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The Fly Fishing Knots Bandana
Along with cleaning, checking, and organizing your gear, winter is a great time to practice tying your fishing knots, and of course learning some new ones. The good news is that the Internet makes that fairly easy with a number of websites that illustrate a range of fly fishing knots both new and old.
Consider, for example, my personal favorite — Grog’s Fishing Knots, which provides wonderfully illustrated knot-tying instructions for all the biggies. And if you’re into video, you really should check out VideoFishingKnots.com. Very cool site, too.
But there are others. FlyMart Online has a nice page on knot-tying. And of course Midcurrent is always good for a page on a topic like this.
I recently discovered a site that previously I had not known about with a nice section on knots and tying. Check out TheFlyFishingDVD.com for good stuff on knots and other topics, as well.
Of course, if you’re like me, and just can’t remember all your knots in the heat of battle, you can cheat — a bandana of fly fishing knots might really just be all you need.
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The past two months have been filled with ever-changing news and information on the threat of Asian Carp to the Great Lakes as federal and state officials wrestle over the best solutions. Most of the debate has centered on immediate closure of navigational locks in the Chicago River system (aka “The Chicago Carp Canal”), which are considered the last obstacle separating Asian Carp from the Mississippi River and the Great Lakes. With the exception of Illinois, Great Lakes states and the Canadian Province of Ontario have been fighting to close the locks until a long-term solution can be established. Major resistance on this solution has come from the White House, Illinois, and the Chicago shipping industry.
Asian Carp. Photo by Kate Gardiner, Copyright 2009.
On Monday of this week, Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm attended a White House “Carp Summit,” which was scheduled to open dialogue between Great Lakes governors and Obama administration officials. The result however revealed only that the federal government is willing to spend $78 million on studies, flood control, and expansion of status quo preventative measures. Instead of blocking off Lake Michigan from the Chicago River system, the White House revealed plans that would close the locks for three to four days per week. Unless $78 million is being spent on research to train Asian Carp when to swim upstream, this plan reveals that the federal government is content with throwing money at the problem in an attempt to passify political upheaval without making the right decision.
Aside from the disappointing solutions proposed by the executive branch of the federal government, Congress also took a look at the Asian Carp issue this week. The Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee to the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure held a hearing on February 9 on the issue, which we’re hopeful will lead to tougher Congressional action. MUCC submitted testimony along with fellow Michigan sporting and conservation groups urging the Subcommittee to take action on immediate and long term preventative measures, including the CARP ACT legislation introduced by U.S. Representative Dave Camp and U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow. Watch the recorded hearing online.
On the legal side, last week, Attorney General Mike Cox announced the filing of a renewed motion with the U.S. Supreme Court that seeks to close the Chicago locks. The Supreme Court already denied the original motion in January, but issued its ruling a few hours before new evidence revealed that Asian Carp eDNA was discovered in Lake Michigan. Michigan also has a petition pending in front of the Court to re-open the 1929 “Water Diversion Case” of Wisconsin v. Illinois, which seeks the appointment of a “special master” to oversee implementation of a long-term solution to the Asian Carp Problem. Illinois and the Obama administration have until February 19th to submit briefs on this petition.
Last, but not least, MUCC has been busy gearing up for the annual “Great Lakes Days” in Washington, D.C. on February 23-24, where we’ll talk to members of Congress about the Asian Carp issue as well as other funding and legislative items that could benefit the Great Lakes and its $7 billion sportfishery.
Visit an Asian Carp public meeting near you!
International Joint Commission Public Meeting on Asian Carp
The meeting also will be available via live web stream at: http://epa.gov/greatlakes/live. Those who cannot attend the meeting in person can submit questions on the Web site. When available, the framework and a transcript of the meeting will be posted on http://www.asiancarp.org/regionalcoordination. Comments on the framework may also be submitted online at the above website.
What
To discuss plans and get recommendations on Asian carp control efforts.
Who
Senior Representatives from the International Joint Commission, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Coast Guard, Great Lakes states, provinces, municipalities and tribes (invited), White House Council on Environmental Quality, and Scientific experts.
When
3:00 – 6:00 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 17.
Where
Marriott Ann Arbor Ypsilanti at Eagle Crest, 1275 S. Huron, Ypsilanti, MI 48197
Other
Town Hall Meetings hosted by Attorney General Mike Cox and Michigan Members of Congress.
- Traverse City: Feb. 17, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at the Great Lakes Maritime Academy
- St. Joseph: Feb. 18, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at the St. Joseph Public Library
- Grand Rapids: Feb. 22, 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. at the Gerald Ford Museum Auditorium
The longer days confirms that winter is progressing along, but it’s still winter. Fishing continues to be limited to steelhead and trout in some local rivers by those looking to shed cabin fever and bend the rod. When the sun pops out and gives off some solar heat and Vitamin D – it’s time to be on the water.
Steelhead Season. Photo by Surrealis_uk, Copyright 2006.
The significance of a slight temperature increase can make all the difference; look for late mornings and early afternoons to be best as the sun is its highest. While a blessing, the sun can be the curse when combined with the clear winter water; this is the time to make your best drag-free presentations with lighter tippets – preferably fluorocarbon. An indicator will not only help monitor your drift, but help you suspend your flies off the bottom to get a presentation to fish near and in structure. Eggs in paler colors combined with your standard assortment of nymphs: hexes, little black stones, larger black stones, and caddis in green, cream and “cased” are all effective this time of year.
There are steelhead throughout the Manistee river system and the closer you get to Tippy dam you will find them mixed with trout. Trout anglers fishing nymphs under an indicator are finding midge, bow nymphs and caddis to be preferred with an occasional steelhead rendering the 6x tippet useless. Fishing on the Betsie seems to be more a matter of the day as both hold-over and newer fish move throughout the system. Urban anglers in Traverse City are finding a fish here and there throughout the Boardman system but more skippers than adult fish. Regardless of the river, look for the slower and deeper water to be the home of chrome right now and make sure your first cast in each hole and run is spot-on and the same with your last – this time of year be sure to fish the water thoroughly since fish aren’t moving a whole lot to eat. Fish throughout the all rivers seem to be a mix of fall and early winter holdovers along with some brighter fish too.
The bright side is the days are getting longer and the calendar says that March and the spring steelhead run isn’t that far away!
Ted Kraimer is a professional guide and fly tier, owner of Current Works Guide Service, and field editor for True North Trout. His fishing reports will continue to appear in T|N|T and on his website.
NOTE: Ted is offering a great winter fishing special of five hours of guided fly fishing and lunch for only $250 — available through March 15th. Check it out.
As we get the 2010 fly angling season underway (looks like an early spring is on the way this year!), keep in mind that it is banquet-and-show season throughout the watershed. Here are some important upcoming events to get your mind back on trout and flies:
Photo Copyright 2004 by Chris Campbell.
37TH ANNUAL OUTDOORAMA: Feb. 25th to 28th at Rock Financial Showplace in Novi. More than 150 booths will feature fishing boats, pontoons, canoes, kayaks deck boats, runabouts and ski and wakeboard boats. MUCC’s “Big Buck Night,” “Wildlife Encounters,” a daily Fish Fry, Trout Pond for kids, and Milt Wilcox’s “Ultimate Air Dogs” are among many features. Hours: 2-9:30 p.m. Feb. 25-26; 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Feb. 27; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Feb. 28. Admission: $10, $4 for 6-14, free for 5-and-younger. Information: www.Outdoorama.com or (800) 328-6550.
RED CEDAR FLY FISHERS ANNUAL BANQUET: Feb. 26th at the Brookshire Inn and Country Club, 205 W. Church St. in Williamston. Chuck Hawkins of Hawkins Outfitters will speak on “Big Trout Fishing in Michigan.” Cocktails start at 6 p.m. with dinner at 7. Admission is $30. The event will also feature a general raffle, bucket raffles, card raffles and door prizes. Tickets are available at Nomad Anglers in Okemos. For information, call Brad Reynolds at 333-9258.
2ND ANNUAL CELEBRATION OF FLY TYING: Feb. 27th; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 5830 Clyde Park Ave. SW in Grand Rapids. Presentations from some of the best tiers in the Midwest. Demonstrations and instruction, with lunch and snacks available. $10 for adults, $5 for youth aged 12 to 17, and admission free for those under 12. For more information contact Dennis Potter at ausable1@gmail.com at (616) 363-4966.
MIDWEST FLYFISHING EXPO: Dave Hughes, Joe Humphreys, Bob Jacklin and Jeff “Bear” Andrews headline this year’s Expo, scheduled for March 13th and 14th at the Macomb Community College Sports and Expo Center in Warren. Hours: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. March 13; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. March 14. Admission: $10, free for 16-and-younger: www.mffc.org.
65TH ANNUAL ULTIMATE SPORT SHOW: March 18th to the 21st at DeVos Place, 303 Monroe Ave. NW in Grand Rapids. Hours: 3-9:30 p.m. March 18, 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m. March 19, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. March 20, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. March 21. Admission: $9, $4 6-14, free for 5-and-younger. Information: www.GRFish.com or (800) 328-6550.
NOTE: If you would like True North Trout to Spread the Love about your upcoming fly fishing, fly tying, or conservation event, drop us a line!
Five new state record fish – highlighted by a world record brown trout – were among 1,433 fish entered in the Department of Natural Resources and Environment’s Master Angler Program in 2009.
State records were also broken for pumpkinseed (twice), redear sunfish and Great Lakes muskellunge.
A 41.45-pound brown trout, caught by Thomas Healy of Rockford on the Manistee River on Sept. 9, has been certified as a world record by the International Game Fish Association.
Overall anglers entered 503 fish in the catch-and-keep category and 930 fish in the catch-and-release category, up from 430 and 871, respectively, in 2008.
The Master Angler Program recognizes anglers who catch fish that weigh more (catch and keep) or measure longer (catch and release) than established standards.
“Fishing was excellent in 2009 as evidenced by the large number of quality fish entered into our Master Angler Program,” said DNRE Fisheries Divisions Chief Kelley Smith. “This only reaffirms what we’ve long known – there’s world-class fishing in Michigan.”
For complete lists of Master Angler fish submitted in 2009, visit the DNRE Web site at www.michigan.gov/dnrfishing, and click on Angler Information. Anglers who think they may have a record fish may contact Barbara Dilts in the DNRE Fisheries Division at 517-373-2966.
Image copyright 2010 by Andy Ward
The Department of Natural Resources and Environment reminds everyone that Winter Free Fishing Weekend is scheduled for Feb 13-14. On that weekend, everyone – residents and non-residents alike – can fish without a license, though all other fishing regulations apply.
Michigan has been celebrating Winter Free Fishing Weekend annually since 2000 as a way to promote natural resources awareness. With more than 3,000 miles of Great Lakes shoreline, 36,000 miles of river and 11,000 inland lakes, Michigan and fishing are a natural match.
“Fishing is a great way to connect with our natural resources,” said DNRE Director Rebecca Humphries. “It’s a perfect way for families to spend time together while celebrating the bounty of Michigan’s wonderfully diverse outdoor heritage.”
A number of activities at state parks and state fish hatcheries have been scheduled to coincide with the weekend, while clubs and conservation organizations stage events, too. Many provide free equipment and bait. The events often include experienced anglers willing to introduce novices into the joy of fishing.
For a list of Free Fishing Events scheduled across the state, visit www.michigan.gov/dnrfishing.
The Traverse City Chamber of Commerce Weighs-In on the Threat of Asian Carp in the Great Lakes
I was pleased to get the following from Doug Luciani, of the Traverse City Chamber of Commerce. It is good to see the business community get behind this issue, as they absolutely should:
- Imagine a trip to the Manitou Islands while dodging 50-pound flying fish.
- Imagine your favorite fishing hole as a barren, fish-free dead zone.
- Imagine the elimination of thousands of fishery jobs and the evaporation of a $7 billion industry in a time when Michigan cannot afford further attrition.
- Sign the online petition to close the locks at www.stopasiancarp.com.
- Attend rallies, such as the one being held at the Traverse City Fish Ladder on Saturday, Feb. 6, at 11 a.m. to encourage Federal action to close the locks in Chicago to prevent the destruction of the Great Lakes ecology and $7 billion fishery economy.
Rackspace — one of the world’s leading hosting platforms — now also hosts True North Trout! With Rackspace providing our managed hosting, under the as-needed care of Matt Burden, our web guru, we expect uptime to improve and perhaps even faster page loading. Our previous hosting provider was going a fairly good job, but we had trouble getting our pages to load as often as we would have wished.
This development comes with the very earliest stirrings of the 2010 trout fishing season, and we’re getting our technical house in order. Look for more developments on T|N|T in the near future!
