Steve@BBT
01-12-2005, 12:19 PM
Hey all,
Just thought I'd toss up another update before the weekend. It's not that there's going to be much reason for coming up this weekend other than ice fishing, it's just that I have a little time. The weather has been pretty good for this time of year over the past week or so, but after today's warm spell it looks like the temp starts dropping down big time tomorrow sometime.
Depending on how much snow melt and rain we get today, the river could be in for another high spell, but for the moment, it's in great shape. Those of you entertaining the idea of fishing the PM might want to do it this afternoon or tomorrow. Once we get those overnight single digit temps and daytime highs of around 12 degrees it wont take long for the shelf ice, anchor ice and slush to start forming. Unfortunately, right now it looks like this frigid weather is going to last a good long while.
It could be, that before too long, I'll be posting some of those old familiar pictures of a river frozen over... We'll just have to wait and see, but it just figures now that we have a pretty good stash of fish in the system mother nature is going to put a shield over them. On the bright side, when that first warm spell comes around and the river clears up, it should be something special with most of the fish having not seen an anglers presentation in a while.
After writing the last report I put up on the 6th I was supposed to go out and start with the snow removal from that big storm around the house and shop. I actually did that for all of about 10 minutes, but then Taz informed me that he'd much rather run around in the fresh powder along the river and watch me fish while it was still light out. I decided that it was a very reasonable request for at least a little while, so I put away the snow blower, shut off the plow truck and geared up for a quick jaunt around the corner and to the river.
Once at the access I found the snow undisturbed and knew that Taz and I were the first to walk in there for at least a full day. Gorgeous is the only way to describe the woods and river with a fresh blanket covering all. Taz decided that the snow needed immediate disturbing and I think he made the trip to the river and back to me about five times before I ever stood on her banks. To say he got his running in would be an understatement, but as soon as I wet a line he sat and focused on the bobber/indicator.
http://bbt.steelcity.net/01-06-05-2.jpg
http://bbt.steelcity.net/01-06-05-1.jpg
All I managed for photos were those of Taz tearing it up and the little scenery shot along the bank, but I did also manage to take one very nice darker buck of around 10 or 11 pounds on my second cast of the day. That fish took a chartreuse nuke egg and I simply popped the hook with the hemos and thanked him as he swam away. Another forty five minutes of fishing produced nothing but good peace of mind and then it was back to the house to finish the job...
I spent Friday and Saturday in the shop and there were a fair amount of anglers going out. Most did not make the trip back in to let me know how they did, but those that I got a chance to speak with had at least hooked one, and a few hooked many more. Sunday was spent bumming that I wasn't on the river, but thankful for friends Geoff and Rick who gave up their day to help me blow new insulation into the attic and catch a little football.
Monday didn't turn out to be quite as nice as earlier predicted, but it was nice enough for Geoff, Rick and I to go out and catch some fish. We did a short float thinking that it wouldn't be great with the fish having seen so much pressure over the weekend and the weather turning a little like it did, but it turned out to be a decent day.
The best part had to be the complete lack of other traffic, but we hooked a fair amount of Steelies landing several of them and wound up with some decent trout to boot. (I held the Brown out in the photo below as far as I could to establish the big one of the day! ;^) Most fish were taken on pink or orange nuke eggs, chartreuse came in a close third. Anglers have been getting a few fish on nymphs lately as well, but it was all eggs for us this day. Here's a sampling of our catch...
http://bbt.steelcity.net/01-10-05-1.jpg
http://bbt.steelcity.net/01-10-05-2.jpg
http://bbt.steelcity.net/01-10-05-3.jpg
http://bbt.steelcity.net/01-10-05-4.jpg
On Tuesday late in the morning I decided that it wouldn't be right to not get a line wet again before the cold sets in and it just so happened that Herb had a little time as well. Herb's been keeping pretty busy this winter with various things and we haven't had a whole lot of time to spend together. We decided on a lighting float and spent much of our time just catching up on things and rowing over holes to see what's in 'em.
Most places that should have fish, did have fish, and sometimes a whole lot of fish! We only actually wet a line in a few spots for a very short while and the only Steelhead caught was on my second cast in what I am now re-naming the 2nd cast hole! A nice little hen that took on the pink nuke...
http://bbt.steelcity.net/01-11-05-1.jpg
Looking back on yesterday now, I wish I'd called Herb much earlier. I think that had we had more time it could have been very good. We got off a little earlier than usual also to get ready for the annual Michigan River Guides Association meeting in Wellston.
On the subject of the Michigan River Guides Association (MRGA) I'd like to say this... If you're ever looking for a guide in Michigan and want a true professional that honestly cares about what they're doing and the environment they're doing it in, look no further than the MRGA web site (http://www.mrga.net/) for a list of it's members and ignore the fly by nights. (I think you'll find some very familiar names in there.) These are the guys that are serious about what they do and show it thru action. To quote part of a hand out, "The Michigan River Guides Association is THE organization that sets quality standards for Michigan river guides." and it's true!
I want to personally thank Phil Cusey for his service and hard work as president over the past couple of years and congratulate Jon Ray on his nomination and election for president last night. Jon's been very active for a while now and I think he's going to do a bang up job with his level of enthusiasm. I was re-elected (Or railroaded, I'm not sure which.) as Treasurer and look forward to working closely with Jon, Walt Grau the VP, Kevin Feenstra the re-elected Secretary and the rest of the board.
Another special thanks goes out to Ray Schmidt and Donald Tanner who've done so much for the organization as liaisons in various committees and meetings. There are too many other members out there who have made a special contribution in one way or another over the years to list them all here, but know that you have my thanks as well... Thanks guys!!
It's raining outside pretty good right now as I type and I feel the river tugging, but I've made plans to go out to Bob's place this afternoon and tomorrow to do some work on the property so I've got to get off and get ready for that now. I'll try and put another update on after the weekend, but in the mean time... GO STEELERS!!!
Oh, by the way, if you're ever in Wellston check out the Trails Inn across from the bank! Chef George put out one heck of a spread for us last night and the food was fantastic!
http://bbt.steelcity.net/01-11-05-2.jpg
http://bbt.steelcity.net/01-11-05-3.jpg
Tight lines all,
Steve
Just thought I'd toss up another update before the weekend. It's not that there's going to be much reason for coming up this weekend other than ice fishing, it's just that I have a little time. The weather has been pretty good for this time of year over the past week or so, but after today's warm spell it looks like the temp starts dropping down big time tomorrow sometime.
Depending on how much snow melt and rain we get today, the river could be in for another high spell, but for the moment, it's in great shape. Those of you entertaining the idea of fishing the PM might want to do it this afternoon or tomorrow. Once we get those overnight single digit temps and daytime highs of around 12 degrees it wont take long for the shelf ice, anchor ice and slush to start forming. Unfortunately, right now it looks like this frigid weather is going to last a good long while.
It could be, that before too long, I'll be posting some of those old familiar pictures of a river frozen over... We'll just have to wait and see, but it just figures now that we have a pretty good stash of fish in the system mother nature is going to put a shield over them. On the bright side, when that first warm spell comes around and the river clears up, it should be something special with most of the fish having not seen an anglers presentation in a while.
After writing the last report I put up on the 6th I was supposed to go out and start with the snow removal from that big storm around the house and shop. I actually did that for all of about 10 minutes, but then Taz informed me that he'd much rather run around in the fresh powder along the river and watch me fish while it was still light out. I decided that it was a very reasonable request for at least a little while, so I put away the snow blower, shut off the plow truck and geared up for a quick jaunt around the corner and to the river.
Once at the access I found the snow undisturbed and knew that Taz and I were the first to walk in there for at least a full day. Gorgeous is the only way to describe the woods and river with a fresh blanket covering all. Taz decided that the snow needed immediate disturbing and I think he made the trip to the river and back to me about five times before I ever stood on her banks. To say he got his running in would be an understatement, but as soon as I wet a line he sat and focused on the bobber/indicator.
http://bbt.steelcity.net/01-06-05-2.jpg
http://bbt.steelcity.net/01-06-05-1.jpg
All I managed for photos were those of Taz tearing it up and the little scenery shot along the bank, but I did also manage to take one very nice darker buck of around 10 or 11 pounds on my second cast of the day. That fish took a chartreuse nuke egg and I simply popped the hook with the hemos and thanked him as he swam away. Another forty five minutes of fishing produced nothing but good peace of mind and then it was back to the house to finish the job...
I spent Friday and Saturday in the shop and there were a fair amount of anglers going out. Most did not make the trip back in to let me know how they did, but those that I got a chance to speak with had at least hooked one, and a few hooked many more. Sunday was spent bumming that I wasn't on the river, but thankful for friends Geoff and Rick who gave up their day to help me blow new insulation into the attic and catch a little football.
Monday didn't turn out to be quite as nice as earlier predicted, but it was nice enough for Geoff, Rick and I to go out and catch some fish. We did a short float thinking that it wouldn't be great with the fish having seen so much pressure over the weekend and the weather turning a little like it did, but it turned out to be a decent day.
The best part had to be the complete lack of other traffic, but we hooked a fair amount of Steelies landing several of them and wound up with some decent trout to boot. (I held the Brown out in the photo below as far as I could to establish the big one of the day! ;^) Most fish were taken on pink or orange nuke eggs, chartreuse came in a close third. Anglers have been getting a few fish on nymphs lately as well, but it was all eggs for us this day. Here's a sampling of our catch...
http://bbt.steelcity.net/01-10-05-1.jpg
http://bbt.steelcity.net/01-10-05-2.jpg
http://bbt.steelcity.net/01-10-05-3.jpg
http://bbt.steelcity.net/01-10-05-4.jpg
On Tuesday late in the morning I decided that it wouldn't be right to not get a line wet again before the cold sets in and it just so happened that Herb had a little time as well. Herb's been keeping pretty busy this winter with various things and we haven't had a whole lot of time to spend together. We decided on a lighting float and spent much of our time just catching up on things and rowing over holes to see what's in 'em.
Most places that should have fish, did have fish, and sometimes a whole lot of fish! We only actually wet a line in a few spots for a very short while and the only Steelhead caught was on my second cast in what I am now re-naming the 2nd cast hole! A nice little hen that took on the pink nuke...
http://bbt.steelcity.net/01-11-05-1.jpg
Looking back on yesterday now, I wish I'd called Herb much earlier. I think that had we had more time it could have been very good. We got off a little earlier than usual also to get ready for the annual Michigan River Guides Association meeting in Wellston.
On the subject of the Michigan River Guides Association (MRGA) I'd like to say this... If you're ever looking for a guide in Michigan and want a true professional that honestly cares about what they're doing and the environment they're doing it in, look no further than the MRGA web site (http://www.mrga.net/) for a list of it's members and ignore the fly by nights. (I think you'll find some very familiar names in there.) These are the guys that are serious about what they do and show it thru action. To quote part of a hand out, "The Michigan River Guides Association is THE organization that sets quality standards for Michigan river guides." and it's true!
I want to personally thank Phil Cusey for his service and hard work as president over the past couple of years and congratulate Jon Ray on his nomination and election for president last night. Jon's been very active for a while now and I think he's going to do a bang up job with his level of enthusiasm. I was re-elected (Or railroaded, I'm not sure which.) as Treasurer and look forward to working closely with Jon, Walt Grau the VP, Kevin Feenstra the re-elected Secretary and the rest of the board.
Another special thanks goes out to Ray Schmidt and Donald Tanner who've done so much for the organization as liaisons in various committees and meetings. There are too many other members out there who have made a special contribution in one way or another over the years to list them all here, but know that you have my thanks as well... Thanks guys!!
It's raining outside pretty good right now as I type and I feel the river tugging, but I've made plans to go out to Bob's place this afternoon and tomorrow to do some work on the property so I've got to get off and get ready for that now. I'll try and put another update on after the weekend, but in the mean time... GO STEELERS!!!
Oh, by the way, if you're ever in Wellston check out the Trails Inn across from the bank! Chef George put out one heck of a spread for us last night and the food was fantastic!
http://bbt.steelcity.net/01-11-05-2.jpg
http://bbt.steelcity.net/01-11-05-3.jpg
Tight lines all,
Steve