News and Updates

2019 September General Meeting: Featuring Nicole Watson

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Nicole Watson

Ph.D. Student, Michigan State University, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife

Arctic Grayling have long been a favorite species of mine. I am enthralled by the uniqueness of each fish, their history in North America, and the beauty of their coloration and dorsal fin. My Ph.D. research focuses on young Arctic Grayling, Brook and Brown trout. The overarching goal of my research is to clarify uncertainties to successful Grayling reintroduction to Michigan streams. It is a multifaceted study including the following: predation of Grayling fry by resident, age-1 Brook and Brown trout; competition between age-0 Grayling, Brook, and Brown trout; Grayling imprinting to home waters at early life stages; alarm cues; aspects of physiological development; predator avoidance and predator cue recognition by juvenile Grayling. My research takes me to Alaska each spring to transport Grayling eggs back to my lab at Michigan State University. I spend each summer and fall running trials back in my lab (and finding time to fly fish in Northern Michigan).

I earned my M.S. at Central Michigan University where I focused on the utilization of otolith microchemistry to determine streams of origin of juvenile Steelhead in tributaries of Lake Michigan.

When not at MSU or home downstate, I am typically found at my Northern MI home base, The Hideout. I enjoy fishing for Brook trout in creeks and small rivers in MI. I am passionate about native wild salmonids and have been known to hike mountains seeking them out if needed.

 

I will discuss my current Grayling research and share some fishing and field experiences.

February Speaker: Captain Debbie Hanson

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Captain Debbie Hanson is an award-winning outdoor writer, women’s sport fishing advocate, IGFA world record holder, and freshwater guide living in Estero, Florida. Her passion for the outdoors was ignited at a young age due in large part to her experiences fishing on the glacial lakes of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan with her grandfather.
 
Hanson’s written work has appeared in publications such as Florida Game & Fish Magazine, BoatUS Magazine, and USA Today Hunt & Fish. She is also a weekly contract blogger for TakeMeFishing.org.
Her speaking engagements include the Florida Sportsman Expo, the Saltwater Sportsman National Seminar Series with George Poveromo, and as co-host on ReelTalk Radio 99.3 ESPN in Southwest Florida with Rob Modys. She also holds quarterly fishing clinics for women with a focus on freshwater finesse fishing, fly fishing, and conservation.
 
When she’s not guiding clients on the lakes and canals of Southwest Florida, Debbie can be found lending angling support and encouragement to women of all ages. She has traveled to countries such as Australia, New Zealand, and Africa to further her quest for knowledge while connecting with anglers from across the world.
 
To learn more about Debbie, visit www.shefishes2.com or visit her Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/shefishes2.