So I have gone steelhead fishing several times since the last post, but to no avail.  Still looking for that chromer to grab it while swinging.  The next time out, it seems that the nymphs and eggs will have to be on the menu in order feel that pull.  As much as I hate to say it, they win.  I understand that this time of year isn't exactly the most conducive to the swing, but hey it was worth a try.  To be perfectly honest, my obsession is as much about my laziness and comfort as it is about hooking up in this manner.  Have you ever watched an indicator go down with the knowledge that the stats say that it was more likely a log than a fish, only to snap off the two flies and have to rerig!!! Not just rerig, but do so when the wind is blowing a million tiny needles into any opening carelessly overlooked in preparation for a day in search of a single fish.  Rerig when your hands are so numb that you can't feel the #10 wiggle hex that you just embedded into the meat of your thumb.  Can you tell that I hate rerigging.  

So...Have you ever had an itch that you can't quite reach?  No matter how hard you try; the door, corner of a wall, etc. it just doesn't cut it.  Well this is very much the issue I have been having with catching a steelhead on the swing.  I know.  I KNOW!  I just haven't put in my time!  

This past week, I made it out a couple of times to keep trying, but to no avail.  Some browns and a small rainbow, but no chrome.

I have landed quite on the indy rig. I have to admit that I really dislike looking at that bobber.  More than my dislike of staring at the bobber is rerigging when it 25 degrees out and blowing 20 mph.

 One has come on a mouse pattern.  (Not intentionally, but while showing a friend of mine how to mouse while it was still light, a nice buck came up and slammed my gurgler.  Better luck than good.  Did I mention that this was with a bamboo PY Boat Rod? Great streamer rod too!)

At this point, I don't even bring the eggs and nymphs with me anymore. Two have been hooked, just not landed.  I just want to land one on the swing.  

Karma...So I have come to the conclusion that the reason that I haven't landed one is because I am using plastic instead of bamboo.  To remedy that, the (very,very slow) development of a hollowed and spliced spey rod is underway.  With a ton of help from Jerry Drake (what a great last name for a fisherman), it is now drying with it's first coat of spar varnish.  

Wish me luck, going to try tomorrow and Sunday to find a way to scratch that itch.  
Go, go, gadget arms!!!

Water Temp:  Too cold to go without waders
Water Clarity:  Watered down chocolate milk with a tough of foam.
Air Temp:  @ 8:30 it was about 33 degrees (gloves were worn while on the sticks)
Bluebird skies

A buddy and I did a quick "scouting run" on the lower end of the flies-only section of the Pere Marquette.  We dropped in at about 8:30 and were off the river by 11:30.  While we didn't bring any fish to hand we turned nine browns.  Most were in the 14-18" range the smallest being about 10", the largest about 20".  We were using a variety of big streamers.  Mad pups and larger leeches with a touch of flash seemed to be working the best.

My personal analysis was that it was too cold at night (down to 26) and the fish were just lethargic.  Think about it like this.  You don't want to get out of your sleeping bag (even to pee) when its cold outside.  Why would they want to leave their confines.  There is always tomorrow.