Jack Payne shows off two crappie caught during a recent outing.
By Jack Payne
The challenge in May is what to fish for. Last year, my turkey tag was not filled until May 9. With my tag filled this year, the fishing choices are numerous. We did some walleye fishing with great results.
Three minutes into our first catfish drift the rod buckled and started pounding the water's surface. The first channel cat was a respectable 25-inch fish. The second fish came before the first fish was released.
The third fish was a master angler channel cat.
In two hours, we landed 12 cats, and all were returned unharmed. Two of the benefits of using a circle hook are that nearly all of the fish are caught in the corner of the mouth, and there is no need to slam the hook home. They will hook themselves.
A combination crappie/pike outing is our next outing. Crappie and pike both love a good weed line. In early May, I favor the size 5 Mepps bucktail spinner or the Rapala Husky Jerk. Toward the end of the month, the Dardevle Spoons come into play.
Fishing a jerk bait/husky jerks requires a pause in the retrieve. Cast the lure out and quickly start your retrieve. We vary the length of the pause between two to five seconds. Before you start reeling, pop the lure toward you with your rod tip pointing downward.
Most of your strikes will come on the pause or as you start jerking it forward. This retrieve works great on bass, walleye, and pike. Fishing a weed bed, both over the tops or along the edge is the best location.
With Mepps spinners, we use the stop-and-go method but only pause for a second. We also work the rod tip in a sweeping side-to-side motion causing the spinner to move in an erratic manner.
Crappie fishing comes down to two lures. A Marabou-style hair jig or the Charlie Brewer 1.5-inch crappie grub will cover most situations. The Charlie Brewer grub is my search lure.
On a good bite, this might be the only lure I cast. Work the plastic grub over the weeds, drop it down into the pockets, and also work the edges. Pay close attention to your graph, looking for an inside turn or any changes to the weed beds.
If the fish are a bit sluggish then we will cast a Marabou-style jig. Think along the lines of the Pinky Jig or the Lindy Fuzzy Grub. We also tie up our creations along those lines.
The lighter the hair jig, the better the results. A 1/32-ounce jig is best followed up with the 1/16 ounce. Some days we use a bobber with this jig so that we can fish it slower and in a more stealth manner.
We will also rotate in a few spawning bluegill outings. By the time this hits print, the gills should be on the beds. We locate the beds using the side scan function on your graph. A colony of bluegill beds will look like an overlapping set of moon craters or overlapping saucers.
Bobbers and bluegill go hand in hand. With a bobber, your bait stays at the exact depth and precise spot that you pick. We use either a very small fly or a teardrop tipped with a wax worm, spike, or a sliver of a worm. Spawning gills are not picky about what they eat.
The old rubber/foam spider has caught more gills than any other lure. You can fish it with a fly rod, a spinning rod with a plastic casting float, or under a float with a small split shot.
One other cool technique is the split shot rig. One single number 7 split shot with a floating spider on the end worked very slowly over the bottom really hammers the fish. This is my favorite technique.
Most often we fish two rods, one with a float and some type of casting system on a second rod. Remember to visit Bob's Gun and Tackle Shop.
Zeeland Recreation Offers Nature and Birding Classes
Zeeland Recreation is offering a number of upcoming nature and art classes for kids and adults alike.
On Friday from 9 to 11 a.m., instructor Ria VanderKlok will offer a class on drawing birds in nature at the Upper Macatawa Natural Area. The class is open to those 14 years of age and up.
This class will guide you through the techniques needed to capture the elegance and detail of birds, while also getting to enjoy all the benefits of nature. The course will cover basic bird identification characteristics and then develop drawing techniques as participants sketch birds using photographs and real-life observation.
All artistic and bird watching skill levels are welcome. Cost for the class is $25 for residents and $40 for nonresidents.
A Birding For Beginners course will be offered this Saturday at 9 a.m., and also on May 31 and June 14 at the Upper Macatawa Natural Area.
Come explore the Upper Macatawa Natural Area with a naturalist guide and learn about the basics of bird watching, different bird species that inhabit these spaces, binocular techniques, and helpful tips to identify the birds we see.
The course is open to everyone 8 years old and up. All experience levels are welcome. The cost for the birding class is $15 for residents and $30 for nonresidents.
A Botanical Sketching in Nature class will be offered Friday, June 13 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Upper Macatawa Natural Area.
Perfect for artists and nature enthusiasts alike, this program combines field exploration with hands-on sketching. Participants will learn to observe and capture the intricate details of plants, flowers, and trees using a few fundamental sketching techniques. Whether you want to enhance your art skills or simply enjoy a peaceful outdoor activity, this program is for you.
The program is open to anyone 14 years and older. Cost for the class is $25 for residents and $40 for nonresidents.
Finally, a Watercolor In Nature course will be offered on Friday, July 11 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Upper Macatawa Natural Area.
Explore nature’s beauty while learning the techniques of watercolor painting. Participants will take to the trails of the natural area and paint what they see as they go. They will learn a few field sketching and watercolor techniques to help get what you notice onto your paper as we look closely, ask questions, and develop our skill of observing the world around us.
All supplies will be provided, and participants will go home with a watercolor journal, watercolor field kit and water brush. The course is open to anyone 14 years and older.
The Watercolor In Nature course costs $75 for residents and $90 for nonresidents.
For more information and to register, go to zps.org/z-recreation/youth/new-programs.
On Friday from 9 to 11 a.m., instructor Ria VanderKlok will offer a class on drawing birds in nature at the Upper Macatawa Natural Area. The class is open to those 14 years of age and up.
This class will guide you through the techniques needed to capture the elegance and detail of birds, while also getting to enjoy all the benefits of nature. The course will cover basic bird identification characteristics and then develop drawing techniques as participants sketch birds using photographs and real-life observation.
All artistic and bird watching skill levels are welcome. Cost for the class is $25 for residents and $40 for nonresidents.
A Birding For Beginners course will be offered this Saturday at 9 a.m., and also on May 31 and June 14 at the Upper Macatawa Natural Area.
Come explore the Upper Macatawa Natural Area with a naturalist guide and learn about the basics of bird watching, different bird species that inhabit these spaces, binocular techniques, and helpful tips to identify the birds we see.
The course is open to everyone 8 years old and up. All experience levels are welcome. The cost for the birding class is $15 for residents and $30 for nonresidents.
A Botanical Sketching in Nature class will be offered Friday, June 13 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Upper Macatawa Natural Area.
Perfect for artists and nature enthusiasts alike, this program combines field exploration with hands-on sketching. Participants will learn to observe and capture the intricate details of plants, flowers, and trees using a few fundamental sketching techniques. Whether you want to enhance your art skills or simply enjoy a peaceful outdoor activity, this program is for you.
The program is open to anyone 14 years and older. Cost for the class is $25 for residents and $40 for nonresidents.
Finally, a Watercolor In Nature course will be offered on Friday, July 11 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Upper Macatawa Natural Area.
Explore nature’s beauty while learning the techniques of watercolor painting. Participants will take to the trails of the natural area and paint what they see as they go. They will learn a few field sketching and watercolor techniques to help get what you notice onto your paper as we look closely, ask questions, and develop our skill of observing the world around us.
All supplies will be provided, and participants will go home with a watercolor journal, watercolor field kit and water brush. The course is open to anyone 14 years and older.
The Watercolor In Nature course costs $75 for residents and $90 for nonresidents.
For more information and to register, go to zps.org/z-recreation/youth/new-programs.
MSU Researcher to Study Tree Species Suited to Future Michigan Climates
A Michigan State University researcher has received a $500,000 grant from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to explore assisted tree migration as a way to protect the future productivity of Michigan forests.
Assisted migration is a process by which trees are intentionally moved within their native range or to new areas in which they are better suited.
The project is led by Jeremy Johnson, an assistant professor of forest genetics in the MSU Department of Forestry. He said that many of Michigan’s most important tree species, such as red pine, are at the southern end of their native ranges. As temperatures increase and precipitation becomes more unpredictable, these species may struggle to adjust.
In addition to his research role, Johnson serves as director of the Michigan Cooperative Tree Improvement Program (MichCoTIP).
Founded in 1974, MichCoTIP is a partnership among MSU, the DNR and the Michigan forest industries to genetically improve tree species for public and private stakeholders. Two species that have seen significant boosts through MichCoTIP efforts are the red pine and jack pine.
“There are important environmental and ecological reasons for increasing tree resilience and diversity,” Johnson said. “The ecosystem services trees provide are extremely important — carbon storage, air and water filtration, and creating wildlife habitat. To preserve Michigan forests, it may mean improving the genetics of our current species, but there may also be species present in more southern locations that could thrive here in the future.
“In addition to the environmental benefits, trees are also important economically to Michigan. The forest products industry relies on healthy populations of a variety of species, and as we see more unpredictable weather, we need to understand which ones are likely to thrive in the future.”
According to the DNR, the Michigan forest products industry directly or indirectly supports more than 90,000 jobs and generates roughly $26 billion in annual economic output.
For the new project, Johnson and his team will monitor how climate and soil type affect tree growth using a common garden model in which several tree species are grown together under the same conditions.
Six conifer species and American Chestnut were identified for planting at nine common gardens across Michigan. In the seed collection process, 50 families will be represented for each species.
Johnson said that for assisted migration to be most effective, the selected species must meet these criteria:
• Enough individuals from a species must be introduced to avoid depression from inbreeding.
• When possible, the trees must match the climates and competitive environments to which they’re being introduced.
• Testing must use species assemblages, not just single species.
Researchers will propagate the seeds in the MSU Tree Research Center greenhouses for up to two growing seasons, then transfer the seedlings to the common gardens.
The common garden locations represent three distinct climate regions — the western Upper Peninsula, northern Lower Peninsula and southern Lower Peninsula — and three site types — xeric (with very sandy, dry soils), dry mesic (with sandy, moderate-moisture soils) and mesic (with rich, moist soils).The team will assess height, diameter, phenology (recurring biological events) and survival in the first, third and fifth years after planting. After that, measurements will be taken every five years for the duration of the trials, roughly 20 years total.
Tree performance will be analyzed with statistical models using current and predicted climate data to determine the best matches for species and location.
Additionally, genomic sequences will be assessed to identify genes associated with adaptive traits that may allow trees to persist within the test environments. Johnson said the traits measured in the common gardens and the genomic data will be used to model patterns of maladaptation across the different species’ ranges to inform management goals.
The overall goal of the project is to inform the DNR on which species are able to withstand predicted future climate conditions, and how those trees perform important ecosystem functions and propel the Michigan forest industries forward.
“Tree improvement has focused historically on biomass production, which is growing big trees as quickly as possible and harvesting them for timber,” Johnson said. “However, the broader need now is ecological and climate-based. Weather is getting more unpredictable, and there are new and enduring pests and pathogens, so there is a lot of stress on trees. We need to focus on which trees can stay on the landscape long term because they’re adaptable.”
Johnson’s work is supported in part by MSU AgBioResearch and the Partnership for Ecosystem Research and Management (PERM). PERM is a joint effort between MSU and the MDNR to address chronic and emerging threats to Michigan’s wildlife and natural resources.
Assisted migration is a process by which trees are intentionally moved within their native range or to new areas in which they are better suited.
The project is led by Jeremy Johnson, an assistant professor of forest genetics in the MSU Department of Forestry. He said that many of Michigan’s most important tree species, such as red pine, are at the southern end of their native ranges. As temperatures increase and precipitation becomes more unpredictable, these species may struggle to adjust.
In addition to his research role, Johnson serves as director of the Michigan Cooperative Tree Improvement Program (MichCoTIP).
Founded in 1974, MichCoTIP is a partnership among MSU, the DNR and the Michigan forest industries to genetically improve tree species for public and private stakeholders. Two species that have seen significant boosts through MichCoTIP efforts are the red pine and jack pine.
“There are important environmental and ecological reasons for increasing tree resilience and diversity,” Johnson said. “The ecosystem services trees provide are extremely important — carbon storage, air and water filtration, and creating wildlife habitat. To preserve Michigan forests, it may mean improving the genetics of our current species, but there may also be species present in more southern locations that could thrive here in the future.
“In addition to the environmental benefits, trees are also important economically to Michigan. The forest products industry relies on healthy populations of a variety of species, and as we see more unpredictable weather, we need to understand which ones are likely to thrive in the future.”
According to the DNR, the Michigan forest products industry directly or indirectly supports more than 90,000 jobs and generates roughly $26 billion in annual economic output.
For the new project, Johnson and his team will monitor how climate and soil type affect tree growth using a common garden model in which several tree species are grown together under the same conditions.
Six conifer species and American Chestnut were identified for planting at nine common gardens across Michigan. In the seed collection process, 50 families will be represented for each species.
Johnson said that for assisted migration to be most effective, the selected species must meet these criteria:
• Enough individuals from a species must be introduced to avoid depression from inbreeding.
• When possible, the trees must match the climates and competitive environments to which they’re being introduced.
• Testing must use species assemblages, not just single species.
Researchers will propagate the seeds in the MSU Tree Research Center greenhouses for up to two growing seasons, then transfer the seedlings to the common gardens.
The common garden locations represent three distinct climate regions — the western Upper Peninsula, northern Lower Peninsula and southern Lower Peninsula — and three site types — xeric (with very sandy, dry soils), dry mesic (with sandy, moderate-moisture soils) and mesic (with rich, moist soils).The team will assess height, diameter, phenology (recurring biological events) and survival in the first, third and fifth years after planting. After that, measurements will be taken every five years for the duration of the trials, roughly 20 years total.
Tree performance will be analyzed with statistical models using current and predicted climate data to determine the best matches for species and location.
Additionally, genomic sequences will be assessed to identify genes associated with adaptive traits that may allow trees to persist within the test environments. Johnson said the traits measured in the common gardens and the genomic data will be used to model patterns of maladaptation across the different species’ ranges to inform management goals.
The overall goal of the project is to inform the DNR on which species are able to withstand predicted future climate conditions, and how those trees perform important ecosystem functions and propel the Michigan forest industries forward.
“Tree improvement has focused historically on biomass production, which is growing big trees as quickly as possible and harvesting them for timber,” Johnson said. “However, the broader need now is ecological and climate-based. Weather is getting more unpredictable, and there are new and enduring pests and pathogens, so there is a lot of stress on trees. We need to focus on which trees can stay on the landscape long term because they’re adaptable.”
Johnson’s work is supported in part by MSU AgBioResearch and the Partnership for Ecosystem Research and Management (PERM). PERM is a joint effort between MSU and the MDNR to address chronic and emerging threats to Michigan’s wildlife and natural resources.
Outdoor Truths
By Gary Miller
Tim introduced Jonathon and I to sight fishing last year, during a crappie fishing trip. Then, we only used that method for a few hours.
This year’s trip was two days of this technique. And after those two days, we had nearly 100 fish in our cooler.
While sight fishing has a few nuances, our method was to use the fishing-finding equipment on the boat to locate underwater structures and to identify the crappies on those structures. Once we identified them, we would cast our bait and watch for the fish to follow and eventually (hopefully) take the bait. After we fished that area out, we simply moved to the next fish-filled configuration and did it again.
Sight fishing with high-tech equipment is another way fishing has evolved. It’s no longer sit and wait or troll and hope, but it’s fishing with the most amount of certainty that a fisherman can have.
And while there is still no guarantee the fish will be hungry, or will want my particular offering, or even that I’ll be able to set the hook properly; this approach is as certain as it gets. Just go by sight.
And I’m thinking all along how this is just the opposite of faith.
Many people fail to understand how faith works. It has both components of evidence and no evidence. It contains the aspect of knowing and not knowing. The part that we don’t understand is thinking that faith requires no evidence. But it does.
The evidence we have throughout all the Bible, is that God asks his people to live by faith. And there’s a lot of evidence for that. That means we are to live our lives trusting Him and what He says and not trusting what we see.
There are many reasons for this plan. One is that since we will always live our life trusting in something or someone, God wants us therefore to trust Him. Another is that while none of our senses can always be trusted, the faith walk doesn’t focus mainly on what we see, but on what we hear. It depends on the ears more than the eyes. That is, we are to act on what God has said, not on what we may see or feel.
Faith is more about praying than planning. It’s Jesus telling the disciples to cast their net on the other said, and them doing it without evidence of any fish. It’s God telling us where to fish when we can’t see under the water, and where to walk when we can’t see past our next step. And like the disciples, our success will come as we act on what He says and not on what we see.
So, in your decisions, are you spending more time looking or listening? Calculating or communicating? Planning or praying? Don’t be concerned about whether God can. Find out if He will. Because if it’s His will, it’s His bill.
—————
Gary Miller has written Outdoor Truths articles for 21 years. He has also written five books which include compilations of his articles and a father/son devotional. He also speaks at wild-game dinners and men’s events for churches and associations. Write to him at gary@outdoor-truths.org.
Tim introduced Jonathon and I to sight fishing last year, during a crappie fishing trip. Then, we only used that method for a few hours.
This year’s trip was two days of this technique. And after those two days, we had nearly 100 fish in our cooler.
While sight fishing has a few nuances, our method was to use the fishing-finding equipment on the boat to locate underwater structures and to identify the crappies on those structures. Once we identified them, we would cast our bait and watch for the fish to follow and eventually (hopefully) take the bait. After we fished that area out, we simply moved to the next fish-filled configuration and did it again.
Sight fishing with high-tech equipment is another way fishing has evolved. It’s no longer sit and wait or troll and hope, but it’s fishing with the most amount of certainty that a fisherman can have.
And while there is still no guarantee the fish will be hungry, or will want my particular offering, or even that I’ll be able to set the hook properly; this approach is as certain as it gets. Just go by sight.
And I’m thinking all along how this is just the opposite of faith.
Many people fail to understand how faith works. It has both components of evidence and no evidence. It contains the aspect of knowing and not knowing. The part that we don’t understand is thinking that faith requires no evidence. But it does.
The evidence we have throughout all the Bible, is that God asks his people to live by faith. And there’s a lot of evidence for that. That means we are to live our lives trusting Him and what He says and not trusting what we see.
There are many reasons for this plan. One is that since we will always live our life trusting in something or someone, God wants us therefore to trust Him. Another is that while none of our senses can always be trusted, the faith walk doesn’t focus mainly on what we see, but on what we hear. It depends on the ears more than the eyes. That is, we are to act on what God has said, not on what we may see or feel.
Faith is more about praying than planning. It’s Jesus telling the disciples to cast their net on the other said, and them doing it without evidence of any fish. It’s God telling us where to fish when we can’t see under the water, and where to walk when we can’t see past our next step. And like the disciples, our success will come as we act on what He says and not on what we see.
So, in your decisions, are you spending more time looking or listening? Calculating or communicating? Planning or praying? Don’t be concerned about whether God can. Find out if He will. Because if it’s His will, it’s His bill.
—————
Gary Miller has written Outdoor Truths articles for 21 years. He has also written five books which include compilations of his articles and a father/son devotional. He also speaks at wild-game dinners and men’s events for churches and associations. Write to him at gary@outdoor-truths.org.
Boost Your Outdoor Enjoyment by Managing Ticks and Mosquitos
Time spent outdoors doesn’t have to be ruined by ticks and mosquitos.
Photo courtesy Melinda Myers
By Melinda Myers
Summer is synonymous with fun outdoor activities like barbeques, lawn games, hikes, and gardening. But it can also mean unwanted pests like mosquitoes and ticks. Employing a few preventative strategies can help minimize the annoyance and reduce the risk of tick- and mosquito-borne diseases.
Start by creating a landscape that is less inviting to mosquitoes and ticks. Reduce mosquitoes’ daytime resting spaces by keeping your garden weeded. Removing weeds and managing neglected garden spaces will make your landscape less inviting to these pests.
Evaluate drainage patterns in your landscape. Improve drainage by amending the soil in garden beds with organic matter. Consider adding a rain garden to capture water run-off from the roof and hard surfaces, putting it to work in a garden filled with beautiful flowers for you and pollinators to enjoy. Water collected in these gardens drains within 24 to 36 hours and doesn’t provide a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
Drain water from toys, buckets or any object that can hold water and serve as a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Clear debris from gutters so the water flows freely through the gutter and out the downspout.
Change the water in birdbaths at least once a week. Make it part of your routine whenever you water container gardens. Or you can install a small pump to keep the water moving, which prevents mosquito breeding.
Toss a Mosquito Dunk (SummitResponsibleSolutions.com)) in birdbaths, rain barrels and water features. This certified organic insecticide only kills the larvae of mosquitoes, black flies, and fungus gnats. It won’t harm bees, butterflies, birds, pets and people.
Help reduce the tick population in your landscape by keeping the grass mowed and removing brush, groundcovers, firewood piles, and bird feeders near your home or where your family frequents.
Consider creating a tick-safe area where your family frequents, and limit time spent in tick-infested areas. Widen pathways, properly prune trees to increase light, exclude deer, and discourage rodents to reduce the risk of exposure. Place children’s swing sets away from the woods and cover the soil with woodchip mulch. Eliminate invasive barberry, honeysuckle, and buckthorn that create a tick-friendly habitat.
Wear light-colored clothing to more easily spot ticks before they move onto your skin. Loose fitting, light-colored clothing is also less attractive to mosquitoes. Wear long pants and tuck them into socks and tuck your shirt into your pants. Ticks often gain access through pant legs or shirttails and crawl up, looking for a place to settle in and feed.
Consider spraying your clothing with an insecticide labeled for repelling and killing ticks and mosquitoes. Select an insecticide spray like Summit Green Armor Insect Repellent labeled for use on clothing.
Read and follow label directions and let your clothing dry before wearing it.
Remove and check your clothing for ticks anytime you have been outdoors. Showering within two hours of spending time outdoors can greatly reduce your risk of Lyme and possibly other tick-borne diseases. Always conduct a tick check, paying special attention to your underarms, belly button, in and around your ears, hair, behind your knees and around your waist.
Keep mosquitoes away when hosting a party, gardening, or relaxing outdoors. Use a fan to create a gentle breeze that keeps weak-flying mosquitoes away from you and your guests. Some gardeners even take a small fan into the garden while weeding.
Citronella oil and scented candles have some mosquito-repelling properties. Scatter the candles in outdoor spaces within a few feet where family and friends gather for some short-term relief.
A combination of these strategies will help minimize your exposure to these biting insects so you can better enjoy the outdoors this summer.
—————
Melinda Myers has written more than 20 gardening books, including the Midwest Gardener’s Handbook, 2nd Edition and Small Space Gardening. She hosts The Great Courses “How to Grow Anything” instant
video and DVD series and the nationally syndicated Melinda’s Garden Moment TV & radio program. Myers is a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine and was commissioned by Summit for her expertise to write this article. Myers’ website is www.MelindaMyers.com.
Summer is synonymous with fun outdoor activities like barbeques, lawn games, hikes, and gardening. But it can also mean unwanted pests like mosquitoes and ticks. Employing a few preventative strategies can help minimize the annoyance and reduce the risk of tick- and mosquito-borne diseases.
Start by creating a landscape that is less inviting to mosquitoes and ticks. Reduce mosquitoes’ daytime resting spaces by keeping your garden weeded. Removing weeds and managing neglected garden spaces will make your landscape less inviting to these pests.
Evaluate drainage patterns in your landscape. Improve drainage by amending the soil in garden beds with organic matter. Consider adding a rain garden to capture water run-off from the roof and hard surfaces, putting it to work in a garden filled with beautiful flowers for you and pollinators to enjoy. Water collected in these gardens drains within 24 to 36 hours and doesn’t provide a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
Drain water from toys, buckets or any object that can hold water and serve as a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Clear debris from gutters so the water flows freely through the gutter and out the downspout.
Change the water in birdbaths at least once a week. Make it part of your routine whenever you water container gardens. Or you can install a small pump to keep the water moving, which prevents mosquito breeding.
Toss a Mosquito Dunk (SummitResponsibleSolutions.com)) in birdbaths, rain barrels and water features. This certified organic insecticide only kills the larvae of mosquitoes, black flies, and fungus gnats. It won’t harm bees, butterflies, birds, pets and people.
Help reduce the tick population in your landscape by keeping the grass mowed and removing brush, groundcovers, firewood piles, and bird feeders near your home or where your family frequents.
Consider creating a tick-safe area where your family frequents, and limit time spent in tick-infested areas. Widen pathways, properly prune trees to increase light, exclude deer, and discourage rodents to reduce the risk of exposure. Place children’s swing sets away from the woods and cover the soil with woodchip mulch. Eliminate invasive barberry, honeysuckle, and buckthorn that create a tick-friendly habitat.
Wear light-colored clothing to more easily spot ticks before they move onto your skin. Loose fitting, light-colored clothing is also less attractive to mosquitoes. Wear long pants and tuck them into socks and tuck your shirt into your pants. Ticks often gain access through pant legs or shirttails and crawl up, looking for a place to settle in and feed.
Consider spraying your clothing with an insecticide labeled for repelling and killing ticks and mosquitoes. Select an insecticide spray like Summit Green Armor Insect Repellent labeled for use on clothing.
Read and follow label directions and let your clothing dry before wearing it.
Remove and check your clothing for ticks anytime you have been outdoors. Showering within two hours of spending time outdoors can greatly reduce your risk of Lyme and possibly other tick-borne diseases. Always conduct a tick check, paying special attention to your underarms, belly button, in and around your ears, hair, behind your knees and around your waist.
Keep mosquitoes away when hosting a party, gardening, or relaxing outdoors. Use a fan to create a gentle breeze that keeps weak-flying mosquitoes away from you and your guests. Some gardeners even take a small fan into the garden while weeding.
Citronella oil and scented candles have some mosquito-repelling properties. Scatter the candles in outdoor spaces within a few feet where family and friends gather for some short-term relief.
A combination of these strategies will help minimize your exposure to these biting insects so you can better enjoy the outdoors this summer.
—————
Melinda Myers has written more than 20 gardening books, including the Midwest Gardener’s Handbook, 2nd Edition and Small Space Gardening. She hosts The Great Courses “How to Grow Anything” instant
video and DVD series and the nationally syndicated Melinda’s Garden Moment TV & radio program. Myers is a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine and was commissioned by Summit for her expertise to write this article. Myers’ website is www.MelindaMyers.com.
Ever Wish You Could Get Paid to Fish?
Well, don’t quit your day job, but do get out on the water this summer for the Midwest Walleye Challenge. You’ll have the chance to win cash prizes and provide useful information to fisheries biologists.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is partnering with MyCatch by Angler’s Atlas on a statewide walleye fishing challenge that includes all inland waters in the state. The challenge runs through June 29.
As part of the challenge, anglers report their catches of walleye and their fishing trips in the MyCatch mobile app. The app uses anonymous location data, so your best fishing spots stay secret, while Michigan DNR fisheries biologists get valuable information - generalized lake and river catch data entered via the app - to better assess and manage walleye populations.
"We're excited to continue to work with our anglers to learn more about our walleye populations during the second year of the Midwest Walleye Challenge participation,” said Seth Herbst, manager of the DNR Fisheries Division’s Research Section. "We have hundreds of waters in the state that we manage for walleye, but the combination of those vast waters and limited staffing resources results in an inability to monitor walleye populations status as intensively as we would like.
Herbst said that the challenge provides a unique opportunity for anglers to assist with walleye conservation efforts in Michigan and provide critical information on fishing effort and catch that the DNR would otherwise not have.
“We are particularly excited to learn whether our walleye stocking efforts are resulting in successful trips for anglers. The more anglers participate in this challenge, the more informed we’ll be when making management decisions,” he said.
This year’s challenge includes several states across the Midwest as part of a larger fisheries research project. States participating in and promoting the challenge include Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Nebraska and South Dakota.
Michigan anglers compete only against Michigan anglers for biweekly prizes, as well as grand prize drawings at the end of the event. Full details about prizes and qualifications are available on the prizes tab of the main event webpage.
Participants must pay a $25 fee to register, which qualifies them for prizes, including cash payouts. New for this year, registrants will receive a unique referral code to share with others, and prizes will be awarded for referrals.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is partnering with MyCatch by Angler’s Atlas on a statewide walleye fishing challenge that includes all inland waters in the state. The challenge runs through June 29.
As part of the challenge, anglers report their catches of walleye and their fishing trips in the MyCatch mobile app. The app uses anonymous location data, so your best fishing spots stay secret, while Michigan DNR fisheries biologists get valuable information - generalized lake and river catch data entered via the app - to better assess and manage walleye populations.
"We're excited to continue to work with our anglers to learn more about our walleye populations during the second year of the Midwest Walleye Challenge participation,” said Seth Herbst, manager of the DNR Fisheries Division’s Research Section. "We have hundreds of waters in the state that we manage for walleye, but the combination of those vast waters and limited staffing resources results in an inability to monitor walleye populations status as intensively as we would like.
Herbst said that the challenge provides a unique opportunity for anglers to assist with walleye conservation efforts in Michigan and provide critical information on fishing effort and catch that the DNR would otherwise not have.
“We are particularly excited to learn whether our walleye stocking efforts are resulting in successful trips for anglers. The more anglers participate in this challenge, the more informed we’ll be when making management decisions,” he said.
This year’s challenge includes several states across the Midwest as part of a larger fisheries research project. States participating in and promoting the challenge include Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Nebraska and South Dakota.
Michigan anglers compete only against Michigan anglers for biweekly prizes, as well as grand prize drawings at the end of the event. Full details about prizes and qualifications are available on the prizes tab of the main event webpage.
Participants must pay a $25 fee to register, which qualifies them for prizes, including cash payouts. New for this year, registrants will receive a unique referral code to share with others, and prizes will be awarded for referrals.
