Early Morning on the Chagrin River

When I retired almost two years ago I told myself that there’s no need to fish for steelhead on the weekends. Why fight the crowds, standing shoulder to shoulder, when the weekdays will be less crowded, and the good fishing spots open. For the most part, I followed my advice until today. So I figured to get out really early and stake out a spot. Plus, I wanted an excuse to use my headlamp, which was a gift from my wife.

Arriving at the North Chagrin Reservation, there was just a hint of light in the sky, none of it reaching the ground. Thankfully, I rig up the night before, eliminating having to fumble in the parking lot. Arrive, put on the headlamp, grab the gear, and go. Starting down the trail, I noticed my senses were in overdrive, especially sight and sound. Could this be due to the darkness that enveloped me? Each stride made a distinctive crunch. Birds, near and far, made their morning calls as if they were following me down the trail. The river, while not yet in view, seemed to roar as though it was a Class IV rapid. But it was my sight that seemed to overtake me.

First light at its finest. In a little more than a month those trees will be filled with green.

(Click on image for a larger view.)

The headlamp worked great, illuminating the area all around me. But it also accentuated the shadows. Walking down the trail, immersed in leafless trees and bushes, the branches seemed to come at me like tentacles wanting to grab my arm and pull me into a place that only Stephen King can describe. I don’t scare easily but I was happy when the light made itself known.

As for the day on the water, the best part of it was the photo of the sky, with a shade of blue not often seen. The fishing was slow. I worked a few runs with no takes. I wanted to hit another section of the river but about a dozen fishermen filled the spots, so I called it a day.

Part of the posse that combed every inch of water for chrome.

I think I’ll go back to weekdays.

Go out and fool a fish!

60 Seconds With Pete Kutzer-Orvis Fly Fishing

This is the third in a series of short interviews with people close to the fishing industry. Today’s interview is with Pete Kutzer, Orvis Fly Fishing Instructor.

 Pete Kutzer doing what he does best, teaching.

(Photo courtesy of Pete Kutzer)

 

If you are new to fly fishing and want to learn the basics of the casting stroke, or a veteran who wants to improve your casting, more than likely you have seen an instructional video featuring Pete Kutzer. In fact, google “fly fishing instruction” and one of the first sites listed is orvis.com. Visit the site and you will find dozens of instructional videos showing all the various casts that a fly fisherman needs. And when it comes to explaining the techniques, no one does it better than Pete. He has a down-to-earth style that is easy to understand, which is especially important for a beginner.

Let’s spend a quick minute with Pete.


Q: How did your path in life get you to be one of the best fly casters and casting instructors in the US?

Well, that is a very flattering question, and I wouldn’t call myself one of the best casters or instructors, but thank you. I can think of quite a few individuals that have taught me so much throughout my career as a fly fishing instructor. I will say that I would not be where I am today if it wasn’t for Truel Myers, the head fly fishing instructor for the Orvis Company, and an honest love for teaching.


Q: Is casting more art or more science?

This can become quite a topic of discussion, but in my opinion I feel it’s more of an art form than science. To make a cast with a fly rod you simply have to move the rod, then make it stop. How you move it is completely up to the individual. You can have really good “wristy” casters as well as casters who use their entire body. All fly casters are artists, our medium just happens to be a rod and string instead of paint and a brush. With that said I think fly casting is more like playing a musical instrument than painting.


Q: You have spent thousands of hours instructing fly fishermen. What one or two areas can most fishermen work on to be better casters?

Without a doubt it’s the back cast, and breaking the whole cast down into two separate casts. If you want to get good at fly casting you can’t get a good forward cast without a good back cast. Watch your back cast, or more specifically watching where your rod tip stops has helped a lot of fly fishermen. I still practice making a low angle/sidearm cast, and lay the line down on the back and forward cast.


Q: Using a golf analogy, some golf clubs are made to be forgiving, so the once a week player can get the most out of every shot. Is there a fly rod, or a tip action, that is more forgiving for a fly fisherman?

Mid flex or medium action rods are more forgiving, and it’s easier to feel the rod load. A softer action rod also bends more when you have a fish on making everything a little more fun.

I find it funny that a lot of fly lines are actually 1.5 to 2 times heavier than the standard. I believe it’s mostly to help load super-fast action fly rods and tune them down closer to mid flexing rods. The stiffer the rod, the more line, or weight you need out past the tip to feel it load.


Q: You are fishing with a relatively new fly fisherman, and you notice they are doing something wrong in the casting stroke. From your years of experience, what is most likely the problem?

I would say working too hard, or moving the rod too much. It’s amazing how well one can cast, far and into the wind, with little effort compared to how hard I’ve seen many people try to get a fly out to a fish.


Q: Does a casting instructor have a bad casting day?

More often than I’d like to admit. Certain fish show up, and I fold like a lawn chair.


Thanks Pete.


Go out and fool a fish!

60 Seconds With Greg Heister, Seasons On The Fly

This is the second in a series of short interviews with people close to the fishing industry. Today the interview is with Greg Heister, host and producer of the NBCSN show, Seasons On The Fly. Anyone familiar with fishing shows will agree that Seasons On The Fly is one of the best produced shows.

Greg, when he is not producing Seasons On The Fly, is a sports broadcaster. He can be heard doing basketball for Gonzaga, as well as other games for ESPN, and the PAC-12 networks.
Enjoy the interview.

Q: How did a boy from upstate New York end up as the voice of Gonzaga basketball?


My idol growing up was Curt Gowdy, a Hall of Fame Sportscaster, and the host of the American Sportsman. So I went to college hoping to one day work on-air in television, wanting to be a play-by-play announcer and to work in the field of producing documentaries, specifically on the outdoors. I have worked in television for better than 25 years, and the opportunity to do play by play presented itself about 16 years ago while living in Spokane, WA. I was the Sports Director at the NBC station and they had just landed the broadcast rights to Gonzaga Basketball and I was in line to do the job. I am now an independent contractor. I still do GU games, but also do games each year for ESPN and PAC-12 Networks. Like everything else in this world it's been about developing relationships and when you can do that successfully doors open up.

When Greg's not fishing he can be seen broadcasting basketball games.

(Click on image for larger view.)
(Photos courtesy of Greg Heister) 

Q: Seasons On The Fly was one of the first fishing shows to use GoPro technology. How has that changed and enhanced the filming of the show?

I love this question! When GoPro's first came out I didn't use them. They were cool and ground breaking, but I didn't think the quality of the footage was good enough for a national program. Well, how things have changed! When SOF first started, I used to carry a mechanical underwater housing on my back, up and down rivers, sometimes for miles just to get those underwater shots. That housing with a camera in a backpack weighed in excess of 60 pounds! It was incredible, and in some of the early shows you can see me fishing with it on my back! It was incredibly hard work to carry that all day. Now the quality with a GoPro is so great I use them all the time. I always have one on my chest, and one hooked to an underwater pole. When possible, I have them clipped to something all the way around us, set up on their remote starter. It's fantastic. And of course they sponsor the show (have for 5 years) now, and they are committed to those of us working in the hook and bullet fields. They are a great company, and the camera just keeps getting better. I also lead a large scale production each year on The Iditarod Trail in the Arctic, and we use GoPro's everywhere there as well.

Greg on a river with a beautiful fish.

Q: As you develop an episode of Seasons On The Fly, is there always a plan B in case the fishing and/or the weather is bad? Have you had to move to plan B often?

Rarely do I have a plan B. Because of the nature of what we do and where we go to do it, plan B's are difficult. Often times we are remote, however if there is a chance to get to another watershed without great expense in the time we have then we will certainly do it. But we will never air a show if we don't catch fish, or if the experience isn't interesting, or a good representation of the operation we are working with. On many occasions we have had to make two trips somewhere to finish a show. I live by this one simple philosophy when producing these shows, if I wouldn't watch the show I don't waste someone else's time and make them watch a show that doesn't involve catching fish. It does cost us a more, but at the end of the day I want people enjoying what we produce, and that is why the show always opens after the standup with a hook set. I want to get their attention and keep it. I don't waste valuable time in the build-up, ie: plane, trains, automobiles, motorcycles, bikes etc. When I'm in Iceland I'm assuming people know that I travelled there, and I don't want the show to be about my trials en route.

Q: Conservation is very important for the long term survival of the fishing industry. In your travels, are you able to say if we are winning the battle to protect the resources?

This is a tough one. And you'll get all kinds of answers. I think in some cases yes, and in some cases it's too late to even try. I live near the Columbia River, and in the current years we are enjoying historical returns of king salmon and steelhead. While in Alaska there are biologists who believe the pacific salmon is going extinct, specifically the chinook salmon. We as sportsmen have a tendency to only care about the issues that are in our neighborhoods. We must all band together and find a way to affect global warming (if we can) and to slow down industries that cause harm to our environments, ie: commercial fishing, poor mining practices etc. There isn't enough wild protein in the world to feed all of us, we have to start showing communities how much more valuable a salmon or any other fish is to a local economy. We are allowing an industry to bring a population to extinction before they move on to the next fishery. This has been going on for hundreds of years. This is a question that runs so deep and is so layered and complicated.

Thanks Greg!


Go out and fool a fish!

60 Seconds With Mike Durkalec

Today I am beginning a series of quick interviews with people close to the fishing industry. Some of the people you may recognize, others you won’t, but all will have something of interest for everyone. The title, “60 Seconds With”, hopefully will be the time it will take to read the interview.

The first interview will be with Michael Durkalec, Aquatic Biologist, for the Cleveland Metroparks. Mike is very close to the fishing community in northeast Ohio. To update local fishermen on current fishing conditions Mike publishes a weekly fishing report on the Cleveland Metroparks website. He is extremely knowledgeable in all types of fishing methods, and has been the guest speaker at many local fishing expos.

Mike with a huger brown trout from a recent fishing trip.

Q: Growing up, a lot of kids want to be a policeman or fireman. I don't know of any who have said they wanted to be an aquatic biologist. How did you decide that was going to be your path in life?

A: I had an affinity for fishing and water from a very early age. I also performed well in the sciences. But it wasn't until early in college when I was majoring in biology I came to an epiphany. I was enjoying a beautiful spring day fishing for steelhead on the Rocky River, thinking about what I could do with my life when it came to me - could I find a career option in which I could enjoy my love of fishing AND my inclination toward sciences together? Follow up research revealed the field of fisheries biology as an option, and after obtaining my B.S. in Biology I followed up with an M.S. in Fisheries Management from Ohio State University, and ended up on the track which brings me to where I am today. I have zero regrets that I found the right path for me.

Q: What are your responsibilities as an aquatic biologist for the Cleveland Metroparks?

A: I oversee all aspects of the Park District fisheries program, much of the water quality monitoring, and serve as an advocate and expert on water issues. The fisheries program involves active fish management (ie- stocking, population surveys, and habitat improvement), providing fishing information to the public in many forms, and hosting fishing programs. But I do have great diversity in my job, which I love, and never quite know what surprises will come up from day to day. That's part of what I find so rewarding about public service.

Q: The Rocky River Reservation is one of the crown jewels for the Metroparks. What is it about the Rocky River that makes it one of the best rivers in the country for fishing?

A: A combination of lots of public land on 31 miles of the Rocky River protected by our parks coupled with an excellent stocking program (Ohio Department of Natural Resources and Metroparks collaboration) and a diversity of native resident and migratory Lake Erie fishes. We are proud to be the largest landowner in the state of Ohio on a particular stream. I owe this is large part to the forward looking vision of our park founders.

Q: Several weeks ago you published a portion of the fishing log you kept during the 1990's and early 2000's. In a three day period you hooked 228 steelhead. Those are numbers we don't see these days. What changed from then to now?

A: There were more steelhead, and far less pressure in those days. That instance was in a remote valley on a western NY stream that is now much more heavily fished. Why were there more fish then? Likely a combination of more sea lamprey parasites now impacting their numbers adversely, coupled with changes in the ecosystem. For example, the massive number of non native quagga mussels in the lake filtering out plankton (the base of the aquatic food web) has undoubtedly had some adverse affect on food availability to fishes. Expansive, late summer dead zones (oxygen void areas), due to algae blooms is likely another factor. Asian carp knocking at the door of the Great Lakes is another concern. It's a huge, complex system that is affected by many interwoven factors that scientists are continually learning about.

Q: What are the chances of seeing those numbers again?

A: Hard to say, but I'm guessing the number of anglers out there are more likely to increase than the reverse. BUT- I can tell you from experience that you don't need that many fish to have a great day. In fact, catching a good number of fish, yet few enough that each one is memorable, makes for a better quality outing. I can say this from experience. My perfect day is a beautiful day on the water with a good friend where we fish thoroughly, and hook 20 or so steelhead. Far from my best numbers, but great by any standard, and enough fish to keep things very interesting. And still a very realistic goal in the scope of our current steelhead program, which, frankly, is among the best anywhere. And I've fished all over the US and Canada, so I feel I have a good perspective to appreciate that.



Thanks Mike for your valuable insights!

Go out and fool a fish!

Cable TV Fishing Shows To The Rescue

The rivers are locked up. What to do? What to do? Where's the remote?

It’s late January and the rivers are locked up with ice. There’s no place to throw a fly, and I can only spend so much time checking equipment for the next outing, whenever that is. I never thought withdrawal would be part of fishing, but weather permitting, year-round fishing is possible, especially with steelhead in the rivers from October to April. So, any layoff longer than a week brings on heart palpitations and nightmares. The only medication for this type of withdrawal is the fishing shows on cable television shown this time of the year.

My cable provider pipes in the Outdoor Channel and NBC Sports Network. Beginning in early January, these channels begin a new season of shows geared toward fishing. The shows have just about all types of fishing covered, from saltwater to freshwater, from bass to bonefish. Unfortunately for me, but fortunately for my wife, we do not receive the World Fishing Network. This network broadcasts fishing shows 24 hours a day. My wife is afraid I wouldn’t get off the couch for days at a time.

While I’m a fly fisherman, I will watch shows that feature spinning and bait casting gear as well. I find that the best way to watch all the shows is to DVR them. This allows the viewer to blow through the commercials. Total watch time for a 30 minute show can be reduced by about 12 minutes. I’m sure many of the sponsors aren’t happy about that but they get product placement throughout the show.

Some of the shows do have teachable moments where tips on how to use a fly or lure, where to use it, and why, are given the viewers. To me, this is something all shows should do. Think about it. For every older viewer like me, there may be two or three young kids watching who want to be better fishermen. But there is a downside to some of the shows that I believe should be addressed, and it has to do with how the fish, a valuable resource, are handled.

With all the young kids watching it may make sense for the hosts and fishermen on these shows to set a good example on fish handling. Many shows talk about preserving the resources but will then mishandle the fish they catch. I am surprised how poorly some the fishermen on these show handle fish. There is one host that will go nameless who will place his hand in the gills of almost every fish he catches. In addition, he’ll bend the neck of the fish while holding it by the gills. Then he’ll release the fish by tossing it back into the water from a distance of four feet.

Also, once a fish is caught, every host will start talking, all the while holding the fish. I've never timed it but I'm sure some of the fish have been kept out of the water much longer than they should be. No one knows if the fish survives after being held out of the water.

Now, I’m sure we all regret having handled a fish incorrectly, and have learned from the experience, but some of these fishermen who host the shows have been on television for over 30 years. I don’t think the hosts even realize that they are teaching the wrong way to handle fish to young viewers. In a way I blame the sponsors of the show. I wonder if they even watch the shows. If I was a sponsor I would request that the hosts change their method of handling the fish. After all, the fish are the stars of the show, not the hosts.

Go out and fool a fish!

From A Guide’s Point Of View

With the start of a new year many fishermen set goals for themselves. Some want to fish more often, others want to catch a personal best fish, and some want to fish new waters. I believe the underlying theme of all these goals is fishermen want to learn and improve. From personal experience I know of no better way to learn and improve than by hiring a guide. A half-day or full day on the water is the fastest way to improve.

When I got back into fishing after a 40 year hiatus, using a fly rod, I had no idea how to read water, what to look for, or what flies to use. The internet helped but I couldn’t take what I read or saw and translate that to success on the water. It wasn’t until I spent a day on the water with my brother-in-law and Brian Trow from Mossy Creek Fly Fishing that I started to understand the sport.

Brian knew I was green to fly fishing so there were many teachable moments that day, but what stood out that day was Brian asking me first thing in the morning what I wanted to get out of the day. Now, even after five years, and having improved a little, Brian still asks what I want to accomplish when we get together each spring.

 Working with a guide will speed up your learning process. Brian is helping me land my first rainbow.

 (Click on image for larger view.)

I believe it goes to managing expectations, which is what all guides do. They want you to have an enjoyable day. They want you to catch fish. They want you to learn. But don’t take my word for it. Let’s hear from several guides and outfitters who are experienced, and good at what they do. I asked them what clients can do to prepare for a day on the water, and they supplied excellent information. It doesn’t matter what species of fish you are targeting, this information is extremely valuable.


Patrick Campbell, Fisher of Men Outfitters


Let your guide know what your expectations are for the day. We do a lot of stuff, and fish many different ways. We're educators at heart, but we love to catch fish after fish just like the next guy. So, what do you want from your day? Do you just want to put fish on the line? Do you want to work on your casting? Do you want to try two handed casting? Do you want to learn more about reading water? When we know exactly what you are looking for, we can exceed your expectations by tailoring the trip to your needs. We have so many options across Steelhead Alley, it's usually possible to put you in the situation you are looking for.

Be honest with your guide about your skill set. Trust me, we've seen it all. We're not here to judge you, but to guide you. When you are honest with us about your skills, we can be prepared with the proper gear, and put you on the water where you can be most successful with your goals for the day.

Based on the first two tips, allow us to guide you on the front end of your trip by helping you manage your expectations for the time you want to get on the water and the skills you are coming into the day with.


Dan Pribancic, Chagrin River Outfitters


Have a clear plan with guide on what you would like to accomplish. Catching fish is nice, and that’s the idea, but most clients also want to learn. How to read the water, how to rig, getting the proper drift, learn a new river, new technique, etc. Let your guide know what your goals are for the day.

Fish hard, have fun, enjoy the day for what it is. Everyone wants to go catch a bunch of fish, but we are fly fishing for steelhead. A couple of fish is a good day. Enjoy time with guide, learning, scenery, time on the water, enjoy all aspects of a day on the water. Catching fish is a part of the experience, and no one wants you to catch them more than your guide for the day, but it’s not the whole enchilada. 

Let your guide be your guide! You are paying for their expertise and knowledge, this is their job, and why you hired them. Let them do their thing.


Matt Zudweg, Z Fly Fishing


If possible, ask your guide ahead of time if you will need to bring anything on your trip. Most guides in my area supply everything needed for a day on the water including properly rigged rods, lines, reels, flies, etc. Once in a while clients load my boat with 200 lbs of gear that they won't need and it just adds unnecessary clutter and weight to the boat for the day. I rarely have the heart when picking them up in the morning to tell them they won't need any of it. If you have equipment of your own that you’re dying to use, try to find out from your guide ahead of time if it’s the proper rod, reel, and line for the fishing you'll be doing.

If you’re booking a guide you've never used before, research their method of fishing. They should describe the style of fishing to expect on their marketing material but if not, contact them to ask. You don't want to show up for a day of swinging streamers for Steelhead and your guide specializes in nymphing... or vise versa.

Come into a guide trip with the understanding that your guide wants you to do well as much as you do (maybe more so) but sometimes the fishing is tough. Your guide is there to give you the best opportunity possible for a great day. Trust his/her decisions (including fly selection). Remember, they're out there every day.

Don't bad mouth other guides you've used to your guide, it will only make them wonder if you'll bad mouth them to your next guide. If you end up not liking your guide, simply don't book another trip with them.


Pete Tyjas, Devon School of Fly Fishing


One of the most important things when first booking your guide is to speak to them. You’ll be spending a day with them and you want to be sure they’ll be the sort of person you’ll get on with. It could be a long day if you don’t!

Probe them a little about where they guide, it will give you a good idea if they have their finger on the pulse of their stream.

Be honest about your angling ability, tell them a little about the sort of fishing you do. This will make it easier for them to tailor the day so that you get the most from it.

Do you want to just be put on fish or would you like help with watercraft or casting? If you do, be sure to let them know.

If you tie flies and want to tie some for the trip ask them what hatches you’ll be encountering.

In the UK we do not have float trips, so we wade. If you have difficulties with walking or wading be sure to let the guide know.

Let them know what sort of fishing you like to do, and is there a chance there will be something similar you can experience? We love nothing more than taking our clients to some of our favourite small streams, fishing dry flies with 2wts for small brown trout when we hear that is what they love to do.

Do you want to fish just dry flies? If you do letting your guide know will let them select the right water for you to fish.

Is your guide up to date with the latest fishing methods that you might have read about? Perhaps you’d read about Euro nymphing and wanted to learn about it. A good guide will enjoy nothing more than showing a new technique to a client.

As a guide I never take a rod and fish. The only time I’d hold a rod is to demonstrate a technique or cast. If your guide strings a rod up for his/herself and tells you to “go fish over there” while they head for a honey hole, are you sure you are happy to pay for them to go fishing too?

If you book a bonefish trip be sure you know what is required cast wise. Can you double haul and hit a target at a realistic distance?

The most important tip is to tell the guide what YOU want from the day when you start. Do you want lots of fish, big fish, tricky fish, dry fly?

I like to sit down at the start of the day with my clients with a coffee, get to know them a little, and ask them what they like to do. It lets me know how best to plan the day and where to take them.

* * * 

Go out and fool a fish….with a guide’s help!

Sometimes You Have To Listen To The Devil

As I write this, the temperature is about 15° F and the rivers are slushy, with some shelf ice starting to form. For someone retired who can’t keep his feet warm, not the best weather. The warmest December on record ended quickly, and January began with more typical winter weather. This is my dead zone. It’s that time of the year when weather puts a damper on fishing. I can still get out, but often the window is short. Trying to catch a day when the water and the air temperature are on the rise is like rolling dice. Some days you hit the number, other days you crap out.

The devil won, again.

At times I feel like I’m in a cartoon with an angel on one shoulder and the devil on the other. The angel keeps telling me the steelhead will be in the rivers for the next four months, so if I miss a week or two in January due to weather I’ll still have my shots at them. The devil is telling me there’s a fresh run of steelhead in the rivers and the bite is hot.

Supposed to be in the 40’s Thursday. I guess the devil just won.

Go out and fool a fish!