KOZ

Beaver Pond Serenity ~ photo credit Alex Childress

A gentle wind blows down from the cool waters of northern Michigan. Often, there is a subtle sound whispered softly that can only be heard if one listens intently. Koz, what does this sound mean. Is it a man or even an idea? The sound however quiet can have a profound effect. Wildlife takes notes of this sound. Brightly colored rainbows scatter from riffles lit by the golden sun to hide in the shade of sturdy Eastern Pines. Brookies become even more elusive and seek the safety of undercut banks, beyond the reach of most predators. Even the nearly fearless Brown Trout pauses to scan the skies through the refracted lens of the river's surface seeking the shadow overhead indicating the presence of a feathered raptor. The sound ripples through the soil making grubs, worms and other creepy-crawly things slither free of their safe haven. Is the sound caused by the gentle whoosh of carbon fiber oars guiding a drift boat along cool swift spring-fed waters or the barely audible overhead sound of the fly line dropping a stimulator in the perfect presentation along a seam between two currents? Sometimes there is a smell of bitter fresh brewed coffee that may give it away. Is this reminiscent of an H.P. Lovecraft Cthulhu horror story or simply another fable to scare the ignorant?

                             Folks, most importantly there is a predator on the prowl.

Squatch and the "Koz" ~ photo credit Koz

I decided to investigate this phenomenon called "Koz" and went right to the source for information. In certain circles, there is this cool cat named Brian Kozminski. I have only met him once in person but have been in contact with him on social media for several years, Facebook in particular. Brian is also a major contributing factor into my blogging endeavors. After a lengthy phone conversation, I was able to verify that Brian Kozminski was in fact this "Koz" sometimes spoken in hushed whispers in the dimly lit corner of Michigan's northernmost bars and taverns.

Brian 'Koz' Kozminski, the man, the myth, the legend ~ photo credit Jimmy Chang

I have come to find that Koz is a nickname that is used by his many friends and associates, myself included. Brian is truly a legendary local trout fisherman. Well, it is true, that many fish stories are just exaggerations of the truth.  It is safe to say Brian is not an eight foot tall behemoth of a man willing to wrestle with the likes of Randy "The Macho Man" Savage."Oooooh YEAH, brother". Koz is willing to wrestle with any scaled beast willing to tangle with him on the end of a taut line. Koz has a deep understanding of many fish species and their feeding habits. Brian's humble fishing experience started at the young age of 8 years old fly fishing with his dad & grandpa catching mostly gills and small bass hooking into a few trees along the way. He later fished the mighty Grand River & Rogue River close to his home in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Sometimes life gets in the way of our passions as was the case with Koz, taking a break from fly fishing until his late twenties when his passion for the sport took hold and this is where the legend begins. When he met the love of his life they traveled to Petosky then later to Boyne City where they dwell until this very day.

Flexing 3 weight in the cedar confines of Upper Jordan River. ~ photo by Kim Mettler of Northern Michigan Barefoot Memories.

Koz is a lifetime member of Trout Unlimited and was once the President of the Miller Van Winkle Chapter of TU for four years about a dozen or more years back. Brian was also involved with Salmon in the classroom. Salmon in the classroom is a project Brian started in 2012 in Petosky. Students raise Salmon from the egg to parr or fingerling size, usually between 3-4 inches long. Each student keeps a diary recording temperature, Ph levels, and growth of their salmon younglings. They are then able to release the salmon in May where they will reside and become imprinted to that particular river so they may return when ready to spawn a few years later. Koz is all about protecting and advocating for sustainable fisheries. He avidly practices selective harvest. He rarely will keep trout, but for table fare, he keeps walleye or panfish especially when fishing through the ice.

Brian is the owner operator of True North Trout Guide Services. He plies his craft on an Adipose Drift boat on The Au Sable, Jordan, and Manistee. Walk-in guide trips are available for the Black and Pigeon Rivers. He stalks those waterways in the pursuit of Brook, Brown and Rainbow Trout sometimes targeting Smallmouth Bass if on appropriate waters. Koz is an excellent assessor of the where, why and when of fly fishing. His knowledge of insects and flies are unparalleled. He is the Great Lakes Sales Representative & Brand Ambassador for Umpqua Feather Merchants. Brian knows flies like no one else I have talked to. Here is a peek into one of his fly boxes.

photo credit Alex Childress

While talking with someone who knows flies so well and has cast hundreds if not thousands into local streams, rivers, lakes, and trees. I was hoping to learn of some new secret weapons I could add to my own arsenal. Take a peek at two of those beauties. Please note that both are in purple, a long time secret of mine is purple or white for flies. May I introduce you to the Blowtorch & the Stimulator, both from Upmqua. The Hairy Drake and Hippy Stomper as his other go to flies.

"This is what doing what you Love looks like". ~ Koz  Lance Nelson photography

A beautiful Brown Trout Taken on a 5wt Temple Fork BVK rod & reel. ~ Photo by Koz

Brian is also a Brand Ambassador and Sales Rep. for Temple Fork Outfitters. Koz loves the line Temple Fork rods and reels. When asked what his favorite set-up was he excitedly responded "Favorite rod - tough call . All around best rod is Temple Fork Outfitters 8'6" BVK with BVK II. It has caught everything from hex browns to hopper season bank smashers. Although I do really love the soft easy going feel of the Finesse glass 3/4 7' (matched with BVK 0) for brook trout beaver dam hopping and skinny blue line mapping. 

the Finesse! ~ Photo by Koz

If I had to choose a meat throwing stick - the new and vastly improved TFO AXIOM II-X has the lifting power and fine tuned laser guided target assist you can't find on other softer rods. This is a CANNON, willing and able to pick up and deliver larger feathered creations like articulated Meat Puppets/Red Rocket/Hog Snare or Game Changers". ~ Koz

TFO Axiom II with Power reel. ~ Lance Nelson Photography

Brian has been the owner operator of TNT guide services since 2012. He writes articles on the TNT blog site as well. If you like a good read about everything fly fishing you should give him a read after you finish this of course. Brian offers half day walk in trips, half and full day float trips too. You can get some good casting instruction, studies about aquatic bugs (food for the trout), reading the water and how to match the hatch. All guided trips are catch & release only.

a nice brookie slurping the surface for flies. ~ Photo by Koz

Brian simply loves watching other people catch fish. Seeing excitement on someones face when they get into a good fish or have them catch their very first fish on a fly rod is what gets his juices flowing while "on the job". Koz finds fulfillment in guiding his Adipose drift boat along the water and being able to put people in the position to make a good presentation to elicit a strike and hopefully a hook-up and a landed fish.

Koz and his special ladies enjoying a picnic. ~ Photo by Koz

Besides fly fishing, tying flies and teaching others about our great fisheries, Koz is a ladies man! He loves to spend his free time with his wife of 16 years, Leslie and two daughters, Simone 15 and Camille 6. I'll send him prayers when the boys come knocking at the door! The Koz family can be found hiking, having a picnic, camping, canoeing, kayaking or SUP paddle boarding. Koz is an avid gardener and at home chef for his family.

Photo by Koz

The family can also be found in the northern wilderness hunting the delicious morel mushrooms. During the winter months Brian can be found on an ice covered lake fishing for some equally delicious walleye, gills and perch.

Brian teaching his daughter the craft #girldad Pink and purple are great colors for catching trout. ~ Photo by Koz

Let us not forget that Brian Kozminski is also a Salesman. Oh! But what's he selling? Elixirs that treat men's health problems, oinments for sore achy muscles, the cure for Typhoid fever...Of course not!  Most of all, Koz is a representative of his brand, True North Trout. Many of his clients receive memories of an outdoor adventure on the waters of one of Michigan's many beautiful scenic rivers. They receive a learning experience of Koz's spoken words about his passion for the environment, nature and most of all trout. Holding a trout in one's hand just before releasing it gives you the sense of having a rare connection with nature and the ability to feel that connection with one of it's most beautiful creatures. Catch a trout in it's natural environment on a fly rod and reel is special even more so if one created the fly that fooled the wily fish. Memories of a great outdoor adventureis what is for sale.

The elusive Salvelinus Fontinalis or Brook Trout in all it's splendor.~ Photo by Koz

Photo by Koz

Koz is also selling somethin invalueable. Conservation and sustainability of things money could never buy, the beauty and wonder of nature. We have a gift here people. Not just in Michigan, but across our nation. It takes thousands of Koz's for us to keep what we have now. We must try to fix the wrongs or else we face a sad bleak world. Koz is not just a lifetime member of Trout Unlimited.Koz is a Guide Advocate for #KICKPLASTIC through Costa. All of his single use plastic bottles were replaced two years ago. "As a guide we need to inform our clients about the importance of bringing a Nalgene/HydroFlask on trips and the ability to refill water bottles with my RTIC/Yeti.

He is involved with the Tip of the Mitt watershed council, friends of the Boyne, friends of the Jordan and Back Country hunters & anglers (a group fighting to keep our public lands from falling into the grasp of big money. Think Pebble Mine.) The Mayfly Project is a good place to get youth involved in this fight.

I asked Koz if there was a lucky item he took with him on all of his trips he replied "coffee and my Yeti tumbler."  Sandhill Coffee Company makes a secret fish catching brew for the Wizard of Boyne City, True North Signature Blend.

Photo by Koz

I would like to end this article by posting a photo about why some of us do what we do. Leave it better than you found it. That goes for protecting the environment and our resources as well. I would like to thank Koz for letting me delve into your life's passion and enduring my many questions. A special thank you to those who have taken the time to read my written words. Lastly don't forget to treat each other kindly.

Trout Unlimited has several chapters all over Michigan. I belong to the local Shrems TU chapter when I remember to pay my dues. ~ Photo by Koz

           Now practice casting, tie some flies and hit the water!

A Long Hiatus

This is not an excuse, but an explanation for my absence.

I have been suffering from pain related to Peripheral Neuropathy and chronic Pancreatitis. I take opioids to deal with the pain. I also suffer from depression due to my diminished abilities. It can be difficult adjusting to the speed at which you can accomplish tasks and the ability to complete the task.

There are some things I simply can no longer do. In the event of a zombie apocalypse, I would get eaten due to my inability to run properly. This bums me out!

Pain can really be a pain in the ass, literally! But, the depression caused from the pain may be my biggest obstacle. If you have never suffered from depression it can be difficult to understand. Sadness is the obvious symptom. The worst is not finding joy in things you do.

In my mind I make great plans to write, to tie flies, build rods, go fishing, to draw, take pictures and edit them to list a few. Most times I seem to talk myself out of doing these things and I hate that. Most of my life I enjoyed the simple things such as music, tastes of different food, aromas, sounds, walks, nature, companionship etc...

I have had many ideas for articles floating around in the mushy tissue between my ears for days, turning into months and now years. There is something that has caused me to desire change. I started working at Cabela's as a fly fishing outfitter since last June. The social interaction in a field that I really do love has planted a seed in me. A co-worker has watered that seed with some encouragement and motivation that it is possible to have grand ideas such as writing a book.

So I printed some cards to promote my page. I am very picky and I spent several hours on Vistaprint getting them just the way I like them.

Anyhow, I am back. Hopefully for a long while and I hope that I am able to produce something you may find enjoyable.

A conversation with Andrea Larko

For those of you who are not familiar with the name, she is an aspiring young artist who is taking the fishing industry by storm. She has a style all her own and it's a fresh look to an industry saturated with several other very talented artists. Everywhere you look in your local flyshop you will find prints, stickers, apparel, buffs and even reels with artwork. Andrea has recently joined Simms and has two designs on their women's apparel and with more to come. There are some reels from Abel featuring her work coming sometime this summer as well. Vedadoo sling packs have had her mark on them for some time now and she has a vast array of amazing stickers and prints available on Etsy! I bought a few stickers awhile back and my wife and kids were very impressed with her dynamic and upbeat style. She calls her work of intricate patterns and symbols within the shape of a particular fish, zentangle.

When not in her studio, Andrea loves to wet a line on some of her local rivers.

I have been biding my time for a great subject to write about to get me back in the game. I have been a little rusty and haven't been writing as much as I would have liked. I feel my health is slowly improving so it's time to get back on-board and start hitting the keyboard more often. I took some time to do some fishing this spring for my beloved steelhead, but this year the always unpredictable Michigan weather lived up to it's name and most of my fishing happened to be on days below freezing. Andrea agreed to do an interview for an article and within a few days we were talking on the phone.

Andrea is an easy going person and the interview turned into a casual conversation not so much about questions and answers, but just a comfortable conversation about two passions we both share, fishing and art.

The Mayfly sticker fit perfectly on my home made fly tying stand.

The Zentangle Salmon went on my articulated fly Box

The brown trout sticker (my favorite one btw ) went on another articulated fly box. As you can see her stuff is simply "freaking awesome"!

Andrea hails from a small town called Indiana in the state of Pennsylvania. Since an early age, Andrea had gone fishing with her family often. She has three sisters who all share her passion as well and her family has an annual camping and fishing bonanza every fall for king salmon and big browns. Speaking of Browns, the Brown trout is her greatest love of all. She find so much beauty in the vivid colors that make up the Salmo trutta.

3 out of the 4 Larko girls in waders.

Her parents were always the outdoorsy types who passed that passion down to their four daughters as well as being independent women.On the picture above you can see the olive green back with the yellow underbelly with her special touch of over sized spots in black, brown, and bright red. The fins are another distinct touch. She has an great grasp of the true detail of the trout, but made it her own style. Her signature is definitely the zentangle, when you see it you know it's from her hand.

Andrea favors pen and ink drawings using rapidograph pens and digitally coloring the drawing to get her finished piece. The rapidograph is an excellent pen and they are refillable. The pens are somewhat expensive, but once you have the pen the only expense is refilling them. She does like several other mediums. Oil painting is her all time favorite, but it is more time consuming.When not making awesome fish art she likes to dabble in other nature subjects.

One of her artistic influences is Scott Naismith, a Scotland artist whose color theory artwork she absolutely adores. Throw out the old color wheel, it was a hot mess!

Another favorite is Czech artist, Alphonse Mucha whose distinct style is known as Art Nouveau. I personally can see his influence in her work. Alphonse did some stained glass work and many of his pieces have a similar look with fancy scroll work giving it a very vintage look. He did many advertisements and posters for plays and such. His work was all over Europe in the early 1900's.

a sample of Alphonse's work

As far as the classic artists go she favors Claude Monet with his "Water Lillies" as one of her all time favorite pieces. She is also fond of Vincent Van Gogh. She loves all art from street and graffiti work to the classics.

Andrea started fly fishing about six years ago when her boyfriend bought her first fly rod. From the first moment she saw someone fly-fishing she was drawn to it. She loved how graceful and elegant it looked besides it certainly looked fun. She has become an accomplished fly fisher and loves dry fly-fishing for browns and brookies the most. Naturally the appeal of tying flies soon followed as part of the addiction. Some of her favorite patterns are black stones and caddis flies.

A brown trout with connect the dots for spots!

Someday she hopes to make a trip to Alaska and just be a part of the rugged wilderness adventures. Her fish bucket list includes the arctic grayling, which she could cross off it she gets the opportunity
visit the last frontier.

Andrea's rendition of the arctic grayling.

Two other fish she hopes to tangle with someday are the Tarpon and Bonefish.......

Black and White Tarpon head.

Zentangle Rooster fish

Zentangle Permit. This appears on Simms Women's Solarflex shirt and won best in women's apparel at ICAST last year.

Last October Andrea quit her regular job to pursue her artwork full-time. She wanted to do what she loved for a living and is following her passion. Getting in the mix with some of the fishing industries top notch companies is a great start and she doe have her prints and stickers for sale along with some original pieces and prints for sale. She has a BFA in illustration from the Rochester Institute of Technology. If you are into art prints get them now while some of her limited edition prints are still available. All are numbered and signed, printed on acid free paper and only touched with the use of gloves so the artwork will last for a good long time and make an excellent addition to any man cave or woman cave for that matter. Depending on the style of decor that your spouse prefers her artwork would look great anywhere in an anglers abode. She has a new design for Simms that will debut this years ICAST and will be in addition to two more designs next spring. Currently she is working on a sling pack for Vedadoo that she will hand paint and it will then be sent off to a charity auction.

Andrea with a big beautiful male Brown Trout.

When she isn't painting fish, or tying flies Andrea will most likely be found on the river, her favorite being the Yellow Creek Trout Club where she can fish for a vast variety of freshwater species, but most of all her favorite, the Brown Trout.

It was an honor and a privilege to be able to chat with Andrea for this piece. She was easy and fun to talk to and I did get to throw in the teaser that the current world record brown comes from the Big Manistee River right here in Michigan where there have been several monsters caught. I could here the awe and excitement in her voice. If she ever happens to be out this way we should try for a monster brown on the Big M....

Black and white Crappie chasing a shiner. Love the fins and the detail of the markings. Almost looks like puzzle pieces.

Clicking her name will bring you to either her Etsy or Instagram page.

What is the meaning of it all?

I have my personal feeling about what fishing means to myself and it is quite simple....fun. But, I have run across others who try to suck to fun out of a relatively enjoyable sport. There are times of frustration when you encounter boat trouble, leaky waders, breaking a rod or other equipment failure. It is part of the game and it happens to every one of us at one time or another where our luck is in short supply on a given day.

This article was motivated by a fishing report I had read on one of my favorite rivers, the Pere Marquette. I prefer to fish the flies only section which is also catch and release. The rules are simple, no creel limit and tackle is restricted to artificial flies only.

Yet the article in question turned from a fishing report into a minor rant about people who use beads. Using a single bead unattached to the hook does not constitute it being a fly. However using beads in the creation of a fly is perfectly legal. Over the years I have had unfortunately run into "the elitist" who tend to think there is more to the rules than they appear.

When I first started fishing the PM I was in my early 20's and of moderate means. I didn't have the extra cash for a fly rod and reel, so I used a spinning outfit. A 12 foot fiberglass Heddon Silver King rod with a Cardinal 4 reel loaded with 10lb test and a drift rig with a fly. I could not tell you how many people told me I was illegal and I needed to leave the river or I would be reported, my gear confiscated, and then jailed and sent to hell shortly after....

I have since had several fly rods and reels and have made a couple as well including tying my own flies, but the rules are still the same as back then. I have even seen some guys with a long casting rod using a slip bobber with  a fly on the end, often a weighted eggs sucking leach or something with weighted eyes. I even know of guys who tie flies on jig hooks so the ride better under a bobber. Never have I thought of threatening them with what the DNR would do once they got a hold of them, but I have secretly praised them for trying something new, for thinking outside of the box while yet staying within the boundaries of the regulations.

Before I get into an idea of using beads into tying a great imitation of a steelhead's favorite treat, SPAWN! I had dared to ask a local shop worker if it was legal to apply a scent to an egg pattern. There are many, many egg patterns in use and I tie several, my favorite being the nuke egg. The response I received was not surprising, but the reaction was. The individual looked at me with a diabolical stare and said that scents were not to be allowed because it went against the integrity of fly fishing. Nowhere have I seen this in the regulations and have even brought it up to a DNR officer. The response I got from a person of authority was that there was nothing in the book that stated the use of scents in a flies only section was prohibited. I still have never tried it, but I'm sure others have and they have been within their legal right.

I have decided to make a fly that resembles a spawn sac made from beads. The idea is simple and the materials are readily available.

I present to you the 'Cody Sac' fly. I will get to the reason for the naming in a bit so hang with me.

Besides a vise I used a bobbin with white thread, a bobbin threader, scissors, a whip finisher, and size 6 tiemco hooks.

and BEADS! 6mm for salmon egg imitation, or 5mm for steelhead or brown eggs. You can but several different colors, but I originally started with three that looked close to color of natural roe.
 

The reason for the naming of the fly is because of a secret material I have used. It is Shetland Sheepdog fur, specifically the undercoat. It is the the purest natural white and it has a slight frizz to it. The fur was graciously donated by my canine companion......You guessed it! Cody

Shetland Sheepdogs have many endearing qualities; they are intelligent, fiercely loyal, energetic, loving, great with kids and other pets, movie star good looks, easy to train, etc. The one thing is they are hairy beasts and do they shed. They require a decent amount of brushing especially since they seem to always run through patches of stick tites! So I had all this hair and there goes the bright light and the wheels start churning.

 

The first few proto types only had the Sheltie Dub, but later on I decided to add some Ice dub for sparkle and sex appeal.

Another key element was the use of transparent beading cord most commonly used in the crafting world. I experimented with braid and mono, but the cord gave the beads the ability to move a bit especially in the 2 bead version. You can find this at any craft store for around $3

The beauty of this pattern is in the simplicity and low cost. When finished it looks exactly like a milting spawn sac without the netting.

Step 1. Put hook in vise. Wrap the white thread around hook 5-6 times and trim excess. Grab a generous glob of white fuzz and wrap on hook. Optional: before the white fuzz add ice dub to taste then apply fuzz after.

Step 2. Cut a small piece of the stretch cord (approx 4 inches). Insert 4 beads onto the bobbin threader.

Step 3. Pull stretch cord through top of the bobbin threader about half way then fold back and hold with two fingers. Slide the 4 beads onto the thread.

 Step 4. Firmly holding one end of the stretch cord, pull the bobbin threader away slowly until the other end comes free.

Step 5. Take the two ended of the stretch cord and make two half hitches.

                                         When its tied it should make a square of beads.

Step 6. place the square of beads with the knot facing the head of the fly. Give it a couple tights wraps at the head and trim excess stretch cord.

Step 7. Wrap over the top over beads in an X pattern several times until you get the desired shape. It seemed no matter how I tried it the 4 beads turned into a spawn sac shape naturally. Finish of the fly to preference. I like using a whip finisher myself.

 All that's left is to trim excess thread. Apply head cement, zap gap, or super glue as desired.

I experimented with several colors and one combo had no fuzz, but tons of ice dub. I even wrapped it in between the eggs to give the sensation off a massive milt with flash. I used green beads and green ice dub as well.

Another variation is using 2 beads with a loose cord to give the beads (eggs) more movement. This version is similar to a fly made by Josh Smith. This version remains unnamed, but I'm leaning towards 'Cajones'

All in all the purpose of this post was to rant a little about people who take themselves too seriously. Life is an incredible journey that's only as fun as you let it be. Follow the regulations in your area and respect your fellow anglers. Offer help, encouragement, and fellowship. It will only enhance your memories and experiences.

In closing I couldn't couldn't mention Cody the wonder dog without his adorable sidekick (and sister)
Kirrah, the sweetest pup who gives daily hugs!

During my exhausting and extensive research I came across some guidlines everyone should follow when applicable to your situation. May you always find what you seek while fishing. May the sun and wind always be in your favor, may the water always be cool and the fish plentiful, large, feisty, and very hungry!