Shop Hours 8am – 6pm Daily
The “2025 Spring Steelhead Season” is officially underway! It feels great to be getting out on the river everyday…hydro-therapy is good for the mind, body and soul!!! Week #1 is in the books and it was a very successful week of fishing for steelhead on the Pere Marquette River. Conditions and weather were up and down, but things are stabilizing this week. As the weather warms, fishing pressure will continue to increase. Please resect other anglers and their water…ask before you cast; if you think your too close.
The river experienced its first high water event last Thursday and Friday. A heavy overnight rain melted lots of snow and flushed the river out. It made for some challenging fishing late last week. The river level rose while the water temps dropped hard. Things have balanced back out and it’s looking very good for this week & weekend. It should be a lot of fun this week with some great fishing. New fish will be migrating and hold-overs will start spawning with the warm up in water temps.
The egg bite has been the most productive thing in my boat, but nymphs and fry will gain momentum. I have already spotted a couple salmon fry in the river (which is very surprising considering our cold winter). Eggs in pale oranges, pinks and creamy clowns have been very good, but chartreuse got some attention too. Same theme with beads…soft oranges & light pink 8mm to 12mm have helped drain some bobbers. Gauge your fly or bead size according with water levels/clearity…low water = natural sizes and tones…higher water = bigger/brighter offerings. Stones have been fluttering around on the warmer afternoons, so don’t be afraid of small black stoneflies. Pheasant tails, caddis, hexes and fry are all a staple in the spring.
As the water warms up, it’s not too early to try stripping some streamers. Small natural colored patterns will work best until the next big water event. Plus, once the fry start popping it will trigger the browns. Pace your strip speed accordingly…cold water = slower strip & warmer water = quicker strip. I am looking forward to stripping some streamers in the near future…Trout season is not too far off!!!
My guide schedule is pretty booked up in March, but I do have some good dates still available in April…4/15 – 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 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
