I’ve got a few things in the works for some blog topics, but waiting to hear back from the principles before going forward. Its kind of rainy and blah out there this morning. For two hours I have trying to thing about something interesting for everyone to read. Its a bit early for some folks (not in the day, but the season), but I think I came up with something informative and will help enhance your spring fishing.
Not everybody, but a lot of folks are shutting down their open water fishing. It is really no surprise, there are lots of other things to do in Michigan in the fall. The wife or girlfriends want to travel, see the colors and (ugh) go shopping at Bronner’s for Christmas stuff already. Guys are leaving to do the man thing, its bow season, rifle is coming soon and there is waterfowl season. So what can you do if you are a guy or gal in this situation. Pour some lead!!!
We aren’t inland lake fisherman for the most part in Monroe County, we just don’t have the lakes like they do out in Irish Hills or even Minnesota. So since the we have one of the Great Lakes in our backyard, why not get ready for next spring. What and where will you need to go for the ‘08 opener? For starters, lead, lead and more lead.
Detroit River, as Tim Allen would say (paraphrasing), “Give me lead, more lead, heavy lead!” If I could type those funny noises I would. Other than a few instances while summer fishing for walleye on Erie can I think of where 1/2, 3/4 and 1 oz jigs are needed, and thats the Detroit River. To steal from our newest blogger, Deetroit River Walleyes rule in the spring. Bonus is that they don’t have some goofball coach running the asylum.
Where else can you use lead in the spring? Right out on Lake Erie, down in either Michigan or Ohio’s shallow waters. I prefer Mich waters during this time period because the Ohio rules really limit you the amount of fish you can take home. Buddy, if I’m spending buku gas bucks, then I want a real limit!
Ok, so whats hot in these two locations come spring time. In the Detroit River, its the Jig Stupid. You know, like Bubba told Bush I, “Its the economy stupid” Grandpa was a handlining freak, so he might be turning over in his grave, but you can pour some lead to gear up for that too. Why pour lead at home? It saves you some big bucks over time, it is fun because you created it, and better yet………….you catch fish, BIG FISH, on something you made.
So Detroit River, what do you need? You want some jig molds, supply of lead, a hot pot, gloves, mask, paint, hooks, ladle and some snips. Some of these items you can pick up at the local shops. You can go online at Do-It Molds and look through their round head collection of jig molds.
Spring on Erie, one of the most popular casting and jigging jigs the last few years has been a purple hair jig. Start off with this mold, the Ultra Jig and go to your local fly shop for the hair. You will also need some other tools and head cement for tieing on. Tell the folks what you need. Ask for Don and Mark at Cabela’s Fly Fishing area, and you will get the right answers. Good guys and highly knowledgeable, basically….they won’t bs you.