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My wife Glenda and I are both High School teachers and have opened April for the fourth year in a row by spending our Spring Breaks, away from the last blast of West Michigan's cold winters, down in Missouri fishing. We have been pleased to be able to enjoy a few days of real spring fishing the North Fork River at the River of Life Farm and resting in their
Eagle's Nest
cabin. It was a delightful trip again this year as the fish seem to be back in the river, after last year's drought.
We started out Monday morning with Guide Shelby
Nold, in his Clackercraft and enjoyed a good day. My wife caught most of fish around three Rainbows and couple of Browns one of which she caught was about 17 inches. Shelby does a fine job guiding and his new drift boat improves the range of options considerably.
On Tuesday I decided to stay close to the cabin, so I fished Jack's riffle in the morning and picked up a couple of 14 inch Rainbows and lost a 20 plus
incher. All on 14 BH Prince Nymphs.
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I came back in the late Afternoon to the same spot and started to nymph. Later my wife then walked down to observe and she noticed some fish rising to Caddis flies. So, on hearing this, I switched over to a dry fly rig and put on a 14 Elk's Hair caddis. After about the 5th cast, I picked up a nice fat 15 inch
Brown.
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It more than made up for that morning's lost Rainbow, as a 20 inch rainbow is about an average Steelhead in Michigan. But standing in the snow casting to Steelies among the crowds on April 1st is not my idea of a great Spring Break.
So the Brown on top was a great April Fool. I am not sure however who is the Fool. This has been Glenda's best trip down here so far and she keeps reminding me that she noticed the rising fish first.
Thanks to Myron and Crew for a great time.
Jim and Glenda Gibson, Dowagiac Michigan
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