Politicians slow to respond to Asain carp problem

   For some reason elected officials in Washington take their time when it comes to taking action on potentially devastating invasive species like the Asian carp.
   Some say these fish are poised to enter the Great Lakes from the Chicago barge canal while others say they have already arrived.
   Whether they are here or not remains to be decided. What is a sure bet is the devastation these fish will cause once they are established.
   The impact here in Michigan will be economically huge. That's because these fish devour anything they come across leaving no food for game fish.
   Scientists, ecologists and DNR experts all agree that these fish are indeed unwanted and need to be curtailed before they reach any of the Great Lakes.
   What remains a mystery is why it takes Washington so long to act.

When it finally rains its serious

   Suffering through sweltering heat the past couple of weeks we thought a good soaking rain was all that was needed to round out the summer season, help the flowers and veggies grow, keep the lawn green, cool us off, and keep those lake levels, well somewhat level.
   Turns out we got rain all right. Enough that serious flooding was experienced in the Tri-County area. Several small ponds in northern Oakland County were just about devoid of water.
   The rains, no matter how much were a good thing in those cases. Wet weather was no doubt welcomed by many in the wildlife world.
   But us humans had a different take. Stalled vehicles, absolutely flooded roads, flooded basements and various closings like golf courses and other outside recreation had to be cancelled.
   Another downside to these kinds of storms is the high humidity that always follows along with a fresh batch of eager-to-bite mosquitoes.
   Big enough to put saddles on, these biters are out during the day spoiling any idea of fun in the backyard. But rain, like sun, is a necessary part of the weather.
   We are glad to get it. Just not all at once and in the amounts we have experienced over the past couple of days.

Kicking the can another popular saying

   These days everyone is kicking the can someplace. Do you ever notice how people, especially politicians will key in on a phrase that is popular for a year or so?
   From the president on down,l politicians seem to know a lot of people when they address crowds. Notice when they walk out they begin to point one way or another, smiling, as if in a way personalizing their appearance.  
News anchors for the past several years, have felt a need to ask the reporter in the street a follow up question to almost any story being reported. It seems as if the reporter neglected to get the full story.
   Anchors are then seen as all-knowing, being able to pull those important questions out of a hat to be asked as a follow up. Bet the reporter feels slighted in many of these instances.
   Another trend is to infer that this or that news station is the only one covering a particular story. "Only on" (name your channel), or so-and-so spoke to only (name your channel).
   All of these examples including the well worn "Breaking News" admonition seen almost every news cast, are a way of drawing us in and keeping us watching.
   Teases, those stories we are interested in, leave us with the story lead, but the meat or interesting bits are left until after the commercial break.
   These are all examples of keeping out attention and hopefully preventing us from switching stations. Another way to market news and other information in the age of technology.

Still summer but fall sports are heating up

   With a new Richard P. Smith book waiting to be reviewed along comes word and an invite for the annual Glen Arbor Salmon Slam.
   Nothing new about chasing salmon says you. Try it from a kayak, says I. It's fun, exciting, and a great time to hook up with old friends as well as meet new ones, pardon any pun.
   Many of the folks that frequent Kayak Fish The Great Lakes (kayakfishthegreatlakes.com) make up the anglers chasing these wonderful gamefish.
   My first trip was about three years ago. I got skunked but still had fun. Meeting people and talking fishing is great sport and very enjoyable for me.
   Any time kayak anglers get together there is always equipment to compare or learn about, new how to stuff someone has tried and techniques are finalized.
   Because kayaks are so portable, if weather on Lake Michigan prohibits kayaks, there are many nearby lakes to try. Kayaks load easily and can be transported to the next adventure in no time.
   I don't suggest you go out and buy a kayak then head for Lake Michigan. This is definitely the time you need to be with an experienced buddy and remember to heed the weather conditions.

Kids and fishing

   A friend asked the other day what was a good way for young children fishing experience. "You're an expert and know everything about fishing," he said.
   "What kind of fish can they catch; probably perch, lake trout or walleye," he asked? First, I'm for from being an expert.
   I like to fish in just about any manner but don't even begin to think I am an expert. I don't do enough of it often enough to be any good.
   Good friends often become exasperated with me when I can't put them on fish. "You know how all of this electronics works. What should we be looking for," they might ask.
   Truth is, in a boat, I'm always at the back, away from sonars or the general operation of a boat. Therefore, I'm a passenger until the captain says "we're here. Lets start fishing."
   My best advice for youngsters is to keep it simple. A hook, bobber and a live worm work best form the dock.
   Kids love to see the bobber dancing around and young, small bluegills will give them that. Don't make the sessions too long, and remember it's about them. So don't fish. Be there to help when needed.
   You'll have as much fun as they do. Remember to bring a camera along for that first fish, or reaction of a youngster when they see a worm, help bait a hook or handle that slimy, wiggling fish.

Names of fishing techniques-where do they come from

   Anyone that has been around fishing is accustomed to the names given baits and presentations. But for the newcomer, the language must be confusing.
   First you conquer the style of baits indicated by their names. Lipless crankbaits, rattle traps, crankbaits, including square bills and others, spinner and buzzbaits, jigs of many names and styles (football, round head, mushroom, etc.), topwaters, spitters, spoons, and so forth.
   Then come fishing techniques with names specific as to the way a particular bait is being fished. Wacky style comes to mind right away because we have been fishing that way lately.
   But there is the drop shot, Texas style, and Carolina. They all have a purpose and are used with specific lures and baits at certain times during the fishing season.
   To avoid any and all confusion, I take a little of everything to cover all of the aforementioned styles, usually trying them all at one time or another during an outing.
   The wise angler will know what part of the season we are in then take tackle to kind of match the hatch along with a little extra for that just in case situation that invariably comes up.
   Whether you fish wacky style or with a Carolina rig you have to wonder who comes up with these names and why.
   In any event just past a spinner or is that a nightcrawler harness?

Hot weather looks good in months with "R" in them

   In a few months we'll be wishing we had some of this hot weather. Well maybe not quite this hot, but on the warm side of 32-degrees.
   For now, if you can't stand the heat, take a dip. That's right, head for a local lake and spend some time in your favorite chair with a good book.
   Should you work a sweat up even in those conditions, you'll be handy to the water for a quick soak then back to the book.
   We often go to Holly Rec Area and one of the beaches in the park. Sometimes we take a little supper to cook out.
   More often than not, we would rather sit and enjoy the sights and sounds along with an occassional dip in the lake.
   When it's this hot the experts warm us to do work either early in the day or late. And remember to keep those fuides up by drinking plenty of water.
   Stay safe and try to stay cool.