Thursday, July 2, 2015

Pere Marquette

After visiting Dutch Village, in Holland, Michigan we made our way farther north to Baldwin.


Thanks to the Flyin Heroes, Glenn and I were in store for a guided fishing trip!


They had a room reserved for us at the Red Moose Lodge.


I've had my eye on the Flyin Heroe's for a few years now, ever since I took part in a Tie-a-Thon.

 

A Tie-a-Thon is folk's who pledge to donate a certain amount of flies, then they get together and tie them.  I had encouraged Duneland Fly Fishers to participate and I believe they have been part of the Tie-a-Thon every year since.
 

This past winter, when I was looking for an organization to support at the fishing Derby, I chose the Flyin Heroes. 


The Pere Marquette river was the first thing I checked out-- and it looked awesome!!!  The water had a slight stain to it, the level was good, and the damsel flies were hatched!  Top. Water.  Bite.  Yeeeess!


A few feet from the river was a wooden swing.


We enjoyed watching the water.  I kept hoping to see fish swim by.


That evening, Adam picked us up and we went out to supper in Downtown Baldwin.  Even the sidewalks of Baldwin are fishy! :-)


We met the fellows for supper-- Adam, Me, Glenn, Nathan, and Eric.


Later that evening, back at the Lodge, this beauty paid us all a visit:


The moth was huge.  I wonder what the trout would think of it...


That evening could have been Christmas Eve, as I was that excited about fishing the next day! 


The waders were hung by the...  Hehe.


Santa didn't fill the waders, but I found a spider in my boots, as I carried them to the truck the next morning!


We met up with the fellows, and they presented us with a paddle to sign.


What a Cool Idea!


Then we watched, as they launched the boat.


The boat launching was interesting, as the drop was quite steep.


Eric lowered it down slowly with the winch.


While Nathan and Adam helped to support and guide it.


The launch went smoothly.  We said our goodbyes, and it was time to FISH!!!!



What. a. BEAUTIFUL. River!


Adam gave Glenn a few quick fly fishing lessons, as it was his first time with a flyrod.


Glenn's back casting needed a little more practice, as the fly went right into Adam's scalp! Ouch.


Adam wasn't the only one injured that day.  I witnessed several kayakers who had trouble navigating the waters and were struck by low hanging limbs.


We stopped on the river bank and Adam cooked Bacon Wrapped Pork Tenderloin for lunch.


Lunch was delicious!  We had coleslaw, homemade cookies, and he also grilled cheese filled bread sticks!  Yumm!


We waded and fished while lunch was cooking.


The fishing was challenging with so much river traffic.  Adam was awesome, he attempted a rescue of this group of girls, whose canoe had capsized and was caught in a strainer.


All the river action was, at the least, entertaining.  I felt sorry for the poor shivering pup, when this canoe flipped:


Luckily, I don't think anyone was seriously injured that day.


Despite all the river traffic craziness, I still managed to land a nice fish.


I caught the beautiful rainbow trout on a white and green foam grasshopper using my 11.5 ft., 3wt. flyrod.  She was quite flippy. 


After getting a few pics, I put her back and she swam away.  She totally made my day!

What a fun experience!  A big THANKS to the Flyin Heroes for all you do!  Keep it up, Fellas! :-)

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