going with the flow on the MO

Fishing has been interesting to say the least the past few weeks. With a biomass that might rival a megapolis the MO is hardly ever dull. Fish change feeding habits as often as women change shoes, making a day on the river always exciting. Fishing continues to be strong and I dare guess what this fall and winter will bring with such a healthy class of fish. As a preview I’ve already started to measure(accurately and quickly) fish to monitor growth…more on this later. After the hordes of fry the fish have been feeding on it appears as though they(fry drift not trout feeding) might be slowing down. Nymphing has been very productive and trout seem to be feeding ”normally”, if there is such a thing. Caddis emergences have been a bit weak but strong enough to get a good spent party at the end of the day.

Jay Allen, Riverquest guide

where are we again?

Frank on the MO

Jay pick-pocketed this bow

don’t shun the skinny water

sweeet!

trout are cool

via Allen Brothers http://www.theallenbrothers.com/site/2013/07/going-with-the-flow-on-the-mo/

It’s hard casting dries on a warm summer evening

Fishing was hard today….hard if you think casting dries to rising trout while being bombarded with solar rays is a chore! Throw in a steak topped w/ blue cheese compound butter, charred onion-tomato-basil-balsamic salad, fresh herbed bread and you’re really suffering. Caddis activity was decent this afternoon but a barrage of suckers spawning put a few of the bigger fish off of the bugs. Activity continued throughout the afternoon and hit the zenith when the sky went dark with drakes…Biblical proportions. Picked our way down the river during the dusk hours casting at targets until the light faded and seeing the fly became tough. A beautiful day!

Jay Allen, Riverquest guide

a well presented floating caddis pupa took this consistent riser

drake crusher!

via Allen Brothers http://www.theallenbrothers.com/site/2013/06/its-hard-casting-dries-on-a-warm-summer-evening/

Sweet Endings

Went out tonight expecting drakes…ended up catching some nice fish on caddis instead. Not all bad, just different than expected. Hudson and I have been meaning to get out together for a while and finally made it happen. I told him how the drakes have been heavy but when we arrived at our first spot few drakes were to be seen. We started fishing caddis emergers and were quickly into fish. Hudson literally made one cast over a riser and he came up and sucked down the floating pupa.  The fight was on. When the fish hit the net Hudson was ecstatic. There are few rivers I’ve fished that have good fish eating caddis pupa in rhythm during mid-day. Always a sight to see. The night ended fishing to brownies sippn’ spent caddis. Top the night off with a round of Ben and Jerry’s and you’ve got a night to remember!

Jay Allen, Riverquest guide

Hudson nailed this pupa eater in broad daylight..nice job!

a closer look

Hudson even let me catch a few

SWEEEEET!

via Allen Brothers http://www.theallenbrothers.com/site/2013/06/sweet-endings/

Feels like we are being watched

Sitting in the boat waiting for drakes is an interesting activity. The anticipation is palatable and silence refreshing. One moment you feel they aren’t going to show up and the next thing you know there is a host of drakes all around.   Like star cruisers coming out of hyperspace they materialize. It’s as though they have been watching from the bushes at a distance waiting for the right moment to strike and it would probably be eerie if they were coming to bite us. But alas they are coming to feed the trout we so admire.

Jay Allen, Riverquest guide

buggy bliss

cast…rise…set!

via Allen Brothers http://www.theallenbrothers.com/site/2013/06/feels-like-we-are-being-watched/

Summertime Brownies – Are we there yet?

Seems as though the Spring would never end. But here we are. Warmer temps have been regular and trout are getting into their summer routine. Still chasing fry but also shifting to a bug diet trout are again acting “normal”. Dry-fly opportunities have become normal again and fish size has been very good thus far. Looks like we are in for a great summer of trout fishing!

Jay Allen, Riverquest guide

Jay w/ a fry chasing maniac

just cool!

“you seen any bugs?”

via Allen Brothers http://www.theallenbrothers.com/site/2013/06/summertime-brownies-are-we-there-yet/

Nymphing for trout????

Three days of cats-n-dogs rainy weather couldn’t stop this crew. Mel, David, and Joe stuck it out and were rewarded with some nice fish. A combination of stripping streamers and nymphing produced trout as well as a few surprise steelhead. Water levels spiking added another interesting dimension to the days on the water. Hats off to you guys and well done.

Jay Allen, Riverquest guide

Surprise! they aren’t all gone yet

Mel w/ a beautiful river rainbow!

David w/ a great brown that crushed a fry pattern

soggy but spirits high

 

via Allen Brothers http://www.theallenbrothers.com/site/2013/05/nymphing-for-trout/

Uncle Bruce is “back on!”

Fishing is just plain fun! This afternoon John brought out his uncle Bruce to hit the river and see what we could hook into. Maybe trout, maybe steelhead, it didn’t matter on a day as beautiful as it was. Bruce got us talking about the Michigan colors of  Spring as we motored down the river. There had to be 40 colors of green  as the forest was starting to breathe deeply, life exploding. We fished for steelhead and after hooking several, Bruce managed to land his first steelhead ever! Halfway through the fight the fish shot back at the boat and the line went slack, there was a silent moment in the boat,but then…”back on!, back on!” Bruce shouted and the fight ensued. The whole thing was so amazing it sent me to my chair doubled-over in laughter. We all got back our composure and Bruce put it in the net.  Shortly after, John finished the day nicely with a fantastic brown. We motored back to the landing satisfied and grateful.

Uncle Bruce giving a “thumbs up”, he thought it was kinda fun!!

kinda fun too!!!

Jay Allen, Riverquest guide

via Allen Brothers http://www.theallenbrothers.com/site/2013/05/uncle-bruce-is-back-on/