Cinco de Mayo... A day late

In lieu of Cinco de Mayo yesterday, we decided to make some salmon tacos from the fresh coho caught over the weekend (Thanks Eric).

Simple process really, cut skinless salmon into strips, then lightly sprinkle with salt, pepper, chili powder and cumin if you choose. Pan sear both sides in some olive oil. 

Lauren made a jicama cucumber slaw which formed a bed of flavor on which to lay the salmon. The jicama and cucumber were cut julienne, and tossed with fresh lime juice, salt & pepper to taste and of course fresh chopped cilantro.  The tacos were  finished with a spoonful of avocado crema, whipped together from avocado, sour cream, a squeeze of fresh lime juice, salt and pepper to taste. The photo shows flour tortillas, I prefer corn, or for all you gluten hating hipsters out there, use a lettuce wrap. Enjoy and felize Cinco de Mayo putos!

Lake Michigan report

I received a text from Eric Friday evening instructing me to meet at the launch at 5:15AM...we ride at dawn. Actually, an hour before dawn, but you get the point. Excited to fish open water after a long cold winter, I did just as I was told. The target on this morning would be coho, who's early presence in the area had been rumored of. These fish winter in the Southern most reaches of Lake Michigan, beginning their migration North in the spring. They are very aggressive fish and arguably the best tasting fish in the lake. With coho being this far North so early, they would be sure to make for specimens of perfect eating size.

The three of us, (Eric the Doc and myself) motored into the dark and began setting lines. All 8 lines were in the water 15 minutes prior to first light. Not bad considering I mostly pointed the flashlight while the Doctor set his rigs and Eric piloted the boat.

 The sun began to burn above the horizon. For a few moments, it's as if  there is a fire burning on the surface of the water.

My first open water fish of the season, is this healthy little brown trout.

 Coho salmon, perfect eater size

To add to the fun you get a shot at big browns like these. They are fun to catch and release. Not to mention in this fishery you have a real chance at a world record. Two current world records for brown trout are out of Lake Michigan. Nice fish Eric. 

Back to the docks before noon, we reminisce of our recent experience as we tally up the fish. 7 coho made it to the cooler along with some of the quality browns. We had a first time quad, with a fifth fish banging one of the dipsy lines. The three of us struggled to battle our fish, while netting the 4th. Of the 4 fish that were hooked Eric and the Doc landed 3 while mine broke me off. We never got to set the hook on the 5th. Needless to say, this was an excellent day on the water. Tonight on the menu: Glazed coho salmon with roasted vegetables. The smoker should be expecting visit soon.

It's Friday

Bruce Kirkby - Award-Winning Explorer - The Questions We Ask

Another blow to our Great Lakes, more specifically Lake Michigan

An unknown amount of oil spilled into Lake Michigan from an Indiana BP refinery today. It was not immediately clear how much oil was spilled into the lake or how long the discharge continued. The Chicago tribune full report here. 

Poppin' holes

New from Finback Films; "Ed"

ED from Finback Films on Vimeo.

Ear Candy

Be my Valentine

Crappy Crappie report

Just like the title says, crappie fishing was well... crappy yesterday. Fish would SLOWLY approach bait, then quickly dart back down and away. Without a camera down there, my assumption is that these fish were spitting the bait faster and lighter than I could feel, thus their alarmed reaction. I did manage to catch a few, literally.

The highlight of the evening was the fellow in the winterized Supercub, skis and all, buzzing the shacks. The cherry on top was the sunset.

Lakemaid Beer Drone Delivery

FINALLY! Took long enough... sheesh. 

Ice Report: 1-26-2014

I managed to sneak out Sunday afternoon before the dreaded "Polar Vortex" struck again. Temps were dropping as I fished. Weather reports showed high teens but winds were gusting up into the 20's. I was fishing a lake in Waukesha County based on a tip from a friend. As it turns out, it was a good tip. Being an exploratory trip I packed light, no tip ups. I didn't have my shelter either, so it was a hood up, hunched over a hole kind of day.

I found bluegill. The smaller gills were about 25 yards closer to shore in 6fow. These fish were fairly aggressive. The larger specimens were in 7-8fow and were very negative. I did manage to get a few of the bigger gills to come in for a look and managed to hook a handful or two. Once a fish came to look at the bait, the technique was a dead slow, and I mean dead slow lift. If they had a chance to study a stationary presentation, they would swim away. If I moved quickly, they would just follow, but not bite. Using some ice that built up on my line as a reference, I would lift the bait as slow as I could until the slightest resistance was felt, then set the hook as usual. Sometimes, this technique did not result in a bite, so, using the same technique, I lowered the bait slowly to the bottom, beginning my ascent all over.

A little something for your ears today

New single from Scott H. Biram

Monday...

Ice Report Jan 11 2014

We fished a popular Dodge County lake Saturday. It was crowded to say the least. Weather was mild compared to the recent cold snap but the winds made it feel a lot colder. I would guess there was 13-15" of ice.

3 out of 5 in our group managed to limit out on crappie in about an hour. All 5 of us eventually got our limits. We capped the morning with a quick lunch of brats on the grill and a beer or two. We were on our way home by 1pm.

Spoons or jigs tipped with spikes worked. Crappie minnows also produced. My biggest crappies of the day came on a dead stick rigged with a crappie minnow on a plain gold hook but jigs and spoons called in the fish for fast paced action.