Wake Up Sleepy!

By -
Psst.... PSSSSST! Hey, wake up you! Shake off the sleep, brush the dust off the equipment and grab the bug dope because the band is back on stage and the annual dance continues.

These fellers on the left have been quietly making their way back upstream over on the other side of the Nemadji if you care to go look for them. Things haven't been quite so predictable with the rain coming in fits and starts the last part of July, but the rain on the 2nd....

Either way it's just the first wave of the conductor's baton; the next movement will be coho's along with the odd chinook, pinks, coasters and then steelhead. Whatever your game, it's an exciting time of year, even if you're trying not to melt in the heat and not thinking about fishing. But hey, that's why we're here- To give you a little poke now and then!

As for other news- The Fall Sucker River clean-up date has not been set, but we kicked around the idea of a combined Pink Salmon/Clean-up weekend. If you might be up for that just drop us a line. You don't have to commit now just a quick, "Yeah, that might be cool" or "Sorry Charlie" E-Mail would help us to gauge interest.

One item to consider: The pinks start just about the time that bird hunting and bow-hunting get going. You may already have plans, but there is a fair amount of public land up in the sawtooth and last year saw high grouse numbers taken. We'll be on the downswing of the cycle likely, but it still should be good. Pinks in the a.m. and grilled grouse for supper sounds good to me. Might even run into a sprucie or two. (Hey with this nutty "Hair Hackle" craze, I'll take all the feathers I can get!)


Regards-
NMF

08.07.11 Note: I just went back and reviewed the ruffed grouse numbers. Drumming counts were actually UP this spring and DNR states that the peak "Will likely continue". So I was incorrect but hey, just means even more available grouse and possibly a strong odd-year pink run to boot. I wish I was wrong like that more often!

Comments

Minnesota said…
The hair hackle thing is driving me nuts. There are several dries I've been wanting to tie and I can't get the materials. A buddy of mine sold a beautiful grizzly saddle patch on ebay for almost $2000!
4:13 PM
Minnesota said…
Here's one of the quiet guys I caught trying to make it upstream.

http://minnsconsinflyfishing.blogspot.com/2011/07/old-fish-part-1.html
4:16 PM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

2019 MNST Creel Project Results

By -
Image
The Minnesota Steelheader Creel Project - Celebrating 10 Years! Each year, Minnesota Steelheader collects angler-submitted creel reports of steelhead, kamloops and presumed coaster brook trout through our Creel Project page. This catch information is presented in ways we hope provides you with the most accurate picture of Minnesota's annual and long-term North Shore steelhead run behavior. This is not a scientific creel by definition. We do however incorporate and present as much of the available scientific literature as we can; the difference is that this is done from an angler's perspective. These tools provide an opportunity to be a more knowledgeable and most importantly, a more successful North Shore steelheader. While the primary focus has been fish caught in the tributaries during the Spring migration and spawning run, we appreciate and accept creel reports year-round . MNST analyzes reported catch dates, region caught, the numbers by species, measurement
Read more

Shorecasting the North Shore

By -
Image
Shore casting the North Shore of Lake Superior can at times appear to be a daunting task, it is, however, an enjoyable and very effective way to fish the big lake.  River mouths Most of us have seen the numerous fishermen lining the banks near the French or Lester rivers. Why? Because these are consistently good places to fish. A beginning shore caster would be smart to start their quest fishing river mouths, particularly early in the season when steelhead, Kamloops and lakers can be found in abundance. The river plumes provide warm water and a steady flow of bugs which fish like. Due to the fairly shallow water found at most mouths, it’s best to fish them in low light. Target these areas early in the morning and late in the evening or on a dreary overcast day. You will be less noticeable to the fish and they will be less apt to spook.  Seeing how there are over 25 potential stream/river mouths to fish it would be crazy to ignore these great areas. Fly and hardware fisherme
Read more

Pom-Pom Eggs - The Inexpensive Glo-Bug

By -
Image
One of the most useful and productive fly patterns you can carry when you fish the runs for steelhead, kamloops and salmon are eggs. Any time free drifting eggs are in the stream is a good time to fish them and, they can be fished with any type of equipment from Fly to Spinning rods. A wise SE Wisconsin guide once told me, "Any pattern will catch fish, as long as it has an egg in it." As with all flies, you will go through A LOT of them. One option is to purchase them, but at a dollar a pop or more, making your own is a simple and inexpensive proposition. In a short amount of time and with just a few simple tools, you can crank out eggs by the hundreds at just pennies per piece. I’m going to assume that you know how to do some basic tying; but if you don’t, this is a good pattern to start learning with because it will teach you some of the basics: How to Start Your Thread , how to position materials, and the Whip Finish . On Sizing I use the metric standard because it is eas
Read more