Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Summer

Since the opener of bass season, it has become very humid. The main river running through our fair city struggles to maintain its flow. In some parts, one could walk across atop the sun-bleached rocks. I have been down to various parts of the Thames in search of some river smallmouth bass. In previous summers, one could easily tag onto several high flying bronze backs in notable sizes. So far this summer, there has been nothing over 3lbs.

( zonkered)

At times, getting a fish to hit was a brow sweating task. Hell, finding runs deeper than my knees meant longer walks from the usual access points.

( getting bent)

( high sticking)



















Brent and I have been hitting the gravel around the dinner time slot. Streamers, buggers and poppers. I had all the flies I needed for the evening in one small flybox. An extra leader and a spool of tippet. Everything fitted in one little fanny pack. A far cry from steelheading.
If you are willing to take a hike, you will be rewarded with some healthy, albeit, smaller than usual fish. On our most recent outing, Jack Frank suited up to partake in some of the action. I don’t think he was none too impressed with the smothering heavy air either.
( WTF are you looking at? )
It is what it is. A low flowing river that has me wondering where the big bass are in the places I grew up spending my youthful summers, hiking, canoeing and learning to fish.    

( a good fish from Brent)



12 comments:

  1. It was a tough evening fishing on the river and the hot humid weather didn't make it any easier. Nice to see you and Brent get some nice fish.

    Jack

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    1. The conditions all around are not ideal. A different venue next trip. ;)

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  2. Cant beat old bronze back on the fly. Hope that wfl=wait foward line lol

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    1. LOL Red. Yes, of course its the line type being weight forward. :D

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  3. Nice Report GT. Good to hear from ya.
    This summer has been trying for heat and water levels/temps. There are numerous ponds and smaller lakes that have become overun with algal blooms and excessive weed growth. Certainly added stress on o2 levels and subsequently the finned critters. The kings will be hitting the MI rivers in 2-3 weeks time and from all accounts a banner season will once again be in the works for the West Side.

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    1. Thank you Brian. In 2-3 weeks you think, eh? ;)

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  4. A great read as always GT...Jack, it was good to get out with you!
    I think the big fish were in the last pool we hit. In retrospect we probably should have stayed there for the popper "witching hour".....Next time!

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    1. Cheers brother. It never gets old. The popper gulping along only to be met by a big " sploosh"!

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  5. Yeah to be honest there have already been pods of kings push up the Little Manistee. Weird eh! But there is this unique early run over there. Quite a few peeps successfully target them. The big pushes start Mid August in the lower rivers where they get bombarded by thundersticks and body baits. Come the end of August and month of Sept there are giant pushes of Chinnies and Cohos blowing through the entire river pushing up the 24 or so miles to the gravel. Weather dependant there could be fishiable amounts of kings in 2-3weeks in the lower systems. :0. lol!
    Very cool sitting in the Hyde looking down through the crystal clear water at pods of 20 - 30 kings blowing by...Still not used to that. Don't want to wish summer away but at the same time the Fall certainly is looking good. You gotta get over there this fall dude. Just contact me when you want to make the trek.

    B

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    1. Brian, that is very interesting indeed! Its so hot out these days, I can hardly imagine fishing for migratories in it. I will admit, MI has been on my mind as of late and since March. I will be in contact, especially since I could not time things this past spring! Cheers Brian.......

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  6. Great post Gil.
    I love flyfishing for Bass as well and dont do enough of it.
    You should take Brian up on his offer for the fall.
    ....but stay AWAY from the Tequila!!!!!
    ;o)
    Summer sucks

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  7. Cheers Gene. Thanks for the tequila warning!!! ;)

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