Cold + Dark + Wet

If you are familiar with Greg Brown, you will get the title.  Right now it perfectly describes the Pere Marquette over the weekend.  Thursday evening a friend and I managed to get out of work and be on the river by 5:30.  We were greeted by what I would describe as some great looking streamer water.  At first, that is exactly what it was with turning some decent fish early, but it slowly turned off.  Todd did manage a nice 18" brown on an olive mad pup.  

As the night progressed, we saw a good number of starting to make their way to the surface.  Everything from what looked to be light hennies, BWOs, sulphurs and a very small smattering of grey drakes.  While trading up rowing duties, I was pleased to hear a fly fisherman's favorite sound; that of a larger, slurping, trout.  While there were no spent drakes on the water, I decided to tie one, because PM browns have a hard time resisting them before the major portion of the hatch.  

The first cast ended up in an alder behind me.  This was to be expected because it had been a long time since I have put a dry fly on the water.  Second cast, a large "bloop" with no weight at the end of the line.  The third time was a charm.

The things you don't find along the river...

I'm hoping to get out for some solid grey drake fishing with Jeff Hubbard from Outfitters North and get another decent video put together like the one from last year.  Until then, I hope you can all get out on the water!