Fishing Report

Swung flies on Sunday in southeast wisconsin. Flows were good, casting was adequate, but the fish were not cooperative. I did have a fish pluck all the way down a run but didn't grab. Switched color and went through again and nothing. Don't know what it was but it was acting like a steelhead. 

My neighbor and some buddies fished another section of the same river. Sounds like they used a variety of techniques and got into some fish including browns, cohos and some steel. 

So the report is fishing is ok. There are fish around but they are scattered. Fish seem to be still on the egg bite but streamers will start to become more attractive soon. 

Flows remain good though they will probably start dropping soon.  As long as the water doesn't drop too quickly winter runs will probably start/continue trickling in. With the cold snap approaching and dropping water temps look for fish in more traditional winter lies.

Got some time off before startin my new job. Looking forward to be getting in some more fishin.

Big rains in fall = good numbers of steel

 and browns as well. Although water levels are merely one factor amongst many, it is really the threshold issue when discussing whether steelhead will push in. There is no doubt that during periods of high water potadromous species, like Great Lakes steelhead and migratory browns, migrate. If you're lucky enough to catch a wave of fish migrating from the lake you may experience some of the best fishing and best fights of the season.

Well...

The mil is on the rise. It is particularly sensitive to rain fall because of its urban surroundings, so it blows out quickly. However, considering the time of year and the warmer water temps, an increase in water flow will certainly bring fish in. It will also flush out the old and dead kings (thereby bringing the numbers of ppl down a tad). Additionally, there tends to be a particularly hot bite right after the peak of a high water period before the fish settle into their usual pattern. Time to go get some but be aware of the conditions an be safe.

Tight lines.

Gear envy

18,000 laying around and this dream beavertail micro plus motor could be a reality. Not to be I guess, but as always, it's fun to think about.  Happy Friday.

What is going on here?

So Dad got a nice new skeeter (game changer purchase) and takes it out fishing for snook and reds or whatever inshore gamefish are milling about. Apparently, he starts blind casting an EP pinfish and catches a ... MULLET! What!? I have heard of doing this with bread crum "flies" but a pinfish streamer, I don't know what to say. I guess he broke his rod in the process. Looking forward to this story!

Game Changer - Sculpin (Goby)

Excuse the messy bench and grainy picture, this is the game changer - sculpin edition. 

I saw the Flymen fish spine and, like most tyers out there, I was intrigued. In short order, images of creative fish-spine masterpieces were flying around the web and blogosphere.  

However,  although there were an array of patterns, very few were modeled after the sculpin or goby that is so common here in the Great Lakes region.

So, imaged is my initial stab at a game changer sculpin. I use body fur in typical game-changer fashion. I use a couple of marabou as pectoral fins. To bulk the head, I use several turns of .30 lead free wire. All secured to a Sz 2 B10s. 

It looks very fishy. After doing a couple of these I came across one key - brushing a lot before you trim. The more brushing the better. 

If you have any questions let me know.

Tight lines.

A Day of Firsts on the Kankakee

Lets start with Seth - that fishy looking dude above. Seth came out of the gate swinging by catching his first smallie on the fly (above) on a crayfish pattern (below).  Oh, and that first fish was the biggest of the trip (Seth kicked my butt in the quality department!).

He followed up with a handful of others, all solid fish, in fact each one of his was noticeably larger than any of mine. Better yet, he ended the day with a nice fish on a popper - another first. 

From my perspective, it was the first time I saw Seth really cast with distance, control and accuracy. There were some growing pains for sure, but Seth was casting and even more importantly fishing with confidence at the end which was great to see. I could sense that he was starting to feel the cast as opposed to having to think about it which is really the first major hurdle in this sport. Proud of you Seth.

As for me, it was my first float of the Kankakee, first time fishing with Austin Adduci of Grab Your Fly Charters. Austin is a great guide, he knows the river is good with the sticks, and knows how to keep everyone engaged.  I would recommend the trip to anyone.  As for the Kankakee, I was impressed. It's a scenic river with plenty of eager smallmouth.  Although the smallmouth aren't huge on average they are aggressive, tough and take flies throughout the water column.

Great company, great times, great trip.

What's next? (I'm talking to you Seth)

Fishing Update

The last four weeks have been a whirlwind of life experiences including weddings of others, wedding planning projects of our own, engagements with loved ones, and bachelor/bachelorette activities.  Thankfully, I was able to keep my fly rod near by through it all.  Here's a little taste of what we've been up to.  The video is of my buddy Kelley Deneen and I exploring northern California with GoPros (the first videos of many hopefully).

 

Tight lines.