With a cardiologist and a mortgage broker in my boat today, I figured I had every base covered. If I hyperventilated over errant casts or a Big Bertha lost or needed a 30 year fixed mortgage to assuage any angst I might have accumulated due to my profligate spending habits, I would be in clover to the max. As it turned out, MD Tom and banker Matt were able park their professions at home and solely ply their fly fishing talents with poppers for Smallies. Today was a flat-out gorgeous day on the river: dry air, light winds, and partly cloudy skies. The only downside—dirty, dirty water. The rainstorm of last night dumped oodles of earthy particles in the river (and, given the terrible, non-existent morning bite, I suspect gobs of Smallie Kibbles as well.)
So, with only one fish raised in the morning, we understandably turned our attention to the grilled steaks and accompanying yummies. As we ate, though, we noticed the river clearing. Taking the increasing clarity as an encouraging development, Tom and Matt cranked up their casting with renewed vigor, only to be rewarded soon with bass smacking their poppers, and in Matt’s case, his Dalberg Diver. The bite had completely reversed itself with some fish striking the bugs the moment they hit the water. Trophies the fish weren’t, to be sure; the largest in the boat was only 11.5,” but for both the guys up from Illinois, it didn’t matter. They had bass regularly taking bugs they cast on top as the sun warmed the day. Sweet! For Matt, his Smallie was his first on a fly rod. So. special congrats go out to you, Matt! Pictured top to bottom are Tom and Matt.
Thanks, guys for a most enjoyable day of fiy fishing and companionship. I look forward possibly to hosting you both next Spring for that steelhead trip about which we talked. Have a great balance of your vacation in western Michigan. Oh, and for that tee-time tomorrow: remember my modified “No Swing Golf Swing” that we talked about in the boat. Bring the club head up waist high, making sure the face is parallel to the intended line of light; address the ball with the club; and take your backswing, remembering to return the club face to the checked position. Get it back into the same slot on the way down, and you’re square at impact. Better scores with less practice means more time for fly fishing! Now that’s a plan I can support big time!
Best wishes, Tom and Matt, for continued success with your families, careers, and—of course—fly fishing!
Captain Tom Kuieck
