Back from the fish hunting expedition. Looking was all we were able to do. The primary purpose of today's excursion was to scout different section of the Grand River. Our first stop was at the Webber Dam and we were delighted to see fish attempting to jump the dam. We were initially quite optimistic that we would be into fish. Our next stop was the dam in Lyons. Great spot to view the fish ladder but none were there. Plush we couldn't find a suitable spot to launch the boat.
From Lyons we followed the river downstream till we reached Ionia. A more than adequate boat launch allowed us access into the river and so we were underway. David sat in the bow watching for obstacles but the river was so shallow and weed choked that I soon had to shut down the outboard and unwrap the rope like weeds that had fouled around the prop. I switched to using the electric trolling motor but the river was so shallow that we finally gave up trying to make any upstream progress and headed back to the launch.
From there it was on to Fitzgerald Park in Grand Ledge. The fish ladder is one of the better ones for viewing but the fish haven't arrived yet; plus given the fact that weeds now have completely blocked the last gate, they wouldn't be able to travel any further upstream. Tomorrow I will be on the phone calling the fisheries division of the DNR to tell them about it.
Our next stop was the North Lansing dam and the Breneke fishing ladder. Obviously with our discovery downstream there were no fish. So on to our final stop at Moore's park and the South Lansing dam. It was hard to believe but we were able to walk on dry rocks almost all the way across the river. A narrow chute of water about 15' wide is all that is currently flowing from the dam. I talked with several other fisher who claimed to have never having seen the river so low. I guess that's what happens following the driest summer on record.
Since our primary purpose was scouting the river, it was a sucessful day. Plus anytime I get to spend relaxing with David, instead of working, is a really good day.
One thing we did see that we thought to be quite humorous was a motorcycle with training wheels. I wish we had stayed outside of the restaurant to see what the rider looked like.
From Lyons we followed the river downstream till we reached Ionia. A more than adequate boat launch allowed us access into the river and so we were underway. David sat in the bow watching for obstacles but the river was so shallow and weed choked that I soon had to shut down the outboard and unwrap the rope like weeds that had fouled around the prop. I switched to using the electric trolling motor but the river was so shallow that we finally gave up trying to make any upstream progress and headed back to the launch.
From there it was on to Fitzgerald Park in Grand Ledge. The fish ladder is one of the better ones for viewing but the fish haven't arrived yet; plus given the fact that weeds now have completely blocked the last gate, they wouldn't be able to travel any further upstream. Tomorrow I will be on the phone calling the fisheries division of the DNR to tell them about it.
Our next stop was the North Lansing dam and the Breneke fishing ladder. Obviously with our discovery downstream there were no fish. So on to our final stop at Moore's park and the South Lansing dam. It was hard to believe but we were able to walk on dry rocks almost all the way across the river. A narrow chute of water about 15' wide is all that is currently flowing from the dam. I talked with several other fisher who claimed to have never having seen the river so low. I guess that's what happens following the driest summer on record.
Since our primary purpose was scouting the river, it was a sucessful day. Plus anytime I get to spend relaxing with David, instead of working, is a really good day.
One thing we did see that we thought to be quite humorous was a motorcycle with training wheels. I wish we had stayed outside of the restaurant to see what the rider looked like.
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