I would like to tell you that every time I go fishing I catch fish. unfortunately not so. It doesn’t happen very often but there are times and circumstances that it does happen.Our last fishing trip was a fish disaster. We had 2 steady days of rain and cool weather. I should of waited a couple days for the weather changes to settle in. But I had been busy and just wanted to get out and do some fishing. And to make maters even worse the Power Company that controls the reservoir where we fish started to drain it.So when you have tried every thing and the fish don’t bite- what do you do? Enjoy what is around you. Here are some pictures we took on this outing. I hope you have a great Holiday. If you do any fishing I wish you the best of Luck.

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We haven’t had a very hot summer here. Hot weather is really what you want for this type of fishing. The last few days have produced some 90 degree temps driving those fish into the deep water. A lot of fisherman miss this. Watch for close to shore drop offs. Such as above power dams or water reservoirs. Use plastic worms or crawlers. Fish them either on or close to the bottom. Time of day? Believe it or not-mid day when the weather is hot can produce some really nice fish. Give it a try.

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I am always looking for good fish recipes. This looked a little different so I thought I would give it a try. It was good. The mashed potato flakes make it nice and crispy. We used this on our last catch of crappies. 　

Ingredients

1. 2 cups all purpose flower

2. 3 teaspoons salt 3. 3 teaspoons Cajun seasoning4. 1 ½ teaspoons pepper5. 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon

6. 2 lbs pan fish fillets

7. 2 eggs

8. ¼ cup milk

9. 2 cups mashed potato flakes

10. 6 tablespoons vegetable oil/ divided

Directions

1. Use a plastic bag and combine the spices and flour. Shake the fish in the bag one piece at a time to coat the fillets.

2. Mix or Wisk the eggs and milk together.

3. Put the potato flakes in a shallow dish.

4. Dip the fish in the eggs and milk, then roll in the potato flakes-then back into the eggs and milk and coat in the potato flakes again.

5. Pan fry until done- about 5 minutes on each side or until the fish flakes with a fork. Add the oil as needed.

These come out a nice golden brown.

Enjoy

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What a week! 2 feet of snow-then 70 degrees the next day. Low water was a problem. But not anymore. Now it is just the opposite. The good news is as the water levels fall this coming week the fishing could be great. there are steelhead in the area. Fish are being caught off the breakwater and marina by the sport shop . As usual it seems to be the best in the early morning or evening. A kind of a mixed bag is being used for bait. Spoons, Spawn and crawlers all seem to be working.Tip-Best bet use 2 lines. Set one on the bottom with crawlers or spawn and cast spoons with the other.

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Have you have been wanting to try ice fishing in Michigan? The up coming week end may be a great time. Michigan’s free fishing weekend February 14^th and 15^th. Maybe you have wanted to try some Trout and Salmon fishing on the great lakes but did not want to spend the additional money for a Trout and Salmon Stamp. Now is the time.If you would like additional information and a list of Free Fishing Week Activities click on the link below.

 Michigan Free Fishing Weekend

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Ice fishing reports have been pretty weak here on the bay. I guess extremely cold weather brings good and bad. The good news is the ice is developing quickly in the deeper water bringing with it some nice catches of Lake Trout. If you can endure the cold long enough to set up your ice fishing tent. As the weather warms we should have enough ice for some great fishing. Get yourself some wire line, a bobbing stick and some jigs and you are ready to go.

Ice Fishing Tip- Lake Trout are usually in deep water. Use a deep water Fish Locater and keep an extra line ready to go. If you start marking fish between you and the bottom, say 20, 30, 40 feet this could be a school of Salmon. Get that extra line into the water.

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What a change in the weather here in upper Michigan. From a really nice fall- almost instantly to cold and snow. Oh well I guess it is time. Thanks Giving and Christmas are right around the corner. By Christmas we should be doing some ice fishing on the inland lakes.Early ice fishing is hot. But you must be careful. Know the lake you are fishing. Deeper water- thinner ice. Do not go it alone. Test the ice with your ice bar close to shore and work your way out. Don’t take any unnecessary risks its not worth it. If you don’t feel comfortable with the thickness of the ice don’t go out on it. Watch for wet spots. Even when the ice is thick a wet area can indicate a spring or current creating weak ice in that area. Approach it with caution or better yet not at all. Ok enough preaching!So the ice is safe. Are you ready?Now is a good time to check your equipment. Replace last years line. Check your ice fishing tent.Start your power auger if you have one. Maybe replace the plug and do a little fine tuning. Nothing is more discouraging then when all of a sudden you find out the ice is safe and nothing is ready.

If you are fishing for pan fish keep the line light-2 or 4 lb test. Fish the edges of the weed beds in about 10 or 12 feet of water. Later in the winter when it gets colder you may have to move to deeper water.

Carry a good assortment of ice fishing jigs. The color or style they are hitting on today may not be the same tomorrow. Believe me this can make a huge difference.

Here in our area it can be a real challenge to get ice fishing grubs early in the season. What I do is go searching for golden rod balls. If you don’t know what these are, an insect lays an egg in the stem of the golden rod and the plant forms a ball around it that protects the larva. If you cut these balls in half you will find the grub on the inside. They are small but make an excellent grub for early ice fishing. Use them like you would use a wax worm or a mousse.

If you have a good lake for brook trout-Night crawlers seem to work real well with early ice.

Fish High- Try different depths from the bottom. With early ice don’t be surprised if you find the fish just below the bottom of the ice. If you are set deep and they are not hitting-move it up.

So get ready. Ice fishing is just around the corner.

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I hope you all had a good summer. I guess what they say is true-the older you get the faster time goes by. I like ice fishing but much prefer the open water and the warmer weather.Don’t get me wrong there are many good things about fall. This is a fishing and hunting paradise and in the fall you can do them both!

Lake Trout fishing remained good all summer here in the bay. The salmon stayed in but the fishing was spotty. As the cooler fall weather settles in we should start to see the salmon running up the rivers. I believe we are due for a pink salmon run in the Falls river this year. If this materializes I will keep you posted.

I like this fish canned. I will often add some liquid smoke to the jar just before processing. It gives it a great taste. I have eaten these fresh and was not all that impressed. However just recently I was told I was wrong. A friend of mine said they are great. Worth another try I guess. The bait of choice for this fish is a spinner bait. Pretty much the same thing you would use for Trout fishing.

What a year for pan fish in this area-one good tip after another. I am sorry to see it coming to an end.

The fall fishing in the bay can be awesome. It is possible to catch almost anything. Steelhead, brown trout, salmon and who knows maybe even a walleye or bass.

So if you get a chance break away from football on Sunday afternoon and do some fishing.

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It looks like it is going to be a great summer here in upper Michigan for hunting wild mushrooms. We are getting a lot of rain and that is a key ingredient. What I call the summer mushrooms appear to be just starting. The first edible Boletus I am usually able to find is the Boletus Subglabripes. This is a good mushroom when it is real young but turns very soft with age. During the years when this wild mushroom is plentiful I dry them to use in roasts and other meals I add mushrooms to. They dry and reconstitute very well. I have included the picture of a spore print in this post for this mushroom. Just to give those of you that are not familiar with it an idea of what it looks like.Boletus subglabripesCap-Light Brown to rich Cinnamon, 11/2 to 4 inches, convex then expanding to almost plain.Stem- 2-4 by ½ to ¾ inches even or tapered at the base. Pale to bright yellow.Flesh- Pale to Lemon yellowGills- This mushroom has tubes not gills. Spore print deposit color -pale olive brown.Habitat- Found in mixed deciduous woods, occasionally under spruce. Found in Eastern and Eastern North America.Season- June though September

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Amanita-Desroying Angle 

 With mid summer taking place in most of the country there is a large variety of mushrooms growing in most locations. A question has been asked “How can you Identify a Poisonous Mushroom ?”To start with the best advice I can give you is-know what you are picking. If you are unsure of your identification don’t eat it. Seek out an expert in the area you live in. Most of them would be happy to help you . Also your local county extension service may have booklets you can get for little or no charge on edible mushrooms that grow in your state. Here in Michigan, Michigan State University hosts a Mushroom Seminar in late summer or early fall. If you would like more information on this send me an email and I will send you the link.Purchase a couple of good books on Wild Mushrooms. Don’t use just one. Some wild mushrooms look great- because it looks good does not mean it is edible. The Amanita genera I think is one of the nicest looking mushrooms in the woods. Pick the wrong mushroom in this group and it will kill you! This is one genera I stay away from completely.Another myth I have heard is-If the animals eat it-it must be edible. Not True, Their digestive system is different then ours. A mushroom that would make a Human very ill may not even affect a Deer or a Squirrel.

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