M a y 2 0 1 3 - The Yahara Fishing Club

May
2013
Editors: Tom Raschke ([email protected]) or 608-219-9243
Stan Nichols ([email protected])
Club Web site: http://www.yaharafishingclub.org
Jim Sime – Slide Presentation for Nohr Chapter, Trout Unlimited.
Notes by Randy Winkelman
Jim Sime is a not a trout fisherman, but
has a vested interest as a land owner on
one of the many trout streams of Northern
Grant county. Jim is a member of the Nohr
Chapter of Trout Unlimited. The philosophy
and direction of the Nohr chapter is as follows:
“The Chapter will work to conserve and
preserve the trout as a game fish, promote trout
angling in a sportsmanlike manner, and work with
constituted authorities and other conservation
organizations, through scientific, yet practical,
trout management; through land, water, and
watershed management to provide desirable
food and habitat; through fishing regulations to
preserve and increase the trout population; and
through dissemination of full and accurate information to the members and the general public.”
Jim showed the club some great slides of
previous and present project work being done on
some of the streams in the northern Grant County
region. Some specific stream work as it relates to
the Blue River, Big Stream and Six mile Branch.
These photos had some great historic photos of
the bluffs, contour farming and some excellent
“before” and “after” photos of bank restoration.
This chapter of Trout Unlimited works with
many volunteers and other fishing organizations
to improve stream quality, many would say that
today these streams are better than at any
other time in history – a great accomplishment
by not only fishermen, but those dedicated to
making these streams the best they can be.
This chapter spends $50,000 to $100,000 each
year on projects as they relate to streams.
The club specifically targets those streams
which
are
accessible
to
anglers.
Through the slide presentation we saw the
value on sloping the banks of these streams,
planting native grasses and plants, allowing farmers
to still graze these streams and showing how high
steep banks simply erode and wash the silt back
into the streams. We learned that many of these
streams look different than those here in Dane
county as they have less exposed rip rap than
we may be used to here in Dane county. We also
saw just how beautiful and fishable these streams
are in the “before” and “after” photos.
Jim answered a number of questions from
the members and invited all of us to check
out the Nohr Chapter of Ducks Unlimited if interested in more information about this group.
Reelfoot Trip - See Page 4-6
Notes From the Prez.
Yahara Fishing Club
As I’m writing this, there has finally been a reprieve from
our never-ending winter (not to mention income tax season), and
even a taste of summer with temperatures soaring to nearly 90
degrees yesterday. I retrieved my fishing boat from storage last
weekend, stowed my gear in the boat, made a few minor repairs,
and I’m ready to launch on opening day. We’ll see if the weather
cooperates. The water is still pretty darned cold, but at least I’ll be
out on the water and fishing soon. All the rain we’ve had, and the
resulting high water in the Rock and other area rivers, has thus far
kept me from adhering to my resolution to do some spring walleye
fishing. I still hope to give it a try. I’ve heard there’s still ice on the
lakes up north. I was able get down to the Mississippi/Alabama
gulf coast in late March and early April to try my hand at a little
bit of salt water fishing from some of the many fishing piers in
that area. The water was still pretty cold down there, and fishing
was slow. Though I didn’t catch many fish, at least I was getting
some use out of my salt-water gear and enjoying the sea air.
Our regular YFC monthly meeting is late this month – May
14th. We are expecting to have a very good presentation from a
popular local fishing authority, Joe Puccio, who will be talking to us
about pan fishing on the Madison area lakes. Don’t miss this one!
And if you haven’t paid your YFC dues for 2013, send your check,
or pay at the meeting. Our treasurer tells me we are slowly but
surely getting all of our members back in the fold for another year.
We have some important, and enjoyable, club activities on
tap for June. They are Kids’ Fishing Day (on the DNR’s freefishing weekend) at Warner Park, the first of our summer “on the
water” club meetings, and a fish fry. Make your plans accordingly.
Duffy K. has offered to donate to the club several handsomely crafted, wooden racks for storing rods and reels at
home. The plan is to offer them to club members at a significant
discount below retail value, with the sale proceeds to go to the
club. We will have more information at the May 14th meeting.
I attended the “Smallies Night Out” seminar in Wauwatosa in
early April with several other club members (Karlette S. and Jim P.).
We had a fine evening, and the speakers gave us a great deal of
information on smallmouth bass fishing (including a lot of information
specific to Lake Mendota and the Madison chain of lakes). And just
as Karlette promised, there were oodles of door prizes and giveaways. I’m going to be sure to attend next year, and I recommend the
seminar to anyone who enjoys catching the sporty smallmouth bass.
It will be a treat to be out on the open water again, and I hope to
be seeing lots of our members out there, enjoying our favorite pastime!
Gard
2
Outings Update for May 2013
OUTINGS - WALLEYE FEST
ON GREEN BAY, May 2013 .
We have a number of folks signed
up for catching walleyes May 17, 18,
and 19. This can be a one day trip or
the whole weekend. I will have final
detail on boat assignments at the May
14th meeting. We will be head quartered
out of Riverview Inn (former Ramada
Inn) in Oconto, WI, about 30 min. North
of Green Bay. I have a block of rooms
reserved for a discounted rate of $79
per night double occupancy. IF YOU
WANT A ROOM, I have to know by
Thursday, MAY 9TH so that roommates
can be assigned. If you want to book a
room for you and another person, call
the Riverview Inn, their phone is (920)
834 5559. You must identify yourself
as part of the Tom Klein party, Yahara
fishing Club to get the rate. We want
to set up roommates so we can split
the cost. It is possible we could get 3
in a room if someone wants to sleep
on a cot. You can call and reserve
a room later (after May 9th), but the
rate and availability is not guaranteed.
The fishing reports are good and I
think we will hit prime time for Walleyes.
The fall 2013 and winter-spring
schedule 2014 will be set up this
summer.
I have received some
input for suggested outings, but I
would like to hear from you with any
thoughts you may have for outing
adventures, either one day or longer.
At the May meeting, I will be passing around an “interest” sign up for a
Salmon charter in July on Lake Michigan.
Tom Klein, (608) 225 -4968,
[email protected]
Yahara Fishing Club
Dane County Launch
Permit Fees for 2013
Fish fry dates
Mark your calendar
:
Fish fry dates at St. Paul’s
2126 N Sherman Ave, Madison
June 21, 2013
Sept 13, 2013
Annual resident is now $25.00
Annual senior, $18.00
Daily $8.00
See https://www.reservedane.com/
permits.aspx
Anyone Wanna Edit a Newsletter?
I’ve been creating the newsletter for six years,
now with Stan Nichols as a backup. I am willing
to continue, but if anyone else would like to take
over, let me know. We currently create it with
Adobe InDesign, and I’d be glad to train someone.
Tom Raschke, Editor
V.F.W. Post 1318
133 Lakeside St.
Madison 53715
608-255-5955
3
Reeling at Reelfoot
Yahara Fishing Club
By Stan Nichols
There are three good reasons to go on a YFC
outing. The most obvious is to catch fish, the second
is to learn a new technique, and the thirdly is the
experience-to see a new area or do something unique
and memorable. The experience usually makes the best
stories. Thirteen YFC members headed for Reelfoot
Lake, Tennessee on April 7 for these three reasons.
The success of the trip was a combination of reasons.
For me some of the experiences included just
seeing Reelfoot Lake. I’ve read about it in both
fishing and scientific publications. It has a unique
history. It was formed by an earthquake along
the New Madrid fault that changed the course
of the Mississippi River in 1811-1812. I believe
this was the biggest earthquake ever recorded
during historical times in the Eastern United State.
A second experience was riding the ferry across
the Mississippi River from Missouri to Kentucky. Cars
and trucks were loaded on a barge and the barge was
pushed by a tow-boat across the river. This is pretty
straight forward, but what was different was once they
backed out into the river they unhooked the tow-boat.
Until you saw there was a pivot point in the middles
of the barge, you thought you might be just drifting
to Memphis. The tow-boat swung on the pivot point
and tied up to the backside of the barge to cross
the river. The landing on the Kentucky side of the
river was down stream from the Missouri landing.
So it took the ferry, fighting the current, about
a half-hour to go from Kentucky to Missouri,
but 15-minutes to go the other direction.
4
When we got to Blue Banks Resort the computer
connection was down so we couldn’t get fishing
licenses on Sunday evening. It was still down the next
morning so we had to go into town to get licenses.
By the time we got back most of the boats had left the
resort. The boat they gave me had an older looking
Mercury Motor on it that wouldn’t start. Finally the boat
boy pulled the cowling off and there was a snake coiled
up inside. How it got there is a complete mystery.
The final experience was the southern style
cooking. A small café down the road from the resort
served frog legs. The first time I’ve had them or even
seen them on a menu for years. The fish fry the resort
made for us was outstanding. There was a variety
of fish including crappie, yellow bass, and catfish in
the fish fry. I couldn’t tell the difference in taste for
any of them. Many members are looking for a good
hush-puppy recipe. On the last evening the locals
were
eating
a
big
platter
of
crayfish.
I know others had some unique experiences.
Tom Raschke has some pictures of a Reelfoot Lake
duck blind. (Ed. - see next page) I didn’t go look at
one, but from Tom’s description it sounds like we
could have rented a duck blind rather than a cabin.
Some people got a close up look at Asian Carp that
migrated into the lake from the Mississippi River.
There carp are the “jumpers”. I didn’t get a close
look at them but I did see fishing jumping out in
the lake.
Tom Raschke got a closer look
and said some would easily weigh 25 pounds.
We all caught fish, primarily crappies, with some
yellow bass, catfish, and sheepshead. I don’t think
anyone limited-out on crappies or even came close
(the limit is 30 per day). Most of the crappies were
not exceptional in size although Don Gostomski had
one that was at least 15 inches long. Some
people that went out with guides were reporting
catching 30-40 crappies in a morning, but their
technique was unique to us northerners. One crew
came into the fish house with a 50-gallon cooler
full of sheepshead. We caught enough fish for
those who wanted, brought some home and we
had a humongous fish fry on Wednesday evening.
Yahara Fishing Club
Billie, the head guide at the resort gave us some
information and locations for catching fish. You are
on a learning curve and have to interpret what he is
really telling you. First, Reelfoot lake is shallow, about
10-feet deep maximum and the bottom is strewn with
logs and standing up tree trunks. The resort provided
16-foot, flat bottom, boats but with 8-horsepower
motors on them. There is a good reason for that. They
didn’t want you going too fast. Typically you might
hit six-to-eight submerged trees in a days fishing.
Living Room
Kitchen / Bar
One of the areas Billie marked was right in front
of the resort. If you looked up and down the lake there
were groups of anglers fishing in front of all the resorts.
My interpretation was that the fish could probably
be anywhere in that basin this time of year. The
crappies weren’t spawning yet so they were scattered
in deeper water. People probably got the same
information from all the resorts-just go out in front.
Secondly Billie told us they were using 1⁄4 ounce,
blaze orange or pink jigs with a sort of chartreuse green
tube type plastic on the back. My first interpretation
was-“Give me a break, 1⁄4 ounce jigs for crappies?”
I didn’t bring much tackle that heavy crappies.
There is good reason for this information. The
guides were “spider-rigging”. For spider-rigging they
start out with a big, flat-bottom boat with two or three
captains chairs mounted on the front deck. In front
of the captains chairs is an array of eight to ten pole
holders ( I don’t think there was a limit on the number
of lines you could have in the water). Each holder
held long, fiberglass rods ( minimum 8-feet and many
longer) with a soft tip. No bobbers were used, a
straight line went to the jigs. A front trolling motor
moved the rig and drift socks slowed down the trolling
speed. The jigs were set at about a foot off the bottom
or sometimes higher. The heavy jigs kept the lines
straight down, but the depth setting kept from getting
constantly snagged. The boat was trolled slowly
around the basin to catch fish. Some times the spider
boats were anchored. One boat had the biggest piece
of log chain I ever seen for an anchor. I assume they
were using this to prevent the anchor from snagging.
They attached the anchor on a bridle tied to the two
back corners of the boat to hold the front of the boat at
5
dead down wind. When they snagged with a spider-rig
pole they seemed to be able to shake the lure loose.
With the equipment we had we couldn’t duplicate
this rig. But the best day of fishing that Dave Dahl
and I had was the last day. The wind was blowing
so strong that we couldn’t hold the boat with two
anchors so we had a slow drift across the basin. We
caught most of our fish on a plain hook with a couple
of split shot or a jig, minnows, under slip bobbers. I
know other members caught them by other means.
It gave me ideas on how to attack the crappies if
I go back to Reelfoot. I would take along a drift
sock or two or some five-gallon pails to slow the
drift, some clamp-on pole holders, some slip
bobber large enough to float 1⁄4 once jigs, and
a trolling motor. I think you could somewhat
duplicate the presentation the guides were using.
That’s a synopsis of my Reelfoot Lake experience. I’m sure other members have different stories.
(For one of those stories see pic on next page.)
“Fishing”
Yahara Fishing Club
Reelfoot, continued
Favorite place at Reelfoot for
Tom Klein and Don Gostomski
to smash toes.
6
Yahara Fishing Club
For Sale
I have 2 new Abu Garcia Vendetta casting rods for sale.
They
retail for $80 and I am selling them for $50. One is a 7’3” Med. Hvy
and the other is a 7’6” Hvy.
These are great rods for the money.
I also have a Shimano Citica casting reel (full spool of Spiderwire
Stealth – 30 lb.) and a handmade All Star IM10X 6’6” Med. casting rod.
Together I am selling this combo for $50 – new this would be $230.
Finally, I have an All Star IM6
$25.
This is a handmade rod
Magnum Spinning rod 6’6” for
that retailed for over $100.
Duffy Kopf
[email protected]
608-576-2700
Please print
Yahara Fishing Club Membership Form
P.O. Box 3271
Madison, WI 53704
Name ____________________________________________________
If family/youth member, additional name(s) ______________________
Street _____________________________________________________
City_____________________________________
State ____ Zip ___________ Phone ______ - ______ - __________
Email __________________________@_________________________
Annual dues, from January 1 to December 31:
Individual ..................$25
Family.........................$35
Youth Member........... Free with other paid membership
An Organization to Educate, Protect and Propagate the Interests of All Fishermen in the Yahara Basin Area
Including all of Madison’s Lakes
7
The next meeting is on Tuesday, May 14th, at the Lakeside VFW Hall (John Nolen Rr. & Lakeside St.)
The Board Of Directors meet at 6:00 pm, The General Membership meeting starts at 7:00 pm.
Speaker: Joe Puccio
Calendar of Upcoming Events
May Events
May 14, regular club meeting.
Joe Puccio will speak on Panfishing The Madison Chain (Open Water).
May 17, 18, and 19. Walleye outing Green Bay - See P2
June Events
June 1, Kids Fishing Day - MARK YOUR CALANDARS!
June 11, regular club meeting.
Meeting will be on the water - lake to be determined
The Yahara Fishing Club’s doors are open to EVERYONE, so invite a friend to the meeting!
Director - Don Gostomski 249-8250
Director - Paul Zoch ......... 241-5443
Director - Karlette Schoen..242-8803
Director - Phil James ...........212-2506
Director - Joe Guastella...669-6813
Director - Larry Reed ......221-0362
Director - Jesse Tougas ...831-3151
Director - Jim Kloth.........635-0116
Check out our web page at:
www.yaharafishingclub.org
Yahara Fishing Club
P.O. Box 3271
Madison, WI 53704
President - Gard Strother ......258-8555
Vice Pres. - Don Hammes ... 836-1205
Treasurer - Dennis Puser.......576-0929
Secret’ry. - Randy Winkleman358-4885