Big M report

[Steve]

Fished for a good 3 hours at the Sawdust hole. I went 0 or 1. Saw some other anglers catch a few but didn't see a lot caught. I was lucky enough to find a place where I could wade out to midstream and "drop back" over a hole. The one I had on started ripping out line immediately then came off shortly thereafter. Though it wasn't bad for my first time out to do some serious Steelheading.

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/temp/bigm_bluff.jpg
View from the bluff over sawdust

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/temp/bigm_boat.jpg
A lucky angler winds one in

[Steve]

Was anybody else out there this weekend?

[green caddis]

I was out both saturday and sunday. Saturday we fished the lower river for about 5 hours, went 3 for 4. Lots of people down there, nothing compared to upstream however. Hit fish on steelhead buggers, hex nymphs, and eggs. Could not even get in a good spot at powerline. Went upstream towards the dam sunday. Did not hook any fish up there, could not get into any good runs. Had the whole gravel island to ourselves though. Saw very few fish on gravel. Most likely because of the number of people. Tried to stay away from them quite a bit. If we would have fished harder we could have done better.

[trout]

How long does this steelhead run last?

[Erik]

Thats the million dollar question! Hopefully for at least another month. Given the current rate of spawning activity who knows. It usually isn't like this so early in the spring.
Yes we were up there, I only managed to catch one small female but I'm not complaining. We had a good time, and my friend caught a real beauty. He says its the biggest one he's ever caught. 15lbs 5oz weighed him at pappys around eight thirty or so. He'd been out of the water quite a while by that time, so I'm sure he weighed more when he was swimming around.
We got to see a young boy about 7 or 8 yrs old tie into a walleye. Man was that kid happy, you should have seen the smile on his face and heard him squeel with delight. He didn't even care when the fish got him stuck on the rocks and broke him off. He was just happy to hook one. I think that made my day more than anything else.
Hope everyone else had a good time
see yah on the river


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Phish

[Erik]

Steve, did I read that right "fished for a good 3 hours"? You mean you drove clear up to the Big Man river and only fished 3 hours? Thats barely enough time to get the feel for the current and figure out where the snags are! I'll bet if you had stayed just 2 more hours you would have gotten into them! You've got to WANT to catch one if your ever going to get hooked! Oh well hope it was fun anyways!

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Phish

[Steve]

Erik, I wasn't up there just to fish.... I was there the whole weekend, and you're right, if I would have caught one I would have spent a lot more of the weekend out there. All its gonna take is to catch one of those big ones and I'll be hooked.

[WEEZER]

Steve you don't go steelheading very often or what? We'll have to get you on the Ausable when the time is right, then you'll be a maniac steelheader forever! It's still early for the East side but maybe in two more weeks.......

[Steve]

No WEEZER this was my second time ever. I'm a big summer and spring trout and brook trout fisher, but have never really gotten into steelhead/salmon.

[Erik]

Hey Steve, you need to find some skamainias! Nothing will get you hooked faster than a fresh run skamainia! Plus the weather is so much nicer that time of year. It makes it much easier to be patient when your not freezing your butt off! We'll talk about this again come June or so.

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Phish

[Steve]

Yes Erik, we must talk about this. Sounds like it could be a riot.

[toto]

Haven't fished the Big M in a while, but have been very successful on the Betsie lately. Seems like every time I go I hook 5 or 6 fish, not too bad I'd say. Weezer, next time I'm going to AuGres, I;ll give you a shout, we'll compare notes on the Ausable. Sound good? bill

[WEEZER]

I haven't been to the Ausable in a while! It seems like It's been a month. I can't wait till there run starts!
Skamania huh!? I go to tippy several times during the summer and I never seem to get out the nymphs! The caddis hatches are AWESOME and the Browns are eager to eat!!!

[Erik]

Well, I'm sure the brown trout fishing is more productive around that time of year but I can't help it, I love steelhead! Besides the browns around there are usaully on the small side that time of year. I want to practice with my new rod anyways and that will give me a chance to do so without looking like an idiot in front of a bunch of other fishermen. Maybe I'll see you around there this summer. I usually get up there a couple of times at least, during the summer.

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Phish