2008 DK Fall Open

[Cy]

We should start thinking about the 2008 DK Fall Open.  It is almost the first of August and it takes us a long time to make any choices on dates and places.  Any early thoughts on where we should fish or when?  I know we talked about Chippewa Lake and Mona Lake last year, both are good choices I think.  I am open to most anyhwere and in September/October dates aren't all that important either.

Cy

[TCook]

I would suggest a northern michigan lake, I think the quality of fishing alone during the fall will draw enough members. I bet many guys on this site are planning a trip in september or october anyways up there, I know I am.

[motocross269]

Long or Grand Lake??(Alpena)...I know they are a long drive with gas at 4 bucks, but there are some hogs pulled out of those lakes in the fall.  Maybe Dan could tie it in with the Alpena club's open..
Just my 2 cents...

[djkimmel]

I just can't see many people wanting to drive that far north this year. If enough anglers prove me wrong, that's another story.

I was thinking about a true Western open this year, but not too far north - I'm just concerned to increase in fishing success might not offset the additional cost of driving - I'm overwhelmed with stories of anglers cutting back on their fishing due to the high cost of travel. I know I have too.

I think the fishing on some of the western lakes can be better in September/October based on my past experiences anyway. My only concerns about the West event are not getting many East/SE members able to make the drive, and having a very hard time finding a date and lake that enough of the West people will/can make it.

[motocross269]

I understand...With gas prices the way they are traveling is tough..Just wishful thinking out loud..

[MadWags]

Lake Ovid 

[dartag]

how about something around your hometown.  Lake lansing,  Ovid.       Maybe Cass it is close to Lansing i think.   Maybe invite the GOV..

[Durand Dan]

Lansing's not a bad choice. Please not Ovid

[Cy]

I took money home from last years fall open Ovid.  I would fish it again. 

I don't care where we fish.  I am always busy in the spring so it is my goal to make the fall open.

Cy

[LAPORTE]

PawPaw had a nice write up this last year it may be to far south but it is west.  ...  Remember my fishing has been limited to Belleville lake & Lake St.Clair.

    I consider myself a rookie still after 1 1/2  years and already im turning into a lifetime CO ...lol

my 0.02    Ill shut up and listen now....

Don L

[djkimmel]

I picked Ovid again, because there just wasn't enough consensus to do anything further West last year. I was afraid I'd only have 4 boats.

I'm open any suggestions that seem to have good support. Even Ovid again - I'm sure Durand Dan will eventually... some to enjoy Lake Ovid. Some of the west coast lakes/rivers can be very fun in the fall too.

[motocross269]

Dan, are there any fish in the Grand River around Lansing?? I haven't fished it in about 20 years and it was horrible back then. I remember the results of the Grand Pointe Marina tourneys were pretty light.. I keep hearing reports of better fishing in the Lansing area..

[TCook]

Ya going up north would be a long haul for alot of guys and expensive, I just thought enough guys might prefer to do that maybe make a weekend out of it and whack double digit 4-5 pounders a day. Also a long haul and expensive for the eastsiders a true westside tournament would be nice as well, my vote would be for Paw Paw or White lake in that case. In michigan I dont think Largemouth fishing can get any better than those two lakes. Although my money would be best spent to travel farther for the best smallmouth fishing in the world at the best time of year with a great group of guys.

T

[Durand Dan]

I picked Ovid again, because there just wasn't enough consensus to do anything further West last year. I was afraid I'd only have 4 boats.

I'm open any suggestions that seem to have good support. Even Ovid again - I'm sure Durand Dan will eventually... some to enjoy Lake Ovid. Some of the west coast lakes/rivers can be very fun in the fall too.

Dan,
Just kiddin. I fish Ovid quite a lot being that it's only about 25 mins. away. I'll show up where ever you choose. ( I also fished the Grand back in the late 90's and found it tough, however lately I would have a hard time in a stacked pond!! )

[djkimmel]

The Grand in Lansing got better for quite a while, then it got tougher again. I haven't fished it much lately so I don't have a real good handle on how tough or good it might be. I may get down there a little soon. Not sure if many anglers would want to travel here to fish the river, although I do like river fishing.

I like White Lake on the west side too. I don't do well there in tournaments lately for some reason, but I do pretty good when just fishing. I like going up north to whack big smallies too. Can enough people want to do that to pull it off?

[thedude]

i would definitley make it to a white or paw paw event.... as long as its not when i'm in canada

[Bender]

I would like to try Chippewa, just because I have never been there, it is a little bit up north and westside, and I don't know anybody on here who fishes it a lot. We did have a really good time on Ovid last year though.

[Cy]

I have never been on Paw Paw, but I have heard the bite is good.  Chippewa is good, I know it has a good population of bass but I haven't fished it very much.  White lake is always good, I don't think I have ever fished it in the fall.  I am sure it is awesome in the fall.

Hardy Pond should be good in fall too.  It will produce a mixed bag of fish and not to hard to get to. 

We could do a river float trip / tournament on the Muskegon below Croton dam.  Every one could buy, beg, borrow or steal a kayak, ODC or canoe.  I saw a picture in the Newaygo sports shop yesterday with some nice smallies from the river.

[cameraguy]

How about September 13 or 14 on Wixom Lake, or Cadillac/Mitchell, or if it has to be on the west side, Muskegon or White?

[MadWags]

For us east siders, anything west of Woodward Ave. is the west side. So using that logic, Lake Ovid would be considered a West side lake.
I would try to pick a lake.........but I can't.