Best Laid Plans

Fun evening with Dad last night - first to Colton Bay Outfitters to hear Brad Petzke's talk on fishing the St. Mary's river and other UP destinations. We had been considering trying for Atlantic salmon in the St. Mary's, but after hearing about all the other cool options and seasons we're considering other possibilities.

We both agreed that while one option with guiding is a knowledgeable partner to try new stuff, we really enjoy the learning aspect. You can pick up so much about gear, rigging, technique, tactics, reading water, and more from a day with a guide. So, now we're looking at early Summer trout on some of the UP backwaters. In addition to Atlantics, Brad specializes in finding cool fish in some pretty out of the way places.

After the presentation and a great chat with Brad we headed to dinner. It was fun to relax and plan the Spring fishing trip. Where to go, what gear to bring, who might be joining us. That planning and scheming make it so much more fun. We're excited as both Dad and I know about 500% more than we both did a year ago. This Spring maybe we'll CATCH fish (other than the trout Dad got or the half-dozen suckers I encountered). We had several steelhead on last year, but no one landed any. Likely a combination of gear (light tippets) and technique. This year, I'll likely do a mix of indy and centerpin fishing, perhaps some bottom bouncing on the Manistique, and may try my sink tip for stripping streamers on an inland lake we know of that's got some nice trout.

Can't wait!

-Sean-