Groove Relocated

Oddly, just haven't been able to find my groove on the road bike this summer.

Until last night.

Headed out for an after-work ride and everything clicked. It's weird when it happens, but I can tell from very shortly into a ride if it's working or not. I think part of the issue this year has been the cold weather. I don't like riding in the cold (odd for a guy who skis and stands in the river fly fishing all winter) and that's likely part of it. Last night was a perfect, warm summer evening and the first time I can remember this year where I wasn't cold. But it's more than that - a jump in my stroke. An odd twitchy energy. I settled in quickly for a nice 14 mile ride and even took the hilly route! Felt really great to be out and not forcing myself to ride.

I am having some numbness in my feet after ten miles or so -- I think I need to look at cleat position. But that's relatively minor. Glad to have my groove back. If storms hold off, maybe I'll try again tonight.

-Sean-

Peaceful

I was just thinking this morning that there are few things more relaxing than a nice campsite, a tasty craft-brewed beer, and a pleasant evening after a day outside. At left is a fine IPA, with a Lake Superior sunset in the background. Michigan Brewer's Guild Beerfest is this weekend, so I'll likely find some other tasty brews to put with it.

Summer in Michigan - really a special time. So much outside to do and seems like never enough time to do it. Whatever you do, find some time to get out there and do it.

-Sean-

The Right Stick

On recent trip I took the perfect trio of rigs. Each has a purpose and suited it well.

Scott A2 9' 6-weight/Ross CLA 3/Rio Gold

My all-rounder. Casts beautifully, excellent balance. I'm continually surprised at how well it performs -- especially in windy conditions. Winds were pretty high on both Two Hearted and AuSable and I had no trouble covering the water I wanted to. I think a real strength of this combo is that it's well-matched; the reel complements the rod and the line (Rio Gold is AWESOME) is ideal for the rest of the package.

TFO Signature Series 7"6"/3-weight/Ross Flystart/generic Ross line

On small streams, I have tons of problems with 9' rods - lots of flies lost in trees. Two casts in on the upper Two Hearted with the Scott, I realized I'd selected the wrong rod. So back to the truck for this one - MUCH better. It was also perfect on the very-small Blind Sucker. Great for short casts in tight cover. I didn't put much money into this one, but it seems to outperform my expenditure. Another bonus -- TFO rods come with a lifetime warranty. Nice!

Orvis Clearwater II 9' 8-weight/Orvis Battenkill Large Arbor V/Orvis Wonderline Steelhead

Originally set-up for indicator steelhead fishing, I now realize I'll get a lot more use from this big monster. It's outstanding for chucking big bugs - streamers, bass poppers, and more. And I love it for steelhead. The Orvis BLA reel is a solid, reliable performer, even in the coldest winter conditions. A recent deal on a Scott S3 in 9'6" means this one's getting an upgrade, more on that later.

I feel like I've found the perfect quiver for most of the conditions I'll have the opportunity to fish in Michigan. For relatively little money, I'm assembled a set of tools that have served me well and should enable me to pursue most species in most settings.

-Sean-

Summer Camp

Loving rediscovering camping. Did it a lot as a kid with my family and in Scouting, but haven't for a number of years until last summer. I don't really need a week backpacking the Tetons, but I'm digging overnight car camping. It's fun, it's low cost, and it puts me close to good fishing and mountain biking options.

Camping also appeals to the bargain-hunter side of me. My $12 tent has served me well, albeit not in any major rain yet. And $10-15 per night for a campsite is a fraction of the cost of even the cheapest hotel.

One place I did splurge was on a better sleeping pad. A nice thick pad from REI (http://www.rei.com/product/778152) was just the ticket. Found I wasn't sleeping very well on the cheapo I bought at first.

Maybe my favorite part of camping is campfire cuisine. Somehow the idea of building a fire and cooking my meals over it appeals to me. On my Two Hearted trip, dinner was a perfectly grilled steak, grilled asparagus, and roasted redskins. Yum! All turned out perfectly -- probably helps that I do a fair amount of grilling on charcoal at home. In the morning a cheese and bacon omelette was perfect fuel for a day on the river. Was speeded up the the arrival of the rain though! Growing up I had a Scoutmaster who loved doing dutch oven cooking on our Boy Scout camping trips. I remember being really amazed by some of the things he made and how good they were. Also his commitment to lugging that heavy piece of cookware everyplace!

I think the next investment may need to be a little better tent though. Mine's pretty small, and the flimsy fiberglass poles are starting to show their use. Probably a good item to look for a deal on over the winter.

-Sean-

Hangin' with Hemingway

Ernest Hemingway has long been one of my favorite writers. While he was known for several haunts, including Key West, Charlevoix, and Spain, the Big Two Hearted River (east of Grand Marais, MI in the Upper Peninsula) was a frequent location in his Nick Adams stories.

I kayaked the Two Hearted a few years back and found it to be a beautiful, unspoiled river. In five hours of paddling, I never saw a single house. Nor a lawn (try that on the AuSable). So, when the opportunity to fish and camp along the river appeared, I jumped on it. With kayak, mountain bike, and fly rods I was ready.

The campground at the mouth was the perfect home base. I found a prime site - a 50 foot walk from the mouth and Lake Superior beyond (view at left). After setting up camp and checking things out, I struck out for the High Bridge access in the evening, thinking I'd fish that and work my way down the river to the Reed & Green Bridge access, then back to camp at dark.

Like many UP rivers, the Two Hearted is richly stained with tannins - like fishing in bourbon. Just makes it that much more beautiful.

At the High Bridge, I was happy to have my Yooper Stick -- a short (7' 6") 3-weight TFO rod. Tight quarters and this little rod was perfect for it. But, I was reminded of one challenge of UP rivers -- access. While you can usually get IN the river, heavy brush and trees can make getting OUT a problem. No luck at High Bridge, but a pretty wade.

Then it was on to Reed & Green. Wind was up and this part of the river is wider, so back to the trusty all-around Scott A-2 6-weight. I love this rod -- casts beautifully, super smooth delivery, and just seems to make me better. Two casts in and I've got a trout interested in the fly. On the fourth, he hits it. And, I've got my first fish of the trip. Nice little rainbow trout.

After I work my way around the bend, I find I'm out of the wind and a little hatch is starting and fish are feeding more. I'm really struck by the beauty of this place. The Two Hearted is truly a special river. As darkness is settling in, I hook a brook trout. Nice way to end the evening!

As an aside, many people don't know that Hemingway didn't fish the Two Hearted. He spent most of his UP time on the Fox river (at left) outside Seney. But the Two Hearted had a more powerful name (with "Big" added for more impact) and according to legend he wanted to protect his secret spot. My Dad and I have discussed fishing the Fox, but have decided it's probably unwadeable due to a lot of silt and deep holes. One day we'll drag the big old Grumman aluminum canoe up and give it a shot some day.

I'll definitely be back to the Two Hearted and if you like to be on the water to fish, canoe, or kayak, I highly recommend it!

-Sean-

Sweet

A friend put this on his blog. It's freakin' amazing. I've watched it about 87 times. The fluidity, grace, and creativity is just unreal. The way this guy sees urban landscapes as an opportunity to throw down some amazing sh*t just blows me away. And it doesn't hurt that it's set to one of my current favorite pieces of music. Turn up the sound and check it.



Watch it, over and over. I see something new every time. Enjoy. Report and pictures from the UP trip coming soon.

-Sean-

Brrrrr....

Anyone who doubts there's a global climate change need only step outside. It's July and it's like 60 degrees in Michigan. WTF?

And we've had two of the coldest, snowiest winters on record. So, the term "Global Warming" doesn't seem to apply. Though I have enjoyed some very fine skiing, both in Michigan and Utah!

Most of the hatches are delayed on Michigan's rivers. On my last trip to the Pere Marquette a couple weeks back I only had success with Sulfurs -- a hatch that should have been long since over. Yet the Hex is on schedule. Weird. And bugs know weather.

Bottom line is that it seems you're so much more aware of changes in climate when you spend a lot of your time outside. And, it's definitely been different.

Things will be quiet for a few days as I head North to enjoy some fishing, mountain biking, camping and relaxing. More to come from that trip soon! Get outside and enjoy the Holiday weekend!

-Sean-