December 2008

My fishing action was pretty much restricted to the Sturgeon River in December. The DNR has designated a few rivers that are open to trout fishing year long, and the Sturgeon is one of them. Year round fishing is only permitted, however, downstream from Wolverine. The Sturgeon is close to home and has decent access along the abandoned railroad grade which was recently converted to a hiking/snowmobiling pathway.

Winter fishing for me, is restricted to only a couple hours at a time. I will pick out a stretch of the river that has a nice deep slow pool, and that’s where I’ll camp. Methodically, cast after cast, I pick apart that pool, trying to bump a trout in the nose with my nymph.

Success came on only 2 of my five December outings. The December 6th 20-inch Henouting was the most memorable. Air temp was a brisk 25F and the water a lethargic 33F. A breeze was blowing, sending the wind chill down to about 19F. Snow squalls moved through from time to time. Normally, I wouldn’t head out on a day like that, but my son-in-law was in town, and this was the only day he could get out with me. So, we did what only seemed natural.

Jacques and I were only about 15 yards apart. He was working the tail end of the pool, I was at the head. We starting bottom bouncing two-fly rigs (a nymph and a yarn fly). Stepping into the river at 1:30pm, Jacques hooked up almost immediately. His very first steelhead EVER . . . a 23-inch male. It went after the Oregon Cheese yarn fly. After a little CPR (catch-photo-release) we went at it again.

Not long after I waddled back to my casting position, Jacques (calmly, this time) announces another “fish on”. This time, it was a 20-inch hen. Again, cheese was on the menu. A little more CPR and she was released to the icy depths.

24-inch BuckNot long after I waddle back to my casting position, Jacques (actually nonchalantly) announces yet another “fish on”. GIVE ME A BREAK. This time, it was hefty 24-inch buck that sucked in an olive Rabbit Strip Wiggle Hex. What a great fish! And, more CPR.

Jacques, by this time, with a quivering forearm, and frozen figures, politely asked if I wanted to take over “his” position. Not wanting to ruin a perfect outing, I quietly slipped the barb into the hook-keeper on my rod and replied, “Naw. Let’s go home and check out our photos.”