Hey guys, sorry no report for a while now, but quite honestly I've felt very little motivation to sit in front of a computer on any of the recent days off I've had. Instead I've done a little fishing with friends, some riding, a fair amount of spring cleaning and a whole lot of relaxing when I should have been doing other things like this...
I did have big plans to write a nice long report when I got around to it, but that's not in the cards right now because I need to get this done along with a few destination trip things and then get out there on the river and sore mouth some Browns with John and Jory from the shop this afternoon. The weather looks great for it, some drizzle and overcast at the moment.The Steelhead run here is basically over, but if you cover enough water it wouldn't be a total surprise to run across a few on gravel here and there or some drop backs in the pools. Our primary focus is now on Trout and it looks to be shaping up as a fine season so far as there's some action to be had on most fronts.
Lots of good fish moving to the Streamers, some days committing and some days just giving you a good look. More often than not the difference between a good day Streamer fishing and a bad one is measured in just a few inches... In other words, those casters that can really HIT the banks and structure then move the fly right are getting the most commitment, those that are a few more inches away and don't get the fly moving just right are only getting a few looks.
If you'd rather go deep with a high stick or stack mending presentation nymphing with anything from small glo bugs (still) to hares ears, pheasant tails, brassies and the like will put a bend in the rod as well as drifting then swinging soft hackles. When it's a bent rod and/or some numbers your after instead of just hunting the bigger boys, keep in mind, the vast majority of a trout's diet is sub-surface.
Some surface action is to be had on most days, but nothing major just yet. A few Hendrickson's are still around, some stone flies, black caddis and a good BWO hatch can be had on the right day. (One like today most likely! ;^) There are enough fish looking up now that if you just covered some water floating an Adams or some other type of generic attractor pattern in the seams my guess is you'd have some success. John and I saw allot of Giant Stone flies cruising around a branch of the river last night after the Michigan River Guides Association meeting so, it's not to early to go to the dark side...
The water is in good shape with just a tad more flow than normal, a slight stain and temps in the mid 50s. Hopefully we'll get enough rain over the next few days to kind of keep it there. The banks, on the other hand, can use some attention and on that note, I do want to remind everyone that we are holding our annual Spring Clean up on Saturday, May 31st! The plan is, as usual, to meet at the shop at 8am. Once there we will try and pair up those that wish to float along a section of river and clean it with those that have room in the boats and then spread everyone out along as much corridor as we can reasonably cover. Others can simply walk in at various access points and work it from there.
We (BBT) will cover the cost of all the car spots for those floating, provide the Garbage bags and dumpster and put on a good 'ole fashioned thank you party for the participants at my place next to the shop in the evening afterward. Simply put, it's a great time for a great cause so if you think you might be interested please call the shop and let them know how many of you will be coming. (Toll free 1-877-422-5394 or 1-231-745-3529) This will provide us with some sort of prior head count so we can plan for the menu.
Please feel free to show up at the last minute however if you find you can on short notice! We will provide all the food needed, but if you wish to bring something to set out feel free as well. It IS a BYOB (Bring your own beverage) event, but we will have coolers with Ice to keep your drink of choice cold. Hope to see many of you here!
On another note I do want to thank everyone who has supported us this spring from all the great clients in our boats right down to the guy that bought a package of barrel swivels and everyone in between. We TRULY appreciate the business you bring that keeps us doing what it is we love. Hopefully we're not to far away for many of you to return and take advantage of our fantastic Trout fishery, we still have plenty of inventory in the shop to get rid of as well as guide trip and motel openings we'd really like to fill!
One last note before a few overdue photos... I don't have time to do it right now, but look to our forum in this section for some great deals on used BBT guide gear from John and I very soon. (Within the next day or two.) Items include rods, reels and more...
Some PM river photos. Thanks guys!
Goofing off with buddies for a few hours on the Mo.
OK, you got me, he was too small for a regular hold... ;^)
For those of you looking for my continued "rant" on certain subjects, it'll be just a little while before I get back to it and then I'm looking at a different format to get the message out. It's too hard to keep up with all that on more than one forum and even then it gets a little off topic at times. Right now I'm still looking at a few things, but most likely, at least for my take and participation in the subjects, I'll be setting up a separate e-mail address and possibly a separate forum just for those interested and leave my reports just for reports, I'll keep you posted.
Tight lines all,
Steve
