Got an early enough start, yesterday. We were on the water by 7am. The water was a little high, but not stained too bad. Pretty chilly morning.

Uncle Bruce made it to the water first and took the"honey hole". I saw a nice brown jump here last weekend, and his son, Blake, caught a 27" brown on the last opener. He only got there first because I overslept, due to his dog whining all dang night. Anyway, Henry went downstream and I went up stream. I found an area in the water with fresh gravel and I could see a couple shadows moving around just ahead in the deeper water. I slid down the hill as gracefully as I could with felt sole, wadingshoes. Trying not to damage my waders and new rod. I crossed to the shallow side and worked my way above the red (nest), for some down and across action. It took awhile to get use to using the set up, flyrods just aren't friendly with split shot , even a 9 1/2', 8wt. The spring current was just a little too quick for the weighted streamer by itself. After half an hour and no action, I slowly worked my way back down stream to seeif any body else was havingany luck. Bruce and Henry were spin fishing. Although I only brought the flyrods I did have a couple little spinners that might work, dabbing with the 8 wt. I made it down to the honey hole and found bruce moved on, and Henry had taken over. He said he had one quick head shaker and Bruce had hooked intoone as well. He pointed out the layout of the hole and started working his way down stream. He was still in sight when I had my first strike, just a slight head shake, I wasn't expecting action then. Another 15 minutes and I had a solid take. I had switched to a black, conehead streamer, saw the indicator go under and he started up stream. He only went about 8' and broke off. Guess my leader was beat up by now. Bruce came up to try some more and I hitthe next red. Had 1 take in an hour, so I ventured downstream to scout around.

After retruning to the honey hole, the sun was now lighting the entire river and you could see where the fish were holding a little better. I fished next to Bruce some more and he said he had had about 2 more takes. He was telling me about a spot upstream he found, where there were about 4 fish fighting over their nest. Soundedlike he found the hole I started at. I fished with him a bit more and figured these fish needed a break. I wanted to see if the fighters up the river would now try to fight a streamer. I snuk into position again, the best I could against the current. I took some time to repair my leader and change flies to let it calm down a bit more. I could see at least one pair fanning an area in the deep run just ahead of the fresh gravel. There were at least three shadows movign around behind them. Whenever they moved up a big one would chase them around. At times, almost running into me. After about 15 minutes, I had the drift worked out with the new fly and could pass over the hot spot just right, and I hade a take. Some quick thrashing and he was off. He circled around and returned to the other fish. I worked the hole some more, sawthe indicator stop and go under, took in the slack and pulledon the rod. Big fish. He fought hard as I went down stream a bit with him. I didn't have the net and was working him to the bank and the leader broke. I went back into postion, made repairs and started again. A little while later the the indicatorstops and takes a dive. heave on the rod a bit and the water explodes. Nice silver male, not quite as big as the last. I took him down the river along the same route, and work him across to the shallow bank for landing. Just about have him worked in and the fly pops out. I rush as quickley as I can to grab him, as he looked stunned, but the current didn't cooperate. After expressing my dismay, I trudged back into position. Do a quick equipment inspection, notice the fish are still working the red and back at it. A little while later, the indicator disappears and the water explodes again. After a moment determining it's a solid hooking, I start hollering at the top of my lungs, "NET!!". I take the fish along the same route towards the beach. A little bigger than the last. I finallynotice my 14 y.o. cousin Blake trudging up the middle of the river fighting the current, and balancing himself with the net. It'll take him all day at that pace. I get the fish to the bank and grab him by the tail. Nice male for the smoker. Looks like a dark, winter holdover, with lots of abuse from previous fishermen. Blake makes it over, "Thanks for bringing the net, but you should've taken the shoreline." Blake," Yeah but if he wanted to go down the river, I would have been ready." "Good point." I handed him the fish on the stringer, he put it in the net and made his way back down and across. I inspected the rigging, and replaced the beat up fly. I looked up to see how Blake was making out just in time to see him stumble, and take to his knees. His arm goes into the water to catch a log, and I see water juuuust crest over the top of the waders. Fish held high up in the other hand. He stands back up and we both laugh. Almost an hour and there goes the indicator. Solid hook up, nice and silvery, and a bit heavier than the last. It takes awhile to get it over to the shoreline. I didn't mind trying to beach it as I already had one on the stringer. It was funny when I got back to the honey hole ,Linda and Sandy were in lawn chairs watching Bruce, Henry and a couple of Henrys friends fish. They started hooting and hollaring when I brought over number two. A couple of the other guys had been succesful, Henrys friends had been "Chuck and Ducking" with stoneflies. The girls brought down some hotdogs and beer, so I took a break after some pictures. I had all the fish I wanted, 1 for the grill and 1 for the smoker. Some bugs were coming off the water, so I went up the river awhile to try to find some trout rising, but never saw anything. I packed up, came home and cleaned the fish. Karen threw the filets from the silver one in some lemon pepper, and grilled them on the George. End of a good day.

 

Fun and Yummy. Glad you had a good one.

Ed

 

Redleg,

Dang! That sounds like fun!

It's been quite awhile since I spent a day fishing, and I've NEVER tried my hand with a fly rod.

You up to playing 'teacher' someday? hehe!

chaikwa.

 

When you get the nerve built up, The Rogue is right here behind the post, and The Pine is down the road from the cabin. Both are good candidates.........

 

Knock em out Redleg good job.

I am working hard around here to get the garden plowed and in so I can get the Charters started in early May I am fishing the Bluewater Classic out of Harbor beach in mid May. No walleye jigging charters this year as they have been more trouble than they are worth. Sold the 18" to the boy's and gave them the charters. I am expecting a good year on Salmon and especially Steelies which is my favorite. P.M. me if you want to go for steelies sometime no charge just have fun.

Blackjack Sportfishing

 

Blackjack, you may just get taken up on that offer one day. It's been a few years. Got some nice steelhead in St Joe a couple years ago. Use to hit Ludington with some friends, and when I was a kid, we use to go out with family in Manistee. Karen gets sea-sick, so she'll have to stay with the horses. I take it your boat's name is Blackjack?

 

Here is some Oregon Bait.

 

Redleg Ya My boats name is Blackjack we charter and fish out of the central basin of lk. Erie. We got that name some years ago because of an unwavering pursuit of a certain card game. Glad I'm over that with these casino's in Mi.
We have been averaging about 600 steelies a year out of Erieau Ontario which is only about 45 miles from the Ambassador bridge. The bonus is we take some really nice Walleye's out of there to. I used to catch more walleye but since the serge in these steelies I have sped the troll speed up and and don't get as many.
I had 2 trips last year where I had 6 Steelies on at once and put all 6 in the boat 1 time and only went 2 for 6 the other. I know quite a few of the charter captains over on the west side as I fished out of Frankfurt in the 70's and early 80's we used to get some really descent Kings over there. I also fished the western basin out of Brest bay (lk. Erie) for walleye's for many years the fish were on the smaller side but plentiful. Many of the days we pulled charters with 2 half day trips we would take 6 out and limit on 10 fish ea. it made for many 60 fish days. Many people will not believe these fish tales and many do not know the extent of this great lakes fishery we have here in Mi. The big surprise to many is that Lk. Erie is the largest fish producer of the lakes. and the Steelhead #'s are so high. We also take some Kings and Coho scattered in. Unlike the walleye and perch there is no commercial fishing for the steelhead and the bait fish remain in good #'s (contrary to popular belief sport fish pressure is negligible to great lakes fish populations) Well to complete this story in mid - late Sept. we start perch fishing usually up on Lk. St. Clair. and we stay in until the 1st of Dec. weather permitting.
So now that I have told and published these stories you will really have to come over and fish (someone has to back me up now one lying and the other swearing to it you know) So the Invite stands my Wifey gets seasick too but bring your's anyhow we have miles of sandy shore to beach comb keeps em occupied.
Boy you just had to ask me about Blackjack didn't ya.

 

Yeah, I'm sure the lack of parking space over there keeps some of the pressure down. Probably not too many gill nets or power companies sucking them up either. I'll just start telling Karen it's good Petoskey Stone hunting in that area. We just have to find somebody to watch the critters.

Stopped a guy on 115 once heading up to Kewadin. When I asked him where he was going, he said he was gonna see the Indians. I noticed he was from Mt Pleasant and told him he's spending a lot on gass that could be used for the slots, why didn't he stay in Mt Pleasant. He told me they were all crooks at that Casino. I told him he was in too big a hurry to give his money away, and I was gonna help his bad habit.