The State of Michigan Proposed Changes for Pike Fishing Regulations

Sorry I was late to this one as the public comment period ends today (April 30) but I thought I'd share this as it is encouraging to see that the state fisheries folks are concerned with the pike fishery and are looking for ways to improve it. Here is a draft proposal

http://www.michigan.gov/documents/dnr/PikePlan_270285_7.pdf

Ironically, the cover photo for the draft sure looks to me to be part of the problem, note that the three healthy, prime spawner sized pike are attached to a stringer! I gave it a quick read and shot off my two cents, if anyone cares or has their own two cents to throw in, here's what I wrote:

Hello,

After a quick read and my limited understanding of fisheries management (I'm not a fisheries biologist, just a fisherman), I strongly favor the idea of a slot limit. The idea of protecting the "prime" fish seems smart to me, they are the most effective spawners and therefore key to the future of the fishery. Most people don't/won't keep the really small fish and if someone catches a real trophy fish, there (unfortunately) is going to be a tendency to keep it regardless of what the regs say. I also believe with the really large fish, they are approaching the end of their natural lives anyway so if they are harvested, it's not as much of a problem. If a 48" fish is 15 years old (for example, I have no idea what the actual size/age breakdown would be) and will live to be 16 or 17 then what's the harm in taking it. Protect those fish in the "prime of their lives" as they will reproduce many times and if released may provide another opportunity for an angler to catch them again (and again). As an aside, I think the slot limit idea is a good idea for many of our state's trout waters.

Thank you for your consideration.

Kirk Novak
The Northern Angler
803 W Front St
Traverse City, MI 49684
231-933-4730
www.thenorthernangler.com

So here's two more cents, why do we need to spear pike (or any fish for that matter)? Anyway, I am happy to see that pike are "on the radar" for the state fisheries department and hope to see some effective new regulations in the future.
By the way, pike season is open and the spring is the best time to get after them with the fly rod!

Thanks,
Kirk

The Northern Angler Flyfishing DVD Review 4-27-09

Pike on The Fly - In Pursuit of the Water Wolf
featuring Barry Reynolds

If you have ever fished for pike on the fly rod, then you know how exciting it can be and if you haven't done it before, I think this DVD might have you wondering why not! Pike flyfishing expert Barry Reynolds takes us to Alaska and Saskatchewan in pursuit of Esox Lucius, the "water wolf", the northern pike and when it comes to big fish and big action, this DVD delivers. In the beginning Barry answers the question of "why flyfish for pike?" by saying that pike hit flies with bad intentions, no little nibbles, they strike and mean to do the fly serious harm. The DVD shows some of the biggest pike ever caught on film, one of them tapes out at 54" and a number of other 50"+ fish are shown. On a scale of 1 to 10 for "fish porn" value, I would put this DVD at a 10.2, with the one caveat being that much like actual porn, there is a somewhat unrealistic aspect to it, in that the DVD is filmed in a place that has more 45"+ pike than anywhere else in the world. That doesn't make it any less enjoyable to watch though, just don't expect to grab the fly rod and head out to Boardman Lake to catch trophy pike after trophy pike. In terms of instructional value, there is a bonus section on gear that lays out rod/reel, leader, and fly choices very well, but it lacks a bit in terms of actual tactics and how to find the fish. For that info, Barry's book Mastering Pike on the Fly is the way to go. Read the book for the instruction, watch the video for the excitement, and get out there and try it!

The Northern Angler

The Fly Fishing Film Tour in Traverse City - Success!

Sunday, April 5th - The Fly Fishing Film Tour, presented by The Drake came to Traverse City and on behalf of The Michigan Anglers for Conservation, The Northern Angler, and all of the sponsors (Homewaters Real Estate, Olson, Bzdok & Howard, NM3 Magazine, Right Brain Brewery, and Signplicity) we would like to say a huge "THANK YOU" to all that attended! We had a great crowd. The final headcount was 254 people that filled the State Theatre and got to see some pretty incredible fly fishing footage.
At the halfway point we had a brief intermission at which point a Fishpond Dakota Rod /Reel bag, a softshell jacket by Current, and a $50 gift certificate to The Northern Angler were given away with a random drawing and then it was back to the film. After the movie it was over to the Right Brain Brewery for beer, free pizza, and discussion of the film and the newly formed Michigan Anglers for Conservation. The after party drew a nice crowd too, I would put the number at around 100, the place was full and we put the hurt on nearly 20 pizzas. There were sign up sheets for M.A.C and cards to fill out for a chance to win a trip to Belize through the fly fishing film tour national website. It seemed that the best received film short/preview was for Eastern Rises by Felt Soul Media, an awesome looking film about Kamchatka(caution: one F-bomb at about the 4:30 mark).
Eastern Rises | teaser from felt soul on Vimeo.
I personally will make sure that The Northern Angler gets and keeps that one in stock as soon as it is available on DVD!
That was the one negative that I saw in the film tour presentation, more than half of the featured films are not yet released on DVD, a missed opportunity for the film makers to sell some DVDs. Other than that, it was an enjoyable show that was definitely sweet on the big screen with a great soundtrack too (OK, small complaint #2, if there was a soundtrack available, 100-150 copies would have sold right then and there, 1 of them to me!).
So a good time, great films, great music, great beer, and a nice chunk of money raised for conservation. Stay tuned for more info on Michigan Anglers for Conservation.

Thanks again to everyone and keep an eye out for next year's event!

The Northern Angler

Replica Fish Carving Demonstration

I wanted to thank Steve Vanderford for coming out this past weekend to The Northern Angler and giving a couple hour demonstration on carving fish from foam. We had about 10 people at the free demonstration and it seemed that everyone enjoyed the presentation. Steve has a number of pieces on display on the walls at The Northern Angler including a brown trout, steelhead, and a big northern pike.
He brought lots of foam, some of his silicone molds, some models, and generally worked through much of the process of creating fish replicas from foam. He explained the numerous advantages to the foam medium as opposed to wood or taxidermy and also deomonstrated lots of creative tricks of the trade. Steve has produced an instructional DVD that is available at the shop or directly from him, it is over 3 hours long and lays out the process very well. Based on the reception that we had for the demo and given the fact that we have space at the new shop location to do this type of program, stay tuned for similar events in the future. Steve will also offer individual lessons at his shop and has made a very cool option available to anyone. He will spend a week with you creating your own replica fish mount for almost the same price as buying it on your own. Imagine when somebody mentions how nice the fish on your wall is and you tell them that not only did you catch it, but that you created the replica too! A very unique opportunity and Steve is the only person that I have heard of offering that. If you would like more information feel free to stop by the shop too see his work and pick up one of Steve's cards.

The Northern Angler

Northern Michigan Fly Fishing Report April 2, 2009

There are good numbers of fish in local rivers and more on the way. On the Manistee water temps are getting close to the number that gets them on the gravel to do their thing. Fish are staging near and around gravel and the catch is a mixed bag of fresh chrome and some fish that have been in the river for a bit – all have been fighting hard. The lower sections of river has fresh fish moving throughout much of the system and it looks like it might be a nice, long spring steelhead season – something we haven’t had for years. The ice on the dam impoundments above Tippy is 99% gone and should help warm up the water a bit in the weeks to come. While the water is up a little bit, it only has a slight stain for this time of year. As such, it has us using lighter tippets than we normally use this time of year -but it’s what’s necessary to get the hook-ups especially on those sunny days. The Betsie River has had some good days as of late, but much of it is timing. The Boardman in town has been yielding some fish too – both fresh and colored up fish. The bit of rain that is falling outside should bring some more fish into all of the local rivers for us to play with later this week.

Flies have been mixed – everything from large, gaudy egg patterns to small Oregon Cheese eggs. Fishing fry patterns and hexes too and on the warmer and/or sunny days small black stones have been getting their fair share of fish.

Trout fishing continues to be hit and miss – mostly depending on the day. A few stone flies have been popping off, but no surface activity from the trout, yet. Opener is within sight! Streamers fished low and slow continue to be your best approach at finding fish. Try fishing a medium sized streamer with some lead eyes or a cone on a floating line while wading and targeting tail outs – fish it with a down and across swing with some wiggle/jigging action. Overcast days are best – especially after a sunny morning to warm the water up a bit.

Keep us in mind for your equipment and guiding needs this spring.

The Northern Angler