My nephew and I have been fishing together since he was 13 and I was 20. We've settled into a tradition of the two of us camping and fishing for steelhead in the spring and salmon in the fall every year. We camp, have steaks over the fire one night and eat breakfast and dinner in local favorite spots the rest of the days in camp. As we both are now in our sixties, we spend lots more time enjoying camp than actual fishing hours on the rivers. Where we used to pend from before sun up until full dark on the rivers, we fish in the morning, go into town for a late breakfast, hand around camp and go back to a river in the afternoon and knock off about sunset. Evenings back at camp are spent around the campfire, drinking beverages and I enjoying a cigar. It's time for catching up as we live about 5 hours apart and for swapping stories.

Thought I'd share some fish pics from this years camp. All fish except the last one I caught on Day 4 were released to finish spawning. The one that came home was shared with family and the rest canned by my wife.

Day 1 on the Betsie River
Betsie River King by Brad Benzing, on Flickr

Another fish from the Betsie. We had our stretch alone when we started and the river filled in with other fishermen as the day got on
Betsie River Day 1 by Brad Benzing, on Flickr

Big male that had been fighting off competing males for probably an hour before I hooked him
Pere Marquette King by Brad Benzing, on Flickr

A pretty hen that I caught on the last day. this one went on the striger and came home to be processed into canned salmon and some filets for family. the roe was made into salmon caviar that is pretty tasty by my wife.
Betsie River King by Brad Benzing, on Flickr

another great rip and we have the dates for our spring steelhead trip planned for next year.

WOW!!!

Those are some biggies!

And that sounds like a “great” time.

That’s just pure enjoyment.

Great pics. Looks like you guys had an amazing time.

Jeez Brad. Watch your back! As in, take care of it. Those are not small fry.

Wow some wonderful times you two are having.

You are blessed to have been doing it for so long.

May you both enjoy many more years in your outdoor traditions together.

Those are some big fish. I grew up fishing in West Texas stock tanks and mostly bass aren’t nearly as big. They would really be some fun to bring in.

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since he was 13 and I was 20 / now in our sixties

That's phenomenal and some amazing fish. I got a chuckle out of how you've refined the fishing process to a more civilized pace.

Thanks for sharing- It looks and sounds like a great time.

Wow! I didn't know Michigan had salmon that large!

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Betsie River

I was up in the Betsie Valley golfing about a month ago. Beautiful part of the country and the Labor Day weather was much better than Texas' weather.

Great looking fish, Brad! You aren't bad either.

Thanks all!

I see I forgot to add that we both use fly gear. My rod these days is an 8 wt Sage Pulse and I was running an Okuma reel and 8# leader.

It's a great respite for us. Darrin is an ER doc and he worked 5 24 hr shifts before our trip. We both work crazy hours and it's good to get away.

Nothing like little cafes and bar cheeseburgers plus sitting around the fire at camp.

Doing something like that seems very relaxing. I wish I have a friend to hang around with and fish. Enjoy your time off from work. Well deserved.

Probably a dumb question Brad, but have you fished the Au Sable? I used to like to stop on my trips back and forth to NY. Pulled some nice browns out of that river.

Wow! Nice!

That's a great tradition to keep Brad. I bet Pam got to work on those fish when you got home.

I can’t imagine a better time…
Most of the times I just dream about fish like that.
Congratulations.

Very cool. I’d like to be able to try that someday. How do fish that huge swim in water that shallow?

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Originally posted by Gustofer:
Probably a dumb question Brad, but have you fished the Au Sable? I used to like to stop on my trips back and forth to NY. Pulled some nice browns out of that river.

I have but it’s on the other side of the state.
We fish on the west side which gives us access to more river systems. If we don’t find fish in one place, or the crowds are big, we can always easily change to a different river. One place we fish is on private land and the owner charges a fee per person for access. A couple years ago, a group from VA and WV discovered it. It’s a small stream but a great spot and can fill up quickly. The day we tried to fish there, there were already 5 cars parked which is enough to fill up the section we fish. We did fish there but went to the Pere Marquette in the afternoon where we had a whole section of river to ourselves

Nice Fish and sounds like a fun Tradition
thanks for sharing

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Originally posted by konata88:
How do fish that huge swim in water that shallow?

The rivers run from holes over your head to gravel bars with a few inches of water over them. Sometimes you can see dorsal fins sticking out.

Very nice, Brad! Love the photos.

Great pics Brad! Thank you for sharing.