Walleye Express

Thank's guys.

And yes that river has taken a few things from me and others new to her shallow and pile-on filled dynamics. Seen many a lower unit on regular boats get cleanly and surgically removed over the years. Even seen a boat being towed back to the launch yesterday. But she don't owe me a thing and has given me more good memories then all three of my wives. :lol:

Heres the skinny.

Got to Caldwell ramp about 9:00am. To my surprise the parking lot was full. In years past seeing 6 other vehicles a week after the inland walleye opener was rare. Decided then and there to avoid the crowd and head way down river. Started trolling the Power line run about 1/2 mile below the Gamms Hardware launch in Freeland. Hit three nice fish in short order.

But like always on the Tittabawassee there was an obstacle to overcome and a technique to be refined for our success. The river was running high and debris filled. Combine that and all the buds from the trees falling in the river, and your line and lures would load up in 2 minutes trolling.

I was going to run 4 rods in the holders but that was impossible with the debris. I told the boys to hold their rods and give them short/sharp snaps as we trolled. This kept all but the worst debris off the lures. I also discovered that the fish were laying right in the middle of the river and not in the current side holes and slots. Laying between the the faster outside current and the solwer inside current. So I would swing/troll (zig zag if you will) the boat back and forth over this seam and the fish would hit as the lures swung in or out of this seam. And man did they unload for average sized walleyes. About 12:30 the crowd went home and we hit the spillway for bass.

Kinda lost track of how many fish we caught but I'll give it a good guess.

16 walleyes/14 keepers/one 24 incher.

65 smallies/three 20 inchers/don't know weight they all went back.

6 nice crappies.

1 catfish.

Heres the new lic fees based on House Bill 4624 & Senate Bill 406.

http://www.saginawbay.com/pdf/license_prices_based_on_hb_4624_and_sb_406.pdf

Mailed my MCBA bud about this. Heres his reply.

Hey Dan,

We should not need a TWIC or MMD doc.(that could change). The person who wrote the post was correct on renewal's in Toledo. Once paper work and money (C.C. preferred) is sent in they will authorize you to have your finger prints taken at other locations (Grand Haven, Soo and more). For you and I Toledo is the 1st choice. I went with Capt. Terry Walsh in April, 156 miles from my house to Toledo. Once we reach Toledo; Terry turned in his papers (they review them right there to make sure everything was correctly filled out), gave them a C.C. (preferred) Finger printed him with a finger print scanner, I stood right their and watched the whole thing (maybe 12 - 15 minutes tops) Stop at Cabela's on the way back, it was completely painless and very professional.

I would start the process at least 4 - 6 months before your license expires, since all finger prints are sent to FBI and Homeland Security has to clear you before the Coast Guard will issue you a new license. It dose say to send your application to the nearest Coast Guard Regional Examination Center (you know the military).

Here is the link for charterboat captains: http://www.uscg.mil/STCW/cb-capt.htm

Have a nice day, Larry

Dan, Received this from a captain out of Grand Haven, Larry

Roger,

Again, I apologize for not being able to attend the Grand Haven Charter Boat

Association Dinner last Saturday evening. However, as promised, I am

forwarding you my notes I was going to use to relay to you the latest info I

have concerning licensing.

1. In an effort to enhance security within the nation's maritime domain

Congress tasked the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) with

implementing a single source card that would serve a twofold purpose.

I. Ensure security for port facilities that require maritime workers having

unescorted access within secure areas.

II. Ensure security on vessels regulated under the Maritime Transportation

Security Act.

Additionally, an additional aspect of this card will possibly be the

inclusion of all merchant mariner documents (MMDs) included on this same

card. This has not been confirmed yet, but is likely to happen.

2. This single source card is known as the Transportation Worker

Identification Credential or TWIC card. The TWIC provides a

tamper-resistant biometric credential for the entire maritime industry and

is currently in the early implementation stages at select ports across the

country. Because approximately 750,000 people will require a TWIC it will

take about 18 months to phase in.

3. In the past the Coast Guard Regional Exam Centers (RECs) were the source

for issuing most mariner credentials. However, under the new TWIC Program

the RECs will scale back greatly and new the new TWIC enrollment sites will

be stood up in ports all across the country. The nearest enrollment site to

Grand Haven will be in Muskegon. There will be others in Detroit, Chicago

and Escanaba, MI to service mariners in the Michigan area.

4. An additional aspect of the TWIC is that it will contain an individual's

fingerprint encoded in the card that can be read from a reader the Coast

Guard and port facilities will have in the future as an additional means of

authentication to the picture.

5. The initial security screening for all mariners' licenses is accomplished

at the National Maritime Center (NMC) in Martinsburg, West Virginia. As of

now, the fee and package for the card is sent to the local REC (Toledo in

our case) and then forwarded to Martinsburg by the REC. The NMC conducts the

background check and either mails the mariner their Card or MMD, or approval

for new mariners.

6. New mariners (or mariners that want an upgrade) have to take and pass

their required test for the license or endorsement they want. As stated

above, currently this is still done at the REC, but other test sites will be

available soon (probably here in Grand Haven).

TSA has a web site that has many FAQs concerning TWIC implementation that

can be accessed at (http://www.tsa.gov/twic). You can also find out

additional information at the Coast Guard's REC website at

(http://www.uscg.mil/STCW/mmic-regions.htm). We also have an informational

PowerPoint brief on our website at

(http://www.uscg.mil/d9/msdgh/index_files/Page618.htm).

If you have additional questions please feel free to contact me. I look

forward to working with you further in the future.

Very respectfully,

LT Michael Adams

Executive Officer

Sector Field Office Grand Haven

650 South Harbor Drive

Grand Haven, MI 49417

616-850-2503

I just sent my renewal in, to Toledo. Fill out the packet they send you on request, and they have a number of locations around the Great Lakes to be fingerprinted at, but you need the card from Toledo saying they have your paperwork to make a appointment. All the info is in the packet. Good thing I started early, my card said 6 - 8 weeks before the paperwork will be processed. I heard some people sending the packets to Alaska for quicker processing, but I would hate to have to report there for fingerprinting should the off site locations be taken away. The WI DNR informed me of the TWIC program, sounds like we will hear more about this by the end of this year and have untill late summer of 2008 to be a member. Sign up early, it sounds like all workers with access to Fed. water ports will need this.

Did this finger print packet you talk of come with your license renewal packet. Or was it requested by you for some other reason? Odd I haven't heard of or received any info from the MCBA on this new packet. They are usually prompt with E-mails for this type news.

37 inches 11 pounds and 38 inches 12 pounds. Kinda hard to tell in the top picture, being my client Dave is like me and measures 56 inches across the chest and throws a big shadow. Guys like us should not hold BIG fish up for pictures.

Thank's Ray.

They really put up a great fight and saved our trip. The walleye day bite is starting in earnest now along the shorelines. And with the inland walleye season opening today the oportunities and variety will be many.

Nice Job Screemer.

The walleyes for the most part seem to be podded up tighter this spring then in years past and are seeming to prefer the smaller cranks. But I'm thinking that may have more to do with the massive resurgence of smaller Emerald Shiners in Lake Huron and how the water clarity (clear/dark) seems to be pooling this spring. My biologist bud says the cloudy/clear water pooling has a lot to do with how cold the water temps stayed this spring in the Bay. With the warmer/cloudier river waters mixing in a lot slower with the cold.

Wondering in the back of my mind rather it really was a mis-hap and not my fault for missing that monster walleye last night for my client, I had that question answered today with 2 huge Pike my clients caught and I scooped in the net that required precision technique to get them to even fit in the net. Both went back. So I guess I'm off the hook for now.

After what seemed like a life time of waiting this year, the conditions finally got right tonight. Well, most of them anyway. The Saginaw Bays water clarity was still what I'd consider on the stained side, with maybe 2 feet visibility looking at the #18's Rapala's swimming along side the boat. But it didn't take long late this afternoon about an hour before dark and only 1 hour after we launched that the first strike yanked the middle board out of place. But the fish quickly got off and was gone.

About 45 minutes later as the sun was about half gone on the horizon the middle board on the other side with the #14 Husky Jerk/Tennessee Shad flew out of place. As I handed the pole to my lady client (with her husbands permission) I could tell this was a BIG fish. She did fine playing the bruiser in and when I could see the fish I knew it would go 10 pound or more. I was really nervous (for some reason) as I removed the InLine, as the crank was only 18 feet behind the board. I told her to step up front a little and lift with all her might. I wanted to get the monster in one swift scoop. The lady must have been watching the fish real close because she made the classic mistake.

As I step between her and the fish to scoop. She leaned over to peak around me to watch. And in doing so dropped the rod tip and gave the fish slack. Moving it away from the net as I was scooping down and in. I don't have to tell you what happened then. I got a net full of Husky Jerk with a monster walleye being dragged on the outside of the net. I tried to lift the fish up and in the boat. But things that weigh 10 pounds up close weigh God knows how much 12 feet away swinging from the mesh of a net. I tried to thrust the net under the fish but there was not enough slack in the bag. And away she finally went. We did end up catching another nice one just 5 minutes before it was time to leave. I know I'm going to wake up in a cold sweat for a while dreaming about that one.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 19, 2007

CONTACT: Mary Dettloff 517-335-3014

Legislation Introduced to Incrementally Increase Hunting and Fishing License Fees

Legislation has been introduced in the Michigan Legislature that would incrementally increase fees for hunting and fishing licenses in Michigan over the next six years.

The proposed increases for hunting contained in House Bill 4624 begin in 2007 and would be phased in gradually over four years until 2010, and the proposed increases for fishing contained in Senate Bill 406 begin in 2008 and would be phased in gradually over four years until 2011. The legislation also authorizes a 5 percent inflationary increase in license fees for 2012 and 2013.

In both bills, the current 60 percent discount that hunters and anglers age 65 and older receive remains at that rate until 2010, when the amount of the discount is reduced by 5 percent each year until 2013, at which time senior licenses will be 40 percent of the corresponding resident license.

The current license fee structure was signed into law in 1996, at a time when the Department of Natural Resources was provided more General Fund support in the state budget. Today, the DNR receives only 9 percent of its budget from the General Fund, and one half of those funds are for payment in lieu of taxes (PILT) that pass through the agency and go directly to local units of government. Approximately 76 percent of the DNR’s budget is restricted funds, which are limited by law as to how they can be spent.

“As General Fund support for the department has been reduced over the last several years, we have been forced to look at license fee increases so that we can continue the work we do to provide high quality hunting and fishing experiences that hunters and anglers have come to expect in Michigan,†said DNR Director Rebecca Humphries. “These increases will allow the DNR to maintain its current level of service.â€

Revenues raised from license fee sales goes to the Game and Fish Protection Fund, a restricted fund that is used for the DNR’s wildlife and fish conservation work in the state. The fund pays for conservation officers, wildlife and fish habitat projects and field biologists, among other expenditures.

Without a license fee increase, the DNR will face an $8 million projected shortfall in the Game and Fish Protection Fund in 2008. The deficit increases to more than $40 million by 2010, which would result in significant cuts in staff and programs for the department.

Other significant highlights of the legislation include:

* Junior licenses for those ages 10-16 will be discounted 50 percent over the cost of regular licenses;

* The Natural Resources Commission will have the authority to discount any license;

* Nonresident license increases will take full effect the first year of the license package and will not be phased in like the Michigan resident licenses;

* The age at which an angler would be required to have a fishing license drops from age 17 to 16;

* A deer combination license will be offered that allows the holder to take two deer in compliance with that year’s rules. The price of the combination license in the first year of the license package is the sum of the price of a resident firearm deer license plus the cost of a second resident bow and arrow license;

* A new 72-hour or 3-day all-species fishing license will be offered to residents and non-residents. This will allow infrequent or visiting anglers to fish over a three-day period, such as a holiday weekend, without purchasing multiple licenses at a cost below what three, 1-day licenses would cost and below the cost of an annual all-species license. All-species licenses allow anglers to fish for all species, including salmon and trout;

* Youth anglers would be required to have a youth fishing license if they plan on keeping the fish that they catch. However, if accompanied by one or more licensed adult anglers, an unlicensed youth can keep the fish they catch as part of the limit of one or more of the adult anglers they are with.

Hunters and anglers who already purchased a 2007 license will not be made to retroactively pay for an increase, should the legislation be approved and signed into law by the Governor.

For more information on the hunting and fishing license package development and the DNR’s budget, please visit the DNR Web site at www.michigan.gov/dnr.

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

Bills seek phased-in fee hikes to hunt, fish

Without the increase, DNR is headed for a funding shortfall that is expected to keep rising.

James Prichard / Associated Press

LANSING -- It may soon cost more to bag a buck or to reel in a big one in Michigan.

Two state lawmakers have written bills that seek significant, phased-in price increases in the state's hunting and fishing licenses.

Some license fees would go up two or three times, or more.

Sen. Liz Brater, D-Ann Arbor, introduced her fishing fees bill in the Senate on Tuesday, while Rep. Matt Gillard, D-Alpena, was likely to introduce his companion hunting fees bill in the House today, their offices said.

If the bills are passed, fees could go up immediately, said Mary Dettloff, a spokeswoman for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, who had not seen the actual language of the bills. Full increases would be phased in over a four-year period, with an additional 5 percent increases in years five and six.

Hunting and fishing license fees have not gone up since 1996, she said. Without legislative approval of the proposed fee increases, the DNR is headed for a funding shortfall that is expected to rise from $9 million next year to as much as $46 million by the 2009-10 fiscal year.

The cost of a firearm or archery deer license would double from $15 to $30 for Michigan residents during the next four years and rise from $138 to $165 for out-of-state deer hunters.

Yet another good topic.

Looking to take a guided fishing trip with my brother. neither of us have done it before. What is the appropriate amount to tip a guide who does a good job, standard 20%?

Ryan.

Ryan.

Fishing is unlike any other job or service. But like other services, it can be easy to very hard. Guides and charter captains simply have a license and not a diploma guaranteeing their knowledge and expertise. We often looks like fishing Gods on Monday and fishing bums on Tuesday. Some do take the job more seriously then others and can actually spoil the fun they are trying to deliver because of it. I've caught myself doing that several times on tough days.

I've guided/chartered for 22 years now and I agree with Reel Man. The fees for my services have always been set to cover my expenses and services. Counting on a tip as part of that gratuity could create bad feelings and would be a bad policy for any guide/charter to count on. And some people simply cannot afford to tip after the initial fee, hotels and travel expenses they've already laid out.

With that said, I'll say I never refused a tip. With some being as much as 50% of my fee. But here's the fly in the ointment when expecting a tip.

I've taken people out and caught them their limit in short order. Had a ball laughing, telling jokes and slapping each other on the backs all day long. Come back to the launch, clean and bag their fish and received only a hand shake, another slap on the back and a wave good bye, never to see them again.

Take another group the next day, try my best to get then some fish. End up skunking them out, but receive a big tip with a promise to come back again the next year.

All people are different. All have different incomes. I've had some of the same clients for 20 years. Different people expect different things when paying for a fishing trip. Some first timers don't know what to expect. Some have personalities and habits I don't care for. I have habits and a personality you might not care for. I will however always do my best to show, teach and catch you some fish, no matter where our future relationship is headed. If you feel that warrants a tip I'll accept it. If it does not, you still have my thanks for the day and I'll never think any less of you. Capt. Dan.

Heres something to consider. I took this posted answer to my post off another board.

Posted 4/16/2007 7:01 AM (#54436 - in reply to #54366)

Subject: RE: Mich. License fee increases languish at what cost?

Member

Posts: 362

Location: Neenah Wi.

I'm not a Mich resident but a cheesehead from Wisc.I just bought my license and my resident wisc was as much as my non-resident Mich.I cant believe it has not gone up.It is a small price to pay for all the days I spend on the water.I purchase 3 yearly state licenses and they are all around 30-35 if I remember right.

Neat topic I pulled off another board.

I had been naming my waypoints with the date and type of fish caught. For example, I would change waypoint "001" to "05 17 04 Crappie" if I caught crappie in that spot on May 17, 2004. That way it served as a mini log. I knew to look for them in that spot in may.

Now that I am starting to use the "find" function... I am thinking that I should go back and rename the waypoints to the body of water.. like "BC 05 17 04 Crappie" so that the different lake waypoints dont sort together.

I'm interested in how you GPS manage your waypoints.... What kind of names (if any) do you assign to them?

Dave

Dave.

Mine get named so I can attach them to an easy memory. Most all are named after clients, friends or events that took place on board or with me during the time we caught enough fish to warrant it's membership entry into my GPS waypoint list. I have names like Larry 1 2 and 3. Betty 1 and Betty 2. Meaning while Betty or Larry were fishing with me, we caught lots of fish trolling beteen those points. And I won't forget Betty, Larry or the fish we caught that day. And I haven't. Simply using numbers (without written references IMV) can be confusing and a poor way to remember why you even marked that spot to begin with. Capt. Dan.

IMO one of the major issues with the increase is that it is a bandaid. Give the icrease now and it will fix the current problem, but what happens next? If they would get off their asses and work on a plan to fund the DNR from here on out I don't think people would be so negative. This short fall didn't happen over night, they should have been working on this years ago. With the licence sales dropping every year, to think they can raise fees to keep up is just plain out of the question. Why isn't there something like a 1/2 or 1 percent sales tax put on that would go straight to the DNR budget? There has to be a better way to fix the problem, if they expect the sportsman to foot the whole bill we will end up like France and a few other where only the rich can enjoy the sport. Once they come up with a better solution then increase fees and do things like habitat improvements on state land etc..

I agree Steve.

And hopefully the new referendum on sporting equipment we voted in in November will start supplying some or most of the monies needed in the next few years. But we need to stop the bleeding as soon as we can now before the wound gets to infected to heal. If it does heal and comes back again because of mis-managment and pork barrel programs, I to will become part of the silent majority.

Linked to this same subject Bob, is an E-mail I recieved this morning from the Michigan Charter Boat Association (MCBA).

MCBA, Board, port Captains

Due primarily to budget issues the DNR has suspended Charter Boat inspections for the year 2007.

The attached adobe file contains the letter prepared to mail Charter Boat owners.

This is just the tip of the iceberg, if a License fee package is not in place by October you may expect more cuts in hunting and fishing programs.

I have attempted through meetings, and email the importance of contacting your Legislators in support of the Hunting and Fishing License package, unfortunately Legislators are not hearing enough from supporters only from opponents.

Capt. Denny Grinold

MCBA State Affairs Officer

Now, this decrelation does not effect anybody who fishes tournaments or for fun in our state. And there's always been debate between us (MCBA) Charter captains and the DNR about both the cost and man power used to conduct these inspections. We as charter captains pay $150.00 to $250.00 every two years to have our vessels DNR inspected both at Dry Dock or at Dock Side in alternate years. Of course when DNR officers are inspecting charter boats they cannot be doing other things. And with close to 500 registered charter boats in Michigan, the man power argument is persuasive.

And you would think I would be happy about this news, being able to save both some preparation time for the inspection and some fee money because of it's postponement this year. On the surface of course I am, but wonder about what new laws or rules will have to be enacted to make sure and keep my/all charter boats safe and sea worthy in the future, if this temporary fix becomes the norm. These inspections have kept our clients safe and liability insurance costs down lower then most other states that have no such inspection laws. And if independents are brought in there will be no set fast rules, guidelines or reliability tests for individual inspections. This is just part of what can happen and might, to the general publics operating rules, laws and regulations if money constraints force unpopular decisions and cuts.

It's my personal view that the cost of gas has been as much to blame for the unpopular license fee increase as anything has. I think the last time licenses fees were raised gas was about $1.19 a gallon. I just spent $49.00 to fill my truck up last time I did. This weekly rage I feel every time I fill up (excuse the punn) fuels and spills over to anything I see as taking extra money out of my pocket. But the alternative stinks just as bad in my view.

That spawned out male looks like he had some rough spawning partners.

MCBA, Board, port Captains

Due primarily to budget issues the DNR has suspended Charter Boat inspections for the year 2007.

The attached file contains the letter prepared to mail Charter Boat owners.

This is just the tip of the iceberg, if a License fee package is not in place by October you may expect more cuts in hunting and fishing programs.

I have attempted through meetings, and email the importance of contacting your Legislators in support of the Hunting and Fishing License package, unfortunately Legislators are not hearing enough from supporters only from opponents.

Capt. Denny Grinold

MCBA State Affairs Officer

Michigan's DNR programs and budget needs that run and keep vital programs going are in serious trouble. There will be a program shortfall in the millions this year. Blame anybody or everybody you want, but the fact is additional funds (via license fees) are needed to keep the most vital resource programs alive. The Natural Resource Commission (NRC) voted to raise both the Hunting and Fishing Licence for this 2007 season to keep the most important of these alive . But for lack of support from the public it may languish, not be voted on or die in comity. Legislators have received many more (NO) letters and E-mails then (YES). And it is not my intention here to solicit a yes vote or chastise a no vote. But please, whatever your opinion on the matter let your legislators know. When things start being cut or changed because of these results one way or the other. Know at least you voiced your honest opinion.

Rich.

Thank you for making me even more grateful for having both my pups.

Caz.

The pain you feel is far from stupid. My hunting dog Otter is 9 and is laying by my side as I type this. We've shared a lot of good times and I suspect we'll share a few more before his time is up. What other living things in our lives totally accept us as we are and continually strive to please us. In My faith it's taught that dogs have no souls and are not accepted into heaven. I can only believe then that God never had a dog.

Pulled from another board.

When pulling plugs below dams and heavy current areas how much does current affect the dive curve on any given plug?

Thanks Dave

Dave.

The quick answer. Faster deeper. Slower shallower.

I've had many years of experience in all kinds of river currents doing what Drift Boaters call "Pulling Plugs". That is, while using the oars to hold or slip the boat slightly in the current, and letting the current pull the plugs ahead making them dive and work in the current ahead of the boat. A deadly technique for all types of river game fish. And have a little experience doing what would be called "Trolling Plugs" against the current while under power using an outboard.

Not having made a study of each, but having 22+ years of guiding experience doing both pulling/trolling cranks, I know there is no stead fast (feet out to lure down) rule when it comes to plugs and river current. Unless you fish either a very deep river with consistent current speeds, where your lure will never be near any type or barriers, obstacles or bottom. Or a shallower river that has consistently the same depth and current speed with no obstructions of any kind (top or bottom) in that system.

There are just to many current speed variables in any system with Logs, Rocks, Holes, Corners, Bars, Points, Wing dams (and the list goes on) to consistently supply a constant moving liquid force, to reliably/verifiably figure out how deep any given lure will dive in all systems and current types.

In river systems I fish a lot, I've discovered (in the long run) it's best to keep a mental record of how many feet out any given crank you use is, in any given spot. And at what optimum length that was when you had your best luck. Sounds tough, but success is the best teacher and imprints the longest memories. Capt. Dan.

Took this question and my answer to it from anoother board.

I always struggle with walleye success very early in the year. From ice out until the water temp gets to around the lower to mid 60s.

Can someone advise what typical timeline can be thought of when considering using minnows, then leaches, then crawler? Is upper 40's to lower 50's too early to consider leaches? What about crawlers?

I'd not like to pass up a bait choice as a possiblilty thinking it's too early to try that bait but also not want to waste fishing effort working a bait type that doesn't really stand a chance.

Perhaps it's a matter of any of them will work regardless of water temp?

Thanks,

Andy

Andy.

Your question is a good one, and one we all ask and think about often. It never hurts to try as many/varied techniques and live or artificial bait choices as you can if the bite is slow.

I've always been a student in the school of thought that the fish look for and key in on what's most abundant in any systems at any given time. So with that thinking I'd use (most often) what the weather and water conditions were serving up.

If to cold, very few if any worms or crawlers are out and about or being washed into the water systems from rains. And the leeches for the most part set out colder temps and times buried in the mud. So I was strictly a minnow man in any waters colder then 50 degrees. I still believe this to a degree, but have always tempered my thoughts about this subject with some rationality on the matter.

I've often spoken about and written that one has to be careful about analyzing what a fish will/should instinctively do while/when comparing it to any rational human conclusions or thinking.

Fish (in all cases) are instinctive and opportunistic. They don't have calendars, plan things ahead of times, and don't realize that worms, crawlers and leeches don't like cold weather.

But we as humans seem to give them personalities and rational thinking brains to often. We all do it at some point, it's simply human nature. But seldom if ever the nature of the fish. Capt. Dan.

This answer will twist your titty Screamer. How about never more than 3 miles out, and in depths no deeper then 18 Feet all summer. I pray this keeps up this year.