you're going to do what?

That's the response I got from several people when I told them I was driving two hours to go catch carp...with a fly rod. Well, the pictures speak for themselves. It was an awesome day. I couldn't venture a guess as to how many fish we saw, but it was a lot. We landed eight nice carp, lost at least twice that many and foul hooked several more. One fish took me so far into my backing that I couldn't see the end of my fly line. Just about every flat that we looked at had cruising fish but when we found the tailing (feeding) fish, that was when we really got into them. Big nymphs, bonefish flies, crayfish flies, it really didn't matter. As long as we made good casts, we were hooking fish. We rounded out the Lake Michigan flats "grand slam" with a few really nice smallmouth as well. They were hanging with the carp and several times we'd cast to a carp, not even seeing the smallies, and the opportunistic little buggers would engulf our flies. An awesome day, can't wait to get back over there.

fat tire and black boogle

I'm getting sick of the weird weather patterns of the last couple weeks. Seventy one morning, fifty the next. No rain in the forecast but yet there's this weird black cloud coming up on us and what I want to think sounds like a train but my heart tells me otherwise. I can't wait to get the more consistent summer weather. However, the smallie fishing has been great. Some slower mornings, but we've been working slow and steady until the afternoons warm up a little. The other day we maybe boated eight fish by two in the afternoon, then the popper fishing just exploded. We were getting eats on poppers when the fly was just dangling in the current below the boat while we were taking a picture of another fish. It was great. The Me is finally falling back down after some really high water last week due to the opening of the dams, which was interesting. The fish still ate, but it was a slightly different game there for a bit. The Smallmouth Trip from Hell is rolling right now and I'm sure Matty and Kip have put the guys on plenty of good fish. Matt Z., Danny and I just got back from a day on the Oconto and we had a great day. We got some decent fish on baitfish patterns but when we switched to poppers we had the most consistent action. Black papa boog rocks. Well, I believe it's time to go eat some grilled meat and have some cold Fat Tire. What a day.

Happy Father's Day

Just got home Sunday afternoon from four days on the water. Thursday, Friday and Saturday were trips for Tight Lines and Sunday was a relax day with the family. The river fished pretty well the three days we were up there, lots of big bass, some really nice pike and my guys on Friday even hooked into a muskie, twice! After dropping my clients off Saturday evening, I got to head over to Merrill to meet my family and we spent Sunday chasing bass and bluegills around a little lake in the drift boat. It was a great way to spend my first Father's Day. The weather looks like it's going to be gorgeous for the rest of the week and we deserve it. It's been a cool, windy spring and we need some warmer, calm days to really set things off. I know the Hex fishermen are praying for the same thing as well. Things are starting to roll now as far as the guiding season goes. One of the things that I enjoy most is the diversity of people that I get to work with from day to day. A great example is last week; one day I had an avid saltwater fly fisherman who now works for the IGFA (International Game Fish Association), the next day a younger couple that had never touched a fly rod. Both were equally great to have in the boat, bringing different perspectives and personalities to the day, and both willing to listen and learn and ultimately catch fish.

next generation fisherman

Had my little guy, Logan, on the water for the first time last night chasing bluegills on Shawano Lake. I think he's "hooked".

paging will smith

This guy was on the screen door to my house last night. Can anyone tell me what the hell it is? My guess would be a dobsonfly, but it also looks a little like a giant stonefly. I checked one of my insect field guides and didn't really see anything that matched. It's about two inches long, maybe a little longer.

narrow escape

The smallmouth fishing continues to be crazy good. I rowed a father/son trip on Saturday and the fishing was to say the least great. Even with gusty winds we were able to find water that was fairly calm and the fish started off early in the day hammering baitfish patterns. Jimmy managed to land a pretty decent pike that nearly succeeded in shredding his leader. What a great way that was to start the float. By lunch, the guys had landed a lot of fish and I put a popper on one of the rods and right away the fish responded. It's such an awesome feeling to get popper fish for guys that have never experienced that. It's all smiles and grins, even if it's a twelve inch fish. At the end of the float, I decided to row past the take-out and fish a good stretch of river and it paid off. Jimmy stuck a fish that was in the twenty inch range...on a popper! The fish beat him up pretty good, but it was all worth it. I don't think he'll forget that fish for a while. It made the row back up river worth it. We got off the water right as the skies opened up and the lightning started, which was lucky. On the ride home, all kinds of critters were out and about with the unstable weather. I nearly hit a big lazy porcupine and a coyote and the fields were full of deer and turkeys. It was an awesome day, especially when you're fortunate enough to have Mother Nature on your side and let you get in a great day on the water before she gives the land a bath.

Goodbye

Many of you may not know this, but Bentley's Outfitters (Bloomington, MN) is shutting it's doors for good. It hurts me to see them go as their store was one of the first fly shops that I was somewhat of a regular at. I've heard speculations to questions of why and who, but ultimately it is the sad vulnerability of the small fly shop that makes me realize just how lucky I am. It IS hard to compete with the big box stores, it IS hard to keep everyone happy, and it IS a lot of work. Gordon and Andy and everyone over there did an exemplary job in every aspect and I wish them the best in whatever they pursue. Good luck and hopefully I see you on the water.