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It has been a good old fashion Michigan winter the past couple months. Exactly what we hoped for after the last few mild winters. This should help our water-levels this spring and replenish the aquifer for Northern Michigan rivers/Lakes. There are plenty of steelhead throughout the system…we had a great fall run of fish (despite low water) and some new fish starting to trickle in as well.
I have been preparing all winter for the upcoming fishing year, so I am ready to go! The last couple warmer days have accelerated my desire to be on the river everyday. I got to spend the last couple days with a buddy doing some scouting and catching a couple myself. It’s still fun to catch ’em myself, but even funner guiding clients into a memorable day on the river. My guide schedule is pretty booked up in March, but I do have some good dates still available in April…4/8, 15 – 18, 20 – 24. Steve, John Robinson, Donnie and Kam all have a few openings “here and there” between now and March 15 (and even a couple random openings after that)…Call the shop to lock in a guide trip(s) and/or Lodging…231-745-3529.
The days are getting longer and I have been seeing Robins bouncing around river bank over the last few days. Spring Steelhead season on the Pere Marquette (and many Northwest Michigan rivers) is kicking-off!!! Things are setting-up for a nice slow and steady melt/run-off. The river has soaked up some snow melt over the last couple days. The water level is bumping up and is a perfect tea color at the moment. After such a cold winter there is plenty of snow in the woods and ice in the swamps still….it’s going to take awhile to melt everything. This could help extend our season into late April? Only time will tell and Mother Nature is tough to predict. We will see and I will be keeping you posted weekly.
Recently, I have been fishing egg patterns mostly…cream clowns, pale oranges, chartreuse in glo-bug and nuke styles. Plus, running 8 – 10mm beads in the middle and lower river in soft pinks & oranges. The nymph bite will be gaining momentum very soon, so don’t overlook small stones (#8 -12), salmon fry and hexes. I look forward to the fry bite turning on…you get some awesome strikes!!!
Be extremely careful at the boat ramps/launches…they are still slick and messy!!! Be prepared, take your time and be safe!!!
The shop is loaded up on steelhead fishing gear. We have everything for your fishing needs….flies, tying materials, bait, hardware, fly rods/reels, beads, bobbers, centerpins, bait casters, spinning gear, waders, outerwear, swag….we got what you need no matter how you want to fish.
Just a friendly reminder…beads are NOT legal in the “Flies-Only” section (even if pegged above a fly). Plus, it’s a 1 fish (Steelhead) limit from Gleason’s Landing to Lake Michigan year round…1 fish per person per day.
HERE WE GO!!!!! Good luck out there and have fun!!!
Later,
John
