The Perfect Stream

[Outdoor Talk Network by Jim Slinsky]
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The Perfect Stream ©

By Jim Slinsky
04/12/08

It was one of those days last spring that was absolutely perfect for fishing. I decided to give my good buddy and world class fly fisherman Brian Tartar from Silver Springs Outfitters a call and ask the big question. “Hey Brian, where can I go and catch 18” brown trout in numbers?” He responded without hesitation. “If I knew that Jim, I wouldn’t be standing here talking to you”. Of course, we laughed and laughed. A year later we are still talking about that question.

If you are anything like me and exist with that hope in your heart that this is your year for numbers of 18” and bigger trout, where you fish is more important than how you fish. Although, I will pitch you once again that the fly rod is the only civilized way to catch trout. No minnow buckets, no dirt or worm guts all over your hands, just a vest with pockets full of flies, waders and a rod and reel.

Fishing for big trout is not unlike fishing for big fish of any other species; it’s all about structure. Big fish like to hide. They fear predators. How did they get so big? Worrying about number one is the answer. If your favorite stream doesn’t have it’s share of hideouts, it probably doesn’t hold big fish. You may catch a bunch of stockers, but you need those deep holes and undercut banks to hold big fish. If you have those spots on your perfect stream, but you are not getting hits, fishing at night might be the answer. I am going to prove that this year. I know a few spots on my nearly perfect stream that simply must be holding nocturnal browns.

Being able to move around on a stream is another ingredient toward the status of the perfect stream. While easy wading helps increase the pressure, a treacherous bottom with slippery rocks can put you in a parallel position with a rock breaking your ribs and puncturing your liver. This did happen to a friend of mine and he almost died. In those treacherous situations floating the stream might be the best alternative. At least you will live to fish another day.

I want to tell you about two streams that just might be perfect candidates for the perfect stream, at least east of the Mississippi. The first that comes to mind is the Au Sable in northern Michigan. This fabled water starts out just north of the town of Grayling, the birthplace of Trout Unlimited. From Grayling it flows for 60 miles without a dam or manmade obstruction. The cutting of trees along the shoreline to create structure is permitted by the state. Au Sable means river of sand and this is a stream you can walk down the middle and cast to both shores and fish the structure. The Au Sable’s brown trout are legendary although mostly nocturnal. It is rated one of the best and certainly most famous trout streams in the nation. It’s a one day drive. There are all-tackle and fly fishing only areas. This is a stream I will fish, hopefully before I die.

The second candidate for the perfect stream is not a stream, but a tailwater river. It’s the Cumberland River below Cumberland Lake in Kentucky. It is wide and shallow when they are not generating electricity, but it fishes like a stream. Stocked with millions of fingerlings each year it is producing trophy trout on a consistent basis. Five and ten pound trout are common with 30-40 pound stripers coming up from the Tennessee River. You can wade it or float it and it is chock full of fish food. Any tackle goes and I am told the spinner and stickbait boys do better than the fly fishermen. It is presently rated “the” best trout water east of the Mississippi. It is a one day drive from eastern PA, eights hours from Pittsburgh.

Of course, you realize there is no perfect trout stream. Or, maybe they are all near perfect. Maybe, it is a “beauty is in the eye of the beholder” situation. I am not certain. What I do believe is you should not make any excuses and get out and fish this year. Take a kid fishing.

You may have the perfect day on that not so perfect stream.

Jim Slinsky is the host and producer of the “Outdoor Talk Network”, a nationally syndicated, outdoor-talk radio program. For a station near you or to contact Jim, visit his website at www.outdoortalknetwork.com.

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