We're Back...

We’re back. Like the walking dead, furbies, 90210, Rambo, boomerangs and a good hunting dog. We always come back!

Yes, it’s true. We have emerged from our snowy veiled cocoons of wintry lives filled with numerous business trips, chilled waters, and the occasional social appearance. From Thanksgiving until now, Easter Sunday, we had been imprisoned to do everyday common human deeds. Forced to clean and organize. And you know even contemplating cleaning on a good weekend for a Riverbum is torture. Compelled to accept invitations to parties since our typical excuse of “gone fishing” was seasonally useless. And our friends know it! Summoned to dating. Friday double date dinners with friends, late night movies, strolls through the park as AC runs to the nearest fountain and peers down in hopes of seeing a fish, just one lousy fish God. Please!

But, the good thing about dating and being a Riverbum, is the excuse. Yes, we have another excuse. Cause once the weather breaks and the rivers run their wild flocks free for anglers to prey upon, we dump our significant others. I mean, let’s face it. Friday nights are truly meant to relining reels, packing the car, and mapping out river spots. There’s no time for dating when fishing season is open. But, don’t worry, our dates know that. We put our Facebook status on single and dating in late fall and post it as “complicated” when April hits.

We did manage to escape, a few times, from our hibernation in January to fish the Pere Marquette, even though frozen solid and empty handed most trips. Can’t blame us for trying. Organizing the screws in Dad’s toolbox was looking tempting and AC actually participated in yoga, twice. Our minds were slipping folks, we had to do something.

Which brings us to today. This post, here and now is dedicated to a resurrectional fishing trip. The rise of the Riverbums on a most holy day of days. AC caught the last big fish of the year with her first salmon on Thanksgiving day. Which means, it was only casting karma that dad should be the one to last the first real lunker of the year on Easter Sunday. And so he did…

But first, we packed up the car, left at 4 am sharp Saturday morning and arrived in Newaygo County, Michigan to fish the White River all day. Stocked with steelie lures like our orange bottom medium soft belly strung through flat head black jigs which turned out to be the trophy snatcher of the day. But, why have you read more about it, let us show you...

We thought a salute to America by a nearby tank would be good karma for the start of the season...

Saluting to a new road trip

We had gone about a mile until it was too deep to wade. So, we had to get out and walk for a bit. The weather never got over 45 and with the water temp still low, AC was sure to wear her winter waders with 2 sweats underneath. But, the bulk didn't stop her. For it's never too early to start bushwhacking. So, AC took to the forest and was able to maneuver her way easily around this commune of wood.

She'll bushwhack anywhere to get to a spot

The 6th hour rolled around with just  a few hits here and there. We were in search of a nice early spring steelhead. We came across the biggest hole of the day in this particular region of the river. As 5 fly fishermen, 3 float boats, and 2 kayaks tried their hands at the massive hole, we patiently waited  just a curve of the river away for people to clear. When all were gone, we moved in. Optimistic that something, just something was left to be caught after so many had tried...

Fish On!

And it was a beautiful hit! For within just a few casts in this hole, Dad hooked a steelhead and took a good 15 minutes to fight him. He would drag out line with the current and then chase back towards him. Like Tom and Jerry, the brawl continued, giving quite a show for the other fishermen who came by to watch the Angler and his catch of the day in the ring...

Breaching

The Money Shot!

Readjusting him to the water for release

We were covered in bugs all the day with this prime early Spring hatch. Perfect timing to match the hatch...

Dad's HATCHING more than just good casts...

Our Path Home

It seems holidays are our specialities. The lunkers must be ones for festivities too as they seem to bite the best for us then. First Thanksgiving, now Easter. Next up is Mother's Day. But, let's hope we get out before then and get in some more catches. 

Until next time...we'll see ya on the other side of the river

Cast Away,

AC & Dad

The Basst of 2012

It's the new year! So, we are putting the past behind us and moving on with a post of our favorite moments in the river of 2012. Due to an abundance of emails asking to see our favs and yours, we have decided to forgo the usual Riverbum Rant and just go the visual distance. So, without further ado (and zero captions), please enjoy the photos below of our great 2012 Riverbumming fishpeditions...

Time to make new memories 2013! If we can just get over 10 degrees, please :)

Goodbye 2012, thanks for the chance to cast!

Cast Away,

AC & Dad

Second Chance Casts

There is something refreshing about the phrase, "A second chance." A second chance at life, at opportunity, and even love. I mean after all, we are here to make mistakes and learn from them. The meaning of life is to fish, obviously. But if there were a second meaning we would say perseverance. Falling down and getting back up, tough get going when the going gets tough, Never give in, Ride the wave, etc. Like the great Rudy, Lombardi and the 1980 US Olympic hockey team (google them), try and never stop trying. Because after all, that's how second chances are deserved. Putting in the extra time and extra sweat. Determined to work until the sun goes down and then keep working. Fighting through the pain to get what you want, whatever that may be. And willing to sacrifice to see a dream come true.

But, it's not the sweat and blood that makes someone like Rudy better than you or I. He had this massive adoration, a passion for might and gut, a prestige in precision and fulfillment. The integrity of such a man, the humble ambiance of such a will power could only mean he had more of something than anyone else. Heart. Yes friends, that fickle organ that we attune to love and passion which inevitably is just a pumping mass of blood and tissue beating to keep our feeble bodies in motion as long as it possibly can. But, let's for a moment pretend that it is your heart that feels and not your brain. Leave logic out of this altogether. All the heart does,  24/7, is receive blood, give blood, pump in, pump out, on and on and on. Working like a steam engine to push all of its energy into supporting a water based multi-limbed being of Earth that takes more from it than it gives. The heart is the perfect example of perseverance. No wonder we point to our chests when we mouth the words "I love you" or say our hearts are broken when someone doesn't love us back. Because only something so dedicated to our well being and so determined to keep going could be attributed with emotion. The heart works and lives to give feeling and life. It does not stop on its own free will. Only interference can stop a beating heart.

And even then, a heart can persevere. Surviving a heart attack, giving up smoking, working out more, not being a cubs fan. Sometimes a little interference is just what we need. An obstacle to get in our way and push us to endure and overcome. You didn't think that second chances were easy, did you? Sure, you've learned your lesson the second time around and you are a bit wiser and thick skinned. But, don't for a moment think that you actually deserve that second chance without earning it. I mean, where's the fun in that?

Yes, you have to earn it to achieve it! And that is just what the Riverbum master himself did a few weeks back. Thanksgiving, as you may have read up on, was somewhat of a bummer for the old man. His bubbly partner in crime managed to reel one in with just 5 minutes on the clock Turkey day. He endured 12 hours of hidden boasting in quiet giggles and subdued jolly Lady Gogo and Justin Beaver songs from the chipper chic that landed the solo salmon of the day. He worked just as hard, maybe even harder than her. Didn’t he deserve a fish?

Well he did this time around. For on a chilly mid December weekend, the Riverbums ventured into the Milwaukee river in hopes of steelhead. Dad was determined to win over a trophy as he put more casts in than anyone out that day. And boy was it packed? Local bait fisherman trying to get that last good of the salmon fishing in before the snow hit and they had to hibernate until Spring or be forced to stand over a hole in the ice while drinking lite beer and listening to Kenny Chesney serenade them into a country coma. But, they weren't good enough as Dad had one more thing than them all that day, heart. Yes, he pushed and pushed, cast and reeled, waded into the deepest spots until he came out with not one, but two lunker beauties in one day...

Dad's Brown Trout

Showing the girth of the Heart

Dad hooked on his salmon

Netted and bested

The last of the salmon run in the Milwaukee 

Saying goodbye to a worthy day of second chances

Yes, despite officials saying this specific area of the Milwaukee had been cleared out of salmon and browns, perseverance prevailed as Dad reeled both species in on a red and white medium soft belly with a black flathead jig. Goes to show that you shouldn't let rumors, obstacles and even people get in the way of what you want. Because if you work hard enough, sacrifice all you can, and put your heart out there to lead you on, you will earn that second chance. Just ask the Riverbum who can't stop boasting now, well, he does deserve it. Until of course, AC casts in her revenge... but, that's a whole other topic!

Oh and to our  loyal reader and friend Billy from Arkansas, we wish you all the best and success on your second chance. You let us know when you open that place of yours, we will be the first ones in line…

Until next time…we’ll see ya on the other side of the river

Cast Away,

AC & Dad