solopaddler Posted April 15, 2007 Report Share Posted April 15, 2007 (edited) Well, last Thursday as we packed our gear for our long weekend steelhead trip to Ohio, we were dismayed to find that most of the rivers down there were blown and more rain was in the forecast for Friday. Things didn't look great! Ohio stocks Manistee strain fish in their rivers, and, as mentioned before they're a particularly large, robust strain. After checking conditions on the net we decided to switch gears and head to the actual source where these Ohio fish originate from: the Big Manistee river in Michigan's upper peninsula, a good 61/2 hour drive from home. For veteran steelheaders around the great lakes the Big Manistee is revered, in fact it's almost considered holy water The area is gorgeous having a real Muskoka flair to it, with lots of granite rock and big white pines. It's truely beautiful. The river is big and broad averaging over 200' in width in spots, clear, but with a tea stain to it, and having some powerful currents which make landing fish a big challenge! I was last at the Big M 15 years earlier, so for me this was also a walk down memory lane, and I loved every minute of it! The highest concentration of fish is at Tippy dam and the coffer above it. The coffer dam stops the migration of fish in the river making it a mecca for steelheaders. That's where we headed Here's me with my first fish, a spunky little hen: My buddy Dave with a nice buck and a close up shot of the same fish: Me with a small buck: Andrew fighting a nice buck, a close up pic, then the release: A decent buck that I caught: Andrew with another: Me with another buck and some nice close up shots: Paul fighting a nice one, and landing it. Me with a nice buck (when standing way out in deep water sometimes you've got to improvise with how you hold your rod ) Me with another, and the release Paul fighting another with Dave getting ready to help Davey with a nice steelie and a bonus brown Me with another Close-up of another of Paul's fish Andrew checking out Tippy dam A view of the coffer dam above it Davey and then me with another It was just an unbelievable trip! We shared a lot of laughs over the 21/2 days, experienced some great weather, and caught a TON of fish! The shots I posted here are just a fraction of the actual numbers involved, it really was epic Hope you enjoyed, cheers, Mike Edited April 16, 2007 by solopaddler Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joey Posted April 15, 2007 Report Share Posted April 15, 2007 Wow, super pictures and a great report. Thanks. You guys really are out deep in that water!! Joey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bucktail Posted April 15, 2007 Report Share Posted April 15, 2007 Awesome pictures. Wish I was with you!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irishfield Posted April 15, 2007 Report Share Posted April 15, 2007 BEAUTY report Mike ! Well worth the travel that's for sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ecxstriper Posted April 15, 2007 Report Share Posted April 15, 2007 Wow what a weekend. I think I'm going to be sick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basskicker Posted April 15, 2007 Report Share Posted April 15, 2007 Great fish and pics....once again...congrats. Jason Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lew Posted April 15, 2007 Report Share Posted April 15, 2007 Incredible trip Mike and some beautiful fish to go with it !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wallacio Posted April 15, 2007 Report Share Posted April 15, 2007 That was another amazing road trip Mike! I have to admit, I wasn't too enthralled about the idea of a 6 hour journey but it was definitely worth it to fish one of the most famous steelhead rivers east of the Rockies. In the end, when you go with good friends the miles just melt away. I look forward to exploring the rest of Michigan's fabled waters with you guys!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishindevil Posted April 15, 2007 Report Share Posted April 15, 2007 WOW...what an awsome fishing trip. ..thanks for sharing all your pics ,and that detailed report..thats a trip of a lifetime and you guys caught a ton of steelhead and had a blast doing it.man those fish had great colors to them,and were all very nice sized they must have all put up a great fight with all that current as well i sure wish i was there the scenery sure looks alot nicer than the creeks and rivers we have around here,and that river looks like it had a decent flow to it,no wonder its a number 1 rated steelhead river.. ..great trip thanks for sharing cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caper Posted April 15, 2007 Report Share Posted April 15, 2007 Looks like an awesome trip and well worth the drive. Thanks for sharing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aniceguy Posted April 15, 2007 Report Share Posted April 15, 2007 What was I thinking, knowing Ohio wasnt going to fish and I decide not to come along and instead help my wife with a garage sale Seems like i missed an Epic trip Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solopaddler Posted April 15, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 15, 2007 What was I thinking, knowing Ohio wasnt going to fish and I decide not to come along and instead help my wife with a garage sale Seems like i missed an Epic trip Yep Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbayboy Posted April 16, 2007 Report Share Posted April 16, 2007 Wow what a great sounding trip, thanks for sharing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pigeontroller Posted April 16, 2007 Report Share Posted April 16, 2007 Awesome looking river Solo! great pics as usual! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aniceguy Posted April 16, 2007 Report Share Posted April 16, 2007 I said it to someone today too.........that I had the feeling it was going to be one of those trips. Thank god I have Superior steel on the plate for next weekend Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trapshooter Posted April 16, 2007 Report Share Posted April 16, 2007 Awesome pics and report solo. Thanks for sharing your story. Cheers, ben. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whopper Posted April 16, 2007 Report Share Posted April 16, 2007 Excellent report and some great pics Mike. Whopper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b2kptbo Posted April 16, 2007 Report Share Posted April 16, 2007 Nice report and pic's, thanks... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solopaddler Posted April 16, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 16, 2007 Paul sent me a few pic's from his camera and I thought I'd add them. Andrew with a fish on and me in the background Me with a fish on in the background and Andrew waiting patiently Looks like I'm trying to stomp on this one, but it swam back through my legs after it was released! A fish about to be beached Another close-up shot View of the river downstream from Tippy Dave with another Posing for the camera in the motel A picture of someone taking a picture Watching the float One final close-up cheers, Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roy Posted April 16, 2007 Report Share Posted April 16, 2007 Just a super trip and great pics! Thank you for taking the time to share your trip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lew Posted April 16, 2007 Report Share Posted April 16, 2007 Hey Mike, I think you & Moosebunk should get together and write a book. With the trips you 2 take, along with your stories and photographs, it's be a best seller fer sure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OhioFisherman Posted April 16, 2007 Report Share Posted April 16, 2007 Great pictures and report Mike! They still have salmon runs up there? Never went myself, but my brother used to and had some very good trips. It was back in the 70`s? Tales of the salmon burning the gears out of a mitchell 300 on some of their runs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dustink Posted April 16, 2007 Report Share Posted April 16, 2007 What a great post! Those pictures are amazing! I get up that way a couple of times a year in the spring & fall (steelhead & Salmon), but I go up to the Pere Marquette (sp) in Baldwin. Thanks for bringing back some great memories of my fishing trips in Michigan! Thanks! dk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Posted April 16, 2007 Report Share Posted April 16, 2007 great report and great pictures... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Pike Posted April 16, 2007 Report Share Posted April 16, 2007 Too bad you guys didn't get into many fish! (lol) An awesome fishing trip and a lot of nice pics to remember it by. Thanks Solo! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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