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The Batten Kill stocking: A matter of class?
If you've been following the Batten Kill trout stocking controversy, you know that the state, in the name of keeping hungry anglers happy, wants to stock the main stem of the Batten Kill with 1,000 sterile rainbow trout (fish whose sole purpose is to be caught and eaten; sterile so, in theory, the fish won't affect wild populations of brown and brook trout). The conservation group Trout Unlimited claims it's naive to think that such a stocking program won't effect the native fish. On Tuesday night, TU hosted a presentation by ecologist Robert Bachman at Burr and Burton's Riley Theater designed to reinforce its stance on the issue. Bachman, a former fisheries supervisor for the state of Maryland, was an entertaining speaker. A roundish, older gentleman, he projected the distinguished, rumpley aura of a college professor.
'Big Lake' fishing remains steady
Little has changed on the 'Big Lake' this week, as limit catches of king salmon, along with an occasional lake trout and steelhead, remain common. Although a few nice catches were reported between Holland and Grand Haven, the better fishing has been near Muskegon, White Lake, Pentwater, Ludington and Manistee. Most of the fish are being taken 40-70 feet down, but with an east wind, that could quickly change. Everyone seems to have a favorite spoon or fly, but some of the more productive patterns have been the Moonshine Lures in Flounder-Pounder or Spitfire, mixed veggies, Natural Born Killer (NBK) and the blue or green dolphin. Flasher-fly combos also have been effective with Pickled Sunshine, Snow Ghost and Little Bride being popular color patterns. Downriggers have been used effectively in deep water, but lead-core, wire line and Dipsy/Slide Divers can be used when the boat traffic isn't heavy.
Men enjoy bonding by being alone together
One of the chief reasons we guys like to go fishing together is that it gives us a chance for some real companionship and bonding. Case in point: "Hey, Phil, you still up for fishing today?" "You bet. I've got all the stuff out in the truck," he says enthusiastically. "Since I'm getting off earlier than you, how about if we drive separately and just meet under the Mehama Bridge and decide where to go?" "OK, see you there," Phil responds. So I get to the spot, rig up, and just as I'm getting ready to make the first cast, he drives up and parks. "This looks pretty good," I said, looking at the glassy green pool in front of me. "But with your style of casting with the fly rod, the top part of the pool should be good. "I've seen a lot of fish come out of there." "Yell if you get something, and I'll come back and help you land him," Phil says as he heads upriver.
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