Big Man Report from Mike

Spoke with a life long friend and Army Buddy who fished the Big Man this week and his first day he went 5 for 7 using plugs.  He said the fish were silver as a new quarter and plenty of fight.

On day 2 he lost his largest fish of the season after a long battle over 15 minutes with lots of air time and heart pounding runs.  The large fish finally worked the hook free during a final jump near the boat as the net was only inches away.  Clearly a big fish!

Mike said you won't be disappointed if you enjoy fishing this time of year.
Good Luck & Tight Lines

Just got a fishing report

Just got a fishing report from steelslam on the big manistee... 5 hook-ups landing 3 fresh chromers ...in less than 2 hours

Bluegill

One technique that I use in the river is to add a little bit of weight in front of a body bait and then slowly work the body bait back into holes or across the current.  The fluttering movement of the current pushing the bait around often provokes strikes from many kinds of fish holding just below the fast water on the rocky shelf.

Good Luck.

Trout Planters

I am always amazed at the small fish hitting larger baits.  There are still good numbers of planted fish in the river, making it difficult at times to get some baits into position for the bigger fish.

Fishing Moore Park - Grand River

I am beginning to pick up small mouth bass and a few other species while fishing at Moore Park.
There are still steelhead in the river, people catching them are using spinners or body baits in the holes.

Dark Water - Bright Colors Working

For those looking for walleye or other fish in the Grand River.
I have been having some luck on bright even NEON colors.
Good Luck

Stick Baits in the Current

Taking a few tips from the Detroit River Crews - when the current is fast.... add weight and run some stick baits or body baits and drop back into the holes to trigger strikes.  Male Steelhead will react aggressively during spawning times.

CB#: 5173312523

CB#: 5173312523

75th National Trout Festival

Our Schedule is subject to change, so check back often.2011 SCHEDULE for download.

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

WEDNESDAY APRIL 27

9:00 am to 4:30 pm - Senior Center 303 South Coral Street (C) 9:00 am - Wii Bowling Tournament $3.00 / 50 years and over. 11:30 am to 12:30 pm - Lunch. 1:00 pm - Horseshoe Tournament $5.00 / 50 years and over. 4:30 pm - Jackpot Bingo.

6:00 pm - Opening Ceremonies at the Trout Memorial (A) 335 South Cedar Street Trout King & Queen Coronation

6:30 pm - Open House - Shady Belle Village Police Garage 109 Fourth Street (N) Taste of Trout

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THURSDAY APRIL 28

10:00 am - Flea Market opens, weather permitting - Fairgrounds (B)

11:30 am to 1:00 pm - Senior Center 303 South Coral Street (C) 11:30 am to 12:30 pm - Lunch. 1:00 pm - Euchre Tournament $3.00 / 50 years and over.

4:00 pm - Carnival Starts - Fairgrounds (B)

5:00 pm to 9:00 pm - Shady Belle Food & Entertainment Village Police Garage 109 Fourth Street (N) 5:00 pm - Elizabeth Dunham, 2010 National Trout Festival Queen - pianist. 6:00 pm - Patty Cox - folk/gospel. 7:00 pm - Evergreen - Celtic Music. 8:00 pm - Dougie Mac.

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FRIDAY APRIL 29

10:00 am - Carnival opens - Fairgrounds (B)

10:00 am - Flea Market opens, weather permitting - Fairgrounds (B)

10:00 am to closing - Whispering Pines Animal Kingdom & Reptile Display - Fairgrounds (B)

10:00 am to 6:00 pm - Senior Center 303 South Coral Street (C) 10:00 am - Hors d'oeuvres. 10:30 am - Entertainment & Drawings. 11:30 am - Crowning of the Senior King & Queen. 12:00 pm - Lunch. 1:00 pm - Don Root Memorial Pool Tournament $5.00 / 50 years and over. 1:00 pm - Food Pantry Bingo.

11:00 am to 8:00 pm - Local Art Display Stone Haven Studio 330 South Cedar Street (A)

11:00 am to 9:00 pm - Shady Belle Food & Entertainment Village Police Garage 109 Fourth Street (N) 3:00 pm - Showtime. 4:00 pm - Kalkaska Queens perform. 5:00 pm - Kalkaska High School Jazz Band. 6:30 pm - Sing-a-long. 8:00 pm - Pat Stuck.

2:00 pm - Youth Parade - Downtown Kalkaska (A)

3:30 to 4:30 pm - Kalkaska Idol Opener - Civic Center (B) Autum Rhoades performing

4:00 pm to closing - Music and Beverage Tent - Fairgrounds (B) 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm - Fox Live Trivia. 8:00 pm - Jake "Elvis" Slater "Keeping the Memory Alive".

5:00 pm - Kalkaska Idol - Civic Center (B) Warm-Up Time

6:00 pm - Kalkaska Idol - Civic Center (B) Round 1

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SATURDAY APRIL 30

12:01 am - Jack’s Sport Shop Native Trout Fishing Contest starts

7:00 am to 4:00 pm - Arbor Day Enduro - Fairgrounds (B) Sponsored by the Lansing Motorcycle Club 7:00 am to 10:30 am - Registration. 10:15 am - Timekeeping School. 10:30 am - Riders Meeting. 11:00 am - Race starts.

8:00 am to 1:00 pm - Senior Center 303 South Coral Street (C) 8:00 am to 11:00 am - Senior Fundraiser Breakfast. 1:00 pm - Senior Seating for Parade in front of Church of Christ.

8:30 am to 9:30 am - Rotary-Wood Memorial Race American Legion Hall 408 Hyde Street (E) 8:30 am - Registration. 9:30 am - Rotary-Wood Memorial Race.

9:00 am to 6:00 pm - Children’s Fishing Contest C&C Water Well Drilling 377 M66 SE @ Intersection of M72 (J) Handicap Accessible

9:00 am - Flea Market opens, weather permitting- Fairgrounds (B)

9:00 am - Great Lakes Timber Show - Civic Center (B)

9:00 am to 6:00 pm - Trout Town Motorcycle Show and Swap Meet Kaliseum (B)

10:00 am - Carnival opens - Fairgrounds (B)

10:00 am to closing - Whispering Pines Animal Kingdom & Reptile Display - Fairgrounds (B)

10:00 am to 5:00 pm - Winterfest Craft Show - upstairs Kaliseum (B)

10:00 am - Kalkaska Idol - Civic Center (B) Final Round

11:00 am to 10:00 pm - Shady Belle Food & Entertainment Village Police Garage 109 Fourth Street (N) 3:00 pm - Showtime. 3:30 pm - Scottville Clown Band. 6:00 pm - Dougie Mac. 7:30 pm - Straight Forward Bluegrass Band.

11:00 am - Queen's Luncheon - Calvary Baptist Church (G) 815 Dresden Street

11:00 am - Timber Wolf Trout Fest Golf Outing Timber Wolf Golf Club 5646 M72 SE (M)

11:00 am to 8:00 pm - Local Art Display Stone Haven Studio 330 South Cedar Street (A)

1:00 pm - Great Lakes Timber Show - Civic Center (B)

2:00 pm - Grocery Cart Races - Downtown Kalkaska (A)

2:00 pm - Great Lakes Energy Grand Royale Parade Downtown Kalkaska (A)

3:00 pm to 7:00 pm - Pig Roast at the VFW Hall 408 Hyde Street (H)

4:00 pm - Great Lakes Timber Show - Civic Center (B)

4:00 pm to closing - Music and Beverage Tent - Fairgrounds (B) 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm - Fox Live Trivia. 6:00 pm - Karaoke DJ.

4:30 pm - Horse Pull - Rocking Horse Arena - Fairgrounds (B)

6:00 pm - Great Lakes Timber Show - Civic Center (B)

Dusk - Special Fireworks Display - Fairgrounds (B)

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SUNDAY MAY 1

Jack’s Sport Shop Native Trout Fishing Contest continues

8:00 am - Coldsprings-Excelsior Fire Department - Pancake Breakfast CETA Hall 6615 County Road 612 NE (I)

8:00 am to 3:00 pm - Classic Auto Show & Ugly Truck Contest Glen's Markets parking lot 784 South Cedar Street (L) 8:00 am - Registration. 10:00 am - Auto Show starts. 12:00 pm - Trout Festival Raffle Drawing. 1:00 pm - Pizza Eating Contest - Sponsored by G’s Pizza.

9:00 am to 5:00 pm - Children’s Open Fishing C&C Water Well Drilling 377 M66 SE @ intersection of M72 (J) Handicap Accessible

9:00 am - Tree Planting - Fairgrounds (B) Sponsored by the Lansing Motorcycle Club

10:00 am - Carnival opens - Fairgrounds (B)

10:00 - Flea Market opens, weather permitting- Fairgrounds (B)

10:00 am - Whispering Pines Animal Kingdom & Reptile Display Fairgrounds (B)

2:00 pm - KAMPS Fun Fly Air Show - Beebe Road (K) weather permitting call 231-886-0369

2:00 pm - Demolition Derby - Grandstand (B) Sponsored by Kalkaska County Agricultural Fair

3:00 pm - Jack’s Sport Shop Native Trout Fishing Contest ends

The river flow is very high but there are some spots down river that will produce fish.

Grand River - April 29th

Very high water... There are fish jumping occasionally in the water at the dam but the fishing conditions are very challenging.

Webber Dam

Webber dam on the Grand River.

This is another spot to add to your map book of places to fish.

Lyons - Grand River Fish Ladder

A view of the Grand River at Lyon's.  There is a fish Ladder located directly behind me while taking this photo.

Lyons

Portland - City of Two Rivers

Two Rivers Park in Portland, MI

Easy access to both rivers, parking, benches and close to town.