RE: Headed to Michigan
 

Wow! just got back. Ugh! we got our backsides handed to us. We were only able to get a bit of scouting done as the wind came up in a BIG way. Joseph was going to to check out an area we were also looking at, so I was going to hitch a ride with him and Darrell (Hope I spelled that right D) We got out there just about a quarter mile and Joe decided it was too rough. Good call!!!
We'd seen some fish when we were out but when the shoot started we couldn't find there. SO we headed for an area we wanted to scout and a local told us the carp were up. We got nearly there and decided to check out a reef that was on the way. The wind blew us into the reef and was overpowering the troller.Itwas sooo shallow could hardly run the outboard, but finally did thinking that in a few yards it would get deep enough. [:@]A mile later...still couldn't put the outboard down. Now I see why there were soooo many airboats at this shoot. You'll see when we get pics up.
On the other hand many folks were able to find the carp and whack 'em.

We learned a bunch and really enjoyed meeting so many friends old and new. I was glad to finally get to put a face with a name for Dustin and JarrettHouston. Good to see the carp Trek boyz again.
Thanks Gary for inviting us and being such a great host.

RE: Headed to Michigan
 

It was great to meet you guys up in Caseville. I wish you could have shot more fish. Maybe I could have told you an easy place to kill fish....hey I did....... lol. I'm joking:D If any of you go back and don't have an airboat or even if you do, take a jonboat with a jet because you can get almost anywhere, but more importantly, you won't spend a lot in gas. Jarett and I used 4 gallons of gas in the boat in the 3 days we went out. The shoot doesn't pay a lot, so why should you. Either you will get into fish or you won't. It's just about finding them. We've caught flack for years about our boat/jet props, but in the last 5 years there we have finished 8, 34, 15, 27, and 43. Hope your youth event goes well this weekend and good luck shooting. Dustin

RE: Headed to Michigan
 

Thanks Dustin. Congrats on the great finish and thanks for the pointers. Caseville Rule #1...props not allowed. :(This was day one after much hammering and filing
[:@]


This was the end of the Sebewaingriver when we out to scout.



We got chased back in by a shower and a bunch of wind. I was feeling pretty good about beating it back to the ramp and that we'd seen a fair number of fish.

RE: Headed to Michigan
 

Here was the next ramp we went to...


What the heck??? You call this a ramp? LOL




We went to another ramp and Joseph and Darrell were about to head out too. So I begged a ride to check the area with them. But it was so rough Joseph turned back after about a quarter mile. Our scouting was over.

Meanwhile back at the ranch... Gary B. and Chip work to keep us fed. And did a fantastic job. Thanks Gary.

RE: Headed to Michigan
 

The second ramp was Fin and Feathers. That was the place a guy from back home told Jarett we should go out of. I told Jarett that we hadn't launched out of there in about ten years, but he didn't believe me until I showed him.

RE: Headed to Michigan
 

After a (good?) nights sleep, we head to the tourney site. Wow There are a lot of boats here. Boats of almost every description. From canoes to airboats and many teams with no boats at all. How would you guys like to wade to compete with and air boat?

Well I won't bore you with our dismal day but we finally found a few fish as we were heading back to the ramp. We were going down this canal when I looked up to see...



The picture doesn't nearly do this down draft justice. Now just remember yesterday's little front kept Joseph's big airboat off the water.



While we were in the canal,still trying to find fish, it hit. I started the outboard just before but the wind still slammed us into the bank so that I had to back the boat out to the river channel. When we got there, waves were going up the river. OMGosh!



But it was short lived and when we got back to the weigh-in it was wet, but not raining.

RE: Headed to Michigan
 

Yep right off of Pigeon road.

RE: Headed to Michigan
 

Once we had weighed in all our fish, we saw Joseph and Darrell pulling up to the scale and decided to see how they'd done.



They did pretty good. Joe had a big carp that was big fish for a while.


And...he had big gar and these beauties,



I don't think we quite filled the end loader...but it was filled many times over.





yeah, that is a lot of fish.

RE: Headed to Michigan
 

Day two we were going to head around the islands but decided to try another canal out of the wind. (The wind was brutal again)

Christine saw this little guy and nailed him.


We got into the gar. Not good in a weight tourney but certainly entertaining.

Back to the weigh-in then a quick clean-up and pack at the resort and we headed to the awards to see how the other half lives. LOL

There were several raffle drawings...



Great looking trophies...



And a few rowdy folks enjoying it all.



The Indiana-Illinois corner was definately the loudest. Come to think of it, I think it was just Joseph, (You know how outta control he gets) Just Kidding



Joseph and Darrell won an award, but I can't explain it here.

Joseph also took Big gar and was soooo close on big carp.


The Houston Boys did great taking 8th place.



Gary and Bob took fifth (I think) And then did a very selfless thing by donating their checks to the kids charity that is supported by this shoot. Very nice!

RE: Headed to Michigan
 

Great pics! I gotta try that shoot next year.