See Spot Swim

Question of the day, why do some steelhead have more freckles than other steelhead?  This buck at last count has a couple hundred.  There is really no answer to this question, but I thought this was a good shot of a great migratory michigan rainbow, catching his breath before release back into the Manistee River.

Great Week for the Streamer

With water temps, river level, and an abnormal amount of big fish around.  Streamer fishing for steelhead has been really good.  While not the “how many” method of steelhead fishing, streamer fishing for them gives you honestly the best opportunity at targeting the big boys.  While just like brown trout fishing, when you throw the bigger meal you can pretty much count on the alpha male being the most interested party.  Couple pictures below of a great week of streamer fishing on the Big Manistee in Northern Michigan.

1st day hunting chrome and I forgot one thing


A short video from my first couple hours swinging flies for 2011.  Did make a mental note to next time trim my tags a little tighter on the custom sinktips.  Oh well.  Win some and today I lost one!

Video can also be seen at Mangled Fly’s You-Tube page

Let the Hunt for Chrome Begin

October, November, and December are the months to hunt fall steelhead.  Let the games begin!  I have the itch and the next three months are by far my favorite months to be on the water.  I’ll try to do my best to update and take some unique photo’s over the following three month period.  For more pictures and information , follow the river reports via hawkinsflyfishing.com and or find us on facebook for updated reports, and information.
Tight Lines,
Capt. Jon Ray

Northern Michigan Salmon Pursuit

With a mixture of Chinook and Coho here in Northern Michigan we have many opportunities as a surf or river fisherman.  A very short teaser clip from the past week.  As water temps where about perfect and the beach as a great place to be.

Enjoy this video at Mangled Fly’s You-Tube page – http://www.youtube.com/mangledfly

Erik Rambo with Snap T Pictures

Thank you Erik Rambo from Snap T Pictures for taking the time and shooting a little short video of Ed McCoy and Russ Maddin in the dark.  This video will give you a small glimpse into what Ed and Russ both love, fishing after hours for the big boyz of the Manistee.  Nice job guys!

To watch this video in a larger format go to http://youtu.be/FsPrRUFD7QA

Thank you again Erik Rambo!

Start of my favorite fall colors

As the predominate southern wind turns into the northern wind, this initial change brings with it the  smell of fall.  Driving down the twisting turns of Northern Michigan or floating down a narrow trout stream.  You will start to see the sugar maples are turning already to the bright hues of red, orange, and yellow.  Fall is on our doorstep and our native brook trout and brown trout are starting to change as well.  September is a wonderful time to take an adventure out on the water.  Only one way to truly enjoy all the colors of fall.  Get out and fish!

Loving the hopper this year

Need I say more?  Foam body, deer hair body, I don’t care what kind of body as long as it’s a hopper body.  Hoppers are working on all  Michigan trout streams this year and I’m loving it!

Lost and Found Software

Had a interesting situation this week.  Step 1.  Take a bunch of pictures of a recent trip.  Step 2.  Wait a couple days as life gets busy and forget to download pictures right away.  Step 3.  Try to download pictures, and images are not on the CF (compact flash).  Step 4.  Panic!!!!  Step 5.  Find out about San Disk Recovery Software  Step 6.  Amazed.  Step 7.  Send off images to happy client of the images from his trip.

This software was very easy to use and taught me a couple things about my CF.  If you ever get into a pinch and you need images off a flash drive you accidentally erased check out google for image recovery software and depending on the flash drive your using there is software out there to help.

Hex Hatch a test of your patience

Cold weather, multiple days of overcast and rain, and no bugs in sight will test the will of any die hard hex fisherman!  Well this years start to the season is testing the patience of all those that love the chase and enjoy watching the midnight sky.  As I talked about last year is it a Hex Hatch or a Hoax Hatch  , this year it’s living up to it’s billing of a Hoax.  Not to say the bugs are not going to come, and the trout are not going to feed heavily one them.  But as headlamps droop and the patience wanes when will the hex finally come to the Manistee?