I wrote last year about Robson Green from England doing a show on fishing around Zug Island. Well I was finally able to track down most of the show on a youtube feed. I couldn't get it from the tv show's channel because I was in a different country. Copyright infringement on a show about Zug? Yeah, well you'll see. I'm not sure of the chronological order of the segments but we'll do the Detroit/Rouge rivers first.
The waterwolf segment wasn't bad and shows how good the muskie fishing has become on Lake St. Clair. The Detroit River contest, however, leaves much to be desired. I guess we all live in the stench and toxic waste of the local steel mills. Like I mention in my original blog about this fishing endeavor the world thinks Detroit is an easy target to make fun of but this gets a little weird. Hear this Robson, hooks are no match for bullets so forgetaboutit.
Well at least a Michigander got some pay back for the Fisherman nonsense. These next 2 vids are ok and actually the Great Lakes show is done at minute mark 1.40 of video 2.
Stonker!
All in all not bad from a tv show based over 3000 miles away in another country. The smallmouth tournament was held just a few miles from the blight of Detroit and the noise and pollution of the steel mills portrayed. The Detroit River is pristine compared to the way it was when I was younger and the Rouge River is now capable of producing bonny sheapshead. Thanks to the Friends of the Rouge( http://www.therouge.org/)
and The Friends of the Detroit River(http://www.detroitriver.org/) for helping to make things happen.
Get Outdoors downriver.
Sunday, September 16, 2012
Thursday, September 13, 2012
The Hawks Are Coming
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Get Outdoors Downriver.
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Monday, September 10, 2012
Schools In, Gateway Starting to Take Shape
The Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge Gateway in Trenton is really looking good. After moving 40,000 cubic yards of dirt, restoring 16 acres of wetlands and planting hundreds of trees the place is starting to look like a refuge for wildlife. Quite a contrast from the industrial days of yore.
The first step was to divert storm water into the large pond they have. That's the first thing you see driving by or parked at the locked gates. This storm water would just go directly into the Detroit River but now gets a primary treatment from the holding pond and some of the plants in the wetland.
Now the area is back to a semi-restored state the way it was before the War of 1812. So it's on to the more aggressive plans. Starting next summer the plan is to build a fishing pier in the river paralleling the existing shore of the old Solutia property. There will be a long dock or boardwalk from the western shore of Humbug Bay to the fishing pier. Along the way will be a dock for the research vessel that will be used to teach students about the river and it's ever changing ecology. The fishing pier will be the best place to fish from shore for walleye in North America hands down.
The plan is to have the pier finished by the fall of 2013. That's a lot of work to do and some funding hurdles need to be passed but if the pier gets built the plan is to have the site open from dawn to dusk. That will be a great day for the refuge and the entire area.
However, in order to achieve this much help is needed and that's where the schools are in. Many schools in the area are requiring their seniors to complete some hours of community service. This is a perfect opportunity to get credit for those hours and help the refuge become a jewel of Downriver.
There are currently 2 crews working in the refuge. One is the Youth Conservation Crew, this is made up of volunteers that are installing boundary signs and will be working on creating parking lots for the fisher people and other guests. You must be 15 to 18 years of age to vounteer for this group.
The other crew is in collaboration with The Greening of Detroit. The Greening Crew is comprised of individuals who have passed a landscape certification program headed by The Greening of Detroit. This crew handles stabilizing the shoreline, planting large trees and maintaining other plantings through out the refuge, especially during this hot, dry summer. I'll get some testimonials from this crew to show what you could expect on working at the refuge.
Get Outdoors Downriver.
The first step was to divert storm water into the large pond they have. That's the first thing you see driving by or parked at the locked gates. This storm water would just go directly into the Detroit River but now gets a primary treatment from the holding pond and some of the plants in the wetland.
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However, in order to achieve this much help is needed and that's where the schools are in. Many schools in the area are requiring their seniors to complete some hours of community service. This is a perfect opportunity to get credit for those hours and help the refuge become a jewel of Downriver.
 |
The other crew is in collaboration with The Greening of Detroit. The Greening Crew is comprised of individuals who have passed a landscape certification program headed by The Greening of Detroit. This crew handles stabilizing the shoreline, planting large trees and maintaining other plantings through out the refuge, especially during this hot, dry summer. I'll get some testimonials from this crew to show what you could expect on working at the refuge.
Get Outdoors Downriver.
Saturday, September 1, 2012
Just Ducky, Almost
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources says that the Michigan Waterfowl Legacy (MWL) and the “Year of the Duck” celebration will kick off with five waterfowl and wetland events around the state on Saturday, Sept. 8.
For waterfowlers, other hunters and anyone that enjoys the great outdoors, the MWL creates a call to action to honor yesterday, engage today and build for tomorrow. This partnership between various government agencies and non-government conservation organizations, waterfowl hunters and the public aims to improve waterfowl populations and wetland habitat; increase waterfowl hunting participation and promote the value of waterfowl hunting; and engage citizens to take positive action to preserve the state's waterfowl and wetlands legacy.
The MWL coalition plans to build a community of increasingly engaged hunters and non-hunters who enjoy and actively support waterfowl and wetlands conservation.
“The Michigan Waterfowl Legacy is a 10-year, cooperative partnership to restore, conserve and celebrate Michigan’s waterfowl, wetlands and waterfowl hunting community,” said Barbara Avers, DNR waterfowl and wetland specialist and member of the MWL steering committee. “We are excited that so many important partners are working together for the future of waterfowl and wetlands.”
MWL partners believe consistent and focused efforts are needed to ensure a rich future for waterfowl and wetlands in Michigan. Michigan continues to be a national leader in wetland and waterfowl conservation. However, numerous threats and issues continue to cause concern. For example, invasive species and development threaten wetland habitat; Michigan’s breeding mallard population has seen a long-term decline; there are increasing demands for food, fuel and space that threaten breeding habitat; the number of waterfowl hunters is declining; and public funding for conservation continues to decline.
Avers explained that, as government funding for conservation continues to decrease, it is becoming increasingly more important for the public to help fund efforts to conserve our wildlife.
The upcoming Year of the Duck in 2012-2013 is a great time to celebrate Michigan’s waterfowl and wetlands, as 2012 marks several significant anniversaries including 75 years of Ducks Unlimited, Michigan United Conservation Clubs and the Pittman-Robertson Act, and 25 years of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan.
“Michigan has a rich and diverse waterfowl and wetlands heritage. Whether you duck hunt every year in a Managed Waterfowl Hunt Area, sit on the back porch and watch the waterfowl migration every fall, or get your drinking water from a groundwater stream purified by a wetlands, you – as a Michigan resident – are part of this legacy,” Avers said. “Join the ranks of your fellow citizens who want to see our precious resources protected for the generations to come, and be the Michigan Waterfowl Legacy!"
The kick off in our area is the Pointe Mouillee Waterfowl Festival at the Pointe Mouillee State Game Area, 37205 Mouillee Road, Route 2, Rockwood.
For more info check out www.miwaterfowlfest.org
Take I-75 to Exit 26 (S. Huron River Dr.) and go East. Turn left onto Jefferson and head North. Turn right onto Campau Rd. and follow it back to the State Game Area. Pointe Mouillee Waterfowl Festival takes place at the Pointe Mouillee State Game Area.
Festival hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Enjoy seminars and demonstrations, or find a great deal at the Trading Post.
If you do duck hunt the Pt. Mouillee area be aware of the new shot restrictions. With the cramped quarters there it's a preventative measure even though there hasn't been injuries at Moullie. Also the Detroit River Islands covered under the International Wildlife Refuge will be allowing hunting on the islands and they will be included in the Mouillee hunt area draws.
Get Outdoors Downriver.
For waterfowlers, other hunters and anyone that enjoys the great outdoors, the MWL creates a call to action to honor yesterday, engage today and build for tomorrow. This partnership between various government agencies and non-government conservation organizations, waterfowl hunters and the public aims to improve waterfowl populations and wetland habitat; increase waterfowl hunting participation and promote the value of waterfowl hunting; and engage citizens to take positive action to preserve the state's waterfowl and wetlands legacy.
The MWL coalition plans to build a community of increasingly engaged hunters and non-hunters who enjoy and actively support waterfowl and wetlands conservation.
“The Michigan Waterfowl Legacy is a 10-year, cooperative partnership to restore, conserve and celebrate Michigan’s waterfowl, wetlands and waterfowl hunting community,” said Barbara Avers, DNR waterfowl and wetland specialist and member of the MWL steering committee. “We are excited that so many important partners are working together for the future of waterfowl and wetlands.”
MWL partners believe consistent and focused efforts are needed to ensure a rich future for waterfowl and wetlands in Michigan. Michigan continues to be a national leader in wetland and waterfowl conservation. However, numerous threats and issues continue to cause concern. For example, invasive species and development threaten wetland habitat; Michigan’s breeding mallard population has seen a long-term decline; there are increasing demands for food, fuel and space that threaten breeding habitat; the number of waterfowl hunters is declining; and public funding for conservation continues to decline.
Avers explained that, as government funding for conservation continues to decrease, it is becoming increasingly more important for the public to help fund efforts to conserve our wildlife.
The upcoming Year of the Duck in 2012-2013 is a great time to celebrate Michigan’s waterfowl and wetlands, as 2012 marks several significant anniversaries including 75 years of Ducks Unlimited, Michigan United Conservation Clubs and the Pittman-Robertson Act, and 25 years of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan.
“Michigan has a rich and diverse waterfowl and wetlands heritage. Whether you duck hunt every year in a Managed Waterfowl Hunt Area, sit on the back porch and watch the waterfowl migration every fall, or get your drinking water from a groundwater stream purified by a wetlands, you – as a Michigan resident – are part of this legacy,” Avers said. “Join the ranks of your fellow citizens who want to see our precious resources protected for the generations to come, and be the Michigan Waterfowl Legacy!"
The kick off in our area is the Pointe Mouillee Waterfowl Festival at the Pointe Mouillee State Game Area, 37205 Mouillee Road, Route 2, Rockwood.
For more info check out www.miwaterfowlfest.org
Take I-75 to Exit 26 (S. Huron River Dr.) and go East. Turn left onto Jefferson and head North. Turn right onto Campau Rd. and follow it back to the State Game Area. Pointe Mouillee Waterfowl Festival takes place at the Pointe Mouillee State Game Area.
Festival hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Enjoy seminars and demonstrations, or find a great deal at the Trading Post.
If you do duck hunt the Pt. Mouillee area be aware of the new shot restrictions. With the cramped quarters there it's a preventative measure even though there hasn't been injuries at Moullie. Also the Detroit River Islands covered under the International Wildlife Refuge will be allowing hunting on the islands and they will be included in the Mouillee hunt area draws.
Get Outdoors Downriver.
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