2-23-12

Spring in our world isn't measured by some rodent seeing its shadow, it's measured by how many chrome steelhead are starting to show up.  And spring is coming early this year! 

OK, maybe that's not a good indicator, but with the mild temps and decent river flows, there have been a lot of fresh, chrome fish showing up in the catch lately.  As a result, fishing has been pretty darn good in a few different rivers! 

In between fishing trips, I've been working on a lot of different custom rods for people, so this has definitely been a busy winter for me...which is never a bad thing.  If you want to get out on the water or are looking for a custom rod that fits your needs, contact me and I'll do my best to take care of you!  I have plenty of open dates for Marh and April. 

I'll keep this short and sweet and get right to the pics...

--Hutch
2-23-12

2-12-2012

I’ve always said that salmon and steelhead fishing is not an exclusive, “guys only” club. In fact, when you look at the past few years and notice a decline in the number of fishing licenses sold, it’s even more important to introduce new people to the sport and hope that they end up with the same appreciation for our resources that I and many other people share.

“Take a kid fishing!”

We’ve heard that saying many times and it’s one of the best things a person can do. I’ve had the pleasure of not only taking my own sons out fishing, but as a guide I’ve also been honored to spend the day with fathers taking their own sons out on the water. The same thing goes for people who have brought their wives or girlfriends along for a day on the water. In each case, someone left the river with a new found appreciation for the sport of salmon and steelhead fishing and they couldn’t wait to come back for more!

As a member of the DNR’s Coldwater Resource Committee, that’s one of the common themes that always pops up during our meetings--that is, we need to get more people involved with the outdoors. Michigan has a rich hunting and fishing tradition and we have one of the best salmon and steelhead fisheries in the country. We have outdoor sports and destinations for every season and it would be criminal if those traditions were allowed to slip away because of apathy or worse…someone introduced a child to soccer instead of sucker fishing.

The biggest threats to our fisheries are invasive species like Asian carp, mussels and soccer. Each and every one of those invaders wreaks havoc by starting at the bottom of the food chain. In the case of soccer it begins with some monster saying, “don’t use your hands…bounce this ball on your knee!” Innocent children don't know any better so they bounce a ball on their knee.  It doesn't stop there, however, just like a zebra mussel doesn't just filter water and that's the end of it. No, Soccer kids breed soccer moms…and soccer moms buy mini vans not SUV's. Next thing you know, the roads are filled with mini vans full of soccer moms and soccer kids and nobody is out fishing. And guess what…it’s YOUR fault. Instead of putting your foot down and stopping the madness, you get caught up in that vicious trap and before you know it, you’re saying crazy things like, “yeah, I used to fish quite a bit, but…”

Unacceptable.

Hell, we can’t even do soccer the right way--which is proof positive that it’s not “our thing.” In it’s natural habitat, soccer doesn’t create soccer moms--it creates soccer hooligans. Soccer hooligans are actually far more entertaining than the soccer itself. It’s like salmon season brings out the salmon hooligans--that’s a natural thing. If one travels to harsh arenas like Tippy Dam and someone loses a fish because someone crossed their line or messed up a net job, there’s going to be foul words and violence. Same thing with soccer in its natural environment. Riots, tear gas, bottles of urine being hurled at the other team’s mascot--all quite natural. Not here--half the time these youth soccer leagues don’t even keep score! Outrageous! At least fishermen keep score and realize that not “everybody is a winner“, so to speak. What kind of message is it sending when even the losing team gets to go to Dairy Queen? Bragging rights over a friend is the reward for a good day of fishing and said friend might even resort to violence and urine bottle hurling if he got out-fished bad enough. How in the world can you have bragging rights if you don’t even keep score? 

The very thought of it rips my heart out!  The fact that there hasn't even been a good Tippy Dam Tazering, let alone a full on tear gassing, in quite some time is proof positive that the end is near.  It's not the Mayan prophecy at work--it's soccer.  I can even imagine that one of the four horsemen is probably wearing a Manchester United jersey.

That’s why I’m willing to put my money where my mouth is, so to speak. My normal rate for a two-person, full day trip is $340. Effective today, if you book a two person trip with me and the second person is a child under the age of 16 OR your wife, fiancé, or girlfriend, then the special rate for that trip will be $280. Call it my, “Say NO to Soccer Special.” Either way, women and children first is not something you say only when a boat is sinking (unless you’re the captain of an Italian cruise ship), it’s also something we should say when it comes to passing along our rich outdoor traditions. Bring your child or significant other and the special full day rate is $280.

Now to the fishing. We’ve a had a great winter and the fishing has been consistently good. Right now, there’s a good mix of darker winter fish and fresh chrome new arrivals in most rivers. All of which adds up to good fishing now and in all likelihood, good fishing into March and April. Spawn under a bobber has been the best producer by far and some of the fish are still showing that early fall type of aggressiveness! I have plenty of open dates available in March and April, so if you’re interested in saving a child from soccer, contact me and let’s go fishing!

--Hutch

2-12-2012

1-19-2012

Well, it didn’t take long for winter to show itself did it? I certainly didn’t have a problem with 50 degree weather in January and I’m pretty sure nobody else did either--well, except ice fishermen. Back in my younger days I used to ice fish. I don’t anymore--haven’t in many years, not since I discovered the joys of winter steelhead fishing. If someone asks me today, “do you ice fish?” my answer is probably going to be, “Well yeah…when there’s ice flows coming down river and you have to cast in between them, that’s my idea of ‘ice fishing!’”

Winter gives me a chance to play around with certain things--new wrap ideas for rods, different ways to doctor up my salmon lures, etc. This winter has been no different and I recently took up a new fishing related hobby--hand carving my own bobbers. No big deal, lots of people do it--it’s fun! I just happened to be wandering around Hobby Lobby a few weeks ago and saw a couple things that made the light bulb go off. That’s usually what happens and is one reason why some of my friends call me “The Mad Scientist,” when I start spending more time at my work bench during the winter!

Anyway, it’s a new year and the fishing has been decent--still getting a lot of bigger fish and I had one recent trip where the day started with an 11 lb buck and ended with a 13.5 lb hen. I’ve had the chance to use my new bobbers on some guide trips and I’m proud to say--they work! Then again, all a bobber has to do is be seen and then hopefully not seen when a fish hits. No reinvention of the wheel required. LOL!!! I mean, Huck Finn stuck a toothpick in a whiskey jug cork and had a functioning bobber.

From my perspective, It’s just a nice feeling to catch a fish on a rod that I built with a bobber I carved--gives it that “personal touch,” I suppose…even if it’s really just a more expensive way of accomplishing the same exact thing that you could with a stick, some kite string and whiskey jug cork!

Speaking of a new year, I’m proud to say that I’m entering into my fourth year of running guide trips and it keeps getting better and better--my thanks to everyone out there who’s gone on the water with me and for those who haven’t yet, I have plenty of open dates available up until the end of April. Send me an e-mail and let’s set something up!

Aaaaaaaaand, now for the pictures….

--Hutch

1-19-2012



















The Mad Scientist at "work:"

12-11-11

I didn’t mean to wait this long to post a new journal, but…when it rains it pours, literally and metaphorically. The rivers have a little or a lot on the high side from the rains over a week ago and while the fishing has been good for me in some areas, other areas are on hiatus until the water recedes. In between some damn good fishing, I’ve been dealing with the metaphorical part of it “pouring,” so to speak. Mechanical failures involving a new starter for the boat and a blown truck motor have come at the same time as my dear grandmother being very ill and things not looking good. Trust me, a day on the water has served as a nice distraction for those “life happens,” type thing that seem to pile on all at the same time!

I like to think that certain things give us the chance to reflect and appreciate the one life we’re fortunate enough to have. Whether you collect stamps or love fishing, passions like that provide not only fun, but therapy as well. I know when I was working in the auto industry and pulling 12 hour shifts 24/7 and going through a divorce at the same time, I couldn’t wait to get on the water! Sometimes your “therapy,” might even lead to one of the most memorable days of your life. And that’s the point isn’t it? Enjoying the life you have and being able to lean on those memories during rough times.

Since the situation with my grandmother is beyond the point where medical marvels can intervene and it’s all in the hands of something more universal and powerful, I’m definitely reflecting with a heavy heart. However, even during the rain, the sun can sometimes poke through. I’m blessed with a wonderful family and close friends who are almost like brothers to me. In fact, I’m really looking forward to one particular trip this week. My close friend, Rick, has a son who is home on leave from the Army. That poor young man hasn’t been on the water in over a year, so we’re going to take care of that. Which is a good thing since he’s also getting married while he’s here on leave. Hopefully I’ll be able to give him a hearty congratulations on a great day of fishing before I have to offer him a sympathy card a few days later. LOL!!!

Anyway, I apologize for going into “Philosophical Hutch” mode, but since I’ve been given the opportunity to step back and recall certain memories and moments, it just reaffirms that one of the many things that make me who I am is how much I love being on the water and all of my interactions with whoever might be reading these journals. Here’s to more life…more memories…and may the cup be always “half full!”

“Stay thirsty, my friends!”

--Hutch

12-11-11

And I wouldn’t leave out the “fish porn,” believe me! LOL!!!

11-25-11

First off and most importantly, I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving with family and friends! I spent the morning out on the water with my beloved companion, Mr. Bear, and had a fun day as the fishing has been and continues to be nothing short of great! I’ve had a lot of trips over the past two weeks and there really hasn’t been a bad day yet. Sure, one day can be better than the next, but even the “slow” days are still great by any measurable standard. I’ve had the pleasure of fishing with some good people and some that have never done this sort of thing before. The wonderful thing about my “job,” is seeing people keep trying and then be rewarded for their perseverance. Bobber/spawn fishing for steelhead isn’t the easiest thing in the world and definitely takes some getting used to. There’s going to be missed bites and battles where the fish win…but it all seems worth it when you finally see that dime bright steelhead flopping in the net and you can’t wait to get that line back in the water and get into another!

The pattern has definitely been this: There is no pattern. Fish are still in that transient stage and moving from spot to spot. One hot spot today is dead tomorrow, but a spot that was dead today is hot tomorrow. Since I know some rivers like the back of my hand and have multiple spots to fish, we’ve been covering water, finding our fish and ending up with some solid numbers in the process. All of this adds up to a great fishing experience now and I expect there to be solid fishing well into the winter!

I have some open dates available in December, so shoot me an e-mail if you’re interested in trying this fun and exciting sport!

And now some pictures from the last two weeks…

---Hutch

11-25-11

Myself and Mr. Bear with our Thanksgiving day treat--a gorgeous 13lb hen: 













I'll tell you what, there's nothing better than having the honor of being part of the fun during a father/son fishing outting.  Special thanks to Tony and Peter for the great day and the memories!

11-8-11

What a day!  That's all I can really say since it was raining when I hit the water this morning and it was raining even harder when I finally left several hours later.  In between was some of the best fishing I've had in a long time.  I boated quite a few fish, but the absolute highlight was landing a 14 lb hen and then later on, I boated a 16 lb hen!  At this point, I think I should go buy a lottery ticket since I don't when I'll ever see a day where I bring a 14 and a 16 to the net again.  Thank you rain! :-) 

14 pound fat girl: 



The 16 pound Queen:



And there were a lot of these in the mix as well--gives me a chance to show off the "lucky" MHX hat! 

11-6-11

Halloween has passed, but the ghosts are still haunting waters of west Michigan!

I can’t speak for other people, but this has definitely been one of the better early fall steelhead fisheries I’ve seen in quite a few years. It’s not one river, but just about any river that flows into Lake Michigan right now has been giving up some solid fishing.

In the areas I fish, it’s been consistently inconsistent--which only means that some spots are hot today, dead tomorrow while spots that were dead yesterday were hot today, if that makes any sort of sense. Fall steelhead are a transient species when water temps are still in the high 40’s like they are now. As the water cools, you start to see more fish staying put and then certain spots become more consistent on a day to day basis. Until then, they move around quite a bit…sometimes to areas upstream, sometimes they move down river. The long and short of that is this: I’m hooking plenty of fish every time out on the water, but sometimes I need to cover a lot of water to do it. The key point there is, “hooking plenty of fish” and so far, this fall has been nothing to complain about!

While spawn under a bobber has been the hot technique, the color bag you’re using does matter and the “hot color” has changed from day to day. So my program has been this: cover water, change colors often. Its working pretty good right now!

As for openings, I still have plenty of dates available for November and December. Drop me an e-mail and let’s set something up! I also have a half day special that I’m offering this fall:

One Person, 8:00am to 12:00pm OR 1:00pm to 5:00pm --- $140

Two person, same time choices --- $200

$80 deposit is required to book a date…email me if you have a date in mind and what half day time frame you’re interested in! My normal rates still apply for full day trips: $200 for one person, $340 for two people. If you’re interested in that as well, plenty of dates still available through December 31^st.

　
--Hutch

11-6-11



This last pic was sent to me by my "brother from another mother," Sam while he was out on the water with his wife the other day.  I love seeing this kind of stuff since the great outdoors is NOT an exclusive "boys only" club and it's awesome when couples can "play together," out on the water.  Besides, that is one gorgeous hen--nice, fresh...at least 10lbs!

I’ll call this the post game wrap up since I’m just about done with the salmon season and ready to switch gears to the fall steelhead. In short, it’s been a great salmon season with great people in the boat!

I have plenty of fun fishing on my own or with friends, but it’s just as much fun for me when I’m guiding. I get the honor of seeing people have a great time and when fishing salmon with bobbers and gut (skein eggs), I get to be part of the action in watching the bobbers dip, dunk and dance as a king is playing with the bait. When the bite is on, the fun is infectious! To hear people saying, “Unbelievable” or “Oh, my gosh” when a king is peeling off drag--Awesome!

There’s been a lot of that!

This was my third season guiding salmon and it’s just gotten better and better every year. I’ve had the pleasure of fishing with new friends, old friends and my twin sons. I’ve spent the better part of the last five weeks out on the water almost every day. Whether I’m staying in my camper, sleeping in my truck or sleeping in my own bed, I can’t wait for the next morning--especially when I get up and I have a guide trip booked. Seeing people hook fish and get better and better with the technique as the day goes by is the biggest reward in itself. That’s what’s fun for me and it’s been some solid fishing, especially the last two weeks, with quite a few laughs, smiles and high-fives going around. Everyone couldn’t believe the power of these fish and those who caught their first salmon ever came away with a new found respect…and they can’t wait to do it again next year!  I have the easy part--my job is to drop anchor in the right spot and then do my best to teach or coach people on the hows and whys of what we're fishing for.  The hard part is the actual hooking and landing, and I'll tell you what--everyone I've had in the boat this season has been a quick learner and the fish gods have smiled on their hard work and effort.  It's not easy mending a bobber or knowing exactly when to set the hook.  It takes patience and attention to detail.  When someone gains confidence and starts putting the wood to a 20 pound king on the rampage, that's all them!  So, Good job to everyone!

The last two weeks has really seen a great skein bite develop. I hate to brag up numbers usually, but double digit hook ups were the norm and there just seemed to be a lot of fish that were eager to play. Runs that were 8’ to 10’ provided the best action and the fish were mostly suspended--I never had to set up a bobber rig that was more than 5’ down. Smaller chunks of skein seemed to provide the most action and for every one fish hooked, there were many good bobber drops where the fish just pecked and let go. That’s part of it though…a salmon crank bite and skein bite are two different things completely and that’s the beauty of salmon fishing.  Some days were better than others, as far as numbers go, but the salmon run has definitely been consistent in that there were decent pushes of fresh fish at perfect intervals during the month of September. 

I've always said that I'm very fortunate to be able to do something that I love doing.  After working in the automotive industry for almost 20 years, I can't even begin to say how much being on the water with great people and great fishing means to me.  In addition, whether it's the guy on shore tossing spoons or the elderly gentleman who, like clock work, is anchored in the same run every morning, every year, I get to converse with other anglers who love the resource as much as I do.  That's what it's all about--it's not my resource...it's everyone's! 

Anyway, below are some pics from the last couple weeks and for anyone who reads these and is interested, I’m now booking fall/winter steelhead trips. That fishing is solid from the 3^rd week in October and all the way through December. I have plenty of open dates, so drop me a line and let’s have some fun!

Hutch

10-4-11

9-20-11

The scene has played out countless times through out the history of cinema: The cloaked figure, the vampire, closes in on his prey with fangs ready to bite down on the neck of the unsuspecting victim. Suddenly, the first rays of the morning sun break the dawn and the vampire is forced to flee or be vaporized into a pile of dust. So has it been with the salmon bite this year.

The fishing has been great in the dark--in the morning and at night. During the day? Not so good. As such, myself and my clients have chosen the life of the vampire and been forced to seek our prey under the cover of the dark.

Real vampires, mind you, not those sissy--I-have-feelings-too-Twilight type wimpires. Our kind of vampire isn’t going to give you a foot massage and then take you to the prom, No--we hunt by night, sleep by day! Luckily, I’ve had some die-hards in the boat and they’ve all been about just catching salmon--not about when said salmon have been caught. As such--a lot of kings have been put in the boat and the crank bite during the dark periods has been very good. We’re also still putting plenty of 20lb plus fish in the net as well.

There has been a decent skein bite at times after the sun comes up, but most of the action is definitely after dark. It’s certainly not for a lack of fish--there’s been many times where certain spots are loaded like a trout pond, but they’re blasting upriver by day and what we’re getting during the night are fresh pods of aggressive new arrivals settling in.

Chalk this up to low water in the rivers and a lack of color. Most of the areas are very clear right now and I’m seeing things on the bottom that I shouldn’t be seeing--not when water conditions are a little more normal. Many fish are simply blasting upriver to the higher spots and not holding as long in the lower spots.

As the water cools down more and we get a little rain, like yesterday, I would expect to see a more consistent daytime bite. Either way, the last couple weeks have been a lot of fun since the river takes on a different identity in the dark and the anticipation of an angry Chinook crushing your crank bait as you retrieve it through the fog is more than enough to keep your heart rate up. My clients have been more than up to the task and they’ve been boating plenty of fish as a result! I’ve kept the coffee going in the boat and the heater on when it got a little chilly--and the night bite has been good enough to make up for a little lost sleep.

Good job to all the vampires and while we may not be “immortal,” the memories sure are!

-- Hutch

9-20-11

9-14-11

I’ve done some tweaking with my website and one of the first things you’ll notice is that I removed the “Recent Reports” page and reconfigured the Photo Gallery page.

I hate online “fishing reports.” Now, there’s many reasons for this, but I’ll point out the most obvious. First off, I don’t own the water and I have no more right to it than anyone else. As someone who loves fishing, it’s simply not fair to my fellow anglers to start screaming, “we’re tearing ‘em up on the lower Pig Knuckle River near Brokeback Bend!” I hate it when other people do that and, out of respect for the guys ‘n gals who might be fishing in the same areas as I am, I’m not going to do that.

Secondly, most of those “we’re tearing ‘em up!” reports are usually B.S. Oh, they might be tearing ‘em up, but they’re tearing ‘em up 50 miles away from where they say they are. It’s a great way to stroke the ego and say, “hey, look at me!” without having 80 boats show up in the same spot to actually “look at you!”

Besides, Have you ever read a report where they’re not tearing ‘em up? Myself, I prefer to be honest about the fishery and if it’s not worth someone booking a trip, then I’d rather tell them that and have them schedule when it’s far better fishing and thus, worth their time, effort and money. Honesty is the # 1 priority that my business is based on, followed by my promise to work as hard as I can to put you on fish. At the same time, I have to be respectful of my fellow anglers and to me, it’s simply irresponsible to post detailed reports about areas where other people are also fishing. If other people or businesses want to do that, more power to them. Myself, I prefer the “general approach.”

So, I decided to do this as more of a journal and focus more on the “how’s and why’s” of my daily and weekly fishing activities as opposed to the exact “where’s.” I’ll mention general areas from time to time, but not exact locations.

I just got back home from three weeks up in Northern Michigan. It was a great time as always and the fishing was productive, if not gang busters. We’ve had some consistent fishing with a number of fresh fish moving into the rivers on a daily basis. However, it’s been a here today, gone tomorrow type of run and the best fishing has been at first light and last light. Not a whole lot going on during the day. My clients have all had solid days on the water and more importantly, we’ve boated a LOT of bigger fish this year. Last year, we didn’t have a single salmon over 20 pounds and this year, we’ve already put over 15 fish in the boat that were at or above that mark. During one evening, I had two clients hook and land a double and both fish were over 20 pounds. I've had wonderful people in the boat that made for great times and great memories--I loved every minute of it and it's the reason I absolutely love "my job!"

As for methods--Basically, it’s been crank baits in the low light conditions and skein under a bobber during later morning periods. Both have been producing consistently. While I actually enjoy "living in my camper down by the river" for three weeks and doing the fish, fish some more and sleep whenever i can thing, there's also that great feeling of being able to come home, see my boys and sleep in my own warm bed with my dog at my feet! 

Speaking of my boys, In between guide trips I was able to bring my 8 year old twin boys up to salmon camp for a few days and we had some good fishing as well as some great quality time together. The highlight was me being able to sit back and watch them tag team some fresh king salmon--one working the rod and one working the net. It made my heart swell with immense pride to witness my sons hook and land their own fish with my only contribution being to coach them along and drink my coffee!

The fishing was also productive in that I’ve been able to field test a specific MHX blank (I’m on their Pro Staff) and I couldn’t have been more happy with the results. The rod performed as advertised and I wouldn’t hesitate to put that in someone else’s hands!

Below are just a few pics from the last three weeks and I still have trips to come, which I’ll share and talk about with these journals. I still have some salmon dates available the first week or so of October and it won’t be long before we switch gears and start targeting fall steelhead! If you’re interested in any of the above, drop me a line and “let’s go fishing!”

--Hutch

9-14-11