SHIFTING GEARS

Although there are several important field trials, including the Michigan and Great Lakes Championships yet to run, my thoughts are beginning to turn to fishing. Lizzie and I drove up to LoBank yesterday to take my pickup back. There are still snow banks plowed higher than the 4 ft. fences but only a couple of inches on the ground. They tell me they've had far less snowfall than usual and that the water level of the river is below optimum. Hopefully we'll get some warm rain in the next few weeks to complete the melt and replentish the water table. This past winter we chose to close up the cottage rather than spend alot of money in propane to keep it warm. We walked through the place and found everything to be in tip top shape. The company that does everything will be there March 29th to re-open and my winter of discontent will be over. I've told my office not to expect to see me on Fridays or Mondays. The Mid-West Fly Fishing Show opens today in Warren. Vendors of all types, from boats, rods, reels and tying material to home furnishing and improvements are there. I'm leaving my checkbook and credit cards at home! I'm excited that my friend Shawn Wayment, "Bird Dog Doc" is coming in June from Colorado. I expect he'll find the AuSable quite different from the bigger waters of CO and ID. I'm planning both a day and night "hex" float on the Main stream and South Branch as well as alot of spot fishing on the North Branch and Manistee. I'm really hoping the weather will cooperate and the hatches are on schedule. I wonder if Shawn has ever sat on a log in a river at 2 A.M. waiting for the hex and the big browns that devour them. "Tight Lines"