First moon landing-Where were you?

   Astronaut Neil Armstrong's walk on the moon is one of those historic events that many of us remember where we were and what we were doing. I was t work.
   My wife Pat was at the home of good friends Tom and Denise Ferguson on Middle Straits Lake in West Bloomfield.
   Our first born, Michael, was about six months old. "I remember holding him on my lap with the TV on and telling him that later, when he was older I was going to tell him he had watched the first landing and moon walk," she said following the announcement of Neil Armstrong's passing.
   How about you? Where were you and what were you doing? It's fun to remember those historical events, especially if you were able to witness them, even if it was through TV.

Pheasants and loss of habitat starts new initative

   The methods farmers use these days and those that fertilize lawns and home gardens aren't the only contributors to loss of pheasant habitat and a decline in populations of birds.
   "We have to take a look at growth. Pheasant habitat doesn't do well on asphalt," DNR's upland game specialist Al Stewart said from his Lansing office.
   Called the Michigan Pheasant Restorative Initiative, Stewart thinks this may be the way to get people involved working together to enhance and promote pheasant populations and hunting.
   "This is a grass roots operation consisting of various partners. They don't need own land or a farm to be involved," Stewart said. "The days of the DNR going it alone are over. We just don't have the resources or manpower,"he said.
   Tune in to this Sunday's column for more information from Stewart as well as a look back to the old days.

Mosquitos-large, alive, and biting

   A couple weeks back I opined that, in my opinion, the mosquito population was down or at least inactive this year because of the lack of rain.
   Boy was I drone. Soon after came all the reports about an outbreak of West Nile disease brought about by mosquitoes when they bite. They get the disease from infected birds then pass it to humans. Lucky us!
   Late yesterday afternoon and early evening I went outside to do some chores before dark. I wasn't there very long when Michigan's Airforce; those pesky mosquito's, made their presence known.
   Without putting up a fight, I was back in the house in no time. Bottom line: Mosquito's are definitely out and active.
   Get the spray, long sleeve, light colored shirts, cap and long pants on if you intend to go outside in the evening. Take precautions so you don't wind up being stung.

Anglers of the AuSable-Annual River Clean Up

   The 18th annual Anglers of The AuSable River Clean Up will be held Saturday, Sept. 8, beginning at 9:45a.m.  at Gates AuSable Lodge.
   A brief meeting will be held poor to teams heading for parts of the river, called beats, they've agreed to clean.
   The day promises to be a good time. You'll meet other like-minded folks, enjoy the George Alexander Memorial Lunch, and contribute to a great cause.
   Pre-registration is required. Contact Josh Greenberg, (989)348-8462 or email josh@gateslodge.com. The AuSable's mainstream, south branch and north branch will be concentrated on. Family sections-Burton's to Louie's, Thendara to Guides Rest, Icebox to Baldwins, Truettner's to Oxbow Club, and Island Road to Flashlight Bend-are some of the beats. A complete list is available from Greenberg.
   I participated a few years back with river guide Sam Sure. We had fun at the same time picking up assorted debris left over from the sinner's seasons. A couple of tires tossed in the middle of the river presented a challenge.
   After considerable time and nearly tipping our boat over, we finally fished them out. We considered it   a successful day out. Besides, we did some fishing once the work was done.
 

Few apples make for few deer

   Those that monitor deer herds and have begun scouting know that things have changed. For instance, that herd you may have been seeing for a couple of years may have disappeared.
   Blame it on a finicky spring that got warm too soon then became cold just when it didn't need to. The affects were blossoming fruit trees that got caught with no protection when the cold set in.
   The result for the grocery shopping public as well as the deer hunters is little or no apples. Prices are higher because of the shortage.
   And deer herds have had to change locales to find food. One herd I have watched for years isn't there as I have previously mentioned.
   I've seen fawns recently that were born probably too late to make it through the winter. They are very small and like their elders, have that look that seems to say, "which way to food."
   I don't know how the acorns have done, and whether the oaks that would normally produce them will have a marked decrease in mast production this year.
   All in all it looks like slim picking definitely for the deer and maybe for hunters too.

Fly Fishing authority John Long Passes

   Word was received earlier today of the passing of Birmingham, Michigan resident John J.P. Long. Fly fishers around Michigan will be familiar with Long largely through his work as author of several stream guides for Michigan Rivers.
   Although a couple of the guides have been reproduced in color with some updating, they largely depended on the hours of work and on-stream research Long provided.
   Beginning fly anglers need only to look at one of his stream guides to get good, solid information for access points, wading conditions, and an emergence schedule that would greatly help in fly selection.
   Those of us who knew him personally miss his stories about the years he spent as an officer during WWII in the Coast Guard, escorting ships near and around Alaska, his valued advice and council on all things related to fly fishing, and the many trout openers we shared at his cabin on the Holy Waters of the AuSable River.

Salmon-A Michigan Fall Favorite

   Salmon have been gathering for their annual migrations up streams to spawn, according to reports. Catches on the west side of Michigan have been have been good.
   Charters are receiving a good business from the fishing community which is due in large part to the good catches charter captains have been getting.
   I hope the fish are still there in a couple of weeks. That's when a group of us plan on fishing them from kayaks.
   It's a yearly event that attracts a newcomer or two every year. I've missed the last couple due to obligations, but have the green light for this year's event.
   I'll join others near Sleeping Bear stand dunes in hopes of hooking into one of these large fish that, caught on a line from a kayak take boat and angler for a nice ride on Lake Michigan.
   Slowly, gear is getting sorted and organized, ready for the northbound trip. Hopefully, the salmon will still be on the run.