Shop Hours 8am – 6pm Daily
We will be hosting our Spring River Clean-Up this Saturday – May 2. Any and all are welcomed (with or without a boat) to join us in preserving this amazing resource (Pere Marquette River). We will be meeting at the shop at 9am. From there we will figure-out beats & boat partners (grab some trash bags and a group photo) then hit the river for the day. BBT will be covering all participants car spot fees, provide trash bags and host an appreciation BBQ at Steve’s Barn at 6pm. Please contact the shop if you are planning on attending, so we can get a headcount for dinner…231-745-3529. Looking forward to getting out there and making the river a better place!!!
We are transitioning seasons this week. There are still some steelhead around, but trout season is about to pop! Look for bugs to start hatching on the warmer afternoons and evenings. We have seen caddis, stones, BWO’s and hennies…with very limited rising trout. They are pretty full having the big steelhead egg feast, high water events and salmon fry everywhere. Great for the fishery! However, streamers are a great option right now…trigger a territorial strike! It is nice having some water in the river again after a long dry spell and low water. The conditions are setting up great for this trout season! I (and all BBT guides) have plenty of open dates that need to get filled up…Late May, June & July are excellent times to book a dry fly float trip! Give us a call…231-745-3529.
There have been some sporadic bugs hatching, but nothing rising with any consistency. However, that will all change once the weather warms and the evenings start holding some warmth (next week is looking good). We have been seeing some black stones, BWO’s, caddis and a few hennies on warmer afternoon/evenings. My guess is we will start seeing sulphur by Mothers day weekend and Grey Drakes not too far after that…typically, we have good sulphurs and drakes happening mid to late May.
The river is starting to transition back into a trout stream. The grass is greening up and growing fast! The trees are budding and blooming. There are song birds in the branches and some trout are looking up!!! It’s about to “snow-ball” into full throttle trout season and I can’t wait…I am not sure my schedule is ready, but it will only take a few late nights to get re-acclimated. My boat and gear are ready to roll, so give us a call to get out there.
The water is prefect tea color for streamer fishing right now. Standard mid-sized patterns in natural colors are working best. But some brighter patterns with flash picked up some scraps when the dull tones were not working. Don’t be afraid to switch patterns, sizes and/or strip speeds. There are still tons of fry in the soft water, so tossing a small “smolt-ish” pattern to the bank, soft water and structure should get some looks.
Hopefully by next week, we will be sitting on the river in the evenings and seeing what type of spinner fall is happening. Hexes and after-dark waking flies are right around the corner…here we go!!!!
Spring 2026 Steelhead Re-Cap
Once again a huge THANK YOU to all our guests and customers!!! We are wrapping up our spring 2026 steelhead season. It was an awesome run and season for us on the Pere Marquette River!!! One to remember for sure! We appreciate all the devoted clients that kept us busy throughout March and April….THANK YOU!!!! Lots of epic events, laughs, heartbreaks and even a handful of mishaps. Everyday on the river is a new adventure and nothing is ever the same. That’s what keeps it interesting to me and motivates me to spend some much time on the river. You can never figure it all out…you are constantly learning and watching the river evolve & change. The river is dynamic and alive! I am looking forward to checking out all the changes from the high water. Plus, get some new addresses of some trophy trout! It’s time to switch from early mornings to late nights…let’s do it!!!
It’s always “bitter sweet” ending a steelhead season. It’s nice to turn the page to trout fishing, but now we have to wait 6 months to start targeting steelhead again! Just another reason to love the storied waters of the Pere Marquette River…it’s always evolving and changing opportunities for anglers. I am sure we will have another shot or two at some steelies over the next couple weeks, but the chapter of the spring 2026 book is written! It was an awesome one for sure!!! Here are some pictures from the 4th quarter of the season…Thanks again everyone!!!
Please stay tuned for a new report next week. Then we will be hosting a group down to Patagonia Argentina searching for “Grandes” stripping streamers for a week. Really excited for the trip and sharing this experience with our guests! We will have a full report when we return…stay tuned for details for next year’s dates.
(Steve posted a new report today also, click here to check that out if you haven’t already.)
I am selling some used gear. If you are interested, please contact the shop (231-745-3529) with your contact information and I will reach out to you.
2 – Sage 790-4 Igniter (7 wt 9″ 4 pc.) – EXCELLENT condition $450 each
1 – Sage 8100-4 ONE – GOOD condition $300
There are still opportunities to join our team….
BBT Fly & Tackle Shop is seeking full and/or Part Time Retail Sales Associates
Description:
We are seeking a passionate, knowledgeable individual to provide top-tier customer service, assist with rod, reel, fly, tackle and accessories selections, manage point-of-sale operations in an often fast-paced environment and take reservations for Guide Trips & Motel Rooms.
Requirements:
A solid foundation of knowledge in fly, spin and bait fishing as well as the equipment needed, experience with POS systems, and strong interpersonal skills. (Interpersonal skills is the only actual unconditional requirement as the right person could be trained on the rest.)
Responsibilities Include:
Assisting customers with gear, taking reservations, managing inventory, and maintaining a clean and inviting shop/work environment.
Experience Needed:
This varies a lot depending upon your work ethic, personality and ability to learn, but being “experienced in fly and/or spin fishing” is most certainly a major bonus as is some history in retail sales…
Benefits:
Employee discounts are nearly universal, alongside product discounts direct from many of our manufacturers and a very laid-back work environment despite the fact that it can and does get hectic at times. Pay raises will be quickly granted based on good performance as we are looking for long term employee(s).
“It’s the shop environment, spending time with quality like-minded individuals, talking hunting and fishing all day…, quality of life, low pressure work environment… the list is long!!!”
So, please call the shop and talk with either Jake or Jimmy if you have any questions about the position. Applications can be picked up at the shop and résumés can be dropped off there or emailed to [email protected]
(231) 745-3529
Good luck out there!
John
