The Urban Fisherman Posted May 5, 2015 Report Share Posted May 5, 2015 (edited) Legendary steelheader, writer extraordinaire, the foremost authority on fly-in fishing adventures and THE worlds greatest dad...These are just a few ways I've heard people describe Mike Borger... But I sure as heck wouldn't call him any of those! lol He is an awesome friend though, who has on several occasions offered to take me out steelheading for the better part of a decade. Unfortunately, each and every year it seems as though the prime steel conditions coincide with me having a crap ton of stuff to do… Be it kids, the house or work I’ve just never been able to squeeze out a day or two. This spring Mike and I had talked about finally getting out, and though I was hopeful, I had this gut feeling that once again the stars wouldn’t align.Early last week it was my son’s 6th birthday. I had just finished what was likely my 8th or 9th beer… ( because who doesn’t get hammered at their son’s 6th birthday dinner lol ) and my phone went off. It was Mike, and the coming Friday was going to be PRIME for steelheading on the US side of the border. Mike not only offered to take me out, but also suggested I bring Averie along so we could both catch our first steelhead.Time passes, and all of our guests leave. Typically, I ease into asking the wife if I can sneak out for a day of fishing… BUT thanks to the 12 or so beers I’d already thrown back that evening, I piped up and said “ Hun, I’m pulling Averie from school on Friday and we’re going steelheading in the US”… To my complete surprise she said “Sure, Averie would love that”. I froze for a moment… slightly confused as to what had just transpired. Was it the beer, or was this actually going to happen? lolAnyway, after dealing with a few things and ironing out most of the plans with Mike it was a go! Late Thursday after getting in from 3 soccer practices, I give Mike one last call and he lays a doozie on me… we’re leaving early he says. Ok no problem I’ve gotten up early to go fishing my entire life. The plan, was to meet near Grimsby at 4:30 a.m. I live 1.5 hours away from Grimsby. lol Mike realizes how far away I am from where we’re to meet and suggests 5 a.m. instead. So we’re shooting for 5 a.m. but I still wanted to get there as early as we could so the alarm was set for 2:30 a.m.I wake up and load the car, am pretty well ready to go, then wake Averie up at 2:55 a.m. We’re out the door and ready to hit the road a few minutes after 3 a.m. and Averie is taking the early morning like a champ. Honestly, the entire day was amazing. Mike took care of everything. Rods, reels, tackle, bait, he drove, put us on fish, took pictures, filmed Averie catching her first ever steelhead, coached her the whole way through - you name it. I could write up a complete breakdown of the day but it wouldn’t do it justice. Writing is Mike’s area of expertise, not mine, so I’ll let the pictures tell the story. I can't believe it took us this long to do it, and I'm %100 certain it won't take that long again. Averie and I both can't thank Mike and his son Brendan enough for the day trip. It's something we will remember for a long, long time. She won't stop talking about it, and is so stoked to have made a new friend in Brendan. He's a great kid, and lucky to have a dad who's happy to bring him along on so many fishing adventures. We owe you one brother!It really was just about the kids, but Mike and I managed some nice fish as well. Hope you guys enjoy the pics! The trail walking in.... Mike's son Brendan... great kid - Him and Averie were both a little shy at first but eventually hit it off and had a great day together. Averie ready to rock.. And to the fish!!!! FIRST EVER STEELHEAD! We didn't get pics of all of our fish... some we just released ( sometimes unintentionally lol ) or Mike was up-stream with Brendan. Here's Brendan with one of those ones that escaped as we were getting the camera out... Poor kid was all ready for a photo and I was to slow with the camera... We caught some of these guys to... Averie's PERSONAL BEST sucker! lol one of mine.. The fight is on again... Averie's second personal best for the day.... More pics to follow..... Edited May 5, 2015 by The Urban Fisherman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Urban Fisherman Posted May 5, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 5, 2015 (edited) Skipping rocks... They weren't all giants... lol Here's the man himself with a good one.. Thanks again buddy!!! AMAZING DAY!... please post your pics & video to when you have as sec... Edited May 5, 2015 by The Urban Fisherman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ckewley Posted May 5, 2015 Report Share Posted May 5, 2015 Awesome staff man, the kids were rocking!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BFSC Kevin Posted May 5, 2015 Report Share Posted May 5, 2015 Great post. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
misfish Posted May 5, 2015 Report Share Posted May 5, 2015 Are you two guys playing match maker????????????? LOL Great report Ryan. Looks like the kids had a blast. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solopaddler Posted May 5, 2015 Report Share Posted May 5, 2015 Thanks for posting this bud, great report! But good grief man my hat doesn't fit anymore 'cause my head just swelled so much LOL! It was my favorite day of the spring, honestly. Brendan had a blast and Averie is a little angel. As requested here's the vid I pieced together. Looking forward to the next trip! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
misfish Posted May 5, 2015 Report Share Posted May 5, 2015 That was a joy to watch Mike. Great job on the video. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davey buoy Posted May 5, 2015 Report Share Posted May 5, 2015 Awesome trip ,thanks for sharing . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landry Posted May 5, 2015 Report Share Posted May 5, 2015 What an amazing report. Wow. Loved it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solopaddler Posted May 5, 2015 Report Share Posted May 5, 2015 That was a joy to watch Mike. Great job on the video. Thanks Brian! The video's a bit of a hack job but it makes me smile everytime I watch it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
esoxansteel Posted May 5, 2015 Report Share Posted May 5, 2015 The prelude story about how the trip came together was very entertaining as well, and I new it would only get better as it went on Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pigeontroller Posted May 5, 2015 Report Share Posted May 5, 2015 Awesome! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manitoubass2 Posted May 5, 2015 Report Share Posted May 5, 2015 Now that is an outing!!!! Outstanding!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burtess Posted May 5, 2015 Report Share Posted May 5, 2015 Crappy day at work but that just put a smile on my face!! What a great day with the kids you both had! Burt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Ironmaker Posted May 5, 2015 Report Share Posted May 5, 2015 (edited) Wow, wonderful. fantastic times. Those tykes caught more Steelhead that day than I've seen in all my years of trying to catch my second ever Steelhead. Vunderbar. Oh and the music to the video, (Enigma maybe) I was waiting for some Viking warriors to ride up the river in slow motion, do Vikings ride horses, the video was great too Mike. Edited May 6, 2015 by Old Ironmaker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillM Posted May 5, 2015 Report Share Posted May 5, 2015 The dropback hole will never be the same! Awesome awesome!!!! Kids looked like they had a riot! (The dads didn't seem to have a bad time either!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musky or Specks Posted May 6, 2015 Report Share Posted May 6, 2015 This put a smile on my face Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ketchenany Posted May 6, 2015 Report Share Posted May 6, 2015 Doesn't get any better that that Mike. I wish I could get our magazine to do a fishing article, you would be on my list! They just don't understand. But it would have to be on Ontario river of course in my business Great report. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solopaddler Posted May 6, 2015 Report Share Posted May 6, 2015 Wow, wonderful. fantastic times. Those tykes caught more Steelhead that day than I've seen in all my years of trying to catch my second ever Steelhead. Vunderbar. Oh and the music to the video, (Enigma maybe) I was waiting for some Viking warriors to ride up the river in slow motion, do Vikings ride horses, the video was great too Mike. Well if you ever want to catch your 2nd drop me a line. The dropback hole will never be the same! Awesome awesome!!!! Kids looked like they had a riot! (The dads didn't seem to have a bad time either!) Paul and another good buddy just by happenstance pounded it to death the day before we fished it (go figure LOL!). It was great fishing but quite easily could have been even better. This put a smile on my face Hey Brad good luck this week! Can't wait to hear how you made out! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solopaddler Posted May 6, 2015 Report Share Posted May 6, 2015 Doesn't get any better that that Mike. I wish I could get our magazine to do a fishing article, you would be on my list! They just don't understand. But it would have to be on Ontario river of course in my business Great report. Why don't you let me talk to them? Lots of great steelheading in Ontario. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ketchenany Posted May 6, 2015 Report Share Posted May 6, 2015 Why don't you let me talk to them? Lots of great steelheading in Ontario. [/quote Don't we all know it. Mike, they don't understand! I've put the idea in many times and at one time we traded emails I believe and I put your name in. . . They chose and it featured popular 'guys' fishing a local east creek and the waterfront. Had to drop another due to his views . . . On a marketing note, seeing your report in a magazine would attract a lot of $s IMO. But then what do I know about marketing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PUMP KNOWS Posted May 6, 2015 Report Share Posted May 6, 2015 That was awesome! Thanks for sharing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solopaddler Posted May 6, 2015 Report Share Posted May 6, 2015 Why don't you let me talk to them? Lots of great steelheading in Ontario. [/quote Don't we all know it. Mike, they don't understand! I've put the idea in many times and at one time we traded emails I believe and I put your name in. . . They chose and it featured popular 'guys' fishing a local east creek and the waterfront. Had to drop another due to his views . . . On a marketing note, seeing your report in a magazine would attract a lot of $s IMO. But then what do I know about marketing! Well for what it's worth I've written a bunch of stuff already for Tourism Ontario as well as OOD. There's a market for everything. This may not be general public knowledge, but earlier in the spring I cut ties with OOD. That has subsequently spurred me to make a fairly bold move. It's a major turning point in my life I think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moosebunk Posted May 6, 2015 Report Share Posted May 6, 2015 Sooooooooo gnarly!!!! Great report all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4x4bassin Posted May 6, 2015 Report Share Posted May 6, 2015 Love seeing the kids out there getting into the steelhead action , great report ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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