End of 2006 Season Report

Our 2006 walleye and salmon seasons went down in the books as the BEST EVER. We caught lots of very nice sized walleyes....more than 90% of the walleye trips were also limit catches. The fish from that year class will be around for the 2007 season and fishing should be reel good again.

We had our best season on Lake Michigan ever. The fish were nice sized and plentiful. The fish that we didn't catch will be around for the 2007 season. We saw many 3 year olds.... they'll be there to catch for next season.

Spring is here!

Hello again,
Well...it has been a busy time getting the boat ready for another season. It has been in and now out of the water. The Tropy Cup is at the boat hospital having the engines aligned. I was able to get out on Saturday and the fishing was great. Now, just hoping to get the boat back in the water for my weekend charters.
The walleye fishing on Lake Erie is expected to be the best in several years. The fish I caught this weekend were in the 16 to17 inch range, perfect eating size. We took a big batch of fillets over to Trapers Restaurant and had them cooked up. For 6.95 a person, they'll cook all the fish you bring in and supply you with fries, onion rings and salad. Get a pitcher of cool brew and you're set for a feast.
The weather has finally improved. After 9 or10 days of rain, the sunshine is out. It is still cooler than normal, but at least the sky is clear. The schedule is filling up. All the weekend slots are gone. Still plenty of open slots scattered around the calender for weekdays. Get some friends together and pick a date. It is going to be a great year on Lake Erie. Also, the salmon side of the business is attracting interest. Give me a call for a great salmon trip. I'll be in Frankfort on Lake Michigan from mid-July into September.
Talk again to you soon.
Capt. Eric

After Us, Who?

During some free time at the Cobo Hall Boat Show, where I am selling radar archs for the Atlantic Tower Co., I had the chance to read an interesting article by outdoor writer Tom Huggler. He made several points about the decline in participation in outdoor sports such as hunting and fishing. Both hunting and fishing require active participation to maintain the sport and pass it on to the next generation. In addition to declining participation and lack of recriutment of new participants, our outdoor sports are under increasing attack from the anti hunter/fishing groups. Although they state they are advocating for wildlife, all they do is try to restrict the activities of sportsmen. Huggler points out that it is the money that is spent in licenses and fees by sportsmen that pays for habitat and research that the supports wildlife. The anti's spend nothing on research or habitat. Their only goal is to stop what we do.

The point to all of this is that as sportsman, we need to stay involved with our sports and actively attempt to pass the life-style on to the next generation. We need to continually ask, who will be the stewards of the outdoor sports once we pass along. If you haven't taken a kid fishing or hunting, who do you think will? Let's get out there and hunt and fish and be active in passing the lifestyle on to the next generation. If you fish with me, kids are free with the paid boat minimum. A family of six can go for the price of 4. Let's get out side and catch some fish.
Bring a kid or two with you.

Show Season

Now that the Christmas Season has passed I can see the end of the tunnel as far as the upcomming spring season. One of the most anticipated things for this time of year for me is going to the fishing and boating shows.
The Ultimate Fishing Show starts next week at the Rock Financial Center in Novi. On Friday 1-13- 06 from noon until 4 PM, I will be at The Western Basin Charter Boat Association booth meeting customers and handing out brochures. On Saturday the 14th, I'll be at the Michigan Charter Boat Association booth doing the same thing. Stop by and book your charter or just say hello.
I'll also be attending the Lansing and Grand Rapids shows in March. More to follow. Tight Lines.

Gift Certificates

A Gift Certificate from Gold Coast Charter Service makes a great present and there is still time to purchase one before Christmas. They make great presents for bithdays and fathers' day too.

Lamprey Update

Hello Friends, custmers and new guests,
Durung the winter months, I will from time to time add information to the Fishing Report page that I hope you will find interesting. The winter months are difficult for me. I enjoy sunlight, water, and warm temperatures. If I spend some time here at the computer writing about fishing related topics, I can feel a little bit closer in time to the warmer seasons that I like the best.
I do a lot of reading about fishing and boating. The Great Lakes Angler magazine is one of my favorites. A recent article concerned the continued problems associated with eliminating the Sea Lamprey from the Great Lakes. It was reported that scientists from the U. of Minn. have found a way to duplicate compounds in a pheromone that has been found to attract large numbers of Lamprey. The hope is to be able to economically produce this pheromone in large enough quantities that Lamprey can be attracted to specifica areas where they can either be poisoned or captured. This would be great news if it can be implemented. Although lamprey numbers are somewhat stable, we still catch several fish a year either with scars or the actual lamprey still attached. Good work to those brainy people in Minnesota.

End of Season Report

Well it was quite a season. We saw gas prices go through the roof. The weather was generally good and we caught a lot of fish. The Trophy Cup is out of the water and stored away for the winter. As usual, there is a long to-do list ranging from cleaning and painting to mechanical repairs. I pulled the port engine last week so that I can effect repairs on an oil leak and also a leak in the transmission.
Over the weekend, I attended the fall meeting of the Michigan Charter Boat Association that was held in Bay City. The DNR representaives indicated that the salmon stocking on Lake Michigan will be reduced. Their indicators suggest the potential for a prey/forage imbalance if nothing is done.