Benchmarking Your Local Stream and Spring Thoughts

Benchmarking. Not sure if that's a real word. I know many people use the United States Geologic Survey's (USGS) website to monitor stream flow of rivers they fish. Here is a link to a gauge on the Clinton River, near the Oakland County, Macomb County border: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/mi/nwis/uv?site_no=04161540

As embarrassing as it is to admit, I have never fished the Clinton River, but I have lived in its watershed my whole life. After attending a "river rally" thrown by the Clinton River Watershed Council (http://www.crwc.org/) earlier this month, I am interested in actually fishing this local stream.

Side note, Clinton Valley Trout Unlimited's banquet is tomorrow night at River Crest Banquet Center. It will be my first TU banquet. I sure hope to win something. God knows I've bought plenty of raffle tickets through the years. I would think the odds are getting in my favor by now.

Two days ago (March 19th, 2014) I drove to a couple access points along on the Clinton River and took some pictures. It was also raining on and off all day. Hey, it beats snow at this point.

 This was taken at Yates Park, looking upstream. Notice the large log

Here is a panoramic shot of the same area. Neat iPhone feature

This is a view a couple miles downstream, near Coyote Joe's bar

Here's the bar. Have a brew, do a little line dancing, and then maybe another type of line dance... with a steelhead (oh sorry, lake run rainbow trout)

Looking upstream, at Ryan Road

When I got home, I brought up the hydrograph from the USGS website. I captured a screenshot of the graph.

Notice that the river is on its way up

I doubt I am sharing anything new or revolutionary with you. However, I thought that I would snap a few photos and look at the river data to really understand what the river looks like at certain discharge levels. The river didn't appear to be moving super fast, and I cannot tell if ran high, but it did look discolored. Now when I revisit the stream, I'll be able to see how the banks and logs compare to this last visit.

I thought it might also be of a little interest to see how your local rivers compare in size and discharge to what we have here in Southeast Michigan.

In other news, I help a friend out from time to time and cover for him at his gym. Since nothing is going on there (frequently), I decided to bring a little travel assortment of fly tying materials, hook, and a vise. When I wasn't cleaning and getting huge myself (sarcastic) at the gym, here is what I produced. They are a couple varieties of streamers from Kelly Galloup and Bob Linsenman's "Modern Streamers for Trophy Trout"

My crude version of a Zoo Cougar. Yes, I need to practice my deer stacking techniques. And yes, this is after I trimmed the heads. Yikes!

 And on the home front, the toys are screaming for me to take them out. Probably two or three more weeks until Stoney Creek Lake thaws. Your guess is as good as mine.

And it looks like we have some new neighbors. These are in the driveway, which I think is weird because we are not on a lake, pond, or stream... or golf course.

Happy Spring everybody. Hope your weather is a little more seasonal than ours!

Outing from a Past Season

The reality of the current weather prompted me to look at old photos on my hard drive. Just to let you know, this was the view from the front window last week after we received eight plus inches of snow.

Although I know we are all ready for a change, I won't deny it's beauty.

July 2012

Up North for the weekend with my dad and brother Alex. I took my kayak, Native Watercraft Ultimate 14.5. My brother and dad paddled the 15 foot Old Town canoe. We have a small cottage in the Higgins Lake area. Since we do not keep a boat on the lake anymore, we car top the canoe and kayak for day trips on smaller waters. On this Thursday we decided to stay close to home and launched at Marl Lake, at the state park boat ramp. This is a really nice, shallow, quiet lake. It is undeveloped along the shoreline. They say there is good fishing on the lake, but I honestly do not think any of us have ever caught a fish on this body of water. I don't know who "they" are, but they must be compulsive liars. The whole lake is maybe two feet deep, with a very mucky bottom. Don't fall in. There may be only 18 inches of water, but you will sink up to your shoulders. 

We paddle towards the Cut River. Although we have done this dozens of times, we never fail to have a difficult time locating the river's entry point to the lake. It is a little inland river delta, a tiny mess of small islands.

It is a typical hot, muggy summer day, with a chance of showers and/or thunderstorms. Early on in our paddle, a shower manages to find us.

Dad covering up in rain gear, and me following their lead.

Once we reach the river, we decide to paddle upstream. After much uneventful time fishing, we stop to have sandwiches for lunch. I decide to continue paddling upstream. I reach the the road crossing. I've been here before, but have never been brave enough to attempt the upstream paddle under this road crossing. And it's not claustrophobia. It is arachnophobia.

Seriously, would you go in there?

I stay put in the area for a while making casts on my old, short Shakespeare fiberglass WonderRod. I thought I saw a bass, but even if I did, I spooked it with a overzealous, sloppy cast. What did happen next surprised me. 

I was using a pretty small Mepps Spinner, almost out of commission. I clipped two of the hooks off it, as I hate treble hooks; they are nothing but trouble. Appropriate name, right? As I am slowly retrieving this tiny spinner back to the kayak, a dark shadow rises up towards me and gently grabs the lure. It could not have been more than six feet from me. This very nice sized pike takes the spinner like a labrador gently stealing a cookie from his toddler companion. It seemed like I was giving it a treat. 

It didn't seem angry until it realized it was hooked. That was things got interesting. Keep in mind, I am in a river not more than thirty feet wide, and I am naturally a clumsy person. I don't recall absolutely, but I had to have been anchored. If I was not, there is no way this was going to end well.

After a relatively short battle, with plenty of water getting splashed on me... 

It's not easy snapping pictures while battling a "good-sized" pike on 6lb test line.

This happened a few times...

This guy (or gal) finally relaxed for a minute for this pic

This was the only memorable fish to "hand" this day. With larger fish (large to me, anyway), I do not bring them in the boat. It's easier on them and it is easier on me. I'm less likely to hook myself and make a mess, and less likely to hurt the fish. I am almost an exclusively catch and release fisherman. There were likely some rock bass in this story, but I don't have pictures of them. And in the fishing world, if you don't have a picture, ______. You fill in the blank. 

Right Alex? What 8 and a half foot tarpon? Really???!!!

I was alone while all this was occurring. Dad and Al didn't paddle upstream as far as I did. I head back downstream after this fish. I didn't know where they were. Back in the lake? Did they go downstream after the river meets the lake?

As I paddle downstream, I thought I heard thunder. A minute of two later, I know I hear thunder. At this time I didn't know where the storm was located and what direction it was heading. I paddled hard to get back to the delta area in the lake. 

At this point the sky is getting dark to the west and I realize I am going to get wet, again. This time the situation is a little different, being it's accompanied by lightning and possibly strong winds.

I realize I am not going to be able to get back to the boat launch before this thunderstorm arrives. I am nervous. I calm myself and try to think logically. If I am going to be stuck out here in a storm, where should I hunker down? I do not want to be paddling across the lake, even though it is a small lake. I know I should not be in the open, especially with fishing rods in the boat. I didn't think taking shelter on the shoreline was a smart move either, as it is full of tall, mature trees.

This does not look encouraging...

Pop quiz: stay in boat or leave boat? 

I'll get back in and lay low.

I decided to ride it out here.

This doesn't look too bad. It didn't until I saw cloud to ground lightning. I didn't manage to catch that with the point and shoot camera, though.

Here comes the wind with a little rain...

And more wind...

I got cold. I was absolutely drenched and the wind on wet skin didn't feel great. I was shivering, too, probably a little bit beyond the temperature comfort factor, if you catch me.

I don't think it lasted more than ten or fifteen minutes.

Once it pasted, I decided to paddle back to our vehicles. I still didn't know where my dad and brother were located. As I made my way back to launch spot, they spotted me. Turns out, they made it back to the car before it hit. I think my dad was more scared for me than I was. He was actually panicking. He was convinced I was hit by lightning. In his defense, I sometimes expect the worse in situations and there were three lightning strikes very close to us.

I love the calm of the lake after this storm.

Here we are heading in for the day...

This is perhaps my favorite picture that I have taken. I love that steam rising from the lake.

Another shot showing the beauty of the lake. I don't like the metering of this image though (I think that's the correct term). It looks too gray. I don't think it was that gray in person. 

This was a great day on the water, as far as I am concerned. I caught a fish, simple victory in my book, got to paddle the kayak, spent time with dad and brother. I experienced some excitement. All good stuff. 

The following day we paddled around Higgins Lake. No fish to hand. We had the same kind of weather, though. We managed to avoid the rain and lightning, though. It was sunnier than the pictures convey. 

Notice the short spinning rod up front, but I still always take the long rod along for a ride. I've caught a total of 2 fish on Higgins Lake with a fly rod. Both rock bass.

If any of you readers have any advice for fishing Higgins Lake, PLEASE SHARE! We've been going up here since 1984. Fishing used to be predictably GOOD. Now, we can predict a few rock bass. That's about it.

And now, back to the reality of March 2014...

Two more days until spring.

Signs of Spring

In my ripe age of early 30-something, I have learned that signs of spring come in many forms. This year in particular, I learned a new sign of spring. It's when the lady of the house marks the exterior doors with a sign of spring...

Aren't they pretty? I love the contrasting piles of snow next to the spring, floral wreathes.

Another sign of spring I am all too familiar with is the Michigan Fly Fishing Club's Expo in Warren, Michigan. What an event. Each year there seems to be more product squeezed into an already large venue. Simply put, it is overwhelming.

My favorite item is the free decal from The Northern Angler, in Traverse City. 

Great Store. Even beter decal!

Missing from the picture of my loot is the Mystic Tremor 8 WT fly rod I ordered from the Au Sable Angler shop in Mio, Mi. It will be dropped off this week. Let's just say I am excited to wet a line.

Also missing from the pic are the Buff sun gloves and bandanas I purchased. I hate sunscreen. When your better half works at a dermatology office, you don't get much sympathy for painful sunburns. I figured it was time to start covering my hands and face.

I am looking forward to trying out those foam body cutters I bought. I learned of their use in Kevin Feenstra and Jon Ray's video "Big Appetite Small Mouth" DVD. The popper in the video was cut using a body cutter. The MFFC show was the first place I saw these sold since I've been looking for them. So of course I had to buy four styles!

I am looking forward to fishing the Manistee River this year. I have been reading through the Angler Guide to the Manistee River from the Challenge Chapter of Trout Unlimited. It looks like some of the water below the CCC bridge isn't too far from Higgins Lake, home base when I am Up North.

In addition to the show, my dad and I went to check out the big lake this week. Here is what we saw at the mouth of the Clinton River...

Yes, there is a little bit of open water, right by that break wall.

Looking north from the access site. It's going to be a while before this all melts.

A little more depressing sight. Ice, as far as the eye can see, looking southeast. Detroit is somewhere out there to the right (not visible in this image).

Tuesday, March 11th. It smells great outside. Ears are flooded with the sound of birds and snow melting (water flowing into the storm sewers). 

I will not let this trick me for one minute, though. As we were walking the shoreline, I was interrupted by an alert sound on my iPhone.

This is the source of the alert sound from Weather.com...

And so we are reminded, the groundhog was indeed correct.

The Unexpected Main Event

On Saturday morning while boarding our airline, Jenny and I attempted to switch seats with someone wanting to swap their center seat for a window seat, because we did not originally have seats next to each other. A man sitting next to Jenny with a "window" seat, which did not have a window, eagerly accepted my actual window seat. While I got situated in my new airplane cubical environment, Jenny stuck up a conversation with her neighbor on her right, in the aisle seat. He tells Jenny that he has a fishing trip planned. Jenny replies, "Oh, this guy (pointing to me) would love to be able to do that".

Our new friend tells us that he has a small panga reserved, and because he is solo there is room for one more. I am filled in on date, time, costs, etc. Before we even leave the ground, I have an adventure planned. Shortly into the flight we exchange phone numbers and email. I ask where he lives, and it turns out he lives about a mile from me. After further discussion, I tell him I am bringing a fly rod and learn he is bringing his travel 9WT. Shortly after this, I learn he is a fellow Trout Unlimited member. I didn't envy Jenny for having the center seat and the being in the cross fire of the two of us gabbing about some of our fishing travels, fishing victories and defeats. It was great. Made for a short five hour flight for Ron and me; likely made Jenny's flight about ten hours.

Wednesday morning came too quickly. I arose before it was bright, but it was certainly early, at five in the morning on vacation. It's always easier to wake up early on vacation than to wake up early for work. Funny how that works, eh?

After a short taxi ride to the marina, I learn I am too prompt for Mexican vacation scheduling. I waited around forty minutes before any sign of Ron or our captain. I was second guessing the day and date, the dock, and the boat name. Turns out I just run too early on days like this. I only run early on exciting days like this.

After meeting my companions for the day, getting settled and rigged up, we leave the slip to go buy bait. First time I've ever purchased live bait from another boat.

What this picture does not show is the craziness of the marina. There were boats traveling every which way. We also had to stop and buy licenses.Thankfully we did, because we were stopped and requested to present them on our way leaving the marina. Mexican jail nor paying a heavy fine do not sound as pleasant as a simple day on the water.

Cruising a little ways out of port, just past the tip of the Baja Peninsula, we turn west and head into the Pacific. We immediately rig up these short, stout rods about as flexible as pool cues, and troll these small squid looking lures (or flies). This is neat and different than Great Lakes fishing in a couple ways. 1, you troll fast, 2 no down rigger necessary, so you don't have as much rigging and tangles to address, and 3, you never know what you are going to catch.

While losing a couple others, Ron and I each landed a fish while trolling in this area; bonita:

Ron was up a little later when a rod started dancing, and brought in this guy...

He was quickly released as neither Ron or I wanted much fish to take home. Ron wanted one meal's worth of fish and I didn't want anything. I was staying at an all inclusive and didn't have a place or need to cook. Ron did have a little kitchenette, but filled his need with the bonita.

After this dorado (Mahi Mahi) was caught and released, Captain Justo offered us a choice: go further along the Pacific coast and pursue possibly large rooster fish, or head back into the Sea of Cortez and target rooster fish along with other inshore species. The drawback is there are smaller fish in the sea, while the Pacific had higher winds and waves to match. Captain also said we could try working the fly rod in the sea, because the winds we be more forgiving.

We opted to troll back east to the sea. This is also when we rigged up with live bait. I don't know what  the bait fish are called, but they are the size of keeper bluegills and perch, and cost three dollars a piece.

We cast out the bait about sixty feet behind the boat and continued trolling, really close to shore; 30 yards, give-or-take. We were essentially free-spooling the baits out there, using our thumbs to provide resistance so line would not continue to unravel. In the meantime, Capt. Justo told Ron if he wanted to use the fly rod, now was the time. As we continued to troll the bait on my rod, Ron trolled a darkish colored baitfish pattern on his fly rod.

Monotony set in with the trolling, but not for long. In my experience when fishing, as soon as you forget what you are doing and your mind wanders, that's when the fish attack. It's like they know when your guard is down.

ZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (sound of reel, not me sleeping)

Capt: Get ready, Amigo

Me: That's a fish, huh?

Capt: You think so? (laughs) Get ready to set hook.

Me: Now?

Capt: Not yet.

Me: Now?

Capt: Yeah, what are you waiting for?

I laugh, flick the lever or the level-wind reel to create tension, and give the hardest hook-set I've ever pulled. Now line is really peeling out and I am wondering if I flicked that lever correctly and all the way. Yes, I did. How can this be pulling more line even faster than when it was free-spooling?

After a few minute battle, I see the flash nearby the boat. I reel in up to the leader and Capt. Justo unhooks this guy. Heck of a fight for his size. It'd take a beast of a small salmon to match the rooster's power. And this is a small one...

A little while later, my reel starts singing again. This time, a longer run. A much longer run. Same process: let it run, flick the reel's lever, and give it hell. Oh man did this next one run. Crazy! Capt says hang on, this is a big fish. After a longer battle and still no sight of a fish, I'm starting to have visions of guys holding rooster fish the size of Labrador retrievers.

As the fight came to it's conclusion, I learn it wasn't a rooster fish. It wasn't a lab. Meet Mr. Pacific crevalle jack.

All the while, Ron continued trolling flies. Eventually, he switched to his personal light spinning rod and rigged up with the same hook and live bait on my line. A short while after my second lengthy battle, my line started burning off my reel again. The friction from the line burned my left thumb on this fish. I offered the rod to Ron. He declined but I insisted.

He takes the rod and this fish is still burning line. Crazy. I am trying to be tough, but man is my thumbing hurtin'. I wound up with a good blister on that thumb. Meanwhile Ron is really duking it out with this fish. We don't know what it is. Big rooster? Big Jack? None of the above.

This guy is a Sierra mackerel. Awesome fighter. The size helps.

This was the conclusion of the catching part of the day. We continued to fish and eventually switched over to fast trolling large squid flies for striped marlin. Capt. Justo informed us this was not the popular area to fish for them. He also mentioned they can be anywhere and are caught in-shore, too.

No marlins on Tres Marlins today. No worries.

Thanks to Captain Justo for the friendly service, interesting conversation, and on top of that, getting us on fish (and close to some humpback whales, too)!

Thanks very much to Ron (and his wife) for arranging the trip and cordially welcoming me to join him.

I had a great time and made a new friend. In the mean time we caught some fish, too. I can't ask for much more.