No photos today. If you look at my reports just for the photos move along, but if you care about what I have to say, read on!
I want to start this “report” by saying my heart and soul goes out to everyone affected by these high waters whatsoever! A lot of my close friends businesses are being screwed by this unprecedented weather as well as their dwellings and we’re over here sitting pretty. (Pretty much, but don’t go below the mid-river I’d say! 🤷♂️)
As to our “river report”, we skipped yesterday because we “thought” it would be unsafe, but it turns out if you know what you’re doing it would have been fine “in the upper reaches”. The fishing was epic (from a boat with a competent guide) the last several days including this one.
We had two guides go out today with some long time clients and they had the best fishing they have ever had, but I want to STRESS that was because they were with guides who have run this river for years and years and know exactly what to do in these situations…
(I do NOT think that anyone with a boat should just go fishing or even wading right now! We do have some openings if you’re interested in fishing during this thing we’re having.)
The fish are definitely here and those that can are capitalizing on them, but my fear is that some will try that shouldn’t. Please use extreme caution if you do go out on foot or with a boat!!
Anyway, that’s the “report” and I know that this is supposed to be a “fishing report”. It is, but it’s also my “blog” of sorts about life in general, the river, family, friends and all things Lake County so, bear with me a minute…
Turns out, I actually forgot about something and because of that I lied! 😳 In my last report I opened it by stating that the last time I was that close to physically confronting someone was 35+ years ago when it was my job and a friend of mine here just reminded me that I did have that one (and only 1) incident here in Baldwin back in 96’-97’ish at the Sportsman’s Bar…
It was only one punch (that was very clearly seen coming and warned about several times prior) but it resulted in a hospital visit and a wired up jaw for a certain European that told the Sheriff thru clenched teeth in the morning that he was completely in the wrong, had it coming and did not want to press any charges. 😎
Luckily, the Sheriff at the time agreed to let it go as well (even though the state can, and probably should, press their own charges) with my personal promise to no longer defend America’s honor “in that manner” again here in Lake County and I have, thus far, kept my promise. 😎🇺🇸🤷♂️
Not one incident since and “hopefully” never will be again, but mostly just because I’m lower on testosterone than I used to be and I’m pretty sure this old cripple wouldn’t be very good at it any more anyway… 😜 (PS. I lived in Europe myself for many years both in high school + US Army and really got along with and even loved most of them.)
So. There you have it. The lie is exposed and you have my apologies once again only this time it’s for being a fibber! 😅🤷♂️ (Annnnd… That’s about enough on that subject to last me the rest of my life so let’s just move along now. 😎)
Next subject! As long as I’m sparking all of this great conversation on social media as well as causing myself to be trolled big time… 🤪😅
I recently read “If your “guide” is snagging fish off of gravel they are ripping you off!” and well… That is 100% true!! (I completely agree with that statement!) However… If they are fishing on or around gravel for the tons of fish that are not spawning, like to use it as a feed bag and are actively eating your offerings he might also just be a genius!
In other words, it really depends on what you’re actually doing, your own morality, motivations and your own ideas of proper ethics. (Even if you’re not “snagging” you are going to hook a few of those fish that are spawning that did eat your fly before the others can. 🤷♂️)
I’ve found myself avoiding gravel as much as I can in recent years because of that very same misconception, my own fear of critics that might see me and call me out as a hypocrite and the occasional fish that does get foul hooked no matter how careful you are, but on the other hand I’ve seen some really nice Steelhead that aren’t even thinking about spawning in that very same spot crushing eggs and some of the nicer trout you’ll ever see doing the same thing…
Now you’re not “snagging” (unless you actually are) you’re just matching the hatch! Who’s to say really? I say get off your high horse and don’t make assumptions about everyone you see in a gravel area, but that’s just me I guess. It’s an opinion, everyone is entitled to their own, everyone has one and sometimes they are just like something else everyone has… (insert a-hole here 😜)
You are crazy if you think that every person, boat, etc that is fishing a gravel flat is snagging fish. I’m not saying that none of them are because more than I’d like to see are doing just that, but on the other hand some people are truly just “matching the hatch” and catching some of the wonderful fish that are feeding in and around them…
Take a video if you see someone “ripping” and turn them in, but you won’t get a good one of me or mine because we only set the hook when we get an actual bite or, at least are fairly certain we did…
I also love the idea that anyone using the C&D method is snagging or lining and those with floating lines and bobbers aren’t! 😅🤣 That’s one of the most ridiculous things I’ve ever heard in my life made up by some self-proclaimed purists who were the very worst of the snaggers back in the day and never even tried to learn how to do it properly. (Click here for a tutorial!) That’s what they did, so you must be too right? 🤪
If you really want to speed floss some fish across the face and their open jaw while they are breathing (and snag a few along the way) the VERY best way to do that is with a bobber and a longer leader than what’s needed in the location your fishing; even better if you have a floating line you can let swing out or even put a downstream mend on at the right moment and to be honest I see a hell of a lot more guys doing just that than I do guys ripping with C&D.
C&D or Euro Nymphing is actually probably the very best way to avoid foul hooking fish “if you’re doing it right” IMHO… Ticking thru the bottom with a nymph, egg or fry is super effective if you keep a tight line, avoid that belly and only strike when you get one, but that’s up to the guy holding the rod; isn’t it? (The same way it’s up to the guy with a bobber, be it on a floating line, centerpin, bait caster or spinning rod to set it properly in just inches of water without letting it swing… 🤪🤣😅 Hilarious.)
Trust me, (or not) but I’ve been at this guiding game on the Pere Marquette River for 34+ years now and I started out doing a lot of those same shady things I’m talking about. Not proud of that at all, but I did. I like to think I’ve grown out of that and I’m more worried now about everyone having fun in a legal manner than I am about my fish count at the end of the day.
You can, and people do, abuse every single method out there and nobody is “holier than thou” than you are in any way whatsoever, you just do you. It’s completely up to the angler holding the rod and how they use it… 🤷♂️
Rant over, do with it what you will, but I for one just want everyone to get along and have a good time out there. Stop judging your fellow angler, introduce them to something new if you want to, but be cool about it and have fun, that’s why we’re all out there!!
Have fun, be safe and please play nice if you can!!
-Steve-
