The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

orts Pags6 Fletcher Pond offers a variety of fi h for mid-winter anglers Located just southeast of Hillman, Fletcher Pond is a fair drive for Alpena residents, but can pay off well even in the dead of winter. The pond is a 19,000 acre flooded portion of the Thunder Bay River and Alpena a v e r a g e s Outdoors about 4-6 feet in depth, with the deepest part of the old river channel reaching a mere 9 feet. During the Chris Engle early and mid summer months, bass and pike fishing is prime, as well as excellent panfish catching. The lake doesn't slow down for the winter, though, and can even provide a more exciting day of fishing. Over the past few years, an invasive seaweed species known as the Eurasian Milfoil, spread to the Great Lakes area via freighters, and has taken its grip on local lakes. The weed species is notorious for choking entire lakes with weeds within just a few years of its introduction to the water body, and is closely monitored by the Michigan DNR. Fletcher Pond has been infected with this species, but so far the local fishermen (and fish) have experienced mostly positive effects of the weeds. :Brian Ferguson, of Jack's Landing, said that fish numbers have increased tenfold, along with increases in fish size and weight, due to the extra cover and shelter.the growing weed beds provide. However, in the late summer, the weeds become so thick that the surface of the lake becomes covered and boaters must clear the weeds from their propellers frequently while moving from one fishing spot to the next. Fishing itself becomes nearly impossible, since the weeds don't allow any lures to pass through without gathering weed mass. During the winter, the weeds die and collapse to the bottom, still providing shelter to baitfish and panfish but also allowing a clear view for fishermen of the bottom of the lake from the ice. Fishermen looking fm a variety of fish can expect to catch six or more different species, ranging from the pond's famous northern pike and largemouth bass to more enjoyable fare for kids like crappie and bluegill. By focusing on specific fishing methods, fishermen can target certain species. Many fishermen prefer to try for one of many monster pike the pond produces each year, which often reach over 40 inches in length. Do this by using tip-ups with heavy line and large minnows such as sucker chubs on treble hooks. Some prefer using fish decoys made of wood to lure the massive fish in, and then Bill Bauer shows off a 38" Northern Pike he caught during a recent tournament on Fletcher Pond (photo courtesy Jack's Landing) dropping large baits down for with five feet of line tied to the the pike to grab. Both end will workjustfine; and is methods are exciting and great entertainment for little productive. kids. Those seeking smaller, but Public access to Fletcher no less exciting game like Pond is located 5 ½ miles panfish,uselightlinewithsmall down Jack's Landing Rd. teardrops tipped with from M-32, just east of wigglers or waxworms, and Hillman. If you have children either an ultralight rod or small interested in fishing, or you bobber to make it easy to just want to tie into a master detect the bite. Fishing for angler pike of your own, give panfish requires the least this pond a try-you certainly technology- a wooden dowel won't be bored. Merging trails would benefit Alpena, businesses Continued from page 5 their recreational fun." north side of Alpena. ability to retain jobs in the "The County and City need Although this trail is still Alpena area," he said. "This to do their part to get tourism undergoing many finalization could lead to less layoffs in Alpena, and b'ring stages, Olin Joynton, during the winter due to the snowmobilersint6Alpena, so President of Alpena lack of business and tourism they are able to see what Community College, is very throughout the area." Alpena has to offer. Not drive open to having the trai.1 come Not only would businesses the snowmobilers elsewhere across the ACC campus. have the potential to grow, but for their recreational winter "ACC wants to agree to the local riders would not have to fun," said Eller. trail using the college property trailertheirmachinessofarto The most promising route on Wilson St., and get to a trail, spending their discussed would connect the Woodward Ave, but the money elsewhere on hotels trails corning out by Best Board of Trustees has the andmeals.Theconnectortrail Western on M-32, going finalsayontheissue." would allow snowmobilers to down Bagley St. across the The college has their lawyer take a trail and come in from bridge, down Genshaw Rd., reviewing any legality issues, Hillman, or even as far north then out to Golf Course Rd. especially in the worst case as Mackinaw City. Residents Under this proposed trail, scenarios that could cause the of Rogers City could also ride snowmobilers would then be college any unnecessary a trail close to home and able to connect with the trail lawsuits. Once the lawyer come into Alpena.for a day to go north on US 23. An produces her report, it will go trip forlunch or dinner. idea for an off shoot of the back to the Board of "The county and city need trail would allow Trustees and they will make to do their part to get tourism snowmobilers to come down their final decision based on in Alpena, and bring Woodward Ave. by Pied thereport. snowmobilersintoAlpena,so Piper and the baseball "TheAlpenaSnowmobile they are able to see what diamonds, to the railroad Association may need to post Alpena has to offer," Eller crossing and the power line. signs at least at the beginning added, "not drive the This would then allow and the end of the trail, and snowmobilers elsewhere for snowmobilers access to the possibly periodically throughout the trail stating that the trail is for snowmobile use only to reduce any legality issues," Joynton said. "There may be a need to produce a separate trail for winter walkers and skiers at some point." The snowmobile recreation group in Alpena is the only group whom does not ask for funds from the city or the county to fund their sport. The Alpena Snowmobile Association owns a large groomer for Alpena and they groom and maintain trails around the area without financial help from either the city or county. The long-term goal of the city is to allow snowmobilers access to downtown businesses. Some. issues that have come up have been the thought of trespassing on private property. Eller commented that for as long as he has been a member of the Alpena Snowmobile Association, trespassing has never been an issue. Also, if residents are concerned about noise during the evening hours, the city could put a curfew and speed limit that all snowmobilers will have to follow. "I am a snowmobiler and live in the city of Alpena. It just makes sense to have a trail so close to my home, therefore I wouldn't have to trailer my machine the two miles it takes to get onto a trail now just for a day trip," said local resident and ACC student Ashley Wedge. Alpena County can benefit from this trail, local businesses could also grow, and snowmobile enthusiasts would not have to trailer their sleds so far to find a trail. Not only would the snowmobilers benefit for the three months of good riding that Michigan has, but the other nine months, _the trail could be opened to walkers and bikers, and still be maintained by the Alpena Snowmobile Association. "Dork Brothers" continue u ique Alpena tradition Continued from page 5 Lake. The Dork Brothers not only organize athletic events, but also have stories of personal victory. As a college student, Gentry smoked cigarettes and made several unsuccessful attempts to quit. He wasn't able to stop until he was introduced to a book entitled The Joy of Running by Dr. Theodore Kastarabula. "The best medicine is to quit smoking and the best motivation for that is regular exercise. You give it thirty minutes a day for thirty days and then you make your decision to quit," Gentry said. He hasn't smoked since. "I was overweight and also smoked," says Mischley, but states that he overcame those with regular exercise. The area's road races have evolved over the years but still attract families and individuals of all ages and walks oflife. Families and seniors have ihcreased over the years in part due to the inclusion of a walking race. The 12-22 year age group and the over 35 The "Dorks" in the earlier years (photo courtesy Mike Gartner) crowd have the greatest reduction, some for weight numbers and stronges_t loss and others for health competition. However, reasons. Still others, like "there is a huge void in the. fellow Dork Brother, 23-35 age group", Gentry Wayne Christopherson, says with resignation. The come for the friendships. "I reasons for their absence am always in favor of the are probably as varied as smaller races where there is their reasons for return. camaraderie and a chance Some return for stress to talk to each other," he says. "Running isn't something you do, it's a way of life. Once you start to do it, it's like brushing your teeth. It becomes automatic and becomes part of who you are," Gentry co1nments. His yearly mileage peaked at 4,000 and currently runs at 1,400. When asked how best to combat Northeast Michigan's cold weather, Gentry replies with a Norwegian saying, "There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing." Fsbruary I. 2006 In tile Hal/Ways: SPORTS mlTION What is your prediction for the Super Bowl? "Patriots 21-10." - Jenny Black "Eagles 21-10." - Becky Witter "I don't even know who's playing." - Julie Penn "Ninja's will rain down and do backflips." -Brent Champagne "The Patriots will win." - ErinnKane "Of course the Patriots are gonna win. They'll win by 20, at least." - Travis Morasky