Fish On

Under outstanding weather conditions (well, for January), we were ready to slay the fish Friday and Saturday out on Dunham Lake. I would begin to slay them once I got my ice fishing equipment all sorted out from the last time I fished; about a year ago. The petrified wax worm from '09 really molds to your hook pretty well and trying to tie a line while sitting on a bucket under a lamp can be a tough one. While the stars and half moon were quite a visual Friday night, the fish were nowhere to be seen over towards the north beach. Not even a nibble. It was still cool hanging with Al and Doke, getting the giggles about anything and everything.

It was over to the northeast side on Saturday in hopes of getting that first fish of '10. Eric "Von Catchem" had probably the best first hour you could have. He jigged three panfish and pulled about an 18 inch smallmouth from his tip up hole. I managed to get on the board a little while after with a nice sunfish and a less than legal green fish.

Saturday was also the debut of Eric's new shanty, the Quickfish 3. I give it high marks. It is easy to put up, roomy (can fit 3 comfortably), stable, and packs away in a backpack-like bag. With the latter, you have it a little easier walking up Heart Attack Hill at Dunham than dragging something like my Clam shanty. I got the first fish in the new hut, one of the million rock bass that exist in the lake. We probably had about 12 fish total which wasn't too bad. We were hoping to catch or see the elusive cisco fish that are in the lake (cool visual when they swim by your hole) but no luck.

Two weeks until the Super Bowl fishing celebration. Come on out!

Trail Head

Welcome Mr. Winter

Utopia was the feeling on a beautiful Saturday and Sunday afternoon at Kensington. It was a nice start to the cross country ski season Saturday. The trails were freshly groomed, the iPod was clamped in the ears, and all was well in the world. The crowds were minimal which was an added bonus. I guess there is a good thing about the Xbox addicts in today's society. They aren't getting in my way on the trails. I did bite it once on Sunday but no apparent injuries to report. I'm sure there will be a few groans tomorrow morning.

Also on the docket this weekend was the Ultimate Fishing Show in Novi. Based on the attached pictures, it's hard to believe there was actually fishing activities going on. You have the booth people that get into the eye contact game with you. If you get eye contact going, you know they are going to try to throw their shtick at you about the Eurocloth Super Shammy (better than the Sham Wow!) or whatever. So, look away! A friend of mine; however, does own the Sham Wow and raves about it. Along with the Shammy battles, you have the sausage booth battles, the sunglasses booth battles, honey, Davy Crockett, chewing tobacco, the Family Zone, and last but not least, Beerholder.net. Beerholder.net sell posts you pluck into the ground that have beverage holders at the end of them. The angle is you are at the picnic and just want to put your beverage down while mingling. You throw the post into the ground and bam, there is your holder. It's the million dollar idea, eh Jim? I'm not so sure on this one.

Happy 75th Elvis (last week)

Trail Head

Holiday Wrap

A festive holiday season it was. Christmas was spent in Manistee with the Nielsen family. We cry about the snow here in the Detroit area but it's nothing compared to the lake effect stuff off of Lake Michigan. While I do love the snow for a short time, come March it's time for it to go. Nancy tells me they have had it go into May out on the west side. That kicks morale in the rear end. The attached light display pictures are from a park in Bear Lake, about 15 minutes north of Manistee where Nancy's parents and brother live. I had a nice time hanging with the Nielsen family. They were great hosts for this east sider. Nancy's brother Mike and I got to vent on what could have been in our high school sports careers. Yes, having some more talent would have been a good start but it's more fun to blame the coaching, eh?

Christmas, part II, was spent with my parents on the 28th. They had just returned from visiting my sister in Brazil (average temperature right now is about 80 - I could take a couple days of that). It sounded like they had a good time although my Dad broke his hand while out there. He's a tough cookie so he'll be fine.

Nancy and I put on our black tie attire for New Year's eve. We were the only ones dressed up but it didn't matter. It was kind of fun getting all dolled up. We met up with the Munson's and Ochs' for dinner at Cinco Lagos in Milford before heading over to the Gustafson's party. Good eats at Cinco Lagos, even for a finicky eater like myself. And I didn't even have the chicken! I was close though. We were on the road before midnight struck but quite honestly, the 12 o'clock countdown doesn't get me going like it once did. Once Dick Clark had the stroke, the thrill was gone.

The finale to the holiday celebration was the annual sausage gathering for bowl game watching/poker playing on the 1st. It was a bonus that it fell on a Friday this year. I enjoyed hanging with the fellas, consuming some White Castles, chicken wings, and a few (well, maybe three) cold beverages. Of course, we ALL broke even in cards.

Thanks to everyone for your tax dollars this past year. We hope to pay you back someday.

Hello 2010!

Trail Head