Walleye Express

Thank's Frank.

Everybody I talked to today both on the water and at the dock/ramp had a hard time today and said the fish have moved. I verified that when we trolled for 3 miles NE of the first Spark Plug (where we caught 13 keepers the other day) marked nothing and caught one little dink. Another charter bud was catching decent fish but not many running paralell with the Coreon Bar in 23 to 25 FOW. I find it strange they would have moved deep this quick with the warmest surface temps I seen today being only 74 degrees. Going to stick around near the Point/Black Hole area this weekend. That 48 mile run (Both ways) takes an hour 20 minutes off clients fishing time. And you can't always count on receptive fish that far out.

Well, after Kinda bragging about how Saginaw Bays fishery has been so unbelievable in the last few weeks, Ol'Capt. Dan had to do a little searching today for my charter clients. After a false start we ended up fishing a place I and many others call the "Center of the World". That being one long run and about as "In the Middle" of the Bay as one can get. And the technique that caught most of the fish were a little unique as well. Even though my spoon harnesses were working, the fish they were catching were on the smaller side. So I rigged one side with Rattle Tot's with a twist. Put a piece of crawler on the belly hook and then sent them back 40 Feet. Then attached a 1 1/2 ounce snap weight and let out another 20 feet. I was also trolling what in my book is dead slow. 1.5 to 1.8mph on the GPS. Caught 19 walleyes and kept 14 for a half day. Not bad.

June 13, 2007

DNR Fishing Regulation Changes Reflect Disease Management Concerns with VHS

A series of fishing regulations signed by Department of Natural Resources Director Rebecca Humphries recently are designed to enlist anglers and the bait industry as allies to slow the spread of fish diseases, particularly Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia (VHS). The regulations go into effect on June 28.

“These regulations are critical to our efforts to slow the spread of VHS, along with other fish diseases, and we must have anglers and the bait industry as allies in this effort as the DNR cannot do this on our own,†said Humphries.

The regulations are very similar to those presented to the Natural Resources Commission in May. Some modifications were made based on public input at that meeting, along with those of NRC members, which clarified some areas of the regulations. The key modifications were: baitfish and fish eggs (roe) can only be used on a hook, which does allow the use of spawn sacks; the locations where fish can be released by catch and release angling; both the Disease Management Areas and Prohibited Species List are now appendices to allow for simpler changes; the use of roe for human consumption without fish disease testing will be allowed; and the bait certification process has been improved and clarified.

“The approved regulations are designed to provide a set of best management practices for anglers and the bait industry and are consistent with those of other states and the Province of Ontario,†said DNR Fisheries Chief Dr. Kelley Smith. “They are an education tool to make our anglers and the bait industry full partners in the fight against fish diseases, such as VHS.â€

The key highlights of the new regulations are:

* The regulations only apply to species on the Prohibited Species List. The key baitfish species for anglers are spottail shiners, emerald shiners, bluntnose minnows, white suckers, and Pacific herring (frozen for cut bait). The key species for fish eggs (roe) are Chinook salmon, coho salmon, brown trout and rainbow trout/steelhead.

* Bait includes live, dead, frozen and parts or cut bait including fish eggs (roe).

* Anglers will get a receipt from the bait shop which will tell them where they can use the bait and if is certified VHS-free, which can be used anywhere in the state.

* Receipts are valid 7 days.

* Uncertified bait from a bait shop or collected by anglers is restricted on where it can be used. Baitfish from VHS positive waters can only be used on VHS positive waters, VHS surveillance waters baitfish can be used in VHS surveillance or positive waters, and baitfish from VHS-free waters can be used anywhere in the state. The key for anglers is knowing the location of the Disease Management Areas, and that information will be available at the bait shops and on the DNR Web site.

* Bait and fish eggs can only be used on a hook if they are on the Prohibited Species List. The use of spawn sacks is acceptable. Anglers cannot release minnows when done fishing and must dispose of them when leaving the water. The release of many baitfish or large amounts of fish eggs by anglers that are potentially VHS-positive is an easy way to spread the virus, fisheries officials warned.

* When practicing catch and release fishing, you may only release a live fish back into water that the fish can freely swim into from the location it was caught. This applies to catch-and-immediate-release and catch-and-delayed-release (tournament) fishing. This will prevent the virus from being transported by live fish to new waters.

* All water must be emptied from live wells and bilges when leaving a body of water. This regulation applies to all boaters and will prevent the virus from being transported by infected water.

In addition, the key highlights for retail and wholesale minnow dealers are:

* There is a certification process that will allow dealers to provide disease-free bait for Michigan anglers. It is a two-stage process that includes both the holding facilities and the baitfish.

* It is not required that baitfish be certified. Certified baitfish can be used anywhere in the state and provides the most options for anglers. Uncertified bait is restricted to where it can be used.

* Both wholesale and retail minnow dealers must tell their customers on their receipts where the baitfish was taken, the lot or transaction code, and what disease management area it can be used.

* Receipts must be kept for one year.

The DNR Fisheries Division is asking the retail and wholesale minnow dealers to help educate anglers on where they can use their bait and which species are of concern for spreading VHS. Information packets are in development to help with this task and the DNR Web site will have the most up-to-date information.

“It is critical that anglers and the bait industry keep an eye on the DNR - Fisheries Division Web site (www.michigan.gov/dnrfishing) for changes to the Disease Management Areas and the Prohibited Species List,†Smith said. “The order will be periodically updated with new information and the Web site will have the changes to the order that will be issued by the Director. We will make all new information available to the public through the news media as well.â€

The importance of having angler and bait industry involvement in fish disease control is critical, fisheries officials said.

“The DNR and other fisheries management agencies in the Great Lakes can implement all possible disease control measures, but without the anglers and bait industry as full partners in this effort, these measures will be in vain and fish diseases will rapidly spread to sensitive fish populations,†said Gary Whelan, DNR fish production manager and chair of the Great Lakes Fish Health Committee.

For more information on VHS and other fishing-related topics in Michigan, go to the DNR Web site at www.michigan.gov/dnrfishing.

The DNR is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state’s natural resources for current and future generations.

Nice catches Cap'n Dan!

What kind of program have you been running lately?

Ed

I've been running strickly spoon harnesses. But I might be changing soon. Did good today on Rattle Tots. Plus those spoons and meat wear me out.

Ran a trip today with 3 adults and 3 of their kids. Right from the start they wanted to keep their fish seperate to see who was the better fishemen. I voluteered to run anything the kids wanted on their side of the boat. They did not like the spoons I had riged and wanted me to put on those pretty colored Rattle Tot's. I told them I was catching a lot of fish on spoons but would run what they wanted me to. I also put on a piece of crawler on the belly hook. Well, the kids catch was 11 and the adults were 15. But the kids fish were bigger on average. 8) 8)

I never thought I'd say this is my life time. But the fishing on Saginaw Bay right now is as good or better then Lake Erie. My clients for today didn't show up but my buddy went out to the spot we fished Wednesday and caught those 87 fish. Well, he tells me he caught that many today by himself and his group of guys. Those guys who stiffed me today will never know what they missed. :cry:

That is a bunch of walleye, did you use an electric knife?

Nope.

I've never got the hang of those things. I do use some expensives custom made knives though.

DAN, Are you bragging or complaining about those fish numbers. LMAO

IMHO, any one who doesn't cheek those walleye should be Jap Slapped.

Well, I was bragging when we hit the dock after the trip. Then it went to complaining after I fillet about the 54th walleye. And even though I do love the cheeks, we were under a client time restraint to get them done. I'm lucky I still have 8 fingers and two thumb.

WOW Dan! Did you cheek them also?

That's a good one Mike. Funny because I told everyone I'd Jap Slap the first guy who asked.

Had a corporate charter today with me and three other charter boats. Things started slow because of the dirty water churned up yesterday by that NW wind. Finaly found the main school east of 9 and 10 bouy in 19 to 22 FOW. Spoon harnesses 30/30 with 1/2 ounce drop weight on one side and 20/20 1 1/2 ounce on the other side. And Gulp outfished the real deal 3 to 1. Total for all boats was 87 walleyes and me and my buddy Larry from Sea Gypsy charters cleaned the majority of them.

Cap't Dan, right now Meijer's in Essexville has them on sale. I picked up a couple packs for three something. I was there on Monday and they still had some left. Closing them out I think...

That's a good deal. But I bought a whole crapload of bags mostly (natural nightcrawler and pumpkin seed) from franks for $4.99 a bag last summer.

Heres an interesting side note. I just got off the phone with my cousin Mike Manyen. Him and his partner won the Linwwod Classic Saturday running my harnesses. Weighed in just a little under 30 pounds for 5 walleyes. But don't ask. As he swore me to silence about where and what color spoons were best. If it was me who won, you know I'd spill my guts.

Glad to hear that Tom.

Another buddy has been killing them there as well using gulp worms on my rigs instead of the real deal. A little more expensive but a lot less hassle.

Had a fairly good first charter day on the Bay today. The conditions were not what I'd call optimum. The Bay was flat as a pancake, hot muggy and the bugs were terrible. What radio or cell phone chatter I heard was not stellar either. I've seen this (Dead Sea) scenario to many times over the years on the Bay. During these times meat is often the only offering that produces, so I decided to run on one side with my latest invention the "Meat Freak". One of Daves Ka'Boom jointed crank baits minus the back section and replaced with a 2 hook harness. Ran them 2.8 MPH, 60 back, with 1/4 ounce tot's 70 back on the other side. Long story short, fished 1/2 a day lading 17 fish 13 keepers. New program tomorrow if the wind changes it's mind.

Probably spent my last charter day for the spring on the Tittabawassee today with a client and his son. Had to work a lot harder for the few fish we caught today that amounted to 2 decent walleyes, 3 very nice smallies, a large white bass and 2 cats. The Sandford Dam was shut right off and the river was snake belly low and slow. We were marking lots of fish in the deeper holes but few were interested. On the Bay next Saturday for the duration of the summer.

Seems I was wrong just a little. It was 3 Blue Stars that were in my grandparents bay window. Gold/yellow starts meant that your son or daughter was killed in action. Thank God my dad and uncles all came home. Heres a link to explain it all. http://www.atlasgeo.net/fotw/flags/us%5esvc.html

By 1944 my grandparents had 3 gold stars in their bay window. This meant all three of their sons were in the armed forces fighting for this country's freedom. My dad in Italy and my 2 uncles island jumping their way to Japan. Back then the mission and the enemy seemed very much clearer then in today's conflicts. Starting with Vietnam, politics and public opinion ate away at our honest intentions, resolves and strategies for wining that and now this present war. We all have our own opinions about what's right, wrong and the way we should resolve conflicts with other countries and nations. But no opinion should get in the way of the respect that we should all feel for the ones fallowing every order (politically popular or not) that allows us to even have an opinion. God Bless this country and God bless and keep those brave men and woman defending it. Happy Memorial Day Vets.

May 24, 2007

Contacts: Jim Baker 989-684-9141, ext. 8070; Tammy Newcomb 517-373-3960 or Mary Dettloff 517-335-3014

Michigan DNR Offers Advice to Anglers Concerned with Tapeworm in Walleye;

Fishing Remains Outstanding on Saginaw Bay

While the Department of Natural Resources continues to investigate a recently-discovered infestation of adult tapeworms in walleye caught on the east side of Michigan, fisheries officials said that the parasite poses no threat to public health as long as the fish are cooked properly.

Walleyes infested with the long, white worms in their digestive tracts have been reported from the Detroit River, Saginaw River, Saginaw Bay, Tittabawassee River, Tawas Bay and the Pine River.

“While the worms are unsightly, they pose no threat to humans as long as the fish are thoroughly cooked before being eaten,†said DNR Lake Huron Basin Coordinator Tammy Newcomb. “Tapeworms are a common parasite of many fishes. The life cycle is complicated, and various life stages of the worm live in tiny invertebrate animals, which are eaten by small fish, including many species of minnows. The minnows, in turn, are eaten by larger predatory fish, including walleye.â€

Newcomb said the tapeworm develops into the adult stage in the walleyes. Eggs are shed in the feces, and the lifecycle repeats itself. Some tapeworms also infest warm-blooded animals, including humans, primarily through the consumption of uncooked food.

“Normal cooking, smoking and pickling processes will kill all parasites found in fish flesh,†said Jim Baker, DNR manager for the Southern Lake Huron Fisheries Unit. “Under no circumstances should anyone be consuming raw fish. Sushi made from freshwater fish is definitely a bad idea.â€

Baker said the DNR will continue to investigate this new infestation to determine the exact species and life cycle of the parasite, and to learn why it is suddenly showing up in walleye.

Fisheries biologists believe that walleye are becoming infested with the worms because of recent changes in their diet due to the collapse of alewife populations in recent years. Alewives once comprised the majority of the walleye’s diet, but in their absence, walleyes are eating large numbers of young yellow perch, round gobies, gizzard shad and minnows.

Despite the infestation, walleye fishing on inner Saginaw Bay was thriving until a recent cold front moved into the area, Baker noted. Anglers were having no problems catching fish and limit catches were reported everywhere from Linwood south and east to Quanicassee when trolling with planer boards or drifting crawler harnesses. The early season success in the fishery is forecasted to continue through the summer, Baker said.

“One of the reasons for this tremendous success in the fishery is believed to be the lack of alewife that compete and prey upon young life stages of walleye and perch,†Baker said. “Walleye have been naturally reproducing at record levels for the past four years, providing large numbers of young fish that are now being caught in the recreational fishery.â€

For more information on fishing in Michigan, visit the DNR’s Web site at www.michigan.gov/dnr and click on the Fishing menu.

The DNR is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state's natural resources for current and future generations.

Picked my boat up at Lindys today after the spring start up. $362.85 labor and parts for 4 new upper/lower seals and hydrualic fluid in the outdrive power and trim cylinders. New buzzer in dash (DNR required) for auto bilge alarm. New 60 amp fuse box and fuse hooked up for power trim hydraulic system. Battery charge and systems check.

Haul boat to Hoyles to launch and tie up at my slip. #1 good thing I notice is the Kid working at the ramp asking to assist me in pulling my truck out after I launched. Then parked my truck for me over in the visitors parking area near my boat so I would not have to run back and get it myself. Third year I Iaunched my BIG AZZ boat by myself, and up until today was never asked by any body there if I needed a hand.

Tie boat up at my slip and decide to check the working order of my HT Yamaha kicker. It starts right up but won't go up or down when the Power trim is engaged. Remembering the Mechanical service (or lac there of) I received before from Hoyles in the past, I head all the way back to Lindys and ask their opinion. Chet figures being my kicker gets drowned quit often because of how low it is hooked up on my transom, that either the brushes or the motor itself is burned out from getting to much water inside these last 4 years that I've had it. My first charter is on June 2nd. 12 days away. My kicker also has an auto pilot hooked up on it and is a large part of the way I fish. It has to be working properly. So my options are, we can order the brushes, but if that's not it, add 4 more days for getting the whole power/trim motor assembly in. 8 days with only 4 to spare in case of other SNAFU isn't going to work for me. So I decide it's better to order the tiny little power and trim motor for this 8 horse. Guess how much? $417.00 just for the part not including labor to install it. There's $780.00 and the season hasn't started yet.

So now I figure I have to pull my boat back out, take it back to Lindys, park it in their yard and wait for the part. Hoping they can get to it before it's to late. So I haul my trailer all the way back to Hoyles to take the boat back out of the water, but decide at the last minute to talk to the (under new managment) parts and service man at the new Linwood Beach Marina and Campgrounds (Old Hoyles), to see if things have changed any service wise. Well, this new service manager [John Gorm] is like talking to an old friend versus the (I could give a crap) cold shoulder I got from the old Hoyles previous service head. He says that they hired all new service peoples since they bought the place except one, but they are still swamped with both new and old work, and that it would be impossible for them to get at it before the end of Memorial Day weekend. But knowing the pinch that I was in, that he would personally put it on for me if I wanted to order and pick up the part from Lindys, who could get the part a lot faster being they are a Yamaha dealer. This to me is above and beyond the call of duty to a customer. Letting me buy the part from another dealer and offering to put it on in his own time. Then I ask if it's O. K. to park my trailer somewhere for a few days on the property, until I get the part and we can pull the boat for the repairs. He says sure, we don't charge for storing your trailer all summer when you rent a slip here. Well, I almost dropped my bottle of pop on the floor when he said that. First they lower the slip rental $100.00 for the 2007 season and now all of this. I was quickly impressed from all corners today at the new Linwood Beach Marina and am very gratified with the new ownership at the old Hoyles and their new business attitude. :D

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner! What time are we eating Dan?

Those are the eating size for sure. Looks like another good start to the season.

Heres the fish they kept yesterday.

Just got off the cell phone with my bud who is on the Saginaw Bay right now. It's 1:00pm and they launched at 10:00am. They have caught 35 or more walleyes, with 25 being keepers. Using my Stinger Spoon harnesses 20/20 program with 1 ounce snap weights over 18 FOW. Big boat in the water tomarrow.

Me and a good bud spent half a day on the Tittabawassee today. Had a ball as usual.

Good job Frank.

My big boat goes in at Hoyles in about 3 days. I have charters booked starting on the 2nd and can't wait to get some spoon harnesses down. Going to miss the river this year though. I've never seen so many willing holdovers as this year. I also see you keep those BIG white perch. How do they taste? I love the White Bass, but have never tried the perch.

Couldn't resist calling a dear friend who helped me get started in guiding 23 years ago. His help, guidance and generosity (IMV) can really never be re-paid, but I took a large chunk off the pay-back ledger today. I sent him home with a limit of nice eyes and wore him out on the smallies.