Shop Hours 8am – 6pm everyday or Shop On-Line anytime at BBT On-Line Store

Summer is fading away too fast!!!  The kids are returning to school and football is starting! The evening air temps are reflecting the next season is approaching.  It feels great!  We have been very busy around the shop preparing for this fall!  Orders are coming in daily and everything should be loaded up by September 1!  We have a great selection of rods and reels right now, so if you are looking…swing by, shop on-line or give us a call (231-745-3529).  We also have a great selection of early salmon hardware (Spinners, crank baits and jigging spoons).  Supplies are still very limited, but we are working with many great suppliers that are keeping us stocked up (not sure for how long?).

We have still been trout fishing, but after the state record King Salmon was caught out of Ludington the phone has been ringing.  There are a few kings in the system, but not enough to sound the alarm and they are moving daily.  We will start scouting the lower river with hardware next week and keep you posted.  With that being said, we have guides available for early king trips if you are interested?  We offer full or 1/2 day morning trips until September 1…My current open dates are: August 26 – 31 September 1 – 3, 5 – 7.  Plus, we still have lodging availabilities throughout the fall if you need a great place to stay.

Things have been up and down on the river over the last several weeks…water levels and water temps over the last month.  However, flows have flattened out and we are currently in a stable weather pattern.  The upper river is normal and clear; while the lower river is still holding onto a slight stain.  The trout bite has been hit and miss.  We had a nice window of streamer fishing, but then the water got too warm. It has been a STRANGE trout season!!!  The hatches are pretty much done, so focus on terrestrials, nymphs, small streamers and after dark waking flies.  We had some awesome days dry fly fishing with hoppers and attractors over the last three weeks…and a couple really tough days too.  After all, it’s fishing!!!  Enjoy spending time on the river and please respect other anglers space.

While I am not ready for what is about to happen; it’s happening!  My salmon boxes are loaded up, spinning & fly rods are rigged, gear is prepped and the shop is filling upl!!!  I am certainly looking forward to this fall….catching some fish, making some memories and having familiar faces around.  The calendar is very full for our guide staff, but there are a couple openings here and there.  Plus, it’s not too early to lock down your fall steelhead dates!

Summer break is coming to an end, so it’s back to work (not that we ever stopped)!  I will be reporting good or bad much more frequently to keep you posted on conditions and fish migrations.  I will be focusing on the lower river with spinning gear as long as possible and then move up river with the fish.  Good luck and let’s have fun out there…after all, we are just fishing!!!  Thanks again to all our great clients and customers….you are extremely valued and love the continued loyalty!!!  BTY…we have some great BBT swag coming!!!

Later,

John