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!

Gear Tech: Slinkys

Today I had to make some more slinkys, the one's I made were too heavy for the low water on the PM and I hate re-applying split shots!!! I get home from work to find my slinky cord is nowhere to be found. I tore this place up for an hour before finding it right in front of my face!!!

I have had a few people ask me how to make them. I'm self taught or maybe YouTube taught at one point, but I'm glad to share what knowledge I have found with you.

Some may ask...What the heck is a slinky? Well, basically it is a weight that are super snag free. I have lost just a few and it saves times re-tying rigs and applying new weights as well as being cheaper. It replaces the dropper tag you add to your rig while using any drift or chuck & duck method.

The materials you will need are a sharp pair of scissors, Slinky Drifter Cord, #5 split shot, a lighter, and needle nose pliers.

 I have found the slinky drifter cord (parachute cord) hard to find in my area so I ordered it from eBay

 
 The split shot should be of the appropriate size for the cord you are using. I use #5 split shot.

You want to start with the end of the slinky cord and burn its edge with a lighter until it starts to melt, then pinch down with your needle nose pliers. It may take a few tries to get it right, as long as the end is sealed tight then it's good to go!

Cut the slinky cord with your scissors making about a 3-4 inch piece depending on how many split shot you want to add inside. Put the tip of the needle nose into the open end of the slinky cord to make sliding the split shots easier.

 This is how open the hole should be, if you do not do this part the slinky cord will unravel and make a mess.

 Add the desired amount of split shots. I make 3,4,5&6 shot slinkys. The one shown is a 5 shot slinky.

 I tend to make them in groups and then finish them off all at once. Shown is a bunch of 6 shot slinkys, I'm working on my 5 shot slinkys

 Use the needle nose pliers to hold the slinky cord down tight and cut along the edge of the pliers.

 Hold the slinky with the pliers and grab your lighter.

Burn the edge of the slinky cord that is sticking out of the side of the pliers. Notice in the background the glass of iced tea. It makes any project go better :)

The edge will look like this when melted sealing the end with a nice black seam. Careful to not touch it!!!

Here is the finished product with a barrel swivel and snap on it. this way you can swap out different weights and have no need to mess around with removing shot if its too heavy.

These are really easy and inexpensive to make. The bag of slinky cord is around 6 bucks and a container of shot another 4 bucks. Slinkys sell at tackle shops for around .89 a piece.

Salmon season is starting so good luck to everyone! Remember to be safe out there!

Tight Lines!!!!

The River

An upstream view of one of my happy places in the world.

The river is my fishing destination of choice. If at all possible, somewhere far enough away from a road where you cannot hear the cars driving by. I know it may be a lot to ask, but we can always dream. I prefer my rivers clear and with a gravel and sand bottom. Clear skies and the sound of the rushing waters will drown out your stress and worries quicker than a bottle of anything to muddle the mind. When all these elements are perfectly in place catching fish can become almost secondary. But lets not fool ourselves, the fish is why we are here.

My prey of choice is the King (Chinook) Salmon. They are large and aggressive. They fight amongst themselves for the opportunity to spawn. The larger and more aggressive males will chase away anything that may interrupt the spawning ritual, including a well presented fly! And if the buck is in a particularly foul mood a poorly presented fly will do just as nicely. I have seen males move 5-6 feet to strike a fly with reckless abandon almost ripping the rod from my hands simply because he is in a pissed off mood. Those strikes are few and far between, but ALWAYS memorable! In Michigan the Salmon move upstream on my favorite river in August in large pods and some may even move upstream much earlier. The skies can be very clear with few clouds and the water low and crystal clear. Do not let this ruse convince you that a light leader will get you more strikes. It will just leave you with an open mouth and a snapped line as the fish makes your feeble reel scream as they jump like a derailed freight train. Oh these early days of fall is what I long for. When the birds are singing freely and the river is whispering to my soul often drawing me into a blissful state of peace before there is a bone jarring strike and it feels like my arm was nearly ripped out of socket.

Me feeling a little juiced after catching this small but spunky male King.

Early in the season the adrenaline rush you experience when you tangle with one of these brutes is an awesome natural high. When the fight is done you can feel your heart thumping in your chest and you can't help but smile after the fight is done, win or lose (although the smile is usually bigger for the victor). often times you can hear another fisherman holler in excitement somewhere else upon the river and you know the fight is on elsewhere.

A female King on it's way back to her redd upon being released.

Where I fish on the Pere Marquette it is a catch & release only fishery. The Salmon and Steelhead are all natural reproduction or strays.As the season goes on you can see much evidence of the ending of the cycle of life for these amazing fish.

The end of the line for this great warrior.

Their bodies can be seen half eaten by scavengers or floating downstream dead or dying, the leave pay homage as they are falling readily upon the ground and in the river. It is always a somewhat sad moment for me that I really cannot explain. I have a great deal of respect for these fish and a sense of gratitude, but as the Salmon fill the river with nutrients the river will belong to the chrome warriors soon enough...


This is a re-write of one of my first blogs. I thought it could stand for a little improvement.

The KINGS are COMING!!!

It's that time of year again when the air starts to cool just enough to cause your mind to wander to cool streams and rivers filled to the brim with spawning fall salmon and steelhead practically on their heels looking for an easy meal of eggs and fry. I look forward to sleeping with the windows open and listening to the pitter patter of cool rain drops landing on the leaves as I'm smiling just as slumber embraces me. Even my dreams become consumed by fishing possibilities as I know that the days are slowly getting slower. But, the true telling sign is when my allergies start to bother me. Humidity is lower as the Ragweed blooms in full, but it bothers me less because I know the leaves will slowly change in color when the Kings are coming home!!!

This King is looking forward to continuing its life journey.

The story of the King Salmon's spawning cycle is well documented. It is common knowledge that they return to their birth river to spawn and eventually die. It is the grand example of the circle of life when you are born, grow, reproduce, die to replenish the earth with your nutrients. The circle for the Salmon is much smaller than ours, but it is a grand event.

In 2011 the salmon runs almost all over the state have been the best in almost 30 years. The rivers were teeming with eager Coho and Chinook Salmon traversing the hazards of dams, predators and most of all fisherman!

The toothy grin of the fisherman and the sharper teeth of the Salmon.

There was much worry about the several invasive species that were thought to threaten our amazing fishery. The Zebra mussels actually made the waters cleaner. The gobys have caused a surge in size in other Great Lakes fish like the Smallmouth Bass who eat them like candy. Lampreys have been an issue for a long while and the MDNR has worked diligently to stop them, but their population has been on the rise the last few years. The greatest threat and what everyone fear will be the knock out punch to our 7 billion dollar a year fishery is the dreadful Asian carp. What many people do not know is that they have been a nuisance since the 1990's and have been kept at bay since so far.

The deadly lamprey, vampires of Lake Michigan.

Dead alewives washed ashore on some beaches last summer.

With the changing ecosystem in the big lake we still have a fishery where the fish are large and in abundance, so much so that the MDNR will be reducing stockings in many rivers to avoid the disaster that happened in Lake Huron where there became more predators than prey due to overstocking to the point the fishery is almost non-existant compared to former years.

The alewife populations have been so high that they have been spotted dead along the beaches like the days of old. They alwives have been of a decent size which coincides with the size of their predators as well.

A nice bunch of Coho's from Hamilton Dam

An early thaw this year accompanied by a warm winter attributes to the large size of the fish being caught in all predatory species of the alewives. While cleaning steelhead at the the fish cleaning station in Holland as early as June I had seen several 20# class Kings with many boats getting their limits.

As a fisherman the King Salmon has become my favorite target species. They fight like steelhead on steroids when you consider their power. They will test every aspect of your gear from your drag to your leader, if something isn't quite right they will put a beat down on you ! They are good jumpers as well, but are not as acrobatic.

A happy fisherman with an August King on the PM.

I was first introduced to Salmon fishing as a 14 year old boy on the Rogue River, just a 5 minute walk from my grandparents back door. It left an impression on me that has made an impact of every aspect of my life. My grand parents no longer live there, but I still go back and visit. They have been planting Salmon in the Rogue again and the next couple years should be excellent. The crowds are something I wish to avoid so I drive north to my favorite river, the Pere Marquette in Baldwin.

A nice male King being revived before release on the PM

The Pere Marquette is simply called the PM by those who love it and fish it. The Salmon return earlier to the PM than many other river because it stays cool in the summer due to the many feeder springs that flow into it. Fish can be found in significant numbers as early as mid August if you know where to search. Thundersticks are an early season favorite below the restricted fishing area and the kings will sometimes tear them apart. The strikes are bone jarring and not to be soon forgotten by your shoulder and arm. Hold on tight and if luck shines upon you then you can land a silver beast in the log infested waters. The kings come in pods that push up the river to their spawning grounds which lie mostly within the catch and release flies only area. Catching a big King on a fly rod on a fly you created on your own can be a feeling that you can't explain until you experience it yourself. Not everyone out there is a catch & release advocate, but the PM demands it and it is always fulfilling experience. Just bring a camera to capture the fish.

A Map of the Flies Only section of the PM.

Another river many people watch closely is the Grand River. As soon as the Charter boats and pier fisherman in Grand haven start nailing them the excitement travels upstream with the fish. There are a few areas that anglers catch fish, but once they hit the 6th street dam in Grand rapids it becomes a circus. Fisherman from all walks of life show up in numbers as the fish start showing up. Spinners, spoons and Cranks can be used in any run that could hold fish. The east wall  produce large numbers from drifters and casters alike, fly fishing is impossible in this area, but it's prime for people with disabilities. The boat ramp area is notorious for the ultimate combat fishing experience if your up for it. Its shoulder to shoulder drifters here. The dam itself causes the water to boil and travel in swirling patters while the water flows out the center and west runs. This is a free for all as far as what fishing style works best. Many tourists come to downtown GR to see the Salmon jump the fish ladder and to watch the fisherman. The Grand also has a few tributaries that can have hot fishing.

Some guys fishing from the boat launch during high waters.

The Kalamazoo has the best fishing at Allegan dam, but it is only for experienced combat fisherman. The dam is the upstream limit on the Kalamazoo and the fish stack up. If you wish to avoid the crowds this is not the place to go. The hottest area to fish is usually on the stairs where there is usually a fisherman per stair and the tempers often flare. Some decent fishing has been had in recent years on the Rabbit river in Hamilton, There is a dam there as well which draws a good sized crowd when the fish are in.

A nice Coho at the Hamilton Dam

The Muskegon is a great river and really awesome if you have a boat. The Kings come up maybe a month after the PM gets started and can only go as far as Croton Dam. People fishing from shore are gathered closer to the dam, but boaters can drift down looking for large groups of fish or fish actively spawning.

Croton Dam in Newaygo, MI

So as the nights get colder and the leaves start to fall my dreams become reality as I will fight epic battles against some of the hardest fighting  freshwater game fish  in the US. Any day now I will sit here less and be on the river more.....any day now......