Bud Bash the "Jobbie Nooner" of the North

Love it or hate it here comes
 Bud Bash 2011

Bud Bash, Houghton Lake

Bud Bash in Houghton Lake, MI has been thought of by many as the "Jobbie Nooner" of the north. While the Jobbie Nooner (held on Gull Island, Lake St Clair), is in the early part of summer when the temperatures are milder, Bud Bash is held in August, during the hottest days of summer. A time when tourism seems to slow in Houghton Lake as people go on vacation to other parts.

So it was that the owner of the Limberlost bar and grill decided to hold a "party" that would increase business during this down time. And Bud Bash was born.

Some of the locals are not as enthusiastic about the celebration as the others who come here looking for a good time in the sun and water. Drunkenness and public nudity are often sited by local authorities although the number of incidents have fallen the last few years. Possibly due to the extra law enforcement   officers patrolling during the festivities.  

Jobbie Nooner at Gull Island, Lake St Clair

The partying was somewhat subdued at Gull Island on Lake St Clair this year as thousands braved the 70 degree temperatures and constant drizzle to attended the annual Jobbie Nooner. Estimates of 7000 to 10,000 people braved the chilly temperatures and the all day drizzle.

This years Bud Bash is August 6th. Though many celebrate over the whole weekend. Motel accommodations fill up fast so reserve early.

Stay safe and have fun,

Ken S

Fishing the Cut River Part 2: Rock Bass

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Scenic Cut River North of Lansing Rd Bridge

Most of the time I fish alone, primarily because I fish almost everyday. I enjoy the solitude it helps me to forget my cares for awhile. I'm not on a quest to capture the great white whale or the big green walleye or monster bass (although I am happy to catch one occasionally). I just like to relax.

Sometimes I have the pleasure of fishing with a friend or family member and this weekend was one such occasion. My nephew and his family were dropping off my brothers motor home after spending the week camping over near Oscoda. Since they were spending the night we all went to dinner at a very crowded Freds of Roscommon and with about 2 hours of daylight left we thought we'd try to catch a few.

My brother Bill stayed home (he prefers to fish from a boat) with my nephews oldest daughter Sarah (she wanted to Facebook with her friends) but my sister-in-law Cheryl came with us. So we were Dan, Jess, Katie and Ryan, Cheryl (just an observer) and myself. Five of us fishing on the Cut River off the Lansing road bridge.

We turned east on scenic Lansing Road. As we left the asphalt I slowed for a doe and her two spotted fawns that were slowly crossing the road. These were the first fawns I have seen this year and they were already getting big. Unfortunately they scampered into the woods before I could get my camera out for a picture.

Katie catches Rock Bass...Priceless

There was another fisherman there when we arrived. After about 10 minutes he left and we had the bridge to ourselves. I started fishing off the north side but soon decided that 5 of us on the same side was at least one too many so I switched. Now I know there are fish on each side of the bridge that's why I brought them there. Still by the time I had caught my fourth fish everyone was on the south side. So I switched back to the north side.

Ryan catches the biggest Rock Bass

Fishing the north side is a little more tedious because your casting into the current coming at you. You have to keep your line tight or you'll try to set the hook and get nothing but air (believe me I'm a pro at catching air) and you recast often. If you like casting this is the way to go.

After awhile everyone caught at least a couple, mostly Rock bass, a few Perch and one we don't know what type of fish it was. I believe Ryan caught the biggest but Katie had the biggest "one that got away". We saw a doe with two fawns, another deer, a rabbit, a snake and a chipmunk (that was probably running from the snake). A bat flew over head but I think I'm the only one who saw it.

Dan & Cheryl looking for
the bobber in the tree

Cheryl (my sister-in-law) at Katies insistence had try at least one cast. It was a magnificent looping cast that went right into a tree. The bobber will be hanging like a red and white Christmas ornament for generations to come. Eventually darkness and the mosquitoes won out and we packed up and I came home.

Although I enjoy the solitude of fishing alone in a secluded spot nothing can replace putting a worm on the hook for a young angler or taking the fish off for them. Watching them reel in a few even if they're small. I believe in keeping the experience as fun as possible if we're going to keep the tradition alive and passed down to the next generation. One thing I know for sure is that the next generation will be able to look up into the tree by the river and know that my sister-in-law had been there and needed to work on her aim when casting.

All in all it was a great experience and a lot of fun. So take a family member or a friend fishing and don't forget the FUN. 


Until next time,


Ken S


PS Pictures were taken by Jess and as you can see it was light out still when we started and dusk when we started catching the fish.

(Rock Bass)
"Thank You Houghton Lake...We Love You"

He stole my bait!

That's him officer. The one on the left. He stole from me repeatedly. Every spot I tried, he was there. Sometimes taunting me by popping his head up next to my bobber just defying me to try again. HE STOLE MY BAIT!

Children find turtles to be cute and fun to catch but I beg to differ. At least on the second part. Catching a turtle can be a real pain in the hook. Usually they just get the bait and then wait for more. Sometimes I get the hook in them and get them to the shore. Once there I slacken the line and the turtle can use its front feet to dislodge the hook, then go back and wait for more bait. But once in awhile the hook goes all the way through then the trouble begins.

A midst the cursing of my bad luck and fishing through my tackle box for my needle nose pliers, I prepare myself for the difficult task of removing the hook from a mouth pulled inside a shell. I feel sorry for the turtle as this is unfair punishment for something as petty as stealing a piece of night crawler. Yet I believe that leaving the hook in would be a death sentence for the turtle. So a few seconds of prying and the perpetrator goes free albeit with a sore mouth. And I end up with an unusable jighead. Just another day of pond fishing.

Brand new jighead after removed from turtle

So the next time your sitting by the shore of your favorite fishing hole and your bobber is bouncing up and down and swimming around and you can't seem to set the hook. It may be a turtle. You need to ask yourself, "Do you feel lucky?" If not maybe you should try another fishing spot or get the pliers ready. Either way you could be in for a frustrating day. Unless you like turtle soup.

Good luck and be safe,

Ken S