Walks with a Fly Rod

It was a busy two weeks.  After the Flygirls gathering at Wakely Lake, the folks from Fly Anglers Online started showing up at Gates AuSable Lodge, a top notch meeting place, near Grayling.      As usual, I enjoyed my  usual reconiscence through the Fly shop.  I picked up a few more local patterns, bits that I needed, planned my final purchase for later in the week (birthday present) and caught up on the latest shop gossip.

It was even more fun this year than last year.  The area and the faces are beginning to feel  quite familiar and like old friends.    I run into many of them through the year at the tying and fly fishing shows in Michigan  over the winter.  The really interesting thing is that this fly fishing world is really a lot smaller than one realizes.  Borders do not matter.   It almost doesn't matter who you run into or talk to...they will always know someone you know.  With Michigan  being next door to Ontario, there is a crossover of shared info , interests and friends.  Conversations are always easy to start...just start talking fly fishing and you'll have a new friend in seconds.  LOL!   The knowledge base is worth the trip alone.  You don't have to be on old hat at this stuff...a neophyte is going to get a head full of new info and some mentoring, as most are very eager to share what they know. 

The Fish -In is an informal gathering.  We mostly go about our own business through much of the time but it is a place to meet up when things get slow on the river (Canoe Hatch time) or at the end of the day to compare notes and tell stories.  It's also nice to be able to hook up with others, so you don't always have to fish alone.  (My husband does not fish.)  It can also be a good place to get out of the rain.  We had  access to the conference room (at Gates) for the full week.   One could sit and tie flies, learn to furl leaders , check the weather or fishing reports, or just have a good chin wag. 

We ate well too!  You want to have Joe  Valencic in your group.  The king of bread makers!

We ate VERY well on this trip, because not only was Joe at the Fish In, but he was camped beside us at Canoe Harbor.   He's also the king of  Hot breakfasts and Dutch Oven cooking!  YUM!!! This man has talent at the camp stove.

We did some more eating on July 4 th...celebrating the day with GOOD food, good drink and great friends:

We even had a special guest casting instructor that day!

Of course the Fish In  includes some fishing:

Here is an AuSable River Grand Slam (Trout Slam)

Now if I can only find a tiger trout.  (hybrid) 

If you are looking for trophies, they are there to be had, IF you work hard.  My main goal this year was to learn some new techniques so it wasn't all about numbers.  I tried a few new things this year, like really trying to get the Kelly Galloup method of stripping BIG streamers down to an art, and though I didn't hook up too many trophy size fish, I did raise a lot out of the logs.  What a thrill it was, in it's own right.    I actually landed two very nice fish, but here's the sad tale.   I was setting up to take a photo of the first...a nice 18+ rainbow.  I had it settled down in the net and just about focused when I heard a "kerplunk"!  What the heck was that????    My camera shut off!!  Drat!  Low battery??  NO...it was NO BATTERY!!!  The battery door had popped open, dropping my lithium proprietary battery into the rushing water, never to  be seen again!    I slapped my head ,swear for a few minutes, to get it out of my system and release the now fully revived fish back into it's hole, then give myself another smack.   LESSON #1 - Duct Tape the battery door shut on the camera before heading into a river...or lake.  

I have to  fill you in a little before I go on with the fishing and the next bit.  On this day I also had my new purchase from Rusty's (Gates) shop.  I acquired a new vest to replace the old worn out pouch I carried my flies and gear in.  I finally found one I liked after many years of searching...and I finally reasoned with myself that it was in fact worth the investment and now was the time to get it.   Her she is: 

  I felt really cool wearing this baby! If I was a guy...I'd be feeling like Brad Pitt!  In fly fishing...cloths make the fisherman....and if you believe that...YOU need a smack up side your head.    None the less...I was feeling good that day. 

I also had one of those little magnetic fish net  do-hickey  holders lying around so I was eager to try that out, too.    Well, another expensive lesson was learned that day.  DO NOT TRUST magnetic net holders to hold your net all by it's self.  ( I have some words for my local fly shop owner.)   I  had returned the net to it's proper holding spot (Magnet) and continued to fish.   I don't use the net very much.  I only pull it out when I have a fish of good size that I want to get in  without  playing it too long, for a healthy recovery.  Well this was a GREAT day of fishing.  I had been landing fish right left and center...32 by the end of the morning.  I only needed the net twice however.  The first time was the lost photo op fish.... then the next one was about an hour later...a beautiful near 20" brown!!!  I had the fish pretty close, reached around my back to grab the net...the net.... uhhhh ...where's the &%$#ing NET?????  

Got the fish to hand, give it a look and released it without a photo...without a net...and a lot of "F" bombs. 

LESSON #2:  DO NOT TRUST A Magnetic net holder.  Use a net tether WITH the magnets.

So if anyone found a nice  large ash & cherry wood fishing net with a half of a magnetic holder attached (made out of Cocabola wood), floating down the river below Mio, it's mine.   I'd love to see it again.  We're old fishin' buddies.

That was an expensive day!   Oh well...I watched eagles over the river, got hissed at by a family of mink, saw some beautiful scenery, caught my share of fish , and had some great entertainment.  It was chased down with some cold beers sitting with friends, old and new, around the campfire later that night.  What more could any one ask for? 

    Jack Hise wins the Accuracy contest!

and the Winner of the Long Distance Casting Contest...JC! The old man proves he still has it.

So does the grand lady!   

Here is the next generation:

  This is one thing I can not stress enough...the future of our lakes, rivers and streams are our children.  Teach them to fly fish and with that you will be creating awareness and a love for these precious places.  It will be these children that will continue the fight for clean water, clean air and wild spaces and filling the seats of the old guard at organizations such as the  Anglers of the AuSable.   While you're at it, teach them (how) to vote. 

Don't just teach your sons.  Teach your daughters too.  The very best times I recall  in my youth, are with my now long gone father.   They were the days we went fishing.  Don't miss the chance to make life time memories.  Take a kid fishing!! 

For more photos go here: Michigan FAOL Fish In 2008  and the password is: bearchaser   You can access them for download and see them in larger sizes.  

NOTE:

Below is an experiment to see if I can make a slideshow work through coding...in this blog. Fingers crossed and Sorry for the repeats in many of the photos. 

   

Part 1   Wakely Lake Frenzy with the Flygirls

I just got back from two glorious weeks in Grayling Michigan.  It was sort of a mixed bag holiday all focused around fly fishing.  We  (my husband and I) stayed at Canoe Harbor Campground, situated on the South Branch of the AuSable River.

   It has been an unusually wet June.  Good for keeping fires at bay, like the one Grayling suffered a few weeks before.   (photo by Barry Fisher on April 24)  You can see the scars and how scary close it came to wiping out a town when driving up that way.   It was within a few feet of a gas station, and it was able to jump I-75.   Hats off to the fire fighters for a job well done. 

This will be the last season the Canoe Harbor campground will hold Jack Pine.  They are going to be selectively logging this part of the Mason Tract and clearing the Jack Pine  to make way for the Whites, Reds and maples .  Its for the health of the area but it will change it's current character. 

Next year this will be 80% open meadow behind our tent as far as you can see.   This too will  be gone:

I heard about the clear cutting done down below Chase Bridge by a private land owner to the ire of the locals and those who love the area.  I haven't been down to take photos...but I'll try to get down there in September.

With all the rain they have been getting, it has made for some challenging fishing.  Where I was used to ankle to knee deep water, it was waist deep, tannin stained and running fast.   I saw Hex but couldn't wade to the sound of a rising fish...if there were any to be heard.  There was a long line of anglers on a favored spot, spaced out in  40 - 60 yard intervals .  They start arriving at 7 PM to claim a section of water for the hatch that will not appear until sometime after 11 PM.    I was hoping to be able to sit out on the side and sip some beers until then but it doesn't work that way.   There is an army of wading anglers walking down the river ready to claim your spot, so, You get in and wait.    For what?  I'm not sure.   At about 10 the smaller fish started rising to  ???  Iso's .   I decided to play with them and did ok with that.  No one was catching much.     The big Hex spinners started down the river at about 11:30 though it was not the blanket hatch I was expecting to see...I guess I got spoiled living near the shore of Lake St. Clair during my youth.  Now that was a blanket hatch.   I did manage a couple of fish on the big flies but nothing really worth bragging about.     Actually it took me two weeks to figure out how the hatch works.  Next year I might actually be able to figure out where to park my carcass at the right time and place.   No one wants to give up their spot so info is not that forthcoming.  It's definitely a "keep your ear to the ground" and mouth shut kind of lesson in fly fishing.   This time, the weather was a big factor.  It was more often than not, too cool to stimulate a hatch of any kind.   That's fishin'!

I learned that taking photos of fish in the dark doesn't work very well when you are by yourself.   I guess I can be thankful for NOT getting that  trophy  after all.   Here is photo of a 17 inch brown caught at 12:30 AM. 

If I had my head lamp on...all you would have seen were bugs.....BILLIONS and Billions of bugs.  Night fishing is definitely not for wimps!  

The best part of all this night fishing stuff, is not what you catch...but what just happens.  I stood there, speechless just watching a bald eagle , lazily fly over my head so close I could have touched it with my fly rod.  I was too stunned to think about getting my camera out.  It's one of those things you just take in and savor. 

On Friday, the Flygirls started to show up for the Wakely Lake Frenzy on Saturday morning.  We started with an evening gathering at Kris and Tina's cabin.  We compared fly rods and flies, talked and had a good time.  I ran into Kelly earlier when I went down to Keystone for some fishing.  It was nice to have someone who knew the water and to wade with for a change.    It rained on and off all day and night however, just adding to the load already in the river system.  I guess I was too busy talking and dodging the rain as I don't have any photos from that day.   D'uh!

Saturday started early.  The sun peaking out for a few minutes.

It was cloudy for most part and storms would roll in, in waves.   It was fun hearing and watching the rain work it's way across the lake and turn to lake into a froth of popcorn.  Thankfully, the lightning held off until the afternoon.  It didn't seem to interfere with the fishing or the fun that much. 

You should have seen the one that got away!!!   

Then it was time to leave and head over to Dennis Potter's for an exquisitely prepared meal at his place.    Dennis is quite the cook!  YUM!!! 

A REALLY wild thunder storm rolled through as we were leaving.  I heard it took out several trees at Tina's and Kris's place.  I also noticed a large area of trees blown down at Keystone campgrounds.  The ride back to camp was a real treat with lightning slamming down a couple of times right in front of the car.   It also drove the rivers up several  inches.    A few of us tried to fish later in the evening but we were chased off the river AGAIN by another T-storm and high  water.   

That's Michigan!! 

Clicking on the photos will show you a larger size image.  

If you would like to see more photos in a slide show format click:  Wakely Lake Frenzy 2008    

For a full look at ALL of the photos  & additional edits, with links or for download, click here:  http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v303/matokuwapi/Flygirls%20Wakely%202008/    and the guest password is ;  bearchaser

Part 2 coming shortly....FAOL Michigan Fish In

I was looking forward to this trip for a while.  Mention LOG CABIN and  you get my interest.  Add HISTORIC and  with good fly fishing , in front and I'm in like flies on ...well you know.   I have to say... this did not disappoint.  In fact, I'm putting my hand up RIGHT NOW for a repeat next year. (and every year) SIGN ME UP!!   I knew this was going to be good...

First stop, Gates AuSable Lodge for some flies, tippet and what ever else I felt I  had to have.  I was also in for the latest scoop on the river conditions both for fishing and the legal battles.   The AuSable "Holy Waters"...

... just down  a few steps from our cabin, great women who love to fly fish, the smell of cedar and pine on the wind ... Yes, it was going to be good, BUT I didn't know it would be THIS good.  Wa Wa Sum was magic from the very second I walked through the creaky old screen door.  

When I walked in, there was some "Fishin' Music" playing , the smell of a wood fire burning in the fire place and an inviting sofa .

I sat there for a few minutes, quietly soaking in what I was feeling.  I couldn't stop smiling.  This was my version of heaven and I was still breathing!  

When you walk out on the porch you see and hear the AuSable River below.  The rocking chairs are all hand made bent willow and cherry.   There were a couple of beds on the porch , too.  If it was a little warmer I would have stayed there.  As it was, it was  freezing at night with heavy frost in the morning, high bright skies, stiff winds and low 50s during the day.  Just to add to the off fishing, the clouds came in with some cold drizzly rain and snow was in the evening forecast.   No fish showing on the surface this trip.  This spring has been unusually cold.  OR I should say it was like spring used to be when I was a kid... back in the 50's and 60s.    It didn't help the fishing any, but who cares.  This was heaven  and I found it in Michigan , and  nothing mattered but the moment. 

This was another Flygirls of Michigan adventure.  Kris was nice enough to invite me down to her place a day earlier.  This was great because it saved me from having to get on the road at an ungodly hour to get to the cabin in time, which made the day much more enjoyable and relaxing. The border always throws surprises and as it was ,it took me two hours longer to get to Grayling because of border delays.   Kris and Tina have a nice place in the  bush  not far from Kneff Lake.  There are dozens of bird feeders, squirrel feeders (they get the cute little red ones) and a deer feeder.  Kris and I sat at the table looking out the window over good conversation.  There were Rose Breasted Grosbeaks ....dozens of them. 

I rarely see them in my neck of Ontario.  There were wild turkeys, nut hatches and other birds more common to me.   The deer started showing up at dusk.  The first one , a yearling button buck, limped in  alone.  It had been left behind by its usual group.  It looked like it may have had a run in with a car.  I heard a lot of coyotes later that night and I really wondered if the button buck would show up again the next day, or were the coyotes lucky.   After it left , others came in to feed...and there were some interesting challenges for dominance  between a doe,  heavy with a fawn and a younger female around the feeder. "THANKS KRIS" for letting me share this! 

The other women started arriving to the cabin not long after I did.  I had time to explore , meet the new faces and get re acquainted with the familiar before  starting in on our activities.   We were going out to learn access points on the famous branches of the AuSable .    I did the North Branch which was great because that was the one I had never spent time on before.

This is a group of eager anglers getting ready to take off on a float down the North Branch from Dam 4.   These are Au Sable River Boats.  I later found out, from Judy, at Fullers North Branch Outing Club,   that this group of anglers was from London, Ontario.  Fancy that...and I didn't know them???

Meal times were in the Dinning Room  

Jewels of the river, After a day of checking out the river and doing some fishing, it was time to unwind and sit by the fire.

In the evening we had guest tiers come and share there knowledge and skills.   Jerry Regan  is known as the keeper of the Au Sable River patterns.  He shared is knowledge of the traditional Michigan fly patterns and their history. Here is an article about Jerry. 

http://michigansstreamsidejournal.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=19  

Followed the next night by Dennis Potter who talked about more current patterns  and the benefits of synthetics like Z-Lon and foam.    He's a very funny guy.  Almost as funny as **Ian James.  Sorry Dennis,  I didn't get a live action photo of  him.  I felt like a little kid back in school again and was too afraid to take the shot and get scolded!!  LOL.  So I'll steal one from the Internet:

Press Photo/Cory Olsen
Here is an excellent and interesting piece on Dennis : http://www.mlive.com/grpress/slideshows/20080425-fly-tier/  I'm Looking forward to seeing you again on the Wakely Lake  / Hex Weekend in a few weeks.

We also had a special treat:

Charlie Weaver is an Au Sable River Boat guide who also has another talent. He provided a couple of hours of soothing entertainment with a number of songs.  You can find his CD here: http://www.chartingnature.com/books.cfm?book=B6881

Hey Charlie!!  I think I caught you last summer on my camera.  Check out this link and scroll down!  http://flyfishingforums.hipwader.com/viewtopic.php?id=2704

Here are just a few more photos from a fantastic Flygirls adventure. I just wanted to say a special "THANK YOU" to camera shy Colleen  Jenkins for all her efforts in putting this all together.  I sure hope I see this one come again next year.  I'm serious...Put me on the list! 

Camp Wa Wa Sum

Camp Wa Wa Sum is a Michigan State University conference center and a research facility used by the departments of Fisheries and Wildlife and Forestry. It is located on the AuSable River, 6 miles east of Grayling. The name Wa Wa Sum means "plain view" in the Chippewa language and was given to the camp in 1905 by Chief David Shoppenagon, an AuSable River guide and outdoorsman. The first building was constructed of red pine and tamarack logs in 1897-98 by Rubin Babbit, an AuSable woodsman who later became Michigan's first wildlife officer.

The camp is used for Fisheries  and forestry research .  Non profit groups can use the site for educational purposes. 

The river below the cabin.  This is the Main Branch "Holy Waters" above the Whirlpool.  

A frosty morning on the porch overlooking the river.

  Telling stories under a watchful eye. 

Back seat knitter!! BUSTED!!

All that outside air, at the end of a day, one tends to fade by the warm fire. 

Bed sure looks good!  

(click photos to see full size) 
Thanks  Again, Flygirls of Michigan, Kris Nichols, Jerry Regan , Dennis Potter, Charlie  Weaver and Colleen  Jenkins for making this a trip to remember forever.   

Spring has sprung.  The grass has riz and the trout season is now officially open.   I've been lax with my additions to this blog but what else is new.  I was busy building a web site for our local fly fishing club over the past couple of months. 

  I can tell you that I've spent way too much time sitting on my heinie  over the winter.  It's not going unnoticed either, as everything hurts big time, after a weekend of fishing. 

The outing was with the Flygirls of Michigan.  

I joined up with them last this past winter.   This is a great club.  I highly recommend it.  Click the logo for the link.    I used to think, "Why would anyone need a women's fly fishing club".  After all, the only difference between men and women fly anglers was how they answered natures call in the woods.  Right?  It took me a couple of years but I finally figured out why "I" needed a women's fly fishing club.  If you want company on the river and to go on extended fishing trips, this answers that need.  Lets face it...the guys won't be too eager to ask some aging married female  along on a trip.  Women are few and far between at the moment in this sport.  Over time I'm sure this will change but too late for many of us.   Its  also a safe and welcome environment for those women who feel intimidated by walking into a club that is wall to wall men.   That was my experience but I'm not easily intimidated.  Besides...the men  often  fall over you to help get you started and the best part of that is that they tell you things they wouldn't tell their best buddies, like favourite fishing holes and the secret fry pattern.   

  So if you're looking to go fishing with other women this sort of thing is ideal and they offer great opportunities  at really affordable prices for every skill level.   It's too bad this group isn't in every state and province but that's not saying it won't be possible to start up something where you live.  I'm sure you can find help from this group to get yours up and running.

So on with the trip!   We were up in Wellston , Michigan this weekend, floating down the Manistee River, fishing for trout and steelhead.    I wanted to take the opportunity to work on my streamer fishing and see if I could bring up a big brown trout.   I also learned how to "chuck and duck" with a running line and pencil lead.  It's not  what I though of as fly fishing but it does come in handy in the type of water we were floating.    The water is deep, the bottom uneven and the flow is  fast!  Chucking lead and lots of it, is the only way to get your fly to the bottom here.     I'll be getting some running line for the fall!  LOL   

So your wondering how the fishing went.  I raised a lot of browns...several  large browns, too....and I hooked one beauty....but in the end I couldn't keep him out of the logs!  D'uh!!      It doesn't matter.  It's just one less photo, but the thrill of seeing him hit that fly, feel that BIG tug and  seeing him come jumping out of the water was enough for me.  He sure was pretty!!   My intent was to learn all I could about fishing streamers for trophy trout.  I did just that and what fun it was, too. My thanks goes to our wonderful guide, Chris Martin  out of Schmidt Outfitters.   I love those BIG Galloup flies for sure!!   I tied up a bunch of them over the winter and now they are going to get the fished out of them over the rest of the season.    There is something about streamer fishing that is just as addictive as dry fly fishing, only more exiting. 

I also had the privilege of having Ray Schmidt assist me with my fly casting.  I'll take all the pointers I can get from this man.   He is one of the very best and could tell me what others instructors could not, in a kind and constructive manner.   I now know not only what needs fixing but he gave me what I needed to know so I could figure out how to fix it.   I'll be working on it for sure, over the next several weeks.

Ray teaching some of the girls.

This link is a video of Ray teaching how to tie the STS Bugger !

This is my drift boat partner, Kelly,  bringing in a spring steelhead with our guide, Chris at the net.

Some of the Fly Girls working hard for a trout.

After dinner discussion  during an informal gathering of the Flygirls at Schmidt's Conference Centre.

The facilities are truly awesome.  There's the fully equipped fly shop,

great advise, top notch guides, a casting pond, and sparkling clean lodgings to suite every need.

Most of the group stayed in these units.  There are three different buildings within this well wooded area, containing several units.   Your only minutes from great fishing too. 

Some of us stayed down the road at  Schmidt's Pine Creek lodge...

(Click photo for larger view)

It was a great place to end each day.

I hope to get back up this way again soon.   Next stop!!!  Wa Wa Sum.  See you on the Au Sable!!

If you haven't seen this movie, I dare you to not run out and get it after seeing this.   This scene has to be one of the best moments in movies or in books.  I get shivers and tears every time I hear it.  Enjoy!