Living Large on the Little Betsie

Living large on the Little Betsie

Vacant river parcels are hard to find, especially larger parcels with expansive direct river frontage. If this is what you've been searching for, look no further as I’m representing 22 acres with over 1300’ of frontage on the Little Betsie River. I always say, in the real estate business it’s nice to have options, and with this Little Betsie River parcel you would have a blank slate on which to live your river dream, while fishing for Coho, chinook, lake-run browns, steelhead, and more.

"The Little Betsie River is a cold-water tributary to the main-stem of the Betsie River and is the largest tributary within the Betsie Watershed. The Little Betsie River provides spawning and escape cover for trout, and instream habitat for aquatic insects. The Little Betsie is approximately 12 miles long and a crossing project opens fish passage up to 4 miles of it. The Nessen road/stream crossing...was an aging concrete bottomless box structure approximately 7½ feet wide over the Little Betsie River. The extremely narrow width created an unnaturally large scour pool downstream and increased velocity flows at the outlet. In addition large amounts of gravel from the roadway were being inputted into the stream along with crumbling material from the structure itself. Through this project partners designed and completed the installation of a 14’ wide, 22’ span timber bridge that accommodates the natural stream channel and allows the natural movement of substrate, fish and wildlife. Paved approaches and spillways were incorporated to channel road runoff away from the stream as well." (www.rivercare.org) Projects like this improve the quality of the river for both fish and humans significantly.

"The Betsie River itself is located in Benzie/Manistee Counties, 30 miles south of Traverse City, and is most known for its steelhead and salmon fishing. The river itself has a mix of sand, gravel and clay bottoms, and the depths vary from long shallow flats to short, deep, cool holes for fish to hold in. The river is anywhere between 30 and 60 feet wide and is relatively easy to wade when using common sense... The Betsie River flows from Green Lake to Frankfort and offers anglers some of the finest salmon and steelhead fishing in the northern Michigan." (www.current-works.com)

Also within a mile of this property is one of the state's 19 GEMS, "Grouse Enhanced Management Sites, which are large blocks of land open to hunting and have lots of young forest. Young forests are great places to hunt and see wildlife due to thick cover and great food sources provided.  To get young forests, plans are made and timber is cut.  At GEMS, old logging trails are used as hunter walking trails to get you started. The hunter walking trails will provide an easier walk for those looking for it. Of course, you can always make your own adventure by taking off through the woods and walking through the brush and trees." (www.michigan.org) There is ample opportunity to hunt grouse on what could be your own 22 acre paradise, contiguous to state land.  Call soon for a guided tour of this property and the neighboring GEMS habitat.

Vince Edwards, REALTOR®

vince@homewaters.net

231-715-9037

The River Calls You Home

Photo by Howard Meyerson

Is the river calling you home?  Since I’ve been a REALTOR®, one thing that I’ve become accustomed to is how pristine and unique our northern Michigan rivers are.  The sounds of the flowing water, filtered by sand and gravel, loaded with amazing fish species, coupled with the ability to swim, fish, kayak or just sit a spell and watch the river meander by, makes river life second to none.

If you haven’t had the opportunity to check out some of our amazing rivers, like the Betsie River, located in Thompsonville, I encourage you give me a call and we'll take a drive and walk this amazing property that I have listed.  Any time I visit the beautiful vistas from the river’s edge, I always encounter some of mother nature’s best, like White Tailed Deer, a variety of birds, such as grouse, turkey, and the occasional Bald Eagle.

Location speaks volumes when searching for and purchasing vacant land, and the location of this parcel off Wallin Rd, is second to none, as you are close to Crystal Mountain, Lake Michigan, and the nearby communities of Thompsonville, Honor, Beulah, and within a 15 minute drive of Interlochen, plus Traverse City not too much beyond.  So don’t be shy, give this river life a try by experiencing the heart of Up North, right here in beautiful Benzie county, on the banks of the Betsie River.

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Vince Edwards~231-715-9037

Riverfront Options

Vacant river parcels are hard to find, especially larger parcels with expansive direct river frontage. Look no further as I’m representing three separate Betsie River parcels that can also be sold as one larger tract. Each individual parcel has its own separate tax identification number which means that each can be developed with a home. The guidelines associated with splitting land in Homestead Township were changed several years ago, and these parcels were split prior to the new zoning ordinance, thus a buyer can develop an individual three-plus acreage parcel or own all three parcels as one. I always say, in the real estate business it’s nice to have options, and with Betsie River ownership you would have a blank slate to live your river dream, while fishing for coho, chinook, lake-run browns, steelhead, and more. Here is a little bit about the Betsie River, one of two major river systems which flow through Benzie County. This information from Ted Kraimer of Current Works guided fly fishing trips is an informative summary of the characteristics of the river:

"The Betsie River is located in Benzie/Manistee Counties, 30 miles south of Traverse City, and is most known for its steelhead and salmon fishing. The river itself has a mix of sand, gravel and clay bottoms, and the depths vary from long shallow flats to short, deep, cool holes for fish to hold in. The river is anywhere between 30 and 60 feet wide and is relatively easy to wade when using common sense. The Betsie River flows from Green Lake to Frankfort and offers anglers some of the finest salmon and steelhead fishing in the northern Michigan."

"Because of the watershed’s composition, the Betsie River can be easily affected by rain and run-off, and this impacts the fishing. While these surges of water “muck-up” the fishing for a while, it is the catalyst that brings more migratory fish into the river — take the good with the bad. The banks are mostly covered with trees, tags and other vegetation, so those with a good roll cast will be the most rewarded. When fishing below Homestead Dam you will find the highest concentration of anglers, which is why I prefer to take clients to more secluded sections of the river. Regardless of where you fish the steelhead and salmon in this size river, you will find that landing them is challenging, adding to the experience."

When up north in Benzie County, take County Rd 669 (North of Thompsonville) south to a left (east) turn on Wallin Rd to another left onto Reynolds Rd, to the bridge and check out the fishing.  While there, take a look at this amazing vacant parcel.  This is a large 10+ acre parcel with over 900' of Betsie River frontage. The 10 acres has been split into three separate 3 acre parcels with 300' river frontage each. Each is being sold separately at $65,000; or as one 10 acre parcel at $165,000. Take a closer look and let me be your river guide as you aim high for your northern Michigan dream parcel.

Thank you, Vince Edwards

Fishing the Betsie River

The Betsie river is one of two major river systems which flow through Benzie County. The following information from Ted Kraimer of Current Works guided fly fishing trips is an informative summary of the characteristics of the river:

"The Betsie River is located in Benzie/Manistee Counties, 30 miles south of Traverse City, and is most known for its steelhead and salmon fishing. The river itself has a mix of sand, gravel and clay bottoms, and the depths vary from long shallow flats to short, deep, cool holes for fish to hold in.The river is anywhere between 30 and 60 feet wide and is relatively easy to wade when using common sense. The Betsie River flows from Green Lake to Frankfort and offers anglers some of the finest salmon and steelhead fishing in the northern Michigan."

While trout fishing is not its strong suit, the trout season opened last week, and the migratory seasons of late August through early May are prime for steelhead, lake-run browns, coho, and chinook.

"Because of the watershed’s composition, the Betsie River can be easily affected by rain and run-off, and this impacts the fishing. While these surges of water “muck-up” the fishing for a while, it is the catalyst that brings more migratory fish into the river — take the good with the bad. The banks are mostly covered with trees, tags and other vegetation, so those with a good roll cast will be the most rewarded. When fishing below Homestead Dam you will find the highest concentration of anglers, which is why I prefer to take clients to more secluded sections of the river. Regardless of where you fish the steelhead and salmon in this size river, you will find that landing them is challenging, adding to the experience."

When up north in Benzie County, take County Rd 669 (North of Thompsonville) south to a left (east) turn on Wallin Rd to another left onto Reynolds Rd, to the bridge and check out the fishing.  While there, take a look at this amazing vacant parcel.  This is a large 10+ acre parcel with over 900' of Betsie River frontage. The 10 acres has been split into three separate 3 acre parcels with 300' river frontage each. Each has its own separate tax ID and are being sold separately at $65,000 each; or as one 10 acre parcel at $165,000. Take a closer look and let me be your river guide as you aim high for your northern Michigan dream parcel. Thank you, Vince Edwards