This week lets fish the Little Elkhart River In Middlebury, IN. down stream from the bridge at County Road 43. And Yes, after being out of town the past two weeks, I will finally be able to join you. We will meet at the County Road 43 bridge over the Little Elkhart River at 6:00 and fish to whenever. Parking is on the side of the road and if necessary we can shuttle vehicles to and from Middlebury.
Directions: Take US Hwy 20 east of SR 13 (main st.) to county Road 43 then north to the Little Elkhart River.
Wednesday Night Fishing this week will be at Dodd Park in Dowagiac, MI. Dodd Park in Dowagiac MI (map). at 6:00 P.M. to ?
Directions:
From Niles, MI. take M-51 north to Kinzie St. Left (East) on Kinzie to Creek Rd. Right (North) on Creek Rd. to Dodd Park.
From the Edwardsburg, MI. take Dailey Rd. North to White St. Left (East) on White St. to Anderson Rd. Left (South) on Anderson Rd to White St. Right (East) on White St to M-51. Left (South) on M-51 to Kinzie St. Right(East) on Kinzie St to Creek Rd. Right (North) on Creek Rd to Dodd Park.
**Note About Weather** Sometimes the weather will change at the last minute which does not allow for a last minute update. Please use you own judgement before heading out. You can always call me on my cell (574-202-0255). Please do not email me with last minute questions as I may have already left to go fishing.
This week we will be fishing at the Labar Farm on the Dowagiac Creek in Cassopolis, MI. starting at 6:00 to ? To get to the Labar farm take O’Keefe Rd north from M-60 to Engle St (approx. 3.5 mi.). Turn left (west) on Engle street to Labar’s farm (approx. 1/2 mile west of O’Keefe Rd.) The address is 23638 Engle St. Cassopolis, MI. Please use the driveway on the west side of the house and park in the open area behind the pole building. Bobbie Labar is expecting us and Blake will be there to help if you have questions.
Spring is in full bloom time to get out on the water. We will be starting our Wednesday Night Fishing soon. These will be unstructured outings where we pick a location to get together and fish each Wednesday through the summer. If you have a place you would like to fish, talk to Todd Ezzell. He will be coordinating the plans and updating the website with each week’s location. We will start this week at the May meeting at the Elkhart Conservation Club. Bring your gear and wet a line.
May 21st at 6:00pm this meeting will again be held at the Elkhart Conservation Clubʼs small building. The entrance is off Britt Ave. in Elkhart (map).
The club will provide food and there will be a FREE raffle. Make sure to bring a rod with you (3 wt.) if you would like to do some fishing on site at Cobus Creek.
This month’s guest speaker is Victor Edwards, US Army retired with 20 years of active duty. Live in Grayling, MI. Retired guide, rod maker and former saltwater guide. Married with one grandchild.
The Bamboo Bend Project “Handcrafted Healing”
The Bamboo Bend Project, an annual eight day event, takes place on the banks of the East Branch of the Au Sable River. Wounded and injured military members and veterans hand build a high quality bamboo fly rod assisted by master rod makers. At the end of the program, each participant takes home the completed bamboo fly rod that they built. They also receive a top end reel, premium fly line, and local flies. There are also numerous opportunities for our warriors to fly fish with professional guides from both drift boats and Au Sable river boats, along with wading local rivers and streams.
The Bamboo Bend Project provides our warriors with a place to recharge, heal, learn new skills and to build lifelong relationships with fellow warriors and the local community. Past participants talk enthusiastically to this day about treasured memories and making new friends, remembered anew each time they use the rod they built themselves.
This event is offered at NO cost to the veteran.
5:30 – 6:00 registration
6-7 Speaker – Victor Edwards The Bamboo Bend Project “Handcrafted Healing”
7 – Dinner and raffle drawing.
SJRVFF would like to go on record as being adamantly opposed to any project that jeopardizes Cobus Creek as a cold water resource, its existing high water quality and insect population or a vibrant fishery. Our open letter to the Ontawa Township Board can be viewed in this link.
The Annual Opening Day Outing may not be the official start of Spring, but it sure feels like it. Nothing seems to let you know its time to start fishing like getting together with a bunch of guys and telling fishing stories. Many of the club members have been getting together on
opening day for decades. Many more have joined them over the years. And not a single person has ever been made to feel like they shouldn’t be there. If you’re not familiar with trout fishing, this is a great place to get started. Someone will take you down to the stream and try to help you find a fish or two. However, there are also several other possibilities within a few minutes drive of Bobbie’s farm. If you are not sure where to go, stop by Bobbie’s first and someone will available to help with any questions. Young or not so young, come out and spend a couple hours with your club members and have some lunch.
To get to the Labar farm from South Bend, take either M-60 or M-62 to Cassopolis, MI. Then take O’Keefe Rd north out of town to Engle St. (approx. 3.5 miles). Turn left on Engle St. Labar’s farm is about a 1/2 mile west of O’Keefe Rd. The address is 23683 Engle St. Cassopolis, MI. (map)
We are very lucky to be able to offer for this year’s Opening Day Rod Raffle a Winston rod. Sounds vague? It is, but in a very good way. We are lucky to be able to be able to offer for this year’s Opening Day Raffle a Winston rod of your choice. That’s not just a Winston Rod, but The Winston rod you have always wanted. Tommy Martin will be selling tickets at the upcoming meetings and on Opening Day. The drawing will be held at 1:00 pm at the Opening Day Outing, Saturday, April 26. If you’ve thought about a Winston fly rod this is your opportunity to get what you want.
Ticket Prices:
One for $5.00
Three for $10.00
Seven for $20.00
