The Big M

[Steve]

Any suggestions on where to go to stay away from the "combat fishing" at the Tippy but still catch fish? Looks like I might be able to get up there this weekend.

[Steve]

WEEZ, can you help me out here. What is best to use? Chuck and duck with flys? Spawn with a three way swivel rig?

[Big Buck]

Steve go down to the saw dust hole we do good down there the first weekend of april and you can bet that i will be there.There are some real good holes there that if you look real good you pick the fish you want good luck and let us know how you do.p.s did you get your deer back from paul yet.

[Steve]

Big Buck, good to hear from you. No I haven't got my deer back from Paul yet. I called him and he said April. I can hardly wait. I've heard of the sawdust hole, but what road/access is it by? Would I be better off with a hoss pole to horse the fish in with some spawn, or would chuck and duck flys do the trick? If flys, then what patterns do you recommend?

[Erik]

I would recamend using what your most comfortable with. Personally I think a heavy "hoss" pole makes it so you can't feel anything. Go with either your flyrod or a noodle rod. So far this year I've had best success with black or olive stone flies. Size 10 and 12. Also having good success with wigglers and wax worms. Obviously theres always spawn, not salmon spawn though, steelhead spawn if you have some. If you don't, don't worry, I've been doing as well or better with the other methods.
Saw dust: you pass it on your way to the Dam on the north side. They even put a sign up for you! It says "saw dust hole" and an arrow that points the direction. Isn't that slick? Stop by one of the many tackle shops in the area and get a map of the river. I know that Pappys has them and I believe that Andys also has them.
Dress warm I heard its going to be cold. We will be putting in at high bridge and heading up river with my boat. Good luck, hope you get into them!!!!


------------------
Phish

[Steve]

Might see you out there!

[WEEZER]

1: Oregon Cheese globug (Size of salmon egg
or smaller!!!!!!!)
2: Olive or black Bugger (10-8)
3: Oregon Cheese globug
4: Oregon Cheese globug
5: Orange Wobble Glo
6: Black stonefly (10-8)

Locations: Suicide or Sawdust (Both will be crowded but there are very few spots on the Big Man that don't get heavy travel!!)

[green caddis]

Very few un-crowded people on the Manistee? Thats what you guys up by the dam think!! Try Hex Nymphs until the water warm a little. They seem to be best on the Manistee in cold water. Maybe try a steelhead bugger too for those stones that are starting to get more active. IF you must stay near the dam, the highest percentage spot would be suicide if you are on foot. A boat is another story...

[Steve]

Green, welcome to the forums and thanks for the advice. I'm looking forward to it even if I don't really know what I'm doing when it comes to going after the Steelies.

[Steve]

Ok, if I use flys with a fly rod do I use fly line or should I put a spinning reel on there and chuck and duck? What about if I go with spawn or wigglers, definitely ditch the fly reel then? The only way I have tried fishing for these big'uns in the past was the old three way swivel method with a heavy rod and heavy line out to the swivel.

[hook]

I WILL BE UP THERE SOME WERE THIS WEEKED
NOT SURE WERE YET! BUT I DO NO ONE THING
IT WILL BE OFF THE BEETEN PATH. DONT NEED A
BUNCH OFF FISH JUST SOME FRESH AIR. ALSO
STONES ARE IN LAST TIME ANYWAYS

[WEEZER]

Steve, chuck and duck is nothing more than spin fishing using a fly reel,a shooting line and some mono. Use Whatever you are comfortable with! If you chuck and duck you wont be able to cast as far as with your spinning rod. Using floating line decreases your odds of success on that large of a river unless you are very experienced with indicators and all that stuff!
My advice is to use your typical 3 way rig with the spinning rod and enjoy yourself.
Oh yeah, If you keep your fish and one of them has the adipose fin clipped, please take the head to a DNR checkstation!!! The signs at all of the major accesses will give you more detail, but basically it is a DNR study!

[Steve]

Well I'll be out there this weekend with digital camera in hand, so who know, if I see you with a nice fish your picture could very well pop up here.

Thats if I don't decide to scout deer instead :)

[green caddis]

Originally posted by Steve:
Well I'll be out there this weekend with digital camera in hand, so who know, if I see you with a nice fish your picture could very well pop up here.

Thats if I don't decide to scout deer instead :)

[green caddis]

Who would want to concentrate on deer when there are fishing conditions like this on the Manistee? I'll surely be out there. Look for the red fish rite powerdrifter, only one like it on the river. Peace

[Erik]

Scout deer? I think thats a typo! Don't you mean drink beer? That sounds much better!

------------------
Phish

[Steve]

:) Good one Erik. We'll just have to see. If I could catch just one of those big steelies, I'm sure I'll be hooked for life.

[ron]

steve forget the 3 way swivle try a slinky on the mainline then a barrel swivel then your leader tipped with whatever u can ddream of. this config has less knots. got that advice from dick swan himself