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-

We're An American Brand...

Another brand I've really noticed again lately is Oakley. As a marketer, the brands I respect are those that combine outstanding outbound communications with products that fit the brand and deliver on the brand promise. Oakley certainly fits that bill. Unlike Simms, which I've blogged on before, Oakley has managed to cover an amazing spectrum of markets - from golf and fishing to snowboarding and motocross.

Last week I was in Chicago and visited NikeTown -- always an interesting branding stop (though I never seem to BUY anything, hmmmm.....). Nike now has this 6.0 push to get into bmx, surfing, skateboarding and such. Oakley's home base. Whereas this always looks natural for Oakley, the Nike product and marketing just looked forced.

From a company that started making bmx bike handgrips (seen the price or original Oakley grips on eBay lately? Wow.) they've expanded to become a leader in sunglasses, watches, and a vast array of other gear. And they're products seem to always deliver some special "surprise and delight" feature. Even their t-shirts just seem to fit a little better and be a little more rugged. Said mountain bike shorts seem to have all the details right -- great fit, pockets in just the right place, extra ventilation strategically placed.

Kudos to Oakley for an exceptional brand and products that reinforce it.

-Sean-

New Spot

Scouted out a new location on the Huron River yesterday afternoon while out knocking around. Nice gravel bottom, lots of nice fishy looking pockets. Unfortunately, I was there in the blazing mid-day sun. A couple guys were there working it, but no luck.

Plus, the river is WAY up. We keep getting these torrential rains right before the weekend! Last week it was Thursday. The week before we got 4" of rain on Friday night. The Huron is completely blown out, and certainly not safe to wade.

Soon as it is, I'll be back there on a weeknight for the hex hatch. Until then -- anticipation!

-Sean-

Train (not) In Vain

Needed to be in Chicago for business the past couple of days, so decided to take the train. What a great way to travel - as long as you're flexible about when you get there and back.

Tuesday night left Ann Arbor about 7pm, so I got to enjoy a twilight ride out across southern Michigan. All familiar places, but a different way to see them. Saw lots of familiar spots on the Huron River from a different perspective. Must have seen two dozen deer, especially heavy in Jackson County. Also turkeys galore. I think they knew season was over!

Unfortunately, due to bad weather in Washtenaw County, the return home was a little LOOOOOONG. Lots of signals were out, so we crept along at 15mph (that's 6 minutes per mile, btw) from Grass Lake all the way to Ann Arbor. A long, slow crawl. But a great trip overall.

-Sean-

Never Enough Time

Recently, while shooting clays with a friend, he remarked, "Ya' know there are just too many things I like to do to do them all...". Wow, do I hear that - although another friend refers to me as the Master of LeisureTime Activities. I'll certainly never be one of those guys who retires and can't figure out what to do with themselves because work was all they had!

This time of year is rough. The fishing is good in many places with hex hatches just starting up north and rumors of good days locally on the Huron. Weather is consistently warm, so road riding is always an option. Unfortunately, new mountain bike also calls (though recent heavy rains have slowed that call a bit). I love sporting clays in the summer. And some time at the target range is always fun. Plus the kayak becons. Naturally, this is all at the time when the grass seems to need to be cut every 6 minutes, and other projects around the house are in full-swing!

Though I suppose it helps that I really don't spend much time in front of the TV - after talking to others it's surprising how much of your life this can eat up. And, I'm pretty good about planning how I'll get my work done, and chores around the house so I can have time to go play. When I don't get to go play, I get a little itchy, so that keeps me motivated.

It's summer -- enjoy doing whatever you do!

-Sean-