Orchard Lake Event Confirmation

[Revtro]

I would much rather fish St. Clair!!!  BUT, if we try changing the lake last minute, I'm sure it'll cause issues.  We should probably just keep to the schedule.  Unless...everyone wants to make the switch...

[LennyB]

I would much rather fish St. Clair also, but I will fish Orchard if that's what you guys decide. The water temp is in the 50's on St. Clair and it should excellent fishing.
Len B.

[EKennedy]

If we all wanted to fish LSC, then why didn't we schedule that when we met?  We all had input at the meeting.  I'm fine sticking to the schedule.  LSC...much earlier morning, longer drive, way more gas.  Not cool with major last minute changes.  Sorry, I'm just cranky today.  No hard feelings meant.

[LennyB]

My vote is to stick with the plan (Orchard Lake). I do like St. Clair better but it has been my experience as a club to not change lakes the last minute. Guys practice and make plans based on the schedule so my vote is to not change the schedule.
Let me know were to show up, Len B.

[Mojo]

Now that we are all game for Orchard - is it a smallie and largie lake ?? Is it ledgey and deep or sandy ? Anyone ever fish it in the spring ?? Chime in !!

[Revtro]

Though I love St. Clair and would rather fish there, I have to agree with Eric.  We went through this two years ago when we constantly tried to make last minute changes to the schedule and all it did was confuse people and lower participation.  And guys, nobody but Bob G, Jack, and I showed up to the last meeting.  If we make meetings before the events, we could discuss this sort of thing way ahead of time and maybe once in a while make a change.  So please guys...if you can make meetings, please do.  Now that the season is underway, we'll be meeting less often.  But keep it in mind for when meetings kick into gear.

[LennyB]

Hi Guys,
I will definitely be there tomorrow as a boater.
As to whether Orchard is Largemouth or Smallmouth, it has both. A few years back I was fishing with a partner around opening day on the main basin's inside weedline and he caught two Smallies on back to back cast on a tubebait that were both in the 3 1/2 pound range. I was in the back of the boat cast a bomber 14A jerkbait towards the dropoff caught two Largemouths that were about the same size. Another trip early in the year we didn't do that well on the main lake but caught a lot of small Largemouth in the back water pockets on just about everything (spinnerbait, jigs, crankbaits, etc....). The water clarity is very clear. A couple summers back I took my aqua-view out there and idled around the island and could see for a longgg way. I saw a big school of crappies suspended along the drop off with a couple of toad smallies off to their side.
Len B.

[Bass_Cat]

If any of you guys have a vhf radio or walkie talkies, bring them. This way we can stay in touch with each other.

I'm planning on being there about 7:30. I hope this weather (rain & possible thundershowers) passes by before we take off in the am. 

See ya there, Mark

[EKennedy]

I have a pair of walkies.  I'll charge them up tonight.  Also plan to be there around 730-ish.  Unfortunately I think I may be without a main sonar / GPS.  Thursday mine was acting up.  Do have maps and GPS on the cell phone though.  Will certainly be donning that rain gear.  We're gonna get rained on.

See ya.

[bassassasin88]

I can't tell if i'm in or out? Please PM me. If I don't hear back I'm just gonna take my boat to St. Clair

[Mojo]

Boaters
Eric Kennedy
Leonard B
bassassasin
Mark Hill

Nonboaters
Jack
Mojo
Tom O
Mike Mcgraine

Do I have this right - Is this everyone who is coming ??

[bassassasin88]

You put me down as a boater. I only have a 16 footer, and it needs a new coil. It runs, but its a little rough. I really don't wanna take anyone in it.

[LennyB]

I can fish three guys out of my boat if needed (me and two others).
Len B.

[Revtro]

The weather was yuck, but the fishing was good.  Me and Eric caught plenty of fish today and had a great day on the water although I think it was after dinner by the time the feeling returned in my frozen fingers.  LOL 

We didn't get into a lot of bigger fish, but we caught plenty and the club as a whole caught quite a bit.  I expected a lousy day to be honest with the weather and all, so I was pleasantly surprised by how well Orchard Lake fished.  There is a nice mixture of Largemouth and Smallmouth, although we didn't find any Smallies till near the end of the day.  Quite a few pike too which are always fun to catch.  Thanks Eric for a fun day in your boat.  Time to get mine ready to go for St. Clair.  Can't wait.

Great first outing guys.

[bassassasin88]

Had a blast! It was fun fishing with new people. Caught a ton of bass, and a few pike. Looking forward to fishing with you guys again.

[Mojo]

I agree with Tom - Crap weather after a perfect week - and I expected a beat down on Orchard. Instead, Len took the lake apart, we studied the inside ledges and cuts, and worked those flats with rattletraps, spinnerbaits and jerkbaits and a few other key baits - and we caught a buncha fish ! Largies, smallies and a huge pike ! I contributed 2 ok largies to his 3 and then we found the smallies, just on the flats, and some grouped just off the flats. He worked vertical and tried too, but he was strong on the lake. Probably eneded with a 12 - 13 lb day realistically with at least 10 keepers so all in all I think it was a verrrrry good day folks. Thank you boaters for coming out.

[Bass_Cat]

The weather wasn't great but it could have been worse. All in all, I thought the lake fished really well for the conditions and time of year we were fishing it. Caught 35+ bass, 4 pike, 1 perch and 1 gill in all. Biggest bass was about a 3 1/2 pound largemouth. Probably could have caught more but we went searching for other fish too.

Mark

PS. It's to bad that Leonard and Mojo missed out on the hot coffee and pizza we had delivered for lunch. 

[Mojo]

Did that morning just scream for a warm thermos or what !!