Scouting report....

Did some scouting Wednesday as Margie and I celebrated 37 years of marriage by taking a day trip to do some shopping and visit Arrowhead Alpines nursery. Arrowhead specializes in dwarf conifers but also has a large assortment of unusual garden plants not found in most plant stores. Going east along M21 past Ionia we crossed Maple River and then Stoney Creek. There is a boat ramp at the bridge with access to the Maple. The river was not impressive looking at this crossing but is apparently substantial enough for boating. It might be worth trying in the Maple River State Game Area to the north. Just down the road is Stoney Creek which was much more inviting with big boulders and decent current on a stretch wide enough for flycasting. Looked to be a pleasent wade. There is also another fishable creek to the north called Fish Creek recommended by Jim Bedford in his helpful book titled "Flyfisher's Guide to Michigan."

We pressed on to St. Johns and headed south down 127, crossing the Looking Glass River. True to its name, this appeared to be a slack water river with no perceptible current. All of these rivers hold small mouth bass and could easily be fished in one outing. After lunch at Bravo on Lake Lansing Road we headed to Arrowhead south of Fowlerville. Unfortunately we didn't have enough time there as I had to get back to pick up the pontoon boat. We quickly bought some plants and headed home.

Yesterday I crossed the Rogue River and then Cedar Creek driving north on Algoma Avenue. I need to set up a two stream outing with Brian Merdzinski who knows this water well. On the way home I stopped at Townsend Park to ponder opportunities at Bear Creek which flows through the park and then along Cannonsburg Road on its journey to the Grand River. This is spinning rod territory with a short stretch between the park and Ramsdell that looks interesting. Time to go fish'n.