Fishing Boats

I have always admired the bravery of the commercial fishermen who venture onto Lake Michigan year around whenever possible. While making this shot of the Indian-owned and operated fishing tug Eagle, I wonder about the rugged vessel's life history; oh, if she could talk! F4.0 at 1/250, ISO 100, 12-24 mm lens at 14 mm

Being a guide on the Pere Marquette River involves a lot of work, so being asked to stop and fish while guiding for a couple of photographers is, for Uber Raines, like being sent to trout heaven. I think this view shows why the Pere Marquette was chosen as a National Wild & Scenic River to preserve the natural beauty of the river and control public access to it. F4.5 at 1/400, ISO 800, 14-24mm lens at 16mm

Today we took a guided photo tour down the "fly only" zone of the Pere Marquette River near Baldwin. Our guide, Josh Mead, works for the Pere Marquette River Lodge. A few years ago Josh gave up the corporate rat race and became a full time guide and his new office is the Pere Marquette River. I think he is on to something! F6.3 at 1/160, ISO 800, 18-50mm lens at 18mm

Pere Marquette River Lodge fishing guide Drew Johnson uses his skills to precisely cast his line into a trout fishing hole while photographer Bill Dietrich uses his skill to precisely compose and expose fly fishing photographs from Johnson's drift boat. Both are absorbed in their pursuits on a May afternoon on the Pere Marquette. F3.5 at 1/800, ISO 400, 80-200mm lens at 135mm

On my way home from Ludington State Park I have just enough time to shoot the sunset after finishing a photo tips program Brad and I put on at Big Sable Point Lighthouse. What a summer for sunsets this continues to be. F4.0 at 1/500, ISO 800, 500 mm lens at 500 mm

Commercial fishing nets dry in the sun on a warm summer day in Fish Town at Leland, Michigan. I love that commercial fishing on Lake Michigan at Leland continues in much the same manner as a century and more ago. I used to love to photograph similar fishing nets at Ludington. Now I travel to Leland to be able to see and photograph a sight like this. F22 at 1/60, ISO 320, 14-24mm lens at 14mm

Looking downstream from the Leland River dam, it is easy to imagine what this fishing village looked like a century ago. The citizens of Leland have gone to great lengths to preserve the historic look of this still active commercial fishing port.

Tonight there were more boats salmon fishing near the Ludington harbor than I have ever seen, and several of them were busy catching fish. I wanted to be out there fishing with my older brother, but he wasn't able to make it home this year. Maybe next year! F2.8 at 1/60, ISO 1000, 70-200 mm lens at 160 mm

We took another family hike today along the Sauble River at the Ludington State Park. Not far from the dam, I made this image of some people enjoying their quiet kayaking adventure together. I really loved the reflection of the trees in the water and the fun clouds in the background.

There is something about the crispness of all the blue and white colors one sees looking eastward at Round Lake from downtown Charlevoix at the height of the summer boating season. Charlevoix is one of Michigan's most picturesque and popular boating harbors. F13 at 1/80, ISO 100, 14-24mm lens at 15mm

Did you know that according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Ludington is the number one salmon fishing port in Michigan? Tom Postma, the first mate on Sean McDonald's charter fishing boat Katch Me, helps Bethany Rodenbeck reel in a beautiful steelhead. F8 at 1/1600, ISO 1600, 18-50mm lens at 18mm

Fishermen fly a large national ensign while trolling for salmon on Lake Michigan. I like their American spirit; I wish them luck catching fish this evening. The intense sunlight penetrates the flag and projects the color while the rest of the scene remains colorless. F5.0 at 1/8000, ISO 100, 300 mm lens at 300 mm

Everyone aboard Sean McDonald's charter fishing boat Katch Me got to enjoy this beautiful sunrise on Lake Michigan today. The anticipation of reeling in a giant king salmon was as electric as the beautiful colors in the sunrise. F9 at 1/2500, ISO 6400, 18-50mm lens at 18mm

With his trusty retriever Kelly II serving as bow lookout, Dick Underwood navigates through the early morning fog to another fishing spot on Pere Marquette Lake. Dick is one of those diehard anglers I admire because they are not just fair weather fishermen. F5.6 at 1/5000, ISO 125, 80-200 mm lens at 200 mm

Early this morning, my cousin Ryan and I met John Karakashian at Baldwin Bait and Tackle and then went salmon fishing with him on the Pere Marquette River. It was a beautiful day to float the National Wild & Scenic River.

One of the high-performance sailboats from the Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac looks fast even while made fast to a dock at Harbor Springs a few days after finishing one of the longest fresh-water races in the world. I am attracted to the shadows made by some of the many people attracted to the sleek vessel. F7.1 at 1/125, ISO 100, 14-24mm lens at 21mm

After nearly 14 hours of driving, boating, and photographing, I decide I have earned my favorite Northern Michigan dinner, planked whitefish. Miraculously, I somehow get an outdoor table at Stafford's Pier House, 10 feet from the water and right in front of one of the most beautiful classic yachts I have ever seen. Fantastic summer evening, fantastic meal, and world-class Michigan view. It doesn't get any better than this. F4.5 at 1/80, ISO 100, 14-24mm lens at 24mm

James White, a 15-year-old from Grand Rapids, Michigan, gets some serious air on his wake board as he is pulled behind his dad's 18-foot Sea-Doo jet boat. James has only been wake boarding for five years, but already appears to be ready for the big leagues. F8 at 1/1250, ISO 400, 10-17mm lens at 17mm

A fun group of friends were enjoying a warm morning ski on Bass Lake today. I tried to time it just right so that the boat and the skier lined up with the "three sisters" dunes in the background. F8 at 1/1250, ISO 400, 10-17mm lens at 17mm

I love to catch those real moments when people are reacting to something around them. As a family emerged in their little boat from under the Bass Lake Channel Bridge, they were captivated by something they saw along the shore. For me, that moment reflects the essence of what is so great about family adventures in the Michigan outdoors. F6.3 at 1/400, ISO 100, 80-200mm lens at 92mm