Just spent the last week in Northern Michigan. Very beautiful and coming from Louisiana, the weather was unbelievable. I did a little looking around and hope to make it up there for a week or so of hunting next year.
Where were you up there. i'm originally from the downriver area of Detroit but spent many many summers up in onaway, Indian River, Mackinaw area. Love it up there. Even prettier across the bridge.
Spent most of the time at family cabins in the Harrison area but did make it up to the island one day. My grandpa has told me stories of their old deer camp in the Indian River area.
Let me know. I'm 6 mins from Indian River. 15 mins from the Pigeon River State Forest.
Definitely a beautiful area . My wife and I go to the straights quite often .
Also Grand Travers bay area . :campfire:
I am sitting at our cottage on a small lake near Harrison as I type this. My parents built our first place up here the year I was born, 1959, and I have literally been coming up to this area my entire life. Luckily my wife likes it up here too and we spend a lot of time at the cottage.
I am 3 years into the purchase of a piece of hunting ground about 10 miles away. The hunting isn't necessarily great, but I have place of my own and I am loving the habitat work.
D.P.
Good for you Dave. Having your own land to hunt on is special. I'm always messing around out back. Put a ladder stand up this morning. Did some work on the trails. Me and the Brittanies. I only have 30 acres but it's fun.
Headed up to our place in Indian river this week for vacation. Sure looking forward to stomping around the woods with a quiver full of fluflus and stump shooting.
QuoteOriginally posted by kevsuperg:
Where were you up there. i'm originally from the downriver area of Detroit but spent many many summers up in onaway...
Not too often that you read about Onaway on TG. Spent many wonderful days on the Rainy River, Canada Creek and Black River as well as many swamps and lakes in the area.
homebru
Me and my wife are spending a week in da UP next week. Going over to Copper Harbor and the Porcupine Mountains. Haven't been that far west in the UP since I was a kid in 1976. My wife is blessed to work for the State of Michigan and works on the "Pure Michigan" web site and television commercials.
Michael, I grew up in Ontonagon and have many wonderful memories of the porkies. Use to catch huge jumbo perch out of Lake of the Clouds. Great trout in mirror lake.
An interesting expedition is for Brook trout at Union Springs. Enjoy your time there, wish I was going back. Maybe next year.
I love living up here on the Big Manistee River. I grew up on the north side of the river and now live 1mile directly south of where I grew up on the south side of the river. I got a degree that allowed me to move back and settle in my old and new gain rural stomping grounds. I get to talk hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation all day every day...it's a dream.
Thanks Monterey, I'll keep that in mind. Sounds like your living the dream docholiday!!!!
QuoteOriginally posted by Homebru:
Not too often that you read about Onaway on TG. Spent many wonderful days on the Rainy River, Canada Creek and Black River as well as many swamps and lakes in the area.
homebru [/b]
Love that area off of 33. I've been going to Tomahawk Creek flooding since I was 6 months old.
I'll have to get with you guys when I come up next time. Maybe do some shooting or hunting.
QuoteOriginally posted by C'mon_man:
QuoteOriginally posted by Homebru:
Not too often that you read about Onaway on TG. Spent many wonderful days on the Rainy River, Canada Creek and Black River as well as many swamps and lakes in the area.
homebru [/b]
Love that area off of 33. I've been going to Tomahawk Creek flooding since I was 6 months old. [/b]
I have a beer that I brew every year that is in memory of some people and experiences in Millersburg.
homebru - it's not just a name. ;)
Nice to see others enjoying the Onaway area. My family has had a place on the S.W. side of Black Lake for the past 44 years now. Do a lot of hunting down around Bear Den Lake, Canada Creek, Tomahawk Creek flooding for deer and grouse. Beautiful country with the occasional run in with an elk or two! Love fly-fishing the Pigeon and Black too. Great area!
I used to live in Montana and was blessed to fish some top class streams and lakes each and every day. Still though, my heart thumps most when fishing the Pigeon!
Our countdown is 2 days until we heard North for Indian River. Fletched a dozen stumping arrows and twisted about 10 flu-flus up for aerial shooting. Yeeeeehhhhhaaaawwww. Summer vacation here we come!
You above Hodenpyl Doc, or between there and Tippy?? I grew up fishing, camping, and hunting between the two. Ruined it when they put the NCT in, but I suppose it allows many more to enjoy that area. Been up their over 37 years now. You're a lucky man to be able to earn a living in that area!!
I am fortunate to have been born and raised, and have now raised my family, in Northern Michigan. (Traverse City) I just took a weeks vacation and the best part was we had a ton of fun and never had to leave the area. It is a sportsman's paradise for sure!
Same here! Was raised in Houghton lake and it so much that after a 10 year stretch in the Detroit area I convinced my wife to let us move back to Houghton lake to raise the kids the same way I was.
Would not trade it for anything. Millions of acres to roam and play.
Actually just walked in the door from doing an 80 mile loop putting out trail cameras and never spend more than 10 miles on pavement. Not alot of places like northern Michigan left.
QuoteOriginally posted by MIBIGHNTR:
You above Hodenpyl Doc, or between there and Tippy?? I grew up fishing, camping, and hunting between the two. Ruined it when they put the NCT in, but I suppose it allows many more to enjoy that area. Been up their over 37 years now. You're a lucky man to be able to earn a living in that area!!
MIBIGHNTR, I grew up on the north side of the Manistee River directly north of Blacksmith Bayou. I'm not directly south of the river where I grew up about a half mile from Blacksmith Bayou.
I spent all my free time exploring the National Forest between Hodenpyl and Tippy. I was just a young'n when they put in the NCT and the subsequent Wooden Suspension Bridge connecting the NCT and the Manistee River Trail.
Now I get to head out that way every single day.
I do agree...I don't blame the NCT though as much as I blame the interwebs. When I was in highschool you'd be lucky to see three other people on that trail loop on a weekend in the summer. Now, you got all the North Face/Marmot/LL Bean type Yuppies that head up from Chicago, Indianapolis, Grand Rapids, Detroit, Lansing, etc every Friday for a quick weekend over night hiking trip. If not for the internet, I think that area would still be a hidden Gem.
HOWEVER, this past December I was on Coates HWY just over Red Bridge and heading up the hill when I passed a fellow Traditional Archer who looked like he was on his way back to his vehicle after a morning spot and stalk hunt. He had a real nice longbow and was decked out in KUIU or Sitka gear... and he actually looked like he may have only been in the mid to upper 20's. If I wasn't running late for a meeting in Cadillac I would have stopped and started a conversation. I had intended to make a post on this forum to see if he was a member but forgot all about it.
Funny how we label people. Wear north face , you're a yuppie. Carry a longbow and wear kuiu and you're a traditionalist. Ha ha.
QuoteOriginally posted by kevsuperg:
Funny how we label people. Wear north face , you're a yuppie. Carry a longbow and wear kuiu and you're a traditionalist. Ha ha.
I said Marmot and LL Bean too. I guess I forgot Eddie Bauer.
I guess it's not PC to say it, but there is an identifiable type. My grandfather sold menswear (in Marquette by the way) and he always said "clothes makes the man" or something to that effect. :)
QuoteOriginally posted by gvdocholiday:
QuoteOriginally posted by MIBIGHNTR:
You above Hodenpyl Doc, or between there and Tippy?? I grew up fishing, camping, and hunting between the two. Ruined it when they put the NCT in, but I suppose it allows many more to enjoy that area. Been up their over 37 years now. You're a lucky man to be able to earn a living in that area!!
MIBIGHNTR, I grew up on the north side of the Manistee River directly north of Blacksmith Bayou. I'm not directly south of the river where I grew up about a half mile from Blacksmith Bayou.
I spent all my free time exploring the National Forest between Hodenpyl and Tippy. I was just a young'n when they put in the NCT and the subsequent Wooden Suspension Bridge connecting the NCT and the Manistee River Trail.
Now I get to head out that way every single day.
I do agree...I don't blame the NCT though as much as I blame the interwebs. When I was in highschool you'd be lucky to see three other people on that trail loop on a weekend in the summer. Now, you got all the North Face/Marmot/LL Bean type Yuppies that head up from Chicago, Indianapolis, Grand Rapids, Detroit, Lansing, etc every Friday for a quick weekend over night hiking trip. If not for the internet, I think that area would still be a hidden Gem.
HOWEVER, this past December I was on Coates HWY just over Red Bridge and heading up the hill when I passed a fellow Traditional Archer who looked like he was on his way back to his vehicle after a morning spot and stalk hunt. He had a real nice longbow and was decked out in KUIU or Sitka gear... and he actually looked like he may have only been in the mid to upper 20's. If I wasn't running late for a meeting in Cadillac I would have stopped and started a conversation. I had intended to make a post on this forum to see if he was a member but forgot all about it. [/b]
I hiked in to fish the Manistee a couple weeks ago and was shocked to see people floating down the river on inflatable rafts and tubes. Mostly I think because I've floated it many times fishing and it's a long float between Woodpecker and Red Bridge. Not to mention the slack water further down stream of the Slagle. I hear you about the North Face crowd. Had a couple, who I think may have felt I was intruding on thier campsite, ask me how long I had been coming "up here"?? They were shocked when I said, "Going on 38yrs now."
I've seen some very large bodied deer over the
years, but never much for antlers. That may change now with the APRs though. Never was about that for me anyway when I hunted there, just something about that area that calls me.
JLemieux: My dad was one of the first Iron Workers hired to work on the Mackinac Bridge when it was first built.
My sister-in-law used to own Breakers Bar just outside of Indian River.
Wife is from Gaylord so I have spent a ton of time up that way. The Up North if beautiful country but not much good for deer hunting.
I don't know the last time you were here Jon but you wouldn't recognize the Breakers or even Gaylord for that matter. Deer hunting , not so good as it once was.
Funny timing - my wife and I are leaving Saturday for a 5-year anniversary trip to the UP. I've never been but I'm really looking forward to it. Not taking the bow, but I'll be bringing plenty of fishing gear and canoe. Any tips on a river to float for big smallmouth? I was thinking of hitting the Flint near Saginaw on our way north. Then planning to stop and camp at the Carp, then got a cabin at Craig Lake, and we'll hit the Au Sable on the way back down.
Any other can't-miss fishing ideas?
Chain: My sister-in-law owned it when it had the old rustic table and chairs maybe sold it 10 years ago. The new owner burned the furniture and brought in new. wish I would have known that as I would have picked up a set for the cabin.
Mother-in-law still lives on the family potato farm just outside of Gaylord so I get in to town often. I remember it when it had one main street.
YUP, fudgees all over the place now.
PistolPete, If you get a chance check out the Two Hearted river. You start exploring that watershed we may never see you again. Happy 5 year anniversary!
Denny
Two hearted = lots of hooks and leader material. That is one snaggy bugger but a great river. especially where is dumps into Lake Superior.
Roger that. I used to love the Breakers. Don't go much now. I used to frequent the Gaylord nite spots but not so much anymore. Summer festival in Indian River this weekend, it's kind of the unofficial class reunion for all ILHS grads.
Jon I see your a retired LEO. My father was MSP officer in Gaylord. Moved there in 1961 and retired there.
Just got home from a week in DA UP (upper peninsula). WOW what fun, Pictured rocks boat cruise, spent 3 days fishing on Lac La Belle near Copper Harbor, visiting Copper Harbor and The Porcupine Mountains and walleye fishing with my brother in law on Indian Lake. Back to work on Monday but looking forward to the Great Lakes Longbow Invitational in 3 weeks. :archer:
Looks like I'm going to be back up for Thanksgiving week. I think we're going to spend most of our time further south in Metamora. I wanted to do some hunting but was a little worried about public land during gun season though. Just found out my cousin has me hooked up with their neighbor on some private land. I'm pretty excited. They live in Freeland I believe.
There is so much to do up there go an hour nour and hit the Pigeon River state Forest wonderful area and it is the center of our Elk herd.
Yeah, the pigeon is a beautiful area. Was over there two weeks ago and bulls bugling all around me.
As long as you've got on orange, you'll be fine on public land. Usually the first and second day of gun season are the worst as far as number of hunters, but after that it drops off quite a bit.