Ready For Spring?

It’s time to get your “Fly-Fishing house” in order!

With great gear, comes great responsibility.  For seasonal fly-fisherman like myself, that means getting organized, so you can hit the ground running when the weather flips, and those water temps start creeping up.

If you’re like me, and you also happen to be a die-hard hunter, you face the reality every year that the fishing season bleeds into hunting season.  Then, because your brain has completely shifted focus, you do a half-asses job squirreling away fishing gear for the cold months.

Now, it’s March and you’re faced with the reality of the situation…Shit is everywhere and in varying condition.

Fear not…If you find yourself in this boat, indulge in this therapy session with me..

1.  You need a good space to work from, so just clean your garage or gear room. Being able to lay everything out is critical.

2.  Take inventory of Rods and line. You probably know off the top of your head what rods you own, so line is the biger concern.  Check the condition of the line.  Is it cracking or brittle?  If so, now is the time to replace it.  GET GREAT LINE!!!  Seriously, I really don’t care what rod or reel a guy wants to use, as long as it’s the right size, but cheap line is the worst. Good line makes a bigger difference than any other piece of tackle other than MAYBE the fly. Check your leader and tippet too…cut off a few feet and if the remaining line is still brittle, toss it.

2. Tidy your fly box (If it looks like the image above, I’m talking to you).  If you have flies that are beaten up from pike, have rusty hooks, or you simply have zero faith in their ability to catch fish, make them go away. Toss the flies that can’t be re-commissioned, and give the other “misfit flies” away to a new fisherman.  Have a separate box for dries, streamers, frogs, poppers, ect.  Take note of flies that you need to load up on.  Even if it’s a fly you won’t need til fall, start replacing and building your stock every couple weeks now.  It will be less noticeable on the pocketbook if you’re like me, and don’t tie your own.

3. Prepare to get wet.  Spring ushers in Midwest-monsoons seemingly out of the blue some days.  There’s nothing worse than putting on your expensive Gore-Tex rain gear only to still get wet.  Buy a bottle of Nikwax waterproof-breathable detergent and wash your waterproof garments in it (it’s a once a year thing).  Pro-tip: air dry, THEN toss in the dryer on high for 10 min.  That will re-distribute the DWR coating that causes water to bead-off.

4.  Do some casting.  You don’t want the first hour of your first trip out to be spent in the trees.  Get a few swings overhead, side-arm, back-hand, double-haul, back-handed double-haul, then repeat from your knees.  If you don’t know how to double-haul, it’s a great time to watch some videos and learn…As bad as spring rain can be, spring winds can be equally as challenging. A proficient double-haul will help.

5.  GET IN SHAPE!  If you think you can sit around watching basketball all winter, then just slide back into the rowers seat, or hike miles of uneven terrain to your fishing spots, good luck.  You’ll survive that day, but may pay the price over the next week when you cant bend over.  I like weight training and biking.  Just make sure you hit major muscle groups, especially the back, and get some cardio a few days a week.  I’ve had a ton of clients have to sit down and rest just when things are starting to get good.  They simply couldn’t stand any longer, or their arms were tired from casting. Every cast you don’t make, is a potential trophy-fish you don’t catch.

Lastly, it’s a lot of work to get ready for the season. A great way to get motivated is to get involved in the fishing community. Check out what your local Backcountry Hunters and Anglers has going on, Trout Unlimited usually has events throughout the year, there are “Brew’s and Bugs” nights sponsored by local shops, and The Fly Fishing Film Tour is making its way around the country. Simply popping into a local fly shop and asking what’s new gets me excited to hit the water.

These “last winters” of the year can really test our patience, but we’ll all be on the water before we know it!

-Ted, FRO Guide/Owner

My Top 10 most Essential Fishing Tools

“Top 10” lists tend to get people bent out of shape, because you can usually live without “x-tool” and there is always an alternative someone else likes better. They’re also really fun to read, and even more fun to write. So here it goes!!!

While it would be easy to put my boats or fishing tackle on here, I’m going to stick to the other stuff that allows me to enjoy more time on the river.

1. Chaco Sandals - you often here how bad it is to stand at a job for 8 or more hours in shoes with no stability. It puts a ton of strain on muscles and other connective tissue in the feet. As problems arise, foot pain turns to knee and back pain, ect. Now imagine standing at your job all day and the ground beneath you is moving…that’s fishing. Having supportive shoes that can get in and out of water, and provide decent traction is essential. The Chaco Z1 or Z2 (difference is toe strap, or not) is a workhorse. They’re NOT CHEAP! Probably $110. But, they’re an exceptional value, because even wearing 100+ days a year, you can expect easily 5 years of life. I’ve had my current pair 7 years, and they’re just just getting to where they need some attention. That brings me to the next point. They can be re-soled! You can send them to Chaco (do it in the winter) and they’ll slap on new rubber or straps at a fraction of the cost of replacement and you’re ready to rock another 5+ years. Added bonus. Chaco is owned by Wolverine World Wide, and Chaco repairs are done in Rockford, MI!!! SUPPORT LOCAL!!!

2. Smith Guide’s Choice Sunglasses - it’s not revolutionary to suggest that a good pair of polarized lenses is an essential piece of gear on the river. I like these Smith’s in particular though. I’ve had a LOT of polarized glasses over the years. Oakley, Smith, Costa…but these are my favorites for a few reasons. A. Great glass. This gives you great clarity and there are plenty of times I’m seeing fish sitting down that my clients can’t see standing with their polarized glasses (if clients don’t have polarized glasses, I keep spares for them…it’s that important). B. Spring hinges. This allows me to take them on and off without worrying about bending the hinges and gives a very secure fit without feeling tight. C. If you have a big ol’ melon like me, they’re oversized.for plenty of coverage. D. They come with a detachable neck leash for easy on-off security.

3. Portable usb power bank - I’m not loyal to any one brand. I’ve bought a couple different sizes on Amazon, and they all seem to work well. Whether I’m in a raft, or even in a boat that has a usb charger, I like to have a portable unit. It’s a nice way to make sure your phone, BT stereo, go-pro camera, has plenty juice for the whole day. I’ve heard WAY too many tales of giant catches, but “I grabbed the phone to take a picture and the battery was dead,” or “just as I hear the beeping of my GoPro battery dying, the water exploded.”

4. Someone say GoPro? - I love the new GoPro hero 9. It has a great super wide lens, shoots 4K, and takes amazing raw photos too! Also, fun to put under water and capture that cool release video. Originally, I was in the market for a nice point and shoot camera (to avoid a phone catastrophe). After weighing a ton of options, I came to the conclusion, that the GoPro would do everything I need AND provide a much better video tool.

5. Simms Bugstopper hoody - some of the best days on the river are in the morning or evening right after a warm rain…which is also when the bugs get bad. While I still spray my feet with repellent, the bugstopper gear has allowed me to go without bug-dope for the most part. I have no clue what the fabric is treated with, but it works. I recently got some pants too, and they’re a game changer. They’re also extremely light and breathable for hot weather and provide a great deal of sun protection.

6. Adventure Medical Kit - I’ve had to pull this out a couple times in the past year for hooks in fingers, and small cuts. I use a waterproof kit with all the bandaging and pain meds you could need for minor injuries.

7. Abel nippers and angled forceps. The nippers are great if you have to cut a ton of braid and you can wear around your neck with a lanyard and forget it’s there. The angled forceps are VERY handy for bass and pike where hooks can go deep quickly.

8. Yeti Hopper 12 - I found a used YETI hopper soft cooler on craigslist in ROUGH shape. I brought it home and it scrubbed up nicely. I’ve now used it 3 years, and it’s amazing. perfect for 3 guys in a boat to pack lunches and a couple cold pops. It’s also bomb-proof. I’ve thrown it on the bank SO many times. It just takes a beating and keeps things cold the whole day.

9. Fishpond Boat Net - Full-disclosure, I had a giftcard I bought the Net with. That said, this composite net is perfect for any boat. Nets take a ton of abuse. They’re stepped on, kicked, used like a tennis racket to whack lures stuck high in a tree, used to push off the bank, and even used to bring fish in the boat. You’re simply not going to kill this net. It also utilizes a soft rubber basket that’s much better for the fish than nylon netting. If you’re into buying things once and having them last forever, this is the ticket…For a small cost, the baskets can be replaced.

10. Nite Ize 12” twist ties - whether you’re in a boat, or packing for a wet wade, these cheap rubber accessories have so many uses. I use them to secure gear to my raft during transit. They’re great for attaching things to the frame to keep them off the floor, and an added layer of security for rods in the trays.

Obviously, there is other equipment that I could make a strong case for, but this is the gear I’m lost without. What am I missing? What non-tackle items can you not live without?

TK

Hot Summer Smallies

Doug lands a beast in the UP

It’s been nearly 3 months since we’ve posted. When fisherman go silent for a long period of time, it’s safe to assume they’re crushing it, or fishing is awful. We’ve had a little bit of both.

Early summer we were finding all kinds of big fish. Gear trips produced big takes on mostly Mepps #4 spinners, or whacky rigs. Before the grass comes in these are great ways to locate and catch fish. We even had one day in June where we just couldn’t keep the Bowfin off the line. They’re ferocious fighters! A word to the wise though…they have VERY sharp teeth.

On the fly we spent most of June throwing giant streamers on intermediate lines. with the low water they were pretty easy to locate, but clarity made them easy to spook as well. Windy days were best, as they couldn’t see the boat. We also caught a good number of decent pike. Simply pounding the banks and slack water assured us of double-digit days.

Steve with a top-water tank on a frog popper in the Western UP

Fast forward to July, and water conditions completely changed. We went from near-historic lows for the time of year, to full-on flood conditions. I like to think that this sort of re-shuffles the fish in the river, though I have no evidence to support the theory. Regardless, as the water slowly dropped we attempted some muddy-water trips. We still got into some big fish, but it felt like starting from scratch. The bigger fish were back in deeper holes, presumably waiting for clarity to improve before they venture out hunting again. But, a well-placed lure in front of their face would still elicit an aggressive strike.

Tom making the most of muddy water, with a nice 18”

As I sit here typing today, water conditions on all rivers are nearly perfect. They’re still higher than normal for the time of year, and with a bit of stain. The grass has definitely taken over those low stretches of river, so top water will keep your hooks clear, and guarantee an exciting day of fishing. As we get later into the summer months, try sizing down your lures/flies, especially for bass. Fly anglers should try top-water foam bugs like grasshoppers. If you’re looking to put some fish in the fryer, summer rock bass smash hoppers, fight hard, and are excellent in the frying pan!!!

Matt lands his first smallie on a fly, and it’s a football

Hopefully, everyone can find some time to sneak out and wet a line this summer. Days are already getting shorter, so the time to hit the water is now!

-Ted, F.R.O.

April 15th River Report - The “feed bag” is on!

18” Smallie crushed this white articulated streamer

First came the warmer temps…Then the water crept up into the mid-high 50’s…A little rain moved in, and IT WAS ON!

As the steelhead run nears its end, the Smallmouth and Pike fishing has been excellent the past couple weeks. While the water still is lower than average for this time of year on most of our rivers, the couple bumps in flow have definitely led to successful days.

Right now we are in the pre-spawn period, where the biggest fish are actively and aggressively hunting. Dredging crayfish patterns on the bottom will likely get it done, but if you want to see some great strikes, try throwing big, white articulated streamers. Target the deeper, slower pools around rocks and other structure. You might even lay into a surprise pike or two. An 8wt is our go-to this time of year for throwing big flies, to big fish.

Line/leader suggestions: I’m a big fan of the Scientific Anglers Full Intermediate lines with the Titan Tip. They turn over big flies easily and cast like a dream. I’m going heavy with the leader right now. Bass/Pike aren’t particularly line shy and most water still has a bit of a stain to it anyways. I’m running about 3’ of 35# flauro to about 3’ of 20# flauro. I like to connect the 2 sections with a small barrel-swivel to allow the streamer to swim more naturally.

Just a reminder, that while Bass and Pike aren’t as delicate as trout species, we still need to handle them with care. It can take 10 years or more for a Smallie to reach 18”. If they’ve survived that long, they deserve to get back to the water as quickly as possible.

Good luck and be safe out on the water!

TK

Spring Smallie Gear Guide…What’s in our Boat?

So, I’m a gear-head…

It was the perfect storm. Growing up in a middle-class house, I always had good enough stuff. Whether there was something better was irrelevant. Of course there was better stuff, but we were limited to what we had access to living in a small rural town over an hour from a metro area. We were also thinking pragmatically. “If a $30 rod caught pike, why do I need a $150 rod?” But, there was a part of me that always wondered if there really was a benefit to having “the best.”

Fast forward 25 years, after 2 decades in the specialty sporting goods industry, and all pragmatism has gone out the window. Having been a buyer for a chain of sporting goods stores, I’ve had thousands of dollars in gear given to me to try out. On top of that, industry discounts make it very easy to stomach what may otherwise be an eye-popping upgrade.

That drastic swing in gear accessibility has really led me to appreciate quality, but also helped me snuff out the Bull-sh$!…I’ll walk you through how I prioritize my gear.

Let’s discuss the gear you NEED in order to catch fish…Rod/reel setup. I’ll break that down even further for Fly fishing and Conventional fishing.

FLY RODS/REEL/LINE - I like rods I can hand to someone that has NEVER held a fly rod, say “do this”, and within a few minutes they’re looking all-right. Medium-fast action rods slow things down enough to do just that. Right now, I have the TFO Axiom II in a 9’ 8wt. It throws big streamers, handles wind well, has plenty of backbone, but is also delicate. I also think med-fast rods help you learn how to fight the fish better. Paired with the TFO BVK 7/8 large arbor fly reel, you have an excellent streamer rod for anything from Bass, to steelhead.

For Fly rods, you do get what you pay for to a point. A $100 rod works, but a $200 rod works WAY better. That said, above $350 (throwing out a number) the returns are much less noticeable, possibly even detrimental to the beginner. I have a $1000 Scott Sector 8wt that’s AWESOME! It’s the best rod I own by far, and casts a mile with precision. It is however a fast-action rod and I would NOT say it’s particularly “beginner friendly".” If a beginner asked me if that would be a good rod for them, I’d tell them instead to go buy a $200 4wt, 6wt, 8wt, with a good floating line, an intermediate line, and a sink tip for each. Get really good casting all of them and you’ll have all the tools you need for 99% of Midwest fly fishing adventures. If money is no object, go crazy! Just make sure you cast the rods first. If you can’t control the fly, the rod is useless regardless of the price tag.

Fly reels for me, aren’t an area where you need to spend a ton of money. For Bass/pike, you don’t need sophisticated drag technology, so the reels are basically “line-holders”. If you fish a ton, a machined aluminum reel will last longer, but any large arbor reel will do the trick. There’s no shame in putting a used $30 reel on a $300 rod.

Fly line might be the BEST investment. I use Scientific Anglers lines with the “Titan” tips. They turn giant flies well, and have a very slippery feel. If you Have $150 for a Reel/line budget, spent more of it on the line…IMO. We mostly use FULL INTERMEDIATE lines with articulated streamers for Bass and Pike.

CONVENTIONAL GEAR - I’m not loyal to any one brand here. Most of my time is spent fly fishing, but there are definitely times where it’s just more fun or practical to throw conventional. Again, I like stuff I can hand to ANYONE and they can learn quickly to use it. I personally LOVE Bait-caster setups, but it can be very frustrating to learn. My go-to is a LEWS reel, and SixGill Cypress baitcast rod. Great warranty, great price, sensitive and plenty of backbone. Spinning gear is going to be the most commonly used in the boat. Again, we’re using SixGill
Cypress rods, with Pflueger President reels. $150 buys a TON of performance in conventional gear, but unlike your fly gear, having a reliable, smooth reel makes a big difference.

So, LOTS to consider when filling out your quiver of fishing gear. For me Reliability is #1. I simply can’t be stuck out on the river without functioning gear. #2 is ease of use…Simply put, the less time I spend teaching you to use the gear, the more time you can spend fishing. #3 is COST (not price). Cheap gear can COST you more in the long run if you have to keep replacing it. I look for the best price one can get on RELIABLE, DURABLE gear that performs how we need it to.

This is just my boat…Talk to 10 guides and you’ll probably get a bunch of answers. Fortunately, we’re living in a great time for anyone to get into fishing. There is so much great new product at affordable prices getting launched every day. GO INTO A LOCAL RETAILER like Nomad Anglers in Grand Rapids, MI AND GET YOUR HANDS ON IT!!! Talk to those experts and they’ll point you in the right direction.

-TK

Spring Smallie Trip with Jeff from Burly Fishing

If, each year on New Year’s Day, you had to place bets on whether or not you were going to have a good day of Smallie fishing in March in Michigan, you’d lose…A LOT!

Sure, the days are longer. We’ll get a taste of spring here and there, and maybe even pull some shorts out of the drawer a couple times. But, the water is still generally cold, and the fish, lethargic.

Jeff and I went out for a quick trip last week, knowing the odds weren’t in our favor. Water temp was about 44 deg, and it was in the mid 20’s the night before. That means most of the fish were going to still be in winter’s coma, belly-in-the-dirt, in the bottom of a deep hole. That’s when I like to remind clients “we’re just looking for the stupidest fish in the river.”

Jeff runs BURLY FISHING. His youtube channel has about 15k subscribers where they review all kinds of conventional bass fishing tackle. They also put on a weekly podcast every thursday evening called the Burly Fishing Podcast. So, Jeff was going to be fishing with conventional tackle, while I toss out a few streamers on the fly rod. It’s an unlikely pairing, but this is exactly the kind of unity our country needs right now.

Enjoy the video!!!

CLICK BELOW!!!

JEFF AND TED BEAT THE COLD AND FIND BIG FISH