Floating Lines

We had a fantastic time at the intermediate tying night at White River Fly Shop on January 28th.  We met some really nice people and the guys at the shop, Wayne and Shawn, could not have been better hosts.  To everyone that came out to see us, say hello, talk fishing, photography, or the magazine; we say it was great to meet each and every one of you and we hope that you will continue to visit us at the site or become a subscriber.  We will return to White River on February 20th to help sponsor a fly fishing for steelhead seminar and hope to spread the word about The Cedar Sweeper.  Thanks again to everyone  … it was great!!

I happened upon a post by Rob Thompson over at The Third Year Fly Fisher.  He beats up on Midwest Fly Fishing (the magazine) pretty good over their recent show, the quality of the newspaper style magazine, and the intent to significantly raise the cover the price.  I hope that he doesn’t feel the same about The Cedar Sweeper.  TCS is a little bit of a different animal in that the packaging is a high gloss full color magazine.  Our cover price is at $4.00 though and that seemed to be a real sticking point for Rob.  I plan to bring the cover price and subscription rate down as far as I can but that depends on how much of the revenue gap I can fill with advertisers.  We are working very hard on securing those advertisers.

We had another great gain in site traffic in January but fell a little short of the goal of 7,000 visitors.  We managed to attract over 6,800 unique visits during January and that is up over 1,000 visitors from December.  So, we started 2009 with just over 1,200 visitors/month to the site and ended with over 6,800 visitors/month.  A testament to the TCS team spreading the word and attracting attention and a real attractant for those advertisers that I mentioned above (remember TCS ads are a print and web package deal).  We won’t stop here though, I won’t let us.

The next issue is ready.  I proofed everything last night and just need to give the PDF one final read through before I make it available.  I will order the print copies for subscribers and promo before the end of the week.  It looks good!  This will set us up nicely for our February visit to White River.  I plan to have the March/April issue available for the Midwest Fly Fishing Expo in March so we will dive right into that so we can make our timing.  The expo will be big for us as it will put us in front of a lot of people and we will be able to sell the magazine and subscriptions there as well.  The TCS coffers are looking forward to an infusion for sure.

I hope to get out on the ice one more time before it melts and then immerse myself in steelhead, trout, and smallmouth fishing for the rest of the season.  I can’t wait.

Thanks for dropping by.

We are quickly approaching our first public appearance at White River Fly Shop tomorrow (see the TCS site for details) and I don’t really have any nerves.  I am actually looking forward to a relaxing night of fly tying and talking with everybody about fly fishing and the magazine.  If you are in the area … stop by and say hello.  I want people to know who we are and what we are all about.  I want people to know that we are just three guys who like to fly fish, drink beer, take photos, write, put together a magazine, tie flies, and spend time with our families.  I want people to know that we aren’t afraid to say where we stand when someone asks a question.  I want people to know that we are friendly and confident without being assholes.

I think we will come through this just fine and in good shape to return on February 20th and hit the Midwest Fly Fishing Expo in full stride.

True North Trout is back on-line and beat me to the punch with a post on the Jim Harrison story in the Detroit Free Press.  The article is a good read and shows how much Harrison is working these days and how much he misses Michigan.

I did see a Pure Michigan ad in the new issue of Fly Rod and Reel.

I also wanted to comment on Steve’s most recent report over at BBT.  He has started to add some really great video to the reports and what is even better is his choice of music.  The Allman Brother’s Band, Blue Sky, makes a great backdrop for winter steelheading.  A fine choice of good southern rock; way to go Steve!!

Thanks for dropping by.

We couldn’t take it anymore so Chris Therssen and I hit the Clinton on Friday to no avail.  I couldn’t wrap up my loose ends at work so I was about two hours late.  It left little time to get in any good drifts.  So, to be honest I just took a few photos and stood on the bank.  We were joined by Wayne Snyder and had a great time just standing on the bank, swapping some stories, chatting about fly shops and the mag, and putting back a couple of cold ones (hey, we packed out the cans and some trash for good measure so don’t judge).

We are gearing up for Thursday over at White River and we can’t wait to get out and talk to everyone about The Cedar Sweeper and fly fishing.  We will have some copies of the mag, Chris just put the finishing touches on some TCS staff shirts, we have a banner with the logo, and a couple of other things in the works.  We can’t wait.  We will also be at White River on February 20th for a fly fishing for steelhead seminar.  So, make sure you stop in and say hi!

This just in!! We have also made arrangements to be at The Midwest Fly Fishing Expo on March 13th and 14th in Warren, Michigan.  This will be a big deal for us as it will put us in front of a lot of Michigan fly fishing folks and will pretty much determine how we move forward with The Cedar Sweeper.  I hope that everyone can stop by and see us, pick up a copy of the magazine or subscribe, and talk fly fishing with us.

We are seeing some increased traffic at the site, increased interest in the magazine, and there is a general sense that things are moving in the right direction.

Thanks for dropping by.

I am not usually one to rail against the competition.  After all, I am a free market guy and competition is a good thing from my point of view.

However, I am making an exception today and want to point a few things out.

We ran a TCS ad in the last issue that basically listed all the things that the national fly fishing magazines write about and all the things that TCS writes about.  The national mag portion listed exotic rivers you can’t afford to fish, lodges you can’t afford to stay at, expensive fly rods you can’t afford to own, expensive cigars you can’t afford to smoke, and expensive scotch you can’t afford to drink.  The TCS listed rivers you can drive to, hand me down rods, cheap smokes and cheap beer, and shitty campgrounds.  You get the point.

I recently happened upon six issues of Fly Rod and Reel and I can tell you that the above statement is mostly true.

I also recently happened to be solicited by one of the regional fly fishing mags via full color post card.  It purported to contain stories about the rivers (waters) that I fish.  I took a closer look at the magazine and noticed that the post card was mailed from Escondido, California and the subscription information, if so desired, could be returned to Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  These places are hardly on the banks of the AuSable, PM, Clinton, Paint Creek, Jordan, Black, White, Ocqueoc, Johnson Creek, Thunder Bay  Etc. Etc.

I offer you this.  The Cedar Sweeper is headquartered in Dearborn Heights, Michigan.  That is the address listed on our paperwork and that is our home city.  We write about all the rivers I mentioned above including our surrounding lakes.  We are a Michigan magazine, produced in Michigan, by Michigan fishermen.  You might get a story our two about Michigan out of the others over the course of a year but every issue of The Cedar Sweeper is about Michigan and her fly fishing.

Keep that in mind next time you are filling out or mailing that subscription card or clicking on the Buy Now Button.

Thanks for dropping by.

I have a lot to say today and this will probably be a two post day.

Scott Brown won the special election in Massachusetts.  Good for him, it is a blow for common sense.  Now, lets force him to live up to what he said during the campaign.  He needs to hold true to the constitution (not the progressive version either) and continue to uphold honesty, common sense, and integrity.  We need to press him to display common sense on issues like the environment, education, guns, and religion.

He is wrong about one thing though … the seat he holds is not really the peoples seat.  That is not the way the founders designed it.  The seat he holds belongs to Massachusetts as their representative and watchdog of the federal government.  The states once again need to re-claim their senators.

I hope that this is just the beginning, but keep in mind that both of these parties are progressive and that there needs to be fundamental change and choice between progressives and constitutionalists.  Now, that is hope and change folks!

Remember the Republic

A lot of magazines give out some type of award and fly fishing magazines are no different.  The angler of the year award and the Traver short fiction award come to mind right away.  I was putting some thought into this over the weekend and figure why should The Cedar Sweeper be any different.  The goal of course is to be different than the other magazines but we won’t be all that different. 

So, that being said … The Cedar Sweeper would like to hand out its first unofficial award.  It is unofficial because we are only going to mention it here on the blog and it is different because we are going to call it the “TCS Fly Rodder of The Year” award.  The criteria and selection for the award are entirely up to me, since I am all things The Cedar Sweeper. 

The 2009 TCS Fly Rodder of The Year is Rick Porcello of the Detroit Tigers.  Here is why I chose Mr. Porcello for the award.  First, most of the magazines are really just choosing somebody famous who fly fishes.  So, we will not stray from this dyed in the wool tradition.  Here are the remaining reasons for Rick’s selection. 

*I am a baseball fan and I like the ability, poise, and grit that Rick showed in his first season.

*I like the way that he was mentally strong and didn’t give up.

*I like the fact that he didn’t back down from the Boston Red Sox or Kevin Y. during the season.

*I like the fact that he was given the ball in the 163^rd game of the season and gave his team a chance to win.

*I like it that one of his roommates complained about his fly tying material and fly rods.

*I like it that he likes to fish and hunt and makes no apology for it. 

*I just like Rick.

It should be noted that I have never met the guy and for all I know he could be an incredible asshole.  However, I doubt that to be the case but only time will tell.  The reasons listed above are just as good a reason to give an award as any. 

Hey, Rick if you are in town for the Tigers caravan this coming week drop us a line we would love to talk Michigan fly fishing.  (this won’t happen either but its worth a try  … he probably doesn’t even know The Cedar Sweeper exists)

There he is; the 2009 TCS Fly Rodder of The Year.  Now you know that Rick Procello is a fly fisherman and maybe the guy can get a little more respect. 

This award really means nothing other than the fact that Rick Porcello is well know, I know that he is a fly fisherman, and I like his mound presence.  We also assume that since he is a fly fisherman he is worth giving the award to. 

I will put some more thought into a more serious award that might fit into the magazine sometime in the future.  This works for now though. 

The next issue of TCS is coming along nicely and I hope to have copies available for our upcoming visit to White River Fly Shop on January 28th.  We will have features on Caddis and Buck Tail, The Great Lakes Shoreline Fishery, and Hitting the Ice when you can’t hit the river.  It should be a good read. 

The visits to the site have leveled off a little but that is due to my lack of communicating with the good folks who stop by the site and want to know what is going on.  So, look for more posts from me here and I will probably utilize some of the social networking sites a little more. 

I was discussing the fishing around town with my dad and brother yesterday and we were getting some real time reports from out on the ice.  They reported that the place was asshole to elbow but the fish were few and the ones they were landing were dinks.  It seems to be a recurring theme with the Lake St. Clair perch fishing.  We have vowed to try a smaller lake next time out but reports are not favorable from any of the local lakes either.  We will probably give it a try though  … because we are addicted.

I am making my way through Glenn Beck’s book, Common Sense and can’t put it down.  I have three words for everybody, “Wake Up America” and take your country back.  The bums who have strayed so far from our great constitution need to thrown out on their backsides and a great restoration of the American system and values needs to occur.  If we don’t start electing folks that uphold the constitution as its written instead of interpreting it as their own living experiment there will be no more fishing and hunting.  Get to it America … I believe in you!! 

The weather is slated to remain mild but not too warm.  The ice should hold and the river fishing should come to life with the bump in temps.  I will be getting out soon and I hope that you will to. 

Don’t forget to stop by the site, pick up a copy or subscription of The Cedar Sweeper, and visit us at The White River Fly Shop on the 28th of January.

Oh yeah, want to see what happens when you mix ice fishing, beer, and a crazy fur hat? 

Thanks for dropping by.

Well it almost killed us but we hit the ice this past Saturday and managed to land a few fish.  It was by no means gangbusters but it was fun none the less and you can read all about it in the upcoming issue of The Cedar Sweeper.

Kirk over at The Northern Angler has a great post on the MDNR open comment period on the inland trout regulations.  It is our chance to make our voices heard and Kirk points us all in the right direction to make that happen.  If you are not a regular visitor to The Northern Angler blog you should check it our and book mark it for future reference.

We are gearing up for our first public appearance.  It looks like Chris and Joel will be able to join me on Thursday January 28, 2010 at The White River Fly Shop for some fly tying fun.  Don’t forget to stop in and see us so that we can talk a little fly fishing.  I can’t wait and I know the guys are chomping at the bit to get out and meet fly fishing folks as well.

The next issue of TCS is coming along nicely with all the features now in place.  I have to finish off some copy for the editor’s note and the back page essay.  There is then the usual proofing and then off to the printer.  I hope to have some copies available on the 28th.

The weather is slated to warm up a little near the end of this week and into the weekend and I am seriously contemplating a trip to some moving water.  The Clinton might be just what is needed … and you never know I might put some chrome in the net.

Thanks for dropping by.

Well, The Cedar Sweeper crew is going to hit the ice on Anchor Bay tomorrow for some fishing fun.  A few thermoses of coffee, some lunch, and a lot of beer should make for an enjoyable day.  As with most of our trips, fish are the bonus … and we hope to put a few on the ice.  A nice perch dinner would go good right about now.  The weather (namely the cold) will be our biggest enemy as the cold is due to set in starting tonight.  There is a warm up due for next week though and that has me dreaming about the fly rod, moving water, and silver bullets.

I was lucky enough to catch Anatomy of a Murder on television over the holiday break.  Jimmy Stewart playing around with flies and sticking it up George C. Scott’s ass is something to see.  I also revisited a Michigan outdoor writing anthology I am fond of and re-read Gambling at Frenchman’s.  Voelker was a genius; but more importantly he was a treasure and it seems like today honorable men who work in one of the branches of our government are few and far between.  I especially like the bell at Frenchman’s that tolls the cocktail hour.  We need a bell like that.

I ran across a post at Baldwin Bait and Tackle that said Michigan out of Doors magazine website would be streaming the natural resources meeting live.  The meeting was due to take place yesterday.  It was rumored that they had added a late agenda item that would cover how license fees are budgeted.  Is this finally a useful utilization of technology for something other than pornography.  Hey, fly fishing video are OK as well.

I have heard that there are a couple of local guys that have started a petition to lift the baiting ban in the lower peninsula.  They are basically saying that the ban is not based on sound science (a reaction plan is not sound science) and they are saying that all the ban has done has turned people into criminals for putting out some carrots and apples.  I tend to think that they are right and others think that the ban is a good idea.  However, consider this; they have been living with CWD out west for years.  The same way we have been living with TB and neither has killed off all the animals.  And if the argument is that we will all be better hunters …. well, to each their own I say.  Earn a buck might be much more worth our time.

It has been confirmed that The Cedar Sweeper crew will be making its first public appearance.  We will be cleaning ourselves up, staying sober, and sponsoring a couple of events.  The White River Fly Shop at Bass Pro Shop in Auburn Hills, Michigan has been kind enough to let us come in a sponsor a tying class and a seminar.  Here are the Details:

Thursday January 28, 2010 

Intermediate Fly Tying 

6:30 - 8:30 PM 

Pre-registration required call the shop at 248-209-4200

Saturday February 20, 2010 

Fly Fishing for Steelhead

2 - 4 PM 

Chris Therssen, Joel Tomaszewski, and I should all be at The White River Fly Shop.  So, stop by and talk fly tying, photography, fly fishing, and The Cedar Sweeper with us.  We should have some copies of the magazine, decals, and hopefully a mailer or the laptop set up so that people can easily arrange for their subscriptions to The Cedar Sweeper. 

Come on out and gain some knowledge from Wayne and The White River team.  If my conversations with them are any indication, they will have a lot of good information to share.  

Give the fly shop a call at 248-209-4200 for details on both events.  

We look forward to meeting and chatting it up with anyone interested in fly fishing in Michigan.  

Thanks for dropping by.

The site visits have really spiked and at the current rate we will top 7,000 for the month.  We tickled 6,000 last month.  We are building something here and I hope that it is a following and a readership.  The goal for the next issue is to provide a little more technical information and be a more useful resource for fly fisherman.  I realized when I started this endeavour that we would need to build a following before we could build a readership.  And we would have to get our name out there as a trustworthy resource and a good magazine.   We also want to tell a good story though; and that being said I would like to announce our first of two special issues for the year. 

The first special issue will make its debut in April and will involve fly fishing short fiction and photography.  We love a good fishing story and there is a strong love for photography in the fly fishing community.  Therefore I would like to combine short fiction with photography.  I am hoping for some outside submissions so that Joel and I don’t have to do all the heavy lifting this time around (although I certainly don’t mind writing about Pete Murphy).  So, if you can craft a good short story or have an eye with the lens … let us know so that we can check it out and possibly include you in the first TCS special issue.  We are opening the door for submissions today. 

The subscription in cut out in the magazine offers 8 great issues for the price of six and I aim to keep that promise.  We are starting to build something here and I am starting to feel that it might be something very special.  We will continue to work hard, improve, and do our thing every month.  As long as you will promise to look in on us once in a while, pick up a copy, or even better … subscribe. 

Thanks for dropping by.