Alright, let’s talk about this Rogue River fishin’ thing, ya know, in Michigan. Folks keep askin’ me, so I figured I’d spill the beans, the way I see it.
Weather and Water: First off, gotta look at the weather. If it’s pourin’ rain like cats and dogs, well, the river’s gonna be high and muddy. Fish don’t like that much, no sir. They like it kinda steady, ya know? Not too high, not too low. Just right, like Goldilocks and her porridge, or somethin’ like that. The fella down at the bait shop, he told me they measure the water flow, somethin’ called “discharge,” down in Rockford. He says it tells ya how much water’s comin’ down the river. You can check it online, he says. Me? I just look at the river, that’s good enough for me.
Fishin’ Report, Kinda: Now, them fancy fishin’ folks, they write up these “reports.” Talk about what kinda bugs the fish are eatin’, what kinda flies to use. Me? I just use what works. Worms, mostly. Sometimes minnows. Them fish gotta eat, right? Don’t matter if it’s a fancy fly or a plain ol’ worm. But these reports, they say the Rogue River got steelhead and trout. Big ones, too, they say. And salmon in the fall. I ain’t caught no salmon, but I seen pictures. Big as a dog, some of ’em! They say you can catch steelhead all year round, even in the winter. Crazy, if you ask me. Freezin’ your butt off for a fish?
Catchin’ Fish – My Way: So, how do you catch ’em? Well, like I said, worms work good. Find a deep spot, cast your line, and wait. That’s pretty much it. Sometimes they bite, sometimes they don’t. That’s fishin’ for ya. These fly fishin’ guys, they got all this fancy gear, special rods and lines. They stand in the river, wavin’ their arms around like they’re dancin’. Looks kinda silly, if you ask me. But they catch fish, so I guess it works. I like to keep it simple. A pole, a line, a hook, and some bait. That’s all you need, really.
- Bait: Worms, minnows, sometimes those little grub things.
- Location: Deep spots, near rocks, under trees. Fish like to hide.
- Patience: Gotta be patient. Fish ain’t gonna jump on your hook just ’cause you want ’em to.
The Rogue River Itself: The Rogue River, it’s a pretty river. Clean water, trees all around. Lots of birds, too. Eagles, even. Seen ’em snatch fish right outta the water, slick as you please. It’s peaceful, ya know? ‘Cept for when them city folks come up on the weekends. They make a lotta noise, leave their trash everywhere. Drives me nuts! But mostly, it’s quiet. Just the sound of the water and the birds. That’s why I like it. Gets you away from all the hustle and bustle. Good for the soul, I reckon.
Nomad Anglers and Their Fancy Talk: Them “Nomad Anglers,” they’re the ones writin’ them fancy fishin’ reports. They talk about “fly patterns” and “nymphs” and all sorts of stuff I don’t understand. But they know their fishin’, I’ll give ’em that. They say the Rogue River is famous, draws people from all over. I guess so. I seen cars from all sorts of places parked down by the river. People comin’ to catch them steelhead and salmon. More power to ’em, I say. Just as long as they clean up after themselves.
Steelhead and Trout All Year: These fellas claim they catch steelhead all year long. 365 days a year, they say. Hard to believe, but I guess they know what they’re talkin’ about. Trout, too. They say the spring is good for chinook salmon, and the summer and winter for steelhead. I don’t know about all that. I just go when I can, when the weather’s nice and the fish are bitin’. Don’t need no fancy schedule. Fishin’s supposed to be relaxin’, not a chore.
So, there you have it: My fishin’ report, plain and simple. Check the water, use some bait, be patient, and enjoy the peace and quiet. And for goodness sake, clean up your mess! That’s all there is to it, far as I’m concerned. Happy fishin’!
Tags: [Rogue River, Michigan, Fishing Report, Steelhead, Trout, Salmon, Rockford, Nomad Anglers, Fly Fishing, Bait Fishing]
