Badwater Bass Club - Real Session II - Pontiac Lake - Windy As Fu**!

Al's domination of the bass tour had to step aside to the next generation this afternoon as Northern Michigan student Zach took him down by an ounce. I'm not sure if Zach is even old enough to toast an adult beverage for his effort. Regardless, a fine effort there part-time Yooper. You have to tip your hat to Al though for pulling in his last two fish in the closing minutes (serious) that was reminiscent of Reggie Miller's effort against the Knicks in 1995.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__29zDPQK8o

I kid you not that from 4 PM until 6:40 PM, there was not a fish to be had on that lake; however, between 6:41 and and 6:50 (session ended at 7), Al said "I need two fish" and two fish he received. That gave him the five limit but it was not enough to take down the Vaden domination going down in the season so far.

Trail Head  

 

 

Badwater Bass Club - Session II* - Pontiac...err...Maceday Lake

The clock rang 5:30 AM and the big head arose ready to tackle the second session of the Badwater tour at Pontiac Lake. The rods were tied and ready, the cooler packed, and the mindset on fish. The rain, however, was coming down quite a bit in Oakland County. With that, a text came through that the session was postponed until Sunday. Looking at the Doppler at the time the text, the decision seemed logical as nobody likes to fish in the rain and fishing rods make great lightning conductors. One hour later when the rain stopped and the clouds parted, however...  

All was not lost though as Al, Doke, and I got out on Maceday Lake and although we set the record for most 10-12 inch bass, it was great to be on the water.

Trail Head  

 

the "Donzi" going "Down-Zee"

had to include this pike taken at Dunham by the Jr. Badwater Club

 

Art Appreciation Night On The Tour

The mountain bike gods shined upon Brighton Recreation Area tonight as rain was everywhere in the area except in the park. The ride was great but the tree carving within the park was equally cool. I'm not sure if that is a new addition to the park; regardless, that is some outstanding work. My last wood carving attempt resulted in a trip to the hospital so I can appreciate the effort.                                                                    Trail Head

                                        

Badwater Bass Club - Session I - Kent Lake - Duck, Duck....Goose-Egg!!!

The math speaks for itself on the production yesterday morning in the opener of the Badwater season at Kent Lake. Eleven guys fishing for six hours. Those eleven guys throw roughly 30 casts an hour which bring a grand total of close to 2,000 attempts at a legal bass. Of those 2,000 attempts, only five fish (all from one boat...interesting....) made the weigh-in. It was nice knowing you Kent Lake but I don't think the tour will be coming back anytime soon with that kind of output. It can't be the fisherman's fault in that we couldn't bring home the bacon, could it? Naaaa. As it always seems to be the case on our fishing luck, a guy at the boat launch on the way in was talking about how they were hitting them pretty good between 6-7AM but the production fell off after that, the time right about when we got there.   

Congratulations to the Team Vaden boat for taking all the winnings today. The other fisherman, well, we have our work cut out for us.

Trail Head

fog welcomed the Badwater opener

   

 

big fish

 

Almost a No-Hitter and Walkerton, Ontario Hits The "D"

It was no surprise there was a full moon in what I experienced in the "D" tonight. Some good and some wacky scenes. Case in point number one.We had a group of eight tickets in the right field bleachers but the people sitting in our seats were adamant that they were in the right and we were in the wrong. EVERY SINGLE SEAT! Who knows, maybe we were in the wrong section. It wasn't worth the battle and after it was all said and done, Comerica is a great park to walk and we got to see the final innings of the 8 1/3 inning no-hitter (so close) in the rock star section on the third base line. The "don't talk about the no-hitter" jinx is all a bunch of bully as I was calling for a no-hitter after the first inning. Joe Mauer is a great hitter so my talking about it had no bearing on the outcome. There is my two cents for tonight.

A shout out to Mike W. for making the trek east from Portage for the game tonight. A gold star also to the "woo!!!" girls from Walkerton, Ontario (pic below) whom we met while enjoying some pre-game beverages. The ladies came to the "D" about a year ago for a concert, had a great time, so here they are again taking in a ball game.  Walkerton is on the Sarnia side of Canada for those keeping score at home, about four hours from Detroit. Keep on keeping ladies.

Trail Head

see through building

Crouse conference

 

 

Walkerton, Ontario posse

 

Riding Rainout - Gas Station Campaign

There was optimism in the air at about 3 PM today that the rains coming through the area would clear and the big head would be able to mountain bike at Island Lake tonight. It was not to be as while I might have been stupid enough 10 years ago to get both my ride and clothes full of mud, in my wiser years, I choose to get dirty another day.      

All was not lost for the evening; however, as I stopped for gas at Novi Road/Grand River on the ride home from the park. I slid the card in, threw the pump in the tank and went back inside my truck because it was darn cold outside. I look over to my left and there is a car with Coleman Junior's name and number on the side of it getting gas right next to me. Who the heck is riding around Novi with that on the side of his car (possibly just off the highway)? A few seconds later, out walks a fella with a very bright khaki suit in pure campaign mode, junior. Everyone got a hand shake and if there was a baby present, you better believe said baby was getting a kiss. The American spirit, alive and well in Novi tonight.

Trail Head 

No-Mo Tourney - No Contest

My third attempt for glory in the No-Mo (no motor) fishing tournament has me needing to reassess my approach if I want to continue the effort. The tournament is open to all public access lakes in Michigan and most of the contestants head to the bass mecca of Michigan, Lake St. Clair. Rather than running with the masses and having a chance at first prize (kayak), yours truly goes the stubborn route and tries to fish elsewhere. My lake of choice today was Lakeville. A beautiful lake it is and while I did catch a few nice bass, it's like a junior varsity-varsity scrimmage when trying to compete against the anglers on St. Clair. Case in point is the picture below of the what Doke pulled there  yesterday with Jim. Those are two hogs there.

A shout out to Doke and Laura for making it out to Lakeville this morning. Both had some fine production. Nice bass haul Laura!

Trail Head 

stretch!!!!

Lake St. Clair production

Lakeville

Lakeville