Michigan Springtime rituals
May 15, 2023 14:04:41 #
My wife and I took a leisurely drive yesterday to take in some local sites that we look forward to in the Northern Michigan Spring time. Cherry orchards in blossom, trillium flowers blooming like a carpet on the forest floors and smallmouth bass on the prowl as they stage up for spawning.
There is a brief window of opportunity to catch songbirds at the feeder and nearby tree cover before foliage keeps them hidden from view as they takes turns visiting the suspended food plot.
Mother's Day was a pleasant one around here, and I hope yours was the same. I meant to post this yesterday, but it was pretty late last night when we arrived back home.
Another calm day on local waters beckoned me to get out and paddle the kayak to troll for some bass this morning, and sure enough, three interested parties took a swipe at my crank bait offerings. Only two stayed on the hook long enough for me to have a battle and subsequent release back to their buddies. Still quite a few bass schooled up, along with seeing more carp, sheepshead, suckers, cisco and a few lake trout roaming around. The only thing that seemed hungry this morning was the bass.
There is a brief window of opportunity to catch songbirds at the feeder and nearby tree cover before foliage keeps them hidden from view as they takes turns visiting the suspended food plot.
Mother's Day was a pleasant one around here, and I hope yours was the same. I meant to post this yesterday, but it was pretty late last night when we arrived back home.
Another calm day on local waters beckoned me to get out and paddle the kayak to troll for some bass this morning, and sure enough, three interested parties took a swipe at my crank bait offerings. Only two stayed on the hook long enough for me to have a battle and subsequent release back to their buddies. Still quite a few bass schooled up, along with seeing more carp, sheepshead, suckers, cisco and a few lake trout roaming around. The only thing that seemed hungry this morning was the bass.
Another calm day on the water. I could stay out paddling until I fell asleep it was so relaxing.
The first of two smallmouth bass today. They really like this lure. I ran 6 other crankbait varieties this morning after catching 2 fish, and this was all they wanted.
Not the best angle on the second bass of the morning, but she tipped the scales at 5 and a half pounds.
Local cherry orchards are off to a good start, although we did have a frost this morning...which made me cringe to leave the house wearing shorts and barefoot!
Cherry blossoms that will turn into future fruit. I'm craving a slice of cherry pie right about now!
Trilliums as far as the eye can see that blanket this forest area. Morel mushrooms are well hidden from view...but they are there!
A wild trillium up close.
Baltimore orioles are showing up...
A pair of gold finches out on a dinner date....
The rose breasted grosbeaks are always welcome at our feeder.
May 15, 2023 14:20:22 #
fishyaker wrote:
My wife and I took a leisurely drive yesterday to ... (show quote)
Great report, and fantastic pictures, as always Yaker. I wish we had populations of Smallies like that. Thanks for sharing.
May 15, 2023 14:22:10 #
Those are some beautiful photos along with equally excellent narrative, fy! You really have the knack for blogging!
May 15, 2023 14:56:23 #
May 15, 2023 15:30:00 #
Fredfish wrote:
Great report, and fantastic pictures, as always Yaker. I wish we had populations of Smallies like that. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you Fredfish! When the big gal struck, there was about a 30 second tug of war going on before the real battle began. Felt like a big lake trout just wanting to stay in place. I immediately thought of you and wished you could have been the one steering the fight!
Once they are done spawning the bass will spread out over a very large area...and that's when it takes a little longer to find them and "connect the dots" on them when going from fish to fish during Summer.
May 15, 2023 15:30:53 #
DCGravity wrote:
Those are some beautiful photos along with equally excellent narrative, fy! You really have the knack for blogging!
Thank you DCGravity! It's a fun way to share what goes on in our part of this Great Country!
May 15, 2023 15:35:31 #
florida wrote:
Great Pictures and narration THANKS and good fishing.
Thank you Florida! I had to cut the morning short from kayaking/fishing to get back home and tend to some routine Spring chores...like activating the irrigation system, Summarizing snowmobiles, tending the yard, etc.
It's really hard to stay off the water when conditions are so premium in terms of weather...and a few fish that want to do the tango!
Another part of our Spring switch over process...getting the small welcome sign to our yard changed for the Summer season. Our family, friends and guests always know when they have arrived!
May 16, 2023 00:15:13 #
May 16, 2023 07:04:36 #
fishyaker wrote:
My wife and I took a leisurely drive yesterday to ... (show quote)
Awesome pics fishyaker, great narrative and jealous of your catches because my waters yesterday were the same. Flat and could have paddled for miles. Felt like it after 5 1/2 hours and only a spot fish as a reward.
But heck, no white stripe on him.
May 16, 2023 07:51:09 #
NJ219bands wrote:
Nice 👍
Thank you NJ! The Springtime is great around here for even just "viewing" the fish down below. Sometimes I have considered purchasing a kayak with a viewing window embedded in the hull. A few years ago I almost pulled the trigger on one but it was hard to justify having it just to look at fish!
May 16, 2023 07:57:15 #
plumbob wrote:
Awesome pics fishyaker, great narrative and jealous of your catches because my waters yesterday were the same. Flat and could have paddled for miles. Felt like it after 5 1/2 hours and only a spot fish as a reward.
But heck, no white stripe on him.
But heck, no white stripe on him.
Thank you Plumb! Glad to hear that you were able to get on the water in your kayak as well! One fish is better than none, although I have to admit that it never bothers me if I come up empty handed because just the process of trying has it's own rewards! Trying different depths...changing lures and varying my speed on the troll. Sometimes I stop and cast as well to add some variety.
Our waters are still rather cold, so my troll speed has been between 1.4 and 1.6 mph. The fish are still just getting caught by the lip, which I believe is because they are simply taking "non aggressive" bites.
I can hardly wait to get out again and see what's going on. I have a brand new spot that I have never tried that has always intrigued me so once I catch up around the house with chores I will be waiting for a calm day!
We are entertaining family with some guests this weekend so I am hoping to squeeze in some time over the next few days before I become housebound as a host!
May 16, 2023 08:04:42 #
fishyaker wrote:
Thank you Plumb! Glad to hear that you were able t... (show quote)
I know what you mean about trying a new spot. I can still see that bridge in my mind where I need waders to get to. Going to put all the wader info together today that everyone posted and look it over.
Oh by the way, you will most likely see your sign post again in the Thought for Today post in July. I don't know what I am going to say with it, but it said save this when i saw it.
May 16, 2023 08:10:20 #
plumbob wrote:
I know what you mean about trying a new spot. I can still see that bridge in my mind where I need waders to get to. Going to put all the wader info together today that everyone posted and look it over.
Oh by the way, you will most likely see your sign post again in the Thought for Today post in July. I don't know what I am going to say with it, but it said save this when i saw it.
Oh by the way, you will most likely see your sign post again in the Thought for Today post in July. I don't know what I am going to say with it, but it said save this when i saw it.
Good luck on your wader choice. I noticed lots of comments for you to mull over. Yeah...even if you only ever wade up to your calves or knees it's the easy access that waders grant.
I'll keep an eye out for your upcoming July post with that photo. I appreciate that you thought that much of it to include! I keep the lodging and meal placards in place year round, and change the lower two activities with the seasons. The folks that know me get a good chuckle out of it.
May 16, 2023 08:58:51 #
fishyaker wrote:
Good luck on your wader choice. I noticed lots of comments for you to mull over. Yeah...even if you only ever wade up to your calves or knees it's the easy access that waders grant.
I'll keep an eye out for your upcoming July post with that photo. I appreciate that you thought that much of it to include! I keep the lodging and meal placards in place year round, and change the lower two activities with the seasons. The folks that know me get a good chuckle out of it.
I'll keep an eye out for your upcoming July post with that photo. I appreciate that you thought that much of it to include! I keep the lodging and meal placards in place year round, and change the lower two activities with the seasons. The folks that know me get a good chuckle out of it.
Well you got a big smile from me on it. I have a few pics and sayings the guys and gals post through out the threads.
Cam has a few recently that will be re posted and Good Old Troy keeps me straight with some very good ones too.
May 16, 2023 11:06:16 #
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