Northern Michigan

LB_hntr · July 14, 2016, 05:58:00 PM

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.

gvdocholiday · July 14, 2016, 07:34:00 PM

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.

kevsuperg · July 15, 2016, 10:59:00 AM

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.

gvdocholiday · July 15, 2016, 02:55:00 PM

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.

monterey · July 15, 2016, 11:16:00 PM

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.

MIBIGHNTR · July 21, 2016, 10:42:00 AM

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.

Jon Stewart · July 21, 2016, 11:32:00 AM

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.

Chain2 · July 21, 2016, 11:41:00 AM

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.

PistolPete · July 21, 2016, 11:47:00 AM

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?

Jon Stewart · July 21, 2016, 12:09:00 PM

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.

DennyK · July 21, 2016, 12:46:00 PM

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

Jon Stewart · July 21, 2016, 04:23:00 PM

Two hearted = lots of hooks and leader material. That is one snaggy bugger but a great river. especially where is dumps into Lake Superior.

Chain2 · July 21, 2016, 05:21:00 PM

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.

stack · July 21, 2016, 08:30:00 PM

Jon I see your a retired LEO. My father was MSP officer in Gaylord. Moved there in 1961 and retired there.

finkm1 · July 23, 2016, 05:31:00 PM

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.

JLeMieux · October 05, 2017, 06:19:00 PM

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.

Bow man · October 06, 2017, 06:07:00 AM

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.

Trenton G. · October 06, 2017, 07:51:00 AM

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.