Wow...just got back from our 17 day road trip which was highlighted (and destined) by a 6 day stop in your lovely state! After the stop for the B-ville event in NY, and having Canadian Customs ask us kinda nicely not to stop in Canada (don't ask), we arrived in Pontiac to visit Vinny's uncle Louie for the afternoon. Arriving to Andy and Nikki's house that evening (after a DQ stop, of course) to also meet Andy's brother and sis-in-law from Utah (and good hospitality, a theme that would continue), we decided to give the Saginaw a shot hoping for big Huron-run females...

Arriving early in the morning and fishing "Alex's" swim, we were soon onto lots of fish. Vinny's first fish was a 21lb 14oz torpedo, which was his MI PB then. But after, we fished through lots of singles and low teens and by noon, we realised the big fish weren't quite in yet. Had more fish to a nice 18+, plus a small mirror for me (my only one of the trip) and a surprise 5lb quillback carpsucker.

Off to Bay City to look for other swims and for lunch, we then arrived back at the swim about 3. Vinny fished, and caught, while I slept (someone has to do it!)... I woke up to find Don fishing with his son, nice surprise. Not long after our greetings, my timing was good enough to net Don's first mirror (nice 14lber!), congrats!! Vinny ended with over 30 fish, I had close to 20 (and napped). So, while the fish were hitting, the large Huron fish didn't seem to be in yet. So, instead of bivvying up, we left for the western part of the state, hoping it wasn't so far behind schedule and the fish were in from L Michigan...

My only mirror of the trip. Nice..if it wasn't for the fungus on it's head.

So, heading across the state, we were aiming for Muskegeon area. On the way out, we crossed the Pine River in St Louis, and I had the inclination to suddenly stop and check out the place. I always listen to this voice in my head..LOL Turns out, the park there (Gertrude Something-or-other Park) has loads of carp right in the bay next to it! Unfortunately, we arrived about sunset, so we only had 45 minutes to get fish to take. Luckily, the fish were on the feed just before the winds came in, and I managed a nice 12+lb carp off the surface! Seems like better fish will be taken here, and the place is a joy to freeline at! Y'all should give it a go if in the area for sure!

Arriving in Muskegeon early morning after a motel stop, we gave it a go at the State Park where the river/lake dumps in. Seems like a great ambush point for large L Michigan fish, even if 30' deep. Problem was, it was even colder and further behind weather wise in this area! Leaves were only buds on the trees!! So, no fish.. :(

Veteran's park was tried, even in the cold and windy weather. Nice pond, and I managed a nice little 9lber and a little goldfish. No fish in the main river though, nearby...tough.

Not much to do but to go south and hope. Grand River was scouted...and scouted...and scouted. Frustrated, we visited someone who I have always wanted to meet; Paul Willson, at work no less! Just after work he took time to show us a nice backwater off the Grand, but the fish were spawning (at least the small ones) and besides one hook-pull by Vinny, nothing landed...Seemed Paul was as frustrated as we were! Saying good bye to Paul (good to finally meet you!!), we left for Lansing in hopes for better luck... (*cont.)

So, onto the Grand in Lansing.... We made it into town about 8am, and looked for the Grand River Bait & Tackle, which Andy gave such great driections to (Right downtown...ya can't miss it!)..LOL We passed the swim we would eventually go to, as Vinny said "Scott, that's the place they had the fish-in at!"...but we wanted to talk with Anna. After calling the Shop, and Anna and her dad giving patient directions, we got to the shop and picked Anna's brain a bit, and picked up some gear we needed. I was impressed with the fact such an established shop had a nice carp room, with a lot of what anyone would need if in town! Great job promoting the sport, Anna!!!! She gave us 2 options, 1 the fish-in swim on the Grand...and another venue about 20 minutes away in case the Grand didn't produce. Seems the word on our recent luck proceeded us..LOL Thanks for the info, Anna!

Showing up at the fish-in location, I didn't like the parking set-up. Across the river, right across the street from the Police, was a nice park in which we decided to pay the meters (which aren't that bad compared to here; $.25 for 20 minutes)..and loaded the meters to expire at 6pm. We hoped we would need all that time! Well, long story short, the Grand made up for the slow Great Lakes backwater action!!! It took a couple hours to figure out the place a bit, but managed to build the swims with bait just above the metal walk bridge. First 2 fish for me were 25lb and 30lb 2oz!!! Welcome to the Grand!! With renewed confidence, Vinny joined me on the dock area (he started upstream). The action improved during the day, even if the fish size was smaller. I managed 7 fish, as did Vinny, before we left at 10pm. Most of the fish this day were in the 9-15lb class, but I did land 2 more lower 20's, so we went back to the motel very satisfied and rearing to get back the following morning! Oh, we also had the "pleasure" of company with Dan, who, though sharp wit, was a bit "out there". He also seems to really like Anna..LOL

(*cont.)

Day 2 would turn out to be different, even if Dan was the same...

Average fish seemed to be high teens, with many more 20+'s. Even Vinny got into the 20's act. I believe we landed 15 more fish before we left early afternoon for Andy's house, and more than half were 20+. Most falling to grits pack and pick-up (enterprise corn, flavored). The big run came about 10am, with a strong, heavy fight. Vinny got the net under what would turn out to be a 33lb 2oz beauty, and current MI PB!! Vinny also managed to bump up his MI PB to 25lb 4oz! When you do that much traveling, eventually you time some venue right. Grand River, in Lansing was this time for sure! Not noted to be a numbers water, we sure had numbers and size!

All that was needed was a pile of Nikki's curry tacos!!!!

Thank you Lansing and Anna!!

(*cont.)

And a couple 25's for us, including Vinny's current MI PB 25-4!

So, with Lansing so good to us, we made it to White Lake for great food and company, beat but happy! Andy wanted to fish a venue on the Huron River which, as he put it, "had his #". This would change, trust me...

I was expecting a smallish, intimate river, similiar to the Grand, so I packed accordingly. What we found after the long walk in was a large stillwater venue, complete with pads and other stillwater structure. I had to rethink my approach..

Vinny and Andy immediately set up at the large point, while I was sitting, watching, and considering a small swim to their left along a thick weed edge. After seeing a pattern of sorts, and the fish showing themselves, I started creating a bed of bait with what little bait I took. After an hour of setting up my swim, I managed to get my lines in. Problem was, my confidence in my rigs in such silty, weedy bottom was a bit low...until the fish took! And took. And took. Over the next several hours, I managed 7 fish to 22+lbs. Problem was, my rigs depended on method, and my bait was almost gone. With my bait no longer going in, my fish dried up...

Earlier, Vinny managed a 14lber, and Andy still waited for fish to move in on his structure and bait. He kept the faith, which must have been low after telling me numerous times how the place kicks his butt, and was rewarded as my fish dried up. His first fish (all reported on his other thread) was over 20lbs, and I had the pleasure of going into thigh deep water to net what I thought may have been 30 (later weighed 27-8)...so he had it going on.

Later in the afternoon, Nikki brought much appreciated pizza, and immedtiately caught a 22+ common and new PB 17lb mirror! Just reward?

The British invasion then occured, with Alex, Kevin, and John showing up. They had scraps for swims, but the company was superb! Plus, Alex gave me bait and spod to rebait my location, which gave me 3 more fish for the day. Thanks sir!

Good meeting the UK crew, and thanks for sharing such a great venue!!

Back to Andy's for another great evening before we had to depart to Ohio, and leaving so much potential. But, let me tell you, Michigan is such a great place, and all you members made this the "destination" on our long trip, with everywhere else "stops"!!

MI is where it's at!!

Thanks for reading!