Third Coast Fly

A Nod to G. Loomis

November 4th, 2015

During a moment of frustration a while ago on Beaver Island I horsed a carp with a little too much gusto and in the process snapped a customer’s favorite G. Loomis 9 weight. Thinking of the old saying, “It isn’t the mistake that matters, it’s how you recover that make a difference”, I insisted on handling the rod return.

Other than having plenty of Loomis rods in and out of my boat over the years, I have never owned one. Having no experience with the company I filled out the proper web form, put the rod in a tube and shipped it off. In just over a week there was a new rod on my doorstep.

Props to the G. Loomis customer care. Efficient and hassle free warranty service is very much appreciated.

Posted in gear review, rods, reels and lines | Comments Closed

Pere Marquette River Fishing Report – October 29th

October 31st, 2015

The salmon peaked late on the PM River this fall. Why? Who can know for sure but it has been unseasonably warm and dry which are two conditions that have been known to delay a fall run and this year it seems to have pushed them back about two weeks.

Thanks to hurricane Patricia things have changed overnight. It rained all day yesterday and the mercury has dropped significantly and from time to time I can hear sleet hitting the windows. Only a steelheader could be thankful for this change in the weather.

More steelhead are hitting our nets each day and this gray wet weather should only help bring more into the system.

Water conditions are still slightly below average with just a touch of color. All of my steelhead have been on eggs, which makes sense due to the fact that I haven’t fish anything else.

Posted in fishing reports, Kevin, pere marquette fishing report, salmon, steelhead | Comments Closed

News and Things – The Big Smalls of Michigan

October 26th, 2015

From Michigan DNR-

Smallmouth bass state record broken by catch from Hubbard Lake

Previous state record had stood since 1906
Greg Gasiciel with his state-record smallmouth bass (Oct 2015)The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has confirmed a new state-record catch for smallmouth bass. This marks the sixth state-record fish caught so far in 2015.

The existing state record for smallmouth bass was broken Sunday by Greg Gasiciel of Rhodes, Michigan. Gasiciel was bait-casting with a green grub when he landed a 9.33-pound, 24.50-inch smallmouth bass from Hubbard Lake in Alcona County.

The record was verified by Kathrin Schrouder, a DNR fisheries biologist in Bay City.

“This is additional evidence that Michigan truly has world-class bass fisheries,” said Jim Dexter, Department of Natural Resources Fisheries chief. “Smallmouth bass is one of the most popular, most sought-after sportfish in North America. Even though the Michigan state record stood for more than 100 years, we’re excited to see the bar set even higher for those who set out to land this iconic fish.”

The previous state record for smallmouth bass was set back in 1906 with a 9.25-pound, 27.25-inch fish taken from Long Lake in Cheboygan County. Records show this fish was caught by W.F. Shoemaker.

State records are recognized by weight only. To qualify for a state record, fish must exceed the current listed state-record weight and identification must be verified by a DNR fisheries biologist.

So, yeah. Lunk status.

Also, for anyone playing around with Smallmouth in Lake Michigan, especially in the Beaver Island area check for DNR tags:

Central Michigan University (CMU) and the DNR have been tagging smallmouth bass in the Beaver Island Archipelago since 2005, at Waugoshance Point (Wilderness State Park) since 2009, and in parts of Grand Traverse Bays since 2014. Anglers are asked to report the whereabouts of these tagged smallmouth bass by providing information on capture, capture location and tag number to the DNR via michigandnr.com/taggedfish/tags. If anglers release tagged fish, please do not remove the tag and just report the requested information on the website as indicated.

Am I the only one itching for a little SMB action?

Posted in Beaver Island, smallmouth | Comments Closed

Pere Marquette River Fishing Report – October 15th

October 19th, 2015

The salmon fishing remains as good as it has been all fall with spawners on many gravels. There were many rumors that the Big Manistee received a batch of steelhead after the last rain, I’m afraid that there are no such rumors floating down the PM yet.

Water conditions remain low and clear, certainly not the recipe to entice fall steelhead to head upstream. I’m doing my rain dance as I write this.

I’ve got the same low and clear water advice as I’ve had all fall: Stealth. A quiet, perfectly placed first cast puts the odd in your favor and increases your chance. Our good bites have been happening on the first couple drifts.

While warm and dry weather doesn’t make for great fishing is sure does make it pleasant to be on the water. The fall colors combined with the diffused low light we get this time of year makes Northern Michigan a great place to be.