Shop Hours – 8am to 6pm Monday thru Thursday & 7am to 6pm Friday, Saturday & Sunday
We are working for each and every fish this year! We have been coving water and bouncing up and down the river daily. We have been extremely busy on and off the river….Thank you!!! The shop is loaded up with flies, beads, lures, rods/reels and everything in between. We are still looking for some additional shop employees, so if you or someone you know might be interested give us a call…231-745-3529.
The water levels are dropping back down to normal and cleared up way to quick. There are some new fish around, but not as many as there should be. Everyone is kind of “scratching their heads” wondering what is going on? Maybe it’s just a low “Year-Class” of fish and that will explain our slow fall steelhead fishing as well? Or maybe they are just late?
The trout bite was on fire a couple days last week. We streamer fished a few days and had lots of action in the higher water. Natural tones in mid-size were working the best. Plus, the eggs, stones and fry were very productive on trout. The warmer afternoons have still be generating decent stone fly hatches and even some BWO’s. Random rising trout have been spotted, but nothing consistently looking up…not yet! We could see an early dry fly season? I am going to have streamer gear in my boat everyday from here on out as an option. When conditions are “right” it’s a blast banging the banks and wood waiting on an attack!!!
The steelhead action has been slower then usual. We are getting opportunities daily, but it’s felt more like fall/winter fishing…covering water and trying lots of spots. It’s been a lot more work, but fun and rewarding working for them. Stoneflies, fry patterns and egg flies have been producing the most consistently for my boat. Pale pinks, lighter oranges and chartreuse egg flies in a size #8 or #10 in normal water levels and #6’s in higher water. Bead fishing the lower river has been up and down. 8mm to 12mm have been the size range and natural to bright “attention grabbers” in dirty water. (Just a friendly reminder….Beads are NOT LEGAL in the Flies Only Section).
Thank you for all the support and business…we really, really appreciate it!!! Our guide schedules are pretty full until Mid-April, but there are a couple random dates open still. Plus, we have availability for Lodging at our Motel. Spring steelhead season is the beginning of our fishing year, so please don’t wait too long to book your spring and summer trout fishing trips.
We are on the front edge of another great year of fishing on the Wild & Scenic Pere Marquette River. Making memories, strengthening friendships, telling stories from previous years and spending quality time on the river!!! Good luck out there and looking forward to seeing everyone on the water, in our boats and/or around the shop/Motel.
Fish-On!!!
John Karakashian
