Huron Trib Chromers ~ Pic's

[solopaddler]

Rumours of a fresh run of fish on a north Huron tributary had me scrambling to get my shift covered on Wednesday.

I worked 2pm Tuesday 'till 5am Wed morning and with gear already packed in the car I left straight from work bleary eyed with coffee in hand.

 

I had asked a couple of friends to join, but getting a day off midweek is difficult for most.

As it turned out I ran into several friends up there anyway. When there's a hot bite word spreads.

 

Arriving in the parking lot around 8 there were already a lot of cars there.

Undaunted I rigged up and made my way to the river.

Immediately I ran into my friend Dave (Wallacio on the board).

He had just blown a hot fish and seemed pumped.

I slipped downstream to find some room and ran into Robb Marquette and a friend of his. Robb makes the Riverkeeper/Frogwater float reels which I'm currently fishing.

As it turned out Robb's presence was a very happy coincidence for me as you'll see later..

 

Rumours were bang on and after slipping downstream into a favoured zone I hit a number of bright acrobatic steelhead.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Robb took this shot for me, he was a little wobbly with the camera.

 

 

 

Robb and his buddy both hooked into a couple of fish just downstream from me as well:

 

 

 

Seeing the action, Dave, wiley dog that he is, slipped downstream and was soon into one as well:

 

 

 

 

While we were fishing a massive hatch of stoneflies started. They were fluttering everywhere, landing on our necks and arms and generally being a pita.

 

Dave quickly saw an opportunity and switched from roe to a black stone.

Success was immediate:

 

 

 

Dave hit a couple more fish before he had to leave for a work related meeting.

Before going he kindly handed me one of his magic flies

 

 

 

Thanks buddy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I had mentioned to Robb that my reel wasn't quite as smooth as it should be. Worn out from overuse was my excuse .

 

At the end of the day in the parking lot he asked if he could have a look at it.

In short order he disassembled it, cleaned it, removed my old bearings and replaced them with two new ones.

 

 

Sweet!

 

Robb is a great guy to deal with folks.

The fact that he makes his reels right here in Ontario in small batches 100% by hand makes them a good choice for anyone who's in the market.

 

Obviously it was a day to remember. Perfect weather, chrome bright fish and good friends. It just doesn't get any better.

 

Cheers, Mike

[bassman87]

AWESOMEEEE NICE

[The Urban Fisherman]

 

 

 

 

Cheers, Mike

 

You forgot to mention the tailgate beers Mike! haha great report! Thanks!

 

cheers,

Ryan

[Guest gbfisher]

Got tired of the 4lb fish from the south did ya?.....

 

Nice.

Edited April 1, 2010 by gbfisher

[Guest ThisPlaceSucks]

sweet report! better make sure i've got some stonefly nymphs tucked away in my box! lol

let's hope the troutologist and i can get a few this weekend!

[vinnimon]

nice mike

[solopaddler]

You forgot to mention the tailgate beers Mike! haha great report! Thanks!

 

cheers,

Ryan

 

You can work up a mighty thirst fishing in the blazing hot sun all day.

 

Looking forward to getting out with you later this month bud.

[solopaddler]

Got tired of the 4lb fish from the south did ya?.....

 

Nice.

 

 

Yeah for sure, I never fish in Ontario.

 

(Well actually truth be told I avoid the eastern ditches like the plague. I prefer to fish actual rivers.)

[fishnsled]

A great day on the water with some good friends, very tough to beat.

[bassman87]

cool stuff good job

[msp]

Yeah for sure, I never fish in Ontario.

 

(Well actually truth be told I avoid the eastern ditches like the plague. I prefer to fish actual rivers.)

now now, settle down. no need to be-little the eastern tribs......... a steelhead is a steelhead

[discophish]

Awesome report! That coffee you drank must have been as thick as syrup to keep you up on the drive. Does Robb work on brains too? Mine hasn't been running as smooth as it should. I think it's just a cobweb problem, and not the bearings.

 

Good job on the river!

[fish_finder]

Nice man!

 

Any way you might be able to post a clearer shot of that fly.....looks like a dandy!

[solopaddler]

now now, settle down. no need to be-little the eastern tribs......... a steelhead is a steelhead

 

Maybe, but if someone takes an unwarranted shot at me I tend to respond.

[wallacio]

It was good to see you again Mike - yesterday was definitely the highlight of my Spring Steelhead season. It really, really tough to tear myself away for that meeting!

 

Something tells me that tackle/fly shops in the province are soon going to be sold out of Stonefly numphs

 

As for the pattern, I was using a couple different ones. The one with the copper wire rib is a small Montana Stone pattern. The larger one is a standard pattern that's available at most shops (known as Kaufmann's Stonefly nymph - just Google it.). Bead head, rubber legs, turkey quill wingcases).

Edited April 1, 2010 by wallacio

[Spiel]

Grrrrrr.....

[fish_finder]

It was good to see you again Mike - yesterday was definitely the highlight of my Spring Steelhead season. It really, really tough to tear myself away for that meeting!

 

Something tells me that tackle/fly shops in the province are soon going to be sold out of Stonefly numphs

 

As for the pattern, I was using a couple different ones. The one with the copper wire rib is a small Montana Stone pattern. The larger one is a standard pattern that's available at most shops (known as Kaufmann's Stonefly nymph - just Google it.). Bead head, rubber legs, turkey quill wingcases).

 

Excellent...lots of Kaufmans in my box....I'll have to tie up some montanas for tomorrow!

[ADB]

Nice fish, as always, Solo.

 

Where in the States were you again...?

[solopaddler]

Awesome report! That coffee you drank must have been as thick as syrup to keep you up on the drive. Does Robb work on brains too? Mine hasn't been running as smooth as it should. I think it's just a cobweb problem, and not the bearings.

 

Good job on the river!

 

By 4:30 I was getting loopy from lack of sleep.

No co-ordination...stumbling around tripping over everything from exhaustion LOL!

 

Totally worth it though.

[Spiel]

By 4:30 I was getting loopy from lack of sleep.

No co-ordination...stumbling around tripping over everything from exhaustion LOL!

 

Totally worth it though.

 

I'm sure you had a good nap while driving home.

 

[rock34]

Mike,

Do you ever miss a fresh run?

 

As usual I more then impressed with your report.

[TC1OZ]

Nice fishing! Looks like an amazing day! Is that creemore springs?

[solopaddler]

 

Is that creemore springs?

 

 

 

You have a keen eye, indeed it is.

 

One of my favourites.

[Aaron Shirley]

Awesome run of steel man! Didn't know you fish Ontario tribs LOL

[NAC]

[quote name='solopaddler' date='01 April 2010 - 10:44 AM' Seeing the action, Dave, wiley dog that he is, slipped downstream and was soon into one as well:

 

When done in a run it is referred to as "low-holing" and a very big no-no, actually grounds for an unexpected dip.

 

nice fish, nice reels, great day! I'll leave the beers for you.