What Fish to Catch in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Michigan is a fisherman’s paradise with all-year-round fishing opportunities. The waters of Michigan are home to a host of fish, and knowing what fish you want to catch will help you get the right baits and head off in the right direction.

Atlantic Salmon

The Atlantic salmon is one of the most prized fish in the world. The fish are heralded for their unique fighting and leaping ability. Native to Lake Ontario, the fish were extirpated from the Great Lakes prior to 1900 and were transplanted into the upper Great Lakes. The Atlantic salmon is available in Michigan in the St. Mary’s River and can be caught right through the summer.

Jacob Vanderwal Kent Michigan

Bass

Michigan has good populations of both smallmouth and largemouth bass. Smallmouth bass can be found in abundance in the north, and largemouth are found in shallow water and are closely associated with rocky rivers. However, both smallmouth and largemouth bass can be caught in the same bodies of water. Bass is probably America’s top game fish, and can be caught with a variety of artificial lures.

Brook Trout

Brook Trout is Michigan’s state fish. Unlike other species of trout, brook trout needs higher quality water, which makes them the least geographically distributed fish in Michigan. Brook Trout can be found in the northern part of the state. They inhabit places ranging from little jump across creeks to large rivers. Brook trout is also called “specks” and has been stocked in several lakes providing a unique fishing experience for those who want to catch brook trout.

Jacob Vanderwal Kent Michigan enjoys fishing together with his friends and family.

Four Interesting Facts About the Ancient World

For most people, the ancient world conjures up thoughts of ancient Greece, Rome, Persia, Egypt, China and other empires. In fact, many are aware of the fact that Western philosophy, democracy, the Olympic Games, and theater were born in ancient Greece. However, there are several other interesting facts that many people don’t know. Here are a couple of interesting facts about the ancient world.

Jacob Vanderwal Kent Michigan

Feta Cheese

Feta cheese, one of the most popular cheeses in the world, is Greece’s national cheese and is made from sheep and goat’s milk. However, many are unaware that Feta cheese dates back to ancient times and is discussed in many ancient Greek sources.

Celts were not Barbarians

The Celts are described as uncivilized barbarians by Greco-Roman historians and writers, based on the fact that the Celts offered human and animal sacrifice. However, there is proof to show that the Greeks and Romans also offered human and animal sacrifices to their Gods much before the Celts did so.

The First Seismograph was Invented in Ancient China

That’s right! Most people believe that the seismograph was invented in the modern western world. But that is not a fact. The Chinese astronomer, Zhang Heng invented the first seismograph to monitor earthquakes back in A.D.130.

Origin of the Name Cappuccinos

This might come as a shock to some, especially the ones who enjoy a cup of Cappuccino every day. The name Cappuccino originated in Rome and is from the Capuchin Crypt, which consists of five chapels, a corridor 200 feet long, and adorned with the skeletal remains of 4,000 deceased monks. The popular coffee drink- Cappuccino gets its name from this order of monks, who wore a hood – “cappucio” with their habits.
Jacob Vanderwal of Kent, Michigan has a keen interest in ancient civilization.

How to Improve Your Drawing Skills

Drawing is a great way to relax and put on paper the images that are in your imagination. Drawing is a skill that needs to be developed if you want to become an artist. Here are a couple of suggestions how you can improve your drawing skills.

Jacob Vanderwal Kent Michigan

Draw a Lot

Malcolm Gladwell, a Canadian journalist, bestselling author and speaker, said that it takes about 10,000 hours of doing something to become an expert at it. So when it comes to drawing, you have to draw a lot. The more you draw, the better you become. Do not rush it, but spend time developing your drawing skills by drawing more and more.

Slow and Steady

Learn to take it slow when you are drawing. This rule is vital especially when you are learning to do cleanups with either a crow quill, pencil or brush. In a way, it is like playing a musical instrument, start slowly and play without mistake. Go slow with your drawing and you will have fewer mistakes.

Learn from the Experts

There is just so much you can learn yourself, but by watching an expert draw, you can pick up valuable tips and techniques. Find artists who live nearby or those who offers online classes and learn from how they draw. You will be surprised how much you can learn by just watching an experienced artist draw. You can ask questions, and they will gladly help you.

Jacob Vanderwal Kent Michigan took up drawing in school and has drawn several beautiful pictures.