Michigan Fly Fishing | I Cast In a Yak

Seventeen 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.

Fly fishing with someone special can be a great experience. Introducing the sport to them can be a rewarding journey.

The 2004 fishing season was the third since introducing my wife, April, to fly fishing. She wasn’t sure if she had the coordination to cast a fly-line. But after practicing in the backyard, sitting through hours of Fly Fish TV, and being an enthusiastic listener, she became a quick study.

We decided to make a trip to the beautiful northern lower and upper peninsula’s of Michigan that season. The Black River near Bessemer, MI was our first destination. Bessemer is a ski town in the winter months, and an outdoor playground during the summertime. The Porcupine Mountains were the initial reason why we planned a week’s visit, but we quickly realized the Black River Scenic Area alone offered unique opportunities for activities and relaxation.

Potawatomi Falls of Black River
Photo by Aaron Rubel

We stayed with Stan and Sue of the Black River Crossing Bed & Breakfast. Stan and Sue own a beautiful two story log cabin on the shore of the river. We woke to classical music and enjoyed a hearty breakfast every morning.

Black River Crossing Bed & Breakfast in Bessemer, Michigan

We were thankful for the local area knowledge Stan and Sue volunteered to share with us. We enjoyed hikes to many magnificent waterfalls along the Black River, and Powderhorn Creek. We kayaked the shore of Lake Superior, and found our first agates on pebble strewn beaches.

Gorge Falls of Black River
Photo by Aaron Rubel

The kayak trip bears mentioning. Lake Superior lies on the north side of the Upper Peninsula. The lake is very large, deep, and that means cold. At the time I sit here writing this blog, Lake Superior water temperature rests at 48ºF along the shore nearby where we kayaked. On that July day, the water temp might have been in the low 50’s, but no higher. The trip was both our maiden voyage in a kayak, and April sat at the bow in our tandem paddle craft ready to enjoy a relaxing afternoon. We launched, and so did an incoming two foot roller, cresting the bow and into my brides lap. We learned lesson one in kayaking: Dress for water temperature, not air temps. It was cold trip for her, but an extra change of clothes from a friendly camping couple got us through, and we laugh about it today.

April and I after a refreshing first leg of a kayak trip along the very cold Lake Superior shoreline.
Photo by Stan Carr

Among all the adventure, we managed to get in some fishing too. Upon making our first step into the river near the B&B, we were excited to see trout rising to Blue Winged Olives. Our success, or I should say April’s, came on a #16 pheasant tail nymph. April’s practice and study paid off by catching a Rainbow, Brown and finishing with a Brook trout to complete a hat trick in one evening! Impressive.

Fly Angler, April Rubel, catches a Brook trout
Photo by Aaron Rubel

Later in the summer we went fishing with Jon Ray, Guide of Hawkins Outfitters. It was on this trip that April realized she had successfully trained muscle memory in her casting stroke. Jon worked with her during the trip on the Manistee River to make subtle improvements as we swung wet flies. April landed three nice trout including a very nice sixteen inch Brown. What a great season of experiencing the out of doors with someone I love so much.
Fly Angler, April Rubel catches a 16″ Brown trout with Hawkins Outfitters Guide, Jon Ray
Photo by Aaron Rubel

For more information on Black River Crossing Bed & Breakfast in the beautiful west Upper Peninsula of Michigan, go to:
http://www.blackrivercrossing.com/index.htmFor more information on a Michigan Lower Peninsula fly fishing adventure with Guide, Jon Ray, go to:
http://www.hawkinsflyfishing.com/fishing_guides.php

I Cast In a Yak

by Aaron Rubel about Adventures in Kayak Fishing and Fly Fishing

Tag Archives: Michigan Fly Fishing

Mitten State Angler

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