When the stars align

Last Friday I floated a half day afternoon on the North Branch. The bug activity was decent and we caught a mess of small brook trout on sulpher dun patterns and attractors. It was one of those wonderful northern Michigan spring days where everything seems to be coming to life all at once. The water level was perfect for running the Au Sable boat without having to hear that terrible sound of your cedar boat catching gravel in low water. I find that when the water is up like this that the fish also leave their hideouts and are more apt to seek out your fly. 

That afternoon my buddy Mike texted me about trying to hit the spinnerfall that evening. I didnt have much confidence anything good was going to come of it but I decided to give it a shot and Im sure glad we went. We sat on one of the many places we've seen big fish in the past and had two great shots at two different fish in the last half hour of daylight. A rusty spinner was the golden ticket. Mike landed his and I picked mine. So it goes.. 

As we were rowing out we came around a bend and were treated to an incredible view of the northern lights. I had'nt seen them in years, the last time I had seen them was in Canada, it was a wonderful surprise seeing them so vividly from the boat on one of our favorite stretches of water. As we were gazing up at the amazing display I couldn't help but think of how close I was to not getting out on the water that evening. I would have missed a truly special moment. That is something I think about more and more as I get older. Ive learned its best to say yes and soak up every opportunity you can to enjoy the great outdoors. Don't miss the moment. ​