Spring Streamers

First, I'd like to extend an apology for the faithfull who have continued checking for fresh posts. It's greatly appreciated. I ended up A LOT busier this past winter than planned. Weak excuse but true. The local rivers are in great shape, right now on a big spike since multi days of rain totalling over 3" Sunday, May 6 turned out to be a great day chosen. John Hayes & I hit the water bright & early for a day of Streamers on the Upper Manistee. One of those all to rare occasions when the weather actually cooporates. It stayed cloudy / overcast all day with only a few sprinkles of rain. Only once did I think seriously about reaching for my rain shell but never did. The fish were grabby, after the first couple hours chartreuse established itself as colour of the day. We never hit any 'big' fish but plenty of nice ones in low to mid teens, john had one to hand that would have hit 15" - 16" and I had a good chase by one we had no qualms labeling NICE. John had afternoon obligations and no time to spare after hitting the skids of our takeout. I left my waders on and rod rigged, placed in backseat. John's the 'up high' guy on the upper river sections.. me, I cut my teeth on waters quite a bit lower and had a couple runs in mind if I could summon the energy to stop on way back down. As it was I'd convinced myself to just call it a day and go home.. until I drove past my turnout road and there were no tracks, old or new, only a blank slate. It was more than I could let go, so hooked reverse, backed up and turned in. A modest hike put me into and area that just feels like arriving home. The river is up and rolling at good brisk business like pace. I wondered if I'd be able to cross where I [almost] always have. It's hairy, enough push to shove you lower threatening to up-end me. What a relief to start back up out of the trough. She's reminding me of the old days when you didn't just wade with impudence but better be on top of your game on all points. Raining again now.. just a nice sprinkle occasionally settling back to mist.. sweet spring scents in the air. Starting at the low end junction of a nice split my streamer isn't really getting down quite the way I'd like it to. This water is MOVING. I start casting a bit higher and mending.. instead of stripping just animating the fly with light pulls. It's helping but I'm getting more sceptical with each cast, the water is fairly cold still. Almost convinced to reel up and move on I get whammed out of the blue by a strong tough customer. The water speed is really working to his advantage, rod is a GLX Classic 9' 6wt.. no weak kneed willow wand but he's still putting a big time bend in it! Finally I get him steered into some softer water and after a couple hard burst runs he's mine. What a gorgeous Trout. Pictures could never od justice at some moments and this is definetley one of them. The cold high water, his supercharged strength, golden buttery red spotted flanks & metallic 'dime' spot on cheeks with prominent kype all came together to represent quite a specimen and forge a moment I won't forget. Not many fish have that effect, this one is among that cadre. Pic is decieving as most of him is hanging vertical. Took one other about 15" and left with a new lease on state of mind.