Ashland – More than just a great place to fish
Part of the “work” each week keeping this website stocked with new information from throughout Wisconsin and preparing our bi-monthly print paper for publication is working with people like Candace Ferguson from the Ashland Chamber of Commerce; our very own information pipeline. Candace sends us photos and reports like clockwork, utilizing as sources the guides who work Chequamegon Bay or other area water, but she also lets us know that Ashland offers far more than just a great place to fish. That’s important if our cover story on Chequamegon Bay’s trophy smallmouth in the May-June issue may have got your own engine going, but you have a family who may not think time on the water defines the ideal vacation.
This beautiful smallie was caught during the first week in May on Chequamegon Bay. Just remember that these fish grow big and old and it's a good thing to handle them properly, advises Luke Kavajecz, guide with Ashland’s Anglers All. “Some smallmouth in the bay will grow to be 22 years old,” he added. (Photo by Luke Kavajecz, Anglers All)
“Although the Chequamegon Bay area is certainly known for its world-class smallmouth bass fishing, there is plenty to experience and enjoy even if your particular passion in life isn’t hauling in a trophy fish,” Candace writes. “Ashland is home to a full-service, 121-slip marina, conveniently located in the center of town. While the anglers in your party head out on the world’s largest freshwater lake in search of musky, trout, salmon or walleye, you can explore our unique shops, galleries and specialty stores where you’ll find everything from local delicacies and gourmet delights, to outdoor gear, vintage clothing and fine art. Ashland also offers a wide variety of mouthwatering mealtime choices.”
“Grab a quick bite to eat before venturing out to sightsee or savor a candlelit dinner on the pristine shores of Chequamegon Bay. Gather local organic treats and artisan breads and cheeses for a picnic in the northwoods. Check out one of Ashland’s locally-owned eateries for home-cooked specialties or sip an award-winning craft-brewed beer with your meal. And with charming B&Bs, rustic cottages, fine hotels and family-owned motels, you’ll find just the right lodging establishment in Ashland to fit your family’s needs.”
Candace also recommends taking a fascinating stroll through Ashland’s rich history by touring the city’s colorful downtown murals, each highlighting a particular aspect of Ashland’s past, with subjects ranging from the city’s lumberjacks and military veterans to its railroads, old-time storefronts and recently demolished ore dock.
“Since painting their first historic Ashland mural in 1998 as part of the state’s sesquicentennial celebration, northern Wisconsin artists Kelly Meredith and Sue Prentice Martinsen have conceived and created more than a dozen vibrant murals throughout this storied city nestled on the shores of Lake Superior,” said Candace. “Thanks to the efforts of those two talented artists and the support of the entire community, in 2005 Ashland achieved the distinction of “Historic Mural Capital of Wisconsin,” making the city a year-round public art destination.”
Self-guided Mural Walk Tour brochures are available at the Ashland Area Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 746, 1716 W. Lake Shore Drive, Ashland, WI 54806; or by calling 1-800-284-9484. Check out www.visitashland.com for additional mural information and history.
Although we gave fishing a temporary back seat here, you can’t keep a good thing down for too long. If you have not fished Chequamegon Bay, make plans to do so. In 10 trips on the hardwater and open water, with guides and friends I have targeted everything from lawyer (seriously as fine a tasting fish as Wisconsin offers…don’t laugh, try this) to sturgeon, with the huge smallmouth, walleyes, and lake trout of winter among my favorites. You will find weekly fishing reports and photos from Candace Ferguson every week on this website under Inland Fishing and Reports.
Take advantage of Candace and all the other communications specialists and guides that On Wisconsin Outdoors relies on to keep us fat and current on outdoor news. Then get out there and see for yourself what they’re talking about.
Time to Hunt…Morels
Many years ago as a traveling syndicated outdoor columnist I was introduced to the art of finding…and eating…morel mushrooms. Oh my gosh is that worth the search to ultimately find them and slap those critters on a big old venison tenderloin. It seems that morels are rearing their beautiful heads late this year based on our contributing writers’ reports. So Lori and I have a date Friday night to go on our own search. Just call me Mr. Romance.
Yesterday I googled and watched videos on how to search for and find morels. But the whole idea was initiated with an outdoor report received this week from OWO contributing writer Wayne Morgenthaler in Richland County. Here’s Wayne’s simple advice…
“The key to finding the delicious morels is to find an elm tree that is dying. You can tell by the bark that is peeling off,” Wayne says. “Not all elms produce mushrooms but the ones located on a hill side with good drainage are the best. There are other trees that lose their bark but only the elm produces the spores. If you cut down a red elm, usually the next year around the stump will produce. I have also found them under apple trees but only early in the season. The picture I sent was the small early morels, the big ones will come out in the next two weeks providing we get rain and warm weather.”
Thanks for connecting with On Wisconsin Outdoors. Shoot straight.
Dick Ellis