Special thanks to Kendall Newberry for finding this piece he wrote in 2006 and sharing it with us.
What does a three day weekend and a rental car equal? ROAD TRIP! As my girlfriend and I prepared to celebrate our birthdays (mine was a few weeks earlier), we had a map of Michigan between us and our adventurous spirits awakened. My girlfriend, Melodee, is a native California girl, so any where we decided to go would be virgin territory. Being a native Michigander, I was more than happy to show her the beauty of our great state.
As we pondered our many routes and final destinations, we decided to check out the Mackinac Bridge via route 23. The last time I saw this part of the state, I was knee high to a grasshopper, so I didn’t remember much – in a way it was all new to me too. So with a full tank of gas, we ventured down the highway. Passing the many cottages and year around lake homes, we both envied the people that called these places home.
A picnic along the lakeshore was on the agenda so we stopped at a Walmart in East Tawas along the way which had a spectacular view of Lake Huron right out its front door. We paused to enjoy the wonder of it all, thinking of how many local residents take for granted seeing this every day. Back on the road, we enjoyed the warm sun splashing in the car – since this was still early spring, it felt great to have a nice day. I have to admit it was a great drive as we slowly counted down the miles to the Bridge, taking advantage of the roadside parks to enjoy the goodies we bought earlier. The emerald green waters mimicked the pine trees along the road as we wound up and down the hills and
curves anticipating the view around each corner (breath taking was an understatement). I had my camera along and didn’t hesitate to turn around for photo ops. Some pics we laughed at saying only in Michigan, like a bike with an old fashion push mower for handle bars and front wheel.
At last, we saw the bridge in sight and beheld its beauty. The green waters and blue bridge was a sight for sore eyes since I hadn’t seen the bridge in over 17 years. Granted, this was the off season for up there, but we had to hunt down a fudge and souvenir shop. And there it was, welcoming us with colorful signs and the smell welcomed us at the door. And after catching a beautiful sunset (spectacular as usual) we gassed up the rental car for the trip home. On our way home we both reflected on our adventures which led me to write this story for us and others to enjoy for years to come. So the next time you have a weekend not knowing what to do, consider a road trip to the Mackinac Bridge, you won’t regret it.
Have you taken a special Pure Michigan Road Trip? Send us your story and pictures, and we’ll publish it right here on our blog.
Tagged as:
Guest Blogger,
Mackinac,
Pure Michigan
Thanks to Dan Donarski for another fantastic guest blog piece about Pure Michigan fishing!
The planets have aligned, the sun has been shining, the temperatures are warming. What normally happens after the general walleye closure is happening right now. As in this minute, and it will continue until the general season closes on the 15th of the month.
What I’m so dang excited about is the walleye bite. Right now the fish are invading the shallow spawning areas in our lakes and spawning rivers. This is at least a couple of weeks earlier than normal. This is great news for walleye anglers and eaters. However, before we get to the spots of note, one word of caution please– the walleyes you are going to be catching are getting ready to spawn. There will be some big females. Please release those big girls as they are creating the fish you’ll want to catch in a few short years.
My good friend Mike Avery of radio and TV note has seen some great fishing coming from open water on the Tittabawassee River as well as the Saginaw. You don’t need a boat either, though it will help. Anglers fishing from shore are having good success, while anglers in boats are having great success. Casting Rapalas or a similar stick bait works well, but it is jigging with a live minnow, or using a three-way with a minnow that is really producing the best catches.
The same goes for the Detroit and St. Joseph rivers. Oh, and the Muskegon and Grand rivers, too. In fact, if there is open water on a river nearby your home, and it is known for its spring walleye fishery, there’s a better than good chance that it’s getting stuffed with fish right now.
On the inland lakes, the same pre-spawn activity is taking place. Up here in the U.P., Munuscong Bay (just south of the Soo), the Manistique Lakes, Indian, and Gogebic are all seeing walleyes in the shallows.
Because of the snow leaving the ice, the fish can get a bit spooky. Try using a longer rod, like a five footer, to get away from your hole in the ice. Jigging spoons, preferably tipped with a minnow head, seems to be attracting the most attention. A simple live minnow rig is also working, but the fish seem to really like the flash and dash of the jigging spoons better.
What about ice conditions, you ask? Last Friday, March 5, Munuscong had approximately 25 inches of good, hard ice in the inner bay. Out in deeper water it gets thinner as the current gets stronger. As always, ask before you venture out on the ice.
Yes, I’m a bit giddy over this last week of the season. Rarely do we see such a massive push of fish this early. Then again, rarely do I see daffodils poking through in my gardens this time of year. Yet, sure enough, they are doing just that.
Now I’m going fishing. Walleyes are on the menu!
Dan Donarski is an award-winning journalist/photographer and author. He specializes in the outdoors and adventure travel. When he’s not out and about he lays his head in Sault Ste. Marie.
Tagged as:
Fishing,
Guest Blogger,
Outdoors
At last, we saw the bridge in sight and beheld its beauty. The green waters and blue bridge was a sight for sore eyes since I hadn’t seen the bridge in over 17 years. Granted, this was the off season for up there, but we had to hunt down a fudge and souvenir shop. And there it was, welcoming us with colorful signs and the smell welcomed us at the door. And after catching a beautiful sunset (spectacular as usual) we gassed up the rental car for the trip home. On our way home we both reflected on our adventures which led me to write this story for us and others to enjoy for years to come. So the next time you have a weekend not knowing what to do, consider a road trip to the Mackinac Bridge, you won’t regret it.
