Happy Thanksgiving

Most of my trips this week have been family outings, so we have concentrated on rod benders. Lots of jacks, sharks and snappers. I had one fly caster this week and she was able to land a great small tarpon!

Tight lines Capt. Dave

Fishing on the flats the last couple of weeks has been a blast! We have had good weather and lots of fish around. You really can't ask for much more! Today I took the morning and did some fun fishing. It turned into a good news bad news situation. I caught a nice Permit on Fly, but I got the leader knot inside the tip of the rod while landing him. He made a last run and my rod tip went with him! I'll take it though!!

Tight lines Capt. Dave

First week In Florida Keys

I am just finishing up my first full week in the Keys and I am holding on with both hands! The wind is blowing a steady 25 knots with gust to 30. Regardless I have been getting out and catching some nice fish.

The first couple of charters I had my clients just wanted to bend the rod so we spent most of our time catching jacks, snappers and sharks. Yesterday we were more interested in catching some larger targets. By the time I rolled back into the dock it had been a great day. We landed 3 Snook and and managed to jump 5 Tarpon. Not bad on a day when the weatherman's message was " Don't even think about it!" Check out this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTHPuz1jAE0&layer_token=3e42527ce1933fd6

Hopefully the wind is going to die and I can start to spend some time looking for Bonefish.

Last AuSable trip for 2009

I finished up my 2009 season in Michigan saturday. It was a beautiful fall day and we saw some great color, but we spent most of our time trying to stay warm. I was fishing with Dave Mayer from San Francisco who was in Michigan visiting his brother and decided to fish the AuSable while here. The morning started out at 19-degrees and just made it into the 40's for a high. I wish we could have a little more action from the fish, but that is fishing!

I am tying up all the loose ends in Michigan and will be off to Florida the first of next week. My next post will be from the flats of South Florida!!!

Fall Newsletter

September was a beautiful month here in Northern Michigan! We really had our summer after Labor Day with temperatures in the eighties and lots of sun!!! We did a lot of fishing, hunting and kayaking on our own and still had time for some guiding. October has been another story. Cool, cloudy and lots of rain. We did need the rain, but it still takes the wind out of your sails.

Setting here looking out at the cold rain makes me start to think about the southern half of my operation. The flats at Ocean Reef are looking pretty good today! As usual I am leaving here the last of October and plan on being available for charter the first of November. Orvis is still in charge of the charter operation and with a full year under their belt at the Club I think things will be great!! I have been in contact with Truel and Peter and they will be back running the school and giving casting lessons. I can also mix a lesson with fishing on a charter as always. I am looking forward to a great winter in Key Largo and I hope to see you there!! I f you would like to arrange a charter just let me know.

What a great time of year to be in Northern Michigan!! Hunting, fishing and wonderful fall color! Opening day of bird season I fished in the morning, had some good action with streamers. Caught a great rainbow and lots of smaller fish. After lunch my hunting buddies and I headed for the woods!! They had six flushes on grouse!! On their evening swim we were blessed with five eagle sightings. Life is good!!!

It has been a while since I have checked in. I have been remodeling my kitchen and dinning room. It has been quite a job, but a fun one. After fifty years things need a redo! Between being a carpenter and a fishing guide I haven't had time for much else.

Fishing has been steady mostly hoppers and ants of late. Lots of brook trout. They are beautiful little jewels and create a lot of action. We had frost one morning this week so fall is knocking on the door. Hope we get at least a taste of Indian Summer!!!

Will be back At Ocean Reef November 1, and ready for action. Get in touch if you would like to set up some dates for this winter.

Tight Lines, Capt. Dave