I had the pleasure of hosting Ben from New York City and Matt from Ann Arbor today. Each year, the guys and four of their buddies fish Michigan steelhead this week for three days; they’ve plied the Manistee and Pere Marquette, and this year are giving the MO a shot. With ever increasing numbers of steelhead coursing the river, we found some willing participants, much to our mutual delight. Streamers, egg patterns, and Spey flies are effecting takes from steelhead with some willing trout wanting to play as well. Here, Ben poses a pretty, and Matt revives another.
Adding to the fun was the guys’ willingness to engage in lively conversation on a variety of topics, including politics, with an openness and thoughtfulness that I found refreshing and genuine. In all, Ben and Matt were a delight to have in the boat, and with two more days of fly fishing ahead of them and their group as they stay at our Muskegon River Lodge, they are likely to put some more bends in the long rods and, I trust, create some memories long remembered and treasured.
Captain Tom Kuieck
