Hell or High Water

No I'm not referring to the band. But I did use their logo and out of respect posted the bands video. Sorry I do prefer the band AC/DC.

Where the phrase came from is not well  understood but some say it came from the cowboy days and cattle drives in the Western parts of the US. When trying to cross a river during periods of High Water this was a risky proposition.  

The phrase is impressive, it refers to things that are obviously difficult to overcome. Such as this thing we call life. Let alone try to get a Steel Head to bite in High Dirty Water conditions. Otherwise known as chocolate milk.

But a blown out river is nothing in comparison when you consider we had the highest snow fall on record for many states in over a hundred years. Which means the aftermath is high, dirty water conditions and crazy temperature swings, etc? 

Many anglers get discouraged and stay at home which is understandable. My advice is to check the rivers out around you and see if one will fish. That's what I'm going to do come Hell or High Water. 

When I think about it we already have the High Water part! Its the Hell part we could do without.Speaking of HELL don't forget it's Easter and make sure you go to Church on Sunday!

Most of us have been stuck indoors all winter long. So I'm going fishing this weekend no mater what. I hope to get a rod or two bent. I hope you find some time to get out this Easter weekend come Hell or High water!

I leave you with this:

" I think I fish, in part, because it's an anti-social, bohemian business that, when gone about properly, puts you forever outside the mainstream culture without actually landing you in an institution." 

John Gierach

Tight Lines and PASS the HAM!

    

FISH'ISMS

VIDEO POST

"Swing North" (Trailer) - Official Selection, IF4 2014 from IF4 on Vimeo.

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Political Correctness and Fishing

Can we all just get along? Can we stick together as a group of anglers to protect our heritage, future, rivers and fish. Not to mention the example we are setting for our children. Who cares if you call it a bobber and someone else calls it a strike indicator? Give me a break!

Not to mention the group that swings flies against the indicator fisherman. Not to mention fly fisherman hate center pinners or vice versa. Fly Snob against the bait chucker! OMG I have a headache already just thinking about it. But that's the beauty of having a blog I can express myself when I need to. Obviously I feel the need. If you don't like what I have to say then move on. Read some other Holier than thous blog.

If you like to pursue Salmon, Steelhead and Trout by your preferred method than you are welcome here. As long as your abiding by the laws, rules and regulations of your state, region or country. More power to ya brother!

All the in fighting that is going on is not helping our sport or the resource in my opinion. We all need to stick together and protect our resource. We may fish different ways but we all seek many of the same things we get from the sport and time on the river.

So the next time you jump on the bandwagon and try to be politically correct with the crowd your running with. 

Remember this:

Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and promoted by mainstream media which holds forth the premise that it is entirely possible to pick up a piece of Dog Poop by the clean end!

Stay fishy my friends and remember the River is all you need.

Tasty lll chapter 5 Steelhead from Boondoggers Fly Fishing on Vimeo.

FISH'ISMS

" Selectivity: The Theory and Method of Fly Fishing for Fussy Trout, Salmon & Steelhead" Book Review

I had the pleasure of meeting Matt Supinski once again last week. I even got to tie some flies with this very FISHY CAT on his Birthday with Schultz Outfitters. I cannot say enough about this mans knowledge on fly fishing. Every time I attend a seminar of his I learn something new. That's always refreshing, right?

I bought his book Steelhead Dreams many years ago and its still is one of my all time favorites. His new book Selectivity picks up where he left off in my opinion. This book is very technical in a lot of parts which I actually like. For the beginner fisherman this book has a wealth of knowledge, but even skilled anglers will learn a few things no doubt. Not mention you can always refer back to it as a reference manual. There is a lot of information in this book.

Being a book junkie I treasure all my books and my library. What I worry about the most is that my fishing gear and books will end up in a garage sale for a quarter when I die. That would be a shame for a book of this caliber. The photos in this book are amazing and very pleasing to the eye.

The first section of book covers the phases of selectivity: Aggressive/Active, Selective/Reflective, and the Passive/Dormant. It's key to learn these phases in angling in my opinion. Allot of the book is focused on Trout fishing and then moves on to Steelhead. My personal favorite in case you didn't know. Next is on the New Star here in the Great Lakes, the Atlantic Salmon.

Lastly the fly patterns and recipes in this book are just awesome. There is allot of them and worth the price alone. The fit and finish of the book is well made and comes with a dust jacket.

This book could be viewed as a reference manual and coffee table book all in one. It's an investment in yourself on this life long journey we call fishing and worth every penny for $40 bucks. Thumbs up to Matt Supinski on another fine job. I'm proud to add it to my library.

Thanks again for stopping by and visiting.

May you always stay fishy and your waders be smelly.

Tight Lines.

Steelhead Manifesto

FISH'ISMS

VIDEOS

Open Door to Solitude from Filson on Vimeo.

Winsnes Fly Fishing Lodge 2014 from Matt Hayes on Vimeo.

TROUT PHOTOS

BIG RED

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Whats High, DIRTY and has Chocolate Milk?

Whats High, DIRTY and has Chocolate Milk? 

Our RIVERS of course!

That does not mean you get high and don't bathe? Although some of you at Steelhead Camp will be both! Conditions will be tough and damn near impossible to deal with this weekend.

I would be swinging some pretty BIG colorful flies or floating some Choker Bags the size of baseballs if I were you. High water means conditions are rough but not impossible. 

Keep in mind as we struggle to bring a fish to hand and get our rods bent. Why we fish and why we are out there this weekend. The river, the beauty and time spent with good friends. That's what it's all about.

Please be careful this weekend and be safe. If wading always wear a wading belt and use a wading staff. These two things could save your life. After all I need you. 

I need someone to read my ramblings!

To mix things up on today's post we will take a quote from Charlie Sheen.

Stay off crack! Drink chocolate milk.

Stay fishy my friends and may your waders be smelly this weekend!

Hawg Johnson I caught on the Manistee River.

A FISH'ISM or TWO

Nice Video

4Fly Flugfiske from 4fly on Vimeo.

Steelhead Manifesto has been a fan of Kype since it's inception. And a few days ago we posted the press release that the magazine was changing hands. 

Here is the farewell issue best of 5 years. Thanks George for your friendship and we wish you the best. Aileen will do a wonderful job at the helm.