Hey guys! It’s about that time again and I finally have some real news to report, but let’s start off with the obvious. The river is high, still rising and dirty at the moment from the recent rains and runoff; all of the usual precautions should be applied if you attempt to float or walk in somewhere. 😳
Last I knew every section of the river from M-37 to Scottville was open and floatable, but I can tell you right now that at this level there is “at least” one tree that will give you big trouble between Lower Branch and Walhalla still and I expect that many other sections may have similar situations in them. (Brand new issues or issues simply due to level like the one I mentioned that you “usually” float under.)
Two days ago as I left the barn to go pick up my buddy Steve for a day trip I decided to turn around and grab a hat that a friend and client who had passed away the morning before bought me many years ago then, seeing my chainsaw I grabbed it too on a hunch that the rain we were getting combined with the melt off might cause some new issues. It turns out both were great moves! 😳
Steve and I had a pretty slow day up until the point well into the afternoon that we came across a clump of trees that Steve had just mentioned the day before he thought we’re going to fall soon. He was spot on! After a lot of dragging, tugging and chainsaw work I remembered the hat (River Bitch 🤣) and replaced my sweat soaked one with it.
I don’t know if it was the hat or just river Karma for our clearing deed, but I like to think it was a combination of both that turned the fish on for us and my friend “Budda” was smiling down on us. (And the weather became beautiful, birds started singing, squirrels were squirreling, etc!)
I cleared just enough to get by here with Steve on Wednesday and I imagine much of this has swung in by now…
The fishing was great with Jay and Patrice on Sunday as always, but the catching was a little slower…
Whatever it was, in the last two hours of daylight that were left we went well into the double digits on Steelhead hookups and landed a good handful of them plus some skippers so my rotation of great catching on one day to good catching the next and so on remained in tact! 🧢🍀
Anyway, the real point is, be prepared for something like that (the clump of trees) to happen at anytime in any section while we are still dealing with the challenges of spring. (Rising water, runoff, thawing banks, etc…)
I could probably sit here the entire day and write a short novel about my days this past week but I’ll spare you for the most part and let a few of the photos speak for themselves. Much gratitude goes out to Dennis as always for coming up to fish with me as well as Jay and Patrice! I can’t think of any better people to kick my spring season off with, not to mention our “family dinner” all together in the evening. Love you guys, thanks!! ❤️
The shop is starting to over fill with spring inventory and the guys are doing the best that they can putting it all out, but they could sure use some help!! If you or anyone you know may be interested in joining the BBT team as a sales associate please do get ahold of us. (231) 745-3529 (I’ll repost the full job description at the very bottom of this report.)
Spring guide dates are filling as are the openings at the Motel, but there are still some prime dates available if you want to spend a day or two with us on the river or at the proverbial Inn. (You can find details on our guide trips here and information on the motel here!) Call to book your dates! (231) 745-3529
As many of you already know we are celebrating 30 years of service to the river and you this year and as part of our celebration I was able to locate one of the very first T-shirts we ever sold as well as the artist that did the work for it (She actually still had that shirt and painted our first shop sign on M37 too! 😎) and we are re-creating it in a 30-year anniversary addition screen printed on a high-quality blank that should last for many years like our business!!
The only change I made from the original was to move the little logo guy from the left chest over to the right sleeve and add the BBT oval with 30-year anniversary stuff in its place! Check it out below and if you like it get ahold of us to reserve one in your size. (231) 745-3529
With printing on three sides, two colors and a high-quality blank they won’t be cheap but I’m going to do my best to keep the cost down by not marking it up to a normal clothing level. The more we order the less they cost us also so I’m going to see how many pre-orders we get before I put the actual order in next week sometime.
That being said, in full transparency, I’ll warn you ahead of time that even though it’s a “promotional item” for us I’m fairly sure they’re going to come in at closer to 40$ than 35$ if that effects your decision to support us by reserving one ahead of time or not. (I wore the t-shirt blank they sent to me as a sample fishing this week and can honestly say that I love the fit and feel of this one as a t-shirt connoisseur!)
I don’t really have much more for you right now other than if you were waiting on fish to show up wait no longer (well, maybe let the water clear up a little for a few days) we’ve been hitting plenty of bright new spring fish this past week and more will certainly push in with the extra water! 👍🎣
That job description is below. Have fun, please be safe and try to be kind to one another out there! I hope to see many of you soon if not in my boat at least along the river, at the shop or the motel… 👊😎 -Steve-
BBT Fly & Tackle Shop is seeking full and/or Part Time Retail Sales Associates
Description:
We are seeking a passionate, knowledgeable individual to provide top-tier customer service, assist with rod, reel, fly, tackle and accessories selections, manage point-of-sale operations in an often fast-paced environment and take reservations for Guide Trips & Motel Rooms.
Requirements:
A solid foundation of knowledge in fly, spin and bait fishing as well as the equipment needed, experience with POS systems, and strong interpersonal skills. (Interpersonal skills is the only actual unconditional requirement as the right person could be trained on the rest.)
Responsibilities Include:
Assisting customers with gear, taking reservations, managing inventory, and maintaining a clean and inviting shop/work environment.
Experience Needed:
This varies a lot depending upon your work ethic, personality and ability to learn, but being “experienced in fly and/or spin fishing” is most certainly a major bonus as is some history in retail sales…
Benefits:
Employee discounts are nearly universal, alongside product discounts direct from many of our manufacturers and a very laid-back work environment despite the fact that it can and does get hectic at times. Pay raises will be quickly granted based on good performance as we are looking for long term employee(s). To “partially” quote my partner John from a text discussing this ad he said:
“It’s the shop environment, spending time with quality like-minded individuals, talking hunting and fishing all day…, quality of life, low pressure work environment… the list is long!!!”
So, please call the shop and talk with either Jake or Jimmy if you have any questions about the position. Applications can be picked up at the shop and résumés can be dropped off there or emailed to [email protected]
(231) 745-3529 9am – 5pm
If you’ve ever thought about the life or just living this lifestyle, I hope you’ll consider joining our team and I’ll look forward to working with you! 👊😎 -Steve-
