November 1, 2005

Dear Friends,
 
The close of another season is here. The summer goes by so fast, it’s hard to catch up on my chores at home. I want to take time to Thank everybody who fished with Watta Bite.
 
Fishing was phenomenal, all summer. Caught a bunch of salmon, smaller in size, than years past.
 
We started an Inland Lake perch charter this fall. Really catching some nice perch this year. We caught about 250 this past week with sizes 8” to 13”. Many in the 9” to 10” range.

Cindy did a fabulous collage on the web site. Click on the “Thank You 2005” link. These are all pictures from the 2005 season that you sent to use, we hope to do this and update every year.

The photo album is getting closer. We have a bunch of pictures people have sent via e-mail. We have a little problem with our slow dial up internet, it doesn’t receive pictures real well. Cindy is setting something else up for us to be able to receive your pictures so keep them coming.
 
Sue and I attended the Michigan Charter Boat Association Meeting at the end of October. We had a good time, with some good information. Looks like Lake Michigan is in good shape for next year. The warm summer gave us great alewife hatch. Actually it was the best in 5 years. This means fish should be a bit larger next year. The DNR is cutting back on the salmon plant in Lake Michigan by 27% this year. With alewives down the past few years, Lake Huron fish in Lake Michigan. Plus a large natural re-production in streams and rivers, the lake has a bit too many salmon in it, for the amount of forage fish.
 
Prices for next year are a big question with fuel prices being the culprit. It’s hitting everybody hard, I’m going to try and remain the same, except for the all day trip. It will go up from $650.00 to $700.00 this coming year. So the half day trip for up to 4 people will stay at $400.00. I checked with other Captains down state at the meeting and their prices have gone up $50.00 to $100.00 more than my prices.
 
I’m hoping for more trips to make up the difference. This means book early to get your date for your vacation.
 
There will be some changes in Lake Trout size and limits for this year. The final draft will be out in April. Looks like we’ll be able to keep some smaller fish. This will help, since we threw so many back the past couple of years.
 
The fishing future looks bright next year and it should be a great year.
 
Hope to see you on the boat!

Good fishing,
 
Captain Bill