Another world

Today we fished on another planet. Today we ventured outside of our comfort zone and returned to a place foreign to everything we know and hold dear about our passion. Today we stood at a rivers edge void of confidence staring into a torrential hissing abyss.

Today we traversed treacherous landscapes of barren rock and root. Today we smelled death and quite possibly shook his hand. Today we fished the Niagara River.



To say the Niagara is a big flow is an understatement. As far as I am concerned it is the biggest flow a steelheader can encounter on this marble we call earth. She can be a giving river and she can be one hell of a miserable bitch. In my limited experience on this river I have had my share of the latter but today she seemed to be undecided. Today she gave and today she took.

It was to be my first Ontario outing for the 09 fall season and I was really looking forward to spending the day with Norland. The Ontario rivers have been running unseasonably low this year and we opted to visit a river we have had both great success and incredible humility on. Keeping an optimistic outlook we hit the road bright and early and decided to stray away from the crowds of "Anglers" at the Whirlpool and venture down river to the Glen.
The morning air was crisp, the walk in was enjoyable, the river exhibited a slight tint, and the crowds were non-existent. We fished hard today for what seemed little reward but I have no complaints. Today I spent quality time with a great friend. Today I stepped outside of my comfort zone and witnessed limited success. Today I visited a place few have dared to venture and returned unscathed and rewarded.
Today was the beginning of what I hope to be a successful and enjoyable 2009 Ontario Steelheading season for me.

Return to the Manistee

Near Record temps, Crisp Blue skies, Hungry Brown Trout, and winding country roads. It's so easy to fall in love with Michigan's west side. And I have...



This past weekend was to by my first kick at the 2009 Fall Steelhead season and what better place to kick it off than the Mighty Manistee river. I had not set my hopes too high for this trip. I was more so banking on a few quality fish coupled with stellar accommodations, much needed family time, peaceful walks in the forest and good food and drink. My steelheading success was limited to two brief encounters with willing players early on Saturday morning. The fishing was tough to say the least but there were no shortage of 12" browns and resident Rainbows to pass the time. I quickly discovered this trip was not as much about chasing steelhead as it was about escaping the past couple of months. The distraction was nice.