-A Compilation from the “Chambers Flashbacks” Mini Series- If you’ve ever been to a WGD hunting camp, you may be familiar with the name Ross Chambers, affectionately known as Palley. Though a highly skilled guide, Ross is also known for providing comedic relief in camp from time to time. The cost of admission to his show? It will cost you a highball! But perhaps most entertaining is the legend of Ross himself, as he and his antics become the stuff of lore! Countless stories have been shared over the years. While researching for content for … Read More
Opening Day 2026
For all the hunters out there, I’m not referring to Bear, Deer or even Turkey Season, though those are important openers, too. The first thing that comes to my mind when thinking about opening day is something I’ve never been to on that glorious first day… a Tiger Baseball game. But for the first time I did partake in the first day of U-pick strawberry season at AJs in Lachine. It was June 16 and my day started early, awakened by God before my alarm clock sounded. It was 47 degrees when I departed at … Read More
Failure to Launch
We’ve had the privilege to observe a family of Eastern Phoebe from close range over the past month. We were impressed with the paternal as well as the maternal role in providing for their young, first in preparing their home, then the gestation period. Before long, they hatched a set of triplets. My, they grow quickly, as the parents look on, providing their nourishment, watching out for their safety. But there comes a day, as in the human world, when it’s time to leave the nest. As they began to practically overflow from their dwelling … Read More
I Am the One Percent
So far, I’ve had no success in the trout stream yet this year. My outings have been limited by a knee injury from which I’m gradually recovering with a little rest and TLC after an active weekend with two of our Yooper granddaughters. Oh, what fun and memories, despite some occasional lingering signs of aging. But enough about that. We’re talking about fishing here. Why the title of this article? On the day of my most recent outing, I was more cognizant of the weather as I carefully planned my trip to the stream, in … Read More
Mad Woman Across the Water
Have you ever fished in such uncomfortable circumstances that most in your life would consider you mad for exposing yourself to such extremes? Maybe it didn’t start out that way, but somewhere along the line, you crossed the line of rationality? That happened to us, more specifically me, with my husband as an almost hostile accomplice. We went camping on Muskallonge Lake in Michigan’s upper peninsula with high hopes of indulging in some of Michigan’s finest fishing… his idea. It was late June. We’d read about the famous Two Hearted River that Ernest Hemingway wrote … Read More
IT IS WELL WITH MY POLE -The Spiritual Side of Fishing-
Stream time is sacred, an opportunity to commune with nature. This has always been God’s plan for us. Check out the Bible, Genesis 1:20 And God said, “Let the water teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the vault of the sky.” 21 So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living thing with which the water teems and that moves about in it, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. Mankind has enjoyed the … Read More
ALL IN THE FAMILY -Turkey Trifecta 2026-
Nothing brings family together like traditions. When that tradition includes an interlude with nature, especially where hunting is involved, lifelong bonds are strengthened. This spring, during the opening week of Turkey Season, there was much to celebrate when 3 generations from the same family each tagged a tom. First up was the patriarch of the family, Richard Compeau, age 85. This was actually his first turkey, though his hunting experience of other wildlife has been an important part of his life from his early years. On this day, Richard was sitting in a tent blind … Read More
THE ICE STORM OF ‘25 -ONE YEAR LATER-
The historic ice storm of ‘25 is behind us, but what are the lingering effects one year later? The effects are still a visible spectacle in many areas. What seemed less evident during the flourishing summer months when the deciduous trees were full with their yearly display of leaves would prove to be a ruse. As these leaves dropped in their usual fashion, having served as a masquerade of sorts, especially once winter was in full swing, the ugly truth was exposed as the inner ruins of the forests stood before us. Once spring arrives, … Read More
THE LONG WINTER AND NATURE’S CONSEQUENCES
As residents of Michigan, we are no strangers to what winter weather entails. Some years are more difficult than others. It seems that weather can be rather cyclic in nature. Remember the blizzard of 1978? Those who were there sure do. Record snow and high winds throughout the state caused consecutive snow days, remembered fondly by those who were school age at the time. I remember me and my brother being tasked with going to town, 7 miles one way, to pick up groceries for our family on our Alouette snowmobile, something we was more … Read More
TICKS AND LYME DISEASE – “Once Bitten, Twice Shy”
Enjoying the great outdoors is so beneficial to our emotional and physical health. But how might those feel who’ve fallen victim to the effects of Lyme disease? We’re going to take a deep dive into this important topic. It seems the occurrence is on the rise, though that may well be due to better diagnostics. For many years, diagnosing this disease would prove to be quite difficult leading to missed or delayed treatment, leaving many victims suffering with the long-term effects of what can be a devastating disease. We would later learn that Lyme disease … Read More