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Mike Schoonveld

Mike Schoonveld: Here are some undeniable truths about fluorocarbon line

Featured, Features, Fishing, Gear & Gadgets, Home Page News, Michigan, National Fishing /

The first time I attached a short fluorocarbon (FC) leader to the end of the nylon monofilament spooled on my reel was more than 25 years ago. I’ll admit, I was skeptical. The hype I’d read about fluorocarbon seemed to imply that fishing with it could be an almost magical experience.
The advertising indicated fluorocarbon line was less visible to fish than clear monofilament line. I couldn’t see any difference – could the fish? Did it really make much difference to the fish?

Mike Schoonveld: Here are some undeniable truths about fluorocarbon line Read More »

Mike Schoonveld: Would selling fish be a problem or a solution for Michigan?

1 Comment / Discussions, Featured, Fishing, Home Page News, Michigan, National Fishing, Opinion /

I was at an after-dinner gathering of fishermen hailing from several states recently. It was what many would call a “bull session” where fishing tales, opinions, jokes, and other more or less important discussions flowed freely.
One of the participants, a resident of New York, said something about selling a bucket of perch. It wasn’t the point of his story, just a sidebar, but it caught my attention.
“Back up,” I said. “You sold a bucket of perch… perch you’d caught yourself? Is that legal?”

Mike Schoonveld: Would selling fish be a problem or a solution for Michigan? Read More »

Mike Schoonveld: ‘The Fish Thief’ is a must-see for any avid Great Lakes angler

Featured, Fishing, Home Page News, Michigan, National Fishing, Nature Page & Night Sky /

I’m not a film critic or movie reviewer. Few of the great movies (as proclaimed by true motion picture pundits) are on my personal favorites list and few of my personal favorite films ever got rave reviews when they were released.
Take this glowing column about a new film I’ve recently viewed titled “The Fish Thief – A Great Lakes Mystery” with skepticism. I liked it, but I’m not predicting the producers of the movie will walk the red carpet in Hollywood on Oscar night.

Mike Schoonveld: ‘The Fish Thief’ is a must-see for any avid Great Lakes angler Read More »

Mike Schoonveld: Warming up with thoughts of hybrid salmon

Featured, Fishing, Home Page News, Michigan, National Fishing /

As I write this it’s cold and snowy outside and there’s little beyond my office window tempting me to head outdoors.
To pass the time I surfed the Internet, wondering where the next click would lead. I came across a story about a river in British Columbia (the Cowitchan) where biologists found numerous hybrid salmon, the result of natural interbreeding between king and coho salmon. I named them “king-hos” in my mind.

Mike Schoonveld: Warming up with thoughts of hybrid salmon Read More »

Mike Schoonveld: Sea lamprey in the Great Lakes benefited from COVID shut down

Featured, Home Page News, Michigan, Nature Page & Night Sky, Opinion /

Much of the world changed thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic.
We are still living in its aftermath and will be for the foreseeable future. Decades ago, much of the Great Lakes fish populations changed due to invasive sea lampreys infesting the Great Lakes and the Great Lakes are still living in the aftermath of the “lamprey pandemic.”
Granted, conflating these two pandemics may seem a stretch, but there is a connection between them.

Mike Schoonveld: Sea lamprey in the Great Lakes benefited from COVID shut down Read More »

Mike Schoonveld: Crossover clothes for anglers and hunters

Blogs, Featured, Fishing, Hunting, Michigan, Opinion /

My son-in-law couldn’t get away to hunt in the early part of firearm deer season when the temperatures were warmer than normal. 
By the time he made time in his schedule it was the last few days of the season, and the temperatures had crashed to unseasonably cold levels. Not only were the temperatures in the lower teens but the wind was in the upper teens, creating wind chills down to below zero.

Mike Schoonveld: Crossover clothes for anglers and hunters Read More »

Mike Schoonveld: Are carp good to eat? Yes, when prepared properly

Cooking, Featured, Fishing, Michigan, National Fishing, Opinion /

There are five species of invasive carp now entrenched in the Upper Midwest, though only the common carp and grass carp (an Asian carp) are found in Michigan.
Ironically, the taste of common carp, the one brought here for its great edibility, is far inferior as a food fish compared to silver, bighead, black, and grass carp. I’ve prepared some of these species and have eaten all of them.

Mike Schoonveld: Are carp good to eat? Yes, when prepared properly Read More »

Mike Schoonveld: Extra rod license not included in Michigan DNR proposal, but should it be?

2 Comments / Discussions, Featured, Fishing, Home Page News, Michigan, National Fishing, Opinion /

The recent announcement of the Michigan DNR’s proposed fishing license fee increases heading to the legislature has some bold requests. It also has some disappointments.
License fee requests are never popular with either license buyers or with many legislators. Inflation has bumped up the prices anglers pay for everything associated with fishing, from bait to boats. A license fee increase is just one more hit to their wallet.

Mike Schoonveld: Extra rod license not included in Michigan DNR proposal, but should it be? Read More »

Mike Schoonveld: What’s next, plastic clouds? Researchers looking into it

Featured, Home Page News, Michigan, Nature Page & Night Sky, Opinion /

The title of the vintage TV sitcom, 3rd Rock From The Sun, was a somewhat apt description of our planet.
The Earth is the third planet in our sun’s solar system and it’s mostly rock of various kinds. Earth also features water, metals and organic matter, but there is far more rock than anything else. The Earth’s rocks come in many sizes and forms.

Mike Schoonveld: What’s next, plastic clouds? Researchers looking into it Read More »

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