The days have begun to blur together. The thing that stands out is fish are being caught, our guests are having a great time every day, and the weather is starting to get nice. All three of us guides have a few scattered days open in mid July it's not to late to come up and experience this wonderful place.
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It's great to be back on the island for the summer. This first week we were met with more clouds than sun which in the carp world doesn't make things easy. Fortunately the smallmouth season is open early this year and they are abundant and big this season. The days that the sun has shown itself carp have been willing to eat. If any of you that are reading this plan to fish carp here or anywhere else PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE remember this, they DO NOT like getting hit on the head with flies!!! DON'T DO IT!!! Signal is spotty and time to update this weekly is even spottier be sure to follow us on Facebook for daily updates,
This will be my last report of the spring coming from here at home. The days are peeling off of the calendar, the totes are out and are being filled for Beaver Island. The fishing this week was a grind. The weather was the biggest factor. Fog, rain, wind, we had it all this week. The fish are there if you keep at it you'll find some players. The only thing that worked with any consistency was big and black everything else just disappeared in the dirty water. Be sure to follow us on Facebook for daily updates https://www.facebook.com/GrabYourFly/
High water and wind. High dirty water is what we were delt this week. It didn't matter, plenty of fish were caught the key was working the bank hard and finding a fly that they could see. This week ahead looks promising warmer days and no rain. Be sure to follow us on FaceBook for daily updates https://www.facebook.com/GrabYourFly/
Playing the weather pays off this week. Carp have invaded the flats and are hungry. The biggest fish of the week was 28 pounds. Smallmouth on the river cooperated nicely. The post spawn bite has started. Big flies still out produced anything else. I have a few dates still open for local fishing before I head to Beaver Island.
Falling river, dirty water, rising temps is what we were dealt this week. We caught fish, some days better than others but thats the game we play. There was no one hot color or pattern. One day they wanted black the next they wanted chartreuse. A little more than a month until the 2016 Island season and I can't wait!!
I welcome you to the redone Grab Your Fly Charters website. The reports page is lacking pictures from the past year. Feel free to follow the link to Facebook to see grip and grins photos from the past. New reports and pictures will resume here come next week. Be sure to follow us on Facebook https://m.facebook.com/GrabYourFly?_ft_
What a crazy week. It started great and quickly went to shit! Saturday I floated two good friends for the first trip of the year. The flows were at 5400 cfs, a lot of big prespawn fish were boated. 48 hours later the river jumped to 15000 cfs, that option was done for the week. The winds blew storm force mid week which flushed fishing the lake down the toilet. Things are looking good for this week. Lets see what happens. Be sure to follow us on Facebook https://m.facebook.com/GrabYourFly?_ft_
Stay safe and Tight lines, Captain Austin
It's time to fish, the weather has broke and spring is here. Lake Michigan is producing good numbers of fish during the week days. Heavy weekend pressure is making the bite tougher. I will be reporting on the Kankakee starting next week once trips start. I will be doing my last tying demo of the season next Tuesday night for DRIFT at the College of Dupage. For all of you guys that read blogs give my buddies over at TROUTS a glance. https://troutsflyfishing.com/info/blog/post/mastering-the-midwest-ft.-capt.-austin-aducci Be sure to follow us on Facebook https://m.facebook.com/GrabYourFly?_ft_
Stay safe and Tight lines, Captain Austin
AHHHHH, finally the first report of the year. With the mild winter that we've been having this year the ice on Lake Michigan isn't a problem and getting out to fish only requires good winds. The Coho bite has started and fish are being caught. Now keep this in mind it's still early and the action isn't fast and furious, but these fish are a blast to catch. The next two weekends GYFC will be at outdoor shows, Feb 12-14 at the Tinley Park highschool show, Feb 18-21 at the fly show in Indianapolis I will be in the Simms booth along with the Templefork Outfitters booth. Back to fishing I am moving up the Kankakee bookings to the last week of March. The spring smallmouth bite is the best the river has to offer. Get your day locked down before they're all filled up. Be sure to follow us on Facebook https://m.facebook.com/GrabYourFly?_ft_
Stay safe and Tight lines, Captain Austin
Wow, what a warm fall we have had. Swinging and tying flies have been keeping me busy this month.The St. Joe is producing nice fish with every trip and with the temps being so warm still the swung fly is the way to go. There are Lake trout around on Lake Michigan but we're still waiting in the browns and coho's to show up. Preparations have begun at the tying bench for the possibility of a chapter of guiding next fall. My winter tying classes have started at Dupage Fly Fishing Company as been set call the shop for dates (630)857-3468 These classes are limited seating and are always a fun time in the off season. Be sure to follow us on FaceBook for daily updates at https://m.facebook.com/GrabYourFly?_ft_
Stay safe and Tight lines, Captain Austin
As I announced in the last report I am now booking trips for the fall chasing browns, coho's and lake trout on Lake Michigan along with adding steelhead fishing on the St. Joe. The St. Joe is producing fish on the swing already and with this weeks rains it will only improve. As always this time of the year leaves are our biggest problem while swinging flies. Lake Michigan is still too warm but that too will be getting good soon. My winter tying class schedule at Dupage Fly Fishing Company as been set call the shop for dates (630)857-3468 These classes are limited seating and are always a fun time in the off season. Be sure to follow us on FaceBook for daily updates at https://m.facebook.com/GrabYourFly?_ft_
Stay safe and Tight lines, Captain Austin
Salmon season 2015 is in the books and over. It was a tough season to say it kindly. Salmon runs of the past are gone and over. There is enough proven facts written out there backing this up. Even with low numbers in the river returning this year we hooked fish and caught them dailey, along with having fun some nice trout both stripping streamers and egging. I am now booking trips for the fall chasing browns, coho's and lake trout on Lake Michigan along with adding steelhead fishing on the St. Joe. I am happy to announce the relationship to the Hatch Outdoors family. Which will bring the best reels on the market into the boat for the remainder of this season and years to come. Be sure to follow us on FaceBook for daily updates at https://m.facebook.com/GrabYourFly?_ft_
Stay safe and Tight lines, Captain Austin
My 2015 smallmouth season is over. It finished with hot tough days on the water but the wonderful people grinded through and found fish every float. Top water, crayfish, and baitfish patterns they worked you just need to know what to throw when and where. I'm looking forward to getting on the road and heading north for the fall salmon run. My next report will hopefully be filled with king pictures. Be sure to follow us on FaceBook for daily updates at https://m.facebook.com/GrabYourFly?_ft_
Stay safe and Tight lines, Captain Austin
Back and forth I go. Quick report this morning. Both the river and lake are fishing great for smallmouth. The rivers still high and dirty but trust me don't let that stop you from booking. Crayfish have been best with top water being day to day. Lake Michigan baitfish on sinking lines have been producing. Gotta go, Be sure to follow us on FaceBook for daily updates at https://m.facebook.com/GrabYourFly?_ft_
Stay safe and Tight lines, Captain Austin
Great week!!! The fish and weather are in their summer patterns. The flows has stablized and is clearing. With little rain the forecast things will only improve. Top water has been good crayfish have been best. Keep a eye out for the kid in the hat in the photos below, he's the future of flyfishing for musky. Be sure to follow us on FaceBook for daily updates at https://m.facebook.com/GrabYourFly?_ft_
Stay safe and Tight lines, Captain Austin
Receding receding receding. It is nice to be back on moving water again. The river is on it's way down finally, with every float more and more structure is being exposed, visablity is also improving. The fish have been keyed in on bigger brighter baitfish patterns and a few have been willing to come up top for a fly. I had the wonderful day taking my dad and son down the river, it will be one of those days to remember. We are on track for great late summer fishing. I only have a handful of scattered dates still open for fishing the Kankakee before I leave for salmon season on the Pere Marquette. If you have any interest in fighting kings in close quarters there are spots for that open as well. Be sure to follow us on FaceBook for daily updates at https://m.facebook.com/GrabYourFly?_ft_
Stay safe and Tight lines, Captain Austin
It's been a busy few weeks. Fishing has been great most days and a typical carp game on others. Lots of 20lb class fish have been taken along with a fair amount of 30+'s My time here is nearing the end quickly so this will be my last report from here for the year. The fish remain to be caught and chased in both flooded grass and on the flats. We had a angler who is a well accomplished angler, he was blown away with the variety with the ways to fish these fish here. The rivers are on the way down at home and should be prime for summer smallmouth action when I get back. I still have dates open for August. Internet conection on the island this year is tough so be sure to follow us on FaceBook for daily updates at https://m.facebook.com/GrabYourFly?_ft_
Stay safe and Tight lines, Captain Austin
The Island season is in full swing. The weather is our biggest obstical, clouds, fog, and swirling winds that change direction everyday are making days tough. We are finding fish everyday, but when they pop up out of the grey glare 10 feet from the boat it makes things..., sporty lets say. West coast Mark and Jay spent the last week fishing with me Jay had the hot rod a couple days, Mark felt the pull a few times but somthing happend. Thats the game we as fisherman play. Internet conection on the island this year is tough so be sure to follow us on FaceBook for daily updates at https://m.facebook.com/GrabYourFly?_ft_
Stay safe and Tight lines, Captain Austin
I've arrived!!!!! The boat ride over was rougher than sh*t but we made it. The new living quarters are supper nice. I've only been able to scout for a couple days and what I've found is spectacular. The water levels are up, I would guess a foot or more and the fish are loving it. Everything else hasn't changed a bit in a years time here, this place is something special. Internet conection this year is tough so be sure to follow us on FaceBook for daily updates at https://m.facebook.com/GrabYourFly?_ft_
Stay safe and Tight lines, Captain Austin
Well we battled through the high off colored water, had some tough days and some good ones. The river is dropping and clearing, for now anyways more rain is coming. I'm sure it will be in prime shape when I return in late July. For now my gears have switched and it's all about the big pond, the island life, and carp for the next two months. I'll get a report up from there as soon as I can. Be sure to follow us on FaceBook for daily updates at https://m.facebook.com/GrabYourFly?_ft_
Stay safe and Tight lines, Captain Austin
High dirty water is plaguing the week. Normally high water is my friend in the spring but this is out of control. The river has crested and is on the way down so I'm hopeful for trips this weekend and next week. Before all of this rain nonsense the river was fishing great and big fish were abundant. Crayfish patterns were the key to success. The word from the island is the water is warming and carp are in the shallows already which is ahead of last season. The days are flying by and I'll be there in no time. Be sure to follow us on FaceBook for daily updates at https://m.facebook.com/GrabYourFly?_ft_
Stay safe and Tight lines, Captain Austin
Finally, good weather and GREAT fishing. The river is producing big numbers and big fish every float. Stripping streamers is way more productive than anything else. There is a tremendous amount of floating weed in the middle section of the river already this season. Checking your flies is a must. The island life is less than a month away and packing preparations have started. Be sure to follow us on FaceBook for daily updates athttps://m.facebook.com/GrabYourFly?_ft_
Stay safe and Tight lines, Captain Austin
Back at it and the weather and fishing is great. The Kankakee is producing nice fat, healthy fish every float. They have been keyed in on baitfish for the most part. I only have May 4, 6, and 13 open if you want to get in on some spring time toads. August dates are filling up already, hot summer days filled with a great top water bite. Don't miss out! On a carp note a few have showed up and are willing to eat. It was nice to break the carp cherry for 2015. The Beaver Island season cant get here soon enough.
Stay safe and Tight lines, Captain Austin
