Monday Morning Coffee-April 11

If todays coffee looks a little garish, well, it feels a little garish.  All night wind and thunder can give you some strange dreams.  Hard to believe another Monday has come round, but here it is.
The fishing has definitely picked up around here, which helps explain the dearth of posting on my part.  Those of you connected with me on Facebook have doubtless seen this weeks pictures, but I'm going to share a couple here anyway- it was a great week of fishing and even better one for photography.  I'm really proud of a couple of these shots.  They're at the bottom of this post.






We received over an inch of rain Saturday which has blown out even the small streams, so maybe I can get some typing done the next couple of days while the rivers come down.

I finally finished and posted last night my review of my beloved Peak Rotary Vise and have added links to Peak.  If you're looking for a vise definitely consider this one, and if you're looking for something less expensive then check out their non-rotary vise.  For about $80 you can't go wrong, and I don't think you'll get much of anything worth tying on for less than that.

I had promised another post last week on the latest wood drift boat build from Croff Craft and I'm hoping to do so this week.  Some things like work, fishing and sickness have interfered with progress, but as soon as it moves forward I'll get something up.

For those with an eye for detail, you may have noticed that I did indeed add a Jealousy Counter to the sidebar.  It tracks the number of times I've been fishing this year.  Standing at 8 so far, I doubt it would instill a whole lot of jealousy in anyone, but expect that number to climb steadily now that warm weather and productive fishing have arrived.

Ok, here's some pictures.  Expect more and bigger fish in the weeks to come, it's just getting started here in Trout Country.

Proudly wearing my TFM colors

nice small stream buck

my coolest shot of the week- what a great fish!

Gear Review- Peak Rotary Vise

It took me awhile to decide what piece of gear to review first.  When fly fishing is your hobby, every thing you own is your favorite.  But then I thought of the one beautiful thing I own that brings me hours of satisfaction day or night, summer or winter, rain or shine- my Peak rotary vise.

When I started shopping for a vise I did a lot of research online.  What I wanted was something portable, all metal construction (no major plastic components) rotary function, for less than $200.  I looked very hard at the Renzetti Traveler, perhaps the most popular vise out there.  One thing I did find in my searching was a website called Fly Fish Ohio that had a fairly exhaustive review of dozens of different vises at various price points.  Being able to compare features and prices led me to decide on the vise for me- the Peak rotary vise, and at just under $150, it left room in my budget to buy some tying tools and materials.

Take a look at it- beautiful, simple, clean lines.  They managed to work their logo into the bobbin holder.  When you take it out of the package it feels very solid and heavy, and it is solid.  Bullet proof would be the phrase.  It features stainless steel construction with a heavy duty hardened jaw aligned with the axis for true rotary function.  According to their literature it ties from a size 2 down to the smallest hook made.  Personally I tie up to a size 3/O hook with no ill effects or loss of function.  The jaw closure and adjustment are easy to manipulate and operate smoothly.  It takes a matter of seconds to figure out how to operate, unlike some other vises out there.
When I was looking for a vise my friends warned me that I would hate the base that is included, that it would be unstable, lightweight, that I needed to get a granite base from The Granite Fly.  I did get a granite base and I love it.  I have used extensively the coated metal base that came with my Peak vise and must say that it was entirely adequate- it appears to be coated cast iron, is very stable and heavy and works very well.  I just like my granite base better.

this monster is tied on a 2/O

partridge and orange soft hackle with that classic Peak jaw

I'm going to spin a tale of customer service and hope I don't offend the fine folks at Peak.  You see, when my vise first came in the mail, it was broken.  When I opened it and took it out of the box, the pivot pin that the cam lever attaches to fell out in two pieces.  I went to my local hardware store, bought a compression pin, tapped it in and the vise has worked beautifully ever since.  I contacted Peak that morning via email and let them know, not because I was upset, but in case it was a problem with a faulty material or supplier.  I was very pleased with the vise.  What happened- how Peak handled it, was what impressed me.  They replied to my email within two hours, and within 48 hours (I think it was 24) I had a new hinge pin with their apology in my mail box.  I'd dare to say that that kind of customer service is extremely rare, even in the best of companies.  I was incredibly impressed with their handling of that situation, and continue to be impressed with my vise.  I met Al Ritt at the 2011 Midwest Fly Fishing Expo and was able to thank him.  What a nice guy.

Peak Fishing is located in Loveland Colorado, and you can feel good about buying an American made product.  Peak makes a variety of accessories and tools.  I'll eventually order the salt water jaws for all of this over-sized stuff I'm tying- I hope I'm not pushing the standard jaw too far.  So far, so good.  They make a fixed jaw (non-rotary) vise that sells for about $80 with the same rock solid construction that should be a must for every beginning tier, and I would think it would come in handy for shops to use in the tying classes they offer.  If I had one reservation about my vise it would be that they sell brass set screws for the rotary function and the bobbin holder as accessories to replace the plastic ones that come with it, instead of making them standard.  I'll order a set, but it would be nice if the brass came standard with such a nice vise.  If it's an issue of keeping the vise within a target price point then I understand.

As far as I'm concerned, Peak has hit a home run with this vise.  There are a lot of vises out there on the market, some good some bad, some of it depends on how much you want to spend. At less than $150 this vise packs a lot of bang for the buck.  I tie a lot, and I won't be shopping for a vise any time soon. 

I call this one Guido's Ferrari

Croff Craft Video

Andy Schmidt of The Granite Fly has posted a video of the CC Drifter (the wood drift boat by Croff Craft) in action on a winter float.  It's definitely worth a look- the boat is beautiful, and it documents what looks like a great day on the water.  Check it out.

An End to Fish Pouting

I have to admit I've been a little mopey lately- fish pouting. It's true- when the drought goes this long, I get a little down.  I try not to be that way, I really can enjoy a day on the water; I don't mind taking pictures of my friends fish.  But every now and then, it's nice to be in the pictures.
 The problem has been compounded lately by a stressful work schedule and tight deadline that I'm afraid will entirely crowd out my spring steelhead fishing.  You look forward to something all year, and then a silly thing like work, and the need to pay bills gets in the way.  I keep saying, though, that the nice thing about living in Trout Country is proximity- being minutes from first class streams.

At some point this morning I decided that the moment I got out of work I was pointing my truck north and going fishing.  The plan was to go to an obscure stretch of Lake Michigan beach and toss streamers for pre-spawn steelhead and maybe some browns.  With sunset being well after 8 pm I'd have time even with a long work day.  I forgot about the list of things waiting for me at home, left it all behind, changed clothes, wadered up and drove to the Straits of Mackinac.  The Straits area is incredibly beautiful, and steeped in history- the French had missions and a fort there over 300 years ago, and the area was considered militarily strategic, as it was the gateway to the northern fur trade.  It's an incredible backdrop for an outing.

I went to my obscure stretch of beach and found- ice.  Not only that, but I couldn't cast to save my life.  It never helps to have a strong wind at your back, but I just couldn't get my rhythm down, couldn't feel the rod load.  Too much pent up frustration.  So I canned that idea, grabbed my other rod and chucked egg patterns in the creek that flows out there.  I'm not choosy yet, I just want to fish.  I caught a couple of small rainbows, and then, as the sun was going down, I drifted a dark seam of water and on the second pass my line came firmly to a stop, and when I tried to dislodge it from the "rock" it came up shaking.  It was a small fish- 4 pounds, but it went a couple of rounds before coming to hand.

the only ice left in the Straits

I needed that- I needed a night that wasn't caught up in work, business and bills.  I needed a secluded place, the sounds of geese and gulls, to see bald eagles in courtship flight, the sunlight filtered out through high clouds in a place that always seems a world apart even so close to home.  It was good to land a fish between sand dunes on a pleasant early spring day.  It was good to land a fish.

chrome on ice

So, I'm done fish pouting.  What has been a long drought has broken, and with spring just coming to Trout Country, I'm looking forward to a great year.

the smile is back

Cardboard Angler Eaten by Goat

Where does the time go? It's time for Monday Morning Coffee again.  Yawn, stretch...yeah, you know the drill.  I actually was able to sneak in 2 outings this weekend- an evening float Friday that lasted well after dark, and the one I posted about Saturday.  I had to do a quick trip down state and back yesterday.  We got a little wet ugly snow so that winter could remind us she's not so easily forgotten.  I also went and bought my new fishing license Thursday night so that I don't pull an "Ed"- April 1 is always the date here that you need the new one.

I once again am being forced to send out a little blog love, this time to whoever is at Under The Riffles.  I purposely didn't contact them before posting this, as I'm enjoying the mystery of who it could be- they seem to keep it pretty anonymous over there. 

Self-described as a fly fishing lifestyle blog, UTR seems to especially be concerned with steelhead, and I'm happy to see that they/he/she embrace(s) West Coast and Great Lakes steelhead, which makes me think they're from Michigan.  Under The Riffles is what I call a news gathering blog, with information, video, pictures and so on gathered from around the fly fishiverse and presented succinctly in a reader friendly manner.  In my little bit of poking around I've found some original content such as interviews and gear reviews and so on, so there's lots to keep you busy, and lots more for me to explore.  During the couple of days between visits to UTR last week I was very pleasantly surprised to see Fontinalis Rising added to their blogroll (I had already planned this post, but it didn't hurt.).  Check them out this week if you get the chance, I'll try to find out who it is.

Personally I find the West Coast/Great Lakes steelhead debate as to who does or does not have real steelhead a bit of quaint regionalism.  It takes me back to my New York days, when I would meet people from around the US who would tell me where they were from and then add "God's country".  Yeah, sure Nebraska is God's country, everyone knows that.  My take is that if it quacks like a duck and swims like a steelhead,  then maybe there really is something wrong with all that genetically modified food they keep warning us about.  I'll probably write a piece on that eventually.

my Joby

 So this week I'll continue to follow the drift boat build over at Croff Craft, and for the next four months weeks of my non working life will be all about the fishing- I'm sick of recycling last years fish pictures, I have a new Joby tripod to try out and I'm itching to get into some fish.  Warm rain and weather is forecast for the coming weekend which means one thing- the steelhead should go nuts.  I'm also working on my first gear review, so look for that.

Well, here's to a great week- let's get after it.

Oh, I was just joking about that whole goat business.

Trip Report- All Spring, No Fish

I'm going to do something uncharacteristic and do a spontaneous post.  My blog tends to be more topical, but hey, it's my blog, I can do what I want right?

After wrapping up a day of housekeeping, I gathered the gear, loaded the truck and headed it north to my favorite steelhead stream.  Today was beautiful- sunny and 45, perfect for an early spring outing.  The Straits of Mackinaw were breathtaking- water that was that blinding tropical shade of blue and aquamarine, with the effect heightened by the white ice scattered all across it.  I'm a bad blogger- no pictures, just a memory to share.

When you cross the Mackinaw bridge into Michigans Upper Peninsula (locally called the UP here, and the locals are called yoopers.), you enter another land- wilder, more remote, definitely less developed.  I get a chill each time I pass through the toll booth and head into her back country.  I went to one of my favorite spots, the road still covered in melting snow making access difficult.  I was happy to see that no one was parked at the end of the road, and even happier to see a fresh redd in the gravel.  I'll just say right now, I didn't catch any fish today.  I hit my favorite spots, played with my camera, and let the river speak to me.  I wasn't let down today- there were fresh wolf tracks along the river, a very large set tracks left by a deer that I'd trade a tooth or two to get a look at, and not much else.  I took the thirty minute hike back to my favorite spot, fished it for awhile, and then just enjoyed the solitude, the melting ice, the warm sun. 

It felt like coming home today, and I'm looking forward to a good season.  This river ices over terribly- locals ice fish it, and so it's not really a year round fly fishery, but its short seasons are intense, with large brawling Great Lakes steelhead that are eager to take a fly.  I released a 12 pound buck last spring- sorry, no pictures, but needless to say, I chased that one downstream quite a ways before landing him.

The bank-side snow should be gone in a week, and the first warm rain will bring the fish in droves, and it will be on- on like Donkey Kong! 

self portrait

Wolf track

The Anglers Year- April

Andy Schmidt photo

April, April, how do you not love April?  The snow is gone, the days are long enough to enjoy, the sun actually feels warm.  April is special to anglers in Michigan- it heralds the open season for multiple species.  In Trout Country April is especially important, as it ushers in the trout season, always the last Saturday of April. Out rolls the whole menagerie of fishing vests and hats, the bait fishermen, the spinner dudes, the Rapala rowdies.  I don't mean that disparagingly, as at one time or other I've done all those things and sometimes still do. Personally, PERSONALLY, I'm just as likely to be found out fishing for walleye on opening day, which coincides with the trout opener.  Why you ask?  I go to the rivers, fly rod in hand for some solitude, something hard to find on the trout opener here in the Big MI.  I'd rather not fight the crowds for some fishable water, and for me the opener has always been problematic and unpredictable- high dirty water, or too cold.  The truth of the matter is that now that I fly fish year round for steelhead, I've lost that unreachable itch to fish opening day for trout.  Anyhow, April doesn't say trout to me, she whispers one word in my ear that gets me going- steelhead.

Yes, steelhead are to April what, well, April is to steelhead- synonymous, at least to my mind.  All you dry fly snobs, bamboo purists, the Orvis crowd,  can have your Holy Water, your 3 weights, your delicate presentations- I want to brawl, to duke it out with that chrome queen.  I want to have to give chase.  I want my keister kicked and handed back to me by an angry river goddess.

What's that you say?  Fall fish are hotter? Sure they are- keep thinking that.  What? Hardcore steelheaders fish the winter months?  You hate the crowds that come with the main run?  Any other silly objections you can throw my way?
While I love stripping streamers for late fall fish, and I fish all year in all conditions and hate crowds guess what- nothing beats the excitement and energy of the main spring run.  To see fish in those numbers, to feel the warmth of the sun, to feel the rivers and earth coming alive with spring and participate in an ancient ritual is priceless.  If you can't find some secluded water in Michigan you're not trying hard enough.  You can go to Michigans flagship streams- the PM, the Mo, the Big and Little Man if you like, but what do you expect you're going to find? Yeah, loads of anglers with sharp elbows.  With 12,000 miles of trout streams, a significant proportion of which get runs of steelhead, there's no excuse to go join the annual pig roast unless that's the kind of thing you like.  Get out there and explore a little. If I manage to get out mid-week, I always find water I can have to myself.

April marks perhaps the single biggest change of weather here, bridging the snow and frosts of March to the budding leaves and green growth of May.  It brings with it the first real bug hatches.  It used to herald the spring runoff, and you had to wait until at least the 10th to do any productive fishing, but lately we haven't gotten as much snow, or it goes in March, and so most of April has become productive.  With those changes, April has become a first rate month to strip streamers for steelhead and big browns.  April is incredibly exciting- the deer are running wild after being cooped up in their winter yards, we get the first hint of green, the first spring flowers, the first spring rains.  The birds return en masse.  Here in front of the house the geese, ducks and swans battle it out in territorial disputes that at times are deafening, while the eagles patrol overhead creating widespread panic.  The bears put in their first appearance, marking the time to take down my bird feeder before they do it for me.  Yeah, April is all that and more.  I usually have a lull in my work right when the steelhead fishing is hottest.  Perfect.

another reason to love April

So why do I love April? You know why.  You can have your delicate dries of May, your June Hex hatch, the September salmon runs- I'll even let you have November Chrome. I fish all those seasons and more, but I still think April is the best.  It's just begun, and I can hardly contain myself.