The Best Gift Ever...

I gave myself an early Christmas Gift today...With aggressive holiday plans and the ever looming end to the Ontario season I decided to take advantage of the opportunity and treat myself to some much needed solitude...A solo trip to the river is always healing and filled with gifts inside of the gift if one opens their eyes and looks beyond the obvious. 

The bite of winter was in the air and frozen guides were evidence that the lockup is around the corner.  The old girl was in her glory and marginally proud of her banks.  She was dressed in Emerald green with shore ice accents. 

 The fish were in their winter holding patterns and willing to participate. The silence and sense of isolation afforded by a lonely river in December is unparallelled.




 The opportunity to fish a river alone in this day and age is priceless. The ends do justify the means and my now tired and weary body has no regrets.




 Our little river is a special place and today I said good by to her for the remainder of this season. It was nice to share an intimate outing with her and bid my fond farewells.



May you all have a safe and wonderful holiday season.  Merry Christmas, tight lines, and best wishes.

Frozen Anchors and Cracked Fingers...Winter Steelheading

Sitting in front of my computer in the comfort of my home I am contemplating just how to capture the past 48hrs of steelheading at the cottage.  I'm tired and my hands ache.  We started the trip off with an afternoon session that left me feeling quite excited about the next two days.  Monday's forecasted temps were very encouraging and I was excited arriving to the upper river with the Hyde in tow to discover that we had the river to ourselves.  The next 8 hours would prove to be a series of unfortunate events. 

The day ended on a blanco.  It wasn't like we didn't have our chances.  The ones that came across my path were poorly stuck or simply got the better of me.  Some days you can't do anything wrong and some days you can't buy any luck.  We did managed to put a multitude of very healthy resi rainbows and browns into the boat though and if it wasn't for their aggression the day would have been very dismal.  This mornings game plan was finalized over coffee. 

The decision was made to forgo the upper river and head right down to the lower.  The boat was left out overnight so all we had to do was load the motor and the rods and make our way to the launch.  This proved to be a poor call.  The night time temps had dropped well below freezing and the bottom of the boat was now full of ice.  The anchor rope was frozen solid as well as the anchor itself  in the bottom ice.  Minor details to hardcore steelheaders but a pain in the a$$ nonetheless.  Arriving to the launch we were quite surprised to see another 5 or so rigs already launched and on the water. 

The ramp was very icy where they had launched but we were lucky enough to have the far side of the ramp untouched and bone dry.   As we launched two more rigs pulled in.  I noticed it was the Hawkins guides and assumed they were starting their days later now as the bite was now into winter mode.  We made our way to the first run and crossed our fingers that the anchor would release and function with the frozen rope and mechanism.  We were to struggle with this system for the remainder of our outing and it proved to be yet another pain in the a$$ for the morning. 

The forecast was predicting a marginally positive one degree Celsius but it certainly wasn't making any attempt at breaking free from the negatives.  We struggled with icy guides, frozen anchor systems,  reels, hands, and toes.  Be bounced around for a couple of hours without so much as a sniff.  The feeling of fishing heavy pressured 2nd, 3rd, 4th or 5th water in the extreme cold was testing my patience.  After the 5th unsuccessful location I decided to double back, cut our losses, and head for the cabin to offload the boat and see if we could redeem ourselves wading the water below the coffer. 

This proved to be a wise decision.   The fishing was tough but I still managed to persuade a couple handsome players to come to hand.  The roe bite is definitely on hold but the bug bite seems to be the ticket.  Norland jigs once again saved the day.  Solid black and black with fire-red.  Also to note a flashy white iridescent jig put the hurt on a multitude of resident rainbows and browns.  Multiple passes of the black jigs produced nothing and when I switched over to the white I popped two fish in two drifts.  Not sure if the resi's are keying in on a minnow or waxi presentation but one thing is for certain...they are on it! 

It was nice to feel the big bend in the rod today and get some redemption for a tough day and a half.  Monday just seemed to be one of those days where a guy couldn't do anything right and this morning was a bitter cold reminder that the elements can and will have an effect on the outcome.  The poor fish don't know what the heck is happening.  Plus 8 temps one day and -3 a couple days later.  They set up for winter mode  and then mother nature throws them a curve.  It's all part of the game I guess but I know one thing for certain...my old body takes a hell of a beating on these cold outings.  The last three weeks of fishing has wrecked havoc on my hands.   They have dried out substantially and I have a multitude of cracks on my fingers and thumbs.  At one point today after dealing with one of my fish I noticed my hands were actually bleeding.   Now every time I inadvertently bump something with one of my affected fingers it sends a jolt of pain like an electrical shock through my entire body.  LOL!  I ain't getting soft!!!!  It is an unreal pain.  The joys of getting older I guess and the price to be paid for fishing like a Fiend.  A price well worth it I guess... now where is that hand lotion.

Late Afternoon Session

 

With a green light from both work and our wives Arn and I decided to take advantage of the opportunity for some pre-Christmas Steelheading and drove over to the West Side.

The weather this year has been kind to us steelheaders and today we arrived  at the cabin, unpacked, geared up and slid down to a river under +1 C temps and little to no wind.  With only a few hours prior to sunset we decided to wade the river below the coffer. 

Jigs and spawn proved to be the ticket accompanied with equal amounts of  confidence and determination.  The fish this year are large as are the resident rainbows and browns. 

We put in three hours and turned 3 steelhead and a multitude of browns and rainbows.  It took me a little bit to dial in on the jig colour of the day but once I landed on Olive it all came together rather quickly.

The highlights were my 8-9lb mint hen and Arn's big resi brown  Nice to get the lines wet before the main session tomorrow.

-10 on the Jig

 It was family weekend at the cottage and I couldn't wait to spend some time with the Girls.  We arrived at a reasonable hour Friday night and quickly put flame to the new woodstove.  It certainly is nice knowing the dollar meter isn't rapidly spinning out of control every time the propane forced air furnace fires up.  And honestly...there is no comparison to wood fired heating.  We settled in for a warm night of liesure.

My wife had plans of Christmas baking with the girls on Saturday.  I was anxious to get the Hyde back out on the upper river but the biting cold evening air had me second guessing my morning plans.

The alarm came early as it usually does and I awoke to the bad breath of a 90lb Labrador retriever overly anxious for his morning meal.  The cabin was cool so I stoked the stove and let cody buddy out for his morning business.  Upon opening the front door I was overwhelmed by a stern brisk cold.  I knew it was well in to the negatives and I knew I would be in for a rough solo morning venture.  I reluctantly weighed my options and the comfort and warmth of our bed won the vote.  A few hours later I re-awoke and made the morning coffee. 

While I savoured my morning java I reformulated my day.  The new plan had me poking my way around the banks of the upper river.  The boat would best be left for more civil temps and a more acclimated self.  The weather network was bragging of -10C with the windchill and I was not prepared for an extended outing of frozen anchor ropes and slippery boat decks.  The wading initiative gave me a quick egress in the event things were unbearable.

Arriving to the access I wasn't surprised to witness a lonely river.  The mid-day sun was bright but it offered no comfort from the harsh bite in the afternoon air.  Having been graciously reminded of the winter Jig effectiveness the week prior by JB I was keen to float some Ella Norland hand crafted Canadian Jigs.  Ella loves to help her dad tie up jigs and roe and the last couple of Christmas's I was fortunate to be on the receiving end of a multitude of them.
I chose to start with a black and orange jig with a woolen body.  After getting my jig saturated with water and the marabou pulsing I chose my line and made the first cast.

I was disappointed to learn the float reel had frozen solid on the descent down the stairs to the river.  The previous weekends outings were under substantial rainfall and the gear had been soaked.  It had been quite a while since I had to contend with a frozen reel so it took me a while to rid the gear of the ice buildup.  Three or four casts later hand me shuffling down river about 10 yards and picking a line further into the river in a fast shoot coming off of the coffer.  The second pass on this line and my float dropped.  Instinct had me set up to a monster of a fish.

It was quickly apparent that the daunting cold would be both friend and foe.  The cold weather had put the fish into a manageable winter mode but the bite in the air was laying havoc on my aching hands.  With some luck I managed to beach the 30" double striper.  It was a beast of a buck and had to push the 11lb mark.  He showed no signs of shyness on his take and crushed the black maribou jig.  With hands aching I assisted him back into the majestic flow unharmed.  I couldn't have been happier.  In less than 10 mins on the river I had banked a world class winter buck and on one of the Norland's Jigs.

With plenty of water to traverse I continued to work my way down river and around the bend.  The water level of the river had dropped a good 6-8" from the previous weekend and I was struggling to find some more willing players.  I worked my way down to my lower travel limit with only a chunky brown to show for the efforts before turning around and making the hike back up. 

Arriving back to the coffer I had another hour of daylight left and decided to tie on a black body with red inner accent marabou jig.  This colour combination has been one of my goto options when running the jig back on the Ontario flows.  Today proved to be no different.  Over the course of 30 mins I hit another stellar buck, a big hen and lost another fish on a straightened hook.  The takes were ferocious and the fish were all large specimins in full winter dress.

The river was lonely and the fishing was outstanding.  The ends do justify the means and I found my once cold aching body rejuvenated and warm from the adrenaline rush of giant fish.  The quality of fish never cease to amaze me and the sense of new found appreciation I have for these MI flows every time I visit them seems to have no end.  Each and every encounter we have with these fish is a gift and I cherish each as such.  I am a blessed man.  As I made the asscent from the river basin I couldn't wait to get back and tell the girls of my outstanding afternoon.

Opportunity

Opportunity..noun...[op-er-too-ni-tee]... a situation or condition favorable for attainment of a goal.

In life one has  choice...Seize the moment  and embrace the opportunity to live life to the fullest or ignore the wonderful gift and go on not knowing the grandeur of what could have been.  Today we embraced the gift and visited a Lake Huron Jewel.  It had been a while since the home waters had come into there own.  Recent times have converted these precious flows into high rising and quick falling systems.  There is no longer a fishable in between and the window is very tight.  The fish seem to have managed to adapt fine.  As a steelheader you have to seize the opportunity or roll the dice.

This time of the year can be hit or miss.  Some years have had  the rivers locked up in a frigid icy grip by now while others find the emerald gem flow open through to the season's end.  Even when the flows manage to keep open there is always the ever daunting risk of morning slush this time of the year.
The forecast was marginally mild in comparison to what we have dealt with in past December outings.  Arriving to the access site I had to question the thermometer.  It was apparent that the cold wind was definitely adding a windchill effect but still it bothered me just how much the cold was bothering me.

Arriving to the rivers edge she was exactly as predicted.  On the front end of being fishable.  Impeccable timing mid week typically equates to peace, serenity, and sore shoulders.  Today's outing was a-typical.  The fish were scattered throughout the system and nothing came easy.  The way it should be in my opinion.  Large numbers and fish in a barrel can be novel but more than not ruin a man.  The cold nights and runoff have put the fish in a pre-winter state of lethargy.  They fought hard but a few degree's warmer  would have had our asses  handed to us numerous times on this big water day. 

Big water brings inherent challenges.  The fish can scatter throughout the system and one needs to be persistent and approach the river with a plan.  Another challenge comes in the form of crossing.  One would think they know their own flows intimately but big water changes the game.  A multiplier to the dangers of crossing in December are the frigid temps.  Today I witnessed a near tragic situation get thwarted but not before humbling my peer and giving him a new found respect for our ages and   river conditions.  I gave up crossing the river without a staff a long time ago and can proudly say it has come to my aid many a time.

One over occurring theme of the day was the cold.  I has been a long time since I have had to contend with the cold on this level.  To be quite honest it was no where near the severity of typical winter outings but the effect early on was harsh.  It  was never an issue that couldn't be dealt with via a small hand warming break or walk in the bush but more a reminder of our ages and maybe we are getting softer.  The hike out to the car was certainly another indication.  Driving back we discussed the hike and weather or not we would consider it this winter under a foot of snow fall. 

The thoughts and sentiments were certainly leaning towards the softer side.  Are we at the beginning of the end...I highly doubt that but will our approach be more thought out and reasonable...I would think so but honestly who can say? 
So today we seized the opportunity...the gift of fishable high water in December and today we were rewarded for living.

December Rains...

Day 2

The rains starting falling late Friday night. Waking early Saturday morning I wasn’t much surprised to learn that it was still raining. It was forecast for the entire day. The cabin was still warm from the previous night’s fire and I was happy the wood stove's form met function. After feeding the dog and reinstating the fire we discussed the mornings options over a coffee. With Friday’s successes in our pockets there was no real urgency to hit the river. We landed on a leisurely start to the day that would start with some peppered bacon and eggs. The rains were showing no signs of reprieve so after a few hours of couch moping and WFN surfing we decided to make a break for the river.

There was a decent rain in the works accompanied by a moderate chill in the air but nothing the Goretex and proper under layering couldn’t handle. Considering the extent of the gloomy day we were quite content and dropped the drift boat in at the Tippy launch. I was eager to fish this section again after the week priors success with my daughter. By now we were pushing 11 am and  I had to chuckle at our overly late start. The idea in this section is to find and fish as much dark green water as you can located along the float down river. This typically occurs in the buckets located behind the gravel bars and ridges of the river along with the occasional trough and extended run. It wasn’t long when my float dipped and I set up on a fish only to feel the solid confirmation and textbook flash before the hook popped.

It was a terrible feeling as I wasn’t totally certain just how many opportunities we would come by having started this late in the morning. My feelings were validated as we only managed to pop a few fattie browns along the next hour and a half of drifting. This was all to change when we reached a deep water section just above Suicide. I was fairly confident we would find some luck here as I lifted a fish last Saturday with Taylor out of this section so we situated the Hyde properly to fish it hard. I was just about to give up on this run when I re-adjusted my depth and made another drift through. It was a good call on my part as the float jettisoned into the green abyss and I set up on a large hot dime.

The fish exploded and ran well down into the Suicide bend. I was in the rowing seat.  After Norland’s crash course in rowing I wasn’t prepared to turn over the oars LOL! With the anchor rope in one hand and the float rod in the other the chase was on. Norland was on the net and dialed in. It wasn’t enough just dealing with the hot fish but at times I had to correct the boat position and keep tabs on our proximity to shore and river obstructions. It must have been quite the act as we worked this fish to the net dropping and re-pulling the anchor. Finally I managed to get the chrome hen near the boat for a shot and in the blink of an eye Norland made an insane snatch and grab. It was impressive… If I had blinked my eyes I would have missed it. The fish was a strong prime specimen in the 7-8 lb range. She couldn’t have come at a better time as our damp spirits were beginning to lose confidence in the day.

After a healthy release we motored back up to the top of the  run and started our decent back down into suicide bend. After a well deserved break I decided to get back in the water. We were now a ¼ of the way into the bend and I was on my second or third drift when my float slammed down. Once again I was setting up on a fish but this time it was confirmed by an enormous leap from the depths followed by a sharp run and two more epic jumps. It was a giant double stripped buck and he was pissed off. Instantly my left arm reached for the anchor rope and I cleared it fast as the fish continued to break the surface and race down into the bend. The fish jumped a total of 7 times over the course of our battle.

Amazing for a fish setting up for a long winter. Once again the circus was in town and we fumbled our way down river in pursuit. At one moment I wanted to reach into my pocket and get the camera so I could take a picture of Gene. There he was…net in hand…one leg up on the gunnel in a focused stance ready to pounce with fury. The anticipation on his face was stellar and I knew then and there that we were going to land this fish and we indeed did just that. It was outstanding. Kind of emotional actually. My arms were aching and before me was a pristine example of the state of the West side fishery. Just a stellar double strip buck in full Winter dress. The fins were darkened to the full burgundy tint and tipped with a stark white tips. The Double stripes were vibrant and well pronounced. The checks were crimson armor plated. He was a handsome beast pushing 10lbs and proved his prowess in the water and air. It was an outstanding moment as we witnessed him jet back into the depths of suicide unscathed and no worse for wear. Our day certain had taken a turn for the better and we were now Amped. Back up river we motored and began to make the same drift. I positioned the boat just below where I hooked the buck and Gene made a few passes through some nice slower paced water. His thirds pass through I was focused on his float and it dropped quick. He set up to nothing.

We were certain that had to have been a fish and commented on the sentiments as he recast to the same line. We watched in utter anticipation as the float meandered down to the general local of it's last disappearance. Then it happened…it dropped and Gene set up on a long buck that breached the water instantly. It was a very good fish and once again the chase was on. We were now about half way down the bend and close to shore. We had some options. One was to risk my inferior netting abilities and play it out in the Hyde or row to shore and put the fish on the beach. As the battle ensued we chose option B and Gene leaped from the boat in the shallows. This still proved to be no simple task as Gene and I worked the fish down river abandoning the Hyde all together. We managed to swing him into a small cove where I scooped him up just for certainty.

It was an awesome fish. A long ruby red striped river warrior with a lime green hue. This fish was tough and his body bore the indications that he was a true river soldier. The beach landing afforded us the opportunity for a nice photo op and we took full advantage of it prior to the healthy release. We were now three stellar fish into a late start and stoked. The day took a drastic turn for the better and we couldn’t have wished for more from it. With an hour or so of fishable daylight left we reset the gear and made the row back out into the drift. Wanting to fish the back end of the bend we made our way down when my float dropped and once again we were into yet another hot fish. This time a smaller silver hen in the 5-6 lb class but nonetheless a workout.

At one time during this battle she was screaming downstream towards a large log protruding from the river. Her intentions were obvious and I had to clamp down on her and hope for the best when she turned and raced back up river toward the boat. The anchor was dropped and the boat was weaving in the current from shallow water to deeper water. We just happened to be over the shallow water when I decided to make my break for the shore. I jumped from the boat and worked the fish towards the shallow gravel bank. Norland was laughing his ass off and in hot pursuit. We managed to find success once again and put her on the beach. Here we were 4 fish into the day, water logged rats, and happier than hell. The boat was in the middle of the river and we were on the shore laughing about the entire episode. 

We marvelled at the  power of these fish and the fact that we had the river to ourselves. We made a few more attempts at the bottom end of the bend but it was apparent that we were losing daylight and had to make the slow motor back up to the launch. We arrived back to the cabin under darkness, off loaded out saturated gear and settled in for a hot meal and some cold Rolling Rocks. The discussions that evening mostly centered around how quickly our day turned around and just how enjoyable this miserable cold and rainy December day turned out to be. 

Today was testament that it truly isn't over until the fat lady sings and perseverance and confidence are the most valuable tools in ones wading jacket. These are the days that get eternally etched into our memories for these are the stories we will tell and relive for many years to come. They are the  days and experiences that money can’t buy... Days that should and will be cherished for the rest of our lives.

Norlands Unicorn...

Day 1

Well the stars finally aligned.  The weather was forecast to be fishy, I had a free schedule at work, and Norland had the green light to join me for a few days of pre-winter/late fall Steelheading.  With some vacation time saved and a daunting wood stove install task hanging over my head I decided to head up Tuesday night and Gene would meet me at the Cabin later in the week..  The wood stove install was a little more involved than I had anticipated but after two full days of mental and manual labour the job is done. I couldn't be happier with the end result.
 There are still some minor details to finalize but the stove is in, looking beautiful, and cranking out the heat.  This was giant monkey on my back.  With major commitments at work this year I had considered paying someone to install it.  The quotes I had received were coming in extremely high and I struggled with paying a ridiculous amount of money for a job I was quite capable of completing.  With this said and the major fall outage at work I managed to keep putting the daunting task off. 

Looking at the weather window I decided I better bite the bullet and get it done.  Just as I was finishing up the final caulking and nailing of the roof flashing Norland rolled in.  True to his useless nature he showed up just in time to do nothing.  LOL!  Typical!!!
I cleaned up as he unloaded his gear and we settled down for a couple of cold drinks and some dinner as we discussed recent events in each others lives and the game plan for the following day.  There was a minor cold front that crept in shortly after Gene arrived so we decided to take our time and get to the river launch for 8am.

When morning arrived we discussed the days events over a coffee and agreed on fishing the lower river out of the Rainbow bend launch.  The morning air had a crisp bite to her and the remnants of a mild evening snowfall was visible on the ground.  As we made out way back to the launch access we rounded the final corner to witness an empty parking lot.  This was certainly a gift and we were quick to offload the Hyde and make our way down river in hot pursuit of some chrome.  The first couple of locations were stingy and didn't produce a single take.

 I could sense that Norland was thinking his Michigan curse was going to continue on and haunt him.  The third location we set up at I managed to hook a nice clipper early into the drift.  I was nice to feel the rod load up and the validation of our efforts.  After a decent battle we put the fish in the boat.  We continued to work our way down river to the next location.  Not long after situating the boat I hooked a little skipper and sent him on his way.  Gene then set up on a decent fish but no sooner than seeing his rod load up nicely his main line broke and a dire look of disbelief and despair fell across his face.  It was a sizable fish and Gene took it hard.  He shook it off and retied.  While he did that I dropped the boat down about 30 feet to fish a nice foam line coming off  the current break of the sunken tree.

About 3 drifts in I noticed Gene's lost float start to make it's way into the seam we were fishing then disappear under the surface.  I was clear that the fish that he had lost dropped down to this run and set up on the line we were targeting.  We figured that fish wouldn't be alone and made a couple more drifts.  A few drifts in and Gene hooked up with a tank.  The fish started to run down river and the chase was on.  We knew it was a big fish but were both shocked when it broke the surface.  With no other options we worked our way down river in the Hyde in hot pursuit.  After a couple of feeble attempts the huge buck made the net and I lifted him into the boat.  He was a giant.  Definitely Genes  personal best Steelhead.  He measured out at 32".  We didn't get a girth measurement but this fish would easily hit the 14 lb mark. 

The fish was awesome and couldn't have come at a better time.  By now Gene was shaking and couldn't have been happier.  After a fair amount of glamour shots we sent him back to the depths from which he came unscathed and no worse for wear.  Gene celebrated the epic victory over a Creemore and a bologna sandwich.  LOL!  The remainder of the day found us poking around the lower river desperately looking for a hookup.  But as fate would have it we were unsuccessful.  The fish were certainly there but were put down for some reason.  We talked to other steelheaders that experienced the same findings.  We couldn't have been happier with our rewards and the encounter with the giant MI buck.  All afternoon all Gene could talk about was the call he was going to make to Advanced Taxidermy when he got back home for the reproduction mount.  LOL!  It was a good feeling watching him put that fish in the net and I couldn't have been happier for him.  He certainly has  taken his licks over there and more than earned that fish.  We arrived back to a warm cabin and the inviting aroma of crockpot chili.  We lit the inaugural fire in the wood stove and discussed the next days game plan over diner and some cold beverages as we settled in for the evening.  Life is good.

On a side note...I attempted to teach Gene how to work the Hyde.  That proved to be a lost cause.  LOL!  I'm just glad he didn't have his sidearm in the boat as I'm certain he would have shot me in the face for my lack of patience.  I can't be around useless people...LOL!  ;0)

to be continued...day 2