The shop is currently open 8am to 6pm daily.  We are stocked up on everything you might need (or want) for all our local streams and lakes.  Lots of dry flies, streamers and mice in stock….rods, reels, lines, leaders and tippet too!  Stop in, give us a call or order on-line…we appreciate your business and support!

Not much new to report….gas prices are HIGH and fishing pressure is LOW.  Gray Drakes are hatching, attractor dries are producing, mousing is happening and streamers on overcast days.  It’s a great time to be a trout fisher in Michigan.  Hexes should only be a coupe weeks out at this point in time!  I/we still have some excellent guide dates available thru June and July…Prime drake and hex dates are still open!  Give us a call to reserve a date/boat (and/or Lodging)…231-745-3529. 

Connor with a few great dry fly fish on a rainy afternoon.

Trout fishing has been good!  The river is currently low and clear and running in the mid-50’s.  (Stay informed with water levels and water temps from the three PMTU Water Monitoring Stations…links on our home page).  We are seeing lots of bugs hatching when the conditions are right.  A mixed bag best describes the current situation…Gray Drakes, Sulphurs (tapering off) and yellow sallies are the most abundant on warmer evenings.  And BWO’s have been present on cloudy/overcast days.  There has been some great Gray Drake hatches when the conditions are right!  The other day we had rising fish from 5pm to 10pm…it has been a blast targeting rising trout!  The fish are looking up!  Hitting the seams and bubble lines with a dry will get some strikes!  It is very encouraging to see consistent mayfly hatches after last summers disappointing hatches.  Daytime attractor fishing is starting to get more looks each day.

Rick taking advantage of an all afternoon/evening drake hatch!
I have been trying to keep my finger on the pulse of the river

Rubber legged patterns close to the banks and structure is one off my favorite ways to search for quality fish durning the day.  Don’t go light on your tippet or you might regret your decision after you lose a nice fish to the lumber.  Ants, beetles and stoneflies are all on the menu right now.  The banks are coming alive and it’s great to see…damsels have started fluttering on the PM’s grassy banks!  They will become a new target for an aggressive bank dwelling brown trout!  SO MUCH FUN!!!

Casey enjoying some morning action

Nighttime fishing is here and gaining popularity.  Most nights have been productive, but it’s not a slam dunk.  The fish have been seeing a lot more nighttime offerings over the last several years and some fish are pretty spooky.  With that being said, please respect other anglers space and try to communicate when floating past another boat or angler.  Slowly covering water in key to the nighttime game…you might be surprised where a big fish blows up on your fly.  If you need a clean/comfortable place to stay after night fishing…give us a call to reserve a room at our Motel…231-745-3529.

Charlie with a dandy right at dark!

It’s dry fly season on the Pere Marquette River with the best yet to come!  Gray drakes are hatching and hexes coming soon!!!  Don’t wait too long to book a guide trip…things are developing right on schedule and it’s already June 6!  I wish June and November could be 60 day months, because it’s such a special time to be fishing on the PM.  It feels really good to be sitting on the river each evening waiting and watching…it truly is a “magical” hour both physically and mentally.  Casting to a rising trout takes you to a worry free place for a few minutes and that is worth it’s weight in gold!

We have LOTS of great fishing options right now.  Daytime attractors, streamers, evening hatches and nighttime mousing…pick your poison!  June is HERE and holds some of the BEST dry fly fishing Michigan has to offer!  Give us a call to book a guide trip…231-745-3529.  We would love to show you our beautiful river!

Later,

John