Floating Lines

I made major headway on the color issue of TCS last night.  The only thing left to complete are a review of a couple of the photo choices, one last proof read, and then a file conversion to send off to the printer.

I must admit, the thing looks pretty outstanding.  I made the use of photos much more prominent and played around with layout a little.  My hats off to Joel Tomaszewski; his photography has not been done justice until now and his shots are going to make this thing a great magazine.

The reports from all around the state are that the Hex is on.

A couple of quick notes from around Grayling and the banks of the AuSable.  I noticed that Old AuSable’s site showed that Michigan Out of Doors magazine was using their shop as a base camp for a Hex story.  They were hosting a party yesterday just because and calling it a “Hex party”.  Also, the old Fly Factory and Ray’s Canoes shop that moved across the street from Old AuSable is now The Rising Trout Fly Shop and under new management.

Thanks for dropping by.

I continue to roll along with the full color issue.  We will call this a special issue and celebration of one year in print.  I won’t make a big deal out of the one year in print but I will continue to tout the color issue.  This should do justice to the fine photography that we include in every issue but have not been able to showcase in color yet.  I will update the site once the issue is ready and provide a link to purchase the color issue.  I can’t wait.

I had a report from Mike Sams not too long ago.  He reported some slow shore fishing on Lake St. Clair and plenty of dead smallies in the rocks.

Mike Delp has a really good article over at the Traverse Magazine site that reminds us all that we most likely started out as bait fisherman (probably still are) and should respect that heritage.  We should respect it even when and if we become fly fishing snobs.

I saw an article that said that John Cherry, Michigan’s fantastic failure of a lieutenant governor was going to visit the boys at MUCC and talk about cutting cost.  One suggestion was to combine the MDNR and MDEQ.  This sounds like a disaster waiting to happen.  In fact I would like the department of game and fish back so that I and the resources that I love can get the focus and attention that I think we deserve.  John Cherry and the MUCC  … bedfellows anyway.  They are getting in their way trying to flee MUCC for the very reason of being too close to the government.

I got news from my wife that I am heading to Pennsylvania during the 4th of July break.  She suggested I take a day during our visit and fish.  Ahhh  … a woman after my own heart and I knew there was a reason I married her.  I have researched a few good streams and can’t wait to try my luck.  If anybody has advice, by all means pass it along.

Thanks for dropping by.

The June issue is rolling along and hopefully it will be in color.  The only thing that might impair this is technical difficulty at this point.  We will work hard to prevent that though and just say flat out, “TCS will be in color this month”.  It is too good of a magazine not to be in color.  Let’s see how it goes, won’t you join me on this wonderful journey.

We have some great stuff in the works with some great photos.  Don’t miss the stories on The Pine River, Floating, and Why We Like the Hex.  Also, don’t miss the updates news, tips, editor’s note, and back page essay.  The mag in color should be something to see.

The weather is beginning to heat up and that has or should trigger the hex.  There is currently only one outlet reporting the hex on the AuSable but they are closer to a pond and that emergence makes sense.  However, if they are emerging there that means that stream emergence can’t be that far behind and with it the starry eyed blank stare that comes with chasing the midnight monsters (bugs and fish).  So, good luck if you are fortunate enough to be out on the stream during all hours of the night.

Thanks for dropping by.

Well, I have been under the weather but now I am back.  I had the most terrible fever ever over the weekend and I am still sweating this thing out of me.  The fever and subsequent illness were so bad it makes me question if I didn’t have a touch of that little swine thing that has been going around.  It set me back a few days but I am rolling along again.

It is wet here today but that does nothing but fuel the rivers and as long as we have good water levels, we should have good fishing throughout the summer and I am fired up for my next excursion.

We are on track to take TCS to the next level.  I have identified the three areas that I want to concentrate on; providing more useful information, a color glossy issue, and a direct mail campaign.  I have the wheels turning on the mailing and the color glossy issue.  And that means that I am also working on the content as without it we can’t have a color glossy.  I hope that when TCS does debut in color you will all pick up a copy.  It should be something to see.  A color glossy magazine dedicated, exclusively to Michigan fly fishing.

So, the stage is set for the rest of the summer.  We are moving forward with our new initiatives at TCS and planning our next fishing trip.  Can life get any better??

Thanks for dropping by.

I happened upon an excellent story in the Alpena News today.  They are holding a river clean up this weekend on The Thunder Bay River.  And guess who is cleaning it up?  It isn’t the kayak floater, the canoe floaters, the river swimmers, the jet skier, the pleasure boaters, the joggers, skateboarders, or roller blade association of Michigan.  It is being organized by the Head Waters chapter of Trout Unlimited.  The damn Thunder Bay isn’t even a trout stream that far down but they are doing it anyway.  These guys are top notch and between TU and the fly shops around the state they are doing their best to keep the rivers clean.  That means that anglers are cleaning up after everyone else and that should make everyone who casts a fly feel proud.

I was also poking around and checked in on the guys over at Fuller’s NBOC.  They have a fly fishing festival scheduled for July but It is worth a visit to check out their most recent river report and their June photo gallery.  There are some damn fine north branch brook trout pictured and I can see myself and the crew chasing after some of these in the near future.  In fact, I smell an August feature.

Don’t forget to go back to the site and pick up a copy of TCS or a subscription for dad.

Thanks for dropping by.

TCS is about fishing and the experience of fishing.  It isn’t about catching; that happens sometimes to but we love to fish.  I also love to write and put together this magazine.  In the future look for two things; a color magazine that will do all of our wonderful photography justice and more useful information.  That’s right we are in the information business and we will give it to you.  It might be included with some touchy-feely, sentimental fly fishing article  … but you will get the information.  We are excited about the June issue and making those photos pop.

The fishing is beginning to heat up as they are reporting drakes across the north country and some Iso’s.  The fishing is getting good despite the cooler temperatures.  We are trying to plan another trip to The Paint but I also want to do some lake fishing on the inland waters and a smallie trip to Lake St. Clair.  All good features that provide us with a chance let you in on fishing all these great spots.  I figure, why keep it all to ourselves.

Thanks for dropping by.

I am exploring my options for a full blown glossy (color) issue of TCS.  I am trying to get the best printing cost that I can but I am excited at the possibility of showcasing TCS in full color.  I am still not sure about what sort of response it might receive but something that is pleasant to touch, see, and read should sit well with followers of the magazine.  I will pick the best option very soon and move forward.

I looked in on Rob Thompson at The Third Year Fly Fisher today and found that the weather is still giving him fits.  I let him know that he was not the only one as the Pine was way up and running a nice chocolate milk stain for us.  It effectively shut down the fishing and made floating a little tough as well.  Rob did announce that he submitted a piece to Winston Rods fly fishing film contest and won an award along with $100 in Winston gear.  Congratulations to Rob and it is nice to see the good guys win one for a change.

Thanks for dropping by.

I opened my e-mail not long after I posted yesterday about taking TCS to full color glossy, and wouldn’t you know there was an offer from a printer to do just that at a discounted rate.  So, I think we will make June a “Special Issue” and see how it goes.  I will post an actual photo of the magazine along with a new “buy now” link once the issue is available.  However, be prepared as there will be a cost increase for sure and no advertising in this issue.

While I ponder the future of TCS the whack jobs over at PETA are trying to take over Michigan light houses in an attempt to stop fishing.  I don’t want to give them too much space here, but who would guard the woods and waters if not for the hunter and fisherman?

The nice folks at PETA try and stop fishing and the MDNR is trying to figure out who is killing the fish.  There is a massive fish kill that has washed up over in my hometown of St. Clair Shores due to the recent northeast winds.  It killed me to see all those pretty little smallies bloated rotting in the canals.  Well, I will venture a guess and say the fish probably didn’t die from being poked in the lips with a hook (let that be a lesson to you PETA).  The MDNR collected samples of living and dead fish and forwarded them to a lab in Lansing.  The lake has seen a couple fish kills in recent years; one due to chlorine usage at a water treatment facility.  However, the MDNR suspects that this kill happened elsewhere in the lake and was merely blown here by the wind.

Thanks for dropping by.

I have been doing some research and some soul searching about where we are going with the magazine.  The first really big thing we are exploring is doing a full color glossy magazine.  The black and white really doesn’t do Joel’s (or any)photographs justice and that needs to change.  I am exploring the most cost effective way of doing this and am confident that we can start with the June Issue.  I think I can do this only because of some encouragement from my number one business partner.

However, a full color glossy publication will drive some changes in production schedule and price.  We think that it will be worth it though.  We will convey those changes as soon as we know what they are and try to give as much advanced notice as possible.

We would also like to conduct and direct mail campaign targeted at Michigan fly fishermen.  So, you might get a postcard in the mail.  If you do be sure to subscribe.

We will also make some changes at the site so be sure to check back often to keep up with all the exciting things that we are doing.

Thanks for dropping by.

Don’t forget to get your copy of TCS.

I think the statement above is falling on deaf ears.  So, I have been working hard and researching how to make this thing work.  The majority of small magazine publishers are pointing me down the path of direct mail.  So, if you are on a mailing list and I can get my hands on it; prepare to get a subscription post card in the mail.  Let’ s see if we can make this one work.

I want to warn against using a 17 foot flat bottom canoe to float The Pine (west).  There is some fast water and some real hairpin turns that can cause delayed maneuvering events and possible swamping.  We made out alright though.

A guy who caught a 4-5 ft. sturgeon in downtown Grand Rapids thought that it would be a good idea to keep the fish despite a peanut gallery and a slew of camera phones.  This is the boneheaded move of the month.

The state of Michigan is now reporting an outbreak of Forest Tent Caterpillars.  These little suckers are everywhere and can eat the heck out of some leaves.  We noticed them on our two trips north this spring/summer and they are spread out from east to west.  They are falling on and into everything and make an ugly little web/nest in the trees.  They will go away and the trees will recover.

Thanks for dropping by.