So here was a first: three demonstration casts—well maybe five or six- and three steelhead on! First one screamed down river, leaped and busted off. Second one rocketed downstream, then charged the boat, only to shoot under the anchor rope before I could raise the anchor, and predictably enough, snapping off. The third one bolted across the river, tore back, turned, and broke off. Crazy! Clearly, 8 lb tippet was not the way to go on these particular steelhead; too big, too fast, too strong. Dentist Mark and his beloved Mary, who also happens to be a dental hygienist, must have thought the Tooth Fairy decided to deliver. Then toss in a few salmon on and off—all in the space of 45 minutes max—surely confirmed their thinking that they were fly fishing in an aquarium! So it was on the Muskegon River today, and although the steelhead shut off when the sun hit the water, the salmon were more than willing to play. Here’s Mark with a 17 lb. buck that took a shine to his nuke egg. Mark masterfully played the salmon only to land it on the aforementioned 8 lb. tippet. Mary had her shots, too, but now that she knows the ropes, tomorrow is her day, no doubt! All in all, a delightful time with two very special people.
Captain Tom Kuieck
