Merry Christmas

MERRY CHRISTMAS

 

 

 

AND

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO All

 

 

 

We had the grace of a white Christmas this year 

Manistee Muskegon Floats

 

 

 

 Well had the privilege to go up with Brian to the cottage near the Manistee River. The 1st day we drifted the lower section and wasn't long I hooked into a nice steelie only to loose it after about a 2 minute fight. Well that seem to be foreshadowing of what was to be the theme for  the next two days. We floated for 2 more hours hitting some of our go to spots to come up empty handed. We made a executive decision to try up at Tipy dam.

 Brain stuck close to the dam and I wondered around the bend to try a few pockets where we had produced fish before. Again I struggled and came up empty hand so with time getting late I head back to Brian who informed me he had a couple fish on but like me earlier was not able to beach them. With dark upon us we headed back to the cottage to regroup and come up with a game plan for day two.
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 We decided to try the Muskegon River and float from the dam down which was new water to both of us and it never hurts with a change of scenery. The water flow had been up for a couple days so we had thought maybe some big boys may have made their way to the dam.

The Muskegon is a much bigger river but surprising not as deep as the Manistee or at least up by the dam. Now again the big fish elude us but there was enough little fish to make the trip not a bust. Again some times plans work to the tee and other times not so good but that's part of fishing and what I find it just makes me hungrier to rework analyze to where our plan went wrong and learn from it.

 

 

 

 

So with the end of day darkness slowly creeping up on us we decided to  head back to the cottage for some bubbly pops  and discuss the short comings of the day not finding any big fish. I had to head back next morning for a Christmas party so Brian call a local friend. Wow did  they finally  figured it out and did they have a great day. Check Brian's blog http://lambton101.blogspot.ca/ some great pictures of nice fish. I had a great time and its not all about catching fish, its the fun we had ribbing one and other and hope I never wear my welcome out.

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Jigs and Yarn

So snow on Nov29th

 

+

warm day on Dec 3rd

 

 

=

 

Raging River

 

 

Was a beautiful day to be on the river.The snow melt made the water a bit dirty so had to change my tactics and went to bight yarn (chartreuse) and black with red back marabou jigs. I was able to tag the leader on a couple fish because this old guy don't chase fish down a raging river but the only problem is I lost a bit of tackle.

 

 

 

 

So here is a Short video of a fish to what I called landed by tagging the leader because of where I am standing in the river

 

Dec Steelie from Just An Aging Steelheader on Vimeo.

Yarn Fly

Well Happy Thanksgiving day to my American friends. I took the day off to celebrate well for the football lol but while waiting for football I did this small video on likely one of my most used fly. "The yarn fly" I will use this fly with  my fly rod and float rod. Here it is and enjoy

Yarn Fly from Just An Aging Steelheader on Vimeo.
Oh by the way GO LIONS

Manistee Day 2

Day two we decided to hit the lower section of the river. We also decided to change hats and I took up the Captains chair and Brian got to relax and be the client and get pampered. I got to admit he did a good job the 1st day and put me on to some fish so the challenge was out there to do the same for him.

 

 

The first run we hit is call the pumpkin run. Its been tradition that every Halloween one of the locals place a pumpkin on this downed tree as a gift to the fishing Gods.

 

 

Well the Gods must of been pleased because Brian tied into his 1st lake run Manistee Brown trout. Man are they a pretty fish and after some quick pictures she was released back to the river in hope to do battle at a later date when she is big enough to break the past world record on this river.

 

 

Well we continued the float down the river in search for some big comers but on the way down all we could do  picked up a few small trout.

 

 

 

My one and only fish caught on day two.

 

then it finally happen we were at the end of our last drift Brian finally tied into a decent fish but only  to get school on it from this brute but still gave Brian the thrill he was looking for and was a good way to end the day. I have Brian's battle with both the brown and the big Cromer on film at the end of the blog. I cant wait to get back on the Manistee again. I enjoy so much floating  and fishing out of the Hyde boats. It is so hard to explain the peacefulness of the drift and the excitement of the battle when you get the privilege to hook up with fresh Steelies.

 

Lake Run Brown from Just An Aging Steelheader on Vimeo.

schooled from Just An Aging Steelheader on Vimeo.

Manistee Trout Trip

I was privileged again to be invited back to my friends place to rake leaves and get in some fishing when we could. Well luck have it he was able to get someone to do the leaves so all we had do was fish. Day one we drifted the upper section close to Tippy Dam and were able to find some small steelies and browns but still had a great day drifting the Manistee.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Great day but going to try the lower section tomorrow.

To be Continued

 

 

Here is a short video of my biggest steelie of the trip caught and landed on day one.

 

 

manistee from Just An Aging Steelheader on Vimeo.

Nov Classic Month for Steelies

I love Nov. rainy,cold and the rivers are up. When most tend to hide away out of the cold for the rest of the winter, steelheaders the strange breed we are come out to frolic and play on a rivers bank. Some of my best days come November and this year is no exception. Booked a day off work and went on on a local river and had a great day. Here is a small video of one of the fish I caught and  couple pictures of a couple other fish  that are gonna make their way to a smoker. I don't keep many but like a couple a year to smoke for the holidays and celebrations.

 

Nov Classic from Just An Aging Steelheader on Vimeo.