APRIL 13, 2008

WEATHER IN THE LONG LAKE AND GRAND LAKE AREA OF ALPENA IS NOT EXACTLY BALMY. WE HAVE HAD SOME WARM WEATHER, BUT THIS MORNING WE HAVE AN INCH OR TWO OF SNOW ON THE GROUND AGAIN, AND THE WATER BY MY SIGN IS ICE. BUT, AS YOU CAN SEE BY THE WEATHER IN MY SITE, VERY NICE WEATHER IS COMING, AND SOON. WE HAVE CHECKED OUT THE LAKES, AND ALTHOUGH THERE IS OPEN WATER BY THE DAMS, THE LAKES ARE STILL VERY MUCH COVERED  IN ICE. MY GUESS FOR AN ENTIRE MELTDWON IS APRIL 22. WE’LL SEE HOW CLOSE I AM VERY SHORTLY.

   I WENT DOWN TO THE HARBOR IN ALPENA, FOR A WALK ON THE PIER, AND SAW QUITE A FEW YOUNG FELLOWS FISHING. SCHOOL WAS OUT ALL DAY, AND THE WEATHER WAS QUITE NICE. ONE FELLOW HAD A 21 INCH WALLEYE, AND THREE SMALL MOUTH BASS WERE CAUGHT NEXT TO HIM. THESE GUYS WERE FISHING OFF OF THE ROCKS, FACING THE THUNDER BAY, AND WERE USING MID SIZE RAPALAS.

ALL THE DOCKS ARE NOW IN AT THE HARBOR, AS WELL AS THE BOAT LAUNCH BEHIND THE POST OFFICE. THE DAM AT NINTH STREET HAS BEEN LETTING OUT A LOT OF  WATER, SO THE CURRENT IS LIKE A RAPIDS AND THERE WERE NO FISHERMEN IN THE RIVER.

I AM HOPING TO OPEN THE LAST SATURDAY IN APRIL, WHEN WALLEYE AND PIKE REOPENS. MY ONLY REASON NOT TO WOULD BE IF THE BAIT  TRUCKS AREN’T RUNNING. I WILL LET YOU KNOW WHEN WE ARE OPEN,FOR SURE.

MEANTIME, WE WAIT, AND THE CORMORANTS HUNTERS ARE ANXIOUS TO GET OUT ON THE LAKES AND DO THEIR JOB CHASING THEM OFF THE LAKES, AND DISPATCHING THE ONES THAT DON’T LEAVE. SO IF YOU HEAR A LOT OF SHOOTING  WHEN THE LAKES THAW, IT’S  REGISTERED CORMORANT HUNTERS, DEFENDING OUR WATERS FROM THESE PREDATORS.

HOPE TO SEE YOU ALL SOON.

BUDD AND LORIE