steady

This year continues to bring interesting days on the water. I've picked up spey casting, and it has become a favorite angling methodology. As in my first single-hand fly fishing casts, spey casting carries the same renewing properties. The element of immersion exists on a whole other plane. The weather is usually pure crap (cold/rain/wind/sleet/snow), and sight fishing is not really something in the equation as I have experienced yet. The casting and covering techniques are very rhythmic, with the only syncopation coming from a fish on the iron. Swinging flies through grayed winter waters is something else. When the toes go numb and the headwinds pick up, the moment slips on a sisyphean mask. At the end of a good cast, the line belly gliding casually atop the river, guiding the fly towards what one hopes is a holding steelhead, we do it again.

I have really enjoyed my outings, even without having caught my quarry. Folks say there are still fish in. I'll wait until next season...

Yesterday, a buddy and I headed north and got into a few spring browns:

We started off using parachute BWO in 18, but after seeing no surface action, we went down and dirty, using Bethke's Pink Squirrel with great results.

this little fella was awful pretty.

Having stood in a cool stream on a bluebird day is a big shift from the chilling rigors on WI steelheading. And every ounce as challenging - and rewarding.

Silence on the swing

Last Saturday, I ventured out amidst the mists and fog in search of migrating steelhead. The weather is out of whack - we've had temperatures as high as 80 degrees in early March. I am not sure our spring steel know when to swim anymore. The river is sparsely populated with wintered trout - dark, slouching, lumbering slowly upstream as they seek out a home they never truly had. The numbers are not there. Yet. One friend I saw later that day remains hopeful, and said the unpredictability was still a good bet. The steel may still come.

As I set foot in the river, I noticed just how blown out it was, and remained. There is a nervousness that finds me before I make my first cast. A few times, I thought I would lose my footing and wash downstream. I am not a fan of that happening, so I moved a few steps back and scouted blindly for better submerged ground. I got my bearings and began casting, working river right, then river left - three steps, repeat. Spey casting is brand spanking new to me. The tempo created by the rushing water often changed my casting rhythm. Mentally I would correct my speed, and then think each step:

Rod down, then up slightly and to the side. Arc it back, then forward and down. Wait. Rod up, gently twisting inward, then forward. Swing. The lines shivers in my wake, buffeted by ever-renewing water. If done right, it will slowly center on me downstream. Now river left.

Each movement carried focus, and the world's voices fell into the background. Nothing made a noise. There is love woven into that silence. A silence that deafens the river around me.

I have found a new doorstep to my home on the water.

Fly Fishing Film Tour: Milwaukee - Wednesday, April 18th.

Have you ever wanted to see some of the best clips from fly fishing films in a theater? What about in a brewery? This year, The Fly Fishing Film Tour (F3T) stops in Milwaukee, and will show fly fishing short films at Sprecher Brewery! The show includes over 10 short films on fly fishing from a variety of perspectives - there is something for everyone, and new views into the realm of fly fishing too. Pat Ehlers and The Fly Fishers (Milwaukee, WI) are sponsoring it, and will have a lot of great swag for attendees - to include a special craft brew from Sprecher just for the F3T! Pat has also donated one of his Echo Edge84 8wt rods, an Echo Ion reel, and an Airflo Bass/Muskie line to match! The rod/reel/line combo will be raffled off with all proceeds going to Southeast Wisconsin Trout Unlimited (www.sewtu.org).

Tickets for the movie are available at The Fly Fishers in Milwaukee, the F3T website, through SEWTU (http://sewtu.org/ - there is an email address listed at the bottom of the page). You can also obtain raffle tickets in advance through SEWTU. If you use SEWTU for your ticket purchase, please title your email "F3T tickets."

Don't miss out on a great night - films, craft beer, gear raffles, great people - the makings of a memorable night!

Cheers

Year of Steel

Kyle and I went out on the MKE for one last go at 2011 Lake Michigan trib steelhead. Had a great day on some new water, and rounded out the year with a decent Northern that took a Chubby Muffin. Kyle took a steel hen that hammered some conventional gear he brought with - not such a bad idea actually.

All in all, I set out in 2011 with my sight on Northern and Musky, so it was a fitting way to finish.

Kyle also noticed my WI Delorme. He smiled, and knew better than to ask why I have it between the seat in my car.

I am going to make 2012 my year of steel.

Here's a nice little piece that talks about my favorite waters (and more):

Warm water is a popular trend with anglers

The featured angler is none other than Erik Helm. He gave a great presentation to our TU organization on steelheading last year. He is a hell of an angler, tyer, and works at our local Orvis. Great resource, great guy. Congrats Erik!

Josh and I met back in 1991, when I showed up on the steps of A Co 2/187th. He was in the 1PLT CP talking to SSG Witherspoon, our acting PLT SGT at the time. Josh shook my hand and welcomed me to the best fighting outfit the 101st had to offer. I later realized that 1PLT owed that title to guys like him. He grew up in Oregon, somewhere remote, where the biggest threat to his family's plumbing system was a bear chewing on their water lines. He's direct without being inconsiderate. There is a recurve bow in his home that he uses with great precision in hunting deer. He'll throw a trout to the bank, as long as it was earned. In 2009, I asked him to be a groomsman in my wedding, having to drive 10+hrs each way. I hadn't seen him since 1993 we he left Fort Campbell.

Fast forward to 2011: Josh returned from AFGH - he's home for the holidays for a two week stint. The call was kept brief as he is home with his family, and I know how much that means to him. We didn't talk about the war - I didn't care to ask, and Josh is comfortable with what he does. He asked about my steelhead season, and how he remembers vividly the salmonids from the West Coast. If there was a big push of water how they would still have sea lice on them even though Josh's favorite spot was well upriver. Did Lake Michigan salmon and trout have pink flesh or was is red? And the question of lake-run steelhead vs. true anadromous fish. We agreed that once Josh finishes his last tour of duty, we'll go back to his old haunts and see what kind of fish we can get to rise.

He never says goodbye, a fact that I realized years ago. He says it's better that way. Goodbye, to Josh, is final.

Holiday Giveaways

Via Facebook, via blogs, via most any binary means - I have seen a handful of giveaways this seaosn for great fly fishing gear. Cam over at The Fiberglass Manifesto ran a primo raffle of sorts for 12 days - quite the undertaking! RIO, Loon, and William Joseph Fly Fishing have also thrown their hats into the ring on sweet swag. Today, I luckily found this:

Fly Fishing Frenzy "Frenzy Holiday Giveaway"

I'd definitely look into this one and get onboard. Looks to be the last great giveaway this season.

This evening, I noticed snow falling outside our kitchen window and it filled me with excitement. I will always harbor a child-like fervor for snow in early winter, even moreso now as it becomes a vehicle in which trout will surge forward into streams. I imagine them finning in a slow, deep hold, waiting for another push of snow to give the river a few more inches of negotiable water as they journey upstream. Some will winter over, others will find their final sleep. They are there with me in the cold onslaught, silver-sided and determined. If I am lucky, I may get one to come visit me on the bank, both shivering in the face of the strange worlds before us.