Category Archives: Great Fishing Resources

Mitten State Angler

Mitten State AnglerSeventeen years ago, my good friend Ed Roden and I went to a Trout Unlimited meeting in Clinton Township, Michigan.  I overlooked the fact he was outfitted in a Ohio State University Buckeyes sweatshirt that evening.  It was the beginning of growth in our friendship that took a path of fly fishing flowing streams, conservation efforts to the habitat surrounding them, and many hours in the board room developing watershed management plans with other like minded friends.

We’ve had some memorable moments up north.  One that comes to mind is breaking down in a Jeep Wrangler on a logging trail two miles off the beaten path, only to learn the tire wrench was rust welded to engine compartment of the vehicle.  Then there was our first Hexagenia Limbata hatch we fished together where I was so excited for the upcoming spinner fall, that I had to leave the river to visit nature’s restroom three times in last hour before sunset.  I’m known for mistaking crows for turkeys on fishing trips and we’ve also had some good floats on drift boats together.  Yet, the best memories I have of fishing with Ed are those when we sat on river’s edge talking about life, waiting for a mayfly hatch to emerge.  Maybe it was the day when we were enjoying lunch beside our tent when to our surprise large trout started feeding on an unusual mid-day Hex hatch!  We drove ourselves crazy trying to catch those browns that day, but didn’t so much as get a bite.  Whether talking about life or experiencing the out of doors, good times they are.

Ed has developed into quite a proficient fly angler, both for trout and even bass.  I look up to him more than he knows, and since moving 1000 miles south five years ago have missed his companionship casting flies among Michigan cedar lined streams.

He has recently launched a blog.  I think you will enjoy his stories and insights he has to share about the sport of fishing.  He enjoys kayak angling, and uses the paddle craft to pursue fish in streams and lakes.  Check out the Mitten State Angler at http://mittenstateangler.com/.  I know you will enjoy it.

 

Copyright 2014 by icastinayak.com. All rights reserved

Thrillbillies Fishing

Thrillbillies 1Photo by: Marty Smith
Stacey Martin (left), founder of Thrillbillies Fishing, and I celebrating Stacey’s 2nd place finish in the redfish category at the 2013 Mobile Bay Kayak Fishing Association 5 Rivers Tournament

When I moved to the Mobile Bay area five years ago, I met a funny guy who I would later learn was a darn good fisherman.  And then, using his own words he compliments friends by, I found out what an even better person he was.

Stacey Martin, founder of thrillbilliesfishing.com, is one of the best anglers I know in the Mobile Bay area.  He has uncovered decades of very reliable knowledge, trends and successful techniques for our bay area that catch fish.  I enjoy targeting a wide array of species, and Stacey does too.  He’s one of the top bowfin (grinnel) tour anglers in the south and places in nearly every saltwater inshore tournament I’ve competed against him in.  I’ve even seen a short film he produced where he caught a tiger shark in the Gulf!

I have also been impressed that he takes the time to develop our new generation of anglers.  Whether it’s techniques or the products he finds useful to fish with, he’s a wealth of information.  Stacey decided to launch a website recently.  Check it out!  I think you’ll enjoy his future fishing reports, product reviews, blog, fishing adventures, and the fun short films too!

Click here to find Thrillbillies Fishing!

Copyright 2012, 2013 by icastinayak.com. All rights reserved