End of the world? Nice way to go out - Session I - Badwater Bass Club

7 AM - Lake St. Clair

Word on the street was that the world was going to end yesterday evening. Well, if it did (it didn’t), Jim M. would have had a heck of a story to tell at the pearly gates. The pride of the dirt road side of Tipsico Lake Rd. made a mockery of the other fisherman and dominated the first session of the Badwater Bass Club tournament on Lake St. Clair Saturday morning. Working from the rear of Rob S’s Shake-n-Bake boat, he brought in five keepers for a total poundage of 14.05 (measurements converted to pounds) with the largest being 21 inches.

With it being catch and release right now in the bass season, we had to resort to measuring each catch, taking a digital picture of the measurement, and throwing them back. Thankfully, the measuring process is a one time deal for the tournament and the live wells will be in use at Woodland Lake on June 3rd. Bring on the fat bass!

winning fish

Boats-a-plenty there were on the lake as the fishing gods gave us clear skies and a light breeze. There were ten fisherman total for the session with Rob taking a break from Team Hawkeye to compete for the day. Everyone had their “one that got away” story, including yours truly with one I lollygagged around with too much and lost near the boat. I refrained from cussing as a father/child fish outing was nearby; but f###!!!. It is all good as long as you have more “one that you caught” stories than “got away” ones. Besides a minor boat mechanical error that was quickly fixed and a flat (destroyed) tire for

one of the trailers on the ride home, the opening day of the tournament matched all the hype and then some. An exciting fishing season it will be. 

Trail Head

stat sheet says it all for Jim

certificate and prize $ presentation

No-Mo Kayak Fishing Tournament - No-Mo and No-Fish

On a cloudy, yet calm morning, I took to Newburgh Lake in Livonia last Saturday in hopes of taking the gold at the 2nd annual (my first) No-Mo (no motor) tourney in my kayak. The rules are pretty simple, you are allowed to hit any public body of water in Monroe or Wayne County. It doesn't have to have a public launch; it just can't be Grandpa Frank's pond on the back 40 acres that only you can get to. You are allowed to claim (via your digital camera) one fish in each category; bass, teeth (walleye, pike), and wild card (perch, carp, catfish, etc...). Winner is by length, not by girth. No live bait is allowed. More or less, you are on the honor system. The entry fees went to charity and I don't believe anybody had the scam going. It was just a bunch of people who enjoy their kayaks and the fishing scene. First prize was a pretty cool kayak though and competition is, well, exciting!!

I believe my fellow fisherman (26 total boats) worked the Lake Erie/Detroit River area as it was a lesson learned for this rookie. While Newburgh Lake was calm for most of the morning, I think there was a reason I was the only individual out there. From a little after 6 AM to a little before noon, I worked the wacky worm (pink and green pumpkin), the beetle spin, the lipless shad, and even trolled for awhile with a rubber worm. It was all for naught as besides a few minnow nibblers, it was skunk-a-roon-ee for yours truly. They gave us these fancy rulers to use when we measure our catches but my ruler didn't even come out of the bag. Tough love there. I attached the results below and it appears I would have needed a career day regardless to take the big prizes. I have my work cut out for me but I will not be denied.

On to Lake St. Clair this upcoming Saturday for the Badwater Bass Club opener. It should be fun. 

Trail Head

Milford Trail - First Blood

The Molson Bike Tour has been the nature tour recently. Last week we had the duck combo and this week we had the doe in Milford that had to have wandered over from Kensington. I could have fed it hand to mouth this deer was so tame. With the deer, there were about 20 chipmunks, one of which bit it on a kamikaze run across the trail, 10 or so squirrels, a couple rabbits, and a partridge in a pear tree (ha, ha). 

First blood was drawn Thursday as I shifted gears up a hill and my chain showed its age. It slipped and my shin kissed the pedals; not in a good way. Waaaaaa.....

Trail Head

Highland Recreation Area - Ambiguously Gay Duo - Part II

A few years back, we witnessed the matching rider outfits; spandex no less. Unfortunately, there was a repeat performance tonight. Don't get me wrong, the bike tour has shirts/hoodies but they are more or less clothes to hang out in; not something we call each other to wear the same outfit for a ride. Somebody please take me out if you ever see the bike tour riding in matching spandex outfits. Again, not that there is anything wrong with it.

With my fellow riders engulfed in little league fever, I was left to look outside the box for action shots during the ride tonight. I didn't draw any blood so I guess the action shot of the night were these two ducks walking through the parking lot oblivious to everything around them.

Happy Mother's Day Mothers

Trail Head

Bucket List - Spring Football (glad I never had it on my list)

Sparty in on the action

If someone asks you to go watch a spring football scrimmage, politely decline. I indulged in the scene Saturday afternoon in East Lansing. Watching was pretty cool for a bit; however, after checking out a few plays, seeing Sparty and the cheerleaders go at it, you realize you are watching two teams and don't care who wins. Needless to say, I didn't stay long and took a joy ride around campus, including a drive-by of the bunker I called home my last year there (pictured below). The place did the trick, barely, for six dudes back in the day. Mark had to flee his bedroom due to leaks, the carpet was bogue (not a word), and the only thing the washer/dryer accomplished was to push up the gas bill because they sure didn't clean/dry clothes. Character it had though.  

A nice day for a ride down memory lane. I was just happy to dust off my cycle for a back road tour; although said back road has a four mile dirt road detour this year which put a minor damper on an otherwise great day.

Sparty on!

Trail Head

the bunker