While out in Bozeman, Montana, for the Simms Ice Out Guide Event, I was lucky enough to get to fish on the upper Madison River just outside of Ennis, Montana. This is a river that I’ve never fished prior to this trip, but it’s one that I’ve read a lot about. It was a real treat to wet a fly line on this storied river. Continue reading
Simms event
I recently attended the Simms Ice Out Guide Event in Bozeman, Montana, and had the great fortune to not only meet some fantastic people, but to be surrounded by similar-minded fishing nuts. Continue reading
Wolfe Outfitters
I’m excited to announce the formal creation of Wolfe Outfitters. This will be the new guide service name for my new fly fishing outfitter based out of Crystal Mountain Resort & Spa. Continue reading
Dress for success
I had a customer a few years back that came up to fish with me during a real cold spell early in the smallmouth season. It was early May, and the water temps were perfect for big pre-spawn females. Sadly, a nasty cold front dropped in just prior to this particular customer’s visit. In early May, this isn’t uncommon, and I really tried to stress how important it was to dress in layers. “Bring some fleece to layer up with,” I kept repeating. Continue reading
Blade Baitin’ Bass
For my early spring smallmouth fishing, there are a large variety of lures that can be effective. One such lure is the blade bait. Sure, jerkbaits are another staple, but often they require a pause in the retrieve of 6 or 7 seconds or more. And in ultra cold water, a jerkbait may not be the most effective way to target fish.
For my money, when the water is 50 degrees or less, I’m throwing a blade bait. They cast a proverbial country mile, even in strong spring winds; they sink quickly, allowing me to cover a lot of water; and best of all—they flat out catch fish! And not just smallmouth will chew on this piece of metal. I’ve caught just about everything that swims up here in northern Michigan with a blade bait. And even though I may be targeting smallmouth bass, the reality of knowing that I might very well catch something else only leads to the excitement.
A new bass season
A new bass season brings with it new promise. After a long winter in the north country, where only dreams of casting to smallmouth on the northern waters of Michigan will suffice, it’s good to be back on the water. Gone are the days where we struggled. Forgotten are the days when we got poured on. Instead, upon us are promises of great fishing, and getting to greet old customers, and meet new customers. Here are the days I live for. Continue reading
Trout Opener
Nothing marks the kickoff of the new trout season, or has anglers around the state more excited about one particular day, than the trout opener. Sure, there are limited waters available all year, but tomorrow’s opener to all waters has anglers drooling. Continue reading
I’m a fanatic about pink!
I don’t know what it is about the color pink, but I love it. And the fish love it too. I’ve been lucky enough to travel around this wonderful country of ours, fishing gear in tow. It seems that no matter where I’ve gone—freshwater or saltwater, I’ve caught fish on pink lures. And most interestingly to me—all were in clear water environments. Continue reading
Respooling my reels
When I respool my reels, putting on fresh line, I only use a top shot of fresh line. A top shot, is, what saltwater anglers call it, a section of a specified line atop the normal spool of line. Using this technique of top shotting, I can make a new spool of line stretch quite a bit further than if I were to strip the entire reel’s worth of line off, putting fresh line on. Let’s break it down a bit. Continue reading
Coffee, customers and bass fishing
An interesting trend the past few years has been the inclusion of coffee scent and/or grounds into soft plastics. Strike King Lure Company first came up with this concept, and there are a couple of theories swirling about how it actually came about. Suffice it to say, however it happened, it’s here, and probably here to stay. Continue reading