March 1, 2009

As I look back over my log, I see that the last time I donned my waders was February 11. And to be sure, that has got nothing at all to do with the two small crotch-level pin holes I discovered last time out.

It has just been too cold! The Sturgeon River through Indian River is frozen over bank to bank. Farther upstream, there’s a little open water. But, the slush ice is so thick, getting both your nymph and your split shot to hit water, instead of ice, on the same cast is about a 30:70 proposition. As I write this (on March 3rd), it was twenty below zero at Pellston this morning. Yesterday morning was even colder.

It just seems to be a good old fashioned winter. As a result, I actually had to go out and buy a couple more storage boxes for my flies. The others are full. It has been a great winter for tying, that’s for sure.

Looking at the long range forecast, warmer weather (like 40F) is supposed to hit on Friday the 6th. If that warm weather holds, I’ll plan on about two weeks of river fishing, taking me to late March. Then, Ugly March Brown from 2008as the rivers swell, I’ll move to the lake and fish the river mouths. I plan on spending some time on the Great Lakes tributaries, as well as Burt Lake, and maybe even Lake Charlevoix. Once the raging torrent subsides, I’ll head back to the rivers.

Keep an eye on my “Journal” entries. I have several ideas planned that may be of interest. How to prospect a new stretch of river . . . getting started in fly tying . . . and “thinking” like a trout.

Just for fun, I thought I'd throw in a photo of a 19-inch brown from March 18, last year. The thaw was underway, but the rivers weren't yet torrential. Water temp was 36F and air temp was 37F. UGLY looking brute, wouldn't you agree?
Later.