Firsts

Was thinking about some fly fishing firsts the other day:

• First steelhead; Manistee river with guide Fred Steuber. Even though it was a little one, he gave me a good ride. To this day, that tug-THUMP sequence can't be beat.
• First surprise species: catching something you weren't fishing for is still always a neat feeling. My first was a 26" lake-run brown with Jon Ray. Cool since we were Winter fishing for steelhead.
• First solo steelhead; Pere Marquette river in February. Got about a  6-7# male with beautiful colors on the end of a drift (why do they always hit when you're not quite paying attention?). To this day, that same hole is often my go-to starting spot on the PM. Funny thing is 30 minutes later, a bit downstream I got a nice 16" brown, too!
• First fish on a fly I tied; Pere Marquette river in August. Nice little brown caught on a beadhead pheasant tail nymph.
• First steelhead on a swung fly; with guide Russ Maddin on the Manistee. 8# male just blew up this fly at the tail end of a swing. A completely cool experience that helped me understand the appeal of this style of fishing.
• First time hitting the cycle; a day in the UP with Dad and guide Brad Petzke. By lunchtime I'd gotten a nice trout on  a dry fly, another on a nymph, and a third on a streamer.
• First camp-and-fish; Pere Marquette river in July. For utter and complete check-out from reality this just can't be beat. Fish when you feel like it. Chill in camp when you don't. You can't beat the pace.
• The "Ah-Ha" Day; float on Pere Marquette river in November with Mike Schultz. The day I figured out indicator fishing -- how to do it, when to use it, and how to adjust for conditions.

And the best thing? Many more "firsts" left!

-Sean-