Dear Fellow Anglers - Ripple Guide Service

Ripple Roundup
VOL 8,
I S S UE 1
J ANUARY,
2 0 1 2
IN THIS
ISSUE:
Dear Fellow
Anglers 1
Fishing
Forecast 2
Overnight 2
Camping
Trips
Our favorite
products 2
Award
Winning 3
Anglers
Show
Season 4
574-993-7453
rippleguides@hotmail.com
www.rippleguides.com
Dear Fellow Anglers,
Thank you all for a great 2011! The year started out with a bang in
March with some of the best spring steelhead fishing I have seen in
years. Then came the rains of May and put an end to the fun. The
smallmouth fishing started slow with the high water, but once it
dropped in June, the fishing was right back on track. This fall was as
good as it gets. I have never seen the numbers of kings that I saw this
year. The Muskegon was completely full of fish, and they were much
larger than normal. The king run seamlessly transitioned into the fall
steelhead run. This was one of the most consistent runs I have seen in
the last six or seven years. Fishing spey rods and streamers was the
ticket, and we were able to convert many new fishermen to the swinging lifestyle.
If 2012 is anything like last year, it will be a barnburner. If you missed
out on the fun of 2011, don’t make the same mistake again this year.
One run I can already predict is the spring will be great with the massive numbers of fish already in the system from the summer and fall
runs. We still have some good dates available for the spring, so don’t
wait. Call now, and get in on the fun.
This issue of the Roundup is filled with news of the goings on in the
world of Ripple Guide Service. I hope you enjoy reading it. If you
have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me at
rippleguides@hotmail.com or on my cell at 574-993-7453.
Tight lines,
Dustan Harley
Schedule
Fishing the Way It Was Meant to Be
PAGE
2
Fishing Forecast
The fishing this winter has been great so far and should stay productive throughout the
winter months. The key to success when it is cold out is a good slow presentation. If
you are swinging streamers slow your swing down to a crawl and if you are nymphing
make sure your drifts are accurate with no drag. Look for the slow deeper pockets and
have fun getting out of the house this winter.
With the success of last spring I hesitate to say it, but this spring may just be the best in
years. The reason? We had a very strong summer run and the fall run was unreal. All
of these fish will be around throughout the winter and will spawn in March and April.
Normally things get started around mid-March and wrap up on the Joe near the end of
April. On the Muskegon we can extend the spring steelhead season at least until midMay most years. Get those rods, reels, flies, and waders ready because this looks like it
will be a spring to not be forgotten.
Overnight Camping Trips
The pike on the Yellow River average
30-33 inches, and we see larger ones
on just about every trip. There is nothing like catching fish of this size on a
river that no one else fishes.
Our overnight camping trips are the highlight of the summer! If you
enjoy the outdoors and want to add some fishing for a couple of days,
this is the way to do it. We can arrange the trip to fit your schedule and
angling desires. Whether you want to fish the Yellow for pike and
smallmouth, the Joe for steelhead and smallmouth, the area streams for trout, or
the private lakes for bass and bluegill, we can make it work. The camping is
done on the banks for the Yellow River. All of the equipment can be provided.
Give us a call or drop us an email for more information. This is a great way to
spend some quality time with your kids or significant other.
Spotlight Fishing Favorites
Every year I try dozens of new products. Some products I try for the first time and am left disappointed, but there are others that I know I will
be using for quite some time. Here is the short list of winners that I will not be without for years to come.
Simms Guide Fleece Pant– By far the best fleece pants I have ever owned. They do not ride up from the
ankle when putting on waders, and the elastic/drawstring waist is a great fit. These things are warm even in
the coldest conditions, and I don’t look too much like a dork going into a store to meet clients.
Gamakatsu Octopus Hook– If you tie spey flies with clipped shank hooks, these are the hooks for you.
These hooks come out of the box as sharp as you will ever need them, and they hold steelhead like no
hook I have ever seen.
Beadalon 7-Strand Wire– Speaking of extending the hooks on spey flies, if you are wanting to keep the
hook straight and be able to take it off to replace it when dull, this is what you have been looking for.
Beadalon comes in a wide range of colors to match just about any fly you will ever tie.
www.rippleguides.com
IGFA
record. This is the pending
Michigan 20 lb. tippet record.
PAGE
R I P P L E G U I D E S @ H O Bo
T Mwith
A I another
L . C O pending
M
Doug holding his
41” In-Fisherman
and Michigan
Master Angler
award winning king.
3
Steve and a summer
run that qualified for
an In-Fisherman
Master Angler
award.
Gene with the largest steelhead of the
year. An In-Fisherman Master Angler
award winner and a finalist for the Indiana steelhead of the year. We will know
the results in mid-January. Check the
website to see if Gene’s fish was the
largest caught in the entire state!
Norm with an
In-Fisherman Master
Angler award winner
that just about ripped
the rod out of his
hands.
Bo with his
pending
IGFA world
length record
king salmon.
Drew holding his
In-Fisherman
Master Angler
award winning
king. It took us
all night to land
this one.
Jimmy with a beast of a
steelhead that qualified
him for an In-Fisherman
Master Angler award.
Joe with a longnose gar that is a
finalist for the Indiana longnose
gar of the year. We will know
the results in mid-January.
Check the website to see if Joe’s
fish was the largest caught in the
entire state!
Find us on Facebook,
and find your picture.
52801 Hastings Street
South Bend, IN 46637
574-993-7453
rippleguides@hotmail.com
www.rippleguides.com
Check out our new video brochure at www.rippleguides.com.
2012 Winter Show and Seminar Schedule
January 7
January 8
January 25-29
February 11
February 17-19
February 25
March 2
March 3-4
Indiana Fly Fishing Show
Indianapolis, IN
Flymasters of Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN
Chicago Outdoor Sportsmen Show
Rosemont, IL
Kentuckiana Fly Fishing Show
Louisville, KY
Indianapolis Boat, Sport & Travel Show
(at Flymasters booth)
Indianapolis, IN
Chicago Fly Fishing Outfitters
Chicago, IL
Trout & Grouse
Northbrook, IL
Great Outdoor Expo
Woodstock, IL
Check www.rippleguides.com for specific show information
and appearances that will be added throughout the winter months.