Hey guys, figured it was time for me to post something to let those of you that do not follow us (or me) on social media know that we are still around and open for business! 8am to 6pm daily, guides and motel rooms are open. (231) 745-3529 (We are also taking applications for shop help if you or anyone you know may be interested!)
Unfortunately, I have not been out much at all these past couple of weeks as almost all of my time has been spent babysitting one of my dogs, Ginger, who had some cancer removed and after managing to fully open her incision up once (thru fault of our own) has to be watched closely that she doesn’t do it again by scratching or whatever…
Thankfully, she is healing nicely now and shouldn’t need nearly as much supervision by the time I leave for Alaska on Thursday because my wife Karen is still very busy as usual, taking care of our shop books and the Motel.
We are already getting the normal inquiries into the early season Salmon run and while a few fish have been seen (As well as a few stray summer run Steelhead) and a couple even caught here on the PM per usual there are no real numbers in the river to target here just yet that I’m aware of and only a few being caught so far in PM lake. (We are now carrying AW Lures 2oz Salmon Slammers and 1oz Flutter Spoons if you’d like to try your luck out there!)
That being said, judging by the reports out of the big lake, PM lake, etc, I am hopeful and optimistic for some pretty good action in the lower river by mid to late August as often occurs and will be running trips down that way upon my return from Alaska.
If you are interested in getting in on some of that early season King action I am fairly wide open (As well as John K, John R & Kam, group trips are fun!) from August 22nd to the 31st at the moment. My open days in September are currently the 3rd, 4th, 5th and 13th; then it opens back up again around October 23rd for Steelhead.
I did get out with my cousin Mark and his son Connor for a day when Karen stayed home for me while they were here visiting and had a great time. We mixed it up and did both fly and spin. Recent rains have kept the river from getting low to the extreme, but low and clear is still the report overall and with this next round of warm weather the water temps should be watched to pick your best time of day or night and safely fish for trout.
Try early mornings or late evenings/nighttime for the most activity, but mid-day hoppers, attractors and rubber legged anything can produce some great fish as well if water temperatures are not too warm. Streamers, spinners and rapalas have all had their moments also, but mostly right after one of the recent rains…
Not much more to add really that hasn’t been covered on our social media pages, the Pere Marquette Watershed Council’s cast for Conservation and annual banquette was a great success, Troutarama, Baldwin’s annual fair, was big fun as usual and while we are gearing up for a fantastic fall season already, I’d advise you don’t put your trout gear away just yet!
My next “report” should be just after Alaska on that trip and then we should be right into the thick of it and reporting more often! Till then, take care, be safe and we hope you’ll stop by the shop, stay at the Motel, go with one of our guides or even just give us a call if you need anything!!
Steve
