Old Man Winter.... Time to go!

Good Day my Frozen Friends.

Here in the Mid-West and the North were no stranger to cold and snow. But this year winter has been ridiculous and may leave now, as far as I'm concerned. I normally welcome the Winter season for fishing. Its one of my favorite times of the year for angling. No ones on the river, you find peace, quiet and solitude.

Lets not forget the mighty Steelhead pulling on the end of my line. But Hell, we cannot even go if the rivers are locked up. I pray for a thaw so I may resume chasing these fish once again. As a matter of fact I don't know of anyone that chases these fish that would disagree with me.

So on that note I'm posting the photo below! I'm not a violent man but a Steelhead Angler has his limits don't ya know?

I leave you with this today.

"There is certainly something in angling that tends to produce a serenity of mind"
Washington Irving

The Beard Chronicles

I'm posting this piece today because its not only good. But also because it's reference is to the bearded angler. Which can keep someones face much warmer in this cold weather than the clean shaven fishermen. 

So this video is dedicated to all those who sport the beard and fish! Put the razor down and step away from the sink my friends and embrace your manliness.

The beard is back!

Go FISH!




The Beard Chronicles IF4 from Marc Crapo on Vimeo.

It's all about the Grab!

The Fish Call

A fishing funny.

Black River

This is a short film from Reckless Invention it captures the grace of Spey Casting and the beauty of being solo on a River. Sometimes you just need that alone time. Get away by yourself and take your cares away! That's just my opinion anyways.

The Peace and solitude on the river can be a healing place for some. I know if you live in the Mid-West, the deep freeze has everyone with a bad case of cabin fever. Tie some flies my friends or get your gear organized. A thaw is coming and we all can resume our passion.

Cheers everyone and Happy Friday the weekend is finally here.



Black River from Reckless Invention on Vimeo.

Spatsizi

You have heard it before here on the Manifesto. I believe Todd Moen to be a genius when it comes to making Fly Fishing Films. Should be another good one. Check out the trailer below. 

Don't forget Family is important! A Family that fishes together, stays together. 


Spatsizi *trailer* by Todd Moen from Todd Moen Creative on Vimeo.

Casting A Voice!

Set some time aside this weekend and watch this full length video its about 35 minutes. Its very well done and is worthy of a posting here on the Manifesto! Wild Steelhead are a precious resource and need to be protected in my opinion.


CASTING A VOICE - Full Length Film from Barbless Fly Media on Vimeo.

Comradery and River Magic

The word Comradery is a noun that can mean a lot to other people. Whose synonyms can mean brotherhood, community, fellowship or even society? I kind of like those words actually when referring to my fishing buddies as my comrades.

Fishermen in general are a different bunch if you ask me. And having some friends is a very important part of life. I think we all forget sometimes what is really important. To me having a few buddies improves the quality of my life.  To others what’s important will differ from person to person. But not a Fisherman.

Especially the ones who are my friends and who fish for Oncorhynchus Mykiss. The Steelhead to be exact.

A species of fish that is responsible for more job losses and divorces than any other fish in my opinion. A fish that causes men to lose sleep, call in sick and spend way too much money on the latest gear to pursue them. Although, I have kept my job and never been divorced I have seen it happen. And I’m sure you can see how it could happen too if you’re a fishermen.

Fishing is one of the best bonding activities anyone could ever try. It is such a great way to just relax and unwind from the stresses of life. Enjoying a day on the River with your friends strengthens this bond after each trip. Whether any fish were caught or not.

To the non-fisherman that may not sound like fun. Spending the day not catching anything, but it’s not just the fish we seek, it’s the river and all its magic. Rivers are food for the soul and are in beautiful places. Sharing this time with buddies while pursuing our quarry is where that bonding comes in.

While on the water we tease each other and laugh. Tell funny stories or sometimes even lies. And if we’re lucky we will net or photograph each other’s fish. That’s exactly what happened this weekend on the famed Manistee River in Michigan. I got to spend an amazing day with good friends Fred, Andy and Bob.

I’m so glad Mother Nature co-operated and blessed us with amazing weather with a few fish to boot. I had a blast floating down the river with the snow coming down it was magic. Especially when the floats went down and the mighty Steelhead pulled back! This post is dedicated to you my friends and all that you do for me. Thanks to my fishing comrades you mean so much to me.

I was very sad to come home today even with a deep freeze on its way. I pray that God unthaws the river for another day.

For the River called my soul and I answered yes.

Tight Lines Everyone!

Poetry and Passion

I find this new commercial and movie quote inspiring. Give it a listen and what will your verse be in this life?

Manistee River

Our first day on the Manistee River  today and she is giving up CHROME! High in the 20's today, snow and wind. We saw only one other boat today and that's a beautiful thing. When conditions get tough a lot of people stay home but as you can see sometimes the river will reward you if you pay your dues. Stay tuned we will be fishing tomorrow. I pray the STEELHEAD will co-operate on Saturday? Sorry for such a short post but I'm tired and need to go to bed. I leave you with this.

"Three-fourths of the Earth's surface is water, and one-fourth is land. It is quite clear that the good Lord intended us to spend triple 

the amount of time fishing as shoveling SNOW."

NOW GO FISH! This winter wonderland is waiting for you to discover.

Tight Lines.

Roger!

A moment of beauty on the river!

My good Buddy Greg snapped this photo while guiding last week. It was such an awesome photo I had to add a few words. Lets face it, rivers are in beautiful places. These fish before released are a moment of  BEAUTY. Practice CPR... Catch, Photo and Release!

Are YOU Haunted by Rivers?

I have a question for you??? Are you haunted by WATERS? I'am for fishing is a life long journey. Be reminded, inspired and enjoy the clip.

Tight Lines my Friends!

Roger

I'm so excited!!!!!

I do not know about you, but I'm so excited! I'm going Steelhead fishing later this week and weekend on the Manistee River! I will be trying to catch my first fish of 2014! This is important stuff if you ask me. What say you? 
Stay tuned for some photo ops later in the week. If the Steelhead Spirits willing I'm gonna pull on some CHROME! 

I leave you with this today:

"A STEELHEAD is a moment of beauty only to those who seek it."

May your lines always be tight my friends!

Roger

Zero Dark Steelie

Zero Dark Steelie from Fly Fishing Fantasies on Vimeo.

Blood Knot

Looks like it will be a good movie. Check out this trailer!



Blood Knot [Trailer] from TwoFisted Heart Productions on Vimeo.

How to release a Wild Steelhead

10 Things Michigan Fly Anglers Do in Winter by James P. Spica Jr

I found this short article in the Michigan TU digital newsletter and thought I would share.

1.) Fish for steelhead with reckless abandon.

2.) Tie fly, drink whiskey, tie fly, drink
whiskey, drink whiskey, tie half a fly, drink
whiskey, go to bed.

3.) Make and eat chili, usually from venison,
usually gone in 24 hours.

4.) Nymph for trout who don’t want to eat.

5.) Travel to Bahamas with 8-weights,
shorts, forget sunscreen because forgot sun
existed.

6.) Tell self repeatedly that self is going to
clean and organize gear for coming spring.

7.) Scoff at ice fishermen, then feel a strong
desire to ice fish.

8.) Ogle pools and runs that are closed for
the season.

9.) Get some professional, academic or
house work done, finally.

10.) Stop professional, academic or house
work three-quarters of the way though and
go nymphing in the falling snow.

Ode to the HAWG Johnson!

Too Funny!

Float Fishing for STEELHEAD

These boyz catch some nice fish, ENJOY!

Its cold outside!

320 Trailer

Captain Jack films with a short trailer! After all the cold and snow here in the Midwest we could use a video short to get a blood pumping!

320 Trailer from Cpt Jack Films on Vimeo.

Obsession Trailer

Fly Fishing for Big Brown Trout in Oregon. Who doesn't like BIG BROWNS?


Obsession Trailer - Fly Fishing for Big Brown Trout in Oregon from Mountain Made Media on Vimeo.

Fly Fishing Poetry

Fly Fishing poetry.... from Ataman Movies on Vimeo.

Because its so COLD today!

I picked this one because I'm looking forward to warmer weather already. Plus the video is cool, enjoy.


Brothers On The Fly - "It's Still Water..." from BrothersOnTheFly on Vimeo.

Rescuing a Bald Eagle

Here is a video you don't see everyday!

Bob Clay and his Steelhead Family

I have posted and talked about this video before. It deserves another share we have many new fans of the blog from around the world. I know you will enjoy this one. Such a nice story about a Steelheading Family.

Enjoy


A Steelhead Family - Official HD video 3.1 from Andrew Hardingham on Vimeo.

Baetis Train

Baetis Train from PA Undercurrent Outfitters on Vimeo.

Action Vs Power Explained.

Just in case your not clear or just don't know what action vs power really means? Watch this video Tim does a nice job of explaining.

Winter Solitude!

SOLITUDE from Montana Wild on Vimeo.