We are back after a temporary distraction due to a new job and big move! Thank goodness my parents are good to me and offered unwavering support, as well as help during the entire process. Therefore, I want to start out my first blog back highlighting an article chosen by my dad - River of Plenty by Eric Sharp.

He writes a beautifully simple description of a day spent on the St. Mary's River in Sault Ste Marie fishing for steelhead. Not only does he mention the area is perfectly deserted during the week, which allows for a peaceful experience and plenty of fish, but he so generously provides other tid-bits of information:

• Many people focus on steelhead and salmon, but don't forget the resident rainbow trout attracted by dry flies.
• Steelhead have excellent vision so avoid getting too close as it only scares them away. You could even stay back from the water or hide among rocks. And leave those bright red hats at home! Chose neutral colors and blend into the natural landscape.
• The fresh Atlantics normally make an appearance in the first or second week of June.
• Consider fly rods when fish reside in the shallows and spinning rods with spoons/spawns when they venture into deeper pools.

I really enjoyed his description of a bottom-bouncing spawn rig "tick-tick-ticking across the bottom as the current sweeps the bait downstream." He then moves on to recommend casting, reeling to eliminate slack and then following the lure with the tip of the rod; you should feel a subtle tug, lift the tip and "you'll feel a handshake" sure to mean success and a great fish!

Thank you Eric for a great read!

Until next time,
Shannon