Fly Fishing Report/Northwestern Lower MI & The Pere Marquette River/October 28th, 2026

Been a bit since my last… But it’s always nice to keep this report going, if for nothing else as a bit of a journal of sorts. Been doing them better than 3 decades now, and I am a creature of habits, no doubt. We had a tremendous summer, and though we had a very busy book, this by comparison to the previous couple, it would seem that my count of two footers was only half or so the last few seasons. Which isn’t to say we didn’t catch a stupid amount of 20”+ fish, and plenty over 23”… That two foot mark only got crossed 4 times all summer in my boat. This spring we got three others on the strip and rip early in the spring streamer season, and I’m optimistic for some late season action following their spawning rituals, but again, a bit light on the donkey quest, save a fish that was pushing the 26” mark on home water that was awesome, this and I saw a picture of a 32” resident that was taken on skein this September!

Spring streamers was pretty tremendous with all that big water that reset the water table back in March & April, yet we still managed very low and clear conditions for 3/4 of the summer with low precipitation till very recently. Brook trout fishing was stellar again this summer, and that’s now three in a row I can say we aren’t carrying any crutches on the dry fly, late season gather. Walk in trips for this, (1person only), come highly recommended as we have a pretty terrific plate to choose from in northern MI; this and it allows me to really have some great exploration during the same time the salmon armies, and the shops that promote the Big Lie that salmon are eating flies, overrun and trash our local streams all in the name of out of state license sales. Good news is, though we may have looked down on the impact of the internet bringing awareness to all our favorite waters or spots, it has also educated the newer/up and comers in the sport. This Chuck & Dork snagging with fly rods, and tipping spinning gear with yarn to remain “Legal”, (which only makes it different from the fly approach by simply adding a FLY reel, instead of conventional), is noticed as uncool, unethical, and it’s almost becoming unmanageable in the amount of people that come in from out of state never looking for any kind of a bite, so much as ambushing the resource, at any expense.

In years to come, I’m still optimistic that these old school lining/snagging practices will completely run their course and we can move forward and appreciate what a black eye on our fisheries it has become, from those actual anglers looking from within, or even from out of state, in. Monies in the future with any luck will indicate that real out of state revenues are generated by better fisheries, not better hatcheries as few destination anglers I know will travel to a trout pond, or stock fisheries, as all anglers will agree that a wild fish is far better than a stocked one, on literally ALL FRONTS…. Contact the NRC of MI and let them know what and eye sore it is to engage a Catch & Release/FLIES ONLY SECTION/In a National Forest, during these migratory spawning windows, and what a population of “fishermen”,(term here used loosely), dragging fish backwards upstream, hooked anywhere but the mouth most often; fighting over fishing spots, smashing and burning the bank vegetation down to dirt, leaving trash everywhere including the trees where birds are hung up in all the broken lines hanging like tinsel from a Christmas tree…etc. Sorry, it’s still October, the wound is still fresh from seeing what I saw the last few trips I’ve done since getting back… But seriously, if you’d like to be able to actually fish instead of duck the split shot in those upper/middle sections for some incredible trout fishing on a pre spawn egg bite for browns in the kings wake, (a bite that rivals any hatch MI offers), regulations need to be adjusted as the actual angler in these cases is coming a distant second to an army of unethical angling practices, while they choke the river making it not only impossible to engage, but also, just ugly to watch from anybody from out of state watching.

Moving along… And For the record, Grey Drakes actually happened this late spring for the first time in several years in decent amounts, and it looks to be rebooting following the droughts which exposed the undercuts and more or less starved out a couple cycles of one of our favorite Mayfly hatches; or at least that’s the best excuse for the last 5 years of Greys, or lack thereof, that I’ve heard to date. Iso hatch also stood out this year and was lasting, and The Hex Hatch on the PM… well, I wouldn’t know as I no longer even try showing up to that gong show on the PM, this save a couple smaller water pieces away from the PM that always manage and have no spotlights on them, literally. Hoppers was long and AWESOME this year, with a least a half dozen major flying ant happenings, and the hopper counts that were surely on the rebound were seemingly everywhere this year, and even some Cicada were present. Managed good dry fly fishing right up till a week or so back before water temps started encouraging other avenues, and just yesterday in some smaller water, they were still randomly poking BWO and Millers. Night fishing was great on the late season, on step during the regular season, with a later start due too higher flows and better streamer fishing.

Currently we are switching to Steel, and you can tell it’s all but nookie time for the browns!!! Haven’t seen any on beds, but I did see a couple suspect jumps in that belly flop posture, so I suppose by this time next week, it will be full on spawning from now till typically the gun opener or just beyond, this depending on how cold we actually can stay, as the warmer it is, typically the later it goes. Whenever possible, please avoiding spawning gravels entirely, but especially pay attention to where your walking in the shallows, as unlike the Kings and Steelhead, the brown choose a much smaller gravel bed, much shallower water as they spawn almost exclusively at night. Any whitened gravel areas, with smaller rock, ankle to knee deep should be avoided to ensure good butter in future years. It’s bad enough what many do to our wild migratory fish, we should do our best to ensure better wild stocks for generations to come. Again, this river being the first to receive the buttery goodness from across the pond in “1884”, and ironically the name of the finest trout shop on the west side. Make sure you stop by Dan’s shop, he’s done incredible things in short order down there, and really raised the bar on what a “Fly Shop” for the area is supposed to be, a TROUT SHOP… But don’t take my word for it, make sure you check out all our local shops and make your on conclusions. It’s not hard for me to raise a flag for a shop pushing good ethics, and proper angling practices, versus some of the other local bullshit narratives that are still selling lies with the flies, with bait and switch guides who never show you how to cast; and not to break your hearts for those that believe in the Easter Bunny, but what your doing to those spawning Salmon & Steelhead isn’t really fishing so much as some “FLY IMPALEMENT STRATEGY.” Make sure when booking a Michigan Fly Fishing Guide, you actually get one; as many book you as a fly trip with ZERO intentions of actually taking you fly fishing, so much as handing you some kind of conventional/pin gear and some weird excuse on why it’s better. Spoiler alert… ALL CONVENTIONAL TACTICS typically do work better, and require a fraction of the angling procedures or prowess fly fishing would beg from ya. We never got into fly fishing to improve the productivity of the day, so much as beg more sport from the process… More the journey than a destination. And to each their own, as long as a bite is involved, power to ya, no matter how ya get a take…

All that said, the replacements, aka Steel/Bows have entered the building in stronger than normal early numbers, but now have scattered and aren’t as concentrated… Our Steel/Bows, aka, Steelhead, aka Lake Bows have been in the system in stronger than normal early season numbers, and we got a nice bump of water which brought the first batch, but we need more rain in a big way… Rain leads to higher flows, which, as you guessed it, will lead to better numbers of steel for this fall; and I will say, I’ve not seen a push of summer run steel in the PM like we had this year in over a decade. Sincerely, I saw several holes this passing summer holding better than a dozen, and up to two dozen!!! Got several to take the mice per usual, those all ended in sweet tragedy, save two that made the net. At 60 degree or better water temps, those fish just have a whole other gear, and on a single hand rod in the dark… Well, do the math. And speaking of rods, I’m doing a big garage sale of Sage Rods, as I’ve moved on to the most handsome and dynamic of all sticks, “The Green Stick’s”, Winstons!!! There’s nothing wrong with a Sage rod, but as my progression in the sport continues, my need for speed and power has since been replaced; these days I prefer a more dynamic action complemented with precise accuracy, all while dressed in the finest of all colors, so much so, ALL of their rods follow suit… The list is long, and all will be discounted based on use, as a Sage Rod is still a Sage rod, no matter it’s age; and I’ve got nothing bad too say about the Sage brand, as I was an ambassador and casting those sticks for three decades or more. Maybe I’m just getting older, or maybe a better word is aware, as finding the load is easier now, and control is something that always needs improvement, and that’s what makes this sport so cool, there’s no ceiling of evolution when folding tapers is the backbone of the sport. In the end, casting is boring, line manipulations become the creative way we all consider whatever fold of taper needs to be made, and the more of the angles too the dangle you understand, the more arrows ya have in your quiver. Love to get ya folks out there this fall, and still have some solid dates still open, and though I typically don’t book hard early, we do have fish now, streamer fishing for steelhead in these conditions, almost keeps up with the swing and bob, plus allows for a whole day of casting, instead of just at the “Spots”… Give a ring, lets get ya in the book and get ya some fall chrome.

Again, rivers are running low and clear right now, this as I get all my fall eggs in a row, and all the summer sticks put away for a nice winters nap. Fishing pressure from the fall salmon snagging season has all but wrapped up, and frankly, I’ve only guided a half dozen days so far this month as I wait for the river to clear the masses of guides and googans that get off on lining, bumping, and snagging kings in the act of procreation… I’m embarrassed as a guide to show my clients that tragedy, and therefore I no longer participate on the PM during that month of year, much like mid March-mid April where they do the same shit to actual WILD STEELHEAD, while on their spawning beds with ZERO FLY FISHING ETIQUETTE OR PROWESS!!! But I’m not going down that rabbit hole this time, said enough above… If the MDNR says it’s ok to line and bump all those wild fish, well I suppose I’ve got little input, at least this report.

Right now, right on the heels of what I would consider a par, to subpar salmon run from what reports I’ve gathered unintentionally, is a ahead of the curve steelhead push for the current low water conditions, which was only reinforcing an already established push of summer fish, so currently this river has as many or more fish than it did most any time last fall. Last fall was the worst in so long, and it was tough to tell because the couple before weren’t terribly better, this due to the lasting droughts. In short, we are already experiencing better fall chrome activity, but not by much; we need more water to keep the ball rolling. Best numbers are usually later season in November into Christmas, as they still have some freshness and spunk before the winter water dowses their flame a click, but all the fall pushes from the lake are in by then. Early fishing, from now till then, is for the hottest ride in the park. Blue and new, these fish fight and bite as good as any other migratory we receive, and a real client favorite as even the 7lbers will show you the backing knot and bloody a knuckle. Though winter fishing is colder, the shear numbers of fish that stack up by then are impressive, or at least as good as the fall bite typically allows, and those massive fish that handed you your hat in October are a bit more tame when water temps are struggling to make 40. As long you’re dressed right, winter fishing comes very recommended, and often is the best time to swing flies as the audience too each cast is higher, and yes, they will take the stripped fly all winter, this based on air temps allowing for such a presentation based on ice in the guides and fingers for that matter; late season is typically the swing season unless we are unseasonably warm, which they are kinda forecasting this year.

Techniques in season from now through winter include the all avenues for steelhead, and limited targeting of brown trout till they are good and done spawning around Turkey day. You will notice when they actually begin feeding again, versus fending while streamer fishing by the way they engage the swim flies. Nymphing for trout is something we can engage around the first part of December for those interested in stronger numbers of browns, than most other times of the year as they really are hungry and balled up for that matter. All that said, we’ve been on trout for the last 7 months, almost exclusively, save some summer run streamer attempts, and our beloved late season hikes for brook trout dressed in Sundays best; it’s about that time we turn the page into the late season Steel/Bow finish too the year. Steelhead are just Big trout, that are quite ready to the fly, which is why we can play with them most anyway you fancy, yes; we can even Try The Dry this time of year, as the temps keep them very spunky. Most popular approach with the Fall/Winter Steel by leaps and bounds is the Swung Fly approach with Two Handed sticks. Easy to learn the cast, even easier to learn the presentations… And lets face it, the hook-set takes care of itself when already tight to the fish, this and there’s zero line managing in the post grab. Electric grabs, gear suited too the occasion, and low technique by comparison to many other fly fishing practices, with exceptional landing ratios. It’s no wonder why most prefer this angling approach. Third favorite way to engage is with a Bob/Indicator, (depending on who’s in the room), coupled with some over fattened floaters to be able to roll over those beach balls with ease. Vertical angle is the primary sales pitch underneath, however, in shallower scenarios, a 45degree angle likely plays better. We don’t teach Chuck & Dork, as it is NOT fly fishing in anyway, nor is there any reasoning to use it as a dead drift as it swings and drags, unlike anything else moving downwards in the current. When nymphing correctly, one could argue is the fastest way to loose flies and fish, but produces the most hook-ups; but due to line control post eat, mending practices for proper Dead Drift, and then the lighter tippets considered when the hooking such a fish, especially in the early season when they are hotter than a firecracker; fish often see my net more often when a streamer and a big stick are involved like the swung fly approach yields. Indicator/Bob fishing is a great way to angle when on foot and unaware of the fish holds, as it caters to most all fish in the system. Again, if your willing to put your quarters in on the Dry Fly, the most taboo of all avenues of production, steelhead do rise frequently to swung mice, dead drift Hex, and even the occasional hopper, and I suppose they may even do it more on those bigger rivers in the fall if they were so afraid of getting run over by a Jet Sled on step as there are just so many boats on the bigger rivers nowadays.

For many with the skills, and this includes many smallmouth anglers already down with the big fly strip, one could argue the stripped fly approach to steelhead is all the goodness a steelhead would offer, and certainly my favorite way to engage a section of river! Maximum casting to all points in a section, not just the spots that are conducive to fishing the swung fly or bob, but all of it. Staying warmer as it’s bordering on aerobic, and also mixing it up with the post spawn browns that take notice quite frankly anywhere you drop a fly on the PM! Not only do you get the massive tug, which is the main appeal to the swung fly approach, coupled with the absolute majesty of a well loaded spey cast allowed a bit of stretch; but when the fly is stripped, while you visually track it back to you, you also get to see the fish run it down, all the way back to the boat more often than not. It’s not just a take your witnessing at that point, it’s an assassination of your pattern. As if the fly were calling it names, the fish pedals harder to catch up and sack. Again, streamers from a moving boat is the most advanced technique I can teach you, and even more so than any night practices, or two handed casts; but much like everything else in fly fishing, you get what you put into it, and the play by play of watching that predation off the bow or stern, is well worth it. And I love to swing fish, so much so if I’m fishing on my day off and I’m solo, I’m gonna swing for steelhead on foot typically, but if I’m not solo, we grab the boat and start stripping chicken; because once you’ve seen it, you can’t unsee it, and that leaves you wanting more of it! Dan and I fished an 8 hour shift for the first time together in a bit just two days back, and not only did we get a handful of great browns on the pre spawn bite, but we bounced 8 steelhead, and only managed to hook a couple of them, as they are just so hot still in these temps. They really have some high speed tower buzzes this time of year… often you only see the flashes and get the line to rip without even seeing the fish they are moving so hard on it.