That used to be the slogan. Back when the Yack was hoppin' every other weekend to a different ethnic celebration. Polish, Irish, German, Hungarian, you name the nationality and there was a festival for you.
Now there are only 3 and they're associated with churches. This weekend is the Mount Carmel Polish Festival filled with good food and polish beer. Check out their website for details. http://www.ourladyofmountcarmel.org/. I'll be pouring beer tonight and tomorrow and hopefully see some old classmates that are having their 40th reunion. Beer booth volunteers are still needed for Sunday.
Sunday it's on to Frankfurt for some salmon fishing and I'm hoping to be posting some pictures on my return. I'm sure Captain Dan of Stormy Chinook will come thru.
Get Outdoors Downriver it's time to polka.
Friday, August 24, 2012
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
To Plan or Not To Plan...
Recent weeks have brought us disturbing pictures of dead deer, killed by a devastating disease. Most of the pics have been of trophy bucks lying in water. If you think the HSUS pics of puppies and kittens looking forlornly into the camera are heartbreaking well the pics of these wasted deer is 10 times worse for hunters. The disease is EHD and is normally found in Southwest Michigan. The first occurrence and subsequent identification of EHD occurred in 1955 when several hundred white-tailed deer succumbed in both New Jersey and in Michigan. It was considered a new disease of deer and the name `epizootic hemorrhagic disease' was suggested to describe its main clinical and pathological features. Additional die-offs attributed to EHD occurred in Michigan in white-tailed deer in 1974, 2006, 2008, 2009 and 2010. The 1974 die-off occurred in several counties and resulted in approximately 100 deer dying. The 2006 die-off occurred in the south western portion of the state in Allegan County and involved 50-75 animals. In 2008, the die-off occurred in the south eastern portion of the state in Oakland and Macomb counties and involved 150-200 deer. In 2009, the die-off took place in the southwestern/southcentral portion of the state in Livingston County and involved 300-450 deer. In 2010, the die-off occurred in the southwestern portion of the state in Allegan, Berrien, Cass, Ottawa, St Joseph and Van Buren Counties with an estimated mortality of 1,025 deer. In 2011, the die-off occurred in the southwestern portion of the state again in Cass and St. Joseph Counties with an estimated mortality of 300 deer.
With all these deer dying there must be a plan to stop it or prevent it. No there is no plan even though many states have local deer populations that experience the disease. No baiting bans, no increase of the harvest in the area, just wait and hope the first frost comes early. The frost kills the little midges that spread the disease to the deer, problem solved.
Too bad we can't do the same thing for CWD, another debilitating cervid disease. No one is sure how the disease is transmitted but they think it's due to a prion. Prions are considered to be infectious proteins without associated nucleic acids. Okay so how do you fight prions? This is hard because they're found everywhere, on the ground and in the feces of cervids.
I wrote about this before in 2/12, the initial reaction by the state was to ban baiting in the Lower Peninsula. Increased harvesting in the surrounding area and increased testing of deer for CWD followed. Now, however, the federal funding has run out for the programs trying to deal with the disease and so has the interest.
The state has changed its "Plan" for managing chronic wasting disease. According to State Veterinarian Steven Halstead “CWD is a reportable disease, so if the disease is detected in free ranging cervids or a Michigan Privately Owned Cervid facility, we will define a surveillance zone around the positive case.” “This plan should protect Michigan’s cervid industry as well as Michigan’s free-ranging deer population while meeting our ultimate goal of safeguarding animal health.”
The principal changes to the plan are:
The plan will be implemented if a CWD-positive animal is found within 10 miles of the Michigan border, rather than 50 miles as in the original plan.
Baiting and feeding will be banned in any county within a 10-mile radius of where CWD is detected.
All Privately Owned Cervid facilities within that zone will be required to complete increased disease testing of their herds to monitor for signs of CWD.
If the disease is diagnosed in a Privately Owned Cervid facility, all facilities that have had contact (through purchases, sales or immediate contact) will undergo increased disease surveillance testing, and exposed animals will be removed from contact herds.
Once deer farms and CWD are there, the costs can become huge to inspect and monitor. One report showed that Michigan had approximately 450 deer farms and those farms paid $106,640 in inspection and regulatory program fees in 2009. Sounds good — except for the fact that state taxpayers paid $1.36 million to do that inspection and CWD monitoring work. With the loss of federal funding will the cost of inspections go up for the deer farms or will there be less inspections?
Let’s hope research will come up with a solution for this bad situation. Hopefully then we can come up with a plan.
Get Outdoors Downriver.
With all these deer dying there must be a plan to stop it or prevent it. No there is no plan even though many states have local deer populations that experience the disease. No baiting bans, no increase of the harvest in the area, just wait and hope the first frost comes early. The frost kills the little midges that spread the disease to the deer, problem solved.
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I wrote about this before in 2/12, the initial reaction by the state was to ban baiting in the Lower Peninsula. Increased harvesting in the surrounding area and increased testing of deer for CWD followed. Now, however, the federal funding has run out for the programs trying to deal with the disease and so has the interest.
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The principal changes to the plan are:
The plan will be implemented if a CWD-positive animal is found within 10 miles of the Michigan border, rather than 50 miles as in the original plan.
Baiting and feeding will be banned in any county within a 10-mile radius of where CWD is detected.
All Privately Owned Cervid facilities within that zone will be required to complete increased disease testing of their herds to monitor for signs of CWD.
If the disease is diagnosed in a Privately Owned Cervid facility, all facilities that have had contact (through purchases, sales or immediate contact) will undergo increased disease surveillance testing, and exposed animals will be removed from contact herds.
Once deer farms and CWD are there, the costs can become huge to inspect and monitor. One report showed that Michigan had approximately 450 deer farms and those farms paid $106,640 in inspection and regulatory program fees in 2009. Sounds good — except for the fact that state taxpayers paid $1.36 million to do that inspection and CWD monitoring work. With the loss of federal funding will the cost of inspections go up for the deer farms or will there be less inspections?
Let’s hope research will come up with a solution for this bad situation. Hopefully then we can come up with a plan.
Get Outdoors Downriver.
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Blitz, Blitz, Metro Park Blitz
This is the end of summer blitz at the Huron-Clinton Metro Parks. We all pay into the parks funding so this is an opportunity to take advantage of your tax dollars at work, just like going to the DIA for free. This weekend there's a Huron River clean up at Kensington Metro, on the 18th, along with an egg hunt, a monarch butterfly egg hunt on the 19th. Kensington is on the far reaches of my reporting area so I don't cover it much. It's on the lake you see just north of I-96 on the way up north or to Lansing.
Closer to home at Oakwoods Metro the normal canoe tour is being taken over by pirates, but only on Sat. the 18th.
“Arrgh, Mateys!” Come along and take a fun look at the pirate life. Discover if you have what it takes to sail the high seas..or at least to paddle the Huron River.
Event Fee: $5 per person
Show and tell about the American Lotus at Lake Erie Metropark Marshlands Museum & Nature Center on the 18th.
There is nothing small about the American Lotus. It has large leaves, large flowers, lives in a large bed and is worth spending a large amount of time looking at it. The boardwalk in the park is phenomenal.
Event Fee: $3 per person
Also on the 18th at Oakwoods there's a Marsh Cuisine 101 class. Come see how to catch and prepare a meal straight from the marsh. You will also learn the legal methods of harvesting, Guy Fieri or Rachel Ray however won't be there. Event Fee: $8 per person
On the 24th at Lower Huron "Cruzin the Park" will begin and run thru Sunday the 26th. Many different activities are planned so check out http://www.cruzinthepark.com/information.html for more info. To heighten the experience the park offers camping on site.
And if all this isn't enough on August 31st Oakwoods will be having a Blue Moon Hike and Bonfire.
Join us for a hike and then spend time around the bonfire. We will enjoy the second full moon in the month of August, the proverbial Blue Moon. Event Fee: $5 per person
Get Outdoors Downriver.
Closer to home at Oakwoods Metro the normal canoe tour is being taken over by pirates, but only on Sat. the 18th.
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Event Fee: $5 per person
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There is nothing small about the American Lotus. It has large leaves, large flowers, lives in a large bed and is worth spending a large amount of time looking at it. The boardwalk in the park is phenomenal.
Event Fee: $3 per person
Also on the 18th at Oakwoods there's a Marsh Cuisine 101 class. Come see how to catch and prepare a meal straight from the marsh. You will also learn the legal methods of harvesting, Guy Fieri or Rachel Ray however won't be there. Event Fee: $8 per person
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Get Outdoors Downriver.
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Spend Yurt Night in Hell
No it's spelled correctly. For all you procrastinators that have been putting of your staycations a "yurt" is a round semi-permanent structure, half tent, half house. They go back in history a long way, used by nomadic people yurts offered a more comfortable residence than just a tent.
As with the Glenbrook yurt, in the Pinckney Recreation Area, near Hell, Michigan the structure offers bunk beds
and couches which are usually not found in tent camping.
However, there is still the atmosphere of camping, being one with nature. Minus most bugs and ofcourse sleeping on the floor. Outside you will find a picnic table, grill and fire circle. A hand pump water well and outhouse are nearby. Boat rental is available and you will find easy access to a chain of lakes. A cooking stove is provided but bring a one pound propane cannister. You will also want to bring cooking utensils, pans and normal supplies for dining. Glenbrook Yurt is located on a ridge overlooking Portage River and Halfmoon Lake and the Potawatomi hiking trail is just a few paces away.
This yurt is accessible by biking, hiking and driving. You can play all day and dine in Hell at night. Hell, Michigan is just one mile away.
Cost per night is $60. Two night minimum on the weekends.
If availability dosen't fit your schedule now you can rent this yurt all year round and stay comfortable with the propane heater that's installed. This could only magnify the feeling of adventure.
Get Outdoors Downriver.
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and couches which are usually not found in tent camping.
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Cost per night is $60. Two night minimum on the weekends.
If availability dosen't fit your schedule now you can rent this yurt all year round and stay comfortable with the propane heater that's installed. This could only magnify the feeling of adventure.
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Get Outdoors Downriver.
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Local boy Makes Good, Karibu Kenya
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According to their info, Tembokanga Tours and Education Ventures is a socially conscious and environmentally responsible safari company that strives to provide its guests with unforgettable wildlife moments in a friendly atmosphere of unparalleled service. The ultimate goal of Tembokanga Tours and Education Ventures is to be the most reliable destination management company in East Africa by offering the highest standard, most reliable and cost-effective services to visitors. Located on the equator in Kenya, Tembokanga Tours and Education Ventures operates in the heart of the Rift Valley, providing its guests with unique, one-of-a-kind nature and cultural experiences.
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Alex and Bruce first met at Michigan Technological University in 2002. Alex was a study-abroad student, and Bruce was working on his master’s degree in applied ecology. After forging a bond of enduring friendship during their days at MTU, Alex and Bruce recently decided to form their ecotourism company, Tembokanga Tours and Education Ventures, in Kenya.
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In February, their dream of doing more to help Kenyans in need became reality with the registration of America-Kenya Connections as a nonprofit organization in Kenya. With the launch of America-Kenya Connections’ website in late May with a link for online donations, funds are being raised and projects are now being implemented on the ground in Kenya! They hope you’ll join in support of the many nonprofit charitable works in Kenya!
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Get Outdoors Downriver, you may never know where you'll end up.
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
The Heat is Killing Us
As if the heat and humidity isn't enough this report from the MDNR may mean these conditions will be affecting our fishing in the future.
There have been numerous fish kills recently reported from around the state, and staff from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources' Fisheries Division is tracking and monitoring these events.
“We appreciate the public letting us know where they are seeing unusual fish kill events,” said Jim Dexter, Fisheries Division chief. “This can be done by emailing reports to DNR-FISH-Report-Fish-Kills@michigan.gov.”
The combination of very high water temperatures and drought flow conditions have made conditions very stressful for fish and, in many cases, these conditions are beyond lethal temperatures for fish. Additionally, high water temperatures also often result in low oxygen values, particularly where there is a lot of vegetation.
“For example, water temperatures of nearly 90 degrees Fahrenheit were recorded in the lower Shiawassee River last week, which resulted in a small kill of northern pike as temperatures were beyond their physiological ability to handle these conditions,” explained Gary Whelan, DNR fish production manager. “We expect to see more of these fish kills until there are major changes in this summer’s weather.”
The overall fisheries effects of such events are often very local in nature and may not significantly change overall population numbers. However, population level effects are not known at this time and will take some time to fully evaluate.
“We recommend anglers be extra careful in handling and unhooking fish that are to be released to keep stress to a minimum. It is also best for our fish if anglers refrain from fishing during the hottest parts of the day and not keep fish to be released in live wells for very long,” continued Whelan. “Fishing in the early morning period is least stressful for fish, as it has the coolest water temperatures.”
Once most fish lose most of the oxygen in their blood they can't make up the loss and will die. Some like carp and largemouth bass have a special chemical in their blood that allows them to extract oxygen more readily from the water. At water temperatures of 80 F and above many fish will crossover that critical concentration and become what's called the living dead. The water can't hold enough oxygen and the fish can't absorb it fast enough. So fish in the morning to help the fish and yourself.
Get Outdoors Downriver.
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“We appreciate the public letting us know where they are seeing unusual fish kill events,” said Jim Dexter, Fisheries Division chief. “This can be done by emailing reports to DNR-FISH-Report-Fish-Kills@michigan.gov.”
The combination of very high water temperatures and drought flow conditions have made conditions very stressful for fish and, in many cases, these conditions are beyond lethal temperatures for fish. Additionally, high water temperatures also often result in low oxygen values, particularly where there is a lot of vegetation.
“For example, water temperatures of nearly 90 degrees Fahrenheit were recorded in the lower Shiawassee River last week, which resulted in a small kill of northern pike as temperatures were beyond their physiological ability to handle these conditions,” explained Gary Whelan, DNR fish production manager. “We expect to see more of these fish kills until there are major changes in this summer’s weather.”
The overall fisheries effects of such events are often very local in nature and may not significantly change overall population numbers. However, population level effects are not known at this time and will take some time to fully evaluate.
“We recommend anglers be extra careful in handling and unhooking fish that are to be released to keep stress to a minimum. It is also best for our fish if anglers refrain from fishing during the hottest parts of the day and not keep fish to be released in live wells for very long,” continued Whelan. “Fishing in the early morning period is least stressful for fish, as it has the coolest water temperatures.”
Once most fish lose most of the oxygen in their blood they can't make up the loss and will die. Some like carp and largemouth bass have a special chemical in their blood that allows them to extract oxygen more readily from the water. At water temperatures of 80 F and above many fish will crossover that critical concentration and become what's called the living dead. The water can't hold enough oxygen and the fish can't absorb it fast enough. So fish in the morning to help the fish and yourself.
Get Outdoors Downriver.
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Leviathan
What is it with our fascination of large fish? Is it a fear factor of not knowing what’s down below? Man has a natural instinct to fear large predators dating back to dinosaur times. I’m guessing T-rex had a lot to do with that. You’d think by now after having fire for over a million years we’d overcome our fear of the unknown and not be scared of any predators. After reports of a man being rescued by a bear from a mountain lion attack I guess we should still retain some of that caution. When you catch one of these big fish the feeling is of exhilaration and great joy. As, I’m sure, you would feel after winning a lottery. Is this because you’ve eliminated a large predator from the system or because the fish put up a good fight and was an enjoyable experience?
I think it’s more about things going right at the right time. The moment of truth so to speak much like hunting when game is spotted and the decision to harvest is made. The moment of truth when the trigger is pulled is much like netting a trophy fish. Everything has to go right and decisions are made in a split second that could affect the outcome of shooting or netting.
When there’s a report of a large fish caught everyone wants to see a picture. Put a mental record on some unbelievable statistics.
A 50” musky.
A 15.9 pound walleye that you netted yourself.
All these fish are large and some caught right here in the Detroit River. So...
Get Outdoors Downriver.
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A 50” musky.
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Friday, July 13, 2012
Michigan and Ohio Departments of Natural Resources Six Lake Erie water samples test positive for Asian carp eDNA
"Federal and state wildlife officials working in conjunction with academic researchers today announced six water samples taken from Sandusky and north Maumee bays tested positive for the presence of Asian carp environmental DNA in Michigan and Ohio waters.
The positive samples were among 417 taken from Lake Erie in August 2011, and more than 2,000 samples taken from the Great Lakes Basin since 2010. The Lake Erie batch was recently analyzed and test results were confirmed by eDNA researchers this week. The six positive samples represent less than 1.5 percent of the Lake Erie samples.
Since 2010, the Michigan DNR, Ohio DNR, USFWS, University of Notre Dame, Central Michigan University and the Nature Conservancy have partnered to collect water samples from Great Lakes basin waters, including the Chicago Area Waterway System, southern Lake Michigan, western Lake Erie and tributary streams of lakes Michigan and Erie. The collaborative early-detection Asian carp surveillance program is funded by the USFWS with a federal Great Lakes Restoration Initiative grant, administered under the Asian Carp Control Strategy Framework".
So are we on the slippery slope heading for Great Lakes deserts or is this an over reach by the departments involved. As with CWD worry was at fever pitch until the funding dried up and then less aggresive treatment philosophies were adopted. The government has been fighting an increase in the Asian carp battle funding. Now they may have to incease the budgets or assign more resources to the problem.
Just recently there were reports of studies that said the Asian carp wouldn't have any adverse affect of the Great Lakes and that they would destroy the Great Lakes. If the funding is increased then people doing studies on the problem may get government backing. Lets hope these samples get expained away and we won't have to worry about the problem as of yet. Finding Asian carp DNA in a Chicago canal near where we know the fish are found is one thing but 3 1/2 Great Lakes away is a different story.
Get Outdoors Downriver (before the good fish are gone)
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Since 2010, the Michigan DNR, Ohio DNR, USFWS, University of Notre Dame, Central Michigan University and the Nature Conservancy have partnered to collect water samples from Great Lakes basin waters, including the Chicago Area Waterway System, southern Lake Michigan, western Lake Erie and tributary streams of lakes Michigan and Erie. The collaborative early-detection Asian carp surveillance program is funded by the USFWS with a federal Great Lakes Restoration Initiative grant, administered under the Asian Carp Control Strategy Framework".
So are we on the slippery slope heading for Great Lakes deserts or is this an over reach by the departments involved. As with CWD worry was at fever pitch until the funding dried up and then less aggresive treatment philosophies were adopted. The government has been fighting an increase in the Asian carp battle funding. Now they may have to incease the budgets or assign more resources to the problem.
Just recently there were reports of studies that said the Asian carp wouldn't have any adverse affect of the Great Lakes and that they would destroy the Great Lakes. If the funding is increased then people doing studies on the problem may get government backing. Lets hope these samples get expained away and we won't have to worry about the problem as of yet. Finding Asian carp DNA in a Chicago canal near where we know the fish are found is one thing but 3 1/2 Great Lakes away is a different story.
Get Outdoors Downriver (before the good fish are gone)
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Kid's Day
Head to Lake Erie Metro Park on July 15th for Kid's Day from noon to 4 pm.
Kids will have free use of inflatables, including a moon walk, obstacle course and giant slide, plus a DJ, magic and a puppet show. There will be 100 bicycle helmets handed out to kids on a first come, first serve basis. For additional information, contact the Lake Erie Metropark at 734-379-5020.
Located along the Huron and Clinton rivers, the Huron-Clinton Metroparks provide a natural oasis from urban and suburban life as well as year-round recreational activities and events. A regional park system, the Metroparks consist of 13 beautiful parks covering 25,000 acres, 10 spectacular public golf courses and two marinas on Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair, respectively. The parks also offer scenic nature trails, breathtaking beaches, educational activities and exciting winter sports.
Kids will have free use of inflatables, including a moon walk, obstacle course and giant slide, plus a DJ, magic and a puppet show. There will be 100 bicycle helmets handed out to kids on a first come, first serve basis. For additional information, contact the Lake Erie Metropark at 734-379-5020.
Located along the Huron and Clinton rivers, the Huron-Clinton Metroparks provide a natural oasis from urban and suburban life as well as year-round recreational activities and events. A regional park system, the Metroparks consist of 13 beautiful parks covering 25,000 acres, 10 spectacular public golf courses and two marinas on Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair, respectively. The parks also offer scenic nature trails, breathtaking beaches, educational activities and exciting winter sports.
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Muskiecopia
The Detroit River and it's surrounding waters has to be the largest cornucopia of fish and fishing opportunities in the world. From checking my Michigan Outdoor News I find reports of anglers taking over limits of silver bass. Silver bass? The scourge of the spring walleye enthusiast, silver bass are very popular somewhere. It was reported that the DNR caught enough illegal fishers to confiscate over 900 silvers. Included in one report was the fact that the department would receive $5 for each illegally caught fish. That's over $4500 for the state coffers in just a few weeks and I'm sure there were more busts than what was reported. They're fun to catch but not at that price.
Now that they're gone and the river is settling back to normal the walleye are biting again. Many catches have been made and there are also many throwbacks that will be legal in just a couple of months. While chasing the waldos my son that is jersey-less and a V1 swing software salesman encountered a different fish species just last week.
This is a 45” muskie caught on a walleye jig. Quite a surprise and a little disappointment for him since he didn't get it on one of the baits he normally uses for these fish. Gary and Ben enjoyed the show.
Now it's my turn. Just last Sunday we were out after some walleyes when I got a surprise.
Catching these fish is always fun but once they're in the boat care must be taken as not to get injured or hurt the fish.
As we're heading back for another drift, Jason says Bondy always says there are more than one musky in a spot so we switched over to Bondy baits. These things are big and bulky and hard to jig but there what the muskies want. Sure enough in almost the same spot I hooked the first one I got bit by another musky on the Bondy bait. After the strike I tried to set the hook but there was just slack in the line. Suddenly behind us we heard why, the musky was trashing around on the surface trying to dislodge the bait. Soon it was heading for Davey Jones' locker, the slack was gone and the fight was on. This one was a little bigger than the first and not as cooperative, ending up flopping back in while I was trying to measure it.
We ended up with 2 walleye and 2 musky, quite a productive day. I just goes to show you no matter from boat or shore you never know what you can catch from the Detroit River.
Get Outdoors Downriver
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Now it's my turn. Just last Sunday we were out after some walleyes when I got a surprise.
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As we're heading back for another drift, Jason says Bondy always says there are more than one musky in a spot so we switched over to Bondy baits. These things are big and bulky and hard to jig but there what the muskies want. Sure enough in almost the same spot I hooked the first one I got bit by another musky on the Bondy bait. After the strike I tried to set the hook but there was just slack in the line. Suddenly behind us we heard why, the musky was trashing around on the surface trying to dislodge the bait. Soon it was heading for Davey Jones' locker, the slack was gone and the fight was on. This one was a little bigger than the first and not as cooperative, ending up flopping back in while I was trying to measure it.
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We ended up with 2 walleye and 2 musky, quite a productive day. I just goes to show you no matter from boat or shore you never know what you can catch from the Detroit River.
Get Outdoors Downriver
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