Take advantage of where we live...flyfish Michigan!
I was introduced to the sport more than thirty years ago in Massachusettes. I moved to Las Vegas where my passion consumed me chasing striped bass in Lake Mead and the mountains of Utah while working in the casino business. When I got the opportunity to move to Michigan, the wealth of places to flyfish intrigued me so much, I couldn't resist. I immediatley got a job where passion and profession merged. I became the Fly fishing Manager at Orvis Royal Oak.
Probably the most popular question is:
"Can you flyfish in Michigan?"
This is the question I here a lot. We are spoiled with 3,000 miles of shoreline, 36,000 miles of rivers, streams and creeks as well as over 11,000 inland lakes...we can flyfish.
Flyfishing may seem a mystery with fancy casting, amazing scenery and a love of being in the out-or-doors. I can truthfully say, "It is."
One of my most successful days was walking to the edge of the Au Sable River. Somkething told me to sit back and watch. As I spied the river, I saw two deer move into the current to take a drink. I watched as a mink scampered in and out of the river. I reeled in the sight of fish feeding on insects that lay on the surface of the water. Very peaceful and serene visions were interupted as a bald eagle swooped down and scooped up a trout no further than 15 feet away from me. I know I caught fish that day but couldn't tell you how many or how big. My real reward was not in the fish but in the fishing. It is not just about catching fish.
More to come.
Rich
Probably the most popular question is:
"Can you flyfish in Michigan?"
This is the question I here a lot. We are spoiled with 3,000 miles of shoreline, 36,000 miles of rivers, streams and creeks as well as over 11,000 inland lakes...we can flyfish.
Flyfishing may seem a mystery with fancy casting, amazing scenery and a love of being in the out-or-doors. I can truthfully say, "It is."
One of my most successful days was walking to the edge of the Au Sable River. Somkething told me to sit back and watch. As I spied the river, I saw two deer move into the current to take a drink. I watched as a mink scampered in and out of the river. I reeled in the sight of fish feeding on insects that lay on the surface of the water. Very peaceful and serene visions were interupted as a bald eagle swooped down and scooped up a trout no further than 15 feet away from me. I know I caught fish that day but couldn't tell you how many or how big. My real reward was not in the fish but in the fishing. It is not just about catching fish.
More to come.
Rich
3 Comments
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Comment by Rachel North on April 15, 2009 at 10:44am - wow, what an afternoon.
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Comment by George on April 21, 2009 at 4:47pm -
Ok, so you are going to tell us where all your secret spots, right? ;)
My wife, son, daughter, and I have enjoyed flyfishing the Betsie and the Platt over the years. We just love being in the river. Fresh air, wildlife, the sound of the water,... Can't beat it!
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Comment by Rich Merlino on April 24, 2009 at 7:58am - It is great to see the whole family in on the fun. Those are some awesome rivers that seem to get the first runs of salmon and steelhead. I'll be up opening weekend fishing the Manistee...I'm letting my guide be my guide on which section. We both like hunting for the monster browns. Sometimes we get the fish, sometimes the fish get us. The main thing is to just get out. There are great places that will open up in lower sections that hold BIG fish. Best to get there by boat though. We may see some hatches and fish dries on Saturday but if the rain comes Sunday, we will throw flies that resemble a chicken on a hook.
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