Cruising Lake St. Clair and its Fisheries.

We were up bright and early so we could make our way 45 miles downriver for our second Discovery Cruise  this summer.  The boat left from Metro Beach Metropark at Jefferson Avenue and Metropolitan Parkway (16 Mile Road)  With clear skies, a calm sea, the temperature in the low to mid seventies, and no evidence of flying insects like the ones that inondated us on last years trip, we  boarded the M.V. Clinton (named after the Clinton River, not Bill or Hillary) at 10:00 AM and headed out onto the lake.

During our boat ride out to the middle of Lake St. Clair we were given talks about various fish and aquatic life species.

Among our eight or nine crew was Captain Greg, two or three Metroparks employees from the Nature Center located in the park, several University of Michigan reps and a marine biologist from the Department of Natural Resources.

As we approached the research vessel "Channel Cat" we could see a crew of DNR scientists were waiting for us. We tied up on their port side and had a good view of the whole deck. Read about the "Channel Cat" CLICK HERE.

 Before we arrived, the crew of the Channel Cat had dragged a large, open-meshed net designed to allow smaller fish to slip through. The net was dragged for 5 minutes, catching two Sturgeons. Then the net was dragged again for 5 more minutes, capturing one more.

There was a large plastic tank containing huge fish, a weigh scale with a specially constructed platform, and forward of that, another specially made measuring trough.

As soon  we arrived,  the scientists began a demonstration of what they do. Two deck hands wrestled one of the large fish from the tank to the weighing platform. Then it was transferred to another station where it was measured and an electronic identifier chip inserted under its skin. This chip can be scanned and read if they catch the same fish at a later date. This is the same kind of chip that is imbedded in our cat Dash.

After the measuring and e-tagging, the huge fish was released back into the lake.

They have determined that some of these sturgeon come from as far away as the Upper Peninsula and Georgian Bay to bask in the shallow waters of Lake St Clair in the summer. The reason is still unknown.

The largest Sturgeon was really fairly average in size at around six feet long and weighing 77 lbs. with the largest ever caught more than twice as heavy at 180 lbs.

On the way back there was more specimens to view and some frozen samples of native fish which we identified using a wall chart.

Gary and Ann had recommended a restaurant so after the cruise and a quick visit to the Nature Center, we drove the lake road to Algonac and Catch 22, our lunch destination. Then we took a scenic ride along the St. Clair River and back to our condo in Point Edward.

The restaurant was decorated in photos and pieces of old Chris Craft boats. Algonac was the home of the famous yacht manufacturer and the factory used to be located right across the street.

The portions were VERY generous as you can see by a shot of my Reuben sandwich. Very economical too as all three of us were fed for under $30. After lunch we drove the river road back from Algonac through Marine City and St Clair to Port Huron and then across the Blue Water Bridge to our condo in Point Edward.
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Gary and Ann Visit from TN

 Gary and Ann had planned to take their motorhome to Kentucky for a NASCAR event .  After the race, since they were already nearly half way here they decided to continue north and visit Canada.  This was a welcome surprise since we didn't expect to see them until August. To add to the party atmosphere, Erin arrived from Strathroy for our Lake St Clair Fisheries cruise tomorrow.  Wendy made a nice dinner and we enjoyed an evening of good conversation and fun.

Unfortunately the visit was not all pleasure.  They had been having bad trouble with a lot of damage caused by a former tenant at the River House. The lady tenant had skipped out leaving a huge mess from numerous dogs and cats, cigarette smoke damage, and unpaid utility bills. Their visit has been mostly used up with visits to flooring stores, Home Depot and Lowes.
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The Morning After

The inn is composed of an enclave of several houses. Our room, 150, had a big verandah.

 Sunday morning came far too soon after sharing a few nightcaps with Pete, Donna, and Frances until 2 AM at their room in the mews. Their rooms were down about 15 steep steps from the street, on the side of the cliff overlooking the river. Wendy was up early but I slept in nearly 'til the breakfast hour of 9 AM.

Bracebridge is located on the River and the falls created by one of our country's early hydro-electric power dams.

An old Chevrolet truck welcomes visitors.

 After a light breakfast and saying our goodbyes we did a little exploring around the picturesque town of Bracebridge, alighting at an old foundry building now converted to an antique store. 

This is where the groom, Tyler Elliott plans to sell his enormous table he made for the wedding. Such a table needs a grand room indeed but I'm sure there are such large scale "cottages" up here in the Muskokas and it will soon find a new home.


Wendy had some baby gifts to deliver to my good old best friends and new grandparents, David and Reenie, and Bill and Judy, so we stopped in at David's Brampton home on our way back. Reenie made delicious hors d'oeuvres and we gabbed until nearly 6PM before resuming our trek home to London. We would have stayed over but a Monday appointment kept us on track.
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A Northern Wedding

We left London around 9:30 AM and drove the 401 to Cambridge, running the back roads to Barrie to avoid Toronto traffic. It takes longer but we weren't in a hurry and Iyou don't see anything on the 401 and 400 highways. When we arrived at St Marks Presbyterian Church in Orillia at about 1:40 PM, the first people we talked to was Chris and Deb. What a perfect day for a wedding.

Donna's Sister's husband Myron (left) Pete, Wendy and Deb

Holly and Barry watch the "solemn vows".

Tyler signs the documents in front of a hundred or so witnesses.

The bride's brother Josh exits with a bridesmaid.

The new Mrs. Jessica Elliot gives Wendy a hug.

Relatives everywhere.

The bridesmaids wore cowboy boots.

Jessica's proud parents, John and Cheryl.

From Orillia, we drove 40 miles or so up to Bracebridge where we all checked into the historic Inn at the Falls. The reception was at the Bracebridge Fairgrounds and a shuttle took everybody there. No one had to be driving after a few drinks. The hall was decorated in a country theme with homemade jam to take home.

Pete and Wendy.

Wendy said this looks like a C&W album cover.

The agricultural fair hall was transformed into a fine wedding venue.

Mark talks with Holly and Barry.

Davina John's cousin) holds the novelty mascot that circulates throughout the family at every family event.

Donna's sister Frances always as a cheerful smile.

Donna's brother Max is the official wedding photographer. He does lots of weddings . CLICK HERE to see his web page. He poses here with Janet, his lovely wife.

A very quick lesson for Cheryl.

Ty crafted this massive  head table just for the wedding. The 20 foot boards are one-piece and the table legs are massive.

The cowboy boots are "stood up" in favor of no footwear as the dancing began.
 

I dropped my camera to the concrete floor and to everyone's amazement, there was no apparent damage. I was even more surprised that it survived the fall.

The mascot seems to need a bath.

Myron treats the mascot to a beer.

No lampshade around so I made do with a large pompom. Too much Caribbean Confusion maybe?

We all had a lovely time and were shuttled back to our inn where the party continued until 2 AM.
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A Condo Robin Guards The Nest

The robins built their nest while we were away so when we returned for the summer the nest was only a few feet from our balcony railing. Too late to start over now, the robins warily watch us as we watch them. When the female is not sitting on the eggs the male stands guard.
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Condo Picture of the Day

Click the pic to enlarge.

Here's my "artsy" condo picture for today. I liked the texture of these weather-aged rails and steps along the southern seawall of our condo complex.
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Happy Canada Day

Picture taken at 10:10 PM from our dinghy in the Winter Harbour.

Yesterday I went online to renew my fishing licence.  When I entered my birth date I was informed that I was not eligible to purchase one. Since I am 65 I do not require a licence and can fish for free. That puts me in an elite group with children under 12, native North Americans and seniors.

Now, with fishing on my mind, Wendy and I threw a line in the water and trolled our way out to  Bay Point at the mouth of the Winter Harbour to watch the Canada Day fireworks. The display is always spectacular, especially when viewed from our boat and this year was no exception. I didn't catch a fish but the show more than made up for it and the weather was perfect with no breeze and temperatures in the low 80's. What a night!
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