Click here for my first Salmon I caught on Oct. 1, 1968

Archived Daily Log 
(Dating back to the year 2000)

1/29/10  Our featured photo of the day shows the only Master Angler fish I took the time to register for myself.  It's an Atlantic Salmon coming in at a few ounces over 12 pounds to make the Master Angler (12lbs.).  This picture was snapped in front of the Frankfort Tackle Box right across the street from the public boat launch in late May of 1985.
           1985 was a phenomenal fishery for spring Kings off the pier heads in Frankfort, MI.  Had 2 charters the day I caught the Atlantic.  Morning group (5 persons) was boxed out fast with 25 Salmon.  Afternoon trip was done early too with 20 Kings (4 persons). 
           Fishing was so good my deckhand and I went back out towards evening and took our limits.  Being 9 Kings & the Atlantic Salmon I caught. Click 1985 12# Atlantic           
           Reason this port was lousy with Kings?  Spawning alewives were thicker than bugs on a bumper & the Kings were eating like a herd of fat people at a free smorgasbord. 
           I learned a good lesson on this very day we caught 55 fish that served me well the rest of my charter career.  It was the fish, not me, or any inflated charter ego that made these Salmon attack our baits like zombies from a "Day of the Dead" movie!

1/28/10  The setup on today's featured photo is from 1975 and shows my wife hoisting a trophy for it's time, a 21 pound plus Lake Trout.  This fish was huge for this era, as the feds and state had just begun a Lake Trout restoration program in, or around the mid 1960s.  This jumbo Laker was caught close to the now removed Big Rock nuke plant just north of Charlevoix, MI in Little Traverse Bay.  The 21 pounder fell prey to a big flashy ancient LG Johnson spoon fished on 500-600 feet of monel wire to get to the bottom.
            Let's look back at the antique Portage and Mac Jac downriggers of the late 1960s into the early 1970s.  These commercial riggers were little more than washing machine pulleys and a 5/8" nut and bolt.  Line counter was 2' a turn, cuz you counted turns to figure depth. Sounds primitive ....eh?  Click 1975 21lb. pig Lk. MI Lake Trout
            In today's image there's an old Mac Jac rigger painted red on the stern of the boat.  It was functional and reasonably priced.  Portage riggers were even less fancy, as there was no fiberglass rod with a roller end for cable.  Only a pulley on a flat wood board with an upright aluminum stanchion to hold the washing machine vee belt pulley.  Neither rigger included a rod holder.  You were on your own to figure that one out!

1/27/10  Need to get off memory lane today and announce Manistee's new weather station.  This station sits towards the S pier inside the harbor. Click Manistee Station
It's plenty open enough to give us a good reading on the wind concerning how hard it's blowing.  This is a godsend for the trailer boat fleet who can access this info at home.
           In the past ...Manistee anglers had to use the remote station down by Big Point Sable.  A good 12 miles to the south of Manistee proper. This new station is active now and here's what it's said last evening.  Manistee, MI conditions at MEEM4 as of (6:40 pm EST) on evening of 01/26/2010:

1/26/09  For today's update let's look at the rarest fish I've caught in 4 score and one year on the Great Lakes.  That fish would be a Splake.  If you interbreed a Lake Trout with a Brook Trout ...the outcome up is a Splake. Click 1990 Lk. Huron Splake
            In 41 years and thousands of hours with lines in the water ...my tally on Splake is only one!  That uncommon fish was caught off Alaskan Bay out of Port Austin, MI on Lake Huron on 7/26/90.  Splake have a squarer tail than a Laker and tend to be more rotund.  Not too mention how scrappy they are and the reel-fact Splake readily jump out of the water.  Jumping out of the water is not normally in Mr. Lake Trout's bag of tricks. 
            Another interesting fact about today's photo it proves I was into pulling wire divers back on 7/26/90.  So, do not think wire divers are all that new to our fishery.  Actually, I starting using wire for diver line, cuz back then Spectra Fiber lines were not out yet.  Braid didn't happen on a wide spread scale basis until about 1992-1994.
        Tomorrow's update will take a look at Manistee's brand new weather station

1/25/10  All you're gonna get from me this week is fish stories during my anniversary celebration of 41 years on the Great Lakes.  Plus, 10 years on the on the internet!
            Today's featured photo is from 1979.  Making this image 31 years old.  It was taken off the north tip of North Manitou Island on Lk. MI in early August.  It shows Paul holding a brace of Coho and Lester with a decent King.  We doubled on the Coho right away then wandered around and lucked into the King later that morning. 
             I say wandered around, ...cuz GPS was a distant idea and Loran C's were in the 3k range.  In 1979 three grand was a reel-healthy chuck of change, probably the equivalent of the best part $9,000.00 today. Click 1979 N Manitou Island Salmon
             You'll notice the el-cheapo Luhr Jensen manual downriggers that left a lot to be desired.  In 1979 diver rods were not even being made yet.  Lead core and copper were years off in the future before these two old time methods were resurrected again. 
             Simple fishing then, 4 rods, 4 riggers.  Some 1970s era charter boats used divers, but they used Deep Sixes, or drop weights on outriggers.  Dipsy Divers never took off until about 1985-86.  Just about the same time 10' diver rods hit the market.

1/24/10  Starting today and this coming week let's celebrate the 10 anniversary of this website being on the web.  Jan. 2000 signaled the beginning of daily updates covering a wide range of topics.  Everything from charter customer catches to timely subjects in the news.  Like the plague of Asian Carp have graced the pages of this website. 
           At this point in time approx. 3672 daily updates have been published and more coming everyday!  Not to mention the 70 some fishing articles I've written. 
           OK, now for the setup on the big King in the old Polaroid photo.  It was taken in Oct. of 1976.  This huge King was caught in the Betsie River & would have released it, but the Salmon eggs brought a $1.00 to a $1.50 a lb.  Back then it was legal to sell eggs.
           I positioned the King on the cleaning table, because there was no way my wife could hold this massive fish. To keep the fish from sliding ...she got her a hand around the tail, then hoisted it's giant head.  Click 1976 Betsie River King Salmon
           Back then, most all Kings were 25 pounds & better.  I called this fish a Tyee, cuz on the west coast Kings that exceed 30 pounds earn that rank.

1/23/10  From the bottom of my heart ...thanks to all who took the time to sign anti Asian Carp petition.  According to Rachel Hurley from MI's AG's office there were 17,000 signers before their website was fully endorsed and listed here.  Last I knew the 17,000 number had grown to about 28,000 signatories and that was a good 2 days ago!
            Let's build on that number even more for the upcoming Asian Carp summit.  Leaders of the Great Lakes States have meeting scheduled with the Obama White House during 1st week of February concerning the imminent threat of the nasty Asian Carp.
            Michigan's AG & Governor can hand our petition to Chicago's number 1 homeboy, Pres. Barack ...proof there's 1000s of us pissed off at his ill-advised policy in backing his home-state & hometown.  To sign? click: www.stopasiancarp.com

1/22/10  Original intent was to use today's topic a couple of days ago, but important breaking news on the impending  invasion of the Asian Carp keep delaying the below:
            10/1/09 slipped my mind as my 41st anniversary catching Salmon from our Great Lakes.  10/1/68 caught my first Coho out of Frankfort, MI.  41 years later to the exact day we took 5 Lk. Michigan Kings off the Port of Manistee, MI.  Click 1968-2009 Salmon
            Ironic how this played out, cuz it wasn't planned.  Getting involved with big lake Salmon fishing has defined my life.  First, as a sport fisherman from 1968 thru 1982.  Then as a fulltime, year around river-guide/charter skipper from 1983 thru 2003. 
            In 2004 I went into tackle manufacturing.  I count myself blessed ...having made a living from 1983 until today with industries directly associated with our the Great Lakes. 
                     The last 41 years, going on 42 have been a heck of a ride!

1/21/10  US Rep. Dave Camp (R-MI) introduced H.R. 4472, the CARP ACT legislation seal off access to the Big Head and Silver Asian Carp thru IL and IN waterways.  The Obama administration has a meeting scheduled for the first week of February with the states arguing for immediate closure of the Chicago Drain's access points to Lk. MI.
               Personally, I feel cheated with Obama's ill advised reckless backing of IL in keeping their canals open ...in spite of the clear danger it presents!  It's overtly wrong to show favoritism to any one certain state. Click H.R. 4472 Carp Act
            This ongoing saga Asian Carp continues with the US Supreme Court was not privy to the latest DNA evidence confirming the presence of these fish in Lk. Michigan's Calumet Harbor.  It's my most sincere belief we're being fed the DNA evidence piece meal.
            First these Carp are confirmed breaching the electric barrier (back in Nov. 2009). Then DNA is confirmed at the Wilmette Pumping Station adjacent to Lk. Michigan (1/11/10)Now, Asian Carp DNA is confirmed in IL's Calumet Harbor with direct contact and into Lake Michigan (1/20/10).  Whatever is going on smells like a fish story and not 100% the truth.

1/20/10  As you've probably already heard, the US Supreme Court did not rule in favor of Michigan yesterday.  The plea from MI, NY, OH, MN, and the Province of Ontario to close off access of the dreaded Asian Carp into Lk. MI/Great Lakes fell on deaf ears. 
           The US Army Corp of Engineers has disclosed recent DNA test results from Lake Michigan's Calumet Harbor confirming the presence of Asian Carp DNA.
           Rachel Hurley, Director of Legislative Relations from Office of Michigan's Attorney General Mike Cox called and asked me personally to support their efforts with their petition.  Rachel said they had 17,000 signatures.  Click here petition info
           Please, let's move that number to at least 18,000 today.  Michigan's AG has been on point to save our Great Lakes fishery and the 7 billion dollar industry it supports ...including my tackle business.  There's too much on the line not to sign!

1/19/10  Referring back to yesterday's photo the yellow boat in the image is going across what the locals call, "the meat hole."  Right off the end of the Manistee's south pier there's a hole to almost 40'.  While the rest of the harbor depth ranges from 22' to 25'.  This 38' to 40' "meat hole" stays dug out by river current.  Hard north blows push the water towards the south pier.  Flowage from the Little & Big Manistee Rivers does the rest. 
             Incidentally, water depth off Manistee's north pier ...where the big light house sits ...can come up on 12' sand bar in a big hurry. Click Manistee's "meat hole"
             In years past it's been my pleasure to come thru the "meat hole" and double up on brutal rampaging adult Kings in the 20-30 pound bracket ...back in my charter days.
 Supreme Court has ruled against Michigan's lawsuit to close IL Asian Carp access today.

1/18/10  Let's go with a two part update that will carry into tomorrow.  Today's featured photo is Manistee's south pier head.  On top of what I call the candy cane (red & white lighthouse) sits a red light for navigation in restricted visibility, or in the dark. 
            There's a red light on the top on this mini-lighthouse.  If you remember "red-right-return" and keep this red light to the right of your vessel when returning from a evening fish, you'll never pile your boat up on top of the break-wall. Click Manistee's S pier
            Bottom half of this photo shows a person with limited navigational skills not paying attention to the "red-right-return" rule that has served me well for 4 decades on Lk. MI.
            Every season a number of dufusses drive their boats up on break-walls with injury to themselves and passengers from not being knowledgeable seaman. 
            Tomorrow's update will focus on local Manistee flora, fauna, and folk lore!

1/17/10  Working in the product design arena in the USA is very rewarding for me.  A phone call, 2 emails from the design engineer and the final revision put my new tool for cutting 12" lure tape to bed.  Half-lure tapes are used in flashers like the Black Mamba.
            Final computer aided drawing (CAD .dwg file) is now the hands of the company in IL that will build the rotary die cutting tool for WTP (Witch Craft Lure Tape) in Coloma, MI.  CAD is how everything is built nowadays.  Click designing new die
            It's only right to thank lead CAD design engineer "Getaway" Bob K. for his genius and ability to come to a meeting of the minds so quickly.  Stuff like this amazes me!

1/16/10  Need to thank the weather gods for the plus 30 degree heat wave besieging Manistee County, MI as of lately.  It's wonderful to see water melt ...even a little bit.
            This winter (knock on wood) has been a lot more mild then what we experienced just a year ago.  Let's all hope it keeps up!

1/15/10  Something you don't hear a lot about in this day and age is a 5 species "Grand Slam."  To qualify for a slam you need a Steelhead/Rainbow, Brown Trout, Lake Trout, King and Coho Salmon.  A multi-species fishery is a healthy fishery!
            I've had several Grand Slams over the years with Port Austin, MI on Lk. Huron in the late 1980s and early 1990s as being one of the best multi species fisheries in our state.  Times have sure changed with a slam nowadays probably a rarity.
            To the uneducated eye ... all 5 species might look alike, but there's enough subtle details to discern each type of fish at a glance.  Click 5 species Grand Slam

1/14/10  One year ago to the day, the high temp was 14 degrees and the low was 6 degrees.  Last year we got hammered by snow and received 102 inches by this same date.
           Today's high is supposed to be 38 and the low is predicted to be 30.  Best news is snowfall is less than 1/2 of last year during this same time span (45" vs. 102").
            Another tidbit of good weather news is this year we'll have a January thaw with temps in the low 40s by next Monday.  A luxury we never saw in January 2009.
            Please send a minute or two checking out the correct slight bend put in whole bait.  I've got 6 photo "how-to" decoupage that locks you in on how be successful when using whole bait.  Try it ...you'll like it!  Click rigging whole bait

1/13/10  Think it's just about time to throw in the towel and admit the Asian Carp have entered the Great Lakes.  Most recent DNA tests have all, ...but said so.
            On 1/11/10 the Army Corp of Engineers acknowledged a fresh batch of DNA test evidence from the Wilmette Pumping Station confirming Asian Carp DNA.  Worst possible news in times of flooding? ...water flows into Lk. MI from this pumping station.
            DNA evidence is impossible to oppose.  DNA can put people on death row, or clear them of a crime.  Crime in this case is? ...the locks weren't closed years ago!
            I've came to the conclusion all we're seeing is political posturing, as it's time play, "cover your ~ss." Better known in this day & age as CYA! Click Carp DNA Chart

1/12/10  Yesterday's update laid the foundation of the public's low perception of the Carp.  Therein is the problem, just name Carp implies undesirable.  Anything associated with it is trash fish and unfit for human consumption.
            The State of Louisiana really thinks their citizens are ignorant.  Louisiana's plan is to rename the Asian Carp to Sliver Fin elevating it's status.  I cannot believe descendents from a population who soundly whipped the British in the War of 1812 is stupid to buy into the Sliver Fin as a more desirable fish, or something other than a nasty old Carp.

1/11/10  According to what I read, the common Carp was brought to our shores in the 1830s.  This fish was set free on the east coast in the 1870s.  Back then unenlightened Carp supporters were proclaiming it was a wonder fish. 
            These fish never caught on with the American public, cuz they are boney and have an overpowering strong, fishy flavor.  Sewer bass and bugle-nosed trout are a couple of the not so pleasant nicknames for Carp that are often used.
            The rest is history, as the lowly common Carp spread to most every body of water in the USA with limited help from mankind.  Carp rank on the bottom rung of all fish.
            Below Freshwater Drum/Sheephead and Suckers in my book.  In fact, the trashy common Carp is ranked so low ...these fish need a step ladder to crawl over a dime!
            Interested side notes to my Carp investigation is the Romans raised them, along with the monks in Europe all thru the middle ages.  As you probably already know our present day common Carp have their roots in the far east.  Like the impending Asian Carp fiasco that threatens the entire Great Lakes and connecting waters.

1/10/10  Posted a photo showing the 3 snip method I use to prepare whole Red Label sized bait on the boat.  This eliminates all processing beforehand.  It's easy, quick, and proven highly productive.  Click visual "how to" prepare bait
            Existing "Rigging with Red" article in the Tips and Tricks section in the will be updated near future.  For now, I'm sure you get the drift from the 6 in 1 image.
            With necessity being the mother of invention came up with the 3 step scissor snip method, cuz I forgot to do meat the night before.  Had to grab some unthawed bait out of the freezer in the morning for immediate usage.  I tossed the hard frozen bait on the motor box as we headed towards Manistee, MI's boat launch.  By the time we got to the launch ...a trip of 12 miles it had thawed enough for 3 snips and use in the water!
          My Manistee winter snowometer now stands at 45" since November 2009!

1/9/10  Been kinda weighted down with negative issues surrounding the IL Asian Carp deal.  So, it's time for an upbeat positive outlook on the new 2010 season.  What promised does 2010 hold for us?  Will it be better than 2009?  Only time will tell!
           Gonna go out on a limb and predict the 2010 Monkey Puke Meat Rig will be number 1, or 2 in overall sales for this season.  I witnessed the results and seen the preference displayed by Mr. King Salmon last season.  This was my number one producer, followed closely by the Sparkler Red.  Which was devastating too!

1/8/10  Illinois on 1/5/09 filed a counter lawsuit to foil Michigan's attempt at closing the Chicago Drainage Canal/System.  Let the word, "drainage" stick large in your mind, as untold bazillions of gallons have been siphoned off the Great Lakes by the State of Illinois.  Let alone the urgent peril of Asian Carp setting up house keeping at your favorite port.
           It seems the City of Chicago used propaganda to spin a story about thousands dying from endemic water-born diseases back in the 1880s.  Most historians are now disputing this as hogwash. Population numbers from back then ...just don't add up. 
           It's time for the State of Illinois to man-up and admit they took the easy cheap fix to cure their sewage treatment problems.  Plus, illegal by all of today's standards.
           Illinois needs to quit hiding behind a bunch of fast talking lawyers and President Barack Obama's misguided influence. Click Chicago River warning sign!
           Stimulus money instead of being wasted should be brought to bear on reconstructing Chicago's sewage treatment and storm water run off.  Projects that pay long term rewards are better than repaving Stronach Road, off M55 in Manistee Co.  This road was in far better shape than most roads in Manistee, got repaved and ...didn't need it?  While signs proudly proclaimed this un-needed project was funded by the stimulus bill.
          My Manistee winter snowometer now stands at 44" since November 2009!

1/7/10  Here's five important questions for you today:
1. Does your current line of tackle produce in the off peak hours? 
2. Problems catching after the early and late bite? 
3. Do you feel the party is over after 9am in full bright sun? 
4. When you leave the dock are you lacking confidence? 
5. Can you take doubles in the middle of the day hours?
6. Having problems getting your attractor program work all season long?
7. Not sure if your flashers, meat rigs, or flies are made in the USA?
8. When you order tackle would you like to speak directly with the owner?
9. Does your flasher company supply you with an Encyclopedia of Tips & Tricks?
10. Has your flasher company been a source of daily fishing news for the last 10 years?
   Click 4 doubleheaders 2007 thru 2009   Click 4 doubleheaders 2005 thru 2007
If your answer is not a quick easy yes?  Please consider my line of tackle ...'nough said! 

1/6/10  The Obama White House Solicitor General Elena Kagan asked the U.S. Supreme Court to reject a request by Michigan and several other states to order the locks closed. Kagan said doing so would endanger public safety and disrupt the flow of cargo.
            The Obama administration has made a tragic mistake by filing a motion with the US Supreme Court to dismiss the lawsuit filed by Michigan to close the Chicago Canal. 
            This is beyond ignorant. cuz absolutely nothing can be gained by supporting the environmental abortion known as the Chicago Drainage Canal. 
             By doing so, you assume all responsibility if the Asian Carp to take over the Great Lakes and all adjoining waters.  Bad-bad move considering the states of NY, MI, WI, IN, and OH all voted Obama in during the last election. 
             If fate and the court does not intervene on our behalf, these Asian Carp will now become known as the Obama Carp ...if they infest our Great Lakes as predicted!

1/5/10  Need to take issue with an article in the New York Times penned by Monica Davey.  Her title of "Fight Against Asian Carp Threatens Fragile Great Lakes Unity" is the furthest thing from the truth.  It shows Ontario, MI, WI, MN, NY & OH onboard for closing the Chicago Drainage Canal.  Indiana is said to be filing a brief on behalf of MI and joining the movement to close this canal too. Click for this The New York Times article
            As a mater of fact several states and Canada are agreeing on canal closure now!
            Let's be honest.  If Chicago attempted to build a reverse flow river into the Mississippi River from the Great Lakes this project would never get off the ground in 2010!
            My prediction is the Supreme Court will rule in favor of canal closure with speed seldom associated with the our highest court in the land, as the Asian Carp are an immediate threat to colonize our Great Lakes Watershed. 

1/4/10  Posted a photo of the first and last Salmon of the 2009 season.  We took a Coho on 5/5/09 and our last King was 10/1/09.  This shows my BTI 10" flashers are proven to work all season long.  Click for 1st and last Salmon of 2009
            As the photo shows, BTI's perform equally well with flies, or meat rigs. 
            Here's a fact that needs mentioning, the color red works all season long too.
            Interesting side note to the first and last fish of 2009?  Both fish came on divers.  Are you looking to gain a little more insight into diver fishing techniques?  For today only, I've opened up our private message board where hot diver topic is located for public access.  If you'd like to see the quality of our inside private info: click here
          My Manistee winter snowometer now stands at 40" since November 2009

1/3/10  It was déjà vu all over again concerning yesterday's update about additional states joining Michigan's bid to shut the Chicago Canal down.  My 12/23/09 update was along that same line without the use of a crystal ball.  Need to thank website members SteveO and Flat Rate for the leads that went into yesterday's story.
         Just in:  Ontario has filed a supporting motion concerning Michigan's lawsuit to close the Chicago Canal to stop the Asian Carp.  This was done last Thursday and info to verify this was supplied by website member fishdodger.
        My Manistee winter snowometer now stands at 38" since November 2009

1/2/09  The lawsuit started by Michigan to close the Chicago Canal has been joined by WI, MN, and OH.  Closure is to prevent more Asian Carp (Silver & Bighead) from entering Lk. MI.  I said more, cuz DNA tests already confirmed the Asian Carp were above the sham of the poorly designed multimillion dollar electric barrier ...that at best only works to 98% effectiveness.  Having MI, OH, WI and MN onboard adds credence to this lawsuit.
             Our US Supreme Court has already ruled against the Chicago Drainage Canal in 1930.  Stating it was illegal.  Good thing is the mid-term elections are on the way and political pressure will surely bring action, as foot dragging will cost votes.  Unless I miss my guess, look for the Supreme Court to rule in favor of closing this canal.  Keeping the Great Lakes Basin and the Mississippi watershed separate is paramount!
             If luck is on our side look for this lawsuit resolved quickly.  Reason? ...our EPA brought these fish here in the first place in 1973 and again around 1980. 
             The word about the Asian Carp is out, but the full story on who's responsible for bringing them here is still hush-hush!  Question is ....who's is gonna protect us from our "dumber than a stump" Environmental Protection Agency? 
                      My Manistee winter snowometer now stands at 35"

1/1/10   Happy New Year!  May 2010 be a banner year for you in all your endeavors!
Have a wonderful New Years present for you.  Wisconsin's Att. General, J.B. Van Hollen has filed a brief with the US Supreme Court supporting Michigan's lawsuit to close the Chicago Canal system to prevent more Asian Carp from entering the Great Lakes Basin.   Also, Minnesota & Ohio have filed a supportive briefs.  More tomorrow on this...