Walleye Express

If the link does not work try this one. http://www.alliance-rubber.com/products/rubberbands.htm

I've had some interest expressed by some of our members through PM's and E-mail about what brand and size rubber bands I use in conjuction with my mast type boards and clip type releases. And even though they moved from one state to another, I trace down the company where some charter boat friends of mine bought us the 30,000 bands we bought and have been using the last 8 years, and of which there is only a single 1,000 bag left. Heres their internet site and the size I'm pretty sure we bought. http://www.alliancerubber.com/products/rubberbands.htm Size 63 Sterling, 1/4 wide X 3 inch long. You loop tie the band on the line and bite it off near the knot at one end. The band then become 6 inches long. Then attach it to the release. The band should stay tightly on the line marking it's individual length, and is reeled in through the guides and onto the spool with each fish landed. Then ready to go again at that length when let back out.

Heres what may be the easiest/best tasting recipe in the world for grilled salmon. Lay fillet on aluminum foil skin down. Cover fillet with one small jar Salsa. Mild medium or hot, your choice. Wrap fillet tight in foil except small air hole at top and put on Medium/high heat grill for 20 minutes. Serve fish from foil. No mess and it's great.

I'm very proud to have been an MCBA member for almost 20 years now. We've been part of and have had a voice in many decisions over the years concerning our lakes and fisheries. Some that did not go our way in many of the Indian netting rights cases on the Great Lakes. But this case in my view goes well beyond special rights for any one group of people sharing the use of the lakes. So I think/hope we will get a more sympathetic ear from our federal judges to enforce what is only right for everybody using and enjoying the Great Lakes. BALLAST WATER LAWSUIT DISMISSAL The Michigan Charter Boat Association (MCBA) and the Michigan Fish Producers Association (MFPA) are delighted to announce that the Hon. John Feikens recently dismissed a federal lawsuit filed in the Eastern District of Michigan by shipping industry members seeking to challenge Michigan’s new ballast water law. The new law was enacted in June of 2005 but the effective date for compliance was delayed until January 1, 2007 in order to give the shipping industry time to meet the new law’s requirements. In March of 2007, a consortium of shipping entities filed a 7-count complaint in federal court seeking to have Michigan’s new law declared unconstitutional. In May 2007, MCBA and MFPA were granted permission to participate in the case as amicus parties, and asked the court to consider the tremendous harm that invasive species have caused to native fish populations in the Great Lakes. Attorney Amy Kullenberg represented the two associations. On August 15, 2007, the Hon. John Feikens dismissed the lawsuit entirely. The Michigan Charter Boat Association is a non-profit corporation with over 600 active members throughout the Great Lakes Regions. MCBA’s members are U.S. Coast Guard licensed charter boat captains, as well as associate captains, first mates, and others affiliated with the charter industry. MCBA’s mission is to promote a safe and professional charter boat industry in Michigan, to educate its membership and the public regarding issues that affect the charter boat industry, and conduct activities which enhance the public’s enjoyment of the Great Lakes. The MCBA conducts charter excursions in over 70 ports and on 11 major rivers throughout the Great Lakes. In addition to its ongoing support of the Charter Boat Survey Program, the MCBA also maintains a Charter Boat Directory, administers a Student Scholarship Fund, publishes a newsletter, and hosts shows and workshops. The Michigan Fish Producers Association is an Agricultural and Commodity Organization listed with the State of Michigan Department of Agriculture. MFPA’s multi-generational membership includes over 40 state-licensed fisheries and fishermen and 30 allied businesses. MFPA also works with tribal members who are re-establishing their rights to fish. MFPA holds an annual convention, promotes sustainable harvests of native aquatic species, and has engaged in scientific research to track the effect of invasive species on native fish populations. The MFPA has a long history of working on policy issues related to fishing in the Great Lakes and has been a long-time supporter of the Michigan Sea Grant Program. The MCBA and the MFPA believe it is vitally important to protect Michigan’s natural resources generally – and the viability of the fishing industry in the Great Lakes particularly – especially in a period of forced transition between a manufacturing-based economy to other economic platforms such as technology and tourism. With proper control of invasive species and other threats to the Great Lakes ecosystem, there is vast economic potential in fishing for Michigan’s economy. For instance, in addition to the $10.1 million generated by charter fishing fees in 2002, there was an additional $19.8 million spent on food, lodging and other local purchases in Michigan’s Great Lakes ports. Both the Michigan Charter Boat Association and the Michigan Fish Producers Association are deeply committed to the protection of Great Lakes waters and the ecosystems associated with the Great Lakes. These Associations applaud the dismissal of the ballast water lawsuit, and encourage other Great Lakes states’ legislatures to follow Michigan’s lead in drafting laws to protect the Great Lakes from further damage by invasive species.

I know this post is late, but try using Apple Juice in place of the water. The old fasion/apple farm/pulp still in the juice kind, that comes in used milk jugs. I tried this with some Pheasants I smoked in my Propane Baker smoker last fall and (OH MY GOD) it was awsome. I can't wait for my anual river king trips this year.

Heres my take on this bizzar video. These guys for one do not know what it truly takes to fool a great game fish like these into biting. Nor the sense of pride one has when finally catching one legally during fair chase. Nor the real sense of acomplishment when carefully un-hooking and releasing one back to the river, to spawn and make more of these great game fish after the catch. During my many trips during my 15 years guiding for steeleheads on Michigan waters out of my drift boat, I've seen many good and bad things done by people of all walks of life. I truly believe these guys are not simply bad sportsmen, but simply ignorant to what this video means and looks like to true sportsmen.

Mark. You might try this http://www.greatlakesfisherman.com/forums/showthread.php?t=219 Or just send me the picture in an E-mail. Send to [email protected] Click on attachment at the bottom then browse your files for that picture, click on that picture and it will attach the picture from your files to that E-mail. Then send. Be sure to write something in the subject matter that gets my attention. Like VHS picture. I'll write you back rather my DNR bud verifies VHS or not.

Mark. I'd like to send that photo you took to my DNR biologest bud if I could. Could you post it or send it to me?

Thats funny. All my other buds who seen this picture said it looks like I lost weight. Hell, I've only gained 60 pounds since the 8th grade. Thank God I'm 6' 4" now instead of 5' 7" like then.

I forgot to post a picture of a fish my charter neighbor caught today while trolling, on of all things a Rattle Tot. It is the biggest Carp I've ever seen. I was weighed at Linwood Beach Marina and weighed 31 pounds. He said that was why I caught more walleyes then him today, as he played this thing for almost an hour before landing it.

Wulp. Not sure if this proves anything. But I did better then both of my charter buddies today. It was a tough bite and I caught more and bigger fish using those big Tommy Harris Thumpers on Eyeliminators.

Started out this morning headed for my spot on the 47's. Seen quit a few boats trolling in a tight group 2 miles SE of the Black Hole but still 4 mile South of my original destination. Slowed the boat down to have a look and the whole screen was full of fish from top to bottom. Put the lines out and started trolling with the waves, NE towards the end spark plug. Again, didn't have so much as a nibble for almost 3 miles until we hit that magic 21FOW. I understand a lot of things about what and why walleyes do some things, but I'm at a loss for this 1 foot difference making so much difference in the fish's biting attitude the last few trips out on a body of water this big. Does anybody have or can share some ideas about this phenomina? Oh , we boated 17 and kept 11 in the short time we were on the biting fish.

Being around as long as I have in the fishing Guiding and chartering business, I've been blessed to meet and come in contact with some really nice people. Some actually having the confidence and trust in me to let me Pro Staff for them or try some of their newer products in my business. I'll never be able to re-pay the early Storm Lure company/family for their early trust in me, when I started guiding in 1986 for Salmon and Steelhead's out of my Drift Boat. Nor Dave Storm of Ka'Boom Lures, for his continued trust in me. And even though a guy in my position risks getting called or perceived as a liar, because of getting these free or cheaper products when making posts about his success's when using them, I've always tried my best to back any posts up with both pictures and facts concerning any posts about them. Recently I've been blessed again by the manufacturer of yet another quality product. As with the other products, I go into this particular arrangement with my eyes wide open willing to give the product a fair shake and an honest review if and when it works for me here on Saginaw Bay. I've fielded hundreds of personal E-mails and PM's from message boards over the years from people from around the U.S. who have read my posts about many of the things I both use and have modified. I have never (at least I hope not) given anybody any false expectations about any one lure or technique that has worked for me here on Saginaw Bay. Similar to my charters, I do not guarantee fish, nobody honestly can. And most all of us know that some things that work on one body of water often does not work on others. I can however (with a reasonable reliability) speculate from my total experiences during the 50 years I've been fishing, rather some things I see and think about trying might work or not. So after this long, boring intro, enter the new #8 Tommy Harris blades. These big Thumpers, in the colors we've all been craving, show some real promise in my eyes. My first application with these monsters will be with a modified Eyeliminator. I'll be taking off the regular size TH blade and replacing it with this bigger version. Will bigger blades equal more or bigger fish? We'll see. Here's a sneak peak at the blades and some of the colors Tommy will be putting on these rigs early next year.

I know we need more refineries to keep gas prices down, but this (IMV) is a bad trade off. SAVE LAKE MICHIGAN!!! BP just made a massive $3.8 billion expansion at their oil refinery in Whiting, Indiana. After pouring billions of dollars into expanding the aging plant, they claim they just wouldn't have the room to fit in a water treatment facility to deal with the increased waste being produced. So BP is asking the EPA to instead let them dump 1,500 more pounds of ammonia and 5,000 more pounds of toxic sludge into Lake Michigan each day. The EPA has decided to let them do it. Below is a link to send a message rejecting the idea of dumping toxic sludge into Lake Michigan. The message will go directly to BP's CEO Tony Hayward and EPA Region 5 Administrator Mary Gade. To sign the petition, click on the link below or copy and paste it into your browser: This only takes a few seconds. Tell BP and EPA: We're Beyond Polluting Lake Michigan - Environment Illinois

My brother just called me up to thank me for yesterdays fishing trip. I must say I was a bit touched and surprised. We physically faught virtually every day during our childhood years and had what I'd call a passive relationship since we both went our seperate ways after leaving the nest. But for some reason we seem to be getting along better this last year or so and it seems about time. Something else kinda special I noticed and sent my brother in an E-mail this morning, was that almost exactly 45 years ago to the date of yesterdays trip we were both posing with another catch of walleyes. Dad would always take us and fish the last weekend of July at Munoscong Bay. Heres the proof. Maybe we both missed something all these years by not being closer.

Took my Brother, Step Sister and a good friend out with me today for a half day fun trip on the Bay. Being with this company of people along with my friend (who is one of the better fishermen I know) allowed me to do a few things I cannot do (for the most part) with charter clients who are not used to or a complete strangers to the trolling program. One of these things (because of how flat it was on the water today) was it allowed me to zig-zag or do tight turns if I seen a likely pod of fish on my graph, knowing that people familliar with the pitfalls of this manuever, could keep the lines from becoming a "Cat in the Cradle" nightmare. Well, both the technique and the results paid off in spades today. Ever time I'd see some good marks on the screen, I'd jam the boat left or right and 2 or 3 rods would pop with fish, and most nicer fish today. The Eyeliminators and Gulp were doing it again today for the most part, with cranks filling in the gaps. We started fishing at 8:30am. Caught 19 fish, lost 6 and boxed 17 by 11:30am.

Just got back from a 1/2 day trip with my good friend Chamookman. With winds 10 to 20 NE on the Bay we decided to spend some time on the Saginaw River fan casting some likely river banks for whatever would bite. Wulp, we only fished 4 spots and I'm going to (conservatively) estimate we hand on, lost or boated 35 Smallies, the biggest 16 1/2 inches. Along with 6 very nice catfish, one 3 pound walleye and a nice Northern Pike. Most came on size 200 Bandits and we caught a few using the Jig & Pig method, with me catching my first 2 fish ever using that technique. What a ball. Heres the pictures of some of the fish.

Wolfe. I'm going to guess that one ideal temp on one lake or body of water is going to be different on another. Ideal surface trolling temps on Saginaw Bay, especially if your using cranks (I feel) is 73 degrees. I've personally had the best results with this surface temp.

I'll start off this post by saying it seems better to always stick to my game plan. After hearing a report last night about tough fishing straight out of Hoyles yesterday morning and afternoon, I decided to head over to the 47's, start there and troll North. But I heard at the dock this morning from my charter boat neighbor, that the fishing was hot last night right out in front of Hoyles. So we started there and didn't have so much as a bump for over an hour. Pulled lines and went to my 47's numbers. Had 2 rods out and we had a fish on already. Fished for the remaining 2 hours of our 1/2 day trip, boated 20 walleyes and kept 14. Now, what we used on one side of the boat today was also somthing new to me. The Eyeliminator Spoon and Harness rigs have been around for a while now. I've never commented on them, simply because I've never used them. But to be honest I always thought they were a bit "To Busy". Let me explain that. Years ago we built and ran rigs similar to these lures on the Saginaw Bay. But the water column was a lot cloudier then, and all that flash (back then) seemed more an asset versus something that might scare walleyes away now that the water column is crystal clear. But with some recent success posts about these lures, I thought what the heck and picked up 5 popular colors at the Linwood Beach Marina yesterday when I was filling up with gas. And let me also say this about them. Their selling price is very, very reasonable. The components used are quality. The packaging excellent and now add the Tommy Harris painting touch, and I cannot see how they can turn a profit selling them that cheap. And now the real question, "Do they work?". I ran one side of the boat today with these lures 35 back, 1.7 MPH while using my own custom painted 1 1/2 ounce Keel sinkers. I didn't use live bait at all, but used Gulp 6 inch Nightcrawlers. This side of the boat had more action then did the other side with cranks and a piece of real crawler on the belly hook. I was going to write down the names of some of these new colors since Tommy started painting them, but forgot. But heres the picture of the fish and the ones I used today.

Wulp, the weather man was right for a change. N winds 5 to 10, waves 1 to 2 feet. We caught 11 walleyes today in the 1/2 day trip and kept 7. One nice 5 pounder a 3 pounder and the rest were decent size as well. Anybody heading out straight east of Hoyles may want to keep an eye out for a commercail fishing net in 19 FOW, that seems to have drifted South a little to far on those 6 footers yesterday.

Fred Trost died this afternoon. http://www.joesportsman.com/ He was Mort Neffs camera man years ago when Michigan Outdoors was a part of every Michiganders Thursday night entertaiment. After Morts retirment, Fred took over the show (and some say) eventually ran it into the ground. I personally met, worked with and was featured on 2 episodes of his show in the early years, before he brought polotics into some and then most of his segments. There were indeed some things I liked about Fred and some I did not. But this legacy could be said about many men and he did stick to his guns in virtually all his business decisions. And that I can respect in any man rather friend or foe and God rest his soul. Here's a picture I took of Fred after our first fishing show we did. He's holding his very first Saginaw River ice walleye he caught on a Bay-De-Noc sweedish pimple.

Some things in Nature are Cool, others cruel. Been a hunter and fisherman all my life and maybe I'm getting soft in my old age. But Cool didn't come to mind when watching this video, at least for me.

Salmonquest. What they are called is Wiggle Finn Action Discs. Check out the action on their web site. http://wigglefin.com I was sent some of them in a package that came with the disc, heavy leader, squid and a big siwash hook. They use the rigs on the west coast for salmon and other trout species, but have expanded their line since my crazy invention 2 years ago. Not doing the BIG WATER salmon thing anymore, I converted them over to a squid/crawler harness type rig. I used the disc, trimmed and slid the squid up on the disc, and tied in a two hook harness. Ran this rig behind 1 1/2 ounce keels and on the very first day took names and kicked azz. I have to admit though even though I continue to catch walleyes on them, I have not duplicated those first results since.