Newly Addicted!

Avid hunter and “Panther Marten” fished-upstream-for-trout guy, Mike, has landed steelhead on Big Blue but has never fished them in a river. Today, though, on the Muskegon River, his first steelhead pill was a powerful fish that shot downstream, only to have the hook pull out when it bolted back upstream. It happened so fast at such a downstream angle that Mike simply couldn’t set the hook.  The next dose, however, took the form of the modest sized hen he poses that gave him way more fight than its size would suggest. The result? Two hits, and Mike found himself addicted to chrome on the long rod and flies! Love it!

For his part, my youngest son Ryan, who hosted fellow JR Automation Technologies machine builder Mike, didn’t land a fish, but was thrilled his friend loved the entire experience—grilled stream side meal and all.  Next time, Ryan, it will be your day!

All in all, a gorgeous early spring day that surely helped cement Mike’s addiction.

Captain Tom Kuieck