So 4 buddies decide to get out of Chicago for the weekend and try to chase steelhead - this time "swinging flies" instead of nymphing.  Captains Steve Kuieck and Dave DeVries of Riverquest Charters draw the short straws, and agree to guide these newbies through the process of swinging with two handed rods.  Their skills and patience will be tried like never before.....

Chris Santiago has an INCREDIBLE first day and gets a new name.  Chris had earned two nicknames from various guides and friends in Montana, Colorado, Wisconsin and Chicago.  Chris "Tangles" Santiago was his handle on the Missouri in MT.  Chris "Snags" Santiago was his moniker in the Mid-West.....  It took years for him to earn those nicknames, and frankly they fit him.
From here on out - let it be know that his new nickname is Chris "SWINGER" Santiago!!!!  He put on a clinic the very first day he ever fished a two hander and went 3 for 3 on the swing.  He landed 3 dime bright hot fish.  Purple leaches.He made it look easy.  He owned that river.  Andy got blanked.  Tony Milito got blanked.  Adam M got blanked.  I did enjoy the first two a lot.  I enjoyed taking pictures of great fish.  The third one hurt....






Day 2 -  I get lucky, and save some face, and join the club with my first swung caught steelhead.  A sigh of relief, from me and Captain Kuieck ......

   Tony Milto sticks to it and with Captain DeVries steady guidance gets it done as well.  Bravo!

Swinger Santiago shows that luck had nothing to do with day one and lands his fourth fish of the trip.


Other than superb guide work, the only thing I think that made this possible, was the incredible Sage Z Axis 8134-4 Two Handed rod.  What an efficient way to cast long and fight fish!!!  Having long been a fan of their single handed rods, I join Jon and the many others that swear by these two handers.

Congrats to all and thanks to our hosts, Steve and Dave and the Muskegon River Lodge.