A Float with Favorite Folks

These early summer trips back home to Michigan for a week (or even two) have been a tradition now for twenty-something years.  Ten years ago, Danny Reed of Crooked Creek Holler came over to Beaver Island with me and now time in Michigan has become an annual ritual for him as well.  As our trips were nearing, we compared notes of where we'd be and when and realized that he had a float planned with Captain Steve Martinez of STM Outfitters on the Muskegon River on a day that I didn't have anything planned.  I may have invited myself along to balance out the drift boat by taking the backseat but couldn't help it as Danny and Steve fall high on the list of "Favorite Folks" to spend time on the water with.  

Steve has made a few changes to his life and guide program choosing to stick closer to home.  He's taken over the family farm, opened a roadside stand, baking breads with his mom, plays in a band once or twice a week, and limiting his guiding to a handful of local rivers.  After years of months away guiding for days on end on Beaver Island and in the Louisiana marsh, he's prioritizing himself and his family.  

Twenty-something year old me would be scratching my head.  Fifty-something year old me gets it.  

I pulled into Newaygo to find that Danny and Steve were waiting on me.  I ran through a quick checklist of fly rods and gear to move over to Steve's drift boat and we were off to the river.  I wouldn't say that fishing was lights out but we caught a few smallmouth and a pike, talked shit and had some laughs, enjoyed a top shelf on the river lunch, and were off the water by mid-afternoon.  

A highlight for the day was casting towards the bank, upstream of a downed tree, and watched as a hefty smallmouth emerged from the pile to rise up to the fly, inspecting it, and then soft slurped it in.  It all worked out like it was supposed to.  

Here's a few snaps from the day...

I don't think there is a more "fishy" guide than Captain Steve Martinez.  I've caught my largest lake run rainbow trout, carp, smallmouth, black drum, and redfish with him and cherish all the years that we've fished together.  He invited me over to fish with him on Beaver Island in 2011, and that sparked a friendship with us fishing together a few days to a couple of weeks each year.  If you want to catch smallmouth, salmon, steelhead, or trout on the west side of the state, he's the one.  His website is down right now but he's easy to reach through Facebook or Instagram.

Support Danny by checking out Crooked Creek Holler and scheduling a session at Hot Stuff Tattoo.  

Thanks boys for the stellar time.  I'm always happy to take the backseat.

BUFFET SERIES - Spring is for Fly Fishing

Gilbert Rowley's Buffet Series continues with a flashback to what winter easing into spring looks like.
 

Follow Gilbert Rowley on Instagram and subscribe to his YouTube channel.

THE MISSION - Issue 58

The latest issue of The Mission is live and ready for a Sunday morning flip through over coffee...

CHECK IT.

Tom on Daytime Mice Fishing

I've done quite a bit of mouse fishing in the dead of night (T.F.M. post) where you have to listen intently for an indication of a take on your fly, so it's got to be quite a rush to see a large trout chase and rise to a mouse fly during the day.  Tom Rosenbauer breaks down the essentials in this video.



Where have you mouse fished?  Was it at night or during the day?

Dive down a rabbit hole of great films on The New Fly Fisher YouTube channel.  

Scenes from Michi-Glass and Ken Frazee's Notes

I have records of Michi-Glass going as far back as 2011 and this northern Michigan one-day long event bringing "Glass Geeks" together was first organized by rodmaker Mark McKellip, with Ken Frazee and Paul Frost taking over the reins this year.  The other day I shared a T.F.M. post on floating with those two and left a stash of Japanese fly rods with Ken to be displayed at the event, which he reviews his notes below.  Take a moment to slow scroll this post.

 

Ken wrote... "We had a beautiful day for casting and displaying fiberglass fly rods.  Turnout was more than double of last year even given the late cancellation of four individuals who intended to display a decent number of their own rods or blanks.  It was still a fantastic time given the collection of regulars, local anglers dropping in, several of the participants from Grayrock Rodmakers Gathering saying hello and a few fly fishermen who were new to trying fiberglass fly rods.  Those attending came from Iowa, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Ohio.  

The day went fast with a dizzying array of modern and vintage fly rods on hand.  The following makers or brand names of fiberglass fly rods were on hand and I'm sure that others could add a few that I missed, yet this is my recollection: Campanella, Conolon, Cortland, Browning, Fenwick, Fisher, Fred Paddock, Garcia, Glastech, Hardy, Heddon, Ijuin-Rod, Kabuto Rods, Larry Kenny, Lamiglass, McFarland Fly Rod Copmany, Tom Morgan Rodsmiths, Orvis, Paul Young Rod Company (yes in glass), Phillipson, Ramaglass, Scott Fly Rod Company, Seele, Shakespeare, St. Croix, Steffen Brothers, Three Jays, Tiemco, Wanigas, Winston, Mario Wojonicki, Wright & McGill, Yamame Fly Rods, and likely others.  

The fly rods on hand ranged from 3-weights to 10-weight fly rods with the 3-weights being especially well represented in higher end well crafted fly rods.  One could have limited themselves to just say 6-weight fly rods alone and had a full day of casting."

Ken continued...  "A special treat was to be able to handle some of the finest fiberglass fly rods being made currently in Japan and provided by The Fiberglass Manifesto for the enjoyment of those attending the 2026 Michi-Glass gathering.  Paul and I overheard many positive comments about the Japanese rods on display.  Those attending had never cast any of these rods previously other than a few who had tried the Ijuin-Rod Yomogi in the past and some had never even seen images of the rods before so it was fun to see the reactions.  Here are a few of my own notes from casting each...

CAMPANELLA LUNAR FLEX 6'6" 3-WEIGHT - This fly rod had the hallmarks of being made by those who care.  The blank diameter was thin even for a 3-weight.  Good tube and tube cover were included with the test rod.  It would travel well as would the three section rods noted given the four sections.  While well conceived and with a unique attractive blank color this rod would be best for shorter casts in smaller waters.  Generally I like longer fly rods than this length; however, this rod would be fun to try on our trico hatch later this summer. 

IJUIN-ROD YOMOGI 7' 3-WEIGHT - A well made handcrafted creation.  Overall a fine casting fly rod.  The green color paired with the hardware shown is especially attractive to my eye and blends naturally on many river settings.  Finishing touches are tastefully executed from the rod to the packaging.  This level of quality is admired.  A good all around 3-weight rod for this length.  Casting this model was a pleasure and if I had time to fish it could imagine enjoying it even more.  

IJUIN-ROD SAKURA 7' 3-WEIGHT - This fly rod was the most interesting of the collection received.  A beautifully created fly rod in all respects that when cast places one in a very calm frame of mind.  Exceptional reel seat insert and beautiful rod bag.  Just a joy to cast with its slower pace and exceptional balance.  Would be best enjoyed with small flies for short to medium distances on flowing water.  Have cast this rod from a moving raft and while wading.  A better wading rod and all smiles when casting with feet planted on the substrate.  This rod had my favorite grip of the bunch.  Most all who cast this rod at the event from those new to fiberglass to those with large collections came away with a positive impression for its unique feel.  

KENNEY FLY RODS 793S 7’9” 3-WEIGHT - The new team at Kenny Fly Rods got this one right.  Experimental taper which should come to market.  Having owned his 8’1” 3-weight and having tried his 733 3-weight previously, it was clear Larry had a good handle on this line weight.  The new 7’ 9” version shown was another hit.  I found this to be slightly different from the well regarded earlier creations and in a good way.  Would seriously contemplate acquiring this model for our local rivers as the casting feel, length and quality checks many boxes.  Others testing casting this rod at the event enjoyed it providing positive feedback which mirrored my observations.  Also, it had a nice tube and tube cover for extra protection. 

TIEMCO GLASS MASTER 7’6” 4-WEIGHT - This rod had the most folks test casting it of any in the group provided.  It has a feel easily identified and resonates even with those who aren’t experienced with fiberglass fly rods.  It has a more traditional color scheme for fly fishing to most eyes; however, it has more of a factory built look to it compared to the other well crafted rods noted above.  As a fishing tool you could do quite well with this rod.  We enjoyed it on a float and a couple of the younger graphite anglers who stopped by inquired as to how to acquire this fly rod.  This model is a good all around fly rod which makes fine casts.  I believe Tiemco will do well with this series and it is a nice complement to their traditional fly fishing products.  

A special thanks to the local fly shops in the Grayling area who each helped promote this event including Gates Au Sable Lodge, Old Au Sable Fly Shop, Drakes Fly Shop, North Branch Outing Club and Au Sable River Outfitters.  If you are visiting this area fishing each of this shops is worth a visit and can connect you with the latest conditions and current hatches." 

What a stellar report and I'm going to do my best to try to make it up for the 2027 Michi-Glass event.

R.L. WINSTON ROD CO. - FLY COUNTRY

There is a lot going on in Twin Bridges, Montana with the recent announcement of new ownership of R.L. Winston Rod Company and the kickoff of a series of films dubbed "Fly Country".  Press PLAY...

 


Look for future episodes of Fly County here and on the Winston YouTube channel.

P.S.  If someone is listening, Winston making fiberglass fly rods has been on my wish list for years...

6 GOOD READS - The "Currier 500" Edition

I happened on Jeff Currier's website this morning and was captivated by his most recent trip dispatches from France where he chronicled his attempt to catch his 500th fish species with the Wels catfish on the fly.  Jim Klug of Yellow Dog Fly Fishing and filmmaker Chris Patterson were also along for the trip in hopes of making a film to submit for next year's Fly Fishing Film Tour.

There are actually nine different blog posts from this trip but I grabbed six of the best to share here...  

ARRIVAL TO WELS CATFISH COUNTRY

FLY FISHING FOR WELS CATFISH

FLY ROD WELS MAY BE TOUGHER THAN EXPECTED

CHANGE IN TACTICS NOT ENOUGH TO CATCH THE WELS

WE HAVE A MOVIE - THE FISH GODS ARE REAL

A MOST MEMORABLE JAUNT COMES TO AN END

EXTRA CREDIT...
If you'd like a bit more, Jim Klug sat down with Jeff Currier at the end of their trip to France to record a WAYPOINTS Fly Fishing Podcast that is certainly worth a listen.

Congrats to Jeff on this angling feat of 500 species and getting it done with the Wels catfish.  Keep up with Jeff's latest exploits on his blog, and of course, Instagram.