Steve@BBT
05-16-2007, 04:40 PM
Hey guys, good afternoon! A few things of note have been happening around the ole' PM here so I thought I'd go ahead and toss up an update as to the river conditions, hatches, etc... along with a few of my thoughts thus far on the "EA" (The draft environmental assessment for updating the comprehensive river management plan for the Pere Marquette National Scenic River.) that was recently released.
The deadline for comment on the EA is June 6, 2007 so I think it's important that people who actually do care about this process and how it will effect the future management of this resource have some time to look things over for themselves in a through manner before making comment. I will offer my thoughts as said above, but that is by no means a substitute for forming your own opinion based on the documents provided along with some good old fashion research. Weather you agree with me or think completely opposite I do think your voice should be heard if you love the PM...
First, a little on the fishing end of things! After writing my report on the 10th John and I along with friends Charlie and John headed out for a short walk in excursion. Charlie doesn't get to fish as much as we do so when a few fish started popping early evening it was decided he should break in the new outfit and he did by catching a few medium to smaller fish on Hendrickson's. Only took one shot of a rainbow thinking we'd have some pigs to show after dark, but on this night it simply did not develop and I think we only rolled one fish after the lights were truly out.
Charlie with a feisty Bow!
http://bbt.steelcity.net/05-10-07-1.jpg
On the 11th I did a full day trip with a couple of young men just graduated from college. (Graduation present!) The goal of the day was to learn a little about fly fishing (Having never really done it at all before.) and possibly be good enough by the end of it to take advantage of some bugs that might go and some after dark action if it developed. The long and short is that we had a great time, the guys picked it up about as good as anyone can in a day and we managed to catch a half a dozen smaller fish before dark both bind and hatch fishing along with one very nice Brown coming to hand after dark.
Not complaining about this "day" maker! ;^)
http://bbt.steelcity.net/05-11-07-1.jpg
I took Saturday off, (Reading the EA for most of it along with some other research.) but on Sunday I spent the entire day, Mothers day, with Mom on the river where she now resides since her passing a couple of years ago. In the morning I did a half day trip focusing yet again on casting instruction for future use, but Mike did manage to hook one very nice fish that got off on a Streamer as well as turn a few others while I worked with his girlfriend. She managed to learn more in a few short hours than I thought possible and we all had a great time. It was a pleasure sharing the morning with you!
Once back at the ranch I made plans to meet up with my son Brandon later on when he could walk in and meet me, I gathered a few supplies and headed right on back out to float for the rest of the day and much of the night. The best fishing (read catching) I had for the day was actually in the middle of it while Taz and I were alone with Mom. The three fish I liked the most were on a heavy sulphur hatch and they came one right after the other from a nice bend. A 14"ish, a 17"ish and one that straight up took me to the wood! I felt like someone was watching and it was a special moment. Unfortunately, Taz still doesn't know how to take a photo and I didn't want to stress the fish I caught during the day by laying them out, so no photos.
Right after picking up Brandon at about 7:30 pm the skies began to fill with Drakes, (Yes, they were drakes.) a couple of different varieties of Caddis, more sulphurs, a few hennies, some March browns, some stones and more depending on the water we were floating by! We were certain it would be "game on" in the place we were headed, but unfortunately it cooled off to quick and put most of the bugs back into the woods before actually hitting the water. We did manage one smaller fish each before it shut off and never turned back on...
A few Drakes before they got really heavy.
http://bbt.steelcity.net/05-13-07-1.jpg
A smaller brown that took a Sulphur later on.
http://bbt.steelcity.net/05-13-07-2.jpg
Most of Monday was spent reviewing the EA along with a few other things again, but John, Johnny and I as well as Brandon who walked in to meet us again, did manage to get in some fishing in the evening. Not a whole lot going on this time compared to the night before bug wise, but it was much cooler and windy making for tough dry fly conditions. We did turn and pick up a few fish, but my personal biggest accomplishment for the day was in not having a cigarette even when we drank a few beers thus far holding true to my "Mothers day resolution" to quit! Something I've tried unsuccessfully a bunch of times in the past, but hope that my resolve is much stronger this time and I'm going at it cold turkey. (Yes, everyone in the house is still alive, but if I hadn't shaved off all my hair already I could pull it all out now!)
A smaller fish with a big appetite!
http://bbt.steelcity.net/05-14-07-1.jpg
Brandon got this guy on a big night fly...
http://bbt.steelcity.net/05-14-07-3.jpg
Yesterday John and I spent the entire day on the river along with another river guide, another board member (past president) of the Pere Marquette Watershed Council, owners of both canoe liveries as well as people from the USFS & DNR looking over a large section of river and doing some selective cutting. It started out a very nice day and wound up a very wet one for most, but we all agreed that this is the best way to better understand each other and have a more unified approach to addressing large woody debris issues in the river even when forced to do something without the others.
A very worth while day indeed and I'm looking forward to more of the same tomorrow barring a guide trip popping up between now and then. (A welcome trip it would be of course, I do like volunteer work to help the river in any way I can, but I also like making a living! ;^) It's almost too bad there wasn't time to fish while we were out there as we did see a number of good fish coming to the surface on a variety of hatches and it certainly "felt" like a fantastic streamer day. Might get out tonight yet if we have time after taking care of some work, will have to see how it goes...
A couple of spots we opened up a little for passage.
http://bbt.steelcity.net/05-15-07-1.jpg
http://bbt.steelcity.net/05-15-07-2.jpg
All in all the fishing remains fair, to good or even great depending on how you hit it and on what day with some of the major hatches coming into play like Sulphurs and Drakes as well as a large variety of other flying food, (BWO's would be good today!) fish are moving to streamers well in the low light or stained conditions (Picked up a little stain and a better level after the rain yesterday.) and nymphs/soft hackles can get the rod bent when you need it. The after dark fishing is still at a very fickle point and can be gangbusters or just plain bust depending on the mood of the fish in the area you hit, but if you enjoy doing it, it is worth a shot before the "normal" time period when everyone in the state is making them wise.
Basically put, all methods are having their time and place so no matter your preference, the time is right and will be for a while now. Both John and I have plenty of good openings for trips and are willing to go morning, afternoon, evening or night! Just give the shop a call if you're up for it and for those of you that are more the self serve type and all thru learning, stop in the shop on the way out, we are fully stocked with just about every kind of fly you could possibly need as well as everything else!
As I mentioned in my last report we have picked a date for the Spring Cleanup/Outing and it is Saturday the 2nd of June. I don't expect a big turn out this year with the short notice and all, but I don't want to skip a spring either and every little bit we do does help. Basically put anyone that wants to attend should call the shop and ask that your name be put on a list along with anyone else you'll be bringing.
As of this moment I'll go with a 8am meet and greet on Saturday at the shop. (I'll have to attend a Pere Marquette Watershed Council meeting from about 9am to noon or so myself.) and an afterward get together at my place Starting around 7:00 pm. We'll discuss the menu and more after I get an idea of how many will show in a week or so.
Now, on to the "EA"... After having read thru the entire document (That I plan on re-reading at least in a number of spots and comparing to some other notes etc, that I have.) I honestly only have a couple of issues with the proposed action myself and they seem to be the only issues that anyone else I've personally discussed this document with has so far as well.
Over all it is very well put together and there has obviously been a lot of hard work that has gone into it. The one issue I have has been discussed at prior meetings and such, but the other "seems" to be something they've laid on us in the last hours of discussion and was never even mentioned before.
Here is an excerpt from the document taken from Alternative 2 - The Proposed Action, it is one of only two things "thus far" I take exception to:
"Developed access sites, except designated campsites, would be closed from 11 p.m. to 4 a.m. during the fall season. No parking, launching, or boat retrieval would be allowed during these hours."
Now, I understand the complaints from landowners and other reason's given for this, but I do not agree with it and feel that it's a case of the actions of a few effecting the even greater majority of legitimate anglers utilizing the resource. Understand, I don't personally get the chance to use the river during those hours most of the time in the fall, but I know folks that do while up on vacation and they shouldn't be punished for the actions of a few. Law enforcement should take care of the problems, not some sort of new mandate. This is an excerpt of what I will put in my own comment letter:
"I feel that overnight closure of access points would be severely detrimental to many anglers successful fishing trips. Nighttime activities that are unacceptable should be dealt with using Law Enforcement measures and legitimate anglers should not be penalized due to others behavior.
Fall night fishing for large resident Brown Trout is an angling experience that cannot be duplicated during the daylight hours as well as the know fact that salmon do tend to actually strike a lure or fly much better in low to no light conditions when they are not as pressured or spooked.
If it were not for the fact that it does not fit in with most of my own clients schedules I would most certainly fish only at night during the fall myself."
Here is another excerpt from the Alternative 2 - The Proposed Action, it is the one that seems to have caught everyone off guard:
"Overcrowding, safety, and maintenance concerns at Gleason's Landing in the spring and fall are addressed by removing the boat slide and requiring the use of Bowman Bridge access for retrieving and launching boats. Bowman Bridge has adequate, existing parking for all trailered vehicles and a large launch area that is underutilized. It is approximately 45 minutes downstream from Gleason's Landing via drift boat. This would allow Gleason's Landing to be used by wading anglers at the end of the "flies only" section. Gleason's Landing would continue to be used as a canoe launch in the summer, which was the original intent of this river access site."
Well... Outside of a few folks that I'm sure will applaud any loss of access along the river corridor this one has blown everyone away! Not even the livery owners like it and they're the only ones that potentially stand to gain anything here. Both have assured me that they will comment against it and that it also makes no sense in their minds either. Here again is a few of my own reason's that will be used in my own comment letter, but probably not my final draft just yet:
"Reason #1, separation of fishing regulation areas. Unless the DNR is willing to extend the "Flies Only" area this proposal would effectively take away the water from Gleason's to Bowman's from anglers wishing to fish bait from a boat in that section, one of the most effective methods for that particular stretch.
i.e. You are actually not even allowed to possess bait or scent in the fly water by law so how is a guy that wants to bait fish from Gleason's to Bowman's out of a boat supposed to do it? Stage yet another vehicle with the bait in it at Gleason's so that they can row thru water they don't want to fish to get at it?
Alternative #1 does have the consideration of a separate angler boat access utilizing the Jorgensen tract, but this also creates the problem for the bait angler below Gleasons and even if an exception were made in the rule it would only serve to "tempt" those with bait in the fly water to use it.
The reason that the Bowman's bridge trailered access site is "underutilized" is because the water in that area of the river is not of the type that "most" anglers prefer and is not nearly as productive for most of the year. Eliminating the Boat take out at Gleason's would not reduce traffic thru the area because of the desirability of the water above it, (Something that should be clearly evident by the use even now on a "boat slide" that is not only dangerous, but also takes out chunks of boats on a regular basis.) it would only serve to increase the area of river that boaters would need to use and take away from the under crowded scenic value that the area from Gleason's to Bowman's currently is to "recreational" users.
If anything, an alternate solution in #2 that would make much more sense that I've heard recently (But do not agree with either.) would be to make it a boat only take out and have the canoes and kayaks continue thru to Bowman's instead. It is, as stated, about a 45 minute boat ride for anglers in a drift boat thru that area (More like an hour actually for most drift boats.) that "most" of them would rather not be in instead of a 20 to 30 minute canoe ride thru a "currently" un-crowded visually appealing section of river that recreational users would enjoy.
The alternative that makes the most sense to everyone I've discussed this with would be to simply let the boat trailers back all the way down to take out eliminating all of the danger and most of the "congestion" caused by slow watercraft removal. There is room for some additional overflow parking like that at other sites if needed, but the perceived "overcrowding" only takes place on a few occasions during peak fish runs anyway and we don't feel there's really a need for it.
For those of you that want to learn more here is a link to the letter (http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/hmnf/pages/PlanningandProjects/pdf_files/pm_plan/pm_30dayletter_final.pdf) those of us on the mailing list received (Thanks D!) and here is a link to the document (http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/hmnf/pages/PlanningandProjects/pdf_files/pm_plan/PereMarquetteEA.pdf) we all got as well. It does require adobe acrobat reader, a free download you can look up if you don't already have it, to read. Comments should be sent to this e-mail (comments-eastern-huron-manistee-baldwin-white-cloud@fs.fed.us) with "Comments on Pere Marquette EA" on the subject line. Remember you have until June 6th to do so and comments that are well thought out & well written will most certainly hold more clout than uninformed rants no matter which way your thoughts go on any and all issues related to this.
I'll leave you with that for now and I look forward to seeing you on the river, at the shop or around the Motel soon!
Tight lines all,
Steve
The deadline for comment on the EA is June 6, 2007 so I think it's important that people who actually do care about this process and how it will effect the future management of this resource have some time to look things over for themselves in a through manner before making comment. I will offer my thoughts as said above, but that is by no means a substitute for forming your own opinion based on the documents provided along with some good old fashion research. Weather you agree with me or think completely opposite I do think your voice should be heard if you love the PM...
First, a little on the fishing end of things! After writing my report on the 10th John and I along with friends Charlie and John headed out for a short walk in excursion. Charlie doesn't get to fish as much as we do so when a few fish started popping early evening it was decided he should break in the new outfit and he did by catching a few medium to smaller fish on Hendrickson's. Only took one shot of a rainbow thinking we'd have some pigs to show after dark, but on this night it simply did not develop and I think we only rolled one fish after the lights were truly out.
Charlie with a feisty Bow!
http://bbt.steelcity.net/05-10-07-1.jpg
On the 11th I did a full day trip with a couple of young men just graduated from college. (Graduation present!) The goal of the day was to learn a little about fly fishing (Having never really done it at all before.) and possibly be good enough by the end of it to take advantage of some bugs that might go and some after dark action if it developed. The long and short is that we had a great time, the guys picked it up about as good as anyone can in a day and we managed to catch a half a dozen smaller fish before dark both bind and hatch fishing along with one very nice Brown coming to hand after dark.
Not complaining about this "day" maker! ;^)
http://bbt.steelcity.net/05-11-07-1.jpg
I took Saturday off, (Reading the EA for most of it along with some other research.) but on Sunday I spent the entire day, Mothers day, with Mom on the river where she now resides since her passing a couple of years ago. In the morning I did a half day trip focusing yet again on casting instruction for future use, but Mike did manage to hook one very nice fish that got off on a Streamer as well as turn a few others while I worked with his girlfriend. She managed to learn more in a few short hours than I thought possible and we all had a great time. It was a pleasure sharing the morning with you!
Once back at the ranch I made plans to meet up with my son Brandon later on when he could walk in and meet me, I gathered a few supplies and headed right on back out to float for the rest of the day and much of the night. The best fishing (read catching) I had for the day was actually in the middle of it while Taz and I were alone with Mom. The three fish I liked the most were on a heavy sulphur hatch and they came one right after the other from a nice bend. A 14"ish, a 17"ish and one that straight up took me to the wood! I felt like someone was watching and it was a special moment. Unfortunately, Taz still doesn't know how to take a photo and I didn't want to stress the fish I caught during the day by laying them out, so no photos.
Right after picking up Brandon at about 7:30 pm the skies began to fill with Drakes, (Yes, they were drakes.) a couple of different varieties of Caddis, more sulphurs, a few hennies, some March browns, some stones and more depending on the water we were floating by! We were certain it would be "game on" in the place we were headed, but unfortunately it cooled off to quick and put most of the bugs back into the woods before actually hitting the water. We did manage one smaller fish each before it shut off and never turned back on...
A few Drakes before they got really heavy.
http://bbt.steelcity.net/05-13-07-1.jpg
A smaller brown that took a Sulphur later on.
http://bbt.steelcity.net/05-13-07-2.jpg
Most of Monday was spent reviewing the EA along with a few other things again, but John, Johnny and I as well as Brandon who walked in to meet us again, did manage to get in some fishing in the evening. Not a whole lot going on this time compared to the night before bug wise, but it was much cooler and windy making for tough dry fly conditions. We did turn and pick up a few fish, but my personal biggest accomplishment for the day was in not having a cigarette even when we drank a few beers thus far holding true to my "Mothers day resolution" to quit! Something I've tried unsuccessfully a bunch of times in the past, but hope that my resolve is much stronger this time and I'm going at it cold turkey. (Yes, everyone in the house is still alive, but if I hadn't shaved off all my hair already I could pull it all out now!)
A smaller fish with a big appetite!
http://bbt.steelcity.net/05-14-07-1.jpg
Brandon got this guy on a big night fly...
http://bbt.steelcity.net/05-14-07-3.jpg
Yesterday John and I spent the entire day on the river along with another river guide, another board member (past president) of the Pere Marquette Watershed Council, owners of both canoe liveries as well as people from the USFS & DNR looking over a large section of river and doing some selective cutting. It started out a very nice day and wound up a very wet one for most, but we all agreed that this is the best way to better understand each other and have a more unified approach to addressing large woody debris issues in the river even when forced to do something without the others.
A very worth while day indeed and I'm looking forward to more of the same tomorrow barring a guide trip popping up between now and then. (A welcome trip it would be of course, I do like volunteer work to help the river in any way I can, but I also like making a living! ;^) It's almost too bad there wasn't time to fish while we were out there as we did see a number of good fish coming to the surface on a variety of hatches and it certainly "felt" like a fantastic streamer day. Might get out tonight yet if we have time after taking care of some work, will have to see how it goes...
A couple of spots we opened up a little for passage.
http://bbt.steelcity.net/05-15-07-1.jpg
http://bbt.steelcity.net/05-15-07-2.jpg
All in all the fishing remains fair, to good or even great depending on how you hit it and on what day with some of the major hatches coming into play like Sulphurs and Drakes as well as a large variety of other flying food, (BWO's would be good today!) fish are moving to streamers well in the low light or stained conditions (Picked up a little stain and a better level after the rain yesterday.) and nymphs/soft hackles can get the rod bent when you need it. The after dark fishing is still at a very fickle point and can be gangbusters or just plain bust depending on the mood of the fish in the area you hit, but if you enjoy doing it, it is worth a shot before the "normal" time period when everyone in the state is making them wise.
Basically put, all methods are having their time and place so no matter your preference, the time is right and will be for a while now. Both John and I have plenty of good openings for trips and are willing to go morning, afternoon, evening or night! Just give the shop a call if you're up for it and for those of you that are more the self serve type and all thru learning, stop in the shop on the way out, we are fully stocked with just about every kind of fly you could possibly need as well as everything else!
As I mentioned in my last report we have picked a date for the Spring Cleanup/Outing and it is Saturday the 2nd of June. I don't expect a big turn out this year with the short notice and all, but I don't want to skip a spring either and every little bit we do does help. Basically put anyone that wants to attend should call the shop and ask that your name be put on a list along with anyone else you'll be bringing.
As of this moment I'll go with a 8am meet and greet on Saturday at the shop. (I'll have to attend a Pere Marquette Watershed Council meeting from about 9am to noon or so myself.) and an afterward get together at my place Starting around 7:00 pm. We'll discuss the menu and more after I get an idea of how many will show in a week or so.
Now, on to the "EA"... After having read thru the entire document (That I plan on re-reading at least in a number of spots and comparing to some other notes etc, that I have.) I honestly only have a couple of issues with the proposed action myself and they seem to be the only issues that anyone else I've personally discussed this document with has so far as well.
Over all it is very well put together and there has obviously been a lot of hard work that has gone into it. The one issue I have has been discussed at prior meetings and such, but the other "seems" to be something they've laid on us in the last hours of discussion and was never even mentioned before.
Here is an excerpt from the document taken from Alternative 2 - The Proposed Action, it is one of only two things "thus far" I take exception to:
"Developed access sites, except designated campsites, would be closed from 11 p.m. to 4 a.m. during the fall season. No parking, launching, or boat retrieval would be allowed during these hours."
Now, I understand the complaints from landowners and other reason's given for this, but I do not agree with it and feel that it's a case of the actions of a few effecting the even greater majority of legitimate anglers utilizing the resource. Understand, I don't personally get the chance to use the river during those hours most of the time in the fall, but I know folks that do while up on vacation and they shouldn't be punished for the actions of a few. Law enforcement should take care of the problems, not some sort of new mandate. This is an excerpt of what I will put in my own comment letter:
"I feel that overnight closure of access points would be severely detrimental to many anglers successful fishing trips. Nighttime activities that are unacceptable should be dealt with using Law Enforcement measures and legitimate anglers should not be penalized due to others behavior.
Fall night fishing for large resident Brown Trout is an angling experience that cannot be duplicated during the daylight hours as well as the know fact that salmon do tend to actually strike a lure or fly much better in low to no light conditions when they are not as pressured or spooked.
If it were not for the fact that it does not fit in with most of my own clients schedules I would most certainly fish only at night during the fall myself."
Here is another excerpt from the Alternative 2 - The Proposed Action, it is the one that seems to have caught everyone off guard:
"Overcrowding, safety, and maintenance concerns at Gleason's Landing in the spring and fall are addressed by removing the boat slide and requiring the use of Bowman Bridge access for retrieving and launching boats. Bowman Bridge has adequate, existing parking for all trailered vehicles and a large launch area that is underutilized. It is approximately 45 minutes downstream from Gleason's Landing via drift boat. This would allow Gleason's Landing to be used by wading anglers at the end of the "flies only" section. Gleason's Landing would continue to be used as a canoe launch in the summer, which was the original intent of this river access site."
Well... Outside of a few folks that I'm sure will applaud any loss of access along the river corridor this one has blown everyone away! Not even the livery owners like it and they're the only ones that potentially stand to gain anything here. Both have assured me that they will comment against it and that it also makes no sense in their minds either. Here again is a few of my own reason's that will be used in my own comment letter, but probably not my final draft just yet:
"Reason #1, separation of fishing regulation areas. Unless the DNR is willing to extend the "Flies Only" area this proposal would effectively take away the water from Gleason's to Bowman's from anglers wishing to fish bait from a boat in that section, one of the most effective methods for that particular stretch.
i.e. You are actually not even allowed to possess bait or scent in the fly water by law so how is a guy that wants to bait fish from Gleason's to Bowman's out of a boat supposed to do it? Stage yet another vehicle with the bait in it at Gleason's so that they can row thru water they don't want to fish to get at it?
Alternative #1 does have the consideration of a separate angler boat access utilizing the Jorgensen tract, but this also creates the problem for the bait angler below Gleasons and even if an exception were made in the rule it would only serve to "tempt" those with bait in the fly water to use it.
The reason that the Bowman's bridge trailered access site is "underutilized" is because the water in that area of the river is not of the type that "most" anglers prefer and is not nearly as productive for most of the year. Eliminating the Boat take out at Gleason's would not reduce traffic thru the area because of the desirability of the water above it, (Something that should be clearly evident by the use even now on a "boat slide" that is not only dangerous, but also takes out chunks of boats on a regular basis.) it would only serve to increase the area of river that boaters would need to use and take away from the under crowded scenic value that the area from Gleason's to Bowman's currently is to "recreational" users.
If anything, an alternate solution in #2 that would make much more sense that I've heard recently (But do not agree with either.) would be to make it a boat only take out and have the canoes and kayaks continue thru to Bowman's instead. It is, as stated, about a 45 minute boat ride for anglers in a drift boat thru that area (More like an hour actually for most drift boats.) that "most" of them would rather not be in instead of a 20 to 30 minute canoe ride thru a "currently" un-crowded visually appealing section of river that recreational users would enjoy.
The alternative that makes the most sense to everyone I've discussed this with would be to simply let the boat trailers back all the way down to take out eliminating all of the danger and most of the "congestion" caused by slow watercraft removal. There is room for some additional overflow parking like that at other sites if needed, but the perceived "overcrowding" only takes place on a few occasions during peak fish runs anyway and we don't feel there's really a need for it.
For those of you that want to learn more here is a link to the letter (http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/hmnf/pages/PlanningandProjects/pdf_files/pm_plan/pm_30dayletter_final.pdf) those of us on the mailing list received (Thanks D!) and here is a link to the document (http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/hmnf/pages/PlanningandProjects/pdf_files/pm_plan/PereMarquetteEA.pdf) we all got as well. It does require adobe acrobat reader, a free download you can look up if you don't already have it, to read. Comments should be sent to this e-mail (comments-eastern-huron-manistee-baldwin-white-cloud@fs.fed.us) with "Comments on Pere Marquette EA" on the subject line. Remember you have until June 6th to do so and comments that are well thought out & well written will most certainly hold more clout than uninformed rants no matter which way your thoughts go on any and all issues related to this.
I'll leave you with that for now and I look forward to seeing you on the river, at the shop or around the Motel soon!
Tight lines all,
Steve