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Wednesday May 14th. Its the South Branch. Defined by the cedar sweepers that gracefully bend over the stream, gradually falling to become new places for debris to collect and trout to gather. Its the adventure of knowing one is just as likely to run into a bear, a bobcat or up close with any of the other critters that habit wild places. We just happen to be visitors for about seven months of the year. The Mason Tract is fishing. That in itself is a statement to many who frequent this page. Actually has been, even in the high water of the early season we've gone through. But now, really fishing. Whether you walk in to fish a hundred yard bend for the day, or plan to wade a mile of stream, you're not fishing under someone's dock. Sunday afternoon, spinners coming down sporadically for almost four hours. Monday late afternoon wade... found opportunity for the keen eyed dry fly fisherman. Tuesday evening... every spring mayfly in the world danced over the water.... then flew back into the trees. Oh I don't agree with the 45 acre clear cut that happened this winter, just downstream of Chase Bridge. Nor the placement of a new canoe landing at the Castle, just downstream from the current platform constructed in muck. That ridge downstream is all clay. Making a new canoe pullover in the middle of wilderness ADA accessible, cost huge dollars. Just in design alone. But then again... some paraplegic might actually take his life in his hands and canoe the Mason Tract. The State has to provide for all.... We've not had a day of 70 degree air temp yet in May of this year. Reminds me more of the 70's.. a more traditional late spring pattern. Rivers north of us, Hendricksons have just gotten started. They're still around in pretty good numbers, but expecting to see Sulphurs by the weekend. There will be a huge overlap of bugs this year, once it actually does warm up. Popcorn caddis are everywhere. Had a guy fishing with his wife this week. She's catching like six to one more fish than him. She doesn't fish very much, both using the same fly pattern... he comes in says "What am I doing wrong?" I ask him if he is floating that caddis fly dead drift. He says "Sure thing!" I tell him.... "do you thing your wife can do that?" She's dragging the fly all over the place.... swinging it... dancing it... making movement. Trout went nuts. Guy just smiled.... Streams are in great shape. Forecast is for more of the same... cooler spring weather. Peak times will be late afternoons, fishing the rise from 2 to 7 pm. Soon enough we'll be out there fighting mosquitoes till dark. The blue haze of a fine cigar... is just another form of mosquito dope.
Take the time to enjoy the real places we are actually visiting! From the grouse drumming along the stream, to the sapsuckers nesting in old poplar trees, the wood ducks nesting fifty feet up the ridge off the water, and the dusk sky being lit up by the young pack of coyote that have had a hard winter. Fishing is so much more than a tug on the end of the line. We're just visitors in their real world....
2008 Fishing Licenses are available on line, starting April 1st! Your 2007 license is good till then. Simply tap here to go the Department of Natural Resources site and purchase your fishing license. You will print this valid license on your home printer. This will save you valuable time to hit the stream....once you are up north. The are also available in the fly shop.
Grayling 10 Day Weather Forecast
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isn't answered within the hour...after all...fishing is a way of life up here.
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