Freeze, Learn, Repeat...

Great weekend in northern MI with Dad and Uncle Bill. We signed up for Hawkins Fly Fishing's "Next Step" school, held on Saturday. The class promised to help folks with a basic knowledge of fly fishing learn skills to help them up their game, and as usual, Chuck and his team didn't disappoint.

Unfortunately, the weather was a bit less cooperative...

Driving over to the class site on the upper Manistee the drizzle turned into rain. We geared up and headed to our first station and the rain turned into deluge. Then the wind joined it. So, as we're listening to Russ Madin explain the basics of nymphing it's just dumping on us. But, all were attired in waders and GoreTex, so we're waterproof anyway! Although it was flat-out COLD.

Class was great. Russ' primer on nymphing was really useful. A great alternative to drys when there's no hatch. Then it was on to Tommy Lynch and stripping streamers. While this was the section I'm not sure when I'll use, it was FASCINATING and as always Tommy was a great presenter. After that, some casting lessons with Chuck and son Zach. Evidently Dad, Bill, and I all needed a little help there. The afternoon included knots and reading the bugs and other food sources in the river with Rich from Orvis Royal Oak. Last up was Ed McCoy with dry flies.

At every station we learned so much. Really hard to say what was the best part. Kudos to Chuck, Tommy, Ed, Russ, and Rich for a really great day. And always nice to see Jon Ray who was on-hand to document the event photographically.

Sunday the three of us decided to use our newfound skills on the river. A short drive from Uncle Bill's place on Spider lake brought us to the Boardman River at the Forks campground. Beautiful stretch on a nice, sunny day. Easy wade and great structure with gravel beds and some nice cover. I'll be back. Couple of lookers, but didn't close any deals.

Thanks to Bill for his hospitality and Dad for joining me. Great trip! I feel like my skills improved 1000%.

-Sean-