ClearH2O Clips

The calendar says spring is here, but Mother Nature apparently has different ideas! Looks like we may have more of a traditional spring this year compared to last year, so I thought we would take a look at how that will impact our upcoming seasons in the outdoors.

Let's start our journey in the woods with the favorite past time of many-hunting for morel mushrooms. Many variables have an effect on a good mushroom season, but few more than temperatures and precipitation. With the cooler temps hanging on longer we may end up with a more traditionally dated mushroom season as opposed to the earlier and seemingly shorter season of last year. I'm hoping we get going on finding some fungus in late April and into May so that maybe the Mother's Day mushroom hunting traditions many have can yield some tasty morels.

Staying in the woods, turkey season will be upon us before we know it.

The more normal climate this spring should lead to a much better success rate for hunters afield searching for that lovesick longbeard. Nesting and breeding should be a bit later and the birds will hopefully cooperate and respond to calling as opposed to being with their hens. Undergrowth not getting the head-start in the woods could also be a positive factor in being able to locate and set-up on birds. The later season in which many of us spend our time in the woods may actually be primetime for gobblers this year, and with any luck the bugs won't be buzzing yet-time will tell.

What about fishing you ask? The water staying frozen longer and not warming up nearly as fast will have the fish on a more normal pattern this spring compared to the "early summer" we had in 2012. Locally, panfish and bass will hold in the deeper staging water until the shallows become warm and start holding bait and forage. If they aren't up shallow where you expect them look to your traditional late ice hotspots and look for any old or new weeds and vegetation. With any luck we will not have the crazy hot and dry summer in 2013 and fishing and fish can stay consistent.not to mention the water levels can continue to rise and water temperatures won't soar.

The steelhead run in the river has been hit and miss so far and hopefully is running a tad behind schedule as well due to the colder water temperatures, which is fine by me as it has been awful chilly to be standing in a near freezing river! It looks like we should have fish in and out of the system well into April in different stages of their migration and spawning cycle.

Lake Michigan fish patterns are dictated by the weather too. It is primarily a water temperature trigger-water gets to the right temp, bait hangs in that temp, fish follow and eat the bait. Some coho salmon have been starting to show up in our southernmost ports on the lake and as the lake warms up they will migrate up the coast followed by the king salmon. Traditionally it is April and early May when the fish start to show up and hang out around St. Joseph, and unless we get a major heat wave that should hold true.

Regardless of your favorite spring outdoor activity we here at ClearH2O Tackle can help and answer questions that will in turn help you enjoy the outdoors, and we have the gear you need to get outfitted and make the most out of your precious time in the outdoors this spring, the season of life.

Darrin Schaap is the Owner/Operator of ClearH2O Tackle located at 69037 Christiana Lake Rd in Edwardsburg. The shop has expanded hours to include mornings and weekends (times vary depending on seasonal conditions), and as always is open M-F 9-4 and by appointment. Please stop in to get live bait, rigged up, ask questions, or share some stories. To contact ClearH2O Tackle please stop by the shop, call 269-414-4131, or visit them on Facebook. ClearH2O Tackle will be contributing ClearH2O Clips, an outdoor themed column monthly for the Voice.