognizing Id probably
lose some fish. The KBF Open had
308 entrants, and would pay down
to 30th place, and two nice limits
would put any angler in the hunt for
the $10,000 top prize.
The first day of competition, my
plan seemed to be a good one. I ped-
aled my Hobie to a stretch of shore-
line where Id hooked several large-
mouth and smallmouth during a few
hours of practice fishing
the day before and almost
immediately caught a 19-
inch smallmouth. When
I submitted the picture to
the TourneyX website, I
was in first place. I took
a screen shot, pretty sure
that status wouldnt last
for long.
Indeed, it was all
downhill from there.
The first day was
actually one of my
best days of fishing ever, and by
about 11 a.m., a little more than
half-way through the competi-
tion hours, I had submitted that
first 19-incher, plus an 18.5-inch
largemouth and two 18-inchers,
one a largemouth and the other a
smallmouth. The smallest fish in the
virtual bag was a 15.5-inch large-
mouth and I hoped to upgrade that
one before 2 p.m., when I needed
to head back to downtown Paris to
check in. Checking the standings on
my iPhone, I was in seventh place.
Thats when I encountered the
soul-crusher.
The big largemouth came half-
way out of the water, white belly
The Z-Man Finesse T.R.D. in the Mudbug pattern and the slightly shor tened
Finesse WormZ in the Dir t color proved attractive to lots of nice Kentucky Lake
bass in early April although not enough of them stayed hooked for writer Dave
Mull fishing a tournament there. These two patterns are killer on Michigan bass
when water star ts to warm and fish head shallow.
facing me, gills flared and head that were worth submitting. I was
shaking, throwing water to both hooking plenty, but the only ones I
sides. She had grabbed the little Ned could land were really small bass,
Rig near the end of my retrieve in a nice crappie and a channel catfish
just 4 feet of water, rocketing nearly of about four pounds. Although the
straight up but too bulky to clear the area lacked a good cell signal and I
surface. Her upper half was there, couldnt check the standings, I knew
a rod length away from the side of I was in freefall.
my kayak, a slow-motion replay Finally I started measuring any-
burning indelibly into my brain. Her thing above 8 inches, which includ-
mouth was the size of a stretched ed a 9 incher and one a little longer,
out gallon Zip Loc bagmy two plus a 12 and a 13. I actually caught
fists would have fit inside. Then the one that barely measured 8 inches,
little jig popped free and flipped and it probably would have been the
nearly straight up. Just how big that shortest fish submitted from all 308
fish was Ill never know. anglers, but I just kept the image on
That fish could have really the phone. Finally, with a half-hour
helped possibly move me up another left before I had to load the Hobie,
eight inches, which would have put I got back to one of my spots by the
me close to leading the contest. My ramp and caught an 18-inch small-
total without that fish ended up 89 mouth. Although it was way too late
inches, enough to put me into 22nd to make a difference, it just felt good
place, 9.75 inches behind the leader. to actually not lose a decent bass.
The second day of the tourna-
ment was one Id like to forget.
So, if there is a silver lining to
the gut-wrenching experience, it is
It dawned cold, mid-40s, and I am on a quest to figure out what
the water temperature had dropped. combination of rod, line, jighead
The area I fished Day One had been and hook size will work best to
hit hard by other kayakers so, at his keep fish biting the little finesse
invitation, I followed friend and presentation while also keeping the
fellow Michigander Tim Bogue to a largest percentage hooked. I did
different area where hed caught a have more success when I switched
limit the day before without encoun- from a 1/16-ounce Gopher Tackle
tering many other anglers. Mushroom head with a No. 4 hook
While Tim, also tossing a Ned to a 1/20- or 1/15-ounce Z-Man
Rig, caught a limit of fish up to 14 ShroomZ head with a No. 2 hook.
inches quickly, I lost a big one, had That bigger hook worked way better
one break off and lost two more on Day 1, but Day 2, in that post-
good fish. Each time, the Ned Rig cold front condition when the fish
just came out of their mouths. I seemed to be biting more tentative-
checked the jighead several times ly, the ShroomZ lost fish after fish.
to make sure it really had a hook. Im also aware it could be my
Five hours into the tournament with method of hooking and playing the
just three hours to fish, I had sub- fish that could be at fault. I found
mitted zero while losing at least 7 that reeling down instead of setting
the hook seemed to hook the fish
better, and if I put a lot of pressure
for a moment after feeling the fish
was hooked, the fish stayed on the
line better. Still, you cant muscle
a fish on an 8-pound fluorocarbon
leader.
So, now its time to be mentally
tough and forget all about how bad
that second day made me feelI
fell all the way to 78th place. Stuff
happens. Best to use that tournament
as motivation to get better at hook-
ing and playing fish, especially on
the little hooks of a Ned Rig.n
WNW NEWS MAY 2017 51
MOREL
HUNTING Where will the best be in Michigan?
The answers to this burning question are made much less predictable
and more questionable by the unusual weather patterns we continue
to experience. The key variables are soil temperature, water content,
the existence of key growth-enhancing minerals and nutrients,
suitable host trees, burn and soil disruption areas, and particularly
the gathering habits of past pickers. Just the right combinations and
intensities of these variables will determine the answer...

A
s an Aging Michigan Outdoors-
man, I have pleasurably experienced
countless mushrooming excursions
and learned much about the mystical
morel mushroom. Prior to each season
I try to share some of these lessons
learned with my readers. A signifi-
cant finding is one that is continually reinforced
season after season. Every serious mushroomer
has unique gathering experiences. As an outdoor
communicator I try to share more than enough
to facilitate your mesmerizing and pleasurable
mushrooming experiences.
Few outdoor activities offer more benefits
than mushroom hunting. Here are some inter-
esting and informative facts and observations
that will help you derive your own conclusions
often adjacent to standing water. Too wet; no
morels. Slightly higher ground along creeks,
ponds, and lakes - especially where tag alder
and poplar are present, offer good prospects. Old
drained beaver impoundments scattered with the
remnants of dead and dying host trees are also
well-worth investigating further. A warm night
time rain during 50-degree nights often causes
morels to pop where there were none before. The
early bird gets the worm or morels.
Growth-Enhancing
Minerals and Nutrients
For the most part; morels propagate over the
decaying root systems of host trees. Search the
drip line of each candidate tree. This drip line is

concerning the where, what, why, when, and how
of productive morel mushroom hunting .
Soil Temperature
When the soil temperature, four inches down,
reaches 47 degrees F, morel mushrooms really
start to pop. A common temperature probe ther-
mometer can be a valuable tool in your knapsack.
After inserting the probe in the soil, wait about
five minutes to take a reading. Wide variations
will be found depending on sun exposure, soils
composition, and water content. Constant soil
monitoring near known host trees and on south-
facing slopes will eventually put you in the right
place at the right time rather than just aimlessly
cruising back roads and woodlands; intelligent
patience is the key to success. Important and use-
ful lessons will be learned.
Water Content
Morels like growing on higher ground and
52 MAY 2017 WNW NEWS
the furthest extent of the root system. When the
tree was heathy and vibrant. This distance also
corresponds to the furthest extent of the trees
crown of foliage in its prime. The sweet time for
gathering lasts for only about five years of the
20+ year tree decay process. Check often and
thoroughly at each site, record your observations
and findings in your log book and keep quiet.
Over-harvesting is never a good thing.
Suitable Host Trees
Morels can flourish over the decaying root
systems of virtually any tree under the right
circumstances. Usually, the shallower the trees
root system the more likely. Elm, birch, poplar,
ash, apple, beech, and the common tag alder
are prominent morel host trees in my stomping
grounds in NW Lower Michigan.
In all cases except the tag alder, focus on dead
and dying trees. The tag alders root system is
very shallow and continually dying and spread-
By Joe Lunkas
ing. Determining bearing status of a potential
host tree is not always that noticeable. The first
things I look for in a new area are visibly stressed
trees. Loose and peeling bark and a narrower
and sparser than usual crown of leaves are dead
giveaways. Unusually light color of leaves and
premature leaf loss also distinguish these active
host trees from healthy non-productive ones.
During the approximately 5-year morel-pro-
ducing life of a tree, morel propagation will first
occur some distance from the base of the tree, at
the outer dripline. Toward the end of the trees
productive cycle, fewer morels will be found
close to the main trunk of the tree. In the case of
severely decayed trees, be sure to look under the
large shards of peeled bark found here.
As I systematically go through my areas, I
record the location of each morel-bearing host
tree in my field log book. GPS coordinates are
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search for new ones. This is what I
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The gleam in their eyes, particularly
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roomers and commercial enterprises outdoors.
seek out and flock to these areas
with often phenomenal results.
The key to success is timing.
The best morel production occurs
the season following the burn or dis-
ruption. Focus your initial efforts on
the perimeters of these areas adja-
cent to tall, cooler standing timber.
Recently the DNR has started
publishing annual maps and in-
formation about burn and logging
disruption state-wide. Go to our
Michigan DNR website for access.
At up to $60 per pound in the
fresh state; there is aromatic gold
is those woodlands. Morels are
commonly sold to eager buyers
who in turn sell them to restaurants
and wholesalers world-wide. Or
pleasurably consumed or preserved
for future use by the mushroomers
themselves.
Poly Furniture and
Habits of Past Pickers Campfire Supplies and Rings
As is the case with other outdoor
pursuits like hunting and fishing,
particularly ice fishing, people
tend to congregate in bunches and Relax In Style!
relatively close to easy access areas.
This is particularly problematic for
mushroom hunters. Game and fish
simply move. Morels on the other When the soil temperature, four
hand simply become depleted. Over- inches down, reaches 47 degrees
harvesting will eventually eliminate morel mushrooms really star t
morels in vast areas of normally to pop. A common temperature
productive woodlands. probe thermometer can be a valu-
Each morel annually produces
millions of spores that could pro-
able tool in your knapsack. After
inser ting the probe in the soil, Standard Features
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WNW NEWS MAY 2017 53
 Experience
Michigans trails
W
ith spring now
sprung, a sleep-
ing Michigan
giant is waking
up and now is a
great opportunity
for residents and
visitors to see
it. Much like Gulliver, tied down
to the ground by the Lilliputians,
when this giant awakes, the tendrils
holding it stretch a great distance
12,500 miles, in fact.
However, this giant isnt Lem-
uel Gulliver, Paul Bunyan or even
Babe the Blue Ox. Its Michigans
growing system of designated trails,
ready for endless spring and sum-
mertime opportunities to relax, have
fun, travel, learn and explore.
From hiking beside beautiful
streams through the secluded forests
of the Upper Peninsula, to riding
side-by-side over a scenic trail in the
northern Lower Peninsula, to biking
and kayaking and riding a horse,
Michigan is known nationally as
The Trails State because our trails
system is giant.
Fresh off the snowmobile and
cross-country skiing season, Michi-
gan Department of Natural Resourc-
es trails staff is ready for spring.
Its been a long, gray winter,
but things are springing to life on
Michigans trails, said Paul Yauk,
the statewide trails coordinator for
the DNR. Its a new season. The
birds are migrating north, animals
are peeking out of forests, the
morels are coming soon what
an amazing time to get out onto the
trails and see what is out there.
Michigan is home to 12,500
miles of state-designated trails
including both motorized and non-
motorized and more than 2,600
miles of rail trails (the most of any
state in nation).
Hiking in Michigan can be an
Michigans array of trail oppor tunities includes water trails for paddlers.
Here, kayakers paddle beneath the spectacular Pictured Rocks Cliffs in
Alger County. MDNR photos
54 MAY 2017 WNW NEWS
adventure just in itself, with trails
that run the gamut from paved, flat
surfaces to tough, rugged terrain that
requires boots.
Public lands provide a wide
variety of experiences and levels
of difficulty, Yauk said. Put those
boots on and get out there.
Hiking is fun for everybody, a
family adventure. Take a friend, ask
a neighbor. Grab someone you know
and take a walk or a hike, he said.
Michigans natural resources are
second-to-none. Nows a great time
to see for yourself.
Hiking is a wonderful way to
experience the states unique array
of scenic views, abundant wildlife,
cultural resources and vibrant com-
munities.
Trails are everywhere from
local parks to regional or state parks
or trails.
Michigans Iron Belle Trail, for
example, is the longest state-desig-
nated trail in the nation, covering
about 2,064 miles from Belle Isle in
Detroit to Ironwood in the western
Upper Peninsula.
Featuring two routes, one for
hiking and one for biking, the Iron
Belle runs through 48 Michigan
counties and 240 townships, making
it easy for anyone in the state to hit
the trail.
More than 1,200 miles of the
Iron Belle Trail are designated as
hiking trails.
On the western side of Michi-
gan, the hiking route mostly follows
the North Country National Scenic
Trail, traversing the west side of the
Lower Peninsula and bordering the
south shore of Lake Superior in the
northern part of the Upper Penin-
sula.
The Iron Belle Trail intended
as Michigans signature trail
continues to expand as partners
throughout the state plan and de-
Many DNR hiking trails run through state parks, like this one in Porcupine
Mountains Wilderness State Park, where nearby campgrounds make them
great weekend getaway destinations.
velop more and more trail segments.
More than $34 million in federal,
state and local funds have been
invested in the trail since 2013.
The Iron Belle Trail is a
perfect example of communities
and partners coming together for a
common reason to make this trail
a one-of-a-kind destination, Yauk
said.
The Michigan Natural Resources
Trust Fund approved about $5 mil-
lion in grants for Iron Belle Trail
projects in December, and the DNR
recently awarded $350,000 in grant
dollars to 16 communities across
the state for further Iron Belle Trail
development.
The DNR encourages Scout
groups to hit the trail with the third
annual Iron Belle Challenge, set for
Saturday, June 3.
The challenge, a hiking event
offered in conjunction with National
Trails Day, highlights the Iron Belle
Trail and offers Scouts the opportu-
nity to earn a commemorative patch
for participating.
Last years hike attracted nearly
1,100 hikers who trekked more than
6,000 miles.
The past two years we have
had great participation from both the
Boy Scouts of America and the Girl
Scouts USA, said Ray Rustem,
DNR youth programs specialist.
The Iron Belle Challenge has wel-
comed Scouts to hike all over the
state, in locations like Detroit, Battle
Creek, Cheboygan and Ironwood, to
name just a few.
Registration forms for the Iron
Belle Challenge can be found at
michigan.gov/dnrscouting.
In addition to the Iron Belle
Trail, Michigan offers a wide variety
of hiking trails across the state. The
DNR maintains many of these trails,
which can be found in Michigan
state parks, on state forest lands or
within wildlife preserves.
Many of the DNR hiking trails
are called pathways because they
loop through forests and along
ridges, rivers and lakes. Many of
the pathways are located near or
are adjacent to state forest (rustic)
campgrounds and in state parks
and recreation areas making for a
perfect weekend getaway.
The states trail system also
includes several linear trails. Linear
trails also called out-and-back
or destination trails go from
one point to another and typically
follow an old railroad track, river or
other land feature. They cover long
distances.
More information about the
wide range of Michigan hiking trails
is available on the DNR website at
www.michigan.gov/dnrtrails.
Aside from the chance to get
out and enjoy Michigans great
outdoors, hiking trails also offer an
easy and inexpensive way to get
some exercise.
Outdoor exercise has some
unique advantages over a gym, ac-
cording to DNR statewide recreation
programmer Maia Turek.
There are plenty of reasons to
take your workout outside, Turek
said. Enjoying natures scenery will
distract from your effort or fatigue,
so youll work out longer. Youll
burn more calories because the
varied terrain of a park or trail helps
keep you out of a fitness rut and
youll be happier breathing fresh
air can create a feeling of euphoria.
Opportunities to explore Michi-
gan on trails dont stop with hik-
ing there are trails for a variety of
outdoor interests, including biking
and mountain biking trails, eques-
trian trails, water trails and off-road
vehicle trails.
Yauk said Michigan has some-
thing to offer for everyone, espe-
cially in the spring.
Its something you have to see
for yourself, he said. Michigan
offers so many opportunities to get
outdoors and walk or bike or kayak.
We have 103 state parks to explore
and thousands of miles of trails.
Michigan is waking up, and this is
the season to see it.
One caveat to keep in mind
before hitting the trail, Yauk added.
If you mountain bike or ride horses,
please avoid trails if they are very
wet and muddy so as not to damage
the trails and the environment.
For maps and other information
on Michigans trails, visit www.
michigan.gov/dnrtrails.n
 World Class
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WNW NEWS MAY 2017 55
Rivers and lakes;
north and south
W
ell it had
to happen;
spring looks
like its final-
ly here! Here
are a few no
fail options
for a great springtime adventure.
From the central Upper Peninsula to
Lower Michigan fishing will jump
to life.
Marquette County and
the central UP rivers are
an adventure worth tak-
ing. This may be one of
the most overlooked yet
amazing spring experi-
ences around. Beginning
in about mid-April the
stream fishing is the place
to be. Spring
river flows across
the UP tend to By John Bergsma
be quite high.
This is when the peak migration of
spring steelhead enters the rivers
from both Lake Superior as well as
Lake Michigan. Some anglers tend
to get intimidated with high water
conditions, but this offers some of
the finest opportunities of the spring
for the highest quality steelhead that
you will see all year long!
No Electricity? Keep Your Food Cold!
For more information call 866.825.4013
Diamond Refrigerators, 7295 50th Ave., Sears MI 49679
www.diamondrefrigerators.com
56 MAY 2017 WNW NEWS
Brad Petzke of Rivers North
guide service has fished these waters
for years and offers this very astute
advice. Covering water and finding
the slow water seams and resting
areas for these migrating fish is the
key to success. Brad does not spend
a long time on any one spot during
these conditions. That willingness
to keep moving is the pattern. Make
a few cast in an area and if you get
no takers then its time to
move on. Spending too
much time on spots during
these conditions, reduces
your daily catch.
Try fishing larger than
normal sized egg patterns
and bigger nymphs during
these high water conditions.
This will up your
catch rate. Later
in the spring as
the water levels
stabilize you can and should return
to more normal sized fly patterns.
If you are looking for some
great starting points as far as river
systems and streams are concerned,
try the following list. For the Lake
Michigan watershed, the Manistique
River gets a good run of spring fish.
If youre interested in the Lake Su- Spring brings peak migration of spring steelhead across the U.P.
perior watershed, try the Big Huron
River near Lanse, and the Chocolay
River in Marquette is always a good
producer. There is one thing for
sure, these spring fish are reliable
and under-pressured. Give Brad a
call if you need a great adventure in
and around Gods country, Mar-
quette County and the central UP.
St. Germain, Wisconsin is quite
possibly one of the best spring fish-
eries that I have ever experienced.
Just an hour south of Iron Moun-
tain lies the lakes of the greater
St. Germain area. This is not an
average place to fish. Each May I
visit my friend and local guide Rob
With A Propane Fridge You Can Manthei at his lodge in the quiet
Northwoods Wisconsin town of St.
Keep it Cold. Anywhere. Germain. This town has a really big
problem, way too many fish and not
And Relax.
nearly enough people. This presents
us with that perfect place to spend
the month of May.
No Electricity Required! Crappie fishing fires up shortly
after ice out and this is truly some
of the best crappie fishing in the
Midwest. The presentations are very
traditional here. Find yourself some
new growth weeds in shallow flats
or bays and start casting around un-
til you find them. The rig that seems
to work best for me is a very small
white soft plastic on a 32nd oz. jig
and 2-4 pound fluorocarbon leader. I
like to set the lead under the bob-
ber close to, but certainly above, the
weed tops. Move your baits and let
them settle, try jiggling your rod tip
to entice strikes. They are very ag-
gressive early in the year so detect-
ing the bites wont be a problem.
Walleye season starts in early
May in Wisconsin and the fishing
here is exceptional. What I love the
most about the fishing in and around
the many lakes of St. Germain is
the diversity of the species and the
numbers of better than average size
fish. I also enjoy the fact that Rob
and most of the guides fish the tra-
ditional rod in hand method. This
is more engaging and enjoyable than
trolling and makes your days go
faster than you want them to. So this
spring, jump on our website www.
fishermansdigest.com and click on
the destination tab for St. Germain,
Wisconsin. Book a few days in
some of the finest early season fish-
ing anywhere.
Fletchers Pond in the Alpena re-
gion is maybe one of the finest and
most overlooked crappie and blue-
gill lakes in northern Michigan! Just
with your host
n B e r g sm a
Joh
Visit our website and find out about . . .
Destinations Fishing Reports
Our Show Cooks Corner
after ice out for a few weeks each
spring the crappie fishing is sim-
ply lights out. Local guide Steve
Hubert of Chum Bucket charters
tells me that the fishing is like this
every spring. This lake is simply a
crazy good panfish lake and not that
many people take advantage of it.
Of course, thats because it is one of
the best five largemouth bass lakes
in the state!
But back to spring pan-fishing.
This is truly simple fishing, the way
grandpa used to fish. A rod of any
type will do, some light line and a
plain hook and sinker, all below a
slip bobber. Worms, waxies, spikes Just after ice out for a few weeks each spring the crappie fishing is
and minnows all work well early. simply lights out on Fletchers Pond near Alpena.
The key here is finding early weed area is another one of those must love about panfish is that they are
growth. Set your depth about half fish panfish lakes. Now this one is not hard to catch and they may be
way down and make long casts and no secret but that doesnt stop me the best eating of all the game fish.
search using your casting and a slow from reminding everyone that if you We all need to get the boat out
stop and go retrieve. Fish will be are into nice gills and crappie then and warmed up. Give one of these
moving around in groups during this this west shore gem is the spot to get early season bites a try. Panfishing
time of year, so when you locate the boat wet early. The weeds start will become addicting, and the cost
them you can do well! I get all my growing here right after ice out and of bait and fuel will put a smile on
bait right at Jacks Landing Resort. the fish are in the shallows in and your face.
Its nice to have safe dockage, great around that new growth. Without John Bergsma is the host of
cabins and a bar/restaurant right on sounding like a broken record, the the Great Lakes Fishermans Di-
site! Dean takes care of his guests presentation is bobbers, light line gest TV show on WFN as well as
and if youre into camping, well and either small jigs and live bait or on his website. For great updated
hes got that as well hook and sinker and live bait. Lets fishing reports check him out at
Hamlin Lake in the Ludington face it, one of the things that we all www.fishermansdigest.comn
WNW NEWS MAY 2017 57
Dedicating the Michigan
Outdoor Hall of Fame
J
une 17 will mark the
official formation and
opening of the Michigan
Outdoor Hall of Fame. The
Michigan Outdoor Writers
Association will convene
for their annual summer conference
in Cadillac, Michigan and
the organization in conjunc-
tion with the DNRs Carl
T. Johnson Hunt and Fish
Center will announce the
first five iconic members of
the hall.
The recognition will
hopefully be around for
generations to admire
and read about. Many
members who were By Mark Sak
once genuine celebri-
ties of their time are quietly slip-
ping into semi-obscurity. We are
going to change that. As the exhibit
at the Carl T. grows, the Michigan
Outdoor Writers Association will
also host the Hall on its website so
anyone will be able to view these
members so important to Michigans
outdoor past.
We are planning the dedication
for Saturday, June 17 at 3:00 p.m. at
the Carl T. Johnson. A recreational
pass ($10) is required to get into
the Carl T. Johnson as it is a state
park. All outdoor enthusiasts will
be looking forward to the June an-
nouncement of future members of
the Hall on a yearly basis
and it will always remind
us how important the out-
doors is to Michiganders. It
has truly amazing potential
as Michigan has one of the
most amazing traditions of
outdoor people who were
groundbreakers. Folks that
could easily be and
are in national Hall of
Fames.
As we started to
push the idea forward into reality
some great folks and companies
have come forward to help support
and underwrite the project. Toyota
North America was the first to step
up as their Midwest Marketing Man-
ager Curt McAllister is well known
for getting involved in great outdoor
projects around this region. The
Woods-N-Water News Foundation
Famous MOWA member Ben East with Bolex 16mm Camera
also is a top supporter and has been
a long-time leader when it comes
to supporting great outdoor causes.
There hopefully will be others com-
ing aboard very soon as the ongoing
cost of developing a quality Hall of
Fame is not cheap by any means,
but preserving Michigans outdoor
past is after all priceless. Many
folks who have a deep knowledge
of Michigans outdoor history have
already began giving input on who
they feel should be in the Hall. That
is exactly what we need to peak
interest and get nominations to the
Hall of Fame committee.
As I had mentioned a couple
months ago, the first year inductees
will be chosen solely by the Hall of
Fame committee. Starting next year
in 2018, the general public will be
able to nominate anyone who they
feel is worthy. The Michigan Out-
door Writers Association will have
downloadable applications for the
Hall on its website www.miowa.net.
While anyone may be nominated,
the committees job will be to sort
out who has had the biggest posi-
tive impact state-wide, regionally
or nationally. The nominee will be
eligible to be considered for seven
years. After seven years that nomi-
nee will need to be nominated once
again. If they are not inducted in the
next seven year period, that nominee
will no longer be eligible for the
Michigan Outdoor Hall of Fame.
The Hall of Fame committee
will go through changes every two
years as the Michigan Outdoor
Writers Association President will
chair the Hall of Fame Committee.
A new president takes over the helm
at MOWA every two years and will
choose committee members. It is a
good system that really was devel-
oped through best practice of sev-
eral other organizations around the
country, and it was tweaked to fit the
needs of this Hall of Fame. Im sure
there will need to be a few more
changes as those things always hap-
pen, but the basis for the program is
sound, fair and includes the general
public, and that was important.
We hope if you are in the area
you will join us in Cadillac for the
dedication. It just so happens to be
scheduled during the towns Canal
Days festival, so it should be a fun
weekend. It will be very interesting
to see who will be the first five icon-
ic inductees. Will there be surprises?
Will there be someone the general
public knows nothing about? Stay
tuned, it should be fun. Ill see you
in Cadillac.n

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58 MAY 2017 WNW NEWS
Pheasants Forever elects new Michigan president
President Dan McMaster to focus his efforts on habitat
improvements, youth recruitment, and legislative action...
M
ichigans State Coun-
cil of Pheasants For-
ever has elected Dan
McMaster of Shia-
wassee County as its
incoming president
for 2017. McMaster will work to
increase habitat projects throughout
the state, develop volunteer relation-
ships with state and Congressional
legislators, and continue to improve
the states R3 movement to recruit,
retain, and reactivate the next gen-
eration of Michigan outdoorsmen
and women.
Michigan represents a growing
stronghold for Pheasants Forever
supporters nationwide with 32 local
chapters and nearly 9,000 mem-
bers. Since the inception of The
Habitat Organization in 1982,
those chapters of Pheasants Forever
have contributed $10.9 million for
wildlife habitat conservation efforts
throughout the state. These dol-
lars equate to over 71,000 projects
impacting nearly 522,000 acres of
wildlife habitat improvements. To
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resent each chapter on a statewide
scale and advocate for more upland
wildlife habitat projects with state
and federal partners.
McMaster currently serves on
the Shiawassee County Board of
Commissioners and has been an ac-
tive committee member of the Shia-
wassee County Chapter of Pheasants
Forever since 2010, serving as the
chapters youth hunting coordinator.
His son, Aidan, currently serves on
Pheasants Forevers National Youth
Leadership Council, advocating
for kids from 12-18 years of age to
experience a lifestyle of conserva-
tion. It is not uncommon to find the
father-son team in the field during
the fall months, pursuing upland
game birds.
His previous employment
includes a 25-year career in politics
where he gained valuable experi-
ence in the areas of public policy,
communications, campaigning,
grassroots advocacy and lobbying.
In addition to being a Pheasants
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Shiawassee Conservation Asso-
ciation, WTU Shiawassee, Durand
Sportsmens Association, NWTF
Timber Ghost Gobblers, National
Rifle Association, DU Mid-Shia-
wassee, Commemorative Bucks of
Michigan, and the Crooked Foot
Hunt Club.
Pheasants Forever, including
its quail conservation division,
Quail Forever, is the nations largest
nonprofit organization dedicated to
upland habitat conservation. Pheas-
ants Forever and Quail Forever
have more than 149,000 members
and 720 local chapters across the
United States and Canada. Chapters
are empowered to determine how
100 percent of their locally raised
conservation funds are spent, the
only national conservation organiza-
tion that operates through this truly
grassroots structure. Since creation
in 1982, Pheasants Forever has
spent $708 million on 517,000 habi-
tat projects benefiting 15.8 million
acres nationwide.n
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WNW NEWS MAY 2017 59
Saginaw Bays hot spring walleye bite
Lately Saginaw Bay is my favorite spring place to fish...By Michael Veine
S
aginaw Bay serves up
some of its best fishing
of the year during the
spring. If this year is
anything like last year
with an early spring,
then the fishing on the Bay will start
heating up in late March or early
April and as the spawn progresses,
with more fish spilling out into the
bay from the rivers, that fishing
picks up steam all though April and
well into May right along with the
warming waters. The walleyes move
around a lot during the spring, so
a savvy fishing strategy that takes
advantage of those seasonal migra-
tions can put people on world class
fishing all through this period.
Last year we had some fan-
tastic walleye fishing out of Au
Gres during late March and early
April. Unfortunately, I was fish-
ing on Lake Erie during that hot
period and missed most of it, but I
certainly heard about it from other
fishermen who cashed in big-time
with a catch of the biggest wall-
eyes of the year along with regular,
bonus salmon, trout and steelhead
too. When I moved my boat to Au
Gres in mid-April, the trolling bite
was still going very good close to
shore, but that only lasted for a short
period. With the unseasonably warm
water temperatures we had last year,
the walleyes were sent packing to
deeper water sooner than normal.
We then had to change over to spin-
ner/crawler rigs and pick away at
the lethargic fish on the bottom in
waters from 20-35 feet deep. After
rains, we also focused on dirty water
areas near the river mouths where
post spawn fish like to stage after
exiting the rivers. Another hot spot
for spring walleyes is where they
spawn in the Bay.
Many parts of Saginaw Bay
feature a shallow, gravel or rock
bottom (less than 15 deep) and the
burgeoning walleye population of
the Bay now claims a lot of those
areas as spawning habitat during the
spring. I know of several huge areas
that have tons of male walleyes scat-
tered over these graveled shallows
during the spring, but with the clear
water conditions often found there,
they are only fishable when there is
a fair chop on the water to mask the
presence of the boat.
On May 5 we had ideal con-
ditions for a spawning spot, so I
made the short run there and set
up without another boat in sight. I
deployed a simple spread of spinner/
crawler rigs behind bottom bouncers
taken way out away from the fish
60 MAY 2017 WNW NEWS
This fisherman is all smiles after catching a couple big spring Sagi-
naw Bay walleyes. Michael Veine photo
spooking presence of the boat with
Church Tackle Walleye Boards. A
precise trolling speed of 1.3 to 1.5
mph was achieved with my Mercury
9.9 kicker motor and if the wind
blew us too fast, I would deploy
one or two small drift socks to slow
things down to my target speed. We
didnt get any bites at the first spot,
but when we set up in spot number
two we started getting hits right
away. The fish were all male wall-
eyes leaking milt and all of them
were about the same chunky size in
the 20 to 24 inch range. The action
was steady for hours until limits
were in the live well and smiles
were impregnated on everyones
faces. The only downside was clean-
ing all the milt off the back of my
boat after the trip.
Last spring, I attended a Saginaw
Bay fisheries workshop at Bay City
put on by Sea Grant. One of the
presentations there was about reef
spawning walleyes on the Bay. A
Purdue University study showed
that there is a lot of spawning being
done in areas outside the rivers, so
another study was conducted in four
areas to assess how much, if any,
walleye spawning was happening in
those locations. They conducted an
assessment of four known, his-
torical, walleye spawning areas by
placing mats down on the lake bed
to collect eggs.
Another part of the study looked
at stomach contents of known egg
eating fish too. They surveyed rocky
areas off North Island, Duck Island,
the Coreyon Reef and a site at the
Saginaw River Mouth and found
evidence of walleye spawning at all
sites. While I have never tried any
early spring fishing at any of the
sites they surveyed, I do know for
sure that there is spawning going on
at several areas on the west side of
the Bay just from my fishing experi-
ence catching them in the act and
my guess is that there is a lot more
open water spawning going on in
a lot more places too, all of which
can make for good fishing locations
when the timing and conditions are
right.
After the spawning activities
are pretty much over on the Bay
and in the Rivers, walleyes tend to
spread out more, but they do tend to
gravitate to dirty water if available.
We have mostly very clear water
by Au Gres unless we get a lot of
spring rains that cause the rivers to
flood silt into the Bay. Therefore, at
that time of year I rely very heavily
on MODIS satellite images (https://
coastwatch.glerl.noaa.gov/modis/
region_map.html) to locate good
walleye waters then. I look for
stained water that will appear tan or
green on the map and plan my fish-
ing locations accordingly.
This is going to be fairly shal-
low fishing and many of the best
locations are over emerging weed
beds, so fishing tactics should focus
on suspended fish as the bottom
dictates. In those areas, I like to
run a combination of crankbaits
and spinner/crawler rigs with Hot
N Tots and Shad Raps being my
favorite May cranks on the Bay. I
put crankbaits on my outside and
middle boards and then run crawlers
off the inside boards along with two
flatlines off the gunnels. You can
add a little weight to the crawlers to
take them to depth. I use light bot-
tom bouncers or rubber core sink-
ers. Spoons will also work in these
shallow, stained water areas, too,
after the water warms to the point
that walleyes will chase those faster
moving lures.
As the water warms up, and more
weeds emerge in the shallows, the
better fishing tends to move deeper
and by early to mid-June, Im typi-
cally fishing exclusively in water
over 25 deep. There, a spinner/
crawler rig fished behind a heavy
bottom bouncer is hard to beat, and
this fishing pattern holds up until I
change over to structure spots later
in the summer. Spring is my favorite
time of the year to fish, and lately
Saginaw Bay is my favorite place
for springtime fishing.
The author offers fishing charters
specializing in Lake Erie and Sagi-
naw Bay walleyes. Contact Mike
Veine at www.trophyspecialists.com
or 734-475-9146.n
 MICHIGAN'S
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Woods-N-Water News
Michigans Premier Outdoor Publication
www.woods-n-waternews.com
WNW NEWS MAY 2017 61
 Guest Column...By Joe Remenap

The cycle
starts again cious, he is at least a five-year-old

A
fter months of pole
barn meetings, both
at home and away,
and all the tales of
the hunts that have
repeatedly been told,
what comes next? Why its trout,
turkey and mushroom time.
The cycle starts again!
Handshakes, man hugs, mush-a-
roons, horseshoes, ground to work
and maybe a few of last years blind
placements are all part of the com-
ing of the new seasons. All this will
take place around new bonfire pits
and age old deer camps.
Super Bowl is over, supposedly
six weeks of winter left and weve
got things to do. Even with a trace
of snow left we can be gathering
firewood for the opener. My up
north buddy says the best firewood
up north is pine, poppel and pal-
lets.
There is fertilizer to make ready,
mowers and brush hogs to clean
up, and disks to tighten and grease.
Many times these chores are com-
pleted before the trout and turkey
openers. Maybe about this time the
mushroom gods will shine down on
us; some say they are all in Mesick?
The best part of writing this
story of the upcoming spring fes-
tivities is that I dont have to watch
the 15 minute long shows on the
outdoor channel anymore and thank
the almighty we wont have to listen
to, How many encounters did you
have today? How many did you
harvest? Yes! Yes! Yes! Just give
me a minute, thats what Im talking
about! I smoked him, I smoked him!
We gotta back out. Or the camera
trying to focus on Stan Potts blue
eyes.
One of my favorites; Oh gra-
and looks to be in the 190 to 200
class, and if he isnt 300 pounds
somethings wrong. How far out is
he? Im ranging him at 847 yards.
Huh?
The one that really got me going
was the segment on small food plots
with folks that have 10 acres on a
fixed income and outcome Lee and
Tiffany driving a 470 horse John
Deere 9470 that spreads anywhere
from 14 ft. to infinity and they are
ready to do 1600 acres of private
land, but we can hunt on it. Huh?
I cant wait to get up to our
property and go to work with a Po-
laris 550, four foot drag behind disk,
a spike tooth drag and a homemade
cultipacker made from an old water
tank. Thats fun right there!
The hard part of getting ready
for the trout is done. Now the fun
part begins. At least three differ-
ent camps will stop by to visit and
say hey. The length of their stay
depends on if they brought any.
If not, they dont stay long. At our
camp the idea of providing some
adult refreshments for the local visi-
tors is long gone. Our group tries
to follow the number one man-rule;
if you visit another camp and take
a case of beer with you and you are
there longer than 20 minutes, that
case is not yours anymore!
Most crews stop by because they
know they are welcome. You can
always tell by the handshakes and
the now common man hug. Man
hugs are good, they show mascu-
linity, friendship and the good old
how have you been since last fall.
Man-rule number two - never give a
man-hug to someone in a bar you do
not know!
Man-rule number three - never
The author cant wait to get
up to his proper ty and go
to work with a Polaris 550,
four foot drag behind disk,
a spike tooth drag and a
homemade cultipacker.
steal another mans mushrooms! A
few years ago our friend across the
road, a flatlander like us, asked if
he could ride his Gator on our two
tracks. He had five acres so we told
him to have at it. We did not find
a shroon for two years. His son
joined us the following year to a
weekend trout opener at our friends
place for a horseshoe tourney, on the
way home I found out his dad put all
our hot spots in his GPS/phone. It
goes without saying that we had a
little chat with daddy!
Several members of our es-
teemed group and their pals seem to
think that hunting for mushrooms is
not for them. However, you should
witness the explosion of energy
and the time it takes to make a two
pound sack of morels disappear
when they are sitting on top of last
falls backstrap. Remind you of
anyone?
The real work begins when ev-
eryone hops on a four wheeler, side-
by-side or a jacked up golf cart and
wants to see where you shot your
buck and check out your food plots.
These are the guys that get it! They
are the bringers not the takers and
we always have fun. Its like Larry,
the cable guy says, If you dont
like this kind of stuff get the h--- out
of here.
This event usually culminates
back at our fire pit, sure we cel-
ebrate the new cycle, sure we have
better beer, but we also have Koe-
gel ring bologna, hardboiled eggs,
venison sticks and jerky. At our
cabin there is no better two track
snack. After we finish the horseshoe
tourney, with as many as 20 taking
part, we all head back to the fire for
sloppy joes etc.!
Turkey hunting in Wexford
County. Why do I have a problem
with this? They are like our deer;
few, far between and small. They
remind me of coyotes, you see them,
you hear them, and you get them on
camera but hardly ever get a shot
at them. Patience is my problem. I
will sit from sun up until about 9 or
10 then abandon my plans and start
hunting for the majestic morel.
This hunt provides me with an
opportunity to see runways, old
buck rubs and if Im lucky, maybe
a shed or two.
The parting shot from my
view; I am watching Lee and Tif-
fany again, Tiffany anyway, while
they are turkey hunting. They are
covering a set of decoys, then from
behind the dekes a full strut Tom
appears and he is on a small four
wheel remote controlled device
circling the hens. Cant make it up
folks, I have seen it all.
Have a great time at your camp
this spring.
If you are planning your fall
cycle why not jot down Thursday,
Nov. 2, 2017 for Plaid Shirt Night
at Capac High School. Fred Abbas
and son Greg will be our guests.n

Bay View Be sure to

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62 MAY 2017 WNW NEWS
 Dear Fish Diary: The strangest thing you ever caught while fishing continued...
Eye glasses caughtand returned? What?
I
n February, I launched my
search for readers to write
to me about the strangest
thing theyve ever caught
while fishing. As the stories
come in, Im sifting through
them and getting some pretty good
laughs. I got this idea after I read
about a fisherman in Miami, Florida,
catching a kilo of cocaine off the
coast of Miami. If youve had an
odd catch, I certainly want to hear
about it.
So far youve met Nancy Has-
call, of Otsego, and got the hilarious
story of her adventure catching and
releasing a bat while fly fishing. Last
month you met Mark Leegstra, of
Grayling, who mysteriously caught
a fawn. This months story
should not disappoint.
As Im mulling over
some of the responses I
have received regarding
the strange things youve
caught while fishing, a
handwritten letter appears.
Yes, handwritten. Who
gets a hand-
By Ron St. Germain
written letter
anymore? Who
handwrites letters anymore? Do
they even teach how to handwrite
in schools anymore? The letter
was written by Paul Kazmierski, of
Grand Rapids. He even referred to
me as Mr. St. Germain. Obviously,
Pauls letter took center stage and
the rest of your emails and text mes-
sages were put on the back burner.
What was amazing is that I was
actually able to read Pauls hand-
writing, or at least I think I was
reading it right. The core of Pauls
actual story is pretty unbelievable,
so I had to really make sure I was
reading what he wrote correctly.
Paul has caught a bat while fly
fishing, but he didnt go into much
detail about it, so he couldnt trump
Nancys story. Im sure it was the
handwriting issue, you know, writ-
ers cramp and all. So much easier
going into detail typing rather than
chicken scratching on paper. Wait
we still have paper?
Paul wrote, yes wrote, about
catching a salmon in Manistee Lake,
but he had not actually hooked the
fish he caught. Evidently, the fish
had been caught before and broke
off leaving a lure in its mouth and a
bunch of line still dangling behind
it. Somehow, Pauls line got tangled
in the excess line still drifting from
the fishs mouth. In the process, Paul
was actually able to land the fish
without actually hooking it, and as
a bonus, he got the lure too. Catch-
ing a salmon is not a strange catch,
however, I believe catching a fish
this way ranks right up there as a re-
ally strange way to catch a fish.
Paul has seen some things in his
70 years of fishing and certainly had
some stories to share. Actually, the
best story from Paul had everything
to do with seeing. Some years ago,
raft racing in Grand Rapids down
the Grand River was a big deal. The
races would take place between the
North Park Street Bridge and end at
Riverside Park. About three weeks
after one of the raft races, Paul was
fishing under the North Park Street
Bridge. I hooked something, it
didnt fight like a fish, so I just kept
a steady pressure on it and
eventually got it to shore,
Paul wrote, yeswrote.
What Paul eventually lifted
out of the water was a pair
of prescription glasses, you
know, the really expensive
ones. Whats odd is the
glasses just dropped off my
hook as soon
as I got them
to the shore,
whats the odds? He commented.
What are the odds? First you
have to realize the flow and current
of the river, not to mention the ob-
structions on the river bottom. Have
you ever played that stupid crane
game where you have to maneuver
the clamp and try to lift a stuffed
animal out of the pile of stuffed
animals? Now imagine playing that
game and having air currents con-
stantly blowing the clamp as youre
trying to lower it down on a stuffed
animal to grab it, then, whipping
it around if youre lucky enough
to grab one as youre trying to lift
it out. Now do it blindfolded. But
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wait, it gets better.
Paul understood the value of the
glasses he just caught and knew the
owner would be extremely happy
to get them back. High end glasses
of this type can go for $400 plus.
Pauls first instinct was to contact
the radio station that sponsored the
raft races and see if there was a
slim chance one of their contestants
may have lost them. Its not like
everyone who catches a pair of pre-
scription glasses is going to make
the news, but Paul eventually did.
Miraculously, someone in a small
town south of Grand Rapids heard
one of the spots on Paul catching the
glasses and notified the owner, who
in turn contacted the radio station,
who put them in contact with Paul.
Owner found, glasses returned.
WOW!!! Paul must be an awesome
fisherman. He not only caught a pair Contact - Woods-N-Water News
of expensive glasses, he also fished columnist Ron St. Germain by
around and caught their owner. calling (517) 626-2814, emailing
So, what are the odds Paul? Not DaPhotoDude@aol.com. Visit the
only that you caught the glasses authors Facebook page www.Face-
in a strong current of the river, book.com/BearwaveBooksn
but actually located the owner as
SPRING
well. Seeing is believing and Pauls
strangest catch story is going to be
hard to beat. Id say the odds of this
CLEARANCE
happening are about as much as me
getting another handwritten letter.
But please, by all means, keep the
stories coming, email is fine, this is
fun. On ALL Fireplaces,
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Funny fish stories wanted:
Strangest thing youve ever caught
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WNW NEWS MAY 2017 63
 Creating the maximum combination
BOW AND FIREARM KILL PLOTS
By Mr. Food Plots...Ed Spinzzola

I
farmed 400 acres as a cash
crop operation from 1981-
2006 in Gladwin and Clare
Counties. We owned a total
of 650 acres, which leaves
areas opened for hunting.
My early youth was as a farm boy
in Pinconning. My formal train-
ing is in Industrial Manufacturing
Engineering. I never lost my interest
in farming. I have a reputation of
not following standard practices, or
thinking out of the box. I owned and
ran an engineering design company
for 33 years. Putting together my in-
terest in farming and a never ending
quest for improved hunting expe-
riences with many trial and error
land improvement programs over
the last 35 years has given us a few
answers. This was not a lonesome
endeavor. We had many inputs from
too many to mention and we thank
them again.
Deer, Especially Older
Bucks Demand Cover
You want to shoot a buck? If you The author standing in the bow kill area with the fine growth young soys, shor t forage sorghum, sugar
are not especially concerned about beets, brassica and the not yet tall enough grain. The firearm kill plot is just beyond him.
taking a big racked buck and a four get first crack at them before they on a hapless and stubborn 1-1/2 year diameter. The same practice may be
point yearling will do, then mini- leave and you have sight of them old buck. This is not the story with applied to more serious swamps.
mum maintained deer range will in your area before they bed in the older bucks, and the older the buck Clear cuts within our many
probably work for you. early morning. the more serious their need for good forests create cover and forage with
If you want to harvest a big Does will bed as close to pre- cover. You may have the sweetest the regrowth. Aspen grows well in
buck, then you might need to join ferred forage as possible. We have kill plot in the area, but if sufficient Michigan with many forests having
a hunt club that has a land and deer noted doe bedding within 20 feet of cover is not available on your land aspen growth being primary. Having
management program thats into a soybean kill plot. This is not the he may go a mile or more for bed- a clear cut and leaving no more than
serious Quality Deer Management, case with bucks. Young bucks (1-1/2 ding satisfaction. If the big buck eight mature trees, (primarily oak)
(QDM). If you hunt on private land year olds) are not too picky about is bedding a mile away from your per acre for mast, wildlife shade or
and the owner is into QDM seri- their bedding spots. Some yearlings sweet kill plot, your neighbor gets tree blinds, then making a recut 35
ously, then its just a matter of time are still with doe family groups and first crack at him just before he beds years later works real well. Creat-
before you connect. No matter the may hang around until mid-October and in the morning. That big buck ing a continuous aspen clear cut can
location, public or private, cover is when mom has her eye on a 4 1/2 left your land while it was still dark. be as good as it gets. This practice is
key to hold bucks on the property year-old wanderer with romance in Your neighbor gets first crack again where you have seven selected areas
during daylight. If they are on the mind. She can get unreasonable. I just before he leaves in the evening of nearly the same acreage and clear
land you hunt during daylight, you have witnessed a doe drawing blood heading towards your kill plots. I cut one of the seven areas every five
dont like those percentages. years. The 35th year you will clear
cut the first area again. You have
Make his Bed created an awesome continuous for-
There is much natural cover in age and cover program forever. You
our private, state and federal for- do not need to clear cut your total
ests. Most lowlands with its brush, forest area. If you had 100 acres
sedges, forbs, tall grasses, and think seven areas of 10 acres each
evergreens afford serious cover. It is with 30 acres of forest for future
common to find small knolls, knobs programs, with 1,000 acres think
and small islands within lowlands. seven 40-60 acre areas with leaving
These soil rises are where deer will 580 -720 acres for a variety of forest
bed, Deer do not bed in the water. programs. The above program can-
If you have promising lowlands not be any better to maintain forever
but not much in soil rises, wait for a grouse paradise within your land
mid-summer when the water table area. Also creating a kill plot within
lowers enough and it appears to be these clear cut areas works fine.
safe to drive a tractor, now dump a While youre at it create a water
bucket full of dirt within. You may hole or two within the clear cuts and
create several man made big buck keep those deer on your land.
beds. Make sure it is around 12
inches above the high water level, Make Your Own Cover
View from bowstand showing bow area forage. rake it smooth and at least six feet in The land we hunt in Gladwin
64 MAY 2017 WNW NEWS
County consists of 170 acres with
100 acres tillable. The land we hunt
in Clare County consists of 160
acres with 30 acres tillable, 90 of
the 130 acres of tillable land was
put into the federal CRP program
in 1996, 40 acres was for food plots
since 1981. The 90 acres of open
tillable land wasnt doing much as
far as improving our hunting experi-
ences. With CRP we now could
create tall switch grass wildlife
cover along with wildlife forage of
legumes, (clover, alfalfa, birdsfoot
trefoil and chicory). It took a few
years to experience progress, but
progress we now see. We cannot
see the deer as they bed within the
switchgrass, but when we see 20
deer come from several directions
and appear within the ultimate corn
based kill plots we know where they
came from. These are open areas
that were farmed for years. One of
these sites has six acres of red pine
planted in 1994 along the property
edge. We put a shed blind within the
pines on a platform five feet high
and added fake Christmas trees. It
absolutely works. Walking or driv-
ing through acres of the combina-
tion switchgrass and forage fields,
(cover) after the firearm seasons is
quite the experience. Travel lanes
crisscrossing throughout and deer
beds galore. If walking in the deer
lanes you stepped in their droppings.
Creating the
Maximum Combination
We have covered this subject
in some detail in previous articles,
such as the June 2016 WNW News
publication, (Sugar Beets and Corn)
but not an ultimate maximum com-
bination bow and firearm kill plot.
The photo of me standing in the
bow kill area of the above described
combination plot tells us much.
The firearm kill plot is just beyond
me, which should be seeded around
May 5-15 depending on latitude. It
starts 50 yards from a camouflaged
shed blind that is just inside a pine
grove. Note the seeding set up of the
firearm kill plot field corn. Start-
ing about 150 yards from the blind
we will seed two rows of Round
up Ready, (RR) corn aimed about
six feet to the right of the center of
the blind. Turn around to the left
and set the rig to seed back. Leave
around eight feet of open space from
the row seeded and the new one to
be done going back. Use the track
left by the tractor tire as a guide,
now set the same tire about three
feet to the right of it. You will need
to get off the tractor and check the
open space between the two inside
rows. Adjust if needed and go back
straight as an arrow. Go to the other
side of the kill plot and do the same.
Make a guess and go to the center of
the firearm plot and on and on. The
firearm kill plot shown is 1 1/2 acres
in size. The photo alone should be
enough for directions.
Beyond the firearm area you
will need to seed 2-3 acres of RR
field corn normally just to save
your kill plots from extinction.
The actual size of this extra corn
depends on your deer density. The
photo shows in the background this
normal seeded field of corn. In this
site there is 20 acres of our combi-
nation, (Wildlife Cover and Forage
Blend) surrounding the kill plot,
which deer use to bed or travel from
the neighboring woods to their fate.
This 120 acre area was farmed by
us until 1996. We can use the same
corn planter, and with adjustments,
seed the same day a blend of RR
sugar beets mixed with soybeans in
the firearm kill plot set at a lower
seeding depth
Creating the Ultimate
Corn Base Bow Kill Plot
We plant this bow kill plot right
next to the firearm site and for a
good reason. We are planting the
same seeds as we did for the firearm
plot but later. Deer cannot resist
young and growing soybean leaves.
Come the bow opener the soybeans
in the firearm site are near maturity
with much less deer use, while the
soy bean leaves in the bow kill plot
are at their prime attractiveness. Add
the sweetening mentioned below
and you have the deer running from
the cover, the normally seeded field
corn and the firearm kill plot area.
Note; the soybeans seeded in mid-
May in the firearm plot are protect-
ing the soys seeded later in the bow
site big time. This is a major point
of this set up for fantastic success in
the early bow season.
Around the first of July we will
do the above for the bow kill plot,
yes plant corn with two rows aimed
at the blind leaving sufficient spaces
between the sets of two rows and
seed as much as you want. The
size of this type of bow kill plot
works better if large versus small.
The same day seed the blend of RR
sugar beets and RR soybeans. You
will find out that the two rows of
corn seeded normally, (30 inches
apart) will have more deer within
these rows than the larger open
spaces. Security is their game and
there is nothing that gives deer more
security than two narrow rows of
corn. But with the above set up
you can see the deer being at total
ease. The above bow kill plot is one
acre. Everything we have seeded is
RR and spraying is needed. For the
firearm sites you should spray RR
at least twice. For the RR bow site
Reed Van Wormer and his fine chocolate antlered buck taken 10
days after plot being sweetened and the soybean leaves are gone!
spray RR three weeks after seeding.
We now add additional seed
soon after the bow plot spraying.
Around the first of August broadcast
no more than three lbs. of a bras-
sica blend for both firearm and bow
fields. For the bow kill plot only
broadcast 6-8 lbs of buckwheat per
acre. Around the first of September
broadcast 20-30 lbs of a grain blend,
(oats, rye grain and winter wheat per
acre) for both firearm and bow kill
plots. Two weeks before the bow
opener do the sweetening thing. This
is broadcasting and spraying nitro-
gen fertilizer only in the bow site
and as far as you can safely shoot
that arrow. This fertilizer applica-
tion is in addition to the amount and
type broadcast prior to the seeding
the corn and tilled four inches deep
which should be followed from the
soil test recommendations. If no soil
test; think of broadcasting 350 lbs.
19-19-10 per acre, followed with
broadcasting 100 lbs. urea, 46-0-0
per acre in mid-June for the firearm
site.
We mentioned above how the
later seeding of soybeans in the bow
site increases your odds for the early
time of the bow season, note that
the addition of buckwheat adds to
that early time success. Also for the
later season when the frost kills the
soys and buckwheat you still have
the brassica blend, the grain blend
and the effects of the sweetening
thing. It is advisable to plant four
or more apple trees about 40 yards
from the blind and make it a vari-
ety of semi dwarf apple trees. They
should start producing great attrac-
tive fruit within four years. Protect
them with a trunk wrapping two feet
high and surround them with five
feet high 2-inch by 4-inch welded
wire fencing. It comes in 100 feet
length rolls. Cut into seven lengths
of 14-feet 3-inch long for a 4-1/2
feet diameter gage and anchor with
two tent stakes.
Last But Not Least
We have covered the basics of
the ultimate combination bow and
firearm kill plots. More detailed in-
formation can be found on our web
site for the sweetening thing, the
proper fertilizer and timing.
All of the seed types mentioned
are recommended for good reason.
Variety of forage is key for our
deers nutrition needs. Corn cannot
be beat as cover for deer, its also
great as an attractant and winter
carry-over forage.
Sugar beets become more attrac-
tive to deer as the season moves on,
(up to 20 % sugar content) and no
forage is more digestible than sugar
beets, the fall cool nights and cool
but bright sunshine days encourages
the production of sugar going to the
root system. Sugar beets are the best
winter carryover forage available
and they are 95% digestible.
Nothing beats young soybean
leaves especially if they have been
sweetened. A brassica blend and
grain blend is awesome for the late
seasons. A forage and cover blend
helps keep the deer on your land.
As noted, wildlife cover and forage
blend works fine in an open area
such as open farm land which usu-
ally is a lost cause.
The above works better in a
forest if the soil can grow corn
and soys. Except that deer hit it
harder and depending on your deer
density you may need to clear a
minimum of 10 acres of woods for
success.
Note the close up photo at the
bottom of page 64 where I was
standing with the fine growth young
soys, short forage sorghum, sugar
beets, brassica and the not yet tall
enough grain, which was the day
we sweetened that bow site. Note
too sugar beet seeds are legal and
anyone can plant them anywhere
anytime.
Keep the fun in hunting!
Ed Spinazzola, is an associate
for Tony LaPratts Land Manage-
ment. For more information call
586-784-8090 and/or see our web
sites www.deerattraction.com or
www.tonysulm.comn
WNW NEWS MAY 2017 65
 Letters, My Thoughts, My Views, My Opinions...

Where can I ride my ATV in the UP?

Its NOT the Same as a Snowmobile... By Stephen King

W
ith the passing of
winter, snow-
mobile season
comes to a
close. But, in the
spirit of spring,
the death of one sport means the
opening of another. Here, up in the
U.P., snowmobiling has pretty much
come to an end. Its still snowing.
But, not enough to ride. Also, snow-
mobile season officially ends the last
day of March. With that, ORV riding
takes the forefront of recreational
motor sports.
Now, unlike snowmobiling,
there is no set season for ORV rid-
ing. There is no actual date the sea-
son opens or closes. Roads and trails
that are open to ORVs are open all
year long. But, spring always brings
a surge in interest and everyone al-
ways asks the question, Where can
i ride my ORV?
It sounds like a simple question.
But, the answer is very complicated.
That is because there are a variety
of property owners involved. First,
there is the state. On state trails and
roads, in the UP., they are open un-
less posted closed.
Next, on Federal Forest Land,
the exact opposite is true. Namely,
they are closed unless posted open.
Finally, there is private land.
Here, it is up to the individual land
owner to make a decision whom he
or she allows on their lands. This
also includes land that is included
in the States Commercial Forest
Act.
The reasons are complicated.
First, on state land, the state has
designated trails as well as roads
that are open to ORVs. In addition,
to further complicate the issue, there
is also a designation between ORVs
(Which includes the quad bikes, side
information age, they have maps on-
line that people can easily access.
Finally, private land. This is
where the issue really becomes
complicated. One problem is that
many people think that because they
rode a snowmobile across a trail in
the winter, they are allowed to do so
in the summer.
On this, DNR EUP Trail Spe-
cialist Paul E. Gaberdiel explained,
On private land, we negotiate con-
tracts and easements for snowmo-
bile trails. Those contracts run from
December 1 through March 31.
Other than that, its up to the land-
owner to allow or not allow ATVs to
use a trail or road. If a land owner
does not give permission, and you
cross their land, you are guilty of
trespassing.
On the same subject, for lands
that come under the Commercial
Forest Act, there is no provision to
automatically allow ATVs, or any
motorized vehicles for that mat- to just pay the ticket. ing, the DNR now requires a permit
ter, to cross. The CFA specifies that There was an incident a few and trail sticker to ride on trails. In
people can access the land and use years ago where an ATV rider was general, if you are riding only on
it for hunting, fishing, etc. However, riding somewhere they werent private property, you do not need a
it does not specify that access be supposed to be. And, of course, got sticker or permit. However, if you
via a motorized vehicle. Nor does it stuck. And, of course, had to have are riding on state trails or roads,
state the access be easy. Your access a friend come in and pull them out. you do. The cost is $26.25 for the
rights on CFA land may involve And, of course, this was in a very license and $10 for the trail sticker.
a walk of miles to get to a lake or wet and muddy area. And, in the This was started per a request from
stream. process, they made quite the mess. the ATV community as a way to
One last thing that Gaberdiel And, they also drew the notice of generate funds to maintain and ac-
noted was, You are responsible law enforcement. Who ticketed quire trails. As with snowmobiling,
to know where you are. What them. And, the Judge gave them the money raised goes directly into
he meant by this is that if you are a fine. But, our local Judges up the program. They are available on-
riding somewhere you are not here have a nice sense of right and line, at DNR offices, or at participat-
supposed to be riding, and a DNR wrong. As well as a love of nature. ing agents.
CO, Sheriffs Deputy, or other law The nice Lady Judge charged them For more information about
enforcement officer pulls you over, damages for the mess they made. To ATV riding in this area, Gaberdiel
saying, I didnt know, will prob- the sum of over $20,000. Think that asked that persons stop in at the
ably not get you out of a ticket. one over before you go off trail. DNR District Office in Newberry,
And, for those of you with deep- One last thing; it must also be or they can even call him personally
er pockets who might be inclined pointed out that, as with snowmobil- there at 906-293-5131.n

2017 Free ORV Weekends June 10-11 and Aug. 19-20

by sides, jeeps, and other off-road
vehicles.). The decider is the width
of the vehicle. Those which are
more than 50 inches wide and those
that are less. Then, there are also
trails that have been totally dedicat-
ed to two wheel vehicles (Motorcy-
cles). Plus, a host of non-motorized
trails. One rule of thumb is that if a
trail or road is open to a two-wheel
drive vehicle, such as a car or truck,
it is open to most uses.
Then, on federal land, the US
Forest Service designates which
trails and roads in their system are
open to which uses. On this, a per-
son who thinks they might be riding
on USFS land can contact the US
Forest Service directly. Or, with the
Residents and out-of-state visitors can ride DNR-desig-
nated routes and trails during two Free ORV Weekends, tak-
ing place June 10-11 and Aug. 19-20. Off-road enthusiasts
will not need to possess an ORV license or trail permit on
these dates, saving riders up to $36.25.
Where to ride-
In addition to DNR-designated routes and trails, the
weekend also includes the use of the states five scramble
areas, including St. Helens Motorsport Area, Black Lake
Scramble Area, Silver Lake, Bull Gap and The Mounds.
Rules and Regulations-
All ORV rules and laws still apply. Riders should re-
member that:
Operators under age 16 must have a valid safety train-
ing certificate. Michigan will accept ORV/ATV education
certifications that are issued by other states and provinces.
Operators and passengers must wear a U.S. Dept.
of Transportation-approved crash helmet and protective
eyewear.
Riders are encouraged to become familiar with the
ORV Handbook of Michigan Off-Road Vehicle Laws, at
DNR Customer Service Centers or anywhere hunting and
fishing licenses are sold.
Did you know?
Throughout the year, fees generated through ORV
licenses and trail permits are reinvested back into the ORV
system. These important dollars help fund trail expan-
sion, maintenance and infrastructure improvements, such
as bridge and culvert construction and repair, as well law
enforcement and the offsetting of damage created by illegal
use. Learn more about purchasing a license and permit for
the 2017 season.

66 MAY 2017 WNW NEWS

 Letters, My Thoughts, My Views, My Opinions...

Research: Proportion of American hunters who say

they hunt mostly for the meat continues to grow

S
urvey research shows that American
hunters most often name the meat
as their most important reason for
hunting, and that the percentage of
hunters who hunt mainly for the
meat continues to grow. Responsive
Management, which has tracked hunting partici-
pation for almost three decades, recently released
the latest results of a survey question put to U.S.
hunters since 2008. Asked to choose their single,
most important reason for hunting from a list that
included for a trophy, to be close to nature, to be
with family and friends, for the sport or recre-
ation, or for the meat, about two in five hunters
nationwide selected the latter reasonby far the
most popular answer. (While research shows that
hunters hunt for numerous reasons, this question
was designed to identify their top reason.)
Rather than any new development, this find-
ing is instead the latest data point in a continuing
trend. Whereas the sport or recreation was the
most popular reason for hunting roughly a decade
ago (when about one in three hunters gave this
answer), hunters beginning in 2013 have most
often named the meat as their primary motiva-
tion for going afield. And while the percentages Hunting for the meat has increased substantially as the most impor tant reason for hunting over
of hunters naming one of the other three reasons the past decade, increasing from 22% to 39% of hunters nationwide.
have declined or remained flat over the past de-
cade, the proportion of hunters who say they hunt The locavore movement has grown to the point Voice and The Future of Hunting and the Shoot-
mostly for the meat has almost doubled. that fish and wildlife agencies are beginning ing Sports had been key in my research, but it
The reasons for this emphasis on game meat to take seriously the recruitment and retention wasnt until they crunched some numbers that I
as a primary motivator for hunting participa- potential of this new category of hunter. Re- realized there was an opportunity to reach out to
tion range from the economic to the sociocul- sponsive Management recently worked with this new demographic. The statistics were essen-
turalthe shift cannot be attributed to a single the Southeastern Association of Fish & Wildlife tial to the film.
reason alone. An important benefit of hunting is Agencies (SEAFWA) Committee on Hunting, LeMaire also notes the positive reception
its potential as a source of food that hunters can Fishing, and Wildlife-Related Participation and the film has enjoyed among non-hunting foodie
acquire themselves in a cost-effective manner. the Midwestern Association of Fish & Wildlife crowds. So far, the film is proving to be a great
During times of economic downturn, such as the Agencies (MAFWA) Recruitment and Retention eye opener to non-hunters who seek alternatives
recession that gripped the country for much of Committee to evaluate the outcomes of a series of to factory farmed meat. The experiential style
the last decade, hunting is an attractive option for pilot programs designed to promote hunting and of the film invites non-hunting audiences to live
putting food on the table. Certainly, this perspec- fishing among young adults in urban/suburban their first kill through the journey of the three
tive is represented to some degree within the sub- settings. The programs targeted individuals who teens. Because the adolescents are so authentic,
stantial percentages of individuals who, over the were interested in locally grown or organic foods. one cant help identifying with them.
last several years, hunted primarily for the meat. The locavore movement was also examined She continues, Weve had youth and adults
Another reason for the uptick in hunters who in Hunting, Fishing, Sport Shooting, and Archery stand up after a screening sharing their transfor-
went out mostly for the meat is the locavore Recruitment, Retention, and Reactivation: A mation, and people choking up saying that they
movement, a growing national trend reflecting Practitioners Guide, a new handbook produced had never understood their father or brothers
interest in eating locally and taking a more active by Responsive Management and the National hunting habits until now, and that, at last, they
role in the acquisition of food, especially organic, Shooting Sports Foundation. The handbook, felt reconciled.
free-range, chemical- and hormone-free meat. which covers recruitment, retention, and reac- An Acquired Taste is the winner of a Best
Through the locavore movement, individuals tivation (R3) strategies and issues consistent Youth Film award and screened at the American
from nontraditional hunting backgrounds have with the ones identified in the National Hunting Conservation Film Festival, the San Francisco
flocked to lessons and seminars offering instruc- and Shooting Sports Action Plan, also features a Green Film Festival, the Colorado Environmental
tion on how to hunt and process game meat. series of on-the-ground vignettes written by R3 Film Festival, the Wild & Scenic Film Festival,
Locavore hunters are often educated millennials professionals and academics. Several of these and many more. Today, a number of state fish and
who hail from urban and suburban areas; lack- vignettes focus on the potential for people to be wildlife agencies are considering integrating the
ing traditional hunting mentors, they nonetheless recruited into hunting through locavore motiva- documentary into their conferences, hunter edu-
have been moved to take up hunting as adults for tions. cation programs, and fundraising events. From
reasons of self-sufficiency, health, sustainability, Finally, the growth of the locavore movement rural residents who have stalked game their entire
or a desire to reconnect with nature. has become important enough to warrant ex- lives to urban millennials who have only recently
The growing popularity of the locavore ploration in a recent documentary. An Acquired become locavores, an increasing number of hunt-
movement is perhaps best exemplified by the fact Taste, a new film from producer/director Vanessa ers today are heading into the field first and fore-
that Mark Zuckerberg, founder of Facebook and LeMaire, follows three teenage locavores as they most for the meat. This latest research on hunter
an icon of the millennial generation, has taken decide to learn how to hunt as a way of connect- motivations reconfirms the value of hunting as a
up hunting as a means of procuring his own meat ing with the source of their sustenance. source of sustainably harvested organic meat, in
(Zuckerberg was recently quoted as saying that Without the data, I never would have sus- addition to its economic, recreational, social, and
food tastes doubly better when youve hunted pected there was a trend this big, says LeMaire. naturalistic benefits.n
the animal yourself). Responsive Managements The Sportsmans Prepared by National Shooting Sports Foundation
WNW NEWS MAY 2017 67
 Letters, My Thoughts, My Views, My Opinions...
Saginaw Bay needs to return the favor
Dear Woods-N-Water News: are doing it isnt working, self- submit that they take the 50 mil- ing state wide be done after July,
The MDNR announced they sustaining spawn is supposed to be lion eggs from Saginaw Bay, there the DNR biologists admit these
will start the Muskegon River the goal right? would be no loss to the hatcher- little ones are a crap shoot to
walleye egg take Monday, March The Muskegon strain of ies, let the walleyes spawn in the plant. You may lose some to
27. They will take 50 million eggs walleyes used was considered Muskegon unmolested, stock with cannibalism but you get more
to be stocked at various places the heartier strain in the lakes to Saginaw Bay walleyes just like survivors. When they started the
around the state. Since the wall- restore the Saginaw Bay fishery. Saginaw did. Saginaw Bay needs Muskegon walleye pond in 1978
eyes in the Muskegon havent had Which everyone knows worked, to return the favor, it can handle a they could fin clip the walleyes
a good spawn since the 1950s, they now have too many wall- loss on 50 million eggs, the Mus- stocked in July, you cant fin clip
adults according to DNR are eyes, but this hearty strain still not kegon cannot. in June unless you to want to stock
mostly stocked fish, the way they getting a good spawn at home. I I would also suggest the DNR a half a walleye! Fifty million
return to stocking the walleyes in eggs is a lot of potential walleyes,
July for better chance for survival. Saginaw Bay no stocking required
Since 1986 the DNR has stocked now!
Muskegon in June and after 31 Sincerely,
years its obvious it isnt working. Tom Matych
I would suggest all walleye stock- Twin Lake, MI

My Thoughts, My Views, My Opinions

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68 MAY 2017 WNW NEWS
 Fishing for answers:
Heres how you can help Great Lakes fisheries
Michigan Sea Grant is offering anglers a variety of ways to contribute information to scientists...
By Dan OKeefe, Michigan State University Extension, Michigan Sea Grant
A
nyone who fishes the
Great Lakes regu-
larly can tell you that
the only constant
is change. Fish are
here today and gone
tomorrow. Being successful requires
adaptability, patience, and the ability
to anticipate how fish will react to
changes in their environment.
To make things even more
complicated, a long list of non-
native species has invaded the lakes.
Quagga mussels filter the water,
leaving open water clear and sterile
while fouling the bottom of the
lakes with their waste. Round gobies
eat the quagga mussels and are, in
turn, eaten by predatory fish. Spiny
water fleas kill and consume native
plankton, but are also eaten by some
plankton-eating fish.
Scientists are working hard
to understand how economically
valuable salmon, trout, walleye, and
other species are adapting to these
conditions and anglers can also pitch
in to do their part. Michigan Sea
Grant and partner groups including
Wisconsin Sea Grant and Michi-
gan State University Extension are
offering a variety of citizen science
programs that anglers can contribute
to during the 2017 fishing season.
The Great Lakes
Angler Diary App
The Great Lakes Angler Diary
is a web-based app that can be ac-
cessed from any computer or mobile
device at www.GLanglerdiary.org.
The app can be used to record infor-
mation from fishing trips and share
that information with Michigan Sea
Grant. You can participate by taking
the following steps. 1) Sign-up for
the program by e-mailing GLan-
glerdiary@gmail.com. 2) Receive
a unique Volunteer Number via
e-mail. 3) Register online at www.
GLanglerdiary.org using your Vol-
unteer Number. 4) Record as much,
or as little, information as you
would like during the fishing season.
6) Answer a short survey at the end
of the year.
The survey will be used to help
scientists determine how your infor-
mation will be used. The more infor-
mation you record, the more useful
your data set will be. The app allows
you to record data on all salmon
and trout species, cisco, walleye,
muskie, and lake sturgeon.
Salmon Ambassadors:
Where are
the wild salmon?
Since 2013, volunteers have
been measuring Chinook salmon and
checking for adipose fin clips that
indicate stocked fish. These Salmon
Ambassadors have committed to
collecting data on each and every
Chinook salmon caught from their
boat during the fishing season. Data
sheets for pen-and-paper record-
ing, along with full instructions, are
available at www.miseagrant.umich.
edu/salmon-ambassadors/.
To date, more than 8,000 Chi-
nook salmon have been logged by
Salmon Ambassadors around Lake
Michigan and in northern Lake
Huron. Data on angler satisfac-
tion and the prevalence of wild and
stocked salmon are shared with
partner groups including U.S. Fish &
Wildlife Service and Departments of
Natural Resources in Michigan, Wis-
consin, Illinois, and Indiana. In 2017,
anglers will be able to use the Great
Lakes Angler Diary to enter all of the
data required on Chinook salmon for
the Salmon Ambassadors program.
Huron-Michigan
Diet Study: What
are fish eating?
With all of the changes due to
invasive species, predatory fish are
changing their feeding habits. Fol-
lowing the success of a similar proj-
ect in Lake Huron in 2009-2011, this
project enlists anglers to contribute
stomachs from all types of predatory
fish in Lake Huron and Lake Michi-
gan.
Many stomachs will be collected
by technicians working for the U.S.
Fish & Wildlife Service or state
agencies, but anglers are also able to
collect stomachs on their own. This
is particularly important because
technicians typically focus on collec-
tion of fish at tournaments and peak
seasons for each port. If you fish
early or late in the year, late at night,
or in places that are away from the
crowds, your contribution may be
especially useful.
To avoid bias, it is important to
collect stomachs from all fish caught
during the trip. Even empty stomachs
are very important because a high
percentage of empty stomachs means
that fish are having trouble finding
food. If you decide not to collect
fish stomachs after a trip that is fine,
but if you collect one stomach you
gmail.com or recording them using
the Great Lakes Angler Diary app.
should collect all of them by doing Just be sure to include the follow-
the following. 1) Cut the esopha- ing on your screen display in each
gus and cut the intestine to remove bait ball image. Date, Time, Depth,
stomach. 2) Place stomach and all latitude and longitude
contents into plastic freezer bag. 3) Fish finder sensitivity should
Write all required data on a data tag. be set so that you are certain marks
4) Place the tag into the bag with the do not represent clouds of plank-
corresponding stomach. 5) Seal the ton or suspended debris. Images
bag carefully to prevent spilling. 6) should clearly depict large schools
Place the bag in one of the freezers of bait`fish, as opposed to images of
located at access sites in Michigan scattered bait or individual large fish.
and Wisconsin. These images may be useful in help-
Lists of freezer locations are ing biologists determine where and
available from Michigan DNR and when alewife and other baitfish are
Wisconsin DNR, and volunteers most abundant.
from Michigan Steelheaders will be
maintaining stomach collection sup- Support for
plies at many Michigan ports. Other Citizen Science
partner groups include Michigan
State University and U.S. Geological on the Great Lakes
Survey. In addition to all of the agency
and fishing organizations mentioned
above, two additional groups have
Fish Finders: been tremendously supportive of
Wheres the bait? citizen science. Programming for the
Long-term monitoring of baitfish Great Lakes Angler Diary app was
in Lake Michigan has shown dra- funded exclusively by Detroit Area
matic declines in overall availability Steelheaders donations and in-kind
of baitfish in open water. The decline support from Brenton Consulting,
of alewife has been particularly im- LLC. Citizen science would not be
portant to the salmon fishery because
Chinook salmon rely almost entirely
possible without the contributions of
anglers at every step of the way.
on alewife for food. Anglers who fish Michigan Sea Grant helps to
for salmon are very good at finding foster economic growth and protect
alewife. Find the alewife and you Michigans coastal, Great Lakes re-
find the salmon. sources through education, research
Biologists with U.S. Geological and outreach. A collaborative effort
Survey and other agencies monitor of the University of Michigan and
baitfish using trawls and very sophis- Michigan State University and its
ticated hydroacoustic fish finders. MSU Extension, Michigan Sea Grant
Anglers can now submit bait ball is part of the NOAA-National Sea
images from their own fish finders by Grant network of 33 university-based
e-mailing them to GLanglerdiary@ programs. n
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WNW NEWS MAY 2017 69
Dynamite
Bluegills
Are you looking for top notch
Michigan fishing action?
Tired of sitting around the house,
apartment or cabin and dying to
hook your limit of fish?
Well, now is the time to take to
local lakes, ponds and reservoirs
in search of Michigans most
prolific game fish ever, bluegills.
If you are looking to catch more
and bigger fish listen up, Ive got
exciting news...By Kenny Darwin
M
y Lund boat slipped silently
across the calm lake surface with Author shows off large gill taken using his favorite panfish tactic- clear Adjust-a-Bubble
my bow mounted electric trolling float, single hook baited with large waxworm and Zebco rod and reel combo. He likes to at-
motor set on medium speed. With tack gills during mid-day when the sun is bright and he can see fish striking his hook.
rod in hand and polarized sun- and swam for deeper water. It was so exciting to
glasses helping me to see into the see fish respond to my presentation, watch them
crystal clear early summer water I was on a hunt. sprint to the offering and actually see the strike.
There in less than three feet of water I could see Late spring bluegills provide the brand of fish-
a pod of big gills finning on a sand bar. I imme- ing excitement that is simply addictive, fun for
diately stopped, made a cast just past the target family and friends and provides a pan fried treat
zone and gave the rod a slight lift to pull the that is tough to beat. If your goal is to catch more
offering over the fish. Immediately I could see a and bigger fish this spring, Ive got some fishing
big bull charging my hook. But at the last second tricks that will help you fill the livewell.
he slammed on the brakes, holding pectoral fins I gotta admit some of the most explosive fish-
horizontal and sitting stationary just inches from ing of the year comes when early summer arrives
the hook. I gave the rod tip a slight twitch which and bluegills take to the skinny water. By skinny
caused the waxworm to wiggle and POW the Im talking about super shallow around sand-
hump backed buck slurped the hook at lightning bars, gravel and backwater areas, the warmer the
speed. I set the hook and quickly cranked the water the better. Gills initially enter these spots
prize to the boat and made another cast into the to feed immediately after ice out when water
bluegill zone. temperatures are below 55 degrees. Often they
Soon as the clear Adjust-A-Bubble hit the gather near structure like fallen trees, logs, docks,
surface, three bulls split from the pack and rock piles and more. Sometimes they gather
charged my presentation. This time, one flared in the current of a stream outlet, the mouths of
his gills, gulped the tiny single hook with thread- feeder creeks where water is flowing and con-
ed waxie before his friends could get to it, turned stantly providing food sources.
Bluegill medicines Most gather in sand or gravel
flats where the early season
includes small sun quickly warms the water,
size #8 hooks, increases their metabolism and
plastics, clear they are eager to attack hooks
floats and floating with lightning speed.
spider flies with On most Michigan lakes
white wiggly legs. you can find late spring gills
stacked around man-made
structure like boat docks, boat
hoists and under swimming
platforms or moored boats.
Again, look for fish in the
warmest water, and concentrate
fishing in locations protected
from the wind and exposed to
the sun. Bluegills use the same
spawning locations year after
year. So, once you find them
70 MAY 2017 WNW NEWS
you can look forward to locating bluegill for
decades.
On warm days they move shallow, but a cold
snap and cold weather or rain will send them
deep again. They can spawn several times each
year so keep checking hot locations. Beds are
most frequently made on sand or small pebbles in
1-3 feet of water but it is not unusual for big gills
to make redds in 6-8 feet of water. They turn on
their sides and lay eggs that are immediately fer-
tilized. Females leave beds and begin to recover
as males guard eggs and fry a few days.
This is spot and stalk fishing at its finest. The
trick is to slip along the shore and stealthfully
approach schools of gills. Some fishermen walk
the shore while others approach from water using
bow mounted electric motors to silently cruise the
shoreline and sneak up on unsuspecting bluegills
sunning in the shallows. Polarized sunglasses are
a prerequisite in order to see more fish and elimi-
nate the glare and reflection from the sun. Savvy
anglers also wear dark or camo clothing rather
than fluorescent shirts or white hats that fish can
see at long distances. It helps if you approach
with the sun to your back which helps to spot fish
before they see you.
Smart anglers use light rods and light line to
help them cast long distances. The idea is to spot
fish and make long casts to waiting targets rather
than getting too close to wary fish that can easily
detect your presence. Try a 6 ft. light action
rod equipped with open bail reel spooled with
6-8 lb. line. Novice anglers, women and kids
prefer closed face spinning reels. My favorite
is the time proven Zebco 33 which is ideal for
long distance casting, has a smooth drag and is
designed to avoid line tangles. The Zebco 33 is
a big advantage when blowing wind tends to foul
the line on open bail reels.
For distance work I like to use a clear plastic
bobber called Adjust-a Bubble. The float has a
pointed head and a rubber tube runs through the
middle. Just thread your line through the tube,
pull out the end, set leader length, twist the tube
and let go and the twisted rubber will hold your
line stationary. For extra-long range casting
just pop open the top and add water for weight.
In most fishing situations, the Adjust-a Bubble
provides enough weight for long casts. Perhaps
the biggest advantage of the clear bobber is it is
relatively difficult for fish to detect.
If gills are shallow, you can pull the bubble
across the lake surface and it gets the attention of
hungry gills and when they investigate they see
the trailing baited hook, fly, popper or small jig.
One of the deadliest late spring tactics is a float-
ing spider set about 18 inches behind the bubble.
With this setup you make long distance casts over
gill hotspots and use a slight twitching rod tip
action to make the clear bobber gurgle, spit and
create a V-shaped wake. Aggressive gills hear the
sound, charge the offering and they key in on the
floating spider with white wiggling legs. Allow
the spider to remain stationary for a few seconds
and those wiggling legs drive gills crazy and they
aggressively smack the offering.
Almost any bobber will work, and some
fishermen prefer the less expensive thill or pencil
style float. You want a float that you can fix to
your line, floats that dont slip up or down your
line. Sometimes you need a small BB split shot
to take the offering deep. Cold weather and cool
water conditions can cause gills to school in
slightly deeper water. Sometimes you need the
hook to get 2-6 feet below the surface in order to
get strikes. Dont make the common mistake of
using too large split shot that drop too fast in the
water column. Instead use any shot which allows
the hook to slowly drift deep and attract fish into
striking on the drop.
When gills are up in the shallows, my hottest
presentation is a plain hook rigged with a wax-
worm. I hook the waxie through the head and
leave the tail swimming in the water to attract
savage strikes. My favorite hook is a small short
shank Dai Riki style #155 straight eye or Eagle
Claw baitholder LT181FS size #8. The idea is to
use a very small hook so it does not spook wary
big bulls. The weight of the hook alone will
cause the waxie to slowly fall in the water col-
umn and often strikes occur when the bait slowly
drifts in the current. The bronze baitholder hook
Savvy anglers anchor close to shore and cast parallel to the bank in search of gills
in the shallows. This strategy is deadly if you scout and pinpoint schools of fish and
use very little weight above the hook. Another trick is to frequently reel in slack line
to move offerings and attract more strikes. Dont make the common mistake of cast-
ing the bobber out and leaving it sit in one spot for long periods of time.
helps me to thread the waxie up the shank and
hide the hook. The plain hook strategy is deadly
on shallow water gills looking for realistic bait
drifting in their strike zone. Gills have incredible
LCW DEEP
vision and prefer to swim up in the water column
and suck in food with their small mouth. Same
Some anglers like to use tiny jigs tipped with proven shape
grubs or plastics. Dont forget that your favorite twice the weight
ice jigs tipped with bait or plastics can be deadly
in spring. Im sold on tungsten jigs available
at www.yourbobbersdown.com in combination 3-1/8 x 1-1/2
with their Little Atom super soft plastics. Try the 3/5 oz
size 4mm tungsten jigs with hot chartreuse Little
Atom. Dont overlook the advantages of using CDIC
Little Atom Krazy Dust anise-scented powder on Candied Ice
your live bait to enhance color and scent. Gills
seem to like bait colored hot green, blood red and
hot chartreuse.
Few thrills in fishing can compete with
shallow water gills swirling the calm lake sur-
face on a sunny, warm, spring day. Bulls are
the first to enter spawning locations, and they
work diligently to make crater-shaped spawning
beds they defend day and night. Any other fish
cruising over their bed is greeted with aggressive
attacks and any fly or baited hook is slammed in
a heartbeat. Bluegill fishing is the easiest dur-
ing the spawn. Often hundreds of fish occupy a
relatively small area and you catch fish non-stop.
Gills move shallow when water temperatures hit
55-60 degrees. Males fan out nests 13-22 inches HSG
across and often dozens of nests are in close Half Gold
proximity. When water warms to 68-71 degrees, & Silver
they move on spawning beds and remain until
eggs are fertilized. This is perhaps the most ac-
tion packed, easy fishing you can imagine. Enjoy LCWD
the hot action by inviting kids, family and friends 10 colors
to enjoy the explosive fishing fun.
For me and for most Michigan fishermen, THE ORIGINAL
nothing beats the sweet taste of fresh gills fried
golden crisp. While many prefer to deep fry
Lake Clear Wabbler
panfish, my choice is pan frying in olive oil. 3-1/8 x 1-1/2
My favorite mix, available from most Michigan 1/3 oz
grocery stores, is called Andys breading regular
or spicy red. While some anglers measure their SBLU
fishing prowess by the number of 10-inch gills Half Silver
they harvest, for this old sea dog the measure of & Blue
a fisherman is the fried fish he serves family and
friends fresh from the kitchen. Bring on the cole-
slaw and Leons potato salad to enhance a meal
of dynamite bluegills.n
HSCN
Half Copper
& Silver
LCW1
Nuwrinkle
26 colors
Multiple NY ate trout records including
the current record for speckled trout.
WNW NEWS MAY 2017 71
Northern Ontarios Kabinakagami Lake
K
abinakagami (Ojibwa for is that it usually takes place in the
lake of many bays) Lake afternoon, which allows plenty of
is commonly referred to relaxing time for fishing during the
as Kaby Lake (I have a morning. Windy Point Lodge also
heck of a time pronounc- allows only ten bears to be taken by
ing Kabinakagami). At its hunters each year, thus allowing
30,802 acres in size in the for a quality bear hunt (they
northern Ontario wilderness, had a 100% success rate last
it is the largest inland lake in year).
what is known as Algoma Windy Point Lodge is
Country. The only access purely a family-run business
to it is a 60 mile flight from handled by Dick Watson
Wawa by floatplane, which and his wife Rosalie and
is a truly scenic adventure their son Robert and his
all of its own. wife Stephanie (www.
My first Kaby Lake windypointlodge.com ).
experience oc-
curred last Au- By Tom Lounsbury They have cozy
log cabins of
gust, at Windy varying sizes
Point Lodge for a black bear hunt which feature electricity (furnished
(with a crossbow), as well as for by a large generator) cook stove/
fishing. Kaby Lake is well known oven, refrigerator, microwave, flush
for its fine fishing opportunities toilets, hot showers, clean linens
for walleye, northern pike, perch and comfortable beds. There are
and whitefish (from late May thru laundry facilities available, as well
September). My hunting/fishing as a satellite phone (kiss your cell
buddy on this trip was fellow out- phone reception goodbye when you
door writer Jay VanHouten, and the venture into this wilderness area)
beauty about bear hunting over bait and Wi-Fi in the lodge. You have a Outdoor writer Jay VanHouten with a Kaby Lake walleye while Windy
Point Lodge guide Kodey Ferrigan controls the boat. It was a great
day of fishing! Tom Lounsbury photos
Superior Game Ranch choice of housekeeping and bring-
ing your own food (which Jay and I
It also allows you an opportunity to
visit and get to know folks who are
Route 3 Box 163 Cornell, MI 49818 did), or there is the American Plan also waiting. This is where we met
where all meals are furnished at the Keith Singelyn and his wife Joni of
Incredible U.P. of Michigan lodge. Needless to say, I was quite Port Huron. They too were heading
happy with roughing it in the for Windy Point Lodge and Keith
Hunting Opportunities wilderness in this manner, as I have was also there to hunt black bear
Private farmland in south Marquette experienced much cruder digs in the with a crossbow (crossbows are ef-
past. ficient hunting arms which are much
County Michigan, fully guided Per the floatplane, fishermen are easier to cross the border with than
bow and firearm hunts in allowed 100 lbs. for gear, whereas firearms). Joni was there purely for
hunting preserve for: Elk, hunters are allowed 200 pounds the wilderness atmosphere and fish-
apiece (Jay and I know how to pack ing experience.
Whitetail Deer, Buffalo, Wild Large Russian Boar because the combined weight of They had actually been to Windy
Boar, Red Stag & Fallow Deer. Hunts Available! our gear was only a hair over 100 Point Lodge a couple months prior
pounds, and that included our cross- in May and loved the place and that
bows and fishing equipment). Dick is when Keith booked his bear hunt.
Watson recommends that a couple They had experienced phenomenal
Trophy Elk, small boxes are much better than
one big box for stowing away on the
walleye fishing (Windy Point is a
well noted walleye spawning area
Trophy Red Stag & floatplane. He also strongly suggests
to never skimp on rainwear in this
during late May and early June) and
they had no problem at all catching
wilderness environment because the plenty of fish from not only a boat,
Trophy Fallow Deer economy stuff will let you down. but also off the dock and even from
The day Jay and I were to fly in the shore in front of their cabin. Joni
Lodging available for to Kaby Lake via Watson Skyways commented that the very comfort-
of Wawa, a literal monsoon had hit able facilities and wonderful person-
groups of up to 12 people. the region (this is why it is always nel of Windy Point Lodge worked
Still Booking Hunts! wise to schedule at least an extra for her, and she was back for more
day getting in and an extra day get- and looking forward to the fishing.
Call (906) 238-4482 or ting out via a wilderness bush plane)
and we found ourselves waiting
Actually, Keith and Joni have
experienced the more primitive side
(906) 630-1617 with others in the comfortable cabin
of the floatplane base. I had no prob-
to a wilderness adventure because
they had once booked an economy
for more information and reservations. lem with this at all, because when a fly-in fishing trip to another lake
www.superiorgameranch.com seasoned bush-pilot doesnt want to in northern Ontario. The floatplane
fly due to the weather, neither do I. dropped them and their gear off on
72 MAY 2017 WNW NEWS
a dock, and the pilot told them if
they had any problems to put a red
flag out on the dock and he would
immediately land to offer assistance.
He then took off.
They discovered the cabin
featured only plywood walls and a
blue plastic tarp roof. The propane
tank that fueled the refrigerator and
cook stove was also empty. Keith
immediately put the red flag out, but
it took the pilot (only) five days to
respond. In the meantime they had
a woodstove and plenty of firewood
and Joni immediately improvised by
cooking everything on it. They also
caught plenty of fish, had a great
time and when Keith was worried
his wife might be having a hard
time, he soon realized she had read-
ily adapted and was actually thriving
on the experience. He considers her
a great partner to be in the wilder-
ness with. They also realize you get
what you pay for, and Windy Point
Lodge certainly works for them.
During our wait Dick Watsons
wife Rosalie was continually on
hand keeping us updated and mak-
ing sure everything was weighed
and in proper order to be loaded
on the floatplane. That afternoon
found the skies clearing and all of
us headed out, getting airborne in an
Otter (the workhorse bush plane
of the north) and having a birds-eye
view of the wilderness passing un-
derneath of us. In no time it seemed,
we were landing and cruising up to
the dock where Dick Watson was
waiting for us with his crew and
4-wheelers with trailers attached
to haul all our gear to our cabins.
This was certainly a class act from
takeoff to landing, which I fully ap-
preciated.
On the first day, Keith Singelyn
would bag his (400 lb. boar) bear,
as would I (a 250 lb. boar), which
would allow him and his wife Joni
to enjoy fishing during the remain-
der of their 8 day stay. Jay would
take a couple days to bag his (300
lb. boar), and during that time I
thoroughly enjoyed assisting Dick
Watson in baiting his bear hunting
sites (he uses only sweets entail-
ing mostly frosting, cookies, pies
and pie filling I found myself
licking the spatula on occasion), and
getting to know him.
Dick grew up in the guiding
business on Kaby Lake and has been
guiding since age 11. He is clearly
a good man to be in the Canada
Bush with and I was glad he was
at the boats tiller as I spent most
of the time not having a clue as to
where I was on that big body of wa-
ter fringed by a dense forest where
all the coves often looked alike.
Dick also has a simple but com-
mon sense philosophy about dealing
Dick Watson of Windy Point Lodge grew up in the guiding business
on Kabinakagami Lake and has been a guide since age 11. In the
background are the several log cabins of Windy Point Lodge offer-
ing great accommodations.
with guests at his lodge, and that is
to always treat people in a manner
you would like to be treated. I also
enjoyed giving Dick a hand at skin-
ning and slicing and dicing a couple
of dandy bears and getting them in
the freezer (when you depart, the
meat is quartered and thoroughly
frozen).
Windy Point Lodge uses 16
ft. aluminum boats powered by
4-stroke, 20 hp Yamaha outboards.
The boats include fish finders and
bait-buckets (bait as well as lures
and other fishing tackle are avail-
able at the lodge). Rubber-webbed
landing nets are used that allow
snag-free removal of the fish as
well in a catch and release situation,
less chance to injure the fish. Dick
recommends braided, 10 lb. fishing
line that is coffee-colored to blend
with Kaby Lakes dark tinted water.
Bringing an extra fishing pole is also
a good idea. There is a handy fish
cleaning station and fishing guides
will clean your fish if you wish.
Dick also recommends wearing
light-colored clothing when fish-
ing as it doesnt attract insects such
as mosquitoes and black flies like
dark clothing will (a reason you see
beekeepers wearing light colored
clothing when tending their hives).
What is considered as being the
bug season up there is generally
June 7 to July 7.
Once Jay had bagged his bruin,
we were ready to sample Kaby
Lakes phenomenal fishing full-
time. This would include a day with
fishing guide Kodey Ferrigan who
took us to all his favorite haunts, en-
in those parts) and northern pike.
Included was a fabulous shore lunch
with fresh-caught fish being the
main entre. Kodey also took us
to a secret spot where it was
catch and release of both trophy
walleyes and northern pike. I
cranked fish in until my arms
ached, but Im certainly not
complaining any!
As can be the case in a very
warm atmosphere, Jay and I began
to look upon both guides and fellow
guests at Windy Point Lodge as be-
ing family. It was a sad day when it
came time to leave. Rosalie Watson
was waiting at the floatplane base
upon our return to be sure everyone
was properly unloaded with all their
gear and satisfied with their experi-
ence.
Needless to say, we will be
returning and I would truly like to
give that late May and early June
time frame a serious whirl. My wife
Ginny has already informed me that
I dont dare go back to Windy Point
Lodge without her, because she
loves to catch fish!
For more information, go to
tailing great fishing action for both www.algomacountry.com or call
walleyes (which they call pickerel 1-800-263-2546.n
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WNW NEWS MAY 2017 73
 TRAIL CAM PAGE
Trail Cam Contest Update: Visit our website (www.woods-n-waternews.com) to vote fromforpage ?? favorite trail cam photo
your
for April submissions until April 30. The 12 Trail Cam Contest Finalist will be posted to the website May 1 and voting will
continue until May 31 for the Grand Prize. The 12 finalists trail cam photos will be published in the July 2017 issue.
Send your photos to: wnw@pageone-inc.com (please submit in jpeg format)
www.woods-n-waternews.com

Kraig Staples of MIllersburg caught this fox on

Scott Mann of Gaylord, sent in this trail cam trail cam with what appears to be a grouse.
of an outstanding buck he has seen a few
times and hopes he makes it til next season.

Lauren Trainor sent in this trail cam

photo of a couple of strutting tom
turkeys from Eaton County.

Jim Lewandowski of Cass Lake sent us this trail cam photo of a playful fawn and somewhat
surprised wild tom turkey near Gladwin Michigan.

Millard Holton of Mason got this trail

cam photo of a beautiful Red Fox.
Very impressive photo, thanks for
sharing.

Mike Persichini got this interesting

photo of a bobcat defending his road
Larry Hector of Manton captured this trail cam photo of a Coopers Hawk and a Red Tail kill, looks like serious business to us!
Hawk fighting. An awesome shot of nature at work.

74 MAY 2017 WNW NEWS

 30 training thoughts
E
All dogs, like humans, can be
xcuses abound so it is
very easy to find one By Len Jenkins better.
for everything. The nice You always learn from oth-
thing about excuses is If you want an excuse, youll ers. Be receptive to new ideas and
that they provide an find one. techniques.
escape for the dog owner For success, you must hold Read your dogs body lan-
who finds it difficult to take respon- high expectations of yourself as well guage. Hes reading yours!
sibility for what his gun dog has as your dog. A good dog is a good dog.
become. Rather than make excuses Your dog is a reflection of you. Breed, color, gender, and markings
for the things beyond your control, Never allow your dog uncon- are irrelevant.
evaluate your input to the total train- ditional freedom to run through the Be consistent, insistent and
ing process. field as he chooses. He must learn persistent when training.
The following thirty training that he needs you for success. You Analyze the training process, must work with him yourself, even
thoughts should be considered pe- are always the main component of teaching one command at a time. if youve had him trained for you.
riodically while working with your the hunting experience. A little bit of praise at the right Your dog always knows when
dog. You must be a set-up artist, set- time will give your dog the feedback youre not paying attention to him.
You get what you expect. If ting your dog up for success through he needs for continued progress. Hell take advantage of it too.
you expect a lot, you get a lot. If you structured training which simulates Control your dog; dont let him You cant train your own bird
expect little, you get even less. the demands of actual hunting. control you. dog without using actual birds in the
All interaction with your dog is Never give a command you are Expect good performance. training process.
training. in no position to enforce. If you do, Dont be satisfied with sloppy ex- Most faults caused in a dog are
Dogs learn what they do. If youre telling your dog its okay to ecution of a task. man-made. For instance, dogs are
they do it right, they learn it right. ignore your orders. The retrieve is not an option - not born gun-shy. Theyre made that
If they do it wrong, they learn it Through hard work, you can it is a requirement. way.
wrong. have it all - the point, the handling, Education is an ongoing pro- Dont cop out by blaming
Training is like a jigsaw the retrieve, etc. You can have a cess. Learning continues throughout your dog, his ancestry, the previous
puzzle. You complete the puzzle one finished gun dog if you want one. life; yours and your dogs. owner, or breed for problems unless
piece at a time. If you and your dog really Start with a pup, not an older youve first analyzed yourself, your
There is no progress without dont like each other you have a dog. Theres no shortcut. techniques, your attitude and your
incentive. serious problem. Your dog is not a machine. You expectations.n

BOOKS/DVDS BY RICHARD P. SMITH

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WNW NEWS MAY 2017 75

Even more sport show specials
F
ebruary and March were
busy months for me as I
attended several regional
antique fishing tackle
shows. I also set up my
Show and Tell collec-
tions of antique Michigan fishing
tackle at the Novi Outdoorama and
then at the Grand Rapids Ultimate
Sport Show. At these two shows, I
talked to people about vintage tackle
and offered free appraisals. I also
took photos primarily of Michigan-
made tackle. I use these photos for
my Woods-N-Water News monthly
articles and for a revision of the
book, Made in Michigan Fishing
Lures. I am writing about three
lesser known Michigan lures this
month that I have new information
on, and I hope this will be of interest
to my readers.
The first item was actually a lure
box that was listed but not pic-
tured in the first edition of George
Richeys Made in Michigan Fishing
Lures book first published in 1995.
George initially misidentified it as
a wood lure called Lure Right
and made by the Champion Bait
Company of St. Clair, Michigan. He
corrected this mistake in the second
edition of his book, which was pub-
lished in 2000. This time he pictured
the box but not the lure.
The copy on the box read
Above: A photo from George Richeys archives showing the Starlight Bait and box. A well-known outdoor writer from Honor, he also wrote monthly ar-
ticles on antique fishing tackle for Woods-N-Water News. Right: The Standar t Brothers 4 -inch Starlight Bait dates from 1915 to 1920. This example
has a luminous white wood body with a red head. Bill Wazelle collection
76 MAY 2017 WNW NEWS
Sporting Collectibles...By Terry McBurney
This example of the Champion Lurite Bait was just recently found. Previ-
ously, only the cardboard box had been discovered. Bill Wazelle collection
Champion Lurite Baits manufac- duced after WWII. At the time that
tured by the Champion Bait Co. St. George wrote that copy, no Lure-
Clair, Mich. George stated that the All and Lurite plastic lures had
company was started in the 1920s turned up. Only empty boxes had
and owned by Norman Squeak been discovered.
Grasley (1907-1960). They made This changed when Michigan
McGintys, Jumping Jacks, and lure collector, Bill Wazelle, brought
Wobblers for wire line fishing on the in a plastic lure packed inside the
St. Clair and Detroit rivers, as well Champion Lurite Baits box for me
as Lure-All and Lurite Tenite to photograph. The lure measures 3
plastic lures, which would most 3/8-inches in length and fits easily
likely have meant they were pro- inside the cardboard box. The lure
is an attractive black and bright pink
swirl in color, has molded eyes and
a pronounced diving lip. All in all,
this good looking bait could be the
Champion Lurite, but I need to find
a second example in the correct box
to confirm it . . . and hopefully add
to my collection. I would also like to
find one of the Champion Lure-All
Baits inside the cardboard box. To
date, I have never seen one of the
elusive Lure-All baits or its box.
The second lure that I recently
photographed was much older, the
4 -inch Standart Brothers Star-
light Bait, a woodpecker-style
wood lure dating from about 1915
to 1920. Woodpecker-style baits
began with the introduction of the
4 -inch Moonlight Floating Bait
#1, the first lure that the Moonlight
Bait Company produced. It was a
luminous, self-glowing bait that
supposedly produced a clear, white
light that was primarily designed for
night fishing for bass or pike. It was
also publicized as equally effec-
tive for day fishing where a floating
bait is desired. The Moonlight Bait
Company from Paw Paw, Michigan
came out with their Floating Bait
#1 in 1906, which was their attempt
to copy Heddons popular Dowa-
giac No. 2 Perfect Surface Casting
Minnow, first introduced in 1902.
Heddon renamed it the Expert
the following year, and variations
of the lure that lure collectors know
as the slopenose continued to be
produced through 1955! The Hed-
don bait had a metal collar designed
to push and splash the surface of
the water as it was retrieved. The
Moonlight Floating Bait #1 was an
all wood bait with a wood collar and
was easier to produce than the Hed-
don, because the entire lure could be
produced on a copy lathe and took
less labor to assemble.
Woodpecker wood baits were
designed to fish slowly on the
surface after dark when the big fish
were on the prowl and the most ac-
tive. The wood collar created a riffle
in the water and could be safely
fished through bull rushes and other
weedy areas. The luminous paint
was easily charged by exposing the
bait to the light and oxygen at least
a half-hour before sunset, and not
returned to the box until after use.
They were also easy to manufacture
and paint and often came in only an
all luminous white body, as well as
a luminous white body with a red
head.
Many of the other larger lure
manufacturers produced their own
variations led by South Bends fish
catching 4 -inch Woodpecker and
3-inch Midget Woodpecker baits,
as well as Pfluegers Magnet, and
Shakespeares Surface Wonder.
Since the lures were popular and
easy to produce, there were many
smaller manufacturers as well,
which takes us back to the previ-
ously mentioned Standart Brothers
Starlight Bait. Located in Detroit,
Standart Brothers was one of
Michigans largest hardware whole-
salers selling an extensive lineup
of hardware and household items
along with a wide selection of sport-
ing goods including fishing tackle.
My speculation was that the Stan-
dart executive in charge of fishing
tackle, recognizing the popularity
of woodpecker-style baits, decided
to develop his own Standart-brand
version and found someone locally
to produce it. He named this private
label lure The Starlight Surface
Bait, clearly a takeoff on the top-
selling Moonlight lure made across
the state in Paw Paw.
Several weeks ago, I discov-
ered a black and white photo of
another woodpecker bait along with
its two-piece cardboard box. The
lure was pictured in a 1998 issue
of the National Fishing Lure Col-
lectors Club Magazine. The box
read: The White Miller, for sale
by WM. LOCHER, 220 E. Main
St., Kalamazoo. With the help of
fishing lure historian and author,
Bill Sonnett, I discovered, much to
my surprise, that the White Miller
from Kalamazoo was identical to
the Starlight Bait from Detroit. Both
lures had three treble hooks with
brass screw eyes mounted through
inverted cone-shaped washers, as
Above: An example of the Pirate lure made by Pro-Line Plastics of
Livonia, Bill Wazelle collection. Right: Three more Pirate lures show-
ing two sizes measuring 2 5/8-inches and 3-inches in length. Anne Marie
Schambre collection
well as identical line ties mounted
through a cone-shaped washer. Both
baits were painted with luminous
white paint with red heads.
William Locher was a success-
ful sporting goods retailer located in
Kalamazoo who at first specialized
in bicycles and then later became
known as the place to go for
fishing tackle. He also was partners
with William Shakespeare Jr. when
the two entrepreneurs patented The White Miller lure was sold by William Locher, a successful Kalamazoo
Shakespeares first production lure, spor ting goods retailer. The White Miller and the Starlight Baits were
The Shakespeare Revolution Bait, in made by the same unknown manufacturer.
1901. The Revolution was initially
made in wood and then quickly
converted over to hollow aluminum
tubes.
I am looking for either the
Standart Brothers Starlight Bait and
the Locher White Miller wood bait
in original boxes for my collection
of early Michigan baits. I would
also like to learn more about both
of these woodpecker baits and who
actually made them. Did Standart
Brothers contract them locally in the
Detroit area or did William Locher
have his friend, William Shake-
speare, make the identical wood
lures in Shakespeares lure depart-
ment?
During last Septembers Woods- The often imitated Moonlight Floating Bait #1, introduced in 1906, was the
N-Water News Outdoor Weekend, first woodpecker-style bait ever made. John and Sybil Woodruff collection
Mike Schambre and his sister, Anne
from St. Clair, Michigan brought
Anne Maries large Umco hiproof
tackle box in for me to see. She has
a nice collection of more modern
fishing lures that included several
unusual baits. One was what I called
a backward swimming pencil plug
and was probably produced locally
for fishing the St. Clair River for
walleyes. Why the carver built the
minnow-shaped wood pencil plug
with the minnows tail coming first An unknown wood lure probably from the St. Clair, Michigan area that I call
the backward swimming pencil plug. Anne Marie Schambre collection
will probably remain a mystery! The
other extraordinary baits were three mid-1960s or later after zip codes
examples of a banana-shaped came into use. Hopefully, one of my
diving lure painted with a very readers can help with more informa-
nice scale pattern. There were two tion on the Pirate and Pro-Line
sizes with the smallest measuring Plastics.
2 -inches and the larger size at Thanks to Bill Wazelle for al-
3-inches. Neither bait was marked lowing me to photograph his lures,
with a name or a manufacturer, so Mike and Anne Schambre for their
I took several photos of the three Pirate lures, and William T. Son-
plastic lures and hoped that one nett for his help with the Standart
of my Michigan lure collector Brothers Starlight Bait and the
friends could identify who made Locher White Miller bait. I would
them. also like to acknowledge his article
No luck until a month ago when The South Bend Woodpecker Bait
Bill Wazelle found another Michi- Leader of the Pack from his book
gan lure stored away in one of his Deconstructing Old Ads Volume
boxes and brought it in for me to see Two published by The White Press
and photograph. This example came (whitefishpress@yahoo.com).
in a hinged plastic box that con- Feel free to contact the author
tained a printed insert that identified at antiquefishing@comcast.net with
the lure as a Pro-Line Plastics Pirate your questions. Photographs are im-
from Livonia, Michigan. The other portant, so please send them. They
telling thing was that the address help me with identification and give
contained a zip code, which meant me an idea of the condition of the
that the lures were made in the item.n
WNW NEWS MAY 2017 77
 Part IV...COs on deer season patrol
I
n Februarys, Marchs and
Aprils editions, the author
covered the COs on patrol
during the Michigan 2016 deer
opener in Districts 1 - 6. In
this issue, the cases continue
with District 7-8.
DISTRICT 7
CO Mike Mshar was on patrol
in rural Allegan County when he
observed a pickup truck traveling
slowly on the opposite shoulder of the
roadway against traffic. CO Mshar
made contact with the driver as he
pulled into a driveway and stopped.
During this contact, CO Mshar
observed a cased long gun and other
hunting equipment in the truck. The
subject stated he didnt hunt and was
just looking around. CO Mshar then
observed a single deer hair in the bed
of the pickup truck. The subject stated
that it was from a deer his brother
had taken. The driver, however, could
not remember if it was a buck or a
doe. During the contact, the brother
drove by and stopped to see if every-
thing was okay. CO Mshar inquired
about the deer that the brother shot.
The brother stated he hadnt shot a
deer. When CO Mshar explained to
the subjects that their stories did not
make sense, the second subject finally
admitted to killing a 6-point buck and
not tagging it. CO Mshar recovered
the deer at a nearby residence. En-
forcement action was taken.
CO Mshar received a Report All
Poaching complaint of a subject who
posted a picture on Facebook of a
buck he harvested with a bow. There
was no record, however, of the subject
purchasing any licenses since 2013.
CO Mshar made contact and inter-
viewed the subject. During this inter-
view, the subject admitted to killing
the buck and a doe without purchasing
hunting licenses. He also admitted to
hunting the first few days of gun sea-
son without purchasing a license. The
deer and equipment were seized and
enforcement action was taken.
CO Mike Mshar received a com-
plaint of a subject shooting a buck
from the window of his pickup truck.
CO Mshar responded to the area and
located the vehicle and one subject.
The shooter had left on foot to track
the deer he had shot and would not
return. After several hours, CO Mshar
was able to locate the shooter with the
help of the phone company as they
tracked his cell phone. The subject
was on foot over a mile away from
the scene. CO Mshar interviewed
the subject who admitted to shooting
from the vehicle. He stated he did it
because he has a bad heart and really
wanted to get a deer. CO Mshar and
CO Chuck Towns returned the follow-
ing morning and were able to locate
the gun, which the subject had hid in
the field, as well as the deer, which
was mortally wounded in the woodlot.
The gun and deer were seized and
78 MAY 2017 WNW NEWS
By Jeff Pendergraff
enforcement action was taken.
CO Gerard Goulette responded to
a call with the Ottawa County Sher-
iffs Department regarding a subject
shooting a shotgun near some houses
in a residential area. The subject said
he was duck hunting on the pond in
his yard and said he was only hunting
in the one corner of the pond because
that was the only spot far enough
away from surrounding houses. When
CO Goulette and the deputy searched
the area they did not find any evi-
dence of hunting at the location the
subject claimed. Searching the area
revealed shotgun shells in other loca-
tions around the pond that were too
close to neighboring houses. Illegal
shotgun shells containing lead shot
were also found that were fresh. After
looking closely at the shotgun shells,
CO Goulette suspected that there was
a second subject hunting there as well
and after lying about it several times,
the subject called his friend back to
the scene. Both subjects were charged
with violations of hunting within
a safety zone and one subject was
charged with using lead shot to hunt
waterfowl.
CO Mike Wells and CO Greg
Patten investigated a deer shot during
bow season without a license. The
suspect was revoked from hunting
due to prior violations. The deer
killed was an 11-point buck. The
suspect used his girlfriends license to
tag the deer. The Muskegon County
Prosecutor authorized a three count
warrant for illegally killing the deer,
taking game while revoked, and using
anothers license. The suspect faces
10 to 180 days in jail and fines of
$500.00 to $2,000.00, up to an 11 year
license revocation, and $10,250.00
in reimbursement for the deer on the
first charge. He faces 180 days in jail
and a fine of $500.00 to $2,500.00
for taking game while revoked. He
also faces misdemeanor charges for
using another persons license. The
woman who tagged the deer faces
misdemeanor charges for loaning her
license.
CO David Rodgers responded to
a safety zone / trespass complaint.
Upon arrival, CO Rodgers encoun-
tered a female subject that stated both
deer were in the pole barn and that her
boyfriend had shot them. Inside the
pole barn, a partially processed button
buck and a doe were located. A third
deer carcass was also located. None of
the deer had been tagged. The firearm
and deer were seized, and a citation
was given for taking an antlerless deer
without a license.
CO Justin Ulberg responded to
a complaint of two subjects hunting
from a vehicle on commercial forest
land. CO Ulberg arrived on scene and
contacted one of the hunters sitting in
his vehicle. A loaded uncased shotgun
was located in the passenger seat of
the vehicle. While speaking with the
subject, CO Ulberg noticed the smell
of marijuana. When the subject was
questioned about the smell he pro-
duced a small glass jar of marijuana.
Enforcement action was taken.
CO Justin Ulberg investigated
several complaints of subjects buying
their deer licenses after harvesting
deer. Photos of the subjects posing
with the deer were located on social
media websites and a records check
showed that none of the subjects
had current deer licenses when the
photographs were taken. CO Ulberg
interviewed the subjects and obtained
confessions on three separate inci-
dents. Enforcement action was taken.
CO Ivan Perez was conducting a
processor inspection when he checked
a rather large 9-point buck with a tag
that was purchased the night before at
approximately 7 p.m. The buck was at
the processors the following morning
by 9 a.m. With the assistance of CO
Justin Ulberg, he was able to confirm
using a thermometer and Time of
Death training that the deer had been
dead between 9 to 20 hours prior to
being brought to the processor. Armed
with that information, the suspect
quickly confessed that he had shot
the deer at approximately 5:30 p.m.
the evening prior and then purchased
his license. This is one of the biggest
bucks in recent memory being taken
in central Ottawa County. Enforce-
ment action was taken.
During the same processor check,
CO Ivan Perez also discovered a small
4-point buck with a kill tag that had
been purchased the prior evening at
about 5 p.m. and was validated for the
same day it was purchased. A check
of the history of the purchaser showed
a female who had only purchased a
single deer license, with no other pur-
chases in her history. A further check
showed that a male at that residence
had only a few fishing licenses and
a single deer license purchased back
in 2012. When contact was made at
the residence, CO Perez learned that
the male in question was the husband
of the female who had the kill tag
on the deer. When asked about the
deer, he stated that he took his wife
out hunting and that she got really
lucky and shot a deer right away. CO
Perez asked if he was hunting also
and he replied that he was. When CO
Perez informed him that not only did
his wife not have a hunters safety
certificate, but that he had not pur-
chased a deer license for this year, he
confessed to killing the deer himself
and having his wife purchase a kill tag
so he could take it to the processor.
Enforcement action was taken.
CO Saykham Keophalychanh
submitted a warrant request for felony
firearm and felon in possession of a
firearm. The incident stems from a
complaint that CO Keophalychanh
received from CO Matt Page where
a subject had possibly shot a deer be-
fore firearm deer season. CO Keoph-
alychanh responded and subsequently
found a subject with a deer that he
claimed he had shot with a crossbow.
CO Keophalychanh examined the
deer and found that it had been shot
with a shotgun in the neck. A firearm
was recovered and the suspect was
found to be prohibited from possess-
ing a firearm. A citation for the illegal
deer was issued, with the additional
warrants being sought for the suspect.
CO Tyler Cole and CO Matt Page
conducted a deer processer inspec-
tion and discovered a 9-point buck
taken in Illinois. The deer was then
transported to Michigan and taken to
a processer. Contact was made with
the individual who admitted to taking
the deer in Illinois and transporting
it across state lines back to Michi-
gan. The deer was seized for Chronic
Wasting Disease testing and a citation
was issued for violating the CWD
importation regulations.
CO Tyler Cole received a com-
plaint in reference to a deer carcass
dumped on private property. A kill
tag was found along with the carcass.
CO Cole and CO Jeff Robinette made
contact with the owner of the kill tag.
After questioning, it was discovered
that the deer was taken outside of the
deer management unit for the antler-
less deer, along with the individual
admitting to the illegal dumping of
the carcass. Citations were issued for
both the illegally taken deer and the
littering violation.
CO Matt Page was patrolling
Cornish State Game Area on open-
ing day of firearm season when he
observed a group of hunters dragging
a doe out of the field towards the road.
CO Page made contact and observed
an untagged doe. The subject stated
that he did not have a knife to validate
his tag. After reviewing the subjects
hunting license, it was found that he
did not possess a public land antler-
less permit. The doe was seized and
a citation was issued to the hunter
for taking the deer without a proper
antlerless license.
CO Matt Page while patrolling
a nature conservancy checked some
hunters coming out of the woods on
a side-by-side ATV over a half hour
after legal shooting hours. CO Page
observed a subject in the back of the
ATV with a loaded and uncased fire-
arm in his hands. After checking all
hunting licenses, the operator of the
ATV advised CO Page that his wife
had shot a 4-point buck in archery
season. After further questioning, the
man changed his story that his wife
didnt have a license and he actually
killed the 4-point buck. The deer ant-
lers were located by CO Mooney and
it was in fact, a 3-point buck tagged
with the subjects restricted license.
The husband was cited for transport-
ing the loaded gun on a motor vehicle
and the wife was cited for taking the
buck without a license.
CO Steve Mooney received
information that a subject had shot
a 12-point buck without a hunting
license and had purchased the license
after-the-fact. CO Mooney investigat-
ed and obtained a confession from the
subject that he had hunted without a
license, had killed the buck, and then
bought the license. In addition, it was
discovered that the subject had never
taken hunters safety as required. The
deer was seized and the subject was
cited for taking the deer without a
valid hunting license.
CO Steve Mooney received infor-
mation from a VanBuren County Dep-
uty that he had stopped a subject that
was transporting a loaded firearm in a
motor vehicle. CO Mooney responded
and discovered that the subject had
shot and wounded an antlerless deer
and had committed recreational
trespass while tracking the deer. In
addition, the subject did not have an
antlerless deer license. CO Mooney
tracked the wounded deer and put
the mortally wounded deer down and
cited the subject for both the loaded
gun in the vehicle and for taking an
antlerless deer without a license.
CO Jeff Robinette made contact
with a hunter who stated that he had
missed a buck a short time before CO
Robinette made contact with him.
CO Robinette checked his hunting
licenses and discovered that the sub-
ject had forgotten to bring his hunting
license with him and that he had only
purchased antlerless deer licenses.
CO Robinette cited the subject for
being afield without his kill tags and
explained what would have happened
if he had actually killed the buck.
CO Andy Bauer, CO Keoph-
alychanh, CO Steve Mooney, CO
Jeff Robinette and Sgt. Zach Doss
conducted a group patrol at the
Michigan/Indiana state line targeting
violations of the CWD importation of
deer regulations. During the patrol,
two vehicles were stopped and four
deer from CWD positive states were
brought into Michigan whole, not
complying with Michigans CWD
regulations. All four deer were seized,
bagged in biohazard bags, and sent
to the Wildlife Lab for CWD test-
ing. The four subjects that brought
the deer into Michigan were cited for
violating the CWD deer importation
regulations.
DISTRICT 8
CO Shane Webster investigated
a report of a subject who had killed
a deer without a license. CO Webster
gathered evidence and confronted
the subject who confessed that he
had killed an 8-point buck prior to
purchasing a license the next day.
Charges are being sought through the
prosecutors office.
CO Webster observed a hunter
in a tree not wearing hunter orange.
As he approached, the hunter became
agitated and demanded to know why
he was being contacted. CO Webster
advised the man that it was because
of the lack of hunter orange. The
man flipped his hat inside out to the
orange side and asked if that was
better. Enforcement action was taken.
CO Webster investigated a suspi-
cious license purchase after a pro-
cessor inspection. The subject was
contacted and quickly admitted that
he did not shoot the deer and had
never been hunting in his life. He had
asked his uncle to shoot him a deer
and then supplied the tag after the
4-point buck was killed. The uncle
was contacted and admitted the story
was true. Charges are pending through
the prosecutors office.
CO Todd Thorn contacted some
hunters at their camp who were
preparing to head into the field. CO
Thorn asked if they had any success
and was told by one of the hunters
that he had recently shot an 8-point
buck. CO Thorn asked to see hunt-
ing licenses as they had firearms with
them and the hunter who just said
that he had shot an 8-point handed
CO Thorn two unused buck tags. The
hunter was asked what he tagged the
8-point with. His shoulders slumped
and said he didnt tag it. The hunter
retrieved the antlers and gave them to
CO Thorn, along with photos of the
deer. Enforcement action was taken.
CO Thorn located a pickup truck
parked in a field in Vevay Township,
Ingham County, and saw that there
was an empty gun case in the front
seat. CO Thorn looked further and
saw a fresh set of antlers with blood
and hair in the bed of the truck. CO
Thorn waited until hunting hours were
over and watched a man with a shot-
gun walk to the truck. CO Thorn con-
tacted the hunter and found a loaded,
uncased shotgun on the passenger seat
and learned that the hunter didnt have
any license purchases since 2009. CO
Thorn investigated further and found
that the hunter had recently shot
two deer, which were located by CO
Thorn. Enforcement action was taken.
While on patrol in Concord Town-
ship in Jackson County, CO Chris
Maher observed a car driving down
the road without a rear tire and sparks
coming from behind the vehicle. CO
Maher initiated a stop and inter-
viewed the subject. After performing
field sobriety evaluations, CO Maher
determined the subject was not able to
drive. Enforcement action was taken.
While checking a deer proces-
sor, CO Monnich came across a large
antlered buck with no kill tag attached
to it. After some time, the processor
was able to supply a kill tag for the
buck. CO Monnich noticed that the
tag was bought at noon on opening
day of gun season and was improperly
validated. CO Monnich also learned
that the buck made a few different
appearances on some local buck poles
the morning of opening day. CO
Monnich interviewed the suspect and
asked what time the buck was taken.
The individual ultimately confessed
that he never expected to see a deer,
let alone shoot a nice deer on open-
ing morning. The suspect admitted he
failed to buy a license prior to going
hunting and shooting the buck. The
buck was seized and enforcement ac-
tion was taken.
CO Monnich responded to a
report of a convicted felon hunting
with a firearm. CO Monnich and CO
Eric Smithers went to the location and
made contact with five individuals
coming out of the woods well after
legal shooting hours with loaded
firearms. CO Monnich also identified
one of the five men as the felon who
was carrying a firearm. Enforcement
action was taken for having loaded
firearms after legal shooting hours and
felon in possession of a firearm.
CO Monnich and CO Chris
Reynolds were on patrol when they
received a call from a hunter who
observed five hunters trespass onto
his property to push deer. While re-
sponding to the complaint, the hunter
called CO Monnich and stated that
the trespassers left the field and he
followed them back to the home they
came from. Upon arrival, the COs
located the five hunters who admitted
that they had gone onto the neighbors
property to push deer. Enforcement
action was taken for trespassing.
CO Monnich received a call from
a hunter who watched a guy drive out
onto neighboring property and set
up a pop-up blind and start hunting
with no hunter orange. CO Monnich
arrived at the location and sat by the
hunters vehicle. A half-hour after
dark, the hunter came out of the field
carrying two gun cases and wearing
no orange. CO Monnich located a
7MM rifle and a .22 rifle with a spot
light attached to it. Enforcement ac-
tion was taken.
CO Brandon Hartleben was pa-
trolling on the morning of the firearm
opener when he came across a vehicle
parked on the side of the road with a
single occupant. CO Hartleben made
contact with the operator and could
smell an odor of burnt marijuana
coming from the vehicle. CO Hartle-
ben had observed a tree stand in the
rear of the vehicle and also noted a
suspicious looking red blanket behind
the passenger seat. CO Hartleben
asked the operator what was under the
blanket and the subject stated that it
was probably his crossbow. This was
confirmed and enforcement action
was taken.
CO Jason McCullough and CO
Jeff Goss concluded an 11 month
investigation involving a suspect who
was killing deer without a license,
trespassing and illegally disposing of
carcasses. CO McCullough received
a complaint of deer carcasses be-
ing dumped next to a local business
in January. Information gathered
from the deer carcasses as well as
surveillance video from several lo-
cal businesses identified a possible
suspect and vehicle. In early October,
CO Goss and CO McCullough had
a suspect flee from private property
while trespassing in the same area as
the carcass dumping complaint. The
COs were able to connect a suspect
name with the suspect vehicle, which
was registered to another individual.
The suspect was found to be a parole
absconder that had multiple warrants
out of multiple counties. The COs
contacted the local fugitive team who
picked the suspect up within 24 hours.
CO McCullough interviewed the
suspect in jail and a confession was
obtained for the killing of multiple
deer over the last several years with-
out licenses, as well as the dumping
of the deer carcasses. Enforcement
action was taken.
CO McCullough responded to a
trespassing complaint. The suspect
was observed by neighbors hunting
the same property where he had been
written numerous tickets for trespass-
ing, dating back to the 1990s. CO
McCullough contacted the hunter,
and after a brief interview, the hunter
apologized to McCullough for con-
tinually trespassing. The hunter was
cited for recreational trespass, again.
CO Jason McCullough observed
a truck pull out into a field after
dark and shut off its lights. CO Mc-
Cullough drove around the section
and discovered the house where the
hunters were coming from. CO Mc-
Cullough watched the hunters return
to the house and hang up a deer in the
garage. When CO McCullough pulled
in the driveway one of the subjects
quickly pulled the truck out of the
garage and tried to run into the house.
The other subject tried to close and
lock the garage door. After explain-
ing to the hunters that the CO had
been watching for quite a while, the
hunters became cooperative. The deer
was discovered to be untagged, killed
without a license, and shot by a con-
victed felon with a firearm. Enforce-
ment action was taken.
CO Isaac Tyson received an
anonymous tip that a local hunter
had shot a deer without a license. CO
Tyson patrolled by the subjects resi-
dence and noticed a truck parked in
the backyard. CO Tyson approached
the vehicle and located an untagged
8-point buck in the bed of the truck
covered by a tarp. CO Tyson con-
tacted a resident who informed him
that the hunter had run into town and
would be back soon. After a short
time, the hunter arrived with a freshly
purchased deer license. A confession
was obtained. The deer was seized
and enforcement action was taken.
CO Tyson stopped in at a lo-
cal processor in Branch County and
spoke to a hunter who was dropping
off an 8-point buck. CO Tyson con-
gratulated the hunter on the deer and
asked to hear the story. The hunter
told how he shot the buck on open-
ing morning after missing three other
bucks. A check of the license revealed
that it was purchased after hunting
hours on opening day. CO Tyson
questioned the hunter, who admitted
to having his wife buy a tag for the
deer so he could continue hunting.
After further questioning, he admitted
that his wife does not hunt. Records
showed that the hunters wife had pur-
chased multiple deer licenses in past
years, indicating that this was likely
not the first time he had borrowed a
tag. The deer was seized and enforce-
ment action was taken.
Next month I will cover district 9.
Author is Jeff Pendergraff, retired
Captain from the DNRs Law Enforce-
ment Division.n
WNW NEWS MAY 2017 79


TROPHY PAGE

Nick Koenig arrowed this

monster buck hunting Oct.
13th in Lapeer County.

Luke Maciejewski, 3, of Sixteen-year old Keileigh Jonathon Kepich caught his

Grosse Ile helps dad, OHaver caught this first pike on a tip-up on Hamlin
Ron, with his rabbit
taken near Hillsdale. muskie in the Detroit Lake in Mason County.
River.

Trenton Hopkins, 13, along with

his 10 year old sister Rebecca, had
a successful bear hunt in northern
Michigan near Atlanta taking a
pair of bears. Trenton was 225 lbs.
and Rebeccas was 175 lbs.

Tyler
Loxton
took
this
Sandy Lorenz of Morrice had a ter- Sophia Martinez, 11, nice
rific season taking a pair of bucks; a took her first deer, St. Clair
Savannah Beachy, 13, her first time hunting,
9-pt. and her biggest buck, this dandy bagged her first buck, a
County
taking this doe at 55 7-pt.
10-pt. six days later hunting with her nice 7-pt. with her hunt- yards with a muzzle-
crossbow in Shiawassee County. ing buddy, her dad. loader.

The Baranek sisters from Bay City had a

successful day of ice fishing for pike on an
Tate Caverly had a inland lake in Roscommon Co. (left) Bella,
great year of out- 9 took this 25 incher and (right) Brooke,
door hunting; took 11 caught three on tip-ups. Rich Gusa of
his first goose, Harbor Beach
coyote, a nice big took this 5-pt. in
buck and with his SEND UP YOUR Huron Co. Nov. 19
new Christmas cross-
bow a nice doe for TROPHY PHOTOS with a 100 yard
the freezer. wnw@pageone-inc.com shot.
80 MAY 2017 WNW NEWS
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SUMMER VACATION. Only
6 Hunting/Summer vaca-
tion slots available. Couples/
Families welcome. Summer
Lake House available without
hunting. Details 586-260-0719.
H-5-7
HUNTING HUNTING HUNTING
1-2 BUCK HUNTING CLUB GONZO BEAR CAMP - Bear HUNT MATURE WHITE-
MEMBERSHIPS IN Specialist - We had 80% success. TAILS IN SOUTH CENTRAL
N O R T H E A S T E R N Baraga, Gwen and Amasa Units - OHIO! We offer a bow hunting
MICHIGAN Quality club, camp Modular hunts start at $995. 7 days membership allowing you to hunt for
and facilities (also turkey, small lodging included. Write for more more than four weeks as well as 6.5
game) West Branch - Hale area. information on how to apply for bear day hunting trips. You will have ac-
Tremendous value and opportunity. permits on May 1st - 2730 S. Dort cess to over 8,000 acres, 100 plus
Stag. $1,375 per year. See: dynami- Hwy., Flint, MI 48507 or call Dale at tree stands and a full time guide
cra.com or phone (810) 814-8936 days 9-4 or eve- staff. Our properties have been
Dan 989-893-5819. H-4-3 nings John at (989) 257-2725 for strictly managed for 10 years, offer-
.............................................. more information www.gonzo- ing great opportunities for success.
bearcamp.com. Like us on The hunting pressure is low, with
KENTUCKY TENNESSEE
BUCKS. Hunt trophy bucks fair Facebook. H-4-4 only a limited number of spots avail-
chase on one of my many thou- able. Anthony 810-223-4587 H-3-4
sands of acres of private farms. .............................................. ..............................................
Gun only no bow hunters. Hunters
are welcome to visit me and my Classifieds work!
farms. Call or text for free brochure.
270-348-4281. H-4-4 (810) 724-0254
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WNW NEWS MAY 2017 81
 Woods-N-WaterNews Classified Section
HUNTING
RAYS U.P. HUNTING Over
25 years experience guiding for
deer and bear. Baited stands in
Amasa, Baraga, and Bergland
Units. Lodging Available. Call Ray
at 906-265-9420 or cell (906) 284-
2216. Licensed and Insured. H-1-
12/17
..............................................
NORTHERN ONTARIO
BEAR HUNTS: Booking now for
Spring and Fall of 2017. Includes
comfortable cabin, boat and motor,
baited stands. Very experienced
guides. High success rate. 3 hours
from the Soo. References on
request. $960 U.S. 705-869-3272
www.texasandsons.com H-10-
12-16
..............................................
RESORTS/RENT
50 ACRES totally private lake in
Western Lake County near Branch
on 2000 acre family preserve. 3
bedroom cottage with boats, beach,
large dock, swim raft, swings, fire
pit, etc. Excellent fishing for bass,
pike, trout and panfish. Miles of
streams and hiking trails. Caretaker
lives on property 1 mile away. $950
week. 248-559-7744. RR-5-2
..............................................
TRAILS END RESORT
on Big Manistique Lake, Curtis,
MI. Hunting, fishing, sightsee-
ing. 2 bedroom modern house-
keeping cabins. Boats, motors
and pontoon rentals. 906-586-
3515. RR-3-3
PICKEREL LAKESIDE
CAMPGROUND
COTTAGES Baldwin area
AND
1,425 all sport lake frontage, 45
semi-rustic sites, four clean modern
cottages. www.lakecamp-cottages.
com 231-745-7268. RR-4-6
..............................................
MUNISING AREA: Lake
Stella - Lakefront cottage w/a
boat. Furnished. Sleeps 8.
Great fishing - walleye, bass,
bluegill, perch, pike and crap-
pies. 989-382-5491 or 989-382-
7722 or 989-285-2888. Ask for
Lonnie. R/R-5-3
S E A S O N A L - O N LY
CAMPING Private, gated para-
dise on Big Manistee River offers
large, wooded sites, full hook-ups,
easy access to Lake Michigan
beaches. Long season. Quiet and
peaceful. COHO BEND - 231-723-
7321 www.cohobend.com. R/R-3-
8 ESTATE SALE: 60.62 acre farm
..............................................
Subscribe
Today!
(810) 724-0254
email: wnw@pageone-inc.com website: www.woods-n-waternews.com
82 MAY 2017 WNW NEWS
HUNTING
GOOD HUNTING/FISH-
ING! 200+ gated acres avail-
able for yearly lease. Boat
docks with power and offsite
boat ramp. mile canal with 2
dredged channels to the
Saginaw Bay, casino within 4
miles. Perfect for hunt clubs!
References needed. Email
DJRMVP@gmail.com by
appointment only. Please see
our ad on page 89 of this issue
of the Woods-N-Water News.
HL-5-3
JACKSON 104 ACRES sur-
rounded by 3500 acres unhunted
state prison land. Big bucks taken.
Corn and beans surround. Call 248-
978-7673. HL-4-6
..............................................
KALKASKA COUNTY: 5
acres on Pierson Creek area.
Heavy wooded with mature
trees, small openings, good
deer hunting, fantastic partridge
hunting, bear, beavers and trout
fishing. Remote yet 5 miles to
country store, same owner 55
years. $17,900 Terms maybe
616-862-3456. HL-5-1
REAL ESTATE
VERY SCENIC PRIVATE
PROPERTY WITH HILLS,
hardwoods and wildlife galore. Ideal
for hunting, snowmobiling, cross-
country skiing, 4-wheeling and
more. Older mobile home 50X24
with new lengthwise deck, green
metal roof and fireplace. Separate
21/2 car garage. Barn with gambrel
roof. Property is wooded on three
sides. Located on a dead-end rd
north of Bellaire, MI in Antrim Coun-
ty. $129,000 Phone (989) 463-2074
RE-5-1
..............................................
180 ACRES CHIPPEWA
COUNTY: Hunt, fish, hike or
snowmobile. 180 acres with
trails, blinds, and food plots.
Adjoins thousands of acres of
public land, 13 miles south of
Sault Ste. Marie, less than 2
miles to boat launch and the St.
Mary's River. E.U.P. hunting
and fishing camp, the 1100 sq.
ft. home and 32x42 garage will
satisfy most as a year round
residence. A great buy at
$250,000. Call 989-390-0362.
Details Craigslist and Zillow.
RE-5-3
located on state highway East of
Adrian MI. Includes 1,235 sqft 3
bdrm., 1.5 bath ranch on full base-
ment with one car attached garage.
42 x 30 bldg., approx. 23 acres till-
able, approx. 36 acres woods. Call
Diana at Faust Real Estate, LLC
517-270-3646.
RE-5-1
..............................................
REAL ESTATE
I HAVE BUYERS LOOK-
ING FOR 20-200 ACRES IN
THE THUMB, Mostly Deer Hunt-
ers. I Cant Seem To Find Them
What They Want. Please Call,
Text, or Email Me If You Can Help
Me. Tom Kinzer - Just Land Sales
586.419.6716 t.kinzer@hotmail.
com RE-5-1
..............................................
80 ACRES - CLARE COUN-
TY. 1100 sq ft. cabin, 40x30 pole
barn, food plots, shadow blind,
many large bucks taken, must be
seen. Asking $250K. Call 989-621-
3402 or 989-772-9295. RE-5-2
..............................................
17.48 ACRES, Good Hunting
With 100% Woods. Backs up to
Farmland. Paved Rd.Connected to
State Game area across the road.
Caro area Tuscola County$59,950.
lots of road frontage. JustLand-
Sales.com for pictures or call me
Tom Kinzer - 586-419-6716 RE-5-
1 Rheaume's Kennel. www.face-
..............................................
FANTASTIC HUNTING
CAMP! This 20 acre parcel bor-
ders the Huron National Forest, 24
X 24 Pole Barn with cement floored
wired for generator hook up. 10
acres tillable ready for food plots,
some low lands. Between Glennie
and Barton City. Asking $49,000.
Call 231-649-2327. RE-5-1
..............................................
LAKEFRONT HOME 3 br., 2
ba., 2350 sq ft. 115 frontage. Budd
Lake Harrison, MI. For details visit
www.FSBO.com Listing 24040499
or call 734-626-0091. RE-5-2
..............................................
19.24 ACRES, Rolling Mature
Hardwoods. 90% Wooded - 660 x
1310, paved road. between Lapeer
and Imlay City, Attica Twp Lapeer
County $119,900 JustLandSales.
com for pictures or call me Tom
Kinzer - 586-419-6716 RE-5-1
..............................................
10 ACRES, excellent walk-out
build site, beautiful rolling land.
www.woods-n-waternews.com
square parcel. M-72, 3 miles east of
Kalkaska. Select cut. $14,990. Call
248-345-5389. RE-5-2
..............................................
280 AC WESTERN ONTO-
NAGON CO, all wooded, not
clear cut, food plots, great hunting.
Land contract option, $185,000. Bill
616-799-0530 RE-5-3
..............................................
NEW - 55 ACRES, A Hunt-
ing Lodge for your buddies,and a
built in 2005- 2400 sq ft Home for
the wife., 70% Wooded new pole
barn,3000 of River Frontage on the
Black River. just west of Carsonville.
Bridgehampton Twp. Sanilac Coun-
ty . $479,900 JustLandSales.com
for pictures or call me Tom Kinzer
- 586-419-6716 RE-5-1
..............................................
400 ACRES WITH EVERY-
THING THE UP HAS TO OF-
FER. This was the owners dream
property and now the dream can be
yours! Custom built home on a 10
acre pond. Half mile of frontage on
a private Lake. Trails, hunting and
fishing! $499,900 REMAX North-
Star Realty. gmacmasterjr.remax-
michigan.com 906-635-1000 RE-
4-2
REAL ESTATE
MODERN CABIN FOR
RENT ON BEAR CREEK - a
trout, salmon and steelhead stream.
Sleeps 5, private access available.
Call 231-590-1136. RE-4-6
..............................................
FOR SALE - Approximately 95
wooded acres with half mile front-
age on premiere trout, salmon
and steelhead stream in Manistee
County. $4,000 per acre. Call 231-
590-1136. RE-4-6
..............................................
HUNTING PROPERTY: 160
ACRES Rolling hills 80% wooded
with markeable hardwoods, pine,
birch and cedar. Excellent hunting;
artesian streams with brook trout, a
3.5 acre lake for fish and waterfowl,
established blinds and food plots.
Access by paved road with electric.
A wide choice of building sites. Rose
City area, Rose Township, SEC 21.
Owner 989-820-5858. RE-4-3
..............................................
DOGS
BIRD DOG TRAINING BY
THE ONLY TRAINER in Michi-
gan, in the National bird dog hall
offame. The only trainer to win na-
tional gun dog championship on five
gamebirds (and did it twice) with his
expertise. Let us train your dog to
be the best. Only $450 per month
(includes everything) We train all
breeds. English Pointer and English
Setter Stud Service. David Grubb,
248-860-1009. D-5-3
..............................................
AKC REG. GERMAN
SHORTHAIR PUPPIES -
Exc. hunting bloodlines-1st shots-
wormed-parents on site-20 years
exp. raising & training these excep-
tional dogs - $400.00 Call 260-668-
6711 or 260-668-6709. D-5-2
..............................................
Your Woods-N-Water News is
Just a Click Away!
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Email the Editor
Classifieds - Buy, Sell, Trade
Send Photos or Story Tips
Advertising Information
www.woods-n-waternews.com
Its Easy . . .
VISIT TODAY!
DOGS
ENGLISH LAB PUPS.
AKC. OFA. Blk, yell, choc.
Both parents are guide dogs
for upland & waterfowl. Gun-
dog training available. $800.
Rheaume's Kennel. www.face-
book.com/migundogtraining.
989-864-8606. D-5-1
GERMAN SHORTHAIR
POINTER PUPS: Males
and females available. Excel-
lent hunting dogs and superb
family pets. Close working
dogs with strong point and
retrieve instincts. Reasonably
priced for the sporting family.
Money back guarantee. Eulen-
hof Kennels, Gladwin, MI.
http://www.eulenhof.com
989-426-4884 D-4-2
GUNDOG TRAINING AT
ITS BEST! by Paul
Rheaume. Over 30 years
experience with pointing and
flushing breeds. All inclusive 4
week class that is customized
to meet your dog's needs.
Excellent for young dogs start-
ing out, for experienced dogs
tuning up, or for dogs with
issues. $600. Find us on
Facebook or online http://gun-
dogtraining.webs.com.
Rheaume's Kennel. (989) 864-
8606. D-5-2
Classifieds work!
(810) 724-0254
Monday-Friday 9am-5pm
or try our website
woods-n-waternews.com
DOGS
TAKING DEPOSITS ON
LATE SPRING LITTER:
AKC German Shorthair Point-
er puppies, ready 5-27-17.
First shot, wormed, declawed
and tail docked. 734-241-8582
or 734-770-6109. F-5-1
CHESAPEAK - 23 MO.
OLD. Female, obedience
trained, great hunting dog,
great disposition, well bred.
UKC registered. $800. Call
Tom at 810-650-4711. D-5-1
BRITTANY PUPS.
AKC HALL OF FAME
PEDIGREE. Excel hunt-
ers & family pets. $800.
Gundog training available.
book.com/migundogtraining.
989-864-8606. D-5-1
NORTH AMERICAN RE-
TRIEVER PUPS. Parents
are Labradoodle and Golden
Ret. Excel. Family pets and
hunters. Gundog training
available. $800. Rheaume's
Kennel. www.facebook/
migundogtraining. 989-864-
8606. D-5-1

83-89
Fishermen!
174 ft. Lake Frontage on Jug Lake
9.1 Acre 300 wide x 1322 deep
Easy Access to Highway 42
New Workshop Building on Lot
Septic System in Place
Lazer-Leveled Foundation
Gated Gravel Driveway
Lot has been Surveyed and Staked
Year Around Home/ Cottage for Sale
Priced at $129K!
Contact Jack Payne of Best Homes of Michigan
at 616-566-7713 for further details.
Hunters! 9-Acre
Wooded
Lakefront
Improved Lot
Abundant Turkey and Deer
White Pine, Birch and Hard Maple
Throughout Property
$49,000
$59,000
For More Information
Contact Laura
765-994-9052
906-573-2088 or
765-277-3747
Year around home/ cottage for
sale in the heart of play land,
Ruby Creek. Minutes from the
Pere Marquette River, Big Star
Lake, Hamlin Lake, Pentwater
and Ludington. Thousands
of acres of public land just a
few yards from your property.
Ten wooded acres, gorgeous 2
bedroom home and a 24 X 28
pole barn.
CALL
810.724.0254
TO PLACE YOUR AD TODAY!
P.O. Box 278 594 N. Almont Ave. Imlay City, MI 48444
Check out our website:
www. woods-n-waternews.com
REAL ESTATE & PERSONAL PROPERTY
42r3es A U CTION
Ac
* Farmland & Woods * Shiawassee Co.
Undersigned, Thornton & Cecil Parker Trusts, will offer for sale the following real estate and will sell personal property at public
auction on site at 5617 S. Austin Rd. LAINGSBURG, MICHIGAN. Or 1 miles east of Laingsburg on Doyle Rd. to Austin Rd. Turn
north 1 mile to sale site. Or 4 miles east of Ovid on M-21 to Baldwin Rd. Turn south 4 miles to Bennington Rd. Turn west 1 mile to
Shaftsburg Rd. Turn south 1 miles to Parker Rd. Turn wet to sale site. Watch for auction sale direction signs. Shiawassee County.
SATURDAY, MAY 20 *10:00AM*
(ALL Real estate sold at 12:00 noon at sale site)
PARCEL #1
*84 Acres land w/ 62.7 tillable acres
Sections #10, 14, & 15
PARCEL #2
*44 Acres vacant farmland w/ 25 tillable acres
Sciota Twp. Shiawassee Co
PARCEL #3
*40 Acres vacant farmland w/ 28.29 tillable acres
PARCEL #4
Combination of Parcels 1, 2 & 3 together as 1 tract.
Entire 168 Acres sold together as 1 parcel
Please see www.PavlikLLC.com
PARCEL #5 full sale bill flyer, tax info.,
*78 Acres vacant farmland w/ 66.59 tillable acres
maps & aerials.
PARCEL #6
*40 Acres vacant farmland w/ 30.16 tillable acres
PARCEL #7
Combination of Parcels 5 & 6 together as 1 tract.
Entire 118 acres sold together as 1 parcel
PARCEL #8 Full line of personal property, tractors,
*80 Acres vacant land *Mostly all wooded property.
Equipment, barn items & household
PARCEL #9
*57 Acres vacant land *All wooded property
Thornton & Cecil Parker Trusts, Owner
www.PavlikLLC.com
WNW NEWS MAY 2017 83
 r i
B Reat z l t y
inc.
758 West US-10 Evart, Michigan 49631
Ph. 231-734-5554 Fax. 231-734-2055 Toll Free. 1-888-820-3647
email. britzrealty@sbcglobal.net denniscbryant@sbcglobal.net

LAKEFRONT HOME
CENTRAL MICHIGAN - 3-bedroom, 2 bath ranch style home on all sports lake
including enclosed in sunroom, furnished, dock, deck, 4 car garage, pontoon
boat with motor, all in good condition. Swimming, fishing, boating all adds
to this quality year around living. Priced at $169,900 MLS #17005949

MUSKEGON RIVER
EVART AREA - 2-Bed, single wide Mobil Home on 3 acres. Pole barn, 3 acres
over 320 feet of frontage. Home in nice condition. A very nice weekend
retreat. Price reduced to $41,500 MLS #17010796

40 ACRES
A HUNTERS PARADISE 40 Acres with a nice selection of trees including
cedar. Deer blinds included. Corner parcel, close to state land. Ideal for deer or
turkey hunting. Land contract. Priced reduced to $61,500 MLS #17014340

MUSKEGON RIVER
IMAGINE - A cute 3-bcdroom riverfront home with over 200 feet of frontage on
1 .5 acres. Include this 2-car garage and you have an ideal recreational parcel.
Home well maintained. All you need is your fishing pole or canoe and you will
be ready 10 enjoy this summer. Priced at only $74,500.00 MLS # 17010631

LAKE MALOY
3-bedroom ranch style home on private lake, very good condition. Large
2-car garage, sandy beach, 128 feet of frontage, If you like peace and quiet
then you will love this lake. Over 1700 square feet of living area with nice
fireplace. Priced right at $139,500.00 MLS # 17014615

Heritage Exclusive Marketing Agents for Northeast

House Michigan Properties
RealtyPC Located in the Heart of the Huron National Forest, on the
Personalized Service is the Difference
Shores of Lake Huron and the banks of the AuSable River

334 acres in Doctors Club 217 Acre Hunters Dream 4635 E Clark , Harrisville
area, prime hunting property 1400 sf 3 br 2 ba with Pine 3 br 2 ba Chalet with 6+ acres
awaits you. A portion of land River flowing through the and full finished walk-out
is a cattail swamp with Robb property. Enjoy sitting on basement. Move in ready
Creek. There is 2 beat up the deck watching all the with appliances included.
cabins on property with different wildlife Must see to fully appreciate
electric and flowing well. REDUCED $349,000 all this home and area has to
This would be a great group For More Information Text offer. $199,000
investment. Reduced R155061 to 52187 For More Information Text
$475,000 R213435 to 52187

6137 Cedar Lake Rd, 80 acres Fruchey Ranch 6396 N F-41, Spruce
750+ sf, 2 br, 1 ba with 1 car Rd, Curran 3 br, 1.5 ba, ranch with full
attached garage. Within Perfect for your next hunting unfinished basement. Move
minutes of Lake Huron and destination or would make in ready home, nice setting
local shopping in Oscoda. an excellent location to start on large lot. Fireplaces in
Fireplace and Central Air that next adventure of your living room and in den. ONLY
complete this cozy retreat life. $120,000 $82,500
with access to Van Ettan For More Information Text For More Information Text
Lake. $69,900 R174399 to 52187 R155070 to 52187

S Poor Farm, Greenbush 7161 E Trails End Black River frontage

Perfect location for your next 3 Bed 1 Bath 1000+ sf with
hunting trip or would make a 800+ ft on Au Sable River.
great site for that next home 20+ acres with Guest House
and still be able to hunt with and Detached Garage. So
36+ acres available for only much to enjoy and so much
$45,000 more to see. Priced at only
For More Information Text $190,000
R155060 to 52187 For More Information Text
R213446 to 52187
3 br, 1.5 ba, 1232 sf Deck
with steps to water, Canoe,
Kayak, fish or float to Lake
Huron. Includes appliances,
2 car garage, privacy fence.
This unique riverfront home
is only $87,500
For More Information Text
R155065 to 52187

Cedar Lk Rd, Greenbush N Ridge Rd, Black River 1011 Alice St, East Tawas
2100+ sf 3 br 2.5 ba 3 car 100+ feet of beautiful Lake 3 br, 2 ba, with attached 2
attached garage with Full Huron would make a perfect car garage. Within walking
Finished Basement. Enjoy getaway location. Lot size .6 distance of Lake Huron, and
evenings sitting around your acres with plenty of room to shopping and entertainment
built in fire pit or entertaining build to suit. Out of the way that East Tawas has to offer.
on the covered deck. New but still able to enjoy all that Move in Ready at only
Listing $214,900 the area has. $122,000 $149,900.
For More Information Text For More Information Text For More Information Text
R213438 to 52187 R277810 to 52187 R281924 to 52187

Call 800-650-5566 - Glennie or 800-982-0102 - Harrisville - www.HeritageHouseRealty.com

84 MAY 2017 WNW NEWS
 231-652-7000
- or -
231-250-8200

WE NEED LISTINGS 40+ ACRES AND LARGER

80 ACRES, 359+/- ACRES,
TUSCOLA &
BARRY GENESEE
COUNTY COUNTIES
5 Bedroom, 6 Bath Custom 30 Acre Private Lake, 3,400
sq ft Custom Lodge,
$
1,950,000
Home, 3,000 ft. Dake Lake.
4 Car Attached 2 Story 70x70 Pole Barn, 60x120
Pole Barn, 2 Rental
1,650,000
Garage, Horse Barn with
Stables, Fenced Pasture, $ Houses, 26 Ladder Stands,
Great Hunting and Fishing! 5 Elevated Box Blinds
L D
SO

Antrim County, 52+/- Acres Calhoun County, 67+/- Acres

Alcona County, 240 Acres, Alpena County, 316+/- Acres, Good Trails Rolling Hardwoods, Pole Barn Branch County, 43+/- Acres, Big Bucks, Calhoun Co, 61 Acres 300 ft. All Sports Prairie Lake, Calhoun County, 70+/- Acres Calhoun Co, 86+/- Acres
House, Barns, Pond, Stream, Food Plots Lodge sleeps 10, Professionally Managed Forest with Living Quarters, Excellent Hunting Cold Creek Crosses Property, Nice Woods 2,500 ft. St. Joseph River, Excellent Hunting 1/2 Tillable, 1/2 Wooded House, Pole Barn, Pond, River, Elevated Blind 750 ft. Frontage on Prairie Lake,
Big Buck Hunting, Outbuildings
$499,000 $439,000 $129,000 $136,500 $139,900 $275,000 $289,000 $349,000

I NG
END
P

Missaukee County, 80 Acres Newaygo County, 5+/- Acres Newaygo County, 36+/- Acres
Iosco County, 783+/- Acres, Jackson County, 54+/- Acres, Kalkaska County, 40 Acres, Mecosta County, 40 Acres Excellent Midland County, 80 Acres Pond, Professionally Managed 557 ft White River Frontage, 1/2 Farm Land, M-37 Frontage, 1000s of
1 Mile Frontage Tawas Lake, Kunze River Crosses Property, 2,000 ft. Grand River Cabin, Barn, Trout Pond, Deer, Turkey & Small Game 12 Miles to Mount Pleasant, acres Public Land 1/2 mile Away
5 Bedroom Log Lodge, 3 Miles from East Tawas Forest, Food Plots Open, 1/2 Wooded
Frontage, Trail System Excellent Hunting Hunting, Good Trail System Excellent Hunting $129,500 $41,000 $50,400
$1,250,000
$179,900 $115,000 $88,000 $176,000

NG
DI LD
P EN S
O

Newaygo County, 40 Acres Newaygo County, 40 Acres Newaygo County, 60 Acres Newaygo Co, 80 Acres Newaygo County, 80 Acres Newaygo County, 80 Acres Newaygo County, 80 Acres Newaygo Co, 99 Acres,
32x48 Pole Barn with Water & Heavily Wooded, Excellent QDM, Trophy Bucks Rolling Hardwoods, Great Rustic Cabin, Pond, Nice 4,600 ft. White River Frontage, Planted Pines, Great Cover,
Electric, 20 Ac Old Apple Orchard, Close to Federal Land, Pole Barn,
20 Ac Hardwoods, Great Hunting Hunting, Building Sites Harvested, Great Parcel Great Hunting Hunting, 2 Bedroom Mobile Woods, Good Trail System Great Hunting and Fishing County Road Frontage
$215,000 $60,000 $90,000 $140,000 $150,000 $129,000 $189,000 $198,000

LD LD
SO
O
S

Newaygo County, 125 Acres, Three Newaygo County, 160 Acres Oceana County, 100+/- Acres Osceola Co, 54+/- Acres Osceola County, 167 Acres Presque Isle County, 47+/- Presque Isle County, 80 Ac
spring fed lakes, Excellent Deer, Frontage on 9 Mile Rd & Cottonwood Rd, Remote Property, Nice Forest, 650 ft. Frontage Nice Cabin, Good Trail Acres, 2 Bedroom House, Pole Presque Isle Co, 63+/- Ac Creek Frontage, 24x24 Garage,
Turkey and Waterfowl hunting Adjacent to National Forest Good Deer Population All Sports Grass Lake System, Excellent Hunting Barn, Excellent Hunting Carp Creek, Food Plots, Hunting Blinds Excellent Hunting
$375,000 $400,000 $150,000 $225,000 $399,000 $99,000 $69,300 $90,000

www. WildLifeRealty.com
WNW NEWS MAY 2017 85

VISIT OUR WEBSITE TODAY!
statewiderealestate.net
Houghton
Marquette
Iron Mountain Manistique
Escanaba
Gladstone
Powers
Menominee
Marinette
Contact Your Nearest State Wide Real
Estate Office To Buy or Sell In Michigan
ALPENA
1100 W. Chisholm, 49707
email: alpswre@speednetllc.com
989-356-2142 Fax: 989-356-2144
ALMONT
844 Van Dyke Road
lafrancesharon@yahoo.com
810-798-8591 Fax: 810-798-8079
CURTIS/NEWBERRY
Main Street, P.O. Box 305, 49820
email: swcurtis@sbcglobal.net
906-586-9606 Fax: 906-586-9607
ESCANABA
2209 Ludington Street, 49829
email: escanaba@statewiderealestate.net
906-786-1308 800-900-0777
Fax: 906-786-1388
GLADSTONE
1401 Delta Ave.,
Gladstone, MI 49837
906-825-9000
email: judy@statewiderealestate.net
HARRISVILLE
430 S. US-23, 48740
email: sold@anjstatewide.com
989-724-5711 800-655-5735
Fax: 989-724-6833
HAWKS
8383 Hwy. 451, 49743
email: rita8383@yahoo.com
989-734-4846
86 MAY 2017 WNW NEWS
Offices Serving Lower &
Upper Michigan
Bringing people and places together since 1945
Newberry
Curtis
Linden
HILLMAN
14938 State Street, P.O. Box 98, 49746
email: statewidehillman@yahoo.com
989-742-4523 800-228-7856
Fax: 989-742-3931
HOUGHTON
500 Shelden Ave., 49931
email: dick@statewideofhoughton.com
906-482-6955 800-676-6323
Fax: 906-482-7699
HOWELL/LINDEN
1285 S. Michigan Ave., Howell, MI 48843
email: statewid@earthlink.net
517-546-9060 800-531-4449
Fax: 517-546-9148
IRON MOUNTAIN
231 East A. St.
Iron Mountain, MI 49807
906-828-2525
Fax: 906-828-2727
email: steve@multistatewide.com
MANISTIQUE
10 N. State Highway M-149
Cooks, MI 49817
906-644-2304
email: dekeysermary@yahoo.com
MARINETTE, WISCONSIN
1460 Marinette Ave., 54143
email: statewidemarinette@yahoo.com
715-735-9964 Fax: 715-732-1107
PINE LAKE PROPERTY - PRICE REDUCED!!
$70,000.00 DON'T MISS THIS ONE!
Parcels C & D on survey are 11.81 wooded acres on a private spring fed lake in
Onaway
Hawks
Hillman
Mecosta County. This is a hunter's and fisherman's paradise complete with 705
Alpena
Atlanta
feet of lake frontage. The Southwest corner of the property is 80 feet above lake
Mio Harrisville level and gently slopes downward to an expanding vista of lake frontage. All
lake front property surrounding this lake is owned by five individual owners.
Skidway Lake
There is privacy galore! But, if you prefer more action, Chippewa Lake, an all
sports lake, is only one mile away. There is a well on the property (condition
Almont unknown). Motivated seller! SEV is over $65,000.00 This land would make an
excellent hunter's retreat, fisherman's camp or a campground. It has to be seen
Howell to be appreciated.
For more information call
734-325-3103 or 989-463-2975
Thomas B. Camp Alma, MI 48801
MARQUETTE
856 W. Washington, 49855
420 Acres With Private
email: sw@statewiderealestate.org
906-228-9312 Fax: 906-228-8069
Lake in Central Michigan
MENOMINEE
3631 10th Street, 49858
email: statewideone@newbc.rr.com
906-863-9905
Fax: 906-863-7935
MIO
102 West 8th St., P.O. Box 395, 48647
email: info@statewidemio.com
989-826-3292
Fax: 989-826-2108
ONAWAY
M-33 & M-68,
P.O. Box 478, 49765
email: bigdan@frontier.com
989-733-6522
Fax: 989-733-2427
POWERS
W3776 US2 & 41, 49874 420 acres with 100 + acre private lake All maintenance equipment included,
906-497-4190 with dam for sale in central Michigan mowers, tractor, dozer, crane, etc.
(great investment opportunity). Great Would make a great church camp,
Fax: 906-497-5328
holly@statewiderealestate.net fishing and huntingMichigan trout hunting resort or lake development.
stream, mature bucks harvested every Frontage on three county roads. Gravel
year. Over two miles of water frontage, and sand deposits on property, also oil
SKIDWAY LAKE standing timber with enough pine to rights. Ann Clarks Trust. $4,000,000 or
2228 Greenwood Rd., make 30 log homes. Seven miles of best offer. Special terms for non-profit.
Prescott, 48756 trails, rolling hills, paved roads, has
email: atlas@m33access.com natural gas line on property. Lodge Call Robert Clark at
989-873-3601 (brick house) with fireplace. Three 810-629-9376
Fax: 989-873-6914 stoarge buildings and workshop.
Includes all boats with pontoon boat. Email: johnclark1954@hotmail.com
 WEST BRANCH HALE WEST BRANCH
R S ALE R S ALE
M-33/M-55 OFFICE F O OFFICE F O LOOP OFFICE
1953 S. M-33 3160 North M-65 2575 S. I-75 Business Loop,
West Branch, MI 48661 Hale, MI48739 West Branch, MI 48661
10 miles north of I-75 exit 202 Gateway to Huron National Forest 1 mile north of I-75 Exit 212

Local: 989-345-2662 Local: 989-728-2540 Local: 989-345-0315

Toll Free: 800-535-6520 www.CAHANES.com Toll Free: 800-495-2540 www.CAHANES.com Toll Free: 866-345-0315

HOMES, HOMES, HOMES!

ALL SPORTS FOREST LAKE!! AN ACRE OF PROPERTY!! MOVE-IN READY!! LK OGEMAW WATERFRONT!! SPECTACULAR VIEWS!!!
Nice 2-bdrm, full walkout bsmt, 178 sandy frontage. Sharp 4-bdrm w/lots of updates!! FP, appliances, family 3-bdrm home on 1.54 ACRES w/full bsmt, heated 2-bdrm, level lot, 90 frontage, sandy beach, boat dock, 3-bdrm & 100 feet of sandy frnt on all sports Loon Lake.
Open floor plan, deck, appliances, AC and garage!! room, master suite, part bsmt, deck, garage, fenced area sunroom, custom blinds, AC, heated garage, shed w/ some furnishings, deck, porch & 2 garages!! Covered deck, fantastic views, garage w/elec!!
& more!! elec & more!!

$160,000 1811285 $83,000 1823342 $114,950 1827732 $169,900 1825235 $179,900 1818975

WELL-MAINTAINED!! GETAWAY COTTAGE!! NICE YEAR ROUND HOME!! VIEWS OF WEST LONDO LAKE!! VICTORIAN HOME!!
2-bdrm on large lot. Natl gas heat, family room deck & 1+ ACRES w/2-bdrm with FP, knotty pine, deck & 1300+ sq ft, open floor plan, 3-bdrm, 2 full bath, deck, Cozy home on 3 lots w/sunroom, wood floors, newer well Well-maintained, spacious 4-bdnn, 2 ba home, garage,
more. Year round or getaway near lakes& State lands. pond. Near State land, Clear Lk & you can walk to Elni garage & 1.1 ACRES! Newer roof and windows in 2015. & roof, heated garage and nice rear deck!! wood floors, appliances & near shopping & restaurants!!
Lake!!

$37,500 1828738 $49,900 1827648 $57,900 1825811 $65,000 1818008 $59,900 1827677

ACROSS FROM LAKE!! FANTASTIC LOCATION!! BEAUTIFUL VIEW ALL AROUND!! 40 ACRE HORSE FARM!! SECLUDED HUNTING CABIN!!!
Cute 2-bdrm across from no wake Frost Lake w/garage 3-bdrm, 2 ba home & 21+ WOODED ACRES! There are 13 ACRES surrounds this 3-bdrm, 2 ba home, rear deck, Gorgeous prop, riding arena, horse stalls, tack room, 2-bdrm cabin, 18 ACRES ADJACENT TO STATE LAND!!
& shed. Mostly furnished, great views and excellent lo- trails thru-out prop & home has lots of great amenities!! covered porch & blktop drive!! heated outbldg, 2-bdrm home, finished basement & Appliances, wood heat & propane lights. Perfect rustic
cation!! more!! camp!!

$89,000 1820195 $142,900 1827185 $116,000 1799930 $250,000 1827987 $64,900 1805656

SEMI-SECLUDED!! WELL-MAINTAINED!! 30+ ACRES!! ACROSS FROM HURON 240 FEET ON EVERETT LAKE!!
Cute year round or getaway on 2.47 WOODED ACRES! 4-bdrm home nestled on 30 ACRES w/detached garage. Updated 2/3-bdrm, walkout basement, hardwood floors, NATIONAL FOREST!! Spacious 4-bdrm Cape Cod style home on full basement
Two decks to enjoy the outdoors and a garage and shed Full walkout bsmt, family room, deck, porch & pond!! newer furnace, newer water heater, newer well, AC & 3-bdrm, approx ONE ACRE, fresh paint, custom cabi- AND FIVE WOODED ACRES!! Boat dock,appliances,
for more storage. ACROSS FROM STATE LAND!! much more!! nets, exterior needs TLC, getaway!! deck & porch, boat & trailer and more!!

$49,900 1829630 $174,900 1826749 $139,000 1828597 $49,900 1818838 $89,900 1829466

SOUTH DEASE LAKE!! ULTIMATE HUNTERS DREAM!! BEAUTIFUL CAPE COD!! 70+ ACRES!! CUSTOM BUILT!!
Cute 2-bdrm home on all sports 296 acre lake! 3-bdrm home needs TLC but is the perfect recreational Custom built 3-bdrm w/1170 feet of frontage on beautiful Fantastic hunting property with tons of wildlife in the Stunning 3-bdrm, 2.5 ba home, with garage. Ceramic
Large back deck, beautiful views, boat dock,fenced spot w/almost 60 ACRES, trails, blind, 2 garages & 2 pole AU GRES RIVER plus frontage on Nester Creek!! Tons area!! Nice 3-V bdrm ranch-style home that is move-in counter tops, bamboo flooring, gas FP,493 of water
yard,artesian well & more. Cozy year round or getaway!! barns, and BORDERS STATE LAND!! of great amenities,some newer appliances,AC,deck & ready with appliances, garage and mostly furnished!! frontage on Rifle River, 5.86 ACRES, deck, gazebo and
more!! many other great amenities!!
$119,000 1829341 $164,900 1829327 $285,000 1798150 $249,900 1816928 $225,000 1824110

ON CHANNEL TO ALL TRAILS THRU-OUT!! BEAUTIFUL LAKEFRONT!! GORGEOUS WATERFRONT!! BORDERS STATE LAND!!
SPORTS ELBOW LAKE!! 80 GORGEOUS ACRES excellent for hunting or nature Fantastic views and frontage on all sports HENDERSON This 3-bdrm home has 171 feet of frntg on all sports 2-bdrm w/lots of kitchen cabinets & pantry, partial
Nice 3-bdrm with garage, master suite, kitchen island, walking! 3-bdrm, full basement, suite, circular drive, LAKE! Spacious 4-bdrm, full walkout bsmt, large deck, 330 acre Forest Lake and full walkout bsmt, extensive basement and newer roof in 2015. Two decks for enjoy-
pantry & breakfast nook, wrap-round deck, boat dock, open floor plan, garage, wood stove, large windows & garage w/elec, shed at waters edge and boat dock!! decking, lots of windows, large driveway & also near ing the outdoors, near ORV/snowmobile trails & popular
pond and an ACRE of property!! beautiful!! State lands!! all sports Clear Lake!!
$157,000 1810533 $219,900 1826379 $179,900 1829140 $119,900 1808082 $49,900 1811769

FOR MORE LISTINGS

VISIT OUR WEBSITE: WWW.CAHANES.COM
WNW NEWS MAY 2017 87
 TARGET REAL ESTATE SPECIALIZES IN
WATERFRONT HOMES AND HUNTING PARCELS Near
WE REPRESENT BUYERS AND SELLERS
Marlette
NATIONAL CITY in Sanilac
County
Whitetail Realty,
Lake City, MI
$
231-839-8142 or
office@lakecityrealestate.com
3,400 per acre
80 acre Ponchos Sand Creek Longhorn Ranch now available. Working farm with 5 bdrm/1 bath
home, barns, outbuildings, pastures and approx. 10 acres of woods with Sand Creek running thru the lakecitymirealestate.com
northwest corner.
MLS 1819844 NEW PRICE $249,000 Lake City Area MLS#21122954 $85,000
33 Acres of woods and open area
TAWAS CITY-$19,900, Several building lots totaling .91 acres. Natural gas, electric, city water and sewer are 450 on the Hopkins Creek
available. Just a short distance from town, Tawas Bay and all products and services offered in the area. The lots are well 20 Travel Trailer included
wooded and front on both North River Street and Jefferson. MLS#1823999 Small storage Barn also

OSCODA-$19,900, Wooded 60x255 lot to build a cottage or home in area of well-maintained properties. Walking
Lake City Area MLS# 21118625 $139,000
distance to the AuSable River and just a short drive to thousands of acres of National and State Forest. MLS#1828468
Small Hunting Cabin w/well & Electric
EAST TAWAS-$24,900, Wooded building lot in area of newer homes. The 155x371(1.33 acre) lot includes a 25 x 40 Pole Barn for lots of storage
cleared site. Natural gas and city water available. MLS#1810535 62 Acres of woods and wet lands
GREEN BUSH-$44,900, Nice square 40 acre parcel joining Federal and State land. This area has proven to hold Tractor w/equipment & a Quad included
quality bucks over the past years, QDM is practiced here. MSL#1828817
GREENBUSH-$54,900, 45 acres of hunting land off the beaten path. This rolling parcel is heavily wooded with Vogel Center Area MLS21121902 $31,000
hardwoods and evergreens. Call today. MLS#1799569 Small Rustic Cabin
WHITTEMORE-$195,000, 120 acre hunting parcel. Diverse terrain with red oak, white oak, and red pine. 11 Wooded Acres for Recreation
State land on 2 sides
Numerous areas for food plots. Deer, turkey, partridge and other game are plentiful. MLS#1778247
Located on a blacktop road
MORE PARCELS ARE AVAILABLE . . . Lake City Area MLS# 21122417 $23,900
CALL TODAY FOR MORE DETAILS
12.5 open & wooded acres
866-496-4400 Close to Lake City
TARGET REAL Private drive off blacktop road
ESTATE COMPANY
701 W. Bay Street, East Tawas, MI 48730
Office (989)362-4400 Cell (989)370-2152 North Missaukee MLS# 21123034 $118,000
info@TargetRealEstate.com Wooded and Rolling 59 Acres
www.TargetRealEstate.com Borders 1000s acres state
Mere feet to the Manistee River

Vacation Cabin North Lake Access Nugent Lake Access Remodeled Cabin 1+ Acres
1 Bed 1 Bath 2 Bed 1 Bath 2 Bed 1 Bath 2 Bed 1 Bath 3 Bed 1 Bath
MLS 17006202 $11,900 MLS 17011247 $29,900 MLS 17013469 $29,900 MLS 17010565 $27,500 MLS 16042664 $42,500

115 Reed Lake 100 Townsend Lake 50 Bookings Lake 1000 Sanborn Creek 180 Baldwin River
2 Bed 2 Bath 2 Bed 1 Bath 2 Bed 1 Bath 2 Bed 2 Bath 4 Bed 3 Bath
MLS 17013049 $149,900 MLS 17011764 $110,000 MLS 17009070 $74,900 MLS 17007632 $169,900 MLS 17012265 $195,000

Recreational Property
PARADISE LAKE- 50 of quiet fishing, great swimming, buildable frontage
on Paradise Lake. Maintained road, easy access, surveyed, and located in an
area of lots of public lands for trails and hunting. MLS 17007600 $20,000
SPRING LAKE- Property offers a great building location overlooking
Spring Lake. Low down land contract terms available. Wildlife
viewing is included free of charge. MLS 17001029 $32,900
SANBORN CREEK- 9+ acres on the Sanborn Creek, a great little trout
stream with over 800 feet of frontage on both sides. Property is wooded,
level, buildable, on a county maintained road. Adjoins State Land. Located
in an un-zoned township. MLS 16061107 $34,900
BALDWIN RIVER- 5.6 Acres with 1125 Frontage on the Baldwin River!
Property is wooded with a mix of large trees. Low down land contract
available. MLS 17012401 $24,900
88 MAY 2017 WNW NEWS
10 ACRES- Low down land contract terms available! 10 Acre parcel close to
Federal Land. Flat and wooded, excellent as a camp or building site. MLS
17010773 $29,900
WOODED ACREAGE- Wooded 1.3 acre parcel. Generally flat, it is a great
spot for building or clearing a small space for a campsite. Borders State
Land. Low down land contract terms are available. MLS 17002858 $6,900
WOODED ACREAGE- Low down land contract terms available: 5 Acres,
great place to camp and hunt, Federal Land close by. MLS 17013382
$17,900
WOODED ACREAGE- Nicely wooded 5 acre parcel close to hundreds of
acres of State Land. Enjoy easy access from a county maintained road, just
north of US 10. Low down land contract terms available. MLS 17010594
$17,900
Good hunting and fishing!
Sunny Cove I Have Buyers
100 Hunting
Preserve
* Subdivision
East of canal Looking For
Acres, 20-200 Acres

Saginaw Bay
*
Dyked & in The Thumb,

Farm
Isolated *
Dredge
Mostly Deer
Wetland
200+ gated acres available for yearly lease. Planned boat docks with power and
offsite boat ramp. mile canal with 2 dredged channels to the Saginaw Bay, casino
Hunters.
within 4 miles. Camp sites with power. Perfect for hunt clubs! References needed.
EMAIL DJRMVP@GMAIL.COM BY APPOINTMENT ONLY
I Cant Seem To Find Them What They Want.
Please Call, Text, or Email Me
If You Can Help Me!
Lake Property Tom Kinzer
269 ft. frontage on beautiful Lake St. Helen, Roscommon County, Michi-
gan. 725 ft. South side, 640 ft. North side, has Riparian Rights, 24x36 pole
Just Land Sales
barn, heat, well, electric hot water, septic, zoned commercial, D.E.Q. ap-
proved for 135 slips, located at 940 Monroe Rd. Asking $425,000. Land 586.419.6716
contract possible.
t.kinzer@hotmail.com
Call Denis at 989-387-0504 St. Helen, Michigan

3 Bdrm, 1 bth home. 240 Acres. Built 2005. 1 Bdrm, 1 bth Bungalow. Sweet bachelor pad. 2/3 Bdrm, 2 bth home-camp. 120 Acres. 26
1200 Sq. Ft., fireplace, gar, sauna, trails. Rock. Cozy cottage, mega large garage. Stonington. Acre lake with fish. Great home too! Daggett.
$399,000 1090655 $99,000 1099358 $229,000 1095255

THOUSANDS OF 2 Bdrm camp. 80 Acres. 32x64 Bldg. Garage,

well, septic, and electric. Wilson.
2 Bdrm camp. 40 Acres. 24x30 Pole bldg.
Built 2000. Adjoins State land. Rock.
2 Bdrm, 1 bth camp. 18 Acres.
2 Car gar with deer blinds. Ensign.
ACRES AVAILABLE $179,000 1096747 $99,000 1096936 $55,900 1097355
FROM $5200 TO $526,200.
Escanaba
2209 Ludington Street
(906) 786-1308 2 Bdrm, 2 bth home/camp. 240 Acres. Well,
3 Bdrm camp. 80 Acres. Pond. 2 Bdrm camp. 20 Acres, well, septic, septic, elec, 24x40 and 28x30 garages. Pond.
Trails adjacent to public land. Cornell. elec. 42x28 Bldg. Great hunting. Cornell. Perkins.
Powers $109,000 1097817 $79,900 1098269 $240,000 1098341
W3776 US 2 & 41
(906) 497-4190

Gladstone
1401 Delta Ave.
(906) 825-9000
2 Bdrm, 1 bth log home/camp. Hunters
2 Bdrm, 1 bth, 22 acres. Cabin built in 2010. Hard- dream! 38 Acres. Small field. Loft. Power. Cozy 1 bdrm camp on 4.2 acres. Electricity.
wood Impoundment frtg. Great fishing. Hardwood. Bathroom. Secluded. Cornell. Outbldgs. Furnishings included. Stonington
$89,000 1094330 $108,900 1099356 $41,000 1099277

WNW NEWS MAY 2017 89

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THEMATTRESSMAN.COM 802 ASHMAN ST., MIDLAND
90 MAY 2017 WNW NEWS
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