It's COLD Outside!

Seasons Greetings Steelhead Junkies

I hope you had a great Holiday? And Santa brought you all the fishing gear you wanted. As we bring in the New Year 2015 we wish you Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year!

Going fishing this weekend? It's cold outside, right? 

They say Cold /KOLD/ is: 
Lacking affection or warmth of feeling; unemotional.
It's synonyms: unfriendly, inhospitable, forbidding, cool, frigid

I have a few reminder words for you:

Wool

Polar Fleece

Neoprene

Polypropylene

Ployester

Nylon

Goretex

Merino Wool

Goose Down

Hand Warmers

Thermos with a HOT beverage

Who needs a Thermometer? That’s what nipples are for! Just kidding folks. If you dress in layers and with today's modern technologies and improvements in clothing you will be surprised how conformable you can be on the river in cold weather. But you must use your head and be safe. Always carry extra gloves in case your hands get wet. I carry 2 extra sets in my pack. I plan on catching fish, you should too.

The rivers are not frozen yet and we have very little snow around the Great Lakes region. Round 2 of the Polar Vortex has not shown up yet. No matter if you Pin to Win, Spey to Play, Strip Streamers and even pull plugs. Why stay inside get out for a bit and fish. The winter is one of my favorite times to be on the water. Crowds, what crowds? Exactly, get my point!

On the River during the Winter you find solitude without the loneliness. It's just an awesome time to be on the river.

Manistee River Trip

Fred with a beauty 

Bobby with a steelhead

They say it’s gonna be COLD outside this week and only die hards will be on the water. Call me what you will, crazy, die hard, idiot etc... This is my soul fishing time. Thanks again everyone for your continued support this year. I hope 2015 is a better year for us all and may all your steelhead dreams come true.

I'll be  ON THE RIVER somewhere chasing steelhead!

Video PORN

Switch it Up from scumliner media on Vimeo.

FISHING Memes

HAWG  STEELHEAD SHOT!

If this fish does not get you excited? 

There is something wrong with you!

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New Fishing Rod

Remember a fishing pole is a stick with a hook at one end and a fool on the other. Now make your self feel better and go buy a new rod!

How I feel when I get a new fishing rod!

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Where are all the STEELHEAD?

Been hearing that question allot lately around the Great Lakes Region. More so on the West side of the state especially. The answer is simple in my opinion, it's temperature! Lake Michigan is warmer than allot of the larger rivers.

If you were a Steelhead would you leave warmer water to go into colder water? Hence why some of the smaller rivers are seeing normal runs and larger rivers are not not. For example like the famed Manistee River. Do I think we have a issue with our Steelhead Fishery? NO I do not. I think were STILL just fine.

The Salmon fishing and alewife problems are another post for another day. Did the charter boats whack more Steelhead this year because the lack of Salmon? YES! But not to the point the population of Steelhead was harmed.

This past weekend we put 12 fish in the boat. Not too shabby I think? This weekend's fishing was a mixed bag mostly on the smaller side when it comes to the fish, and all fish were taken by a number of means. Jigs with Wax Worms, Plugs and Eggs. We had to work for them but all in all it was a great weekend.

So the bottom line is. Where are all the Steelhead? I say, still in Lake Michigan. From what I'm being told they are holding there waiting for Mother Nature to give them the que to run. They will be here boyz, but Mother Nature is the Boss not us, remember that.

So far as that second round of the Polar Vortex this year, it has not hit yet? Knock on wood....so stop crying and get fishing. The fierce fighting Steelhead awaits you.

Merry Christmas everyone and thanks again for your support.

FROM THIS WEEKEND

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Steelhead NO Ordinary Trout

Well I may come across warm and fuzzy when I talk about my beloved STEELHEAD. This fish has been around for millions of years and they are the fastest freshwater fish on the planet. Capable of moving 26 feet per second and can travel hundreds of miles, leap dams, planes, trains and automobiles! Not really but sounded good. By the way, off topic but that was a movie once and I would like to say I'm sooooo tired of Hollywood sequels. Okay moving on, if your a Steelhead Nut like me you know the drill and get the picture on what these fish go through to get where they need to go. Especially a wild Steelhead which numbers are dwindling out west.

This year has been lets just say a little slow. Have I caught fish? Yes I have, but not as many. Blame it on the DNR, or the Weather, Charter Boats or Slob Fishermen, take your pick? Bottom line I fish for many reasons like most. The ultimate goal is to hold a Steelhead in my hands and feel her take off on her own or maybe even splash me. Fight the fish and fool that fish into biting my offering. All of this goes hand in hand with the whole angling experience. And yes once in awhile I too keep a hatchery fish for the smoker or the grill.

When I have a year like this I seem to appreciate the fish more and the angling experience. I think here in the Great Lakes we get spoiled and take these fish for granted. I don't, won't and never will. So today's post is dedicated to the Steelhead No Ordinary Trout! I write this to remind everyone do not take these magical fish for granted. They sure are super special and if you do not fish for them, well I'm sorry.

To live is the rarest thing on earth. And if your not a Steelhead angler I'm sorry you haven't lived. Most people just exist in LIFE. I try not to be one of those people. So get your thermos ready and experience some Steelhead fishing.  My winter fishing time is my Soul Fishing Time. So Cheers to you and the fish.

The peace, solitude and tug awaits you this winter.

Regards.

Photos courtesy of Matt Moisley a dude who catches GIANTS!

Great app for your smart phone

http://www.animatedknots.com/indexfishing.php

Jim Carrey's Secret of Life - Inspiring Message. by TheJourneyofPurpose421 

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Pawhammer Banjo

Today's post is dedicated to man's Best Friend. I have a bird dog, a German short hair named Mandy. A word of advice you have to be careful what you say about a man's wife and kids, but you had better be DARN careful what you say about his bird dog!

There's something about a bird dog and his master. There's a special bond they share with love for one another and the game they pursue. My dog is getting some miles on her just like me. But we suit each other just fine thank you. I need to get her out bird hunting more. I must be feeling guilty or something. I have not been around much lately. Cheers to you if your a bird dog lover!

No matter what's going on I will find her at the front door waiting for me when I get home every night or from a long trip. Our God has made us many wonderful things to enjoy. Even an old bird dog named Mandy.

Below you find some Hunting and Fishing photos from over the past couple weeks. The Buck is big but the fish are small but I love them all. As you can see I'm truly blessed and I hope you are too? Thanks again for your continued support. May you have a wonderful Thanksgiving and get outdoors its a great place to be!

Regards

MANDY

Nebraska Buck

LOVE FROM ICELAND

The Fly Fisherman from Humanity on Vimeo.

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"Hagelina"

After watching this blues artist Zach Deputy lose his self and totally just rock it. A one man blues show!  I was inspired to post today about getting out on the river and just Jamming by yourself. Sometimes the soul needs that. The alone time and Soul Fishing.

Everyone have a great weekend and I hope your jam your own song somewhere out there on the river this weekend.

I leave you with this.

Fishing is not an escape from life, but often a deeper immersion into it.

Harry Middleton

Fish On Boyz!

 

DARREN BISSON

DAVID FROM FLY FISHING NATION

Steelhead Paradise from B.H2O on Vimeo.

Fly Fishing is a Joke from Henry Harrison on Vimeo.

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