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Current Fishing Report
Current USGS Stream Flow - Sheboygan River
1/1/2012
Sheboygan River Report 1/1/12
Happy New Year to everyone out there in cyberspace! Hard to imagine it's 2012 but it's here. I have a ritual of fishing on Christmas Day and a self proclaimed mandatory outting on New Years Eve, no matter what the situation. A few years back I fished for about 10 minutes because it was 10 degrees...I do have my limits! But I do make an effort every year to fish New Years Eve wherever at all costs.
The fishing has been surprisingly good. Browns are still in the river and the steelhead fishing has been remarkable if I do say so myself. The only problem is that this time of year it really is a crap shoot, it can unbelievable or it can be just awful. Obviously the weather and water temps are the main issue. The key is to get flies down deep and get them right in front of the fish. Eggs have been doing well in all colors. The browns were really keyed in to chartreuse eggs the other day, I went 4 for 4.
If anyone out there is willing to make a go of it I am pretty wide open for winter trips, I would ONLY fish on a day that is above 32 degrees, frozen guides are just a royal pain in the ass, and the fish will be more receptive if the water temps are going up even one or two degrees. The Spring might be amazing with all the fish I have seen in the river, so once again believe it or not it's right around the corner. March is generally when I start to think about Spring steel, and it's only 60 days away!
Feel free to give me a call to discuss a winter outting or if you would like any info about Spring dates etc...
A big thank you to everyone who visits my site and a huge thank you to everyone that booked a trip with me, I very much appreciate it and look forward to seeing you in the Spring!
Happy New Year and tight lines in 2012!
Gordy
11/30/2011
Fishing Update November 30th 2011
Guiding Nirvana...
I truly think I have reached guiding nirvana. It happened a few days ago with my good friend and client Steve Flood and his buddy John. Those of you who read my posts know how I feel about Steve, he is the man, bottom line. Great fisherman, great guy, and just a ton of fun to be around. Did I mention he's a good fisherman? Well Steve travels all over the world fishing, but for some reason he keeps coming back for his Sheboygan fix whenever I give him the thumbs up...he has been asking me for months when he should come over from Iowa and I have been telling him to wait. I have to make it good for Steve, he has fished some great rivers and I want to do al l can to have his experience with me be above all else. Long story short I told him to get over here ASAP and sure enough he did. The fishing as of late has just exploded, especially in the past week. Steve and his friend John caught at least 35 browns on their trip, it was just amazing. Steve is a world class fisherman and his buddy John isn't far behind. So this is how it went...
They arrived Sunday and were fishing for two days, I knew they would get into fish but I didn't expect guiding nirvana. Steve was his usual self and getting great drifts and landing some really nice fish on the first day, nothing over 30" but some really nice fish on day one. The following day things just "clicked". Steve and John were so in the zone it was truly amazing. I had my first double brown ever! That being both clients had a brown on at the same time! It actually happened twice! That's just guide heaven, bottom line. I was spotting fish all day long and Steve was really in the zone when I saw a very big shadow in a dark pool behind a bed, I knew this fish was big but I had no idea. I rigged him perfectly I must say because it was a very technical drift and it had to get down fast and be seen by the fish etc...Steve was getting a really good drift but no hook up. I told him to take one step out and do his exact same cast and all of a sudden his line stopped with an abrupt halt. Fish on, big fish on, huge fish on! I was holding my breath, we were using 8 Lb. maxima and this fish was really big, World Class big. Steve did everything right, played HER perfectly and after a lengthy 10 minute battle we landed a female brown trout that was 36" long, 24" girth and weight easilly in the 25 pound class. We were just astounded. I told Steve this was a world class fish, he agreed. I have never seen a 36" brown that size, you tell me if you have...it's really an amazing accomplishment. Hats off to you Steve, you are the man. Guys are guys so the ever present battle of the biggest fish was on. About 10 minutes later John starts yelling downstream to me he has a "contender"! I was just losing it. Sure enough John has another monster hooked, just huge. We landed her and she came up just about an inch short, a beautiful 35" female. I thought I was in Patagonia or something! Two worldd class fish in a matter of minutes? You have to be kidding me! That is when I officially reached guiding nirvana.
There is no way I will ever forget that day. 25 fish total, several in the high 20's 8 over 30" and 4 or 5 in the 32" and above range. It was simply amazing. Steve and John will remember it for sure, they were just in awe as was I.
Steve and John... I thank you very much for everything, I was happy to be part of such an epic day.
I guess it's safe to say the fishing's good. If you can handle the cold give me a call for a seriously legitimate shot at a fish of a lifetime.
And oh by the way there are steelhead in the river too...but right now they are almost an afterthought if you can imagine that.
Tight lines.
Gordy @ Tie One On Guide Service.
11/10/2011
Sheboygan River Report Nov 9th, 2011
It's official, the King salmon run is over...and hats off to all those who fished it, what a great run of some truly memorable fish! Conditions were close to perfect for several weeks, the Kings were huge and the fishing was great. I thank everyone who went out for the "rodeo" with me and caught their fish of a lifetime! Including you Andy,what a fish! Nice fish all the way around...but its over and time to focus on steelhead and big lake run browns!
My brother in law Jeff was up last weekend and as usual we fish every second we can. I feel bad because Jeff hasn't had that epic day of steelhead fishing...yet. For once his timing was good, we got some rain last week and the fishing improved greatly for steelhead and brown trout but the river was crowded and the fishing was just good, not great. We caught fish, I had the Sheboygan Grand Slam one day...King, Coho, Brown, and of course a steelhead to make the list! I will admit I was lucky for sure, and don't repeat this but the King was basically a dead fish swimming...dead salmon swimming! Swimming the mile...sorry for the Green Mile reference but the King was really pretty well done. However the Coho, browns and steelhead were very lively! Jeff caught a beautiful brown swinging eggs and also had several hookups with Mr. Coho! So all in all the fishing was good, not great like I said. Jeff and I always have a good time and joke about fishing and all the things that can and do go wrong when fishing. Those of you who read my reports know that I hold my brother in law in the highest regard as far as fly fishing goes. He is by far and away the greatest fly fisherman I have seen and the most innovative tyer of flies ever. He always shows up at my door with a box or two of tube flies and says, ahhh, Mr. Gorgy, check this out, this will mess em up! I agree and say give it a try. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. Either way his flies are beautiful and very worthy in all conditions. I on the other hand am a creature of habit...steelhead...eggs, browns...eggs, and just about everything this time of year equals EGGS! Get the picture? If you are fishing try an egg! Streamers are working too, key is to get the flies down deep and get a nice long drift. Let the flies swing all the way through the main part of the pools or riffles you are fishing and hold on!
We got pounded with a decent storm in the past 24 hours, the river is not fishable and won't be for a while, at least a few days. The CFS is at 400 and still rising, so once the river gets on the downside of things I think the fishing will be great. All this rain and water should bring in a lot of fish. Finally we have a lot of water in the river and the fishing should be very good for the rest of the season.
Good luck and tight lines.
Gordy @ Tie One On Guide Service
10/27/2011
Sheboygan River Report October 27, 2011
The "salmon rodeo" has just been unbelievable this year, those of you who fished it know exactly what I am talking about. Huge fish and a lot of them. I haven't seen a run like this in a very long time. The guiding and fishing has been very fun, people love big fish and the fight of the salmon. Speaking of which, I have had 2 gentleman down on the books for quite along time and they had to fit in some time fishing around a conference here in Wisco, long story short I was rather concerned about the salmon run being over. They only had one day and it was yesterday...that's it.
Dan and Paul are the greatest, they did their homework, called me a few times, got as much info as they could from my reports and were very enthused and ready for fishing. Being a guide is difficult at times, I can't make the fish bite, I can't control the weather, I can only do one thing, teach what I know and pray for the best, that's it. Paul and Dan have been fishing for a long time and know fishing can be tough at times, I was thinking in my mind that the day wasn't going to be all that great, just one of those days, the run is slowing down and I just wasn't confident we were going to do all that well. Boy was I wrong. Paul just got back from a trout fishing trip out West and he was "on", man was he on. Dan did very well too, but Paul was lighting it up, right out of the gate he caught a 40/20 (40 Length -20 Girth) ~26 pound male King that was FRESH! I couldn't believe it, I told him he take was very "soft" and the fair hook ratio was around 50 percent, tops. Well he blew that theory out of the water too. He was really doing well. Landed 3 and hooked 6 or 7 in a matter of the first hour or so. He was beaming as was I. Dan did very well too, and of course they were best friends and giving each other the business on who is catching more and bigger fish, it was classic. Paul was hysterical, I am a big advocate on the angle of the flies getting right in front of the fish, get a good swing and hopefully the fish will take it. I was explaining it to Paul and he got it right away as did Dan , but then Paul says it's just like that video game Angry Birds! I thought that was hysterical, but the thing is, he is right, get the angle correct and hold on.
Paul and Dan went on to have an epic day, of course Paul put the hammer down and landed some real beauties, classic fish and classic pictures. There is truly no greater compliment than a client saying they had a great day and it was everything thing they had hoped for, but the ultimate is when a client says he "dreams about a day like this", that my friends is the ultimate. Paul said it, and I truly believe he meant it, dream day on a whole host of levels, it was fishing for Paul and Dan, but for me it was personal. Paul and Dan...I thank you both for making it a memorable day, way to go!
The fishing has been great, Kings are slowing down but obviously some brutes still around, the cohos are in the river now and they are big this year too. I have seen some steelhead and brown trout in the faster water behind the beds and holding in deep water, the fishing will only get better as time goes on. It can change very quickly so call me if you want an up to date report.
Tight lines out there.
Gordy @ Tie One On Guide Service
10/3/2011
Sheboygan River Update 10/3/11
I finally get to do an update with a some great photos of my good friend Andy! Finally! For those of you who don't know Andy he one of the reasons Tie One On is out there on the web for all of you to enjoy! When I first started Tie One On I did one of those generic web sites, it was ok but basically it stunk. I told Andy about it and he said he could "do some work" on it, an hour later I am looking at the coolest website ever, pictures, logos, graphics, links and everything that is on there now! I knew Andy was the man but he really went over the top with my Tie One On site, I love it and get a lot of comments about it, either way I owe it all to Andy. Speaking of which if you need any web design or have any ideas for a site you should give him a call. He is creative reasonable and very good. I'll give you his #...Ok back to fishing!
Andy was in town (lives in Michigan) and we fished for a few hours before he hit the road back to Grand Rapids. Andy is by far and away one of the better fisherman I have met, he is like me a tried and true trout guy but will chase salmon and prefers steelhead and big lake run browns. He told me he had never caught a really big salmon before which was hard to believe, but his rivers in Michigan are full of obstacles and they will break you off very quickly. I told him he had a very good chance at catching a gigantic salmon, well sure enough it took him all of about three casts before he was into Godzilla...a huge male that was just kicking his butt for about 15 or 20 minutes. This was a very big fish. Of course Andy did everything right and we landed him a big male... 40" long and had a 22" girth, fish was probably around 25 or 30 pounds. Just enormous. It was great to finally get Andy into some big fish, we were both very happy to say the least. Like I said Andy is good, very good...so it took him about another three casts before he was into another nice King. Same drill...he did everything right and we landed another beauty. I could see this was going to go on for a while so without kidding we fished for about 3 hours and I would say we were hooked up for almost the whole time. Andy is the man, check the photos below if you don't believe me! He landed not one but two fish in the dark! Pitch black! These are not little fish here, it's not easy to catch a King in the dark, at all. Way to go Andy, you are the man.
The salmon fishing has been ridiculous. Huge fish and a lot of them. Some are getting dark and crusty but there are some fresh fish around and even some browns and steelhead mixed in too. The browns and steelhead are hanging in the deep holes and behind the salmon if they are up on the beds...hard to see through the masses of salmon! Hopefully the steelhead and brown trout fishing will be like the salmon run, one of the most memorable in years.
Feel free to give me a call for an up to the minute report and good luck out there!
Gordy @ Tie One On.
"In the last week Gordy has put me on the best brook trout fishing of my life, letting me in on a secret sweet little gem of a brookie spring creek in the Southwest Wisconsin Driftless Area (the coulee region), just before the inland trout season closes in the state. That area is undeniably a World Class trout fishery. You could never fish every spot in your whole lifetime. Then only a few days later, I had the best King Salmon fishing of my life on the Sheboygan river with Gordy. Those chinooks are truly monsters, what a blast ! The Sheboygan river is just a fantastic fishery for Kings, Steelhead, Cohos, huge lake-run Brown trout, and from what I hear the occassional lake-run Brookie. Have Gordy show you how to hook up and do battle with some real brutes, or show you a few secrets in the coulee region. He has a real passion for everything fly fishing, and nature in general.
Thanks man !
- Andy"
Goodbye to the colorful brookies, until next spring !
9/21/2011
It's hard to imagine another trout season is almost over. The fishing this year was some of the best I can recall. Southwest Wisconsin was just amazing, great weather, great hatches and great fishing. Speaking of which... my wife and I have an annual trip to the Viroqua area during the Vernon County Fair which is usually the last week of trout season, so we check out the fair and do a ton of fishing. The fair was last weekend and it was highlighted this year by the "Mini Van Demolition Derby". For those who have never seen a mini van demolition derby it is a must, so wrong on so many levels. Ok, back to fishing. There are ten more days to fish the inland streams in Wisconsin, all I can say is get out there and do it! The hopper fishing was just insane, huge flies and huge fish. My biggest of the weekend was an 18" brown that just hammered my hopper on a slightly twitched drift along a nice deep hole with a crib on the outer edge, it was epic. B and I did very well all weekend.
Life is funny. My wife who fishes basically once a year inevitably will catch the biggest fish of the trip one way or another, last year she caught an 18" brown on her third cast or something stupid, this year she caught a huge 13" brookie and a little brook trout stream that was just amazing. I kept telling her that people don't catch 13" brookies with regularity, she finally realized I was wasn't joking with her when a few friends of ours were in total awe of her fish, maybe she should guide, she would be good at it for sure! All in all it was great trip, I caught over 50 fish in 3 days, some were big, some were small, but the action was just great so get out there if you have the time.
It's official...the salmon rodeo is back in town. I checked out the Sheboygan before our trip last weekend and saw no fish at all. Got back Monday and guess what, salmon! I was pretty excited to say the least but I wouldn't say there are a ton in the river just yet. It will only get better as time goes on. We do need rain...the water levels is very low. Like 75 CFS or something ridiculous, but the salmon don't seem to mind. I am getting a few more calls now that the first salmon have been seen and caught, so if you are suffering form big fish fever the time is at hand. The fishing will only get better in the coming weeks, and of course the browns and steelhead will be right behind the salmon.
If you would like an update that is current feel free to call me anytime!
Tight Lines.
Gordy @ Tie One On Guide Service
7/28/2011
Fishing report 7/28/2011
Summer is in full swing and the fishing has been pretty good aside from the heat wave we had last week. Hoppers and terrestrials have been raising some big trout throughout the state. Hopper season is upon us...ants and beetles have been doing well also. Key is to hit the bank and get their attention, things will only get better as more naturals make their way into the tall grass and fall into the river. Late summer is truly my favorite time of the year, hoppers are big and easy to fish. Bash the banks and get ready for the classic hopper attack from the big browns!
Warm water fishing has been decent too! Smallmouth bass and pike have been very cooperative on the Sheboygan. Streamer patterns and top water flies have moved some big fish lately. I am not a pike fanatic but I am slowly turning into one. I have found some decent pike in the Sheboygan while fishing for smallies. It's always a shock to be fishing for a 16 or 17 inch smallie and have a 25" pike hammer the fly! Always fun for sure, but be careful they are pretty toothy! Back to smallies...classic holds have been moving fish, look for big boulders and nice current, get a good strip going and hold on. The smallmouth hit is pretty nice on a 5 weight rod!
The coulee region in SW Wisconsin has been off the chart pretty much all season long, and now is really the time to hit it for hoppers and terrestrials. If you have never fished the coulee region I highly suggest that you do. The area really gets hit pretty hard during the classic mayfly hatches early in the season then all the crowds seem to disappear. I'm not saying you will have all the streams to yourself but the crowds really do taper off during the latter part of the season. I have been guiding a lot more in that part of the state and have been doing very well with all my clients that have pulled the trigger on the coulee region. It's not a bad drive from either Chicago or Milwaukee, even the Twin Cities! I am more than willing to meet anyone over there and show you the streams!
Tight lines everyone and as scary as it sounds salmon season is right around the corner!
6/3/2011
Fishing Update June 3, 2011
The fishing is in full swing here in Wisconsin. The trout fishing has been off the chart pretty much all over the state. All the water from the Spring runoff has made the trout fishing very reliable. Hatches of caddis, craneflies, and midges have been very reliable...the fish are looking up!
I have a client who lives in Iowa and I convinced him to fish the coulee region in Southwest Wisconsin so we met up a few weeks ago. Steve needs me to guide him like a hole in the head...he is a great fisherman and this time he showed up with an arsenal of rods that would make anyone drool. He was intent on using his Sage 2 weight which is really one of the best rods on the market, he casts it like a pro. Our first day we moved two or three really big fish, easilly in the upper teens. These fish are smart, they will give you literally one chance and that's it. If you don't hook em move on...which is what we did. Moved on. Steve was having great fly placement and great luck, he probably caught 25 or 30 fish the first day and like I said moved a few big boys. All on dries mostly caddis and we switched it up to a Griffith's Gnat to to see how finnicky these fish are, we caught a few then went straight back to the classic EHC.
The final morning was not on our side, sunny, windy, and things were not looking good. We both knew it and decided to only fish for a couple of hours, fish were not rising and to be honest we were both pretty tired from the previous two days.
I know Steve had a few scores to settle and I would have been bummed if he packed up and went home, he was good for a couple hours but beyond that was really going to be pushing the envelope. We started on some bigger water and saw nothing, no fish, no bugs, nothing. I said to Steve let's go back to where we had a few good fish from the previous day and let's just try...just try it then hit the road. He agreed and thank God he did.
We were fishing a small stream that I know holds big fish, but the sun, the wind, etc...was going to make it a challenge unlike any other. Steve had his 2 weight and was doing a masterful job of casting and I knew it was going to happen, I just didn't know when. We came up on a deep dark run that looked perfect. I tied on a # 14 Elk Hair Caddis with a red "spot" basically a hot butt caddis if you know what fly that is. That fly moved some really big fish and I was thinking if Steve gives this fly a chance it might happen. First cast in the prime spot of this pool a huge brown comes out of his lair and hammers the fly! It was a classic take and en epic battle. The fish was big and Steve did a prefect job, after a short and well fought battle we landed the fish of the trip. After a few pics and a few laughs I looked up at Steve and he was reeling in. He was done and so was I. What a great way to end a trip, no words, no maybe's, no anything...Steve caught his fish and that was it. A prefect way to end a trip.
So the fishing is good, the catching is good, and the weather is good. I think we are finally out of the woods as far as weather, water and all my previous reports when I was complaining about everything.
Tight lines to all.
Gordy @ Tie One On Guide Service
This nice brown took a size #18 pheasant tail emerger, dropper off of an elk hair caddis.
5/18/2011
Well I'm alive everyone...people have been sending me e mails wondering why no reports and to be honest the fishing has just recently improved. The flows are close to normal and things are looking up in my neck of the woods. The smallmouth bass fishing should be gearing up very shortly, I have been chasing trout all over the state it seems. The trout fishing is getting better every day and the mayflies are starting to pop. Blue winged olives and some other big mayflies were hatching last week. I think they were Hendricksons or Brown Drakes. I didn't capture one but they were big and some of the fish were keyed in on them. Of course the size "million" cream midges were hatching too. Good luck trying to fish those things, they are about a size 28 or 30, just to damn small. I have been having luck with a small sparse caddis either size 14 or 16. It's a classic fly that will always get some rising fish interested.
My brother in law was in town and I insisted we fish the SW part of the state, he is from Indy and has never been over there. So we fished for 2 days last week in the Coon Valley area, it was amazing. Those of you that read my reports know my brother in law is a great fisherman, he gave me my 1st fly rod close to 20 years ago, and he has been at it for almost 35 years now...he is a great fisherman. He certainly needs no guiding, just me to tell him where I have had luck before etc...we fished Spring Coulee, Timber, and some other local streams north of Viroqua and the fishing was off the chart. I am not a #'s guy, so I won't tell you how many fish we caught, but we caught alot, a real lot. None were huge trophies, most in the 10-14 inch range but they were very aggressive to our presentations. All fish were caught on dries. EHC's were working very well and some caddis emerger patterns size 14's and 16's were raising fish consistently. If dry fly fishing is your deal now is the time. The evening hatches were incredible. Fish rising all over the place, literally. The fishing is so good right now I am back to SW Wisco this weekend to guide a client from Iowa.
Speaking of guiding in that area, I guide the entire state and meeting clients in SW Wisco is no problem for me. If people are in Chicago, Iowa, or even Milwaukee it is such a beautiful area over there the 3 hour drive is really worth it. I know pretty much all the lodges, hotels, and cabins over there and can arrange accomodations for anyone that is interested. If you have never fished the driftless region I highly suggest you do, it is classic spring creek fishing with some beautiful scenery and great fishing. Feel free to give me a call to discuss any questions you may have.
For all you steelheaders out there, I really didn't want to discuss the Spring season because it was so awful, the only thing I can say is I hope the Fall run will make up for what we lost in the Spring...keep the faith as they say.
Tight lines everyone. I uploaded some of my fishing buddies over there, they were following me around!
Gordy @ Tie One On Guide Service
4/2/2011
Happy April to everyone!
Usually April is the "turning point" for some predictable fishing...but the weather has been downright awful around here lately. The Sheboygan is at 1300 CFS as I write this. That is very high for those of you who haven't seen the Sheboygan at 1300 CFS. I'm glad the water is in the river...it brings high hopes for everybody, this amount of water should bring in the fish big time. Steelhead have been caught with some regularity but truly nothing to write home about just yet. It's a lot of work out there right now, even to wade the river is a challenging proposition. Water temps were in the high 30's and low 40's...still very cold. Ideally the rivers need to be in the 300-500 range and a little warmer for the fish to become active and on the bite. I think the prime time for this years Spring run will be mid April all the way till the end of May. Spring is making a late return this year and that is basically putting us in wait and see mode...but that can and will change very quickly. Only advice I can give is to be patient. I have had many calls and even postponed trips because the water is really ripping right now on just about all the rivers in my neck of the woods. Mainly the Sheboygan and the Pigeon. The Pigeon will be prime this week, the Sheboygan should be fishable within a week or two, barring we don't get a blast of rain, which can happen in April at any time.
Be patient, the steelhead fishing will happen, it's just not on right now...call me or e mail me of you want an up to the minute report on water levels and conditions. I am always up for a good conversation about steelhead fishing. In the mean time tie a few more flies, scout a few new spots and keep the faith.
It's right around the corner... Tight lines and good luck to all..
Gordy
3/12/2011
Early trout season opened last Saturday, of course it was windy,cold and snowy. I am beginning to wonder if Spring will ever return! However it is supposed to get warm mid week, they are saying in the 50's! It will feel like a heat wave compared to what we had for the past few months, but in Wisconsin that's the deal.
Trout fishing has been remarkably decent if you are patient. I have been using big black streamers and moving some nice fish on the local streams. Key is to give it a nice little twitch and entice the bigger browns to go after your offering. PLEASE put your barb down while fishing streamers, main reason is that sometimes these bigger fish will "swipe" at the fly and sometimes foul hook themselves in the tail, doesn't happen much but when it does it's much easier to unhook them. Plus you don't want to rip their mouth apart with a big barb. I put my barbs down on all my trout flies, I have found no difference in my hook sets or landing of fish, it just seems a bit more humane???
Yesterday was warm so I decided to hit the headwaters of the local springs and go after some brookies. Sure enough I had a nice little midge hatch with some rising fish! I decided to try an elk hair caddis and show them an offering to big to refuse. Brookies are notoriously easy to catch, not the smartest fish on the planet, but they sure are pretty. I know everyone has big fish fever, but sometimes I would rather catch a 7 inch brookie than a 7 pound steelhead, call me crazy, but those brookies are just so cool.
Speaking of steelhead and big fish...it's coming and coming soon. Next week it is supposed to be in the 50's. The river is still frozen in parts if you can imagine that! The weather needs to be consistent and the river needs to be clear. It is right around the corner. Last April was epic, and I am hoping that this year will be the same. Count on April being prime time. We have snow on the ground still and the water levels should be good, if you want an up to the minute report call me. I am always up for talking about fishing!
Tight lines to all, and get ready for steelhead action in the coming weeks.
Gordy @ Tie One On Guide Service
3/1/2011
March 1st...the wait is almost over!
Well it's finally here, the final week of waiting for early trout season here in Wisconsin. This coming Saturday is the opening day for early trout season. I noticed on the DNR website that barbless hooks are no longer mandatory. I guess they did a survey and found that mortality rates were not impacted that heavily from barbed hooks, I don't agree entirely. I have very rarely deep hooked a trout, but I can tell you it's much easier getting a de-barbed hook out of a fish than one with a huge barb. Plus barbs are just nasty...I always put the barb down on all my hooks, they can really rip apart a fish's mouth. I would encourage everyone to put the barb down while trout fishing. Steelhead and salmon fishing is a totally different deal, but for trout give em a break and give yourself a little peace of mind for not ripping apart a trout's mouth. Furthermore it will help the whole karma thing with the trout gods.
We had a nice warm up a few weeks ago, I was skiing in Colorado (didn't break a leg thank God) and all the snow melted. I got back and we got another foot the very day I am back. I am beginning to wonder if Spring will ever come! Speaking of Spring...the steelhead fishing should be decent once the ice and snow melts. Last year was stellar, and I am hoping that after such a dismal fall steelhead run the Spring will make up for it. My fingers are crossed.
Spring is really a great time of year in my neck of the woods. I don't know many places you can steelhead fish in the morning, then go to some of the local creeks and fish dries to rising trout, and if you really wanted to mix it up you can fish for smallies or pike...all in the same day! There are a host of opportunities in the Spring, so get your gear ready because it's just around the corner.
My schedule is wide open at this point, but I am sure things will pick up very soon. The ice and snow should melt within the next few weeks which will get the steelie thing rolling. Last April was fantastic for steelhead. Those of you that fished with me knew it too! Water levels and temps will be the triggers, so check back often to my site or give me a call for an up to date report.
Winter's almost over everybody, so get ready for some decent fishing.
Tight lines to all and thank you for reading my posts.
Gordy @ Tie One On Guide Service.
1/18/2011- Winter update at Tie 1 On Guide Service
Well it's January 18th and cabin fever has set in pretty hard! It has been below freezing for quite a while and it's supposed to get even colder this weekend! A high of 5 or something crazy is set for Friday, that is cold! I am sure some of you that read my post are thinking why not go ice fishing? A couple of reasons, one major reason I really don't need ANOTHER excuse to go and drink beer while a bluegill or Perch will inspect my offering with absolutely no hook ups. I have been ice fishing a few times and not only did I get skunked every time... I came away feeling as though I just don't get it! Some people love it...they have the satellite TV, the "mobile Kegerator" filled with beer and all the gear for a rip roaring time...I on the other hand prefer to be inside tying up some new creations for the coming season. Don't get me wrong, I have a few friends that are into ice fishing, and I am sure that I will attempt and succeed in my 100% lack of success ice fishing but it usually doesn't kick in until I have basically gone "REDRUM" crazy from cabin fever and it is my only option...ice fishing that is, not pulling the old "all work and no play from the movie The Shining" scenario!
YouTube - The Shining - RedRum Oh yah, it's that creepy..
On to better topics!
Winters in Wisconsin can be challenging...but we do have options!
I did keep my tradition of fishing on Christmas Eve...again. It was warm and I wet a line at the dam in Kohler with absolutely nothing going on. Didn't even see a fish, I hope it gets better in the coming months, because last Fall was just awful. My fingers are crossed like everyone else.
Part of the other option is tying flies. Tried and true patterns are always in the mix, but sometimes if you let your mind go a new hot pattern might just evolve at the vise. Only time will tell if it's a winner, but it never hurts to try something new!
I broke out the snow shoes and hiked the Onion a few days ago, I am pretty sure I spooked a very nice brookie. The fish was classic brookie colors, reds, orange, white fins and it was big for a brookie. Maybe 8 or 10 inches, which is always cool to see. I hiked the mid river area and also a little while on the Mullet River, just a nice day to be outside.
Spring fishing and early season March rates. Early trout season opens on March 5th and with any luck the Sheboygan and surrounding rivers will be "ice free", but who knows. I have done an early season for the month of March 2011, Half Day will be $125 / Full Day $250. Sometimes the fishing can be good if we time it right.
Last Easter was an amazing day on the Sheboygan...I guided Jack S. in the morning, he had several great fish landed...the pictures are in my photo archives. My only point is that April will hopefully be another great month for steelhead. Not only will we have steelhead but the trout and smallmouth fishing can be decent as well. I am literally counting the days...as I write this we are looking at 46 long days...tick tock.
Ok everyone, Happy New Year and good luck ice fishing to those that do it..and if you are in my neck of the woods give me a call, I am always for keeping my skunk going... Spring is around the corner, happy tying and stay warm!
Gordy @ Tie One On Guide Service
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Gordy Martin
Tie 1 On Fly Fishing Guide Service LLC
N 7601 Royal and Ancient Dr.
Elkhart Lake, WI. 53020
Phone (920) 876-3510
Fax (920) 875-3520
Cell (773) 308-6156
E Mail: Squaretail@aol.com
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