1-21-12

Baby its cold out

With the recent cold weather snap outside it has put even the hardiest of fisherman down.There are still fish to be had fir the persistant angler and if there is a slight warming trend I would advise you to take the oppurtunity to get out as they will be few over the next month or so.Fish the typical holding areas and fish them slow and cover them well.There will be a reward for the patient fisherman.I have re-run a fly that I put on the fly of the week page sometime back due to the fact that several people have inquired about it and it should be a staple in all Michigan steelheaders box.

Until next time may GOD bless you ALL!!!

12/28/11

A excellent day on the river, zero fish but picked up 543 pounds of trash!

I will huff & puff 12/28/11

That is what old man winter is planning on doing as winter weather starts to get its grip on us up here in Michigans U.P. .We have been blessed with what I would say has been a very mild Winter thus far.It has allowed us to continue with the pursuit of steelhead and browns in a very resonable amount of comfort.But the harder weather is looking to set in.For those willing to get out there and deal with frozen feet,ice in your guides and reels freezing up the fish are still there.We have had several oppurtunities to get out over the past two weeks and they have been rewarding.In the photos you will see myself along with Noel B and Jason B.Noel who is in the U.S. Army was home on leave to see his Family.I was able to join Tim B and his son for a solid day of Fishing and Jason B from Chicago joined us  for a cold and punishing day on the water which still ended on a high note.Steelhead even in the cold water (33-34dgrs) are still coming to the swung flies along with clown eggs ,caddis,hexes and stones under indicators.

Dad your CRAZY 12/12/11

Hello to all you crazy insane steelheaders!! To start off this fall/winter season has been absolutely spectacular as far as numbers along with the size of the fish.(steelies/browns and salmon).Coming into winter we have had a couple of cold snaps but as of today are under a warming trend (upper 30s) with a gentle rain which should prove good for the fishing.As of today the hot ticket has been for us at the Shack has been clown eggs along with hexes and blk stones.(color for eggs chartreuce and cheese).I also had the oppurtunity to take my middle son Lucas out for the first experiance of winter fishing he enjoyed himself but also said DAD you are CRAZY!!!

There are a few available days left if you are willing to brave the COLD. December 16,19,21,22 and the 30th.

We also have some BIG news here,the store is making BIG plans to Relocate to a store front on Ludington St in Beautiful downtown Escanaba Michigan in April 2012.(more news to come)

T/L & May God Bless you all as He has so blessed Me!!

New Horizons  11/16/2011

Hello all!!Chris here with a much overdue report.With winter on the horizon many of you will start cleaning rods,reels and lines to store for the winter why you await the up and coming trout season which by the way is 5 months and 2 weeks away.I just want to ask you one question "why".The thrill of the hunt,cracking hands and wind burn cheeks yeah Im talking about winter steel.No crowds,quiet rivers and heavy snow falls nothing beats it!So come on and join the elite club of winter steelheaders!!

Now to the report,the last couple of outings have proven to be fantastic!Ten or so fish have been hooked and callit bad knots,bad line or operator error but only two have been landed.Things have def. gone in the fishes favor.The rivers are in pretty good shape with the recent snow fall and rains.

The hot flies have been hexes,black stones (Bears Neon stone) and caddis nymphs.(see fly of the week)

Available dates for guided trips for the rest of the year are as follows November 20,21,27 and 30th and for December 4,7,14,17-19,21-22,24 and 26-30th.

Until next time T/L and May God bless you all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 October 30,2011

24hr day needs to be 36hrs long

Hello All!!

Well its been almost 3weeks since the last report and I apologize.Having a full time job plus the Caddisshack FF shop and a family proves to be trying at times as I have had to cancel my last two scheduled outings.All I can say is thank goodness for friends and past clients keeping in touch w/ one another.The bite is going well right now w/ Lake MI tribs w/ steelhead and Browns coming to hand and net frequently.Egg patterns and Nymphs still being the app. way to go.Hex nymphs,stones and green caddis all working well and w/ myself still swinging away w/ the spey buggers(blk&purple) being a good choice.For those of you who like to swing flies we are at what I consider pretty prime conditions w/ water being good along w/ good water temps and remember as water temps cool start to think about sinking tips to swing the flies LOW & SLOW.The shop has also picked up two new products West Water prod. which makes the Thingamabobber which in my opinion is the best Steelhead indicator made as it floats high even w/ all the weight one might add and Fisknat landing nets and this company was the first to the best of my knowledge to use the rubber net,these nets are very very nice and affordable!!

Until next time T/L &S/H

May God bless you all!!!!

October 10,2011

Changing of the Gaurd

Another Salmon season is now on the downward trend with many of the rivers in my area passing peak or right about too.For some this is disappointing and for others we know that the new sherriff is on the way.AKA chromer,steelie,metal head and the list goes on. I have had the oppurtunity to fish with many people over the last week and as the pictures reveal when you put in your time the reward will follow!! The kings have been many with steelhead and browns coming to the net on occasion.Look for the Kings to be done in about two weeks or so and keep your eyes looking forward to what could be a stellar fall steelhead and brown season.Check out the fly of the week as I have listed what in my opinion are three of the top steelhead producers for our area when you are indicator fishing.

P.S. The pics are of the Wisconsin crew Todd H,Doug E and Jim also Caddisshack guide and all around good egg Will H.

October 3,2011

What about Bob?

The Caddis Shack had the opportunity to guide Bob and Bill from the Lower Peninsula of Michigan.  This trip was referred to us from Brad Petzke of Rivers North Guide Service as he could not accomidate them.Thanks Brad!!The guide for the day was Will Hurdman aka 1/100th fisherman aka Winston.Bob and Bill have been freinds since the 60s and still maintain a solid freindship after all these yrs.Will chose the river and set the scene and the movie started rolling.These gents were left w/ smiles on there faces and laughter in there hearts.We wont discuss fish lost we will just show you there sucess.

Side note the fishing in my area is cranking up and as I have said in past reports this year is the best I have seen in yrs in regards to both size and quanity!!

Until next time T/L & S/H.

may God bless you all as he has blessed me!!! 

October 2,2011

Kings,steelhead and browns, OH MY

As of today we have had great rain several days ago along with cooler temperatures.  This has brought water levels and temps down a bit.  There are several rivers we fish quite regularly and as I said in the last report this is the best fall fishing I have seen in years.  King salmon catches are through the roof and it is not just the amount but the sizes are just incredible.  This also goes for the browns and steelheads and the early season numbers are fantastic.

The kings are approaching or are at peak now which means if you are not already, start using your best egg patterns. Clown eggs,estaz eggs and sperm eggs for me. With that being said remember when the kings are on their beds remember they are also kicking uo caddis stones and other insects. 

Do a little research into your rivers and bug life and it will only help you..  For those of you who like to swing flies as I do, winter temps are perfect NOW!  Use those spey buggers and marabou spey flies and remember when swinging your chances of foul hooking a fish are almost ZERO.

Until next time may God Bless you all as he has blessed me,

Chris

Fall Fever September 26,2011

It is amazing what some cool air and cool water temperature along with some rain can trigger.  The fall run has started off to be far superior to the last couple of years in my opinion.  There are plenty of kings along with several browns and steelhead in the river.  The fish are taking a ride range of flies ranging from spey buggers in the black,orange and olive to the hex,black and gold stones.  If you look at the fly of the week I am going to have the spey bugger up for one more week as it is one of my favorites and is doing very well right now!

I have started carrying Redington in my shop so naturally I wanted to try a couple of their two handers.  Now bare in mind I started using two handers many years ago starting with G-Loomis GLX switching to Sage for the last seven years. I grabbed a 11/3 8 weight Cpx (switch) and a 13/3 8 weight spey rod.  I lined the 11/3 with a .030 running line and a 500 grain skagit flight by Rio.  Lining the 13/3 8 wt with a 9 wt skandi short.  All I can say is WOW!!!Smooth, strong and powerful are words that come to mind with both rods.  I have read several good reports on these rods along with one or two bad ones.  The most common complaint with the spey rods is that they are stiff.  Knowing that I lined the 13/3 with a 9wt skandi short which loaded this rod right up!  As the Sage rods can be a little pricey the Redington CPX is with out a doubt a super,great,fantastic value.  Don't believe me??  Come by the shop and pick one of mine up and take it to the river.  Don't like it?  No worries bring it back!!! That simple.  The reel chosen for these rods is the Delta 9/10.  Another fantastic value for the money.  Light weight with a very smooth start up with an awesome rate of line retrieve.  The jury is still out on how it will handle the cold weather but we will find out soon enough!!

P/S I picked up a few pieces of lead on the river.  It has been a while but I see that poaching still rears it head from time to time.

Thanks so much and God Bless,

Christopher Gestwicki

 September 11, 2011

 The BIG FISH ARE ON THE MOVE!!!!

September 9,2011

Available Trip Dates for Chris,Todd and Winston for Salmon,Steelhead and Lake Run browns.

September 12,13,17,18,19,20,24,25,26.

October 1,2,3,4,8,9,10,1115,16,17,18,22,23,24,25,28,29,30.

This will be changing rapidly as we have several trips already booked.The areas targeted will be Michigans U.P. and North East Wisconsin.Both float and wading trips available!!

September 5,2011

Travel team

We have spent the last several days hitting our local waters as well as going to the Eastern U.P. Jason C of Chicago,Winston and myself  made our way to some of the more remote water that the U.P. has to offer in search of our only true native, the Brook trout.The fishing was truly rewarding w/ many jewels coming to the net.The following day was spent on my home water the Escanaba and again very rewarding.The day was tough as far as conditions go do to high winds,rain and for this time of year some cold temps but that did not stop the trout.The streamer fishing was fair at best but come evening the BWOs showed up in fantastic #s.(18-20).Jason caught the second ERA grandslam of the season and I am fairly certian the disease has bit yet another young angler(Andrew D) as this young man hooked many but landed 0.He is for surely hooked.BWOs,Griffiths, ants and small caddis are all sure bets(16-20)

Until next time T/L and may God bless you all!!!

August 21,2011

Summer Snow

Well here we are at the end of another ephoron hatch.  For the last week the fishing has been fast and furious.  Here at the Caddis Shack we have been busy with clients while trying to squeeze in some river time for ourselves(hence the long gap in between reports).  In the photos you will see clients Brent and Dennis O, a father/son team and Ed and Nolan Y, another father/son team from Grand Rapids.  These were Christmas gifts amongst the fathers and sons and we were fortunate to be part of the fun.  The fishing was fantastic with the combined efforts of both guides and clients.  If I had to give a trophy it would go to Ed from Grand Rapids for his Escanaba River grand slam(brown,brook and rainbow).  An amazing accomplishment in itself let alone done by a man just getting his feet wet in Fly Fishing.  Way to go Ed! 

The coming weeks are going to bring about caddis and BWOs.Sizes for caddis 14-18 and BWOs 16-20.Now don't forget about the BIG balls of protein(streamers) patterns that work well for us are Nutcrackers by Chuck Hawkins and Zoo cougars Kelly Galloup and Madonnas.Sizes 4-6.

Adding a little more GOOD news our back up guide Todd H wants back in as a regular as he is now done coaching hockey which was very time consuming.Todd brings with him approx 20 yrs experiance and a new Hyde drift boat.With the three of us and 2 drift boats we will have no problem providing you with the BEST possible fly fishing trips for your hard earned money!!!

Last but not least  the shop wants to give a big thanks to Will(winston the 1/100th fisherman) Hurdman as he was the primer in Ed Ys fantstic evening.Way to go Will.We love you man.

In the photos are Chris and his brother Joel, part of the Todd H Wisconsin crew ,Brent & Dennis O and Ed & Nolan from Grand Rapids.  Ed B and his crew here in the area for a while with the Coast Gaurd. It has been a pleasure fishing with all of you!!

Thanks so much God Bless and Razor sharp hooks

P.S. Next week product reveiws on a couple of products we have put some time in with lately.

Sage 4200 series reels

Redington Sonic Pro Waders

August 8 2011

Rain Dance

Over the past 10 days or so we have seen some cooler temps along w/ some much needed rain fall. The temps in some of the rivers have fallen a couple of dgrs which might not sound like much but was very welcomed by both the fish and the anglers. The first sign of our last major hatch in this area has shown its first signs of arrival.(ephoron)I had the oppurtunity to fish over the last several days w/ several people and it has been truly fantastic w/ the best night being w/ fellow guide Winston the (1/100th) fisherman. All of the fish were hooked on 3 flies Little black caddis #18 Madonna streamers (white) Orange&whites streamers.

July 25 2011

The scorching dog days of summer

Hot is an understatement as we are reaching the end of July.Some of the rivers that we fish are reaching the danger levels as far as heat goes.In the many years that I have fished and lived in this region I do not recall water levels reaching these temps this early and I can say that I dont recall the water temps ever being this warm on the Escanaba.With that being said if one is going to hunt the trout put your time in wisely evening,night and early morning before the sun has risen.Flies that have been working well are little black caddis,blk ants,griffiths nat and stimulators have been my choice along w/ streamer action doing fair.(zoo cougars,rattle snakes and nut crackers)

A little note to help the fish 1)quick to the net 2)barbless hooks for easy release and 3)a good easy release make sure they swim away on there own.A little extra effort goes a long way.

Thanks and God bless