Beavers Make a Dam Mess

A few weeks ago while on an overnight hike my brother and I stopped to admire the handiwork of some furry little engineers.

While we were initially amazed at the pond that the beavers had created we were more than a little bummed when we discovered that their calculations were just a little off in determining how much area they would flood with their project.

The next section of the North Country Trail was flooded as a result of their dam. What a mess. In order to keep our shoes dry for the rest of hte hike we had to "ford the river" barefooted. 

After drying our feet we stopped to check out the area below the dam that continued to flow. To our suprise there were fish making their way up to spawn. 

Once their business is done the fish expire and give themselves over to help sustain other creatures of the forest. It is such a beautiful little drama.

More on the remainder of our hike later.

-j

 

A hot September afternoon on the Huron

I've lived in Ann Arbor for just over three years. In that time I have made numerous trips to the closest section of the Huron River to to try my hand at catching whatever would bite. I was never impressed with the mutants that I was pulling out; rock bass with white eyes, all-black bluegills, and other varying offerings that I refer to only as "panfish." Due to the many dams on the Huron I regarded it as a few long, slow-moving, oligotrophic lakes strung together that could only support halfbreeds and muttfish.

But this summer I found out that people catch some sizable carp on the Huron. The sub/ counterculture of carp fishermen deserves a post of its own. Pictures of people landing 10 lbs + carp not far from where I live got me super stoked. I picked up appropriate tackle, but the season's best time coincided with my last set of law school finals. Needless to say, my dreams of horsing in copper-colored softmouths yielded to the necessity of my school duties.

Fast forward a few weeks: I'm done with law school for good (graduation in a week and a half). Now, barring preparation for the Bar Exam (honestly, not a pun) my free time is truly free time. Today I put some of my free time to good use: I gave the Huron another shot.

I'm very glad that I made a serious effort to find a fishable portion of the Huron. It will give me one more resource to call on when I need a reprieve. We caught many Bluegill, a few smallmouths and quite a few decent-size rock bass. There were no trophy fish willing to suck up our flies but they were out there, in the water... and that will keep me coming back.

You get that Chernobyl Hopper little man!

Carp carp everywhere and me with my little 6 wt. Next time.

Hunter with his prize of the day.

J.

Whippy whip.

Loooong week, super tired, lots of hard work and all that stuff.

In other good news I finally got to pick up my new Forester this evening.

Snazzy guy with a clean car. Super pumped to have found such a good home for the our older friend, and happy beyond words to be in the new ride.

What I do.

6-speed, nice smooth ride, ample window space, factory rack, functional ground clearance.... oh yeah and some nice creature comforts inside. Will do some pics and description a little later.

Taking it to the Ann Arbor Art Fair tomorrow and on a quick fishing trip Sunday.

Verdict so far: love it.

J

I wish.

J

As the panfish see it.

Holy hiatus! I have been off this guy for months. Oh well. Law school is ending and I will soon have more time to pursue other things, namely ride my bike, study for the bar and write on the old blog.

I have soooooo many new pieces of gear to write about that it is not even funny and many upcoming trips to go on. Goodness, it is going to be a whirlwind fall. Well, my case books beckon for four more weeks. The end is nearing.

Until my time loosens up expect sporadic posts filled mostly pictures. Speaking of pictures here are a few taken with my Olympus Stylus Tough 8010. Enjoy.

J

Spring Golden Hour

"Bullfrog Pond"

Lower Peninsula Splendor

"Beauty and the Beast"

We must go West.

While on my way out west I flew over the Rockies. It was the first time that I have ever been out that way. I felt very small and insignificant. I think that in the near future I need to go see them in person.

I want to stand at the base of a real mountain and look up.