Hey guys, big break again… Luckily, John has been on top of it since my last report and has put out two. (Nothing much has changed since his last one on the 19th.) The water is still extremely low and clear. As a matter of fact, in my 33+ years of guiding the Pere Marquette I don’t think that I’ve ever seen it lower…
That being said, there actually is a decent number of fish in the system, it’s just getting a little harder to get at them in those log jams or under the banks and when you do find a few in a run or pool that you can get a presentation to, you need to make those first few cast count! This isn’t necessarily the case in every hole or run from top to bottom but something to keep in mind in every section anyway…
I’ve run flies a few times, but my “go to” methods have been float-fishing with bait casters on long rods and even more often, pitching hardware on spinning rods. Honestly, float fishing with beads, spawn or even flies is probably the most productive method at the moment when I take a survey amongst my friends and colleagues but we’re coming in a close second (or even ahead on some days) pitching plugs.
Much of the decision on method I tend to leave up to the friend(s) or client(s) I’m fishing with after explaining the pros and cons behind each but like me, most of them would rather give up a few hookups for the much more active (constant moving, looking and casting) and challenging method of stick and move while trying to put that bait right on the bank, under those limbs, along the structure of a log jam etc… The reward of that hit from a fish that actively tried to rip the rod from your hand is well worth it over watching a bobber drop IMHO, but don’t get me wrong, I like that too! (Especially when that’s all that’s working. š)
Presentation is key no matter what the method right now but most of the dark(er) water is so skinny right now that I’m telling people the difference between hooking numbers of fish or not when pitching is about 3 inches… You’re either right on that bank (for example) or you’re not. Most of the deeper darker slots that normally extend five or six feet off of it are little one- or two-foot slots now with the fish sitting under the bank and if you toss a tot (for example again) a foot off the bank it doesn’t really get down until its already out on the sand or gravel and is clearly visible.
Challenging, yes, but much more rewarding I think and “if you are capable” (or are willing to put in the time learning to be) of making the precision cast that are required for this it’s a super fun day no matter what the fish do. The game is just in making those cast, and the even bigger reward is when it works! Want to make it even more challenging? I have zero issues with doing the exact same thing only with streamers on a fly rod and sinking lines. (Expectations should be adjusted accordingly, but you will “up your streamer game” regardless of your hookup numbers.)
As of yesterday, our guides calendars in general have opened right up and I’d love to take you out (as would any of our guides) and show what I’m talking about in person! (I’ve had one or two days in recent history where nothing found the net, but I have yet to have a day where we didn’t get our shots.) Give the shop a call between 9am and 5pm seven days a week to book a trip or trips!Ā 213 745-3529
The motel has openings also and the shop is well stocked for all your fishing needs, swag or gift items! (Don’t forget the gift certificate special advertised above to save some serious $$.) Fly, float, bait, pin or spin fishing, we carry it all besides a nice selection of gift items, clothing, waders and more. We appreciate your business as always, hope that you find some value in these reports and will consider us for your holiday needs!
Remember this?
Iām going to cut this short now, but I hope to see at least some of you in my boat (old or new) very soon! Please try to be nice to one another out there, be safe and above all, have a bunch of fun!!
-Steve-
