Curly's Photo and Fishing Blog
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Cold Weekend
I feel like a broken recording, it seems the cold crashes in on the weekend and makes it miserable to fish. I hope it gets out of this pattern.
The little warm up we had Thursday and friday got the fish back on the bite, but reports say artic front shut the bite down except pike which hit hard this weekend.
Higgins Lake smelt are still biting with most getting all they want to clean with Halis, spikes and waxworms working best. Green Lake the smelt are hitting ok with Halis and red spikes seem to be the ticket, with white spike and waxworms a close second.
Big Glen they are getting and catching some nice perch, but we need some nice days so the fisherman can find the schools.
FISHING CONDITIONS ON LAKES CADILLAC AND MITCHELL
FROM PILGRIM VILLAGE FISHING SHOP
Cadillac loves pike, the perfect fish! Northerns always seem to be hungry. They feed all day and are often most active in the afternoons when other fish have shut down. They??re great for those who like to sleep in or be off the ice by dark. Mornings, mid-day or afternoons are pike time. Fish the weed edges and breaks and your chances are good. The Big and Small Coves on the west side of Lake Mitchell provide the perfect cover for them. Set your tip-up with a sucker or shiner and wait for it to be attacked.
Thirty inchers were common this past week. Greg Tossey and his friend Greg Bonham, who was visiting from Alaska. Tossey??s catch was 34 ¾?, 10.2 pounds, while Bohnan??s was 30 ½?, 5.8 pounds. Reuben Rivera returned to McBain with a 30 inch, 6.4 pounder after fishing in Cadillac. Ricky Nye broke the 30 inch mark by 2 ½ extra inches. This one was 32 ½?, weighing 7.7 pounds. He and his dad are fishing buddies. Sandusky, Ohio is a long way from Cadillac, but Gio Spadaro returned home with a 29 ¼?, 5.5 pound northern.
Every week the standings in the Pilgrim Village Spearing Contest change. Young Gavin Jessup speared the largest pike of his life and now leads the Youth Division, with a 30 ¾?, 6.6 pounder. Eleven year old Nick Richards was bumped from the board. His pike was speared on Pleasant Lake, 25 ¼? weighing 3 pounds. Nice fish. Thomas Jessup Jr. moved up his standings with a 34?, 8.6 pound northern.
Manistee River; Ice fishing isn??t the only winter sport. River Guide, Steve Emery had a good day in the Tippy Dam area. Nice chrome steelhead. Hearing of decent catches from those bobber fishing with spawn, waxworms or wigglers.
Smelt; The 3 major destinations for smelt are ready; Green, Higgins and finally Crystal. Good catches reported from all of them. Grab your Hali??s and go. Nicole McKee fished on Green and caught a 9.5? smelt. Green is not known for ??Big? smelt. Another ½? would have made Master Angler.
Pilgrim Village is stocked and ready for smelt fishermen - open till 11:00 PM for night fishermen.
Micro jigs
Ultra light rods & combos
Underwater lights
Sabiki Rigs
Red & white spikes
Waxworms
Small minnows
Stop in and see what??s new!
Don??t miss;
25th NORTH AMERICAN SNOW FESTIVAL
ICE FISHING CONTEST
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2009
You must have a $5.00 NASF Button to be eligible and your badge number registered at any of these 3 Sponsors, MC Sports, Pilgrim Village Fishing Shop or Schafer??s Bait and Sporting Goods.
The NASF Button is good for all Snow Fest events, and Raffle Prizes.
Win a prize for the largest Perch, Crappie, Bluegill, Pike,
Rock Bass or Walleye.
All participants will be entered for prize drawings whether you catch a fish or not.
Winners must be present for drawings at the Cadillac Junior High School located at 500 S. Chestnut St.
Receive contest rules when you register at any one of these Sponsors,
MC Sports, Pilgrim Village Fishing Shop or Schafer??s Bait and Sporting Goods.
You must be entered by noon of February 7 and have a $5.00 NASF Button.
Bring in your catch to the Cadillac Junior High School.
Contest begins at 8 AM and ends at 3 PM, February 7.
All prizes will be awarded at 3:30 PM at the
Cadillac Junior High School.