Autumn Creeping Our Way

The first official days of autumn typically don't seem much different from the final days of summer in North Georgia. September normally ends hot, and while w all try to pretend we're turning a corner, it doesn't normally feel that way and we really know better. This year has been different. Several damp, dark cool days have made it really feel like autumn has arrived, and we're even getting hints of color change in our dogwoods and a few other trees and bushes.

It makes me antsy to do some fall fishing. Asher and I did slip out to the pond yesterday afternoon, and we caught 10 bluegills and bass, but I'm eager to do stuff that's really driven by the season -- frog fishing on a grass lake, fall run brown trout, fall flathead fishing...

The fish that have been most on my mind of late have been the salmon, brown trout and steelhead that run up out of Great Lakes into rivers throughout that region this time of year. I've been watching a few reports and doing a bit of vicarious fishing. Looking at deadlines and other travel plans, that's probably as close as I'll get to that stuff this year, but you never know. I always keep an eye on bites and watch for windows of opportunity on the calendar.

Existing fall plans do include a trip to Alabama to fish Lake Guntersville and possibly Pickwick, so I might get to tap into at least a little frog fishing fun. I'm also going to Santee Cooper in November, so if the flathead bite happens to be happening...

Of course, I always look forward to do at least a little October and November fishing in the trout streams of North Georgia and western North Carolina. The fishing tends to be good at that time, the river are beautiful, creating outstanding photo opportunities.

Species 18

Smallmouth bass were our primary targets at Lake Ontario today, and they clearly dominated the catch Still, when a few coho salmon decided to bite, Frank Campbell and I sure didn't complain.

The cohos, along with being fast and pretty, provided a nice bonus and for me another species for my annual fish list. Yesterday's first lake trout was also new for this year's list, and I'm pretty sure I'm at 18 fish species. The plan tomorrow is to fish Lake Erie for smallmouth bass. I have smallies well covered, but you never know what might take a bait any given time in the Great Lakes! once while doing the same stuff we'll be doing tomorrow, I actually reeled in a goby!

Fish-Filled Sturgeon Bay Weekend

I got behind on blogs this weekend. At the ends of long days on the water and late nights around dinner tables, the call for sleep won the battle for my time.

It sure wasn't a matter of nothing to tell. The weekend included a stupidly good day of smallmouth fishing, my first ever king salmon, a morning and an afternoon of doing types of fishing I'd never done before, plentiful great photo opportunities and the chance to give a seriously good test to Shakespeare's new Ugly Stik Elite rods.

It also included a pretty good sample of Wisconsin's famous fried cheese curds, some incredible smoked string cheese and a few really good steaks, but I suppose that's straying from fishing.

Today I'm traveling home. In fact, I'm riding to the Green Bay airport right now. I'll try to do some writing along the way because I only get two days at home before I repack a bag with lighter clothes and bigger lures and point the truck toward the airport once again. This time Mexico bound. Word has it there is wifi at the lodge now, so hopefully I'll do better keeping up with blogs!

Flannel and Fishing Destinations

Duluth Trading Company Men's Free-Swingin'
Plaid Flannel Shirt.

With cool weather creeping into much of the country and many people thinking about fall and winter activities, Duluth Trading Companies decided to compile some "flannelytics" and figure out the nation's hotspots for sporting flannel for work and play. They even compiled a list of America's Top 10 Flannel Cities, providing fun insights about the flannel culture in each city profiled.

Of course when I think about flannel shirts, I think about fall and winter fishing, and when I think about cities or destinations of any sort, I think about fishing prospects in those areas. With that in mind, I decided to list where I'd want to fish and what I'd want to target in or around each of the Top 10 Flannel Cities. Interestingly, excepting a little ice fishing in mountain lakes just west of Denver, I've never fished any of these waters.

10) Chicago - Steelhead or brown trout that run up various streams that flow into the big pond known as Lake Michigan.

9) New York City - Jumbo stripers in the surf at Montauk, preferably with a big chugging plug.

8) Los Angeles - Trout or the giant bass that eat them in the little lakes that dot Southern California.

7) Washington D.C. - While Potomac River bass and crappie certainly offer intrigue, I'd have to try my hand at catching a snakehead if I was in the area.

6) Philadelphia - Susquehanna River smallmouths or Delaware River largemouths, I believe.

5) Denver - Rockies trout. I'd better plan for at least a couple of weeks to hit all the streams and lakes I'd want to fish, through.

4) Minneapolis/St. Paul - If flannel season refers to summer evenings, Mississippi River smallmouths. If the flannel is a layer that will go under a heavier suit, put me on some little metro lake with big bluegills or crappie in it with ice rod in hand.

3) San Francisco - Get me that close to Eastern Sierra trout lakes, and that's where I'll be headed.

2) Boston - If you read this and know where I should fish around Boston, let me know, because I'm clueless. Maybe in the Atlantic?

1) Seattle/Tacoma - Drop me in the Pacific Northwest, and I'm going to have to find some opportunity to catch steelhead or salmon. I don't know the specific destination, but I'll bet someone can give me some direction.

Alaska Treasure Chest

"I'd suggest ordering something other than salmon or halibut," said Chuck Smock of Cabela's as we pondered menu options at The Flying Machine restaurant for our last dinner in Alaska. We all laughed in agreement, knowing the four huge boxes in the hotel freezer contained more than a few meals of delightful Alaska salmon and halibut.

One of many great things about spending a week on Alaska's Kenai Peninsula is the opportunity to bring home a portion of the trip in the form of fresh fish. Our treasure chests each contained nearly 50 pounds of sockeye and king salmon and halibut, all vacuum sealed in serving-sized packages and frozen by Ninilchik Outfitters. Staying shy of 50 pounds spares "overweight" charges, and allows you to fly a box of fish all the way home for the cost of an extra checked bag.
From a practical standpoint, that's a lot of fine meals. It's more than a box of meat, though. When we enjoy a meal of halibut baked with garlic butter and chives, I'll think about Capt. Al's funny lines, Colin's cod-catching prowess, the thrill of detecting a telltale halibut pump and the painful but laughable futility of reeling up 4 pounds of lead from 193 feet to learn the bait was not stolen after all. Grilling salmon "on the halfshell" will remind me of Chuck's last casts with the fly rod, Daniel's refined flossing technique, John's relaxed posture as he watched us try to conquer a king and of course the countless fishermen who back-trolled together in amazing harmony.
I'll also remember the bears on the trail, sandwiches from the General Store (incluing the one the dog stole from John), humpback whales, the great tractor launch, 11:30 sunsets, snow-capped volcanoes, stories shared around the dinner table... And as my family enjoys the contents of the treasure chest, one meal at a time, I must remember to share an added taste of Alaska in the form of trip tales.

The Great Salmon Show

It was obvious something special was going on when we arrived at the landing at 5:00 am, and the lot was already filled. Once we got on the river we saw that there were hundreds of boats on the section of the Kenai River where we would fish today.

Everyone was there because the salmon were running. Most anglers, including us, had king salmon in mind. The world record king came from the Kenai. In fact, we started our day in the spot where that fish was caught. A few anglers were after sockeyes, which are just starting to run. We actually caught a few of them today, and we'll target them in the morning.

I missed my chance at a king, which got off right at the boat. Our group only landed one king, but we saw lots of others landed by others around us. It was fun being in the middle of all the excitement and absolutely amazing how the anglers worked together. A raised net means a fish is on, and when a net goes up other boats are always quick to clear space, bring in lines or whatever they need to do to get out of the way.

I suppose I'd better sleep now. Alarm is set for 3:30 am.

Destination ALASKA!

The alarm is set for 2:00 a.m., and a big duffel, three cameras and my mini-computer are waiting in the truck. By tomorrow evening -- assuming no travel problems -- I'll be in Anchorage, Alaska. I've never been to Alaska and am really excited about the trip. Of course I'm looking forward to battling giant halibut and fly-fishing for salmon. Just as much, though, I'm looking forward to simply seeing the landscapes. Since 2:00 is only five hours away and sleep is a good thing before a long day of travel, I suspect I ought to save most of the blogging for the other end.