Journey To The Manistee ~ PART TWO

solopaddler · November 22, 2008

For those who havn't seen part one of my report here it is: http://www.ofncommunity.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=25658

Part two is the real meat of the report. I won't bore you with my ramblings, it's primarily pictures and video clips.

Enjoy!

Lower River Chrome-a-thon

I've got a good friend Karl who lives in Cadillac, about 30 minutes east of Wellston.

A few years back him and his dad Leon designed and built the now highly regarded Hanson centrepin.

He's a true master in the art of steelheading and knows the Manistee like the back of his hand.

A good man to know...

Prior to our trip we had made arrangements to fish with Karl in his friend Jon's jetboat on Friday. Jon is an ace in his own right making his living guiding full time on the big river.

Unfortunately this left Jay to his own devices as it's next to impossible to fish 5 in a boat...

Didn't hamper him much though, as Jay had a good day as well (I'll let him tell his story though).

Prior to our trip Karl had said the river was glass water clear and to tie small subtle stuff. No problem.

Here's a picture of my idea of small and subtle compared to Karl's :

Fortunately for me the fish didn't seem to care. They were fresh from the lake, hot and hungry.

As mentioned in part one fish in the lower river relate to "artificial" current breaks as it's somewhat wide, deep and featureless.

Pretty much every single branch, log or tree that had fallen into the river held a pod of angry steelhead in the seam behind it.

Being in a boat there were many occasions where we were loathe to pull anchor and follow the fish so we had to stand on them and work them back to the boat in the heavy current.

Quite a feat as these fish were incredibly strong and powerful.

Because of the very clear water I started the day using 6lb fluoro for tippet. I then bumped it up to 8lb and still lost a few fish.

I finally settled on 6lb Maxima Ultragreen monofilament and had no further issues. It's waay tougher, stronger and abrasion resistant than fluorocarbon and frankly finesse wasn't required.

As is the case most of the time when steelheading, presentation was the key.

I'll now let the pic's and videos tell the tale:

Dave with a nice one.

Karl in action.

Yours truly battling a steelhead and the result.

Dave in action.

At one point I hopped out of the boat onto a sandbar and managed to hook a fish.

Karl with a nice cromah!

Couple videos of Karl in action:

We had several double headers on the day and at least one, maybe two triples.

We certainly didn't suffer either. Here's the uber cool Jonny cookin' up our lunch right in the boat. (I supplied the steaks, it was the least I could do ).

More chrome:

What an incredible day!

You'd think we'd have had enough right? Wrong!

At the end of the day there was still a bit of light left, so with the chrome fever still running hot Dave and I said our goodbyes to the boys and raced over to the mouth of the Little Manistee where it spills into Manistee Lake.

There was one lonely sentinel standing on a sandbar in the lake off in the distance.

As the sun began to set steelhead began to roll and jump all around us. It was an excercise in futility though, none could be enticed..

We retreated to the comfort of our lodgings to meet up with Jay and plan tomorrows assault.

The MOTHER Of All Cold Fronts ~ Jay Perseveres

After our stellar day on the river we talked things over and we all agreed to try and procure a guide/boat for Saturdays fishing.

As Jay can attest to there were some fish to be caught up top, but nothing like the numbers we hit in the boat lower down.

A quick call to Ray Schmidt and he had one of his guides lined up for us for Saturday.

Sweet! We were pumped, and I was especially happy that Jay had agreed to the plan as I really wanted to see him have a good day.

Unfortunately for us we had neglected to check the weather forecast. For those of you who wonder whether steelhead are affected by fronts the answer is emphatically yes.

While most of Southern Ontario experienced heavy rains last Saturday from the same system we were subjected to a wintry mix of snow sleet and ice pellets all driven horizontally by the 50km winds.

Lovely .

Still, we were there to fish and fish we would.

Bundled up as best we could we helped our guide Steve launch his boat in the pre dawn darkness:

Fishing all the same water we had the day before we struggled. Staying warm was a full time job and motivation was tough at times.

Still I did manage a few bright chrome fish :

After a particularly long period of silence Steve suggested we run into the town of Manistee for some hot coffee.

Smart guide .

The ride over was bitter cold, and the boys received the worst of it:

Here we are approaching Manistee:

After consuming several gallons of scalding hot coffee we once again hit the river.

Of course as soon as we walked outside a veritable blizzard hit. Driving snow with stinging ice pellets mixed in, my hear sank.

I had been hoping all day that Jay would hit at least one fish. Under such brutal conditions things weren't looking great. Still, Jay surprised me as we motored back to the river in the squall.

A maniacle gleam entered his eyes, he pumped his fists and shouted "I'm gonna catch a fish now!!"

The lad has spunk and the fish gods seeing this smiled down on him .

Literally the very first decent spot we anchored at after his loud proclamation he hit the fish of the day!

Here's a video clip of almost the entire fight. At one point if you look closely you can see the fish cartwheeling waaaay off in the distance. We were in a somewhat protected oasis from the wind here, but you can still see the snow falling.

It was an epic battle and a true testament to Jays perseverence. Well done my friend!

And a still shot of the triumph:

We fished hard for a couple more hours after that. Actually managed several hookups but each one came unbuttoned after short furious runs and jumps.

Perhaps that was fitting.

With darkness falling and the temperatures dropping further it was time to go.

Steve sped up the river at hyper speed just as the skies opened yet again and the snow began falling in earnest.

Steve's got a beautiful jetboat but I do believe the lad needs a windshield!

That night back at camp we celebrated our trip with a few adult beverages and some steaks on the bbq:

Ahhh it was nice to be warm!

All in all a truely outstanding trip! Jay and Dave were perfect company and I'd share a drift with either one of them at the drop of a hat.

Thank you gentlemen for making this trip a huge success!

'Till next time boys!

(On a side note Saturday was opening day of the rifle season in Michigan. Driving home I think we were the only vehicle on the highway without a deer on the roof LOL!

Cheers, Mike

Edited November 22, 2008 by solopaddler

Beats · November 22, 2008

Wow, great report. You've got it made! Must be nice to catch numbers of those fish without standing shoulder to shoulder with long lines of fisherman. You guys sure caught a lot of fish. Awesome report and great pics.

kemper · November 22, 2008

WOOHOOO

that looked fun!

Leecher · November 22, 2008

Great report, pics and videos Mike :thumbsup_anim:

Congratulation to all of you :clapping:

Thanks for taking the time to redo your report and sharing it with us :thumbsup_anim:

There's only one word that come to mind and it's "AWESOME" :worthy:

Again great job Mike :clapping:

Leechman

steverowbotham · November 22, 2008

damn. nicely done fella

drwxr · November 22, 2008

amazing report.. :worthy: ..you ever keep the count of the fish you catch ?

wallacio · November 22, 2008

Mikey, thanks again for organizing that great trip - could not have had a better time. Jay - great to meet and fish with you.

Perhaps it should become an annual roadtrip?

Edited November 22, 2008 by wallacio

Moosebunk · November 22, 2008

Kinda blew my milt all over the screen here Mike. Some great fishing dood.

You're a lucky fella to fish so many world class fisheries... I'd maybe know. The steelhead reports are second to none.

Is the Manistee your favorite 'er what? Looks like there's lots of fish and elbow room down there.

trapshooter · November 22, 2008

Now that's some good fish porn right there. Well done Mike and thanks for the report.

solopaddler · November 22, 2008

Kinda blew my milt all over the screen here Mike.

solopaddler · November 22, 2008

Perhaps it should become an annual roadtrip?

April 2-5 is already booked.

ccmtcanada · November 22, 2008

April 2-5 is already booked.

Are all the spots taken??? LOL

Just when I thought a steelhead report couldn't get any better, you came up with part 1 and part 2!! Awesome job on the fish and the report Mike.

jdmls · November 22, 2008

Wow Mike, Those hens on the Manistee are truly the cleanest steelhead I have yet to see.....The colors are amazing and so clean/crisp... Love the new movies additions lately.. LOL @ "lower the rod and just suck em right in "...must be quite an experience to fight steelhead with the pin from a boat deck..Got to book a trip one day..

AWESOME REPORT...I still had pics burned in to my head from the trip you made out there last year, and now this !!!

solopaddler · November 22, 2008

Love the new movies additions lately.. LOL @ "lower the rod and just suck em right in "

Thanks brother, and yeah the commentary was pretty funny at times .

I'll tell you one thing though...the technique really works. Fish were landed in 1/4 the time compared to normal techniques..

I definitely learned something.

DRIFTER_016 · November 22, 2008

BORING!!!!!

.

Nice report buddy, wish I could have been there. :santa:

I guess I will just have to cheer myself up by planning my Kvichak trip for next year.

misfish · November 22, 2008

FANTASTIC REPORT.

You got me holding my rod right now. :worthy: :Gonefishing:

Thanks for taking the time to post such a GREAT REPORT.

solopaddler · November 22, 2008

FANTASTIC REPORT.

You got me holding my rod right now.

Thanks bud! That comment there deserves a response but I'm holding myself back here LOL!

fishindevil · November 22, 2008

WOW...another simply A M A Z I N G fishing trip/report mike !!!!. :worthy: ...man you sure have those steelies dialed in man !!! those fish all looked so strong & healthy too, :whistling: :clapping: some great clips & pictures as well,that river looks very scenic too,and it looked like you guys had the river all to yourseves too,thanks for sharing mike,i sure look forward to seeing your reports bud !!!!....cheers :thumbsup_anim: :Gonefishing:

Rich · November 22, 2008

Love the bent rod fight shots.. that IMO is the joy of steelheading!

canadian_copper · November 23, 2008

SPEECHLESS!!!

SEE MR WALLIS IS STILL SNEAKIN AROUND LOL

GOOD WORK GUYZ

wallacio · November 23, 2008

SPEECHLESS!!!
SEE MR WALLIS IS STILL SNEAKIN AROUND LOL

GOOD WORK GUYZ

Heh - yeah Scott, still chasing steel though not as much now with a baby a home...

ehg · November 23, 2008

Excellent pics and story. Like the vids as well.

Seems like the fish were affected by the cold front, more than one would expect.

Thanks for sharing,

ehg

Bly · November 23, 2008

Thank you Mike. I awoke this morning to sub zero temps and dreary skies, knowing that I would again be staying home with a sick little one, your report was the perfect way to start my day. For a few moments this morning I wasn't sipping coffee in my kitchen, I was drifting along the Big M in my home state chasing steel. Look forward to your next adventure.

silvio · November 23, 2008

Wow looks like a great time between a group of great guys.

Great job Mike as always the report was top notch.

Those fish are super clean and look extremely strong. hope your April trip is as good as this one.

Take care bud.

solopaddler · November 23, 2008

Thank you Mike. I awoke this morning to sub zero temps and dreary skies, knowing that I would again be staying home with a sick little one, your report was the perfect way to start my day. For a few moments this morning I wasn't sipping coffee in my kitchen, I was drifting along the Big M in my home state chasing steel. Look forward to your next adventure.

Glad to oblige Carole .

And I can relate. Joanne left Friday morning for Collingwood with her girlfriends (spa weekend).

It's my weekend to watch the kids and both are sick as a dog, noses running like taps and inconsolable 'cause mommy's away.

I figured I'd make them a treat this morning so whipped up some homemade blueberry pancakes slathered with maple syrop.

My 5 year old is just staring at her plate with an angry look.

My 2 year old just whipped his entire plate onto my seisel rug.

I need help! LOL!

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