Punching Above My Weight Class

Austin Aducci

I've said it before but it bears repeating. Authoring a "fly fishing blog" carries no presumption of competence on the water. I am, at best, an average angler and, at worst (and more likely), a guide's cold-sweat nightmare. I know just enough to be dangerous and my casting skills have plateaued at the point that I can generate sufficient line speed to bury a hook deep into tender flesh.

I'm everyman fly fisher.

But I've been lucky. Through these interweb pages I've met a host of good people and have been able to parlay some pedestrian piscatorial skills with the ability to use a thesaurus and to rescue an over/under exposed image into some extremely cool opportunities. The latest, a visit to Beaver Island and a week spent with some of the very best fishermen, and folk, I've had the pleasure to share a boat with.

I was punching above my weight class, and lovin' it.

Cue the introductions.

Austin Aducci

No one wants to be on the water first more than Austin Aducci of Grab Your Fly Charters. He wants it so badly that Steve and Kevin (who you'll meet here shortly) derive great pleasure in occasionally beating him to the ramp. The good news is that this little game of who-gets-there-first puts everyone on the lake early and that means more fishing. Here on Beaver, that's a very good thing.

Austin put me on my first carp and for that alone he should be enshrined in the guide hall of fame, but he's likely not to smile for his induction photo. That's just how he rolls.

Any time, any place. I'd fish with this guy.

Shawn Combs

It's good to know that your rod builder is also one hell of a fisherman. A week with Shawn Combs, Orvis's Rod and Tackle Divisional Merchandise Manager (which is industry-speak for Head Gear Geek) was enlightening on many levels as well as just plain fun. His brain is always working, spinning out ideas for gear, videos, and directions that our sport can and might go. He has one foot firmly placed in the tradition of fly fishing while the other steps comfortably towards new ground and the turf of today's emerging angler. It's nice to see the Grand Old Brand regaining such footing.

And the one-piece Helios2s that he brought along were smooth as Grandma's apple butter. If there'd been a way to sneak out, unnoticed, a nine-foot rod tube, the 9wt might just have gotten "lost" in the shuffle.

Shawn Combs

Steve Martinez

Steve Martinez. The rock. The big man. The Clarence Clemons of Indigo Fly Service's E Street Band. The guy I want in my boat when the weather gets tough or the fishing gets tougher. Or when the weather is sweet and the fishing is sweeter. Hell, I just want him in my boat.

I think a passage from his bio on Indigo's website pretty much says it all.

Steve is currently Indigo’s record holder for longest trip, at 16 hours. We were just about ready to call in search and rescue when Steve pulled in with his two very happy customers. After they left I asked him if something went wrong and Steve said no, we were having so much fun that we talked about it and none of us wanted to quite, so we decided to just fish till dark.

If you get the chance, go have some fun.

Steve Martinez

Kevin Morlock

Fly fishing for carp is just a little bit different. And it's complicated by the fact that there are so many ways of going about it. Drifting for crusiers and tailers. Dapping (heretofore referred to as Googling - don't ask) in the deep weeds. Stalking mudders in the tidal pools. Casting into the wind and surf of the Third Coast. There needs to be a class.

Wait. There is one and its name is Kevin Morlock. My carp professor for the week. We tried it all and I learned more about chasing the golden bones than I could have imagined. (Now, execution...a whole different matter.) I appreciated Kevin's patience and persistence, qualities necessary for a top notch guide in such a unique setting.

He says that I've graduated Carp 101. Maybe I have. But I think that I'll audit the class one more time. It's hard to find a good teacher.

Kevin Morlock and Friends

Cameron Mortenson

No introduction is necessary, here. The incomparable Cameron Mortenson, Mr. TFM, and the organizer of this little soirée. He's been coming to this island for a number of years now and loves to share it with an annual grouping of friends and fly fishing industry acquaintances; a group that manages to have a great time in good weather years and bad. Cameron always puts together a good crowd.

I've long admired Cam for what he's accomplished with The Fiberglass Manifesto. He's resurrected a segment of our sport and done it with basic hard work, people skills, and a love for what he's doing. I gets no better than that.

Thanks, Cam, for the invitation and the friendship. It was good to finally get on the water with you and I sincerely hope that there's more to come.

Cameron Mortenson

Mike Ward

He couldn't contain himself. As Steve pulled the empty trailer away from the launch, Mike hooted, leapt into the boat to grab a rod, and then raced around the dock to thread lasers through the pilings at a shadow that caught his eye at the edge of the short pier. The day hadn't started and he was already on fish. It's simply how he's wired.

I don't know which he does better - make a boat or fish. One thing's for sure, Adipose's Mike Ward can sure do the later. When the rest of us returned to the house after a long day, he was back in the weeds down the shore, catching bowfin for God's sake. He out-fished us all, every day, once we finally got him out of bed in the morning. I guess he was still on a Caribbean schedule and Montana time. Not a bad timezone to live in.

It's fun to watch a guy doing what he loves.

As I write this, Mike's down in the Keys, competing in the 2015 Del Brown Permit Tournament, chasing his 67th black tail. I wouldn't bet against him.

Mike Ward

Kyle Wilkinson

It seems that every picture taken of Kyle Wilkinson this trip has him sporting a big smile and a bigger fish. And there's a good reason for it. The guy can bring it. We finally got to share a boat the last day of our visit and while a week of hard fishing was catching up with this old man, my casts looking tired and sloppy, Kyle's stroke remained long and straight as an arrow. Ah, to be young again.

We only got one eat that day (and by we, of course, I mean he) but it was a great way to end the trip. Good weather, a beautiful location, and stellar company.

Be sure to check out Kyle's day job - Outfitting Manager, Professional Fly Fishing Guide, and killer blogger at Denver's TROUTS Fly Fishing.

Kyle Wilkinson

"Craig"

And finally, the last member of this illustrious crew politely declined to have his image shared on social media. Something like If you show my face on the web I'll @#$%ing kill you. I respect his request and will do him one further by not even mentioning his name. Let's, for the sake of anonymity, simply refer to him as "Craig."

A fine angler, videographer, and co-owner of a somewhat respectable fly shop out west, Craig has his finger on the pulse of fly fishing. Like Shawn, he is well grounded in the heritage of our sport but has an enthusiasm for what is coming down the feeding lane. He knows freakin' everybody.

I couldn't have been in more entertaining company.

Hope he still has all his fingers after the hometown 4th celebration.

Photo by Kevin Morlock

Top shelf anglers. Top shelf companions. I thank each and every one of them for a fabulous week in a fabulous place. The takeaway here is that if you want to improve your game, you take these opportunities. You swallow your pride and you expose yourself to the best and then grow from it. You keep swinging.

And the best part of punching above your weight class is that every now and then, against all odds, you actually land a blow.

Damn sure feels good.