When it comes to fishing, Michigan is king.  Plain and simple.  If all the fishing was contained in Lake St. Claire, we still would have the best fishing.  Still there is some awesome fishing next door to us.  Wisconsin has the Driftless area.  A small stream trout fisherman's paradise.  It is enjoying a banner year.  When the likes of Lefty Kreh and Dave Whitlock sing the praises of northern Wisconsin smallies you know you have a great fishery.  Hayward and its mighty muskie mania is legendary. 

So, lots of good fishing in Wisconsin.  Lots of it is famous, you know what I am talking about. 

This is not that type of story.  I wanted small stream USA.  County fairs, cow crap, no paths along the banks of the streams and feisty fish.  Opening a Gazetteer it is harder than you would think.  Smallmouth are listed as being in a fraction of the rivers in Wisco.  So I asked around- made some calls and headed out. 

The fishing was great.  Plenty of willing fish, destroying poppers and big enough pike to shred mono tippet.  There were enough decent fish to make the fishing worth it.  Cows, domestic ducks, crows and chipmunks were my companions.  Great conversation though I am certain the cows really enjoyed seeing me get my fly out of trees. 

After spending some much time tying my flies, organizing my pack it was totally refreshing to head out with a single box of flies in my pocket, some tippet and hemostats.  Nothing else- car keys hidden, camera in the car and the bloody cell phone turned off somewhere in the car. 

I drove through some towns.  Ate at an A&W- remember those.  Root Beer (on Tap) out of a frosted mug it was brilliant.  Small town tackle shops that had never seen a fly fishermen in the shop.  And the tail end of a county fair.  The fishing was great, people were friendly and grass was soft to sleep on.  Now if I could just figure out how to do this all the time life would be so choice. 

Anticipation, Humility and Fun



Ice and ore boats- a common sight these days

For weeks now I have been living for May 15- the opener of smallies, pike, walleye, and muskie in the UP.  Rearranging my fly boxes, following the massive fish caught in lower Michigan and Ohio.  Listening to my friend’s brag about all their fish and making fun of me for living in the UP.  Well, I would show them- massive pigs would be landed on the 15th.  So big that the Bassmaster would change over to flies only and big soulless outdoor retail stores would go out of business.  Small fly shops would thrive and those of us who are still dealing with snow and ice in the UP would be rewarded for our strength to make it through a harsh winter.  

 

Pretty as sunshine and as sweet as rain.  Brookie streams are little jems

So a guy can dream, right.  May 15th was snowy, windy and cold.  Still I  was determined no more switch rods, no more eggs, no more swinging.  Stripping streamers, flies that kick hard and maybe even some poppers were the name of the game.  Changing lots of flies- staring into my boxes looking for some eureka moment.  Pounding good looking water.  Praying to the fish gods.  All for one fish.  One fish that would make it all better.  Sometimes that fish is a flash.  A flash of color behind my fly after a long day.  It was awesome.  I was totally happy with the day.  Yea ,I didn’t catch any fish yea my friends will still give me crap for living up here.  But the wind was blowing, the snow was slowly stopping, small deer were running around and I was standing in the middle of a brilliant river with nobody around.  Of all the places that I have lived this is the best place in the world.  The rewards might not be what you want but they will be want you need.  

Water that saved my day or at least my attitude.  Pike flash ain't bad

The next day I pushed in a new area and fished a brilliant little brookie stream.  Eager, fearless little beauties kept me occupied for most of the day.  With the light dying I decided to pack it in. I have already hit a deer this year and a second this early in the year was not in the cards.  All in all, a great two days.  As I am writing this and avoiding work, it is warm and sunny.  My plans for the summer are laid who in OCD detail- lots of new water, so golden oldies and lots more awesome fishing in the UP.  To paraphrase the last Calvin and Hobbes comic- lets go exploring.

New water that is on my list- looks like fun.  Tons of deer, beavers, grouse and hopefully fish

New flies added!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

After numerous requests my confidence flies all in one selection.  Most of your fishing needs will be covered.  A great gift for any angler.  I call this selection my Utility Box.

I am getting so tired of posting pictures of flies.  But if the rumors are true we will be getting up to 50 degrees in the next few days and our chances at fish will increase radically soon.  It is fun though to fish the river mouths and see big ore boats and Coast Guard boats stuck in the ice.  Until that happens fly posts and pictures.

Often when you first start tying flies you get a flash of inspiration and throw a bunch of materials on a hook.  The flies often look awesome but are rarely any good.  In fact, I recently was told that Kelly Galloup has over 80% of his flies fail.  I don't feel so bad anymore but this isn't about making great flies.  Its about having fun at the vice and not really caring about the results. 

With this in mind: Tarpon Toad + Tarpon Snake + GhettoSuperStar + Whiskey = it's gonna be awesome.  I don't care about the results, it looks awesome in my head.  What do you think it will look like in the end? 

CABIN FEVER

According to Webster (that is a dictionary to all you young folk) cabin fever is defined as  extreme irritability and restlessness from living in isolation or confined indoor area for a prolonged time.  

This 2013-2014 Winter has been one for the history books- over 80 days in a row below zero, the Great Lakes Frozen over, heavy shelf ice on all the rivers, people going miles out on Lake Superior to go ice fishing.  Now I know that the ice was probably stable, safe and all but can you imagine the pucker factor when going 20 miles out on Lake Superior.  But it has not been all bad….really.  

 

The skiing has been great, we should have plenty of water for the summer, the dog sled races had plenty of snow, Ice Fest had well plenty of ice, ice caves that haven't formed in years were awesome and runoff is going to be interesting to watch.  Will it come quickly, slowly….never do- not say that.  Even as a Winter lover summer will be a fun time.  That is if we get a summer this year.  Not if we have another epically awful time with ticks, black flies and other biting bastards.  

But I digress.  What happens when you wake up in the middle of night in a cold sweat.  Dude my fly boxes for the summer are empty.  Crack the music, open a Dew and getting tying.  Embrace the fever and tie some flies that is if you are to soft to go outside.  Now where are my fleece pants its going to be cold wading today. 

 

 

 

AFRICA-

A Child’s Dream of toothy critters

Growing up I loved watched nature shows about Africa.   It seemed raw totally primal, so unlike my Midwest surroundings, surely it was another planet.  Being awake for school the next day paled in comparison to reading about the endless Sahara, sweltering Congo jungles, mystic Egyptians, Moroccan horse stables and endless herds - I read late into the night under the covers with a flashlight.  After fly fishing took over being a hunter facing down a charging lion or stalking a water buffalo some what paled in comparison to toothy critters that swim the rivers and lakes.  

There are so many opportunities to fish in Africa: the Nubian salty flats, the Lesotho Three Rivers system, tarpon on the Atlantic side, the Seychelles, the Red Sea, the Nile, the Zambezi- a list that does not end.  Fishing opportunities abound and the more I learn the more I am amazed.  The toothy critters in the water are almost as formidable,  as those that roam the land.  

Tigerfish are brutal looking they make muskie and pike look positively domestic.  The largest of the tigerfish species, the goliath can reach well over 100 pounds while others top out around 40 pounds.  Tigerfish are apex predators they have powerful tails, sharp replaceable teeth and acute eyesight.  While they prefer small fast moving prey (I hope you are  thinking streamers and baitfish flies) prey almost twice as big as themselves is not safe.  Their fellow tigers are not safe cannibalism is not uncommon.  Parents do not let your children play in these waters tigerfish have been documented to attack humans.  

Why fish for them.  They fight dirty, jump high and pull like a pissed off locomotive.   Any fish that chases down a fly and hits it like an A Bomb is a worthy adversary.  Match the hatch your fly should represent the most common forage around at the time and match the light conditions of the day.  Many flies are weighted to get the fish down quickly- it seems tigerfish like rivers that are super pushie.  

Like most people I am fighting cabin fever.  My fly boxes are overflowing and I troll the internet for anything toothy critter related to get my mind off the epic ice still on the rivers.  Even my redfish box is filling up I just tyed a few flies based on the St Simons Scampi for Georgia reds.  But late at night I hear the roar of lions, the bellow of hippos and scary call of hyenas.    Like a kid again I cannot get the majesty of Africa out of my mind: tigerfish, yellowfish, nile perch, bohar snapper, GTs…...

The Black Death Tigerfish Fly is tied by a guide from Tourette Fishing, a great looking outfit in Africa.  It is a relatively easy fly to tie and most materials you will already have.  On the left is the replica and on right my version- someday if I dream big enough I will be able to see which version works best.  Either way it will look good in the mouth of tiger fish.  Enjoy

DREAM ON- Part One

 

Today I talked with an old friend whom I have not seen in years.  During high school and much of college we had  elaborate dreams for travel to exotic places- Nepal, Alaska, Baffin Island, Patagonia, Thailand…. the list does not end.  Lucky for both us we have been able to check off some of these locations sadly none together.  

It got me thinking.  While maybe not as sexy as another country, South  Carolina has always been high on my fishing list.  Redfish, sea trout, flounder, cobia, and shark OOOHHH BUDDDDY.  And best of all my friend lives kind of close to some great South Carolina fisheries.  If I am lucky enough I will be able to drag him any from his successful job and amazing family for a few days.  I decided to look up flies that are used down there and start tying some up.

Great minds think a like.  This redfish pattern is super close to my CopyCat (a carp killer fly).  Not an exact copy but close enough.  And yes the head was colored with a Sharpie I had no blue thread.  I guess redfish eyes pick out blue really well and flies can always benefit with a splash of blue.

Cobia are simply ball busting brutes and fly shop owners dream  They shatter rods, tear lines on structure, and mangle flies- keep local shops in business fish for cobia.  A tying forum promises that this pattern in yellow and red is a killer combination for cobia.  I know I know never trust forums but if it fails in the salt I am sure there is some stupid pike out there that will crush it.  

 

Now every few tying sessions when I have the time and materials I am gonna spin flies with dreams in mind.  And in the words of Aerosmith “Dream until your dreams come true”

It must have been a Wooly Bugger

I am lucky enough to have many fly fishing mentors- people who can tie circles around me and cast better than I can walk.  They continue to teach me and I cannot thank them enough.  My mentors have built upon my passion for fly fishing that was instilled upon me by a family friend.  Like most kids I started fishing with a Zebco combo complete with the time honored 3030 reel.  I used to run around my parent’s pond- throwing spinners, jigs and dreaming of joining the FLW.

One day I was fishing and my friend Dave came over to me with a fly rod.  It was probably a flimsy trout rod being that Dave was a dedicated Ausable River junkie at that time.   “Fly Fishing is lots more fun” said Dave and gave me his rod.  After he walked me through the absolute basics of casting, he tied on bug probably a wooly bugger.  I soon realized that casting a fly rod was nothing like casting a spin rod.  Some time later I was able get enough line out to be graciously called a cast.  

Being of a gracious nature a smallie came out a hammered the fly.  Probably setting the hook himself more than me.  The rod bounced and danced as the bass fought me- I felt like the fish was in my hand as the energy of the fight traveled down the fly rod.  Grinning ear to ear my friend and I laughed at the joy of it.  Lipping the fish, pulling the fly out and listening to my friend on how to safely release a fish (the bass master release was not cool apparently) little did I know how much it would change my life.

Take a kid fishing- spread the disease of fly fishing.  Watching a kid laugh when fishing will remind you why you started fishing in the first place.  Enjoy yourself on the water you could always be working.  And remember when taking a photo of the fish- grinning laughing is part of grip and grin- no cool guy faces needed.

MAKING LEMONADE- THE FLY FISHING VERSION

 

 

My parents settled in North West Ohio.  Good schools, close to Lake Erie, good standard of living, and located nowhere near any good trout fishing.  The Western Edge of Steelhead Alley is over an hour away, smallies of the Huron River about an hour, the Ausable River four hours.  Now once a kid gas grown up these are not huge drive times and don't tax allowances much.  Still nowhere close for a quick trip to the river. 

 

The Maumee River is world famous its Spring Walleye Run-  people fight for prime fishing spots to throw Carolina Rigged floating heads for these tasty treats.  You quickly learn how to throw your line so you don't tangle your line much with our fellow fisherman.  Parking spaces along the road are as much in demand as those on the water.  When you are driving up to the river looking for a place to fish and park you might be lucky enough to spot the camo wearing DNR looking for people who are snagging.   

 

Trout bum paradise, fly fisherman paradise hardly.  But for those willing to fish outside the box- they fish for smallies, walleye, carp, catfish and even gar: the lemonade of the fly fishing world. 

 

Especially for catfish yes catfish.  These fish pull hard, their trade mark rolling on the line leaves your tippet slimy and identifies the fish well before you can see throw the muddy rivers of the Maumee.  As the summer progresses they become easier to catch moving up the water column for minnows and bugs.  But most times especially during the Dog Day's of summer they are tight to the bottom.

 

Enter the Turkey Dinner.  The Turkey Dinner everything that makes Thanksgiving so good in one bite. A wiggling mess of movement.  Maybe a crawfish, maybe a bug, either way something good.  Use a loop knot to attach the fly to a long, heavy, flat (untapered) leader and whatever sinking tip is needed to get the fly down.  Fish it deep and slowly on a drift.  And wait for the catfish to hammer down on it when they bite on the fly. 

 

Ladies and Gentleman, make lemonade.  Fish hard, fish often. 

 

 

 



Monkey Balls

Sitting around a camp fire my brother Mark- just busted out with ''Ya know Sean Monkey Balls would be a great name for a fly pattern."  I damn near wet myself it would be a great name for a fly.  Irreverent names for flies just seems appropriate.  We spend hundreds of dollars, countless hours to catch a fish then release it...how seriously can we take ourselves.

It makes me remember a conversation that I had with my Grandma a grand lady who I inherited my fishing disease from.  My Dad and I had just got back from the Bahamas....to my Grandma's dismay with no fish.  She couldn't understand it returning to the dock without fish was a failure in her mind.  No serious names for flies when we release the fish and have you seen the size of a fish brain. 

Monkey Balls came from a need I had in my box.  Mid sized flashy baitfish flies are my bread and butter for bass and pike- also it needed to dive quickly to get into cover.  Monkey Balls gets the job done- the body is almost see through with great lateral lines from the flash and a shock of color.  Tying of the fly has been made so much easier thanks for Senyo's Predator Wrap.  Fish it deep twitch the rod and hold on

Four colors are available: chartreuse, yellow, olive and white.