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It was a winner! A very successful week - and more for
those who came early.
Hosts and organizers for the event were Jack Hise and Mike
Flanagan (ohiotuber). They met a few times before the
Fish-In at Cabela's in Dundee, MI to work out details.
Whatever they discussed, it was all good. Jack arrived
early and set up camp at Kneff Lake campground. Because
another event was in process at Gates Au Sable Lodge, folks
were a bit spread out until Tuesday, but overall this was
one of the most successful Fish-Ins to date.
Jean DeSavage welcomed everyone at the registration tent,
name-tags had been pre-made, and a Registration book for
all to sign. Nicely done. For those who missed it,
plan ahead. Jack and Mike are already working on a
Michigan Fish-In '07 to be held at Gates Au Sable Lodge
early in July.
There were a few 'organized' events over the week, a casting
demonstration and instruction from Castwell himself, a slide
presentation by Jim Birkholm on the Thorax-tied flies and
how the fish see flies, a tying demonstration by Eric Austin,
a leader furling demonstration and a great cook-out potluck.
Mike and Bill Horner ( Fat Bill) did the honors on the cook-out,
and cooked up 40 pounds of smoked beef brisket. A 'formal'
distance casting competition was held. Thirteen people competed,
and the winner was Brad Sherrick with 82' 7". Kaboom1 (Brad's
screen name) did confess he actually had been practicing at
home. Congratulations Brad!
About half of our group at the Casting Competition
JC and I helped some folks with their casting, and the old
reliable pack broom was put into use as well. The upstairs
"Board Room" was available for the swap-table, fly tying,
leader furling and the slide-show.
I do need to mention the dining room at the Lodge provided
great meals - everything from home-made cinnamon pecan rolls
and fresh blueberry pancakes for breakfast to a great steak
for dinner. Several of the group camped at Kneff Lake found
the dining room before the rest of us arrived and had lunch
there daily. The Fly Shop is very well stocked and no-one
went without anything they needed. Great facility all the way.
Our special thanks to Rusty and all the crew.
Some of the folks fished the Au Sable, including the north
and south branches, the Little Manistee, Sturgeon Rivers and
Wakley Lake were also destinations. One of the younger attendees, Aaron
Weaver caught a nice 15 inch rainbow trout right at the dock at
Gates Lodge. There were several float trips on the river by
our group, and while no record fish were caught, everyone who
fished did have a great time.
Lots of photos below, thanks to Mike Flanagan, Jack Hise, Jean
and Bill DeSavage, Mark Lishchynsky and Betty Hiner for sending
in their photos. ~ LadyFisher
Here's some from the cook-out.
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