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If an acknowledgement letter is not received in time period stated, contact Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. – Marine Marketing via email: marinepromo@suz.com. The Gimme Six Promotion is available for pleasure use only, and is not redeemable for cash. Cash Rebates apply to qualifying purchases of select Suzuki Outboard Motors made between 7/01/17 and 9/30/17. For list of designated models, see participating Dealer or visit www.suzukimarine.com. Customer and participating Dealer must fill out the appropriate rebate form at time of sale. Customer will have the choice to either apply the cash rebate against the original dealer invoice (Suzuki will credit Dealer parts account) or have a check sent directly to the customer. There are no model substitutions, benefit substitutions, rain checks, or extensions. Suzuki reserves the right to change or cancel these promotions at any time without notice or obligation. * Financing offers available through Synchrony Retail Finance. As low as 5.99% APR financing for 60 months on new and unregistered Suzuki Outboard Motors. Subject to credit approval. Not all buyers will qualify. Approval, and any rates and terms provided, are based on credit worthiness. $19.99/month per $1,000 financed for 60 months is based on 5.99% APR. Hypothetical figures used in calculation; your actual monthly payment may differ based on financing terms, credit tier qualification, accessories or other factors such as down payment and fees. Offer effective on new, unregistered Suzuki Outboard Motors purchased from a participating authorized Suzuki dealer between 7/01/17 and 9/30/17. “Gimme Six”, the Suzuki “S” and model names are Suzuki trademarks or ®. Don’t drink and drive. Always wear a USCG-approved life jacket and read your owner’s manual. © 2017 Suzuki Motor of America, Inc.

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EDITOR IN CHIEF : Ben Martin • camads@coastalanglermagazine.com VICE PRESIDENT : Tracy Patterson • tracy@coastalanglermagazine.com ART DIRECTOR : Rebecca Snowden • graphics@coastalanglermagazine.com EDITORIAL COORDINATOR : Nick Carter • editorial@coastalanglermagazine.com WEBMASTER : Dmitriy Pislyagin • webmaster@coastalanglermagazine.com ADVERTISING INQUIRIES: Corporate Headquarters info@coastalanglermagazine.com • 888-800-9794

FLORIDA

BIG BEND : Mike McNamara • (850) 510-7919 • captmike@coastalanglermagazine.com BREVARD : David String • (321) 684-5888 • dstring@coastalanglermagazine.com DAYTONA/NEW SMYRNA BEACH : Don Meadows • (321) 436-5895 • donm@coastalanglermagazine.com FLORIDA KEYS : Cliff Lumpkin • (305) 849-9093 • cliff@coastalanglermagazine.com FORT LAUDERDALE : Gene Dyer • (954) 680-3900 • gene@coastalanglermagazine.com FORT MYERS : Nadeen Welch • (239) 595-8265 • nwelch@coastalanglermagazine.com GREATER MIAMI : Scott Deal • (561) 945-6999 • scott@coastalanglermagazine.com

Monica Isaza-Deal • (561) 945-8899 • monica@coastalanglermagazine.com GREATER ORLANDO : Phillip & Giselle Wolf • (407) 790-9515 • phillip@coastalanglermagazine.com LAKELAND & SUMTER : Mary Brasher • (352) 598-4219 • maryf@coastalanglermagazine.com NAPLES : Nadeen Welch • (239) 595-8265 • nwelch@coastalanglermagazine.com NC FLORIDA/NATURE COAST : Cary & Lynn Crutchfield • (352) 372-4237 • crutch@coastalanglermagazine.com NE FLORIDA : Danny Patrick • (904) 742-4696 • danny@coastalanglermagazine.com PANAMA CITY/FORGOTTEN COAST : Randy Cnota • (229) 834-7880 • randyc@coastalanglermagazine.com PALM BEACH COUNTY : Barbara Ryan • (561) 373-8040 • barbara@coastalanglermagazine.com SARASOTA : Phil Prevoir • (239) 257-4684 • pprevoir@coastalanglermagazine.com TAMPA BAY : Chuck Atkins • (239) 464-5153 • chuck@coastalanglermagazine.com TREASURE COAST : Misti & Gary Guertin • (772) 285-6850 • treasurecoast@coastalanglermagazine.com

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SOUTHEAST

ATLANTA/SW GEORGIA : Bob & Brenda Rice • (706) 614-8231 • bobr@theanglermagazine.com CHARLESTON : Jane A. Redden • (205) 725-9616 • jane@coastalanglermagazine.com

Sam Buckareff • (843) 607-8629 • sam@coastalanglermagazine.com CHARLOTTE : Mark & Haley Alberghini • (704) 651-1934 • mark@theanglermagazine.com TIDEWATER/OUTER BANKS : John Tiger • (757) 707-9654 • john.tiger@coastalanglermagazine.com

Laura Seitz • (757) 707-9655 • laura@coastalanglermagazine.com UPSTATE SOUTH CAROLINA : Gregg Thompson • (864) 542-3112 • gregg@theanglermagazine.com WESTERN NC : Debra & Joe Woody • (828) 775-9663 • woody@theanglermagazine.com WILMINGTON/MOREHEAD : Kenny Ritter • (910) 550-9094 • kenny@theanglermagazine.com

NORTHEAST BOSTON : George Regan • (617) 488-2842 • boston@coastalanglermagazine.com LONG ISLAND : Lisa & Michael Danforth • (203) 321-7635 • lisad@coastalanglermagazine.com CONNECTICUT / RHODE ISLAND : Lisa & Michael Danforth • (203) 321-7635 lisad@coastalanglermagazine.com

GULF COAST

GALVESTON/MATAGORDA/UPPER COAST : Chanci & David Mowry • (713) 446-7395 •

chancim@coastalanglermagazine.com • davidm@coastalanglermagazine.com MISSISSIPPI GULF COAST : Adam Nelson • (228) 627-5903 • anelson@coastalanglermagazine.com

Toby Nelson • (228) 623-1761 • tnelson@coastalanglermagazine.com NEW ORLEANS : Dr. Dave Dunaway • (225) 400-8156 • nola@coastalanglermagazine.com

GREAT LAKES

UPSTATE NEW YORK : Frank Geremski • (518) 898-6484 • frankie@theanglermagazine.com WEST MICHIGAN : Phil Belsito • (616) 957-1714 • phil@theanglermagazine.com

INTERNATIONAL BAHAMAS : Misti & Gary Guertin • (772) 285-6850 • treasurecoast@coastalanglermagazine.com

flahama@coastalanglermagazine.com PUERTO RICO/VIRGIN ISLANDS : Ace Bassue • (407) 285-9453 • ace@coastalanglermagazine.com © 2017. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher.

Disclaimer: Coastal Angler Magazine / The Angler Magazine will not be held liable for injuries incurred while partaking in activities described herein, or for claims made against products or services provided by advertisers.

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Best Of

By CAM Staff

Overall Best of Show - Bote Rover

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ach year, the fishing industry and anglers eagerly await ICAST, the world’s largest sportfishing trade show, to see what new rods, reels, lures, apparel and gadgets companies will roll out in the show’s New Product Showcase. For the gear-heads out there, it never disappoints.

This year, 1,263 products, accessories and apparel were entered by 280 companies to compete for Best of Category awards in 26 different categories. The products were viewed and voted on at ICAST in Orlando on July 13.

This year’s big winner was the Bote Rover, which took home Overall Best of Show. It also took top honors in the Boats and Watercraft category. It is a truly innovative little SUP/Skiff hybrid, powered by a small outboard to get you where you’re going.

Once you get there, it gives you all the skinny-water and stealth capabilities of an SUP. The following is a list of all the other cool and innovative products that earned top honors in their categories.

Boating Accessories: Yeti Coolers LoadOut Bucket With the LoadOut Bucket, Yeti has done for the lowly 5-gallon bucket what it did for the cooler. This injection-molded workhorse is Yeti tough and designed to exceed any need from the boat to the backyard.

Eyewear: Costa Sunrise Mirror Lens Sunrise Mirror lenses are designed for low-light conditions.

They let in 30 percent of the available light while maintaining 97 percent polarization for optimal performance and eye protection at dawn, dusk or on cloudy days.

Huk Attack

Footwear: Huk Performance Fishing Attack The Huk Attack is the most engineered, purpose-built fishing shoe ever created. It brings performance features for the serious fisherman with unique traction, bullet-proof durability and all-day comfort and support.

Giftware: The Catch and Release Print Shop Actual Size An alternative to taxidermy, these fish prints are created to the exact length of your catch and stamped with your name and information about your catch.

Lifestyle Apparel: Frogg Toggs Prym1 Series Pilot II Jacket and Bibs The Frogg Toggs Prym1 Series Pilot II Jacket and Bibs is the company’s camouflage style of its bombproof Pilot II. It is available in shoreline blue, silver mist and blackout options.

Technical Apparel: Frogg Toggs Sierran Transition Wader A zippered, flip-out chest pocket, large multi-function pocket and exterior fly storage area allow these waders to fill double-duty as a chest pack for storage of fly fishing gear.

Electronics: Humminbird Solix 15 Chirp Mega SI GPS Humminbird has achieved improved detail and target separation with Chirp Digital Sonar. With touch screen or keypad interface, the screen can be customized and viewed with up to four panels.

Fishing Accessory: Yeti Coolers Panga Duffel The Panga Duffel is a hardcore drybag designed to withstand brutal treatment and be completely watertight. It is fully submersible, and Yeti called it a gear fortress.

Fly Fishing Accessory: Simms G3 Guide Stockingfoot Wader Simms has built its most breathable and durable wader yet in its new G3 Guide, with four-layers of Gore-Tex fabric in the legs and three layers above the waist. They also feature a chest pocket, handwarmer pockets and built in utility tabs.

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Fishing Line: Berkley Fireline Ultra 8 With four times the abrasion resistance of its original Fireline, Berkley’s thermally fused Ultra 8 comes in a range from 4 pound test up to 30 pound test.

FishSmart: Eagle Claw 2017 Flounder Sample Pack Eagle Claw jumps in for the conservation of summer flounder and catch and release with its 2017 Flouder Sample Pack.

Kids’ Tackle: 13 Fishing Ambition Combo Designed specifically with the smaller size of a child in mind, but packed with some features required by serious anglers, these salt and freshwater combos are perfect for the little angler who is really into fishing.

Tackle Management: Daiwa Tactical Backpack This tackle backpack is perfect for hiking into a stream, walking the banks of a pond, hauling down to the surf or for use as a quickgrab on your buddy’s boat. It is custom designed to hold all the gear an angler needs.

Saltwater Soft Lure: LIVETARGET Hollow Body Mullet The Hollow Body Mullet is sure to find a place in nearshore and inshore boxes and be deadly for sea trout, redfish, snook, flounder and striped bass. It is an incredibly detailed and lifelike walking bait with great action.

Fly Reel: Pflueger Supreme QRS Fly Reel With its innovative Quick Release Spool, the Supreme QRS offers an interchangeable large-arbor cassette spool system. The polycarbonate cassettes are secured in the spool carrier by an advanced locking system enclosed by a full stainless steel and alloy construction.

Freshwater Reel: Shimano Curado K Baitcasting Reel As if the Curado weren’t legendary enough, Shimano has improved on its venerable reel with the latest in Shimano technology, such as smooth, efficient, durable MicroModule gearing. It is available gear ratios up to 8.5:1.

Saltwater Reel: Shimano Sustain Reels C4000/5000 Shimano’s Sustain Reels are a saltwater line of spinning reels that fits into the higher end of Shimano’s line. Featuring Shimano’s advanced Hagane technology, they are smooth, powerful and durable for anglers seeking to do battle with midsized saltwater species.

Terminal Tackle: Trapper Round Bend Treble With an innovative “trap,” the standard version of this odd-looking hook has proven itself by holding baits in place and keeping fish on the hook. The treble-hook version of the trapper is revolutionary.

Freshwater Hard Lure: Savage Gear 3D Topwater Bat This crazy-looking bait plays on the nature of predatory species to strike on reaction. It is a hard, surface-walking bait 3D scanned to mimic a bat struggling in the water.

3D Topwater Bat

Saltwater Hard Lure: Rapala X-Rap Magnum 40 Did somebody say wahoo? The new X-Rap Magnum 40 dives consistently to 40 feet with aggressive swimming action. It can be trolled as fast as 13 knots without rolling or kicking out.

Rapala X-Rap Magnum 40

Freshwater Soft Lure: Lunkerhunt LP Prop Series The Lunkerhunt Prop Series combines the design of hollow-body soft plastics with modern prop technology previously found only on hard-body lures. The Prop Series features three body styles: The Prop Frog, The Prop Fish Sunfish and The Prop Fish Shad.

Rod & Reel Combo: Lew’s Mach Crush Speed Spool Combo This baitcast combo features Lew’s exclusive SLP Super Low Profile compact design in a premium 10-bearing Speed Spool reel with MSB Multi-Setting Brake dual cast control system. The combo’s onepiece IM8 graphite rod sports a Winn Dri-Tac splitgrip handle.

Fly Fishing Rod: G. Loomis IMX-Pro Fly Rod G. Loomis’ IMX-Pro series was designed for professional guides.

IMX-PRO MATRIX is a material that allows Loomis to use fewer wraps of graphite and build fast, responsive rods that are lighter and more sensitive without sacrificing power or durability.

Freshwater Rod: 13 Fishing Fate Black With crisp action, incredible sensitivity and superb balance, the Fate Black offers the benefits of a Japanese 30T HTC blank, an innovative seamless reel seat, tanglefree guides with zirconia inserts, hybrid comfort grips and handles made of hand-selected Portuguese cork.

Saltwater Rod: St. Croix Legend T o u r n a m e n t Inshore Legend Tournament Inshore rods are the blending of the sensitivity, power and durability found in St Croix’s existing Legend Tournament Bass and Walleye series with components and technology reserved for saltwater environments.

Lunkerhunt Prop series

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The amenities offered at this exceptional northwest Florida marina include transient slips, a 450ft lay-a-long transient dock, wet slips, and a dry barn facility storing boats up to 32 feet. We also have a gift shop, the popular Dockside Seafood & Raw Bar restaurant, WiFi Hotspot Internet Access, charter fishing, boat rentals, party boat fishing trips, and more!

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A boater’s paradise, Bay Point Marina is gently tucked away along the Grand Lagoon in Panama City Beach, Florida, yet conveniently located just five minutes from the beautiful Gulf of Mexico and 15 minutes from the Intracoastal Waterway. Fortunately for patrons and guests, Bay Point Marina is also just minutes by boat from Shell Island, which offers excellent snorkeling, superb fishing and some of the most secluded beaches available in North Florida. This quiet, full-service marina offers worldclass facilities and services including 180 protected slips, housing for boats up to 125 feet and luxury pontoon boat rentals at a relaxing price.

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Alaska’s Can’t Miss

Freshwater Fishing Adventures

By Christopher Batin

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laska sportfishing offers wilderness realized rather than imagined and quickens the pulse in all types of anglers, from panfishermen to veteran world anglers. When an angler returns from Alaska and shares an evening on the flats or at the catfish hole with friends, talk quickly turns from big catfish stories to Alaska fishing adventures.

The reason is obvious.

If you are searching for action, the roostertails of spray generated by a 50-pound chinook salmon on a five-jump run through shallow water will satisfy your need. If the sight of huge shad migrations have you tying on a lure in finger-fumbling fashion, wait until you view pristine rivers teeming with five species of Pacific salmon that are counted not by the thousands, but by the millions. Valdez anglers see the return of as many as 11 million pink salmon to intertidal waters.

Choosing the right Alaska adventure is complex, with its various runs, timing and weather. Knowing when to go, where to go and with whom is key.

I’ve fished and covered Alaska’s fishing for more than 42 years, and I’ve helped countless anglers find the trip best suited for them. Each angler has separate needs. In the freshwater realm, here are some of the top considerations for can’t miss adventure, fish-hooking action and personal service worthy of the Alaska experience.

Interior Alaska

If you’re looking for a quiet place to fish, with scenery, comfortable cabins and located far from the crowds, drive down to Denali National Park and visit Kirk Martakis at Fish Denali. He offers several lakes on private property that offer about 3,000 wild rainbow trout to 31 inches and trophy-sized grayling. They cruise the lake like sharks, and the clear water makes sight casting to them with single-hook jigs, nymphs or topwater lures too much fun. It’s some of the best lake rainbow fishing I’ve experienced. Cozy, fully equipped cabins located at lakeside offer everything you’ll need for a multi-day stay, including Wi-Fi and multiple bedrooms. It’s a good choice for large families, fishing buddies or couples who want a quiet, laid-back trip with some of Alaska’s best scenery (www.Fishdenali.com).

Float fishing offers a change of scenery around each turn in the river as well as great fishing opportunities. Alaska River Tours offers remote float trips along the road system, with neither the crowds nor the expense. Depending on the season, owner Reinhard “Reini” Neuhauser chooses the best rivers for grayling, trout, sheefish, pike, salmon and char. On overnight excursions, he provides tents, camping gear and boats. You arrive ready to fish.

I recommend the overnight float, which makes the most of Alaska’s 19-plus hours of daylight. Fish when it’s light, and float during the remaining five hours from midnight to the 4 a.m. during the twilight period, when it’s still light enough to read. It’s a heady trip that is only surpassed by his camps and food served (www.akrivertours.com).

The Kenai Peninsula For a quick day of fishing, the Kenai River offers big king salmon to 70plus pounds that sizzle drags. Guide Joe Connors was my instructor back in 10

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my college days, and he’s still as tough on catching fish as he was on me learning public speaking. He’s a long-time Kenai veteran, and his guides at Big Sky Charter and Fish Camp have a long-time, sterling reputation for helping anglers of all skill levels catch silver and sockeye salmon, char and rainbow trout in the 25- to 34-inch range. He offers comfortable riverside cabins, evening barbecues and a quiet place to enjoy the river (www.kenaiguide.com).

Bristol Bay Bristol Bay lodges offer the crème de le crème of Alaska sportfishing in these western Alaska waters, where tens of millions of salmon move into various watersheds each year. A couple hundred lodges and camps offer a variety of services, from bare-basic outfitted trips to spectacular lodges with fly-out fishing, shore lunches, and gourmet meals.

Mike Gorton runs Goodnews River Lodge, the only lodge located on the 400-milelong river that offers some of the best boat-accessible river fishing for silver salmon, rainbow trout and char you’ll find in the region. It is a mixed-bag fishery, where no matter the weather, you can fish. There wasn’t a stretch of the Goodnews when friend Mark Wade and I fished that didn’t have silver salmon hammering our flies and big rainbow trout swarming in numbers like piranhas. The guides have great people skills and are skilled in their knowledge of the river (www.goodnewsriverlodge. com).

Southeast Alaska In southeast Alaska, Marlin Benedict, of Fish Wrangell, offers freshwater fishing for salmon, cutthroat trout and char in the remote, beautiful jungle streams of the Tongass National Forest. You don’t walk long distances here, as most of the good fishing is within a half mile or so of saltwater, which also guarantees fish as fresh as they come. The most fun in fishing these shallow waters is watching salmon attacking your fly or lure. Personal service is topnotch. (www.fishwrangell.com).

Chris Batin is editor of The Alaska Angler and author of nine award-winning books and Alaska fishing DVDs. He is featured as an Alaska legend in a new book, “Alaska’s Greatest Outdoor Legends,” published by the University of Alaska Press. For over 40 years, he has run The Alaska Angler Information Service. Discover more at www.AlaskaAngler.com.

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PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

HAMMERHEAD TUFF GRAB AMARRA

Hammerhead Tuff Grab spearfishing gloves are the toughest warmwater spearfishing gloves available.

Tuff Grabs were designed in Hawaii for use in asspetto spearfishing, which involves the diver descending to the bottom and scratching up substrate to attract inquisitive fish. In this style of ambush diving, normal diving gloves only last weeks. Tuff Grabs last months, saving the diver money in the long run.

A full 5-finger, 2mm neoprene glove with reinforced flexible amarra (synthetic suede) palm and double-stitched gripped reinforcements offer exceptional durability without sacrificing dexterity. Anti-Slip rubberized grips are sewn into each fingertip and palm, leaving the knuckles open for flexibility.

Large batting-glove style Velcro enclosures keep the glove tight.

Tuff Grabs are available in both Deep Reef and Pelagic Shatter camouflage to help make you the ultimate predator.

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MAVERICK DARIAN YOKOOJI HYBRID SPEARGUNS Darian Yokooji made his first speargun back in 1993 because he didn’t have money to buy one.

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His best-selling guns are his Hybrid Signature line. Originally designed in 1996, this line offers the stability of wood with the maneuverability of a pipe gun. The latest rendition of this classic gun has been retooled through collaboration with Maverick America’s Mark Laboccetta to improve on the original body design, add a carbon fiber barrel and redesign the Delrin muzzle.

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Center sp Are Log Homes Practical? Why Buy a Log Home?

Log Cabin process.

Each log is perfectly engineered in our state of the art, climate-controlled facility prior to construction.

This precise engineering of the logs prior to construction also ensures a superior thermal mass. Prior to the Blue Ridge Log Cabin process, thermal mass was affected by less than airtight construction. Ensuring exact fitting and high thermal mass has enabled our log homes to be very competitively priced with traditional construction and traditional building thermal efficiency, making our log homes View time-lapsed video at www.blueridgelogcabins.net an exceptional value, both now and into the future. bviously the number one attribute for log home owners tends Ben Martin: You’ve mentioned the “manufacturing process.” to be the aesthetics. Log homes and the feel of real wood tend to create an ambiance that tends to suit the outdoor enthu- How is it that log homes would have a manufacturing process?

Chip Smith: Blue Ridge Log Cabins is an innovator in the log siast more than the traditional American home. But what about the cost to build and maintain a log home? Is it practical? That’s the ques- home industry. We were recently voted on as one of “America’s Favorite Log Homes” by Log Cabin Hub. Our unique process of comtion that we asked Chip Smith, Owner of Blue Ridge Log Cabins.

Ben Martin: Chip, some people would suggest that the cost of pletely engineering each log in our facility has enabled us to provide a consistency previously unavailable in the log home industry. This a log home is more than that of a traditional home. Is that correct?

Chip Smith: There was a time when that would have been true has also enabled us to produce a more energy efficient log home.

Eliminating the inconsistencies normally associated with log but today with our improved efficiencies in development and construction of a Blue Ridge Log Cabin the answer is no, they are not home construction has allowed us to create a better value for our more costly than a traditional home. This innovation in the actual customers and a more efficient building process. Beautiful log homes manufacturing of the logs themselves is at the core of the Blue Ridge do not have to cost more than traditional homes.

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Michigan Hard Water

WEST MICHIGAN REPORTS & EVENTS

Catch Photos Fishing Reports - Rivers & Streams - Inland Lakes - Big Lake FLORIDA GULF COAST

Spring Break Planning

FISHING CHARTERS & GUIDES

+ PLUS

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Expert advice from the area's top guides and charter boat captains

Local Fishing Reports Catch Photos Tournaments & Events Photo courtesy of Capt. Ben Wolfe Sport Fish Michigan

WWW.THEANGLERMAG.COM/WESTM WWW.THEANGLERMAG.COM/WESTM WWW.THEANGLERMAG.COM/WESTMICHIGAN For editorial comments, articles, photography, advertising, and all other inquiries please contact: The Angler Magazine West Michigan (616) 957-1714 • westmichigan@theanglermagazine.com • www.theanglermag.com/westmichigan

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HOOK: Nymph/streamer 2xl sz 6 THREAD: Veevus 140 tan BODY: Preformed foam hopper body (Gorilla sz 8) LEGS/ANTENNAE: Round rubber legs (barred or solid) WING: EP trigger point fiber (gray) SIGHTER: Yellow foam post EYES: 1.5 mm stick on

oam bodied bugs with rubber legs means lots of movement on the water's surface. That buggy/leggy profile gets the attention of trout as well as warm water species. Hopper patterns are limited only to your imagination as tying materials are available in a vast array of shapes, colors, and sizes. This is one of my go to patterns.

Take a preformed foam body and cut a slit down the center. Wrap a good thread base on the hook and apply super glue to the thread wraps.

Center the foam body on the shank and tie it to the hook. Add rubber legs of your choice (barred or solid). Tie in a wing on top with a bright sighter, then add the eyes.

Whether it's a river or lake double your fun and hook up potential by suspending your favorite nymph from the bend of the hook. Don't be afraid to give the bug some movement as it drifts or floats. Walking the bug on the surface in low light can also elicit a strike.

Now head to your favorite fishing water and put a bend in the rod!

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Grand Rapids

AUGUST 2017

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Rivers & Streams

REPORTS & FORECASTS

Muskegon River

PRIMARY FEEDING TIMES

B Y: C A P T. J E F F B A C O N

August 2017 August 7 Full Moon

August 15 Last Quarter

August 21 New Moon

Morning

Date

August 29 First Quarter

Evening

Michigan Fly Fishing Ventures (616) 560-3195 www.westmichiganflyfishing.com

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ugust is a great time to chase a variety of fish with both fly fishing and light spin gear on the Muskegon River in and around Newaygo.

From early morning trout rising to #18-22 trico dry flies, smallmouth bass crushing topwater poppers or waking flies, and even the occasional run in with northern pike chasing down streamers on a fly rod or crankbaits on spin gear. Depending on the stretch of the Muskegon River we're fishing, it's possible to get all three in the same day.

As water temperatures rise to near 70, "warm water" fish such as smallmouth and pike will have quite the appetite. Their metabolism is running high and they need to eat! Even though a bit warm for "cold water" fish such as trout, resident brown and rainbow trout can be found sipping those small dry flies early in the morning.

With river levels typically at or near their lowest point of the year, access for the wading angler is at its best around the primary access points: Croton and Newaygo areas. These include launches at Croton Dam, Pine Street, Thornapple Road, Henning County Park, and Newbridge.

Equipment to use is all a matter of personal preference, so both the fly fisher & conventional tackle angler can catch fish on their rigs of choice.

Fly fishing set-ups can range from 5-7 weight fly rods, with floating lines for topwater dry flies and trout and poppers for smallmouth. Have a 10' section of sink tip to add to your floating line and you're all set for casting-retrieving crayfish and baitfish patterns for both trout and bass.

A sink tip with a sink rate of 2-3"/second will be manageable to cast and effective in getting your flies down. The strength of tippet will range from #3-4 test for small dry flies, to #6-8 for streamers and poppers.

Conventional gear would include either open face spinning or bait caster reels, on medium light-medium action rods around 8' long, rated for #6-12 test line. The main line could be either #15-20 braided line tipped with 3' of mono or fluorocarbon, or straight #8 mono or fluorocarbon.

Topwater lures similar to fly fishing poppers work well for topwater action. Basic baitfish and crayfish lures do the trick for subsurface fishing.

The best time to fish in August is whenever you feel like getting out!

Any trout fishing to be had would be best early in the morning as this is when tricos would be out. Smallmouth bass are very "visual" fish, so match your offering to the conditions of the day.

Not long before the beasts of the big lake enter their natal rivers on their annual spawning run...salmon are near! And steelhead are right behind them! Good fishing to all, hope you have a great month.

(EDT)

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Phone: 616-560-3195 Email: jrbacon@ameritech.net

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Mid-Summer Bass & Walleye Combo Options BY: J O H N B E R G S MA Greenwood Reservoir-Marquette County Well if you are looking for something new and scenic to experience, then I have just the spot!

Greenwood has been a very good and reliable fishery for getting nice catches of solid smallies as well as eater sized walleye. Many inland lakes get tough in mid-summer, but not Greenwood.

This body of water gets better as the summer progresses. Walleye on greenwood are not tough to figure out. They are weed orientated fish that can’t seem to resist a crawler harness. Here’s my “go to” presentation. 1st I would position my boat just outside the main weed line using a light bottom bouncer and spinner. I slow troll the harness trying to stay close to the weeds but not buried into them.

I have found that red beads with either a gold, chartreuse or orange #3 Colorado blade has always put fish in the boat. The fishing here isn’t tough but stay on the fact that later in the year the same fish may slide out into a bit deeper water away from the weeds. I still get them, but have to go heavier and use a 2 oz. bouncer. The bass on the lake are traditional in their movements.

I concentrate on deep structure and weeds.

The fish seem to be in and around the weeds in the mornings and are very catchable using a weighted worm rig. My favorite here is the Strike King Shimmy Stick in the Sweet Tater Pie color.

I will either fish it weed less or wacky style on a 1/8 oz jig head. The deeper structure fish are easy to catch on slow worked coffee tubes. If you need more information, the Wilderness Sport Store in Ishpeming can get you up to speed on Greenwood.

Lake Leelanau-Traverse City Region This is and always has been one of my favorite lakes. The walleye fishing on this lake is so diverse but let’s concentrate on the mid-summer period. Trolling is definitely the best bet for limits of great eater sized fish on Leelanau. There are 2 distinct patterns to talk about. The first is the early morning shoreline weeds. This bite works best when long lining shallow running stick baits.

My favorite baits are the #9 & 11 original Rapala in silver/black or the Strike King walleye elite Jerk bait in the natural shad color.

This is much overlooked but is a fun and different way to catch Leelanau walleye! The most

popular trolling method is crawler harnesses and spinners for suspended summer fish. I typically target the fish that are 15-25’ down over deeper water. #1 Off Shore Tadpoles and harnesses is a sure bet to get these fish to bite. Trolling speed is usually from 1.2-1.5 mph. Your Precision Trolling app will help you know how much line to let out based on speed and target depth. The bass on Leelanau are weed and structure fish.

These smallies are feisty and hard hitting. Early morning fish are very active on jerk baits and spinner baits. The fish will quickly slide out to deeper edges on points and can easily be caught on drop shot rigs and weighted worms. The 5” Strike King Ocho or Zero in Pumpkin green w/ gold or purple fleck are great colors. This has always been a solid fish producer and is just challenging enough to make you a better angler.

Portage Lake-Manistee County This is truly one of the most beautiful small lakes that flows right out into L. Michigan. This constant refreshing of the water and bait fish into Portage makes this fishery a wonderful option for big bass and steady walleye. The bass fishing is very unique, in that it has an equal population of largemouth and smallmouth. The very strong weed beds hold great supplies of bass up to 6 pounds. The fishing here is a worm orientated bite with a drop shot also working very well.

This lake is clean so casting is important when working the shallows.

Some of the better bass spots are: the bible camp area, the east end weed beds and the main point that runs out into the center of Portage lake.

Great Lakes colors work excellent on Portage as it is as clean as a whistle. The walleye are a bit tricky here. I have always caught the best numbers trolling in low light conditions. I typically don’t even start fishing until 8 pm, and will fish until midnight. The best spots are in front of the channel on both the lake side as well as out on L. Michigan itself. As for the baits I like shallow running baits long lined out 50-100’. Natural colors, baits with purple or white colorations work well. Trolling speed is 1.8-2.2 and depends on the stability of the weather, during stable weather patterns you can pick up the speed. In line board are a must and the Off Shore Tackle OR-34 works great for all trolling applications.

Camp Quetico-Atikokan Ontario (Drive-In Camp) Well I just returned from an early June trip to Camp Quetico and all I can say is WOW! This is truly one of the most unique and exciting trips I have ever been on. One fun thing is that I could drive there easily and fish with my boat on many of the 40 lakes that Barry and his staff guide on. The other very fun aspect was that some of the days I went with our groups guide to much smaller lakes that were quite remote and just crushed the fish. The smallmouth bass fishing is nothing short of incredible in this area of Ontario. We caught 10 fish per day in the 4-5 pound class and tons of 2.5-4 pounders.

The walleye fishing is very traditional rod in hand fishing. We casted shad raps and #11s in the morning and jigged live bait as the day went on. I loved seeing eagles and wildlife all over the place. The main camp is located on Eva Lake which is not only a great bass lake but offers lake trout fishing as well. The accommodations are newer and clean, and the food at the main lodge was outstanding. This is definitely a trip worth taking and I will come back again. If you have not ever checked out this great camp go to www. campquetico.ca.

The summer is the time to get out and take you and your family fishing. If you want a great fishing report, follow my Facebook page or online at: www.fishermansdigest.com.

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AUGUST 2017

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Rivers & Streams

REPORTS & FORECASTS

Traverse City BY: R U S S MA D D I N (231) 633-6464

A

ugust is when our lower rivers traditionally see their first wave of king salmon. This is water temperature dependent. Look for temps in the mid and upper 50s near shore and there's a chance that that some Kings will be present, especially toward the end of the month. Anglers target early season kings on the PM, Betsie, Big and Little Man usually on the lower rivers and their connecting lakes. King anglers also can run into pike and bass on the lower ends of these rivers. Large streamers like flashmonkey's, Great Lakes Fly custom bingos, double deceivers (Eli Berant) and Adaptive Fly D2's (Matt Grajewski) have the goods to get it gone. Nothing like a king eating a steamer right off the oar-blade.

For non-fly anglers fair chase kings, 1 blades and cranks8:25 on BigtheGreen Egginterested AnglerinAd_Layout 4/14/17 spin and casting gear will get it done. Get out and enjoy!

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AUGUST 2017

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7/16/17 9:29 PM

Rivers & Streams

Upper Pere Marquette

REPORTS & FORECASTS

RoguePere RiverMarquette A

lthough I no longer live on a farm, I still read the Farmers’ Almanac and put faith in their forecasts. This year they seem to be dead on, as they predicted our winter to be a real one with colder temperatures and snow that seems to be H U for B Ba while.

A R DThese conditions have caused B Y : G L E N R . B L A CBKYW: OJOEDF Fstaying the Rogue River to produce both shelf and anchor Outfitters Guide Service The Great Lakes Fly Fishing Company North ice and in some sections completely freeze shut.

(231) River 898-6246 anglers have a couple of choices, the obvi(616) 866-6060 ous, go ice fishing, (you will never land a fish staywww.troutmoor.net www.outfittersnorth.com ing home) or make the best of a tough scenario. I choose to make the best of what Mother Nature has created. To make the best of these tough conditions one must look to maximize time on the water and fish in a productive fashion. We can do this by preparing our equipment.

The constant issue that we face is cold air and water temperatures. How we deal with this limiting factor will determine our success. Looking at equipment first, most tackle designers never dream that someone is going to be using their rods and reels in sub 30 degree air temperatures. A common issue anglers experience is reels and lines freezing, along with ice buildup in guides. So how do we deal with this issue? To prevent freezing issues with reels, before your next winter trip, clean both your reel frame and spool completely. Remove any excess oil or grease from both, as well as any dirt. A little lubrication goes a long way with modern reels and any additional lubricant will begin to solidify, causing a binding effect between your spool and frame, leading to freezing. Dirt and sand will trap moisture also causing premature freezing of your reel. Upon finishing your angling day, bring your reels inside, remove the spool from the reel frame and allow both to completely dry and warm.

Another issue this time of the year is ice buildup in guides. There is no good way to stop this, but there are ways to negate it happening rapidly. Try placing fly floatant, cooking spray, or Vaseline on your guides to negate rapid ice buildup. Will these stop it completely? No, but they heyou Dog of longer.

Summer are upon us. The Pere Marquette River stays will keep in Days the game Happiest of Holidays!

T

cool with the numerous springs and feeder streams flowing into it, so we're still in trout mode. Trout fishing can be good this time of year; fishing a lot of terrestrial type patterns throughout the day and into the evening.

Early morning can be exceptional fishing with the trico hatch. This is one of the smallest mayflies of the bunch. So be prepared and practice tying those knots with small tippet. This hatch usually occurs super early in the morning when the sun is just coming up. If you’re an early riser like myself, it allows you to get some decent fishing in, before it gets too hot and the canoe hatch starts mid-day. As the month of August starts to come to an end, keep a watchful eye in some of the Pere Marquette's darker and deeper pools for bigger fish fresh from Lake Michigan. If we get the cooler night time temps and a little water in the river, king salmon will start entering the Pere Marquette to make there one time journey up the river to spawn. Early king fishing can be a lot of fun with streamers or lures. These fish are fresh. When hooked they will give you quite the battle. Especially on light tackle and in such a small confined space like the Pere Marquette River. Hopefully everyone is enjoying their summer. If interested in booking a Fly Fishing Adventure with Outfitters North, you can contact us at outfittersnorth.com. Tight lines!

Grand River

BY: J E F F H U B B A R D

Outfitters North Guide Service (231) 898-6246 BY:

GREG KNAPP

www.outfittersnorth.com Getting Bit Guide Service

H

616-570-2946

www.gettingbitguideservice.com

appy Holidays to everyone! Winter sure hit early this year, with single digit temperatures in the evenings and teens during the day. The Pere Marquette River temperature andRiver water level really fishery starting to drop. We're starting to see shelf ice and he Grand is aaregreat in August forofathevariety species. anchor ice in some middle of sections of the river system.

Smallmouth fishing As winter bass progresses look is fordoing steelheadwell fishing to slow down a bit. Instead of an allduring of tothe summer and day bitethe you heat will start get short windows of action throughout the day, usually in the they can beascaught from around Grand afternoon water temperatures start to warm. Nymphs will also start to be a key fly to Rapids past Lansing. fishtemperatures put use thisuptime of year.

WhenThese the water really start to drop steelhead and upresident a goodtrout fightareand provide good action looking for whatever they can get as far as an easy meal. Hex Nymphs, onStone mostFlies days. fishing Tails can start to produce. Eggs will also and Largemouth small Hares Ear'sbass or Pheasant is going down in the lower stretches of work well. Try small Clown Eggs and Nukes in more natural colors. For Swinging Flies try the Grand River. Walleye fishing can natural colors too,most with less ash asriver; the water clears. Sculpins in olive or brown can bemore good throughout offlthe produce in the winter.

Check out my site we have been seeing a good amountforofsome go-to patterns, www.outfittersnorth. com. Remember are notwhich flies andisare illegal in the Flies Only Water. keeper-sized fishtrout thisBeads summer, Yousign. can fiThere nd fishisthroughout the whole river system. The fish are now starting to a good some summer-run use their in winter andand pools.

Lookareforfun fish in much slower deeper runs with wood steelhead theruns river they hidewilling them. You can fiifndyou this type of water in any stretch of the Pere Marquette, to structure pursue to and biters catch however because of the weather; willin.become more difficult until spring. Play it a fresh push of them that justaccess came Usually starting in late if we safe at the boat ramps andAugust, while wading theget river. Practice catch and release on wild Pere a cold frontsteelhead. we will Ifstart seegeta tofew salmon andgetmigratory 6th Marquette they to don't spawn, we don't to hook anytrout, in the future.

Street is about best place to intercept them. The tributaries are GoodDam luck and Happy the Holidays!

T

another good option for fishing for a variety of trout and warm water fish. Check out the Flat, Thornapple, Prairie Creek, or the Maple.

FLY of THE MONTH Beaddazzled Stone

T

BY PHIL CUSEY

his is a great winter stone fly imitation! The rubber leg tail provides greater movement in the water. Using beads for the body gives a wonderful segmented profile and the dubbed head traps air and hence releases "bubbles" when fished. Be sure and adjust size; smaller for trout and larger for steelhead. Enjoy the solitude of winter fishing!

Materials FLY NAME: "Beadazzled Stone" HOOK: Tiemco 2457 - Sz.12- 8 THREAD: Uni 6/0 Black TAIL: Round rubber - Black - Small BODY: Spirit River glass bead - Iridescent Plum HEAD: UV Dubbing- Peacock

When Phil Cusey isn't guiding, he can be reached at streamertwo@sbcglobal.net.

JANUARY 2014 367_WM_16.indd 7

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AUGUST 2017

WEST MICHIGAN 7

WEST MICHIGAN 9 7/16/17 9:29 PM

Inland Lakes

REPORTS & FORECASTS

Northwest Area

Grand Traverse Bay

B Y: C A P T. C H A D D I LT S

B Y: C A P T. B E N W O L F E

Sport Fish Michigan

Sport Fish Michigan

(877) 442-4294

(877) 442-4294

www.sportfishmichigan.com

W

e at Sport Fish Michigan cannot believe that August is already upon us. July brought some beautiful weather and exceptional fishing to the Grand Traverse Area. August looks as though it will provide similar weather and fishing for all anglers looking to get out on the water.

Grand Traverse Bay is heating up fast with the warmer temperatures endured in July. This has pushed most of the lake trout, cisco, and whitefish to deeper water. August will present a deeper thermocline that can congregate baitfish and predator fish in the same areas. Active trout and salmon can be found in 70-150 ft of water just off of the steep drop offs.

We have been marking many large schools of Alewife consistently all summer, they have been found suspending in the thermocline just adjacent to steep breaks and inside turns of structure. In August, this provides an awesome scenario for those anglers looking to jig or cast for trout and salmon. Jigging spoons, blade baits and casting spoons can be very effective for this strategy. A very common color this time of year is pearl or white glow with a bit of darker contrast like a silver, blue or black.

Looking for suspended fish just above or below the balls of bait can be key in finding the active biters.

For anglers looking to troll, the same depth range listed above will provide ample opportunity for good action on trout and salmon. Most anglers will have great success running downriggers, dipsy divers, and lead core. Meat rig/flasher combinations on both downriggers and dipsy divers remain the best tactic for presenting the right bait at deeper depths.

With deeper thermoclines in August, running heavier cannon balls and magnum diver rings is a great option when trying to pinpoint deeper feeding fish. Staggering your spread in and around the thermocline will be very important this time of year. With good numbers of salmon being reported in southern Lake Michigan this spring, it is only a matter of time before good numbers show up in Grand Traverse Bay and surrounding Northwest Michigan ports.

For those anglers looking to chase inland lake species, fishing deeper water will be the best option. Perch, bluegill, and walleye can be found in the 20-40ft ranges this time of year in search of cooler water temperatures and a plentiful food source. Jig head presentations, bottom bouncers, and even slip bobber fishing can be very effective for this depth range depending on the target species. Anglers with good electronics will have great success when scanning deep-water flats and isolated structures while locating active fish. A good sonar graph is a key component to success in the month of August!

Sport Fish Michigan wishes everyone a safe and fishy August! We look forward to seeing you on the water!

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uly’s Northern Michigan has some absolutely spectacular opportunities for bass anglers seeking some of Michigan’s prized bronzebacks. Bass fishing in northern Michigan during August can be both rewarding and a challenge. The challenge lies in finding fish that have transitioned into deeper summer holding patterns, but the reward can be handsome when these deep-water bass are located.

July saw some late spawning on Grand Traverse Bays, and the postspawn bite lasted through towards the end of the month before fish began transitioning to deeper waters for the summer. For anglers plying the waters of Grand Traverse Bays, look deep in August. While there will still be plenty of average fish in the shallow 8-15 feet of water this time of year, the bigger fish will have moved into the 25-40 foot range.

During windy days, bass will push shallower to feed along breaklines and weed edges, and a spinnerbait can be a great search tool to locate these summer bass. Don’t be afraid to throw a big ½ ounce or ¾ ounce spinnerbait over 15 feet of water during windy days. Smallmouths routinely crush a big spinnerbait burned over water that may seem too deep. During the calmer days, a drop shot rig or a soft plastic fluke-style minnow bait can also be great options.

For the inland lakes, weed growth is at its summer peak. Largemouth bass will likely be buried right in the weeds, but the smallmouths will often hold on the outside of the weeds, patrolling the transition edges between sand and weed. Crankbaits can be a fantastic option when fished just adjacent to the weeds, pulling largemouths out from the weeds and any smallmouths roaming the area. Deep drop-offs can be another great area to concentrate on summer bass as this provides ample cover for smallmouths as they will move up and down the breaks to feed.

While August can be a bit of a challenge locating the quality bass here in Northern Michigan, it can also be an untapped fishery. With little bass pressure as compared to May and June, when located, the bass often bite readily. Pleasure boat traffic is typically high during the weekends and afternoons, but anglers should still have plenty of water to fish. Get out and have fun on our beautiful waterways.

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Fishing Fun for Kids of All Ages

F

ishing is fun for kids of all ages, right? It’s even more fun when you get a trophy or certificate. The Cadillac area offers several fishing contests throughout the year. Currently, we are tracking the 6th Annual Pilgrim Village Free Summer Fishing Contest that started May 27th and runs through September 11th.

The cool thing about this contest, it’s FREE, from any Michigan fishing waters*. The catch…it has to be alive, no frozen fish, sunken eyes, or white gills accepted. Fish categories so far: largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye, bluegill, sunfish, perch, crappie, bullhead, and dogfish. All brought in as of typing this article are very nice, with some great catch stories, and several kids are making their way up the charts.

What a great way to encourage your children or grandchildren to go out and fish for a bit. They also get their pictures on the Wall of Fame at Pilgrim Village where hundreds of Michigan fisherman wonder "where was that one caught…?"

Prizes will be awarded by length (ties determined by weight) You can see the latest standings on www.pilgrimvillagefishing.com.

If you think you can do better, bring your fish in! All fish must be measured and photo taken (with the person who caught it) at Pilgrim Village in Cadillac, just south of the Canal.

All prizes will be awarded in the form of gift certificates to the Pilgrim Village Fishing and Bait shop (not good for licenses). You may win only ONE category. You are responsible for your safety and property. *All Michigan laws and regulations apply.

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Pictured: Eviney Vanderzwaag is showing the boys how to get it done! Eviney is the leader for Largemouth Bass Category with this 20 3/4", 4.21 pound monster.

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BIG Lake

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s for August, we should key in on the waters between 80-120 feet for the most part, but weather depends on that also. The kings that are around should start to stage, and don't be afraid to fish some baits higher in the warmer water early in the morning. Kings love to feed this time of the year out of temp, so don't be afraid to fish it.

I always have plugs up there and I will also run some meat there too.

Within 10-20 feet of the thermocline is where I like to be. Trout should be plentiful and key in those areas as well. 80-120 feet should be good the rest of the summer. Key in on bait and the kings and trout will not be far behind. Get out on the water and good fishing.

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ugust is going to tell us what type of run we are going to have this September in the rivers. We had great king fishing in May with a good amount of 9-12 pound kings along with a ton of 12 inch skippers - will the 9-12s we had in May be running this year or next?

We did not have a lot of large kings in the 20-pound range in May. Since then, we have had various sizes of alewives in our area throughout June and the first part half of July, but not a lot of kings. Lake trout full of alewives were our staple fare in June. June did not offer good temperature breaks due to the water warming up quickly all the way out to the mid 40s down to around 90 feet.

July produced more kings than June and we seem to see more fish showing up daily. We are excited to get kings back in our area and get the drags screaming again! A new 12 inch spin doctor called the Big Foot by Dreamweaver has been producing large lake trout and kings in all ports with 40 inch lead using a fly or meat rig. This is something you might want to add to your boat this August when the king of the lake shows up in good numbers again in Ludington. Fishing the Big Foot on a downrigger or wire diver has produced results. I have not tried it on a copper or lead core- we may have to add some extra weight on the leader because Spin Doctors float and the large size of the Big Foot might result in tangles from other long lines that are riding higher in the water column.

Enjoy your time on the water this August and be glad we will have kings again to fish for.

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Flowing Water Eyes Target walleyes in rivers this late summer with simple-to-employ trolling tactics.

BY: MA R K MA RT I N Overlooked? Yep. Under-fished? You bet.

Out of sight, thus out of mind? Oh yeah. I’m talking about the populous of walleyes that live in river systems all year long.

While spring is most definitely the average angler’s go-to time when it comes to targeting walleyes in flowing water—a time when fish by the millions may migrate from nearby lakes to spawn— savvy anglers will search out the fish that stick around all year long.

But truth be told, although they may not be as plentiful during the late-summer months, there are still more than enough resident fish to fill the live well for anyone who’s willing to take the time to target them. And the best way to go about getting an offering into the face of as many fish as possible is to cover as much water as you can. And trolling is how I like to get this job done.

The best part about targeting river ‘eyes in summer while trolling? The tactic is simple to employ. That and you’ll catch more fish than ever.

Flow Trolling Basics Trolling both upstream and down will take fish; either way, going just the right speed is the key to catching success.

Although the Lowrance sonars I have on both my Lund’s dash and bow are always on when I’m fishing rivers, I’m not concerned about my trolling speed being displayed on their screens.

This is because the current speed is always changing run to run, hole to hole, and I have to change up my tempo accordingly. Nevertheless, trolling with the correct momentum is crucial.

Instead of relying solely on the GPS, I depict whether or not I am going a good pace by how my Rapala crankbaits are running within the current. Thus why I always have my hand on the throttle of my kicker motor; so I can adjust the RPMs and speed up or slow down depending on how my lure is waggling at the moment.

Luckily, Rapala lures run true right out of the package and swim properly, even when trolling upstream in a heavy current. Bump a few too many rocks, however, and you may have to tune your Rapala back to its perfect out-of-the-box wiggle. You can do this by bending the eyelet at the head of the lure just slightly with a pair of Rapala’s Fisherman’s Pliers. (Tuning tip: Bend the eyelet in the opposite direction the lure rolls, but only ever so slight. In fact, if you feel the eyelet move, you more than likely have twisted it too far.)

Another problem with trolling over graveland rock-filled bottoms is the lure’s hooks can become dull or damaged in a short time. I’m always testing the sharpness of my lure’s hooks by placing their point on my thumbnail and then try to scrape it over its surface. If the hook 14 WEST MICHIGAN

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slides easily, it needs to be sharpened. If it sticks, then the hook’s plenty sharp. To sharpen, I use a Rapala 2 Sided Hook File to touch it up.

If the lure’s hooks have been severely damaged or been filed off too much from sharpening multiple times, I like to replace them with the same size Daiichi hooks. The reason for making sure to use the same size hook is that the lures may not have the same action with lighter or heavier hooks thus, fish may not strike.

In Its Place Proper lure placement is a crucial piece of the walleye catching puzzle in rivers thus, the depth below me is something I am always watching on the screens of my Lowrance units, even more so if the water’s stained and I can’t see the bottom.

At all times, I need to know whether my lure is in the middle of a deep run, along its edge, or up on top of a shallow, silt-filled flat.

Overall, I want my lure to be running through the deepest part of a hole or run, yet, right up tight to where it starts to rise up and get shallower. It’s along the drop-offs where the majority of walleye will sit, awaiting food to drift their way.

Whether trolling with or against the current, I want to motor just fast enough so that my Rapala crankbaits, such as Shad Raps and Scatter Rap Shads, are wiggling perfectly. That is, not too fast so that they spin out of control, or, not too slowly and don’t have any action at all.

When trolling upstream it may feel as if you’re nearly sitting stationary, all the while the lure will be swimming wildly nosed into the flow. The opposite holds true when trolling downstream,

however, and you’ll have to motor faster than you might think to keep the lure wiggling. But not to worry, river walleyes are used to nabbing forage as it swims downstream and will strike your fast-paced bait without hesitation.

Responsive rods and line are an important part of being able to “feel” if my lure is running correctly; thus I use a medium-action Fenwick rod and ABU Garcia reel spooled with 10-pound-test Berkley FireLine.

I also like using leadcore line in rivers as I can get my lure down deep without having to let a lot of line out, which helps in reducing snags. A medium-action Fenwick trolling rod and ABU Garcia line-counter reel filled with Suffix 832 Advanced Lead Core is my preference. And I link the lure to the leadcore via a 6-foot leader of 10-pound-test Berkley 100% Fluorocarbon.

To the tip of the fluorocarbon, I tie on a Berkley Cross-Lok Snap (not snap-swivel) to allow easy on and off when changing lures, as well allowing the bait its maximum action.

Too much “hardware” with a snap-swivel and the lure’s action will be ruined.

When trolling with more than one rod at a time, I like to place all but the one I am hanging on to in rod holders”. But just because the rod is cradled in the holder rather than my hand, does not mean I am not always adjusting the amount of line that’s out at all times.

The reason for continually adjusting the length of line a rod has out is, I want my Rapalas to be running “at” bottom, not “on” it. The moment I see that the lure’s bouncing on bottom, I reel in a few feet of line until the lure stops ramming into it. And if my sonar shows the water just got deeper, I will let out just enough line until the lure ticks the river’s floor, and then reel in a couple feet to make sure it’s in the strike zone.

Pulling in the Flow If you have a favorite river with walleye in it, then by all means, cover water by trolling.

Crankbaits fished near bottom are always a great choice. Just make sure your lures are running true and at the right pace.

Mark Martin is a touring walleye tournament professional, as well an instructor with the Fishing vacation/schools, who live in Michigan’s southwestern Lower Peninsula. Check out his website for more information

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Rockin’ Bass In The Adirondacks

By Rich Ortiz

Rich Ortiz, the “Fishin’ Musician,” shows off a nice Adirondacks largemouth. Check out Rich’s music and outdoor adventures at richortiz.com. Photo by Louis Torres Photography.

B

y the time I was 12 years old, I knew and fished at least two dozen bass waters, most of them from a canoe with my Pop. Usually there were no boat ramps, no houses and seldom another fisherman. That’s the beauty of the Adirondack region of Upstate New York.

There’s tons of water and lots of fish.

Often when the Adirondacks (ADKs) are mentioned in fishing circles, pristine secluded trout rivers or brook trout ponds come to mind.

Our secret is that the ADKs have countless bass fishing options, as well, with any kind of water you could think of.

Three renowned waters within my 30-minute fishing radius are perfect examples of the great bass fishing in our area. Lake George, Lake Champlain and Saratoga Lake provide varied and endless opportunities for both largemouth and smallmouth action, with a spectrum of habitats that could keep any bass enthusiast occupied for a lifetime. Additionally, if it’s a secluded canoe/kayak adventure you’re after, I dare say the ADKs have more backwoods bass waters on public land than any state I can think of. These woods are the same natural forests they were in 1885, when they were deemed untouchable thanks to Teddy Roosevelt.

Imagine fishing secluded, crystal-clear waters with green mountains as a backdrop, moderate temperatures and a relaxing breeze. Since the founding of our country, these waters have provided sanctuary from the heat and congestion of the growing East Coast industrial cities. Summer retreats to the ADKs to fish and hunt were the norm, and coupling

these outdoor activities with attractions like Saratoga horse racing or a Lake George steamboat ride created traditions of the American summer vacation.

Today, if you are serious about bass fishing, yet want to include family on the vacation, the Saratoga/Lake George area is the spot. I feel qualified to endorse the attractions, since when I am not fishing or hunting, I’m performing music at many of the area’s top resorts and restaurants.

Though my profession as a traveling musician has allowed me to fish all over North America, my heart is still at home fishing the 6-million-acre Adirondack Park.

Let’s start with Lake George, which is a large deep-water lake that is the ultimate finesse bass water. This beautiful 32-mile-long glacially carved lake has rock shorelines and is speckled with islands that provide endless bass structure. Lake George has AAA reservoir water quality and is crystal clear. Light 6- to 8-pound fluorocarbon line is a must while drop-shotting 30- to 50-foot rocky bottoms for big numbers of smallmouth and some nice 4-pound-plus fish. When drop-shotting I prefer natural presentation baits like the Berkley’s Gulp! Nemesis in the Smelt color. The lake temperature remains cool all year, and shaky-head worm presentations or small bass jigs will score a mix of largemouth and smallmouth in ultra-clear 20- to 40-foot depths.

This is a great training ground for teaching your family or friends to fish. Shore fishing is a bonus, and many others and I make trophy catches all year from shore. I rely on my Costa sunglasses on this lake as much as my Lowrance Sonar. It’s so clear that I can watch strikes in 20 feet of water. I keep three pairs of Costas on board. I prefer yellow lenses for sunrise, low light and cloudy days. These lenses work wonders sighting fish and contrasting bottom structure. I use blue mirror on bright days and amber green mirror lenses for most other situations on the lake.

Just to the north of Lake George, Lake Champlain offers everything a fisherman can imagine. Many experts rank Champlain among the top fisheries in the country for largemouth and smallmouth bass. You can fish just about any presentation in this vast lake, which combines natural and man-made structure like sunken ships, submerged train tracks and dock cribbings. My fishing concentrates on the southern end of the lake, where the water is usually very stained. Vast water chestnut beds yield many 5-pound-plus largemouth bass. Heavy abrasion-resistant line is a must; I prefer fluorocarbon or braid, depending on presentation. I normally punch the weeds with 1- or 2-ounce tungsten and big 10-inch Power Bait or Yum worms. Dark colors work best. Topwater and flipping are also go-to tactics, with countless backwaters providing breathtaking views and heart-pounding hook sets.

To the south, Saratoga Lake is much smaller than George or Champlain. It is slightly stained and can be highly pressured but still provides large numbers of largemouth in the 3- to 5-pound range. Dense concentrations of cabbage and mixed milfoil create great opportunities for tossing plastics and jigs on the edges of long weed lines. Saratoga Lake’s close proximity to the City of Saratoga Springs makes it an ideal morning or evening getaway for those visiting during track season, which lasts through Labor Day. While the tourist season winds down, the fish really turn on, which make for some magical days in fall.

The big lakes are great, but to me the gems of this area are the smaller lakes and ponds I learned to fish on. The unique chance to toss a lure to unpressured fish on public waters is a reality. The Adirondack Park features countless opportunities perfect for canoe and kayak fishing. With today’s lightweight watercraft, you can be alone with 2- to 5-pound bass after just a half-mile hike to numerous ponds and lakes. Many canoe and kayak waters are also roadside or within a state park. New York does a wonderful job providing trailhead access and parking areas for anglers with car-top boats. Research access at www.dec.ny.gov.

The amount of good bass water in the Saratoga/Lake George is staggering. With its proximity to so many metropolitan centers, a short drive up I-87 can have you setting hooks on some beastly bass in no time.

For an overview map of the area, go to

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FRESHWATER Mille Lacs Ranked No. 1 Bass Lake By B.A.S.S. Photo by Doug Kerr

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innesota’s Mille Lacs Lake has long been known for exceptional walleye fishing and ice fishing, but the smallmouth bass fishing on this more than 130,000-acre lake north of Minneapolis is what catapulted it to the top of Bassmaster Magazine’s 100 Best Bass Lakes rankings.

According to B.A.S.S. research, 20-pound five-fish limits of smallmouth bass are a regular occurrence, 30-pound sacks show up in some events, and two 36-pound limits were weighed in during events last fall. Those numbers are almost unbelievable on a smallmouth lake, considering a 36-pound limit would average out to more than 7 pounds per bass.

Here’s the rundown of Bassmaster’s top-12 bass lakes in the nation: 1. Mille Lacs Lake, Minnesota 2. Sam Rayburn Reservoir, Texas 3. Clear Lake, California 4. Shearon Harris Lake, North Carolina 5. Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, California 6. Lake Berryessa, California 7. Lake Erie, New York 8. Santee Cooper Lakes, South Carolina 9. Lake St. Clair, Michigan 10. Falcon Lake, Texas 11. Thousand Islands area St. Lawrence River, New York 12. Chickamauga Lake, Tennessee

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Focus On Redfish In August

By Tobin Strickland

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big question on all the Internet message boards lately is, “Where are the midrange trout in the heat of summer?”

One of the indicators of either fishing too shallow or fishing in the wrong part of the bay for the season is catching mostly undersized trout. So, if you’re catching nothing but “dink” trout in August, fish deep structure with current.

I don’t like catching dinks, so I’ll focus on upper-slot redfish and sight casting to the big shallow trout I see while I’m fishing for reds.

The summer heat finally forces redfish to go in search of food in the marsh and grass flats. Shrimp are now mostly gone, except large white shrimp, so while there are main-bay, open-water redfish chasing those fish-big shrimp, some reds will now begin to work over juvenile white shrimp and shad in the marsh and grass flats. They’ll also be eating mullet and crabs when the opportunity presents itself.

Redfish are simple. They use current to feed, and the faster you learn about where the niche is, the more consistent you’ll be catching redfish in shallow waters. Follow a current from a marsh cut to the bank of a marsh pond it’s flowing too, and you’ll find redfish. Also look for eddies behind structure and where the current edge crosses structure, and that’s good as well. Big trout are similar in the summer in shallow areas. They are there for the big mullet and to eat little trout but are in small niche areas of their own.

Tobin created the TroutSupport.com weedless, snagless, long casting, walk the dog soft plastic for fishing shallow grass, shallow oysters, rocks, and mangrove where reds and snook live.

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MAKO SHARK ON THE FLY

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f you’re looking for some spectacular fly fishing for toothy critters, mako sharks are tough to beat as a game fish. They can be found pretty much worldwide, but right now is the time of year to visit southern California, where shortfin mako sharks show up off the coast every year within easy range for fly rodders with a small skiff.

The mako shark is one of saltwater fly fishing’s outstanding but unappreciated game fish. Found on both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, a smaller mako in the 20- to 30-pound range can be the perfect-sized fish for the beginning saltwater fly fisherman. Of course, fishing for sharks is a tad different than fishing for bluegills in your Uncle Ned’s farm pond, and the equipment also differs.

First, you’ll need a boat, preferably a boat over 18-feet that can handle fairly choppy seas. Most center-consoles will do; however, a skiff with a beam of 8 feet or wider and a not-too-deep V will settle in the water better and will reduce pitch and roll to a minimum, offering a much more stable casting platform.

A good chum line is the most effective way of attracting makos to within casting distance of your boat. Chumming attracts the larger makos and will place you in the position of being able to sight-cast to them.

Into a chum bag, place the belly sections or fresh carcasses of tuna, bluefish or bonito, then place the bag into a milk crate or 5-gallon bucket and lower this mess over the side. Then sit back and listen for the musical score from the movie “Jaws” to begin. You won’t have long to wait once that chum slick begins to spread. Ideally, you should use fresh carcasses, but store-bought chum will suffice. One bit of important advice: Less is more when chumming; you don’t need much; no matter how small the slick, a shark can smell it from

miles away.

Now that you have the boat and chum, the next thing to do is find a mako. On the West Coast, we are fortunate to have the continental shelf only a few miles offshore. On the east coast, you’ll have to venture a bit farther offshore. Keep your eyes peeled for working birds and surface-busting bait; constantly check the water temperature looking for readings between 66 and 70 degrees. But, be patient when chumming. I will wait at least an hour or an hour and a half before moving to another spot, but there have been occasions when the sharks made their appearance within a few minutes of 1 ½ hours.

Once in the slick, makos will stick around for most of the fishing day. Drifting allows you to cover more water and in the process, attract more makos to your boat.

By choosing the right season, having the right chum and chumming the right areas, you can count on hooking and releasing a good number of makos during the course of a single day on the water.

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FISHING 23 7/6/17 10:35 AM I FLY NATIONAL 23

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SCALLOP SEASON IS OPEN! DAVID MANEY, FOWLER’S SUNGLASSES

Value Versus Ego In Sunglasses

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t Fowler’s, we know sunglasses. We sold more than 25,000 pairs last year, and we represent more than 30 companies, all clamoring for attention in the marketplace. This gives me intimate knowledge of most of what’s offered, and I have some insight to share on what makes a pair of sunglasses the right pair for you.

There are two types of

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Realize that frames represent very little in the cost of production for a pair of sunglasses. What you are paying for--or should be paying for-in an expensive pair of glasses is lens technology. A better set of lenses is going to cost more and last longer. Those inexpensive glasses with sprayon lens protection will serve you almost as well as the expensive ones off the shelf, but they might

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sunglasses shoppers. One views sunglasses as fashion accessories, to be matched to an outfit or activity. This is all well and good.

Good-looking glasses do help you look cool. The second type of shopper, which is a group I have found many anglers fall into, is more interested in sunglasses as an essential tool. All-day comfort and performance are considerations that come before style or brand for people in this second group.

If performance is more important to you than ego, do not lock yourself into one particular brand of glasses.

They can range from $5 to $500, and all manufacturers promote their own bells and whistles.

Sometimes you get what you pay for, other times you are paying for a brand logo on the side of the frame.

only maintain that performance for a year.

The single most important consideration with frames is they are essential to fit and the resulting comfort for the wearer.

This is why you should not be locked into a certain brand.

Everyone’s face is different, and so are everyone’s sunglasses needs.

Do not be a branded person, choose a pair of sunglasses that fits your face and your needs.

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1,000-Pound Tournament Hammerhead Shatters Texas Record Photo courtesy of Texas City La Marque Jaycees/Facebook nglers hauled some big sharks out of the Gulf of Mexico during this year’s Texas City Jaycees Tackle Time Fishing Tournament. Chief among those sharks was a 1,033-pound great hammerhead that shattered a 37-year-old Texas state record.

Tim McClellan obviously took first place for the giant shark he entered in the annual fundraising tournament for the Texas City La Marque Jaycees. The tournament awards the top three fish in multiple inshore, offshore and youth divisions. This year, it ran June 30 – July 9, and 964-pound and 817-pound tiger sharks rounded out the top three in the shark division.

McClellan’s fish beat out the 871-pound Texas state record great hammerhead, which was caught

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