Monday, July 30, 2012

Archery Workshop for women set of this week



   The Department of Natural Resources will present a Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW) Introduction to Archery workshop Saturday, Aug. 11, from 9 a.m. to noon at Detroit Sportsmen’s Congress (www.D-S-C.org), located at 49800 Dequindre Road in Utica
    This workshop will cover safety, dominant eye, proper shooting form/technique, various archery equipment, maintenance and selection.
   The course will also provide hands-on practice shooting a bow with assistance by instructors. All equipment will be provided, and no skill level is required.
    Girls age 10 and older are welcome to attend, but must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Cost for both adults and youngsters is $20 per person.
For registration forms and more information on this and other BOW events, visit www.michigan.gov/bow, email dnr-outdoors-woman@michigan.gov or call 517-241-2225.

Friday, July 27, 2012

Orion Oaks-Going to the Dogs


  Orion Oaks County Park will host Yappy Day, Sunday, July 29, 11a.m.-3p.m. Dogs and owners may participate in dog training clinics, demonstrations, agility courses, costume contests, treats, and pet adoptions.
  Orion Oaks County Park is located at 2301 W. Clarkston Road in Clarkston. Orion Oaks Dog Park entrance is located on Joslyn Road between Clarkston and Scripps roads.
  The Yappy Day event is free. An Oakland County Parks and Recreation 2012 annual vehicle permit or daily park pass is required for entry.
   For event details, call 248-424-7076. For more information on Oakland County Parks and Recreation programs, visit DestinationOakland.com or find Oakland County Parks and Recreation on Facebook.

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Tackle transportation in a kayak

   You would think most kayak anglers have gone back in time when it comes to the way they carry tackle.
   Instead of the traditional tackle boxes and bags that nearly everyone uses these days, yak anglers tend to be a different breed using things they have lying around the house or garage.
   One item is a milk crate or similar receptacle available at some hardware stores or office supply stores.
Crates provide enough space for a couple of trickle trays-more if you are inclined-make attaching a hand-held radio simple, and allow for extra rods to be transported.
   No matter what you use to transport equipment, remember that you are on the water in a kayak and therefore susceptible to the elements more so than say in a Ranger bass boat or deep V Lund.
   That means that all of this equipment needs to be secured to the boat in the event you tip over. Deciding what to take is just one of the considerations.
   Seeing to it that nothing goes overboard is another. Happy kayak angling.

Monday, July 23, 2012

Thoughts of salmon slam

   The annual Kayak Fish The Great Lakes annual Salmon Slam is set for September 6. Kayak anglers will muster in and near Glen Arbor in northern Michigan, there to fish the waters of Lake Michigan for coho and Chinook salmon.
   Made up of kayak fishing enthusiasts, this event is strictly for paddle only power. Of course others not associated with this group will be inn very close proximity trolling for fish on the way to local streams to deposit eggs.
   It's at this time of the year-the fall-when salmon gather to make the migration into these streams. While there are still in Lake Michigan, or the big lake as locals call it, they will hit trolled spoons and crankbaits.
   Fishing from a kayak, anglers must pay careful attention to the weather. Not too much wind can kick up waves large enough to make kayak fishing dangerous.
   The thrill of hooking into one of these large fish draws anglers from around the state and elsewhere.
Many are making the beginnings of preparations for the event, even this early.

Friday, July 20, 2012

Asian Carp-still a nusiance

   The nuisance fish, Asian carp are alive and seem to be making some headway into Great Lakes waters according to information just released from the DNR.
   Evidence, eDNA, was discovered in Lake Erie waters. Following this discovery, electroshocking took place with no fish discovered.
   In my opinion, that doesn't mean the fish aren't there or haven't been in these waters. There is some concern that with all of the food available to gamefish in both Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair, once those carps get into the Great Lakes system, they'll find pickings pretty good and wipe out fish populations by eating everything that isn't nailed down.
   I'm not a scientist nor do I have any training or background in fisheries biology. But it stands to reason, at least to me, that if eDNA have been discovered, then the fish that created it can't be too far away.
   Call it a gut feeling but many sportsmen, especially anglers, feel these carps are already here. Stay tuned. There's more to come on this subject.

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Hot weather-take it seriously

   Longtime Oakland County resident, good fisherman and great friend Glenn Uhl wrote the following:
"Hey Roger, was just reading your blog on this summer heat. I can now relate to your story." He continues, "We were at the cabin over the the fourth and it was hotttt. Got a lot of work done. Got my winter wood supply in and lots of brush cleared."
    "The only thing is, I drank very little liquids. Saturday morning I started getting a little dizzy and could not concentrate. Now, I consider myself fairly physically fit and can usually work with the best of anyone.
   "However, I got dehydrated and the sickest I've ever been in my life. My son had to take me to East Tawas to the hospital. Got some liquid pumped into me and checked out and was able to come home that night. So that information you put out about heat was right on the money."
   And that as they say is straight from the horses moth.

Monday, July 16, 2012

No let up with heat and sun

   Saturday, I spent several hours watching a double header tournament games at Bicentennial Park in Grand Blanc.
   With several games going on from all over the state, the place was packed. Concessions, souvenirs of all descriptions and prices ranges met athletes, coaches, and spectators as they arrived and found the field their team would be playing on.
   But it's the tents, umbrellas and other devices used to create shade that caught my eye. From large, pavilion type covers to individual roofs that hang on the back of a lawn chair, or just plain umbrella's, everyone was trying to get a bit of shade.
   A couple of moms mentioned they were feeling dizzy and moved from the fierce sun to the shelter one of these sun roofs provided.
   With no wind or other means of shade, the heat drove some back to parking lots and the comfort of their vehicles air conditioning.
   The people that were feeling dizzy had consumed water prior to the event and during it but apparently not enough. The move to shade helped along with consuming additional fluids.
   Caution outside is still the watchword during these very hot days. Even if you are in good physical, heat can affect you.
   Use caution with activities outside, drink before during and after being outdoors, and dress in light colored clothing.