The Big Man...the Ojibwa knew her as the Manistiqweita or "Crooked River". In her prime she was full of Grayling. Catches in the 1000's were reported in the late 1800's and like many of the Lake Michigan tribs the Grayling were to meet their demise when extensive logging operations across the state ruined prime river habitat.
With the collapse of the logging industry and the formation of the Manistee National Forest in 1938 the river has rebounded wonderfully. Couple that with man's foresight and divine stocking intervention and the Manistee has become a world renowned fishery once again. The Grayling of past are long gone but today the Manistee abounds with resident rainbows and browns, huge fall runs of Chinook and Coho Salmon, and most importantly a 4 season fishery for Oncorhynchus mykiss.
Today I had the pleasure to visit this great river once again. March has proven a tough time to approach this river in my limited experience but has always proven well worth the effort. Today was to be no different. Arriving on the heels of a early spring thaw the river was marginally stained and flowing strong. Big water is always best approached with big gear and the big sticks were the order of the day.
The fishing was tough, the scenery stellar and the experience once again unforgettable.
7 comments:
You are Chief Shitting-Rat. Did you try DS at all ie around Sawdust?
With any luck...
My leave gets renewed as of the first of Apr.
Maybe I can use some of my FRR...or my volunteer day...or my personal day...lol
As it is I am tapped out and have to rely on (shudder) ...vacation or even worse...days of rest!!!!
The Horror
Things should loosen up here in the comming weeks...
Doesn't sound like I am missing much but I could use some windshield time regardless.
Dave Wallace...Ojibwa for "stool softener"
I fish the Wellston side of Tippy. I prefer it actually. Stairs suck but good exercise. In March there is no point fishing above the coffer as there is little opportunity there from my experience. I usually start below the coffer across from the shit-fest and work my way down to Sawdust dropping in along the way. The river is actually accessible well below Suicide from this side. Plenty of water even when the river is under attack and less pressure from this side.
Have you been out much? We should all get together for an Elk trip. Maybe Norland could pull works D*ck out of his butt and make some time to fish.
Next time you go, check out the river from the access point at the Sawdust campground...there's some nice water down there.
Yeah, I've been out a few times recently...just local spots for a fish here and there.
I'm about ready for a big number day in Disneyland...securing the day-pass is the problem...
Will do Dave but I suspect the river will be bombarded from here on in with "true MI sportsman". We can blame the economy, fair weather, and inevitable large runs of chrome. My next trip will likely be the White. It is fishing well right now. Actually I should have fished it yesterday. Last minute change of plans. Poor call on my part.
Strong work.... mid-week trips are nice aren't they? ;)
Yes Gil they are. Usually afford some solitude and break up the work week quite nice. It's never of concern when the cons shape up nice for a Wednesday.
Post a Comment