TOPIC:

I was in ludington thur-sat to fish the river for the last shot of kings. I stopped in at meijer, I needed some floats. I noticed a big rack of discounted items. Turns out it was salmon tackle. Tons of spoons, stingers, dreamweavers, silver streaks...etc all significantly marked down. Regular sizes, Mags, great prices. Racks full of spin doctors for 6 bucks, 8 bucks for the 10" ones. "Normally", I would never turn down an offer like this, whether I needed a spoon or not, I would instinctively buy some. This time I did not. It felt weird and kinda sad when I walked out.
Incidentally, I thought with the rain the area up there received monday, the big cool down, the lake flipping over (surface was 40 degrees) that the last "big" push of kings would migrate into the rivers. While I caught a couple each day, sadly I covered miles and miles of river without seeing any wakes, splashes, ripples...etc.
It's going to be more than likely the worst run they've seen up there when it's all said and done. It's just not Indiana, all the rivers in northern michigan are experiencing the same things. The Big Manistee is way down, you can actually find a spot to fish at tippy dam...unheard of. The Little Manistee weir only had appx 200 fish in their holding tanks, again...Low Low numbers, hope they get enough so we can stock whatever we're allowed to. The Betsie, same story.
Anyone need a good salmon boat? I should sell mine, just not willing to drive that far for the few silver fish that will be left, it would make a fine laker catching machine though.

I am optimistic that with the low levels of fish and a good alewife hatch that the lake is on its way to somewhat of a rebound and finding some balance. Without lower levels of predators, a rebound would not stand a chance. I look forward to seeing what happens the next few years. My fingers are crossed.

Reelfun,

I had heard the same thing. Prices were low to dump salmon gear in the heart of Michigan. Who would of thought that you would see stuff like that up there.

Hey on a brite note if this country gets low on oil all we have to do is have a laker broil.