Allow me to introduce myself, my professional name is Salmonfun, but you can call me Sammy. I'm an outdoor photographer specializing in wild birds and flyfishing. My most recent assignment was accompanying Bob Graves on a Salmon and Steelhead trip to the Big Manistee and Pere Marquette Rivers in Michigan.

Two days were spent on the Big Manistee with Chris, a guide from Schmidt Outfitters. Compared to other fishing venues, such as the Salmon River in NY where you get up at 4:00 AM to stand in line at the Douglaston Salmon Run, Schmidt's offers a dude ranch experience. Chris picked us up at our plush cabin at 7:00 AM and took us to a nearby cafe for breakfast with other guides and clients. After a leisurely meal we moseyed down to the boat ramp to start our day. At noon, Chris prepared a gourmet lunch. He usually headed back to the ramp by 4:00 PM. For those who know Bob, this rubbed against his grain a bit. Why waste all that time good fishing time from sunup to sundown with things like eating and talking!

Bob started adjusting to this schedule on the second morning. We were seated near the door of the Kozy Kitchen, a second tier cafe. Tier ratings start below the tne star level. What it lacked in class was made up for in schmaltzy 1950's fishing decor. At one point the door opened and all heads turned as if welcoming Norm to Cheers! It was the local game warden. Chris immediately jumped him with "When are you going to get after those snaggers at the dam?"

The warden shot back "I ticketed a couple of them the other day and am thinking about calling in an air strike on the rest. Actually, what I'd really like to do is tazer a few of them while they're standing in the water. That way I can electroshock some fish at the same time." With that, he sat down at a table with some guys in the back room.

Shortly thereafter, the waitress came by with an order for the back room. As she reached our table, food started sliding off the plates and hit the floor. Then some of the dishes landed there, too. The waitress was fuming and stomping her feet and the whole place suddenly became quiet. Gentleman Bob got up to help her. After regaining her composure she went back to the kitchen to reorder the food. She returned just in time to see Bob pick up a bowl of oatmeal from the floor and head for the warden's table. She ran after him yelling "No, No, don't do that!" But it was too late. Bob was already serving the oatmeal. With a smile he said "Don't worry, it's been on the floor less than twenty seconds." The waitress snatched away the bowl and went back to clean up the mess. One of the old geezers at the table next to us said "Hey, save some of that toast for the warden!"

On the river, Bob provided numerous photographic opportunities. I fished in between shots just to kill the time. At the end of the first day Chris looked at me and said "Tomorrow's going to be SOS for you -- Bob catching all the fish and you taking pictures." I replied "I know, every day is Groundhog Day when I'm out with Bob. But don't feel sorry for me. I get $1,000 for each photo published inside a magazine and $5,000 for a cover shot. So far I've had him on the cover of Fish Harvester, Bottom Fisher and S*%@ Eating Grin magazines!"

Next time you're out with Bob, be sure to take your camera! Thought you might like to see some of the shots.

Tight lines!

Sammy

One of those blasted salmon that got in the way.

Steelhead #1.

Steelhead #2 -- 9 pounder.

Please pass the Chardonnay.

Steelhead #3 -- 15 pounder

What a beauty!

A Pere Marquette King.

Jaws!