Quest Outdoors

BrianD · Posted: Mon Sep 27, 2004 7:38 pm Post subject: St. Mary's

Had a chance to fish the St. Mary's Sunday. Would have been a perfect day if the fish had been a bit more cooperative. Left Detroit City at 6:30 am and watched the sunrise from 3500 feet! Incredible! Even got to fly the plane for a few minutes, which was a first for me.

Found the rapids to be about as low as I've ever seen them, and of course it was running gin clear (always is). While there were significantly more pinks than there were over Labor day, I didn't see to many more kings in the system. There were definitly fishable numbers, but definitly not like normal. The low water combined with the bright sunny day made for tough fishing but a very enjoyable day. We all managed to hook a few, and I even stuck a couple on the long rod and a Winters Hope.

Hit the air in time to watch the sun set over the Macinaw Bridge from 6500ft and then the full moon reflected into a very calm Lake Huron. I'm going to have to give serious consideration to getting my pilots license, as the flight up and back was just as good as a day on the water.
Anybody wanna go in on a Dehaviland Beaver?<VBG>

Best,
Brian

SageDrifter · Lunker Joined: 02 Sep 2004 Posts: 726

that' probably it for the St.Mary's this year. it can fish well after Oct & in to Nov. but it's sporadic at best.

kingonafly · Egg Joined: 04 Oct 2004 Posts: 2 Location: indiana

I just picked up a spey rod this summer and am trying it out this fall. I started with kings on the rapids for 2 days (Sept 10-11). Like you've said, there were fish in, but lower numbers. I was swinging leech patterns on a floating line through the larger holes. No takers. Is this a good technique to try there? I can catch plenty on smaller egg and nymph patterns on or near gravel but am tired or harassing them there and want to catch them on the swing! Any suggestions?

Heading back up this weekend (Oct. 9-10) to the rapids or Lake Superior tribs or heading out to Erie/NY for fall steelies.

Thanks, Andy

BrianD · Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2004 8:29 pm Post subject: On the right track

Andy,
sounds like you're on the right track, but I'd suggest you break out a sink-tip next time. Early in the year a floater will work just fine, but this time of year you should work on getting your fly down to the fish. Those fish are interested in one thing right now, spawning. So unless you really piss them off, and that means getting in their face, they won't give you the time of day. (You wouldn't either if you were getting laid for your first and last time<G>)

Your best luck will come in the low light hours, with the morning being the best. If you're lucky, it will stay overcast all day. I concentrate on the shallower (2-4") faster runs early on. Later in the day I'll start concentrating on the deeper pools where the fish may hold and feel a little less exposed.

Best of luck, and let us know how you make out!

Brian

kingonafly · Egg Joined: 04 Oct 2004 Posts: 2 Location: indiana

Brian,

Thanks for your reply. Took me a bit to find a locale to try swinging flies in the rapids. Either too shallow and the fish would spook or too deep for to get down to them successfully. I ended up with a few good hookups on the last day which made the trip for me. I headed up and tried some of the Superior tribs. Cohos were in. A guy fishing spawn killed them while I wasn't able to figure them out on flies. I'll be back someday to try that again. but will have to have a different plan of attack. I ate pizza every night in town. Mrs. B's sure slides down nicely with some Canadian brew after a long day on the water.

Tight lines,
Andy