Troutnut.com User Dano (Dan Jennings)

Dan Jennings

Vanderbilt, Michigan

I consider the lower Little Manistee River to be my "home stream". Other waters frequently fished are the Au Sable, Boardman River, Jordan River, upper Big Manistee, Pere Marquette, and the Pigeon River.

My basic thoughts on angling are that whatever method one uses, they are still a part of the angling fraternity and I consider them "brothers". I do own spinning equipment and often spin, especially in the early season. Personally, I draw the line with bait. Like my approach to fly fishing (KISS), my spinning approach is the same, Rapalas, Rooster Tails, Panther Martins, and a few Mepps are all that occupy my tackle box.

I do practice catch and release but not to the extent where I preach it nor is it practiced 100% of the time. At most, I'll harvest less than a half dozen per season. On average I'll catch nearly a couple hundred trout a season; my conscience is very clear.

I view angling as a time for quiet contemplantion in commune with what nature has to offer and am of the very firm belief that the archer is far more important than the arrow. For the most part, my flies consist of what now have become "the classics" and my main referance is the Index of Orvis Fly Patterns with both Supplements. I do experiment some with my own designs and have incorporated a few of them in my regular arsonel. Not being a practioner of "Zen" I have, however, developed over the years a Zen like state once I'm streamside. I know without a doubt where the trout are and approach them accordingly (last season I was skunked only once, the first time in over 5 years).

If there was but one piece of advice that I would pass along to a neophyte angler it would be to know your quarry and that presentation of the lure is paramount....

Eventually, all things merge into one...and a river runs through it.