Labor Day Weekend 2013!

Well, the so called end of summer is upon us.  We got up last evening after a surprisingly easy drive across the state.  Must be the masses began the weekend early.

Kathy coaxed me out to the lake shore for a view of the Friday night sunset.  We arrived as the sun peeked below the cloud bank.

The anticipation was that the clouds would "light up" as the sun set below the horizon.

That's about as good as it got.  Kind of a dud.  Oh well,  at least I got the 2 mile hike merit badge this week.

Saturday morning.

The forecast was small craft advisories due to a stiff north wind.  Here at the marina this morning, that isn't real apparent.

There is a little ripple in the fairway indicating a bit of air and the view out on the lake looks a little lumpy.

The report from the lake confirms the view and the fishing sounds so-so.  I'll attack the lake tomorrow.  We'll have to make a plan for the day prior to tonight's attack on Manistee crab legs.

Another weekend and we escape to the boat...this time with the boat owner in tow.  She is ready to unwind after a week of stress at "the paper".

A little wine and a book should help ease the pain.

Saturday morning and it's off to the point where the report is fish are still being caught.  We're set up and ready for action at dawn.

It doesn't take a long time and it's...Fish on!

Ooh...have to put a little back into this one.

And a double.  Two in the cooler!  That's 24 lbs. and 17 lbs.

My driver, navigator, net woman..."Kathy of all trades" resets the net while I get lines back in the water.

We have plenty of company on the lake this morning but it remains quite organized.  I only had to lay on the horn one time today to alert a boat with no one at the helm.  That happens from time to time when there's a lot of action at the back of a boat...everyone forgets to look forward.

A bit later, there's another bite.  This one's not so much of a load.

We put a 7 lb. coho in the box as the sun breaks the horizon.

The typical post sun rise lull occurs and after a bit we swing in toward shore to see what's there.

This could be ok.

It didn't take long and we put another nice king in the cooler.

That's 4 fish on 5 bites this morning and we decide we've had enough.  Time to point the bow south.

Motoring down the shoreline, passing Big Sable Point.

And into the harbor channel.  Another trip in the books.

Time to clean up, get some lunch and maybe take a little dinghy tour a bit later.

So, I had another plan.

It worked well enough yesterday that I thought I'd try the same plan of attack.

Up at dark thirty, and out the channel.  A bit later today, but still pitch black.

I get up near Big Sable Point and conditions look promising.  There's certainly enough bait fish in the water.

Like yesterday, I'm in the spot I think I need to be at dawn.  Another nice morning.

I'm sandwiched between a couple charter boats and have to run their course.  So instead of complaining, I seize the opportunity and give their clients a show.  Number one in the cooler!  (No action shots today either).

The sun is still trying to find the horizon as I continue a north troll.

The charter boats have moved on and...

It's a DOUBLE!

Two more in the cooler.

Time to turn around and try that spot again before the sun shows itself.

Nothing happens as the horizon gets brighter.

The sun finally appears and as usual, my success seems to flounder.

Oh well, it is another perfect day for a 2.5mph cruise.

So I'm fishing solo with the allotted three lines and manage to tangle two of them.  What the ...?   I've wandered out to over 250 feet of water (it happens in a hurry up there) and mark a few fish.  I do a few circles there and...

Fish on...twice!  Another DOUBLE!!!

OK.  Pressure time.  Land these two, and that's a limit and I'm done.

Piece of cake.  Limit cooler.

So, the lines are picked up and gear stowed.

With the sun merely at the 8am position.

There's enough fuel...

I could make that run for Mackinac Island fudge today, but point the bow south and head for the harbor via the shoreline route.

What a PERFECT lake.

I enter the channel to meet the Badger and the gauntlet of USCG, sheriff patrol, and city police.

I had to pull out of the channel as they passed.

The deputy told me later that they did that as a courtesy.  Not to me. I had to leave the channel.  Oh well, we all got to where we needed to be eventually.

Back at the marina, I hauled the catch to the cleaning station.  Biggest fish 21.5 lbs. with a couple more not far behind.  Four kings, one coho.

The deed is done.  There will be some work when I get home.

Speaking of home, time to put a wrap on this fun, close up the boat and go find my car.

Awesome three days.

Ahhhhhhh!

So, I had a plan.

I got to bed real early last night (never heard the 10pm siren that goes off a block from the marina) and left the dock about 4:30am this morning.  I wanted to have lines set and be north of Point Sable at dawn.

Mission accomplished.

Like flying IFR.  It's a black world on the water that early.

I was where I wanted to be as the eastern sky brightened.

And I left the Point Sable Light in my wake. Actually, not much wake at 2.5mph.

So there I was, where I wanted to be, when I wanted to be there and finally, a rod began to sing and I landed a real nice king.  Sorry, no action shots when I'm doing this solo in traffic.

It took a while to land that fish due to the way it was hooked.  By the time I was done with it, the sun was up and I had strayed out of the traffic to a couple hundred feet of water.

Of course the one day this year that is the PERFECT boating day, and my beautiful bride is at a quilt show, which is why I'm traveling solo this weekend.  You'd think they might pick a more appropriate season to hold an event that caters to the home bound folks.  But no, middle of August, let's have a quilt show! Nothing against that, but really, why not November or March or April, or, or, or?

OK, back to the fun (I could be at a quilt show).  I circled that stretch of water for a couple hours on an absolutely flat Lake Michigan.

 
Part of the charter fleet was in the neighborhood as well.

It was hard to stop snapping pictures.  The lake was soooooo perfect.

Anyway, while working this area I did get a few more bites and landed two more fish.  Another nice king and a decent coho.

But you say, there's only one more fish in the cooler.  Well, that would be because when I went to flop the coho in the cooler, I missed!  Into the lake it went and all I could do was watch it disappear off my transom.  Oh well.  I passed back through the area a couple times but never saw a floating fish.  I'm thinking someone must have scooped it up.

I decided to call it a day as a freighter passed off my stern.

With my ratty old mop safely stowed...

It was time to point the bow south.

Full speed ahead...well kinda' full speed.

Did I mention this was a perfect boating day?  Wish I had somewhere to go.  What a pleasant cruise back to port.  It was awesome.

Mackinac Island is just a short 7 hours away.  Maybe I should take a little side trip up that way for some fudge.

No, I need fuel instead.

Since now there's no money left for fudge, I'll just kick back for awhile and enjoy the day.

Maybe even a little more lake activity this evening.  I'll see how it goes.