Agate Falls - UP Michigan

During my mini winter road trip around the Midwest, I stopped at another waterfall, Agate Falls, to be exact.  This one was different, and not as touristy as my stop at Bond Falls.  There were 2 parking areas, and a man made trail, but the trail only went so far.  You had to view the falls from a great distance.

I noticed that there was a beaten path made that went down to the bottom of the gorge, but there was just a few red flags that went off in my head:

1. I'm alone and there's no one else around.
2. Snow, ice, and an pretty steep incline aren't a good combo.
3. The sun was starting to set.

Given those red flags, and me being me, I still gave it a go.  After a few missteps on some icy rocks, I decided that today was not a good day to die.  So, I turned around and walked back to my car, and called it a day after taking some pictures from afar atop the bridge.

Underneath the train bridge in the distance is Agate Falls.  The pictures I seen on Google look great, and I will definitely be making a trip back here, in much favorable conditions.

It's really easy to drink Shasta Cherry Cola, PBR, and Budweiser.  It's even easier to carry it out with you and toss it in a garbage can in the parking lot or the next gas station you stop at.  Don't be an A hole and leave it somewhere it doesn't belong.  Take out what you take in.  Leave no trace.

Temporary Happiness

Des Plains River.

20 minutes to kill.

Bait caster.  Steel leader.  Rapala Husky Jerk (Firetiger).

High water.  Fast current.

Nothing.

20 minutes of satisfaction.

Winter Creek Fishing

It's been far too long since I've been out fishing. With warmer weather this past weekend, I took advantage of it, before the lakes, rivers, and creeks froze up, again. It was about 35 degree's, and gloomy. It's been gloomy for the past 7 days or so, and it's starting to get to me. I need some sunlight soon!

I had plans to pick up my kayak and head out to the Des Plains River, but I over slept m y alarm. Decided to fish the closest place to my GF's place, Poplar Creek. I only fished the creek 2 times this past year, and I wasn't as successful, like in years past. It's a great small creek. It's surrounded by an urban area, but there are parts of it that really disguise it's setting, very well.

Not as scenic as the streams you will find on Alan's blog - Small Stream Reflections

It's a great small stream/creek that feeds into a much larger river, The Fox River. It's surrounded by a very urban area, but there are parts of the stream that really disguise it's setting, very well. Small and largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, creek chubs, northern pike, and various pan fish can be found/caught here.

There are quite a few bridges that you will come across if wading this creek. Lots of fish can be found congregating underneath these bridges. I cannot stress the importance of wading smart and carefully when approaching any of these bridges, especially, if you're by yourself. 90% of the time, the lighting sucks underneath the bridges, and there's no telling how deep it can be. Even if I am familiar with a bridge, I find a stick and use it as a wading staff. So, be careful out there! Also, cast like a million times in there until you advance through them. =)

Bridges usually always hold fish.

I know what you're thinking, Justin, is breaking the rules, again! - Ohio Smallie - This sign carries no weight. Poplar Creek is all Public. I think someone put it there, because, there's a nice deep bend in the creek right in front of it that holds all kinds of fish. Although, there were none there that day. In the summer the big smallies usually hang out there. Someone is trying to protect their spot. All good with me, if it scares others away. I use it as a land marker when telling friends where to go, and where all the holes are. Ha!

Rebel?

As, the day went on, the gloomy clouds seemed to get even gloomier. It made this bridge look dark and ominous. The name of the street that crosses that bridge is Bluff City Blvd. There's a casino nearby, and when I'm in this area, I usually let my imagination run wild with the thoughts of card games gone wrong, knee caps, and body dumps cross my mind.

Another bridge.

Sure enough, after going to the other side of the dark ominous bridge that is Bluff City Blvd. I come across a shoe in the water. Not just any shoe, but a Nike Michael Jordan shoe. These are highly coveted, and it was in decent shape. What a shame...I hope I don't come across what I've been making up in my mind! Dun Dun Dun!

Thankfully, there were no floaters.

I started to lose feeling in my toes, so, I knew it was time to turn around and head back. Most of my trek back was spent walking through the woods, because, I just wanted to get back before gloominess became darkness. I came across some fresh lumber. I loved how these logs resembled sunflowers. Can you see it?

Some sweet looking lumber.

No fish were caught, but I didn't care. It was a treat to just get out for a wade, wet a line, and walk through the woods. I saw 1 fish, a bluegill I spooked near one of the bridges. I also, spooked a big Red Tailed Hawk out of a tree. I hear it, but couldn't locate it in the tree's until I unknowingly got too close and it took off.

End of my day.

Fishless

Since last Sunday's bluegill fest, the only thing I've caught were some sweet shots. The weather has been up and down, and when it has been nice....I've been at work. Go figure! This past Sunday, I did go out with a few friends in search of muskie at a local lake, but I had to leave my fly rod packed away in my car, because, it was extremely windy. We chucked big cranks, and inline spinners with no luck, but that's nothing normal to me....I've never caught a muskie. The hunt continues....

One of my buddies muskie boxes, and him chuckin' in the back.

My buddy walking on the bridge. I'm quite proud of this shot.

Skull of a squirell??

My other buddy Danny just chillen on the pier.

Danny serving up some inline spinners.

Me in my superhero stance looking over the lake for evil doing ski's.