I had grandiose plans for the weekend of spending all day on the stream chasing spring steelhead and having fun relaxing. Turns out Mother Nature had other plans and dumped a whole pile of rain on us this week causing the rivers to all blow out. And to top it all off it’s snowing, blowing and cold today. Go figure.

I’m pretty bummed out because PT snuck out fishing on Tuesday an absolutely slayed the steelhead which puts me seriously behind in the FLG Steelhead challenge.

The run is hot and heavy right now and there is still some time left so I might have a chance at redemption once the rivers come down.

I sure hope that’s the case or PT isn’t going to let me live down the defeat.

At least one of the boys is out there getting it done. Nice work PT.

Tight lines,

Opie

So what to do when the sun is shinning and warming up? I took my chocolate lab Georgia to chase some bunnies. She is getting a little older and honestly is a horrible rabbit dog, I tried to tell her to stick to ducks and pheasants, but when she sees a gun come out she will not be left behind.

We had a wonderful walk and a expected saw zero bunnies. The funny thing is I didn’t care and neither did she. It was wonderful to get outside, but I would have much rather been on the river playing with some fresh steelhead. Spending time with my dog and just slowing down is good for the soul.

Tight lines,

Pt

What a better way to celebrate Black Friday then out chasing Chromers on the river?

PT dragged me out this morning and is definitely in his element swinging flies for winter steelhead.

It’s a little chilly but it beats the hell out of dealing with people on this crazy day…or just about anything else.

Tight lines,

Opie

Fall Steelhead fishing is in full swing. We hit the Pere Marquette river yesterday, and found low and clear water. We never connected with a fish, but we sure had a good time. It’s days like this that make you realize you don’t have to catch fish to have fun, but its more fun when you do.

Lots of dead King Salmon dead after spawning. They give the river this great rotting flesh scent.

Tight lines,

PT

Have a great day,

PT

I expected the river to be crowded but was amazed to only find 3 guys fishing… And none of them were in my spot. I fished hard for 2 hours only landing a couple trout to keep me going. Then an hour before dark as the sun set everyone else went home and left me alone on the river. I was relishing the serenity and time alone on the river and was happy to just have the water rushing past my knees when it happened.

The fish turned on and for the next hour I could hardly keep them off my line. To me there is nothing quite as amazing as an evening on the stream alone; but when the fishing is good too it is simply awe inspiring.

I ended up landing two fish after fighting great battles with 6 others in addition to the 3 nice trout I landed. With the sky aglow in a spring sunset and a steelhead slipping out of my hand to return to the river I had to sit down on the bank and soak it all in for a moment and humbly realize just how blessed I am.

Opie

My first Steelie of the year was a beautiful male that put up one heck of a fight.

Started the day with this nice 14 inch Brown Trout. Gotta love fishing in Michigan.

When we arrived at the butt crack of dawn we encountered a Clackacraft traffic jam…. I knew it was going to be a busy day on the river.

The fishing was tough, the fish were there but because of the warm spring we have had, the fish had seen almost every fly know to man! I managed to hook up first with this beauty.

Not to be out done Dad landed this amazing female not a half hour later!

Overall, we could have landed more fish. Going 2 for 12 is not normal but I was thankful to spend a wonderful day on the river.

Tight lines,

PT

Heading North to the Pere Marquette river with Doc. Driving through the storm on our way to chase some chrome steelhead. The report is that the fish are in and they are hot. We’re going to see if we can’t play with a few and enjoy this warm spring weather.

Tight lines,

PT

Nothing quite like enjoying a beautiful spring day fly fishing for steelhead with my brother. Always a good time.

Tight Lines,

Opie