Last Hoorah

Monday was the last fishing trip of the year. I went up to the big lake and put in at New Buffalo, MI. This is one of my new favorite launches, it takes me so much less time to get to depth and to the fish. Anyway I went out to 110 fow and trolled around 70-90 fow for the day. I missed the first hit I had on a rigger because I was getting a picture of the fog bank in front of me.

After that I started paying attention a little more and that's when Boomer showed up.

 This little guy stayed with me all day, he continued to circle the boat and eat anything that was flying. Needless to say I really appreciated not only the company but his natural ability to rid me of the nuisance insects. I think he thought that I was there for him because he didn't think anything of me.

Like I was just there to attract his breakfast, lunch and supper, which he ate all day. I have no idea how this tiny bird ate so many flies and moths. I watched him eat 4 huge flies and at least 3 large moths on top of all the little pesky flies that were on and around the boat.

At one point Boomer had a couple buddies show up, but they didn't stay that long.
The reason I named him Boomer was because he was like a boomerang. He would spot a bug on the water fly out and get it then come right back to the boat and eat.

Even when it was time to go he didn't  want to leave. He patiently waited for me to clear my gear, get the kicker on board and throttle up to 24 mph.

When we got the mouth of the river and we were within 30 ft of shore he finally flew away. It was pretty cool fishing with him all day. I was a little disappointed in him though. We had many talks about the rules of the boat, and how he could stay as long as he didn't crap all over my stuff. I thought he understood and was adhering to that rule until I started putting my gear away for the trip home.
That little bird crapped everywhere, no wonder he had room to eat all those bugs.
In the end I had a great last trip out, I have some video but haven't put it together yet.  As soon as I get it together I'll get it up here.

I caught 2 fish, 1 king that weighed in at 8#'s and 1 steelhead at 6 #'s.

End of early season lull

Well early goose ended without a bang on the 15th. So I did what anyone would do... I went dove hunting. I spent the morning and evening sitting on a field doing some pass shooting. The in between time was spent walking up all the fields at Huntington. I only got one bird walking the fields but 3 apiece in the morning and evening.
The morning hunt actually turned out to be very eventful. As I was sitting waiting on birds I had a couple CO's show up. They were out and about and wanted to check my shells, license and hip number. Shells... no problem, license... aummmm, oh crap where's my license? I went through every pocket of every bag I had in the field with no luck. In the mean time the CO ran my name and DOB and found out I did have a license. That however didn't change the fact that I was freakin' out about not having my license. Well long story short I ended up going back to my car, which wasn't that far and found it wedged between the drivers seat and the armrest.
I have found many things while hunting. For a long time I was using 25 dove decoys that had been left in a field. This year I had one of my better finds. I was walking the first field and just happened to look down and saw an older Thermacell. It was a little wet but I picked it up and carried with me until I could get to the car to see if it worked. It worked beautifully I actually used it on my evening sit.
So I had a pretty good day in hindsight, lost and found my license, found a fully functional Thermacell and shot 7 doves.
Not sure what I'm doing next week fishing or hunting.
Friday is my DU event I'm really looking forward to it, wish me luck one of the guns they're giving away is the new A5. I really want that gun.

Day before the last day limit

I've been out goose hunting 8 days now and I finally brought some geese home. I sat through rain, sun, wind, and no geese to finally make a limit before 10 am. The first flock that came in I put 3 down, then 1 more that came in as a pair. I was trying for a double but had to use all 3 rounds to drop the second easy one, with the first easy one sitting on the water in the decoys, he got away. The next one was a single that I had to beg and plead to come in. Even when he came in he still didn't want to drop in the decoys, which made for a high over head shot. I hit him all three times and I'm not sure were he dropped but I did find him floating on the water. So there it is finally after all the blood, sweat and tears I got to take some geese home.

Slloowwww Start

I've been goose hunting every morning, and dove hunting last night. The only critters I've brought home since the first was doves. I got three last night in Huntington, I was so disgusted I didn't even get a pic. I've been seeing the geese, at least a couple flocks a day. Nothing wants to come in no matter what I do. Four days of hunting and only 3 doves to show for it...... Oh well there's always next week.

Last couple weeks

Finally made it up to Lake Michigan yesterday and trolled all day and only had I hit. It was around noon and I had a steelhead take an SOG spoon at 60' down in 160 fow. He made it to the surface in 2 seconds jumped once pulled the line tight, the drag wasn't letting out line so I tried to loosen it. The fish jumped again and when I started to tighten the line the fish was gone.
Things to remember: Check drag on all reels periodically through the day especially in the morning.
Anyway here's some pics from the last couple weeks. The first pics are from LM then the rest are from Tippy.

starting lineup

2nd team

lures washed and ready to go for next time

Well one more week and then it'll be hunting season. I'm going to try and get up to LM again next week and try for some Kings again. If I can't go "Oh well" hunting starts in a week. : )