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By Louie Stout
Do You Like Catching Indiana Muskies? Thank Mark Zeak
When Mark Zeak opened the Tribune to the sports section last November, a big smile spread across his face.
Pictured with this column was Mason Alvarado with a 32-pound muskie caught from the St. Joseph River.
“I helped start this whole muskie thing in Indiana many years ago,” said the 72-year-old Mishawaka resident.
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By Louie Stout
As we inch farther into spring weather, fishing conditions improve with each warmer day.
In fact, today would be a good day to get out as it’s a free fishing day in Indiana for residents only. That means you won’t need a license (today only).
Although the steelhead run is winding down, there are still plenty of fish in the St. Joseph River. Coho, lake trout and kings are being caught by boaters and some pier anglers on Lake Michigan between East Chicago and St. Joseph, Mich.
And while the crappie spawning season is tailing off, bluegills are starting to get active between the shallows and the nearest drop-off. The muskie lakes are producing and some big bass are being caught as they move around on spawning flats.
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By Louie Stout
Heddon Legacy a Big Part of Michiana History
Michiana has had a hand in the making of America in so many different ways, including some fishing tackle as we know it today.
Legend has it that at the turn of the 1900s, James Heddon was carving a stick along the banks of Millpond Lake just east of Dowagiac. When he threw a sliver of wood into the water, a big bass surfaced and inhaled it.
That gave Heddon the idea to create a topwater lure because, at that time, nearly all fishing lures ran underwater. He went home and created the “Dowagiac Expert” that quickly popularized topwater fishing.
Heddon, who was more interested in fishing than owning a business, turned the job over to his son Charles who went on to build a lure manufacturing company that became one of the largest in the world.
For that and many other reasons, it was announced last week that James Heddon will be inducted into the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mo. this September.
James HeddonAlthough the company was sold multiple times and is currently owned by PRADCO in Fort Smith, Ark., many of Heddon’s creations continue to sell well today.
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By Louie Stout
Gov. Whitmer’s Fishing Ban Makes No Sense
Ford Wolkins turned five this week. That’s him posing with a fish with his dad Floyd, who is laid off due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Like most five year olds, he doesn’t completely understand all of this fuss about the virus, but he’s loved having his dad home because they can fish together a lot.
Well, that is, until last week.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer put an end to that when she announced she was prohibiting fishing from motorboats. Oh, you can go fishing, but only from a canoe, kayak or rowboat.
The Wolkins, who live in Union, Mich., fish from a 16-foot Sylvan fishing boat that is a lot safer and much easier to maneuver on Michiana waters.
Like most Michiana anglers, Floyd fished alone or with his son. Prior to last weekend, he and others could escape the negative news and crisis facing America by spending time on the water.
With family or simply by fishing alone.