Shop Hours are 7am to 7pm Daily
Not much new to report…The river is LOW & CLEAR with no significant amount of rain in the extended forecast. The river is slowly filling in, but still WAY behind normal for this time of year. There has been pushes of fish daily, but nothing massive to this point. Slow and stead has been the theme for this season.
It is “officially” fall now and that feels good. We had some “Indian Summer” type days last week which were enjoyable, but too hot! The trees are starting to turn slowly and begin dropping some leaves with the dry weather. There are fish spawning now up and down the river. I think we are seeing more fish hit the gravel then new fish coming up at this point? Typical low water situation…Which is making the “hole/run” fishing much slower then normal. Trout are feasting on the eggs durning low light periods. Not sure how late we will be salmon fishing this season, but at this rate we’ll have plenty of fresh fish for awhile.
It’s been a very busy season for us and we appreciate it! Thank you to all our clients and customers!!! It’s awesome to be floating down the river and hear anglers compliment the shop staff and our guides….that goes a LONG way!!! Thank you very much!!!! We work hard and it’s worth every second. Making memories and friendships on the Wild and Scenic Pere Marquette River. We have been grinding everyday for “quality vs. quantity”…but to each their own. I understand…go for it!
I have bouncing around the river last week looking for new fish down low and floating mid-river a few days too. We have been finding fish everyday, but covering water and checking every likely spot. Here today and gone tomorrow…nothing has been really that consistent. From that perspective, it’s been fun and challenging as a guide hunting for them. Plus, like I said in my last report…”it has been making anglers really appreciate and value getting some fish on the line and/or in the boat. Sometimes we are too spoiled with action; just being honest. Compared to some western rivers, we have it pretty good….very good in fact!!!”
Fishing pressure is increasing daily, so please respect your fellow anglers. The right location or rotation will make your day, but it could work against you as well. Considerably more challenging for the wading anglers with limited “Real Estate” to work. Don’t be afraid to drift in the lumber and log-jams. Many fish have been hugging the lumber with the low water conditions and blue bird days. Even in the lower river fishing the structure has paid off.
The shop is loaded up with everything you might need or just want. Please stop in and take a look at our selection…we got something for everyone. All our Guides are booked solid until Mid-October and then we will start hunting for steelhead. November is quickly approaching and we still have some great dates available for guide trips and/or lodging. If you have never experienced a hot chrome fall steelhead on the Pere Marquette River; give us a call 231-745-3529. It’s our guides favorite fish to chase and the most challenging to catch.
Here is are a few clips from last weeks highlight reel:
PSA-
If you are parking at a state landing (M-37, Sulak, Walhalla or Twin Bridges) you will need a “Recreational Passport” parking permit. If you are a Michigan resident, you can apply when renewing your License plate tabs or it can be purchased at a state park (NOT ON SITE….major problem!). Unfortunately, there are very few State Parks near by and if you are a non-resident you will get a ticket. The sites do NOT have a pay at the site box. This is just a PSA to give you a “heads up” and hopefully avoid a unwanted ticket. Even licensed guides with their “State Land Use Permit” are getting tickets/warnings. Just a heads-up!
Good luck out there!!! Enjoy what we have and please do what you can to preserve and protect it!
Later,
John Karakashian