Wow, what a change in the weather. The river has been coming down but is still at a above normal level which means: you can wade spots you know you just can't cross in a lot of places. Water temps are cold (36-39 deg.) and there is about 3 " of snow on the ground. The river has a good stain and is fishing well if you know the winter water ( runs and holes). The hookups is more like winter numbers not spring. What we have is Spring #'s of fish with a winter bite and fight. The fishing pressure is way down from the Easter holiday and the cold weather.

 

All of this should be changing as soon as the weather warms back up this week and the fish will become more active. I have had some real diehards here this past week in the boat. Some of them froze out and snuggled up to my Mr. Heater and some fished it out and were fine. I give them all credit for even getting out of bed and trying it !

Then Rick got into the action and landed a smaller buck and a nice hen.

We had more hookups but couldn't get anymore to the net.

 

The next day April 3 rd. I had Mark and Mike the water had came up a bunch and had turned cold and snowed a couple inches overnight. We fished some good spots but the bite was already getting thrown off. Mark landed a small Steelie on a stone fly. Went to another spot and Mark hooked into a nice hen and landed it. Had lunch, fired up the heater and rowed out. Mission accomplished. I stopped and one more spot on the way out and a few cast later Mark hit a nice brown. It was a nasty day. High winds and 3 " of new snow while we were out there. It was a white out while on the water a few times. We put the waders and layers gear to the test. Mine passed with flying colors. It also helps I use to work outside doing construction and still spend a good amount of time Ice Fishing Winter, Steelheading, and Snowmobiling. 

I thawed out the boat for another day on the creek. April 4 th. I had Steve and Dave. Dave drove down from Marquette and went threw a blizzard to get here. Steve drove up from Ft. Wayne early and fished a little on the 3 rd. The bite was gone we only had a couple trout on. Caught a Sculpin and didn't even a touch a Steelhead. The fish were tucked up and out of the way. The water had come up more and was out of its banks,cold and dirty. These guys had the right gear and fished all day in all the good spots. If the fish were out we would have hooked some fishing blind and we worked the water thoroughly in all the best spots and no luck. It was a 50/50 shot we could have had a great day or a bust. You just don't know if you don't go ! These guys were tough and we never even thought about that heater under the seat. Reports from others were matching lots of shutouts pitched and very few hooked much less to the net. If you caught a fish or two that day consider yourself lucky.

 

The next day April 5 th. I had a Mother and Son. They were ready to go and layered up. Two hours and 50 to 100 cast later. I had no trouble getting them to say uncle ( the only trouble was deciding which one said it first). It was a easy sale talking them into a scenic boat ride in front of the heater and lunch back at the cabin. They found their limit. We still had a good paddle and seen lots of wildlife. They had been out Steelheading a couple of times but never in the winter conditions. Now they have a whole new respect for those who have pictures holding up Steelhead in Winter scenery and the endurance/ patience it takes to accomplish that task. The water had dropped and was clearing but the few cast we made not even a nibble. The bite was still way off for us. 

 

I have been off for the last few days and I'm in no hurry to get back out there until the water warms and my anchor rope stays thawed out. That is really the only thing I don't like about rowing in winter is that frozen anchor rope is a constant nuisance. I do a practice stop 50 yards before the actual spot just to thaw out things. Then go slowly into the spot I want to fish. It can be frustrating in high water with a frozen rope, blowing by a spot you really wanted to hit. Cold hands and ice in the guides NO Problem I will fish almost anytime.

 

Had a great Easter yesterday with my Son (Adam) and my mother (Marty). We had ham ,au gratin potatoes, veggie, and bread. Good stuff and plenty of leftovers.

 

This week Spring will reappear and the fish will become playful again. Until then the diehards own the river. Greg and Carrie long time customers & friends with there Black Lab just launched for a day on the water. Hope they hook a few and have a good report tonight while sitting in the hot tub sipping on a few.

 

Think Spring

Clint