Current shop hours are 8am to 6pm seven days a week! The shop is stuffed with inventory…including flies, rods, waders and all terminal tackle. There are still some items we are waiting for but, the shelves are stacked with more on the way. If we don’t have something you are looking for please let us know and we will track it down for you. We are a “FISHING” shop that caters to fishermen and their needs to fish the Pere Marquette River and the Lake county area!
The river is low and clear at the moment, but it is actually gaining a touch of color this afternoon from the run-off and swamps loosening up. It should provide a little color in the water for the next couple days in the upper and longer in the lower river. The water temps have been fluctuating, but rising with the warmer weather. The water is in the magical range on upper 30’s to mid-40’s. Two days ago the fish starting jumping again while fighting them….that tells me winter is OVER! There are new fish swimming upstream daily, plenty in the “dark” water and some beginning to spawn. The bite has been hit or miss with LOTS of fishing pressure some days. Be respectful of other anglers and work the water thoroughly before moving on to the next spot.
A couple reminders your 2021 fishing license is going to expire at the end of this month. Swing into the shop or renew it on-line before you hit the river! There is a new 1 fish limit on the Pere Marquette (and other rivers) from March 15 – May 15 (the Fly Water is still Catch and Release only)….check the regulations when in doubt. Plus, please respect private property along the river…stay in the water and pick up more then you carried in….thank you!
The egg bite has still been solid. Bigger clowns and rag eggs in the cold water, but now the more natural colors and sizes have been getting bites. The nymph bite is picking up too…sparrows, hexes, pheasant tails and stones. The fry hatch should start very, very soon and that will become a staple pattern for the rest of the season. I am looking forward to the fry bite…getting bit on the dead drift, swing and stripping in!!! I have experienced 3 bites in 10 days stripping egg patterns in while drift fishing….awesome!!! I love how these fish strike while you are not expecting it!!!
Happy St. Patrick’s day and enjoy the next week on the river. Every day is a blessing, so appreciate the epic days and learn from the tough days…there is no such thing as a bad day on the river! As a steelhead fisherman we all have to “pay our dues”…ask the very best steelhead guides/fishers how long it took them to catch their first. They are all earned and each one is a memory! “Love ’em and Leave ’em!” They are worth more in the river then on a plate.
We still have some guides and lodging available over the next month….give us a call to reserve a guide or lodging…231-745-3529. I officially spotted my first rising trout of the season today. Black stone fly fluttering on the surface and the brown trout could not resist looking up to feed! I will be tossing in a dry fly rig in my boat from here on out. With that being said, don’t wait to book your spring streamer trip in May or dry fly hatch trip in May/June.
Please respect your fellow anglers and treat them as you want to be treated! It’s a long river with lots of places to fish. Go discover the next/new hot spot…it’s awesome!
Later & Fish-On!
John
