TB steelhead

[Adam Peterson]

There were very few steelhead caught in the Thunder bay river this weekend. It is still very slow and wont start picking up for another 4 weeks or so. So for all you downstaters thinking about coming up its not worth the drive or time, you should just go over to the tippy or St. Joe if you want to catch a fish. I heard something about a gill net being placed over the mouth of the river or someware close and its stoping the fish from coming up the river. I'll make sure to tell you guys when the run is in full force.

[Burksee]

There were very few steelhead caught in the Thunder bay river this weekend. It is still very slow and wont start picking up for another 4 weeks or so. So for all you downstaters thinking about coming up its not worth the drive or time, you should just go over to the tippy or St. Joe if you want to catch a fish. I heard something about a gill net being placed over the mouth of the river or someware close and its stoping the fish from coming up the river. I'll make sure to tell you guys when the run is in full force.Yeah, dont bother with fishin the east side. Go over the west side were all the fish are! ;) :yikes:

[fowl assasination]

I was in the stream for a total of 4 hours today throwing all the same flies and i tried spawn,rubber eggs, corkies, and also tried skaen. This river has shut right off. And about that gill net or whatever kind of net i did here some guys talking about that too but have no proof except for there are no fish! Well adam i wouldnt plan on fishing for three weeks or so not that we got all of this snow and 20 degree weather. :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

[Adam Peterson]

Ya Fowl... I wont be making the trip for at least 2-3 more weeks. I know people are catching 10+ steelies a day at the tippy. Thats where im going, There is to much stuff in the river anyways I get snaged like every cast and its just not worth it. The TB is not what it use to be, its going to turn into a sucker river before you know it. There are no steelhead up there anymore they are all south in the Au Sable and over on the westside.

[ausable_steelhead]

I fished the Thunder Bay this morning and I hit two in my first five drifts, the first on my first cast. Both were males, one was colored up, around 7-8lbs(jumped 4 times) with all it's fins, and the other one was chrome and went about 4-5lbs, both on very FRESH spawn. Don't be sending people to the Au Sable, that's very dead right now, I seen a grand total of 4 fish, and very few people. All rivers are high, this SHOULD help, high-water in April is very different than high-water in March. They had one flood gate open on the TB, but she was very fishable. They had all THREE gates open at Foote, and rang the siren while we were down there checking things out, and BS'n with people. I'll tell you what, I liked the fact that there were five of us at the dam fishing this morning, with plenty of room, compared to 200 yahoos at Tippy crossing lines and swearing at each other. Tight-lines, if nothing happens with this flush, I'm gonna start to wonder.

[Adam Peterson]

I changed my mind tonight and decided to go back down there. I fished for 3 hours and didnt hit a fish. My friend who fishes there all the time didnt catch anything either. Its off and on.. If i was from down state I would not drive up here to fish yet maybe in 2 weeks or so when the fish are actually in. If you have rivers downstate I would suggest fishing there for a couple more weeks. You shoudl have been at the TB this weekend. It was a gongshow down there for the most part. There were people drifting spoons, people using salmon rods with baitcasters, and the majority of them using 20 lb test. People using slamon nets. I wish I had a video camera, every cast someone was getting a snag. I saw one guy using a home made snagging rig around dark which conisted of 2 #8 treble hooks conected by a wire. I wish the DNR would have come down there it was a joke the worst I have ever seen. We dont need that crap down there let alone on any stream in michigan. Another observation.... A guy that is a regular down there had a fish oh and everyone started to reel in their lines, some guy decided to cast over his line with the fish on it and did a hook set and cut the guy off. It just makes me mad. If your going to fish where other people are fishing have some respect.

[CaptainNorthwood]

Its pretty easy to read thru these posts, if you don't want people from downstate coming up to fish don't post a report.

[Adam Peterson]

I dont have a problem with people from downstate coming up to fish, as long as they respect the people and the river. I know there are people around here doing the same crap. Im just giving the report that I see. I fished from 3-9 on friday, 6-10 and 4-11:30 saturday, and 3-9 on sunday and I can tell you fishing was very slow with very few fish being caught. When people did catch fish it was either a walleye or sucker. I probably seen only 6/10 steelies caught the whole time I was down there.

[ausable_steelhead]

The weekend does usually bring out the idiot people. Weekdays on the Thunder Bay are tatally different, I've never had a problem on that river, even during salmon season. I caught my first steelhead there, it's a fun little river, and can be VERY productive. I really think everything will pick up and everything will be just fine as far as spring runs this year, this shot of water will make a difference. I'm bringing my fiance' tommorrow, don't know if it'll be to Alpena or Oscoda, we'll see. Adam, do you fish down below the bridge or just at the dam? Bobber fishing that walkway can be very hot. Also, I only snagged and lost one rig, because I let it swing to far over, other than that I never had a problem. Most guys, like everyother river I see, especially at dams, use WAY TO MUCH LEAD.

[Adam Peterson]

I fish mostly at the dam. I dont have a problem snagging up, I think i only lost three flies the whole weekend. I was talking about other people that dont fish there all the time. There is no need to use 20 lb test. I only use 6 lb and that works great. Fishing the river on the weekdays is awsome everything goes so much smoother. There is only 5/8 people there on times and its enjoyable. What makes me mad is when people lose respect for fellow fishermen. Like when I said I seen a guy cast over another guys line and cut him off when he had a fish on, the guy didnt say sorry or anything. It would be good right now to fish the boardwalk seeing they have the shoot open. I love fishing down there at night time. Takes a while to adjust to but can be awsome fishing.

[sprigdog]

:confused: :confused:

i'm surprised the cyper police havent deleted this thread. I didnt read on this forum header about the TB river. So shouldnt be taboo to even mention, let alone talking about specific holes:tdo12:

now i'm even more confused..cause it says Au Sable, Rifle and OTHERS...this must be one of the others

[Flatlander101]

Im from downstate and I do not know how to fish for steelhead.[edited............................................ .................................................. ...................]


You are also a bogus poster and now banned!!!:yikes: :dizzy: :lol: :rant:

[Adam Peterson]

LoL :lol: :lol: :lol:
Thats some funny stuff flatlander.... NO you can not snag fish in all of michigan, not sure about that gill net though it might have broke loose someplace south and blew into the bay all i know is someone keeds to get it out so the fish can come up the river.

[ausable_steelhead]

Sprigdog, there was no mentioning of any holes, we said the dam and boardwalk, which is quite long, relax. Yeah, I also run 6lb, that first male came on a 5lb leader, I ran a tight drag to try and keep him up in the spill, but after a bit, he ran straight down into the famous;) rapids there, and I ended up landing him under the bridge! It was a fun and wild fight:D ! His fourth leap was in the middle of that fast water, I was a bit surprised that 5lb held so solid, I wasn't exactly playing him lightly! I think the water was too fast there for him to get me in that re-bar they love, because he kind bounced and flopped through the chute.

[fowl assasination]

That was the first post that flatlander made but i think he hit the nail on the head with that one. nice call!:lol:

[sprigdog]

Sprigdog, there was no mentioning of any holes, we said the dam and boardwalk, which is quite long, relax.

relax:confused: ...:coolgleam i really couldnt give 2 squirts if every tom, dick and harry rushed up and fished that river with 30# pound test tipped with 3 ounce silver spiders. i know you like to show your "many years" of expertise on fishing eastside rivers, just following the RULES set by the operator of this sight, coming straight from the sticky posted above. So your expertise(reports) should be limited to the AS and Rifle.

just pointing out a double standard that seems to happen from time to time.

[ausable_steelhead]

That's funny, we were having a decent discussion about fishing, now I'm trying to flaunt my "expertise"? Yeah, okay. If it were such a sensitive thing, then why is the Rogue, and the White, or Betsie allowed? These are small streams with plenty of natural repo. I think they put "others" because there isn't space for them all. I've seen reports on a small river north of there that weren't deleted. The "others", I believe doesn't mean you can't post on it, it just means other streams. This is the third or fourth thread on this river, and not one has gotten deleted. It's small, but it's a mostly hatchery run, nothing to really hurt. Some of you people are comical, you probably don't have any fun when you go fishing because your so tight-wound.

[Adam Peterson]

Au Sable you must have hit a nerve someplace.

[bobcolenso]

I'm heading up to my place on Grand Lake over the Easter weekend. I'm planning to take a couple rods and reels also. Not that I'm expecting to actually catch any fish. There are no fish on the sunrise side. If I really wanted to catch lots of fish, I'd go to the west side. PM, Tippy. The west side is the place to go to catch lots of fish.

[ausable_steelhead]

Go post in the western forums then.

[Burksee]

Go post in the western forums then.Wow.... Where's the love? The laid back atmosphere of the east side is the appealing factor for me. I think Bob was making an attempt to be funny! ;)

Besides when was "catching" a given when you go fishing? I always thought when I went fishing that if I caught anything it was a bonus!

[sprigdog]

me uptight?:lol: thats the funniest thing i've heard in awhile...

so where do we draw the line? Is every river in NE Mich open for reports? The reason certain rivers should be limited is pressure, plain and simple.
Now if i posted i did real well on the E branch AG right below the 55 bridge, do you think that is right? Could you imagine the pressure that would bring to that small stretch of river? I am one of the few who DO NOT use this forum to figure out where i'm fishing this weekend. People from down state rely on posts to plan a trip (hundreds of people). If you dont think that, your out of touch with reality. You have more internet non-member scouters than you have members contributing to this forum. Do you think they are viewing to share a new method to fish? Nope, they are letting you do their homework for them. I will post reports on the AS and Rifle, cause they can handle the people and thats where most are heading anyway. The AS is not a secret, it does not rely on shots of rain(to an extent), you can go on the internet and see what CFS she's running. I keep a journal, and EVERY year the AS is like clockwork...i have more days on that river than most. Lets put it this way, if i take a deep breath, i can smell her. everyday.

Uptight, not even close......just realistic..

[Burksee]

me uptight?:lol: thats the funniest thing i've heard in awhile...

so where do we draw the line? Is every river in NE Mich open for reports? The reason certain rivers should be limited is pressure, plain and simple.
Now if i posted i did real well on the E branch AG right below the 55 bridge, do you think that is right? Could you imagine the pressure that would bring to that small stretch of river? I am one of the few who DO NOT use this forum to figure out where i'm fishing this weekend. People from down state rely on posts to plan a trip (hundreds of people). If you dont think that, your out of touch with reality. You have more internet non-member scouters than you have members contributing to this forum. Do you think they are viewing to share a new method to fish? Nope, they are letting you do their homework for them. I will post reports on the AS and Rifle, cause they can handle the people and thats where most are heading anyway. The AS is not a secret, it does not rely on shots of rain(to an extent), you can go on the internet and see what CFS she's running. I keep a journal, and EVERY year the AS is like clockwork...i have more days on that river than most. Lets put it this way, if i take a deep breath, i can smell her. everyday.

Uptight, not even close......just realistic..SD; Very well written, "Realistic" is putting this whole "internet report" thing into its proper perspective. IMO regardless the river, regardless the site (*there are many others besides this one!) posting the reports there are a lot of "sportsman" that will make the effort and go when the reports are good and it does effect the numbers of people at anyone particular spot. And even though one of the most popular places on the AS is the highbanks I'm sure if someone posts a "negative or positive" report about how the fishing is at the highbanks it would have some effect on whether some would go or not. On the other hand, I've been a participant on many rivers long before the internet was around and "Combat Fishing 101" on the Big M was were I cut my teeth. It was "Combat" fishing at its best there long before we could get "reports" on internet. Myself anymore, I only have small windows of opertunity when I can go fishing so whether the fishing "reports" are good or not I'm there! But when I can't be out and about I do enjoy reading of others expierances. :D

[Adam Peterson]

What this debate comes down to is what you consider a "other" river. I agree with you, if you done want people fishing at a certin part of the river dont post anything. As far as the TB goes there is only maybe 1 mile if fishable steelhead and slamon water so its not a big guess where you can fish, you can pretty see everyone that is fishing on the whole strech of the river. I dunno I'm done with the thread its getting out of hand.

[bobcolenso]

I think Bob was making an attempt to be funny! ;)

I think "Making an attempt" is the operative phase here. Maybe I should have included a few ;) ;) 's. I think it is obvious that I was jokingly sending people away from where I'm going to be fishing myself.

[Burksee]

I think "Making an attempt" is the operative phase here. Maybe I should have included a few ;) ;) 's. I think it is obvious that I was jokingly sending people away from where I'm going to be fishing myself.You people from Grand Lake do seem to have a drier sense of humor than most! ;) :lol:

[sprigdog]

What this debate comes down to is what you consider a "other" river. I agree with you, if you done want people fishing at a certin part of the river dont post anything. .

your right, if you dont want anyone fishing it dont post it. That makes alot of sense for the person who lives in the area of certain streams. Not for the person who lives 3 hours away and wont fish that river again for a couple weeks, what does he care how many people show up the day after his report?

My original comment wasnt meant to be taken as a "Thunder bay specific". I do not fish that river, so i dont care how much pressure it gets. I was trying to shed light on the "where do we stop" aspect. This topic came up last year and probably the year before, etc.

your right again, i'm done with this thread also.

[ausable_steelhead]

Alright, I don't know why it seems like everytime I post it's taken the wrong way. I guess it just gets old hearing everybody whining and putting down the east-side rivers like there are absolutely NO fish in them, and the west-side is so golden, kidding or not. I guess it's a good thing because everybody will head west, but it just gets annoying you know? So sorry if I "offended" anybody, I just wish we could get back to when we could actually talk and share about the river or rivers we fish, this site has gotten alot like TSS, where it's pointless to even go on it because everybody is so seceretive. I don't worry about people being in "my" holes, as I don't give names, AND alot of people are starting to hike and explore now anyways. Tight-lines to you ALL, I'll be on the Au Sab tommorrow, rivers teetering around 40 degrees, this flush ought to change things. I think this site needs to go to members only in order to view forums and posts.

[Burksee]

Tight Lines and Screamin Drags to yah AS! Post a report when you get back! :)

[NEMichsportsman]

Geez guys- I take a day or two away from our sleepy little NE River forum and all hell breaks loose??????

I dont see where any of the rules have been transcended as far as the posts go....except for 1 and that has been dealt with. I would say the river in question is not a secret.....I can think of some others that might be more susceptible to harm.

Lets be civil, sensible, and if we cant accomplish both of those things then please refrain from posting!!

If anybody wants to post any comments feel free....I will keep this one open for a little bit longer.

If anyone wants to point out an instance of the reference to a specific hole please send me a PM...

[quest32a]

Just to reinforce what Joel said this thread is walking a thin line now. If it keeps up it will be closed down, play nice....

[east bay ed]

getting back to actually fishing and the tb river. the dam had one gate WIDE open. water was boiling down the river. i wish i would have had a thermometer with me. it looked pretty cold and we never seen a fish caught. but if it gets a little warmer those fish should move up.