APRIL ALREADY?
TURKEY TIME
It seems that April is about over and turkey season is already here. I have seen turkey’s in almost every field and open area along the highways and back roads of Michigan.
Tom’s are out strutting, trying to impress the hens and Michigan’s hunters are getting ready to bag their bird for their spring tag.
Although I haven’t had the chance to get out myself, I am looking forward to taking my daughter or for her very first hunt. She just got her first apprentice license and is looking forward to getting out with dad for the first time.
Now, my earliest memories of hunting with my dad weren’t nice spring weather and a ground blind. They are more like rabbit hunting in new snow and trying not to get lost in his footprints (Pops is only 5′5″ but seemed like a giant then).
Either way, getting out is great. Even better when you can share it with someone new or someone who took you the first time.
EARLY STEELIES
Earlier this month I had the good fortune to fish the Big Manistee with Captain Michael Tilmann of Tilmann outfitters (www.tilmannoutfitters.com).
I have been putting this trip off for the past year. Either because of money issues or just wimping out thinking I had something better to do. Well not this time.
After a few hundred phone calls back and forth with the intense Captain Tilmann, we made a solid day and time. The trip was set and I was on my way to Manistee.
Having made the solo drive to Manistee, I reached the home base of Tilmann outfitters. An obvious landmark was the University of Michigann flag waving in the brisk wind on a pole in his front yard. Did I mention he is a former lineman for the Maize and Blue. So I guess you can imagine his passion for football. Take that times 10 when it comes to fishing.
The house overlooks the Big Manistee river and was a most beautiful scene first thing in the morning with a blanket of snow that had graced the area just a couple of days before. About a hundred steps down to the rustic boat slip and it was off to find the steelhead that were just coming into the river.
We started out by doing some float fishing with spawn bags he tied up the night before using floats he made himself. A couple of hits and misses we kept at that for a while in different areas of the river.
Switching back and forth between bottom bouncing and float fishing we decided to make a final move before calling it a day. Again, thinking that a bad day of fishing is better than a good day at work I pondered on all that we had seen that day. A couple of mink playing on the shore and in the water. Sandhill cranes cruising the river like they were on a low flying bombing mission, and a couple of white sucker landed still beat the heck out of being behind a computer or microphone.
Then it happened. Just as I was telling the good Captain how much fun I had that day it hit. Like a shot out of nowhere it was “fish on” and Captain Tilmann was giving me the tips to land the first Michigan steelhead of the day. After about what seemed like 20 minutes (5 actually) she was in the boat. A shimmering silver steelhead that was fresh out of the big lake and ready to leave her mark on the river.
Measuring 34″ and weighing a solid 8lbs. 3oz., this was the fish that I waited all day for. Heck, anything other than a sucker was the fish I was waiting all day for, but this was great. A few minutes later we picked up a small male and then another monster was on but then got away just as fast.
All in all by the end of the day, I was beat up and physically bankrupt. And with a three plus hour drive I could hardly wait to get home. And when I did, CRASH! Out go the lights.
A great trip and a great guy to be sure. Next time, I plan on staying in his cabin on the site. And by next time, I mean May for big browns on the lake.
If you would like to contact Tilmann outfitters, I encourage you to do so. He is a solid guy with a passion for fishing. And yes, I paid for my trip. If you do, please let him know that you heard about him from AM Outdoors radio show.
Tight Lines!
-Duran
Contact Captain Tilmann:
Capt. Michael Tilmann
2626 Bialik Rd.
Manistee, Michigan 49660
231-723-6166
captmichael@tilmannoutfitters.com