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Pere Marquette River Fishing Report

Here's what's happening in Northern Michigan

MARCH 24, 2024

MORE LIKE WINTER

pere_marquette_river_steelhead
PERE MARQUETTE RIVER FISHING REPORT:
It’s officially Spring on the Pere Marquette River! By looking at the snow along the river this week, you wouldn’t think it’s spring. I believe this is mother nature’s way of playing a cruel joke on all of us. We saw some really cold weather last week and a few inches of snow. It feels and looks more like winter than spring. The colder weather dropped the water temps down fast and the river is dropping in levels and clearing up.  You can find Steelhead throughout the river system.  I did see some brighter fish enter the river in the last few weeks with the rise in water levels.
FLIES: Still big and bright Clown and Nuke Egg flies. For Nymphs – Fry, Hex, and Steely Buggers worked well.  On the swing, baitfish patterns and brighter Leeches were working well.
PIC:  (Above) Dave on a snowy spring morning brings this bright Steelhead to hand on a Clown Egg.
YOUTUBE: I’ve started a new YouTube page! Click on the link for some new videos and click the subscribe button. https://www.youtube.com/@OutfittersNorthJeffHubbard
LIVE FLY TYING WITH THE NORTHERN ANGLER:  If you missed it – I had the opportunity to head up to Traverse City to visit good friends Brian and Matt at The Northern Angler Fly Shop. Thanks to all who joined us on YouTube for the Live event. If you missed the live event, you can still watch the full video on the Northern Angler’s YouTube Page.
If you are ever in Northern Michigan stop by their shop and say “hi!” They have a great assortment of gear, tackle and fly tying materials. You can find them online at The Northern Angler

USED GEAR

Simms Classic Guide Jacket New without tags
Worn less than 2 hours.
Size Adult Small
$300 if shipped, $275 pick up.  Retails for $450
email me for info
Brand New Rock Dry-Strike Boat Shoes
Size Mens 9m / Womens 11
$80 shipped $65 pickup Retail for over $100
(Photos off the retail page)
Email me for info

FLY OF THE MONTH

PERE MARQUETTE RIVER STEELHEAD FLY
PERE MARQUETTE RIVER STEELHEAD FLY

For this time of year, when the water starts to warm between February and May, the Pere Marquette River experiences one of the biggest hatches we see all year. This hatch has fins, not wings. The Fry Hatch are small Salmon which hatch during the spring months in the thousands. These Fry become a huge food source for the resident trout and Steelhead migrating up river to spawn.  Once spawning is complete, drop-back steelhead will feast on these fry as they make the trip back to the big lake.  I developed a couple a couple of fly patterns to match these hatches. The PM Parr and Flash Fry work really well in this scenario. These patterns can be fished under an Indicator, bounce them off the bottom, or even tie these patterns a little bigger and swing them.  These fly pattern recipes can be found in the Fly Box links below.  Be sure to tie some of these up! Tight Lines!

PM PARR

FLASH FRY

FEBRUARY / MARCH STEELHEAD TIP

As winter comes to an end, and temps begin to rise, the anticipation of Spring is just around the corner. Steelhead Season is in full swing with the water temps in thirties and forties.  Water levels are up a little and the water has a nice tea stain to it.  These factors are a recipe for spring Steelhead to move into the river and become more active.  When the water begins to warm, you find the older fall and winter fish will start to sit in pocket water around gravel areas. These Steelhead have been in the river for quite some time and as the water warms, the clock starts ticking. These Winter fish know it’s time to spawn so they can make their way back out to Lake Michigan.  The rising water temps will also begin to trigger spring Steelhead to head into the river for their spawning migration. These fish will usually move more, and you will find them in normal winter lies. Nymphing with a Switch Rod and Stike Indicator can be really effective in fishing pocket water and the slower winter runs.  Be sure you slow your presentation down with adequate size split shot and Indicator. Egg Flies and Nymphs work well under an indicator.  Early spring is a good time to try Salmon and Steelhead Fry and Alevin patterns.  These little minnows will start to hatch and will be abundant in the river.  Wooly Buggers and Stoneflies work well too this time of year. You will see the Little Black Stoneflies hatch as water and air temperature warms. If you’re swinging for steelhead, lighten up your sink tip for fishing pocket water and try fishing smaller baitfish and Leech imitations.   You can’t beat an Egg-Sucking Leech especially for pre spawn Steelhead. They become very aggressive towards it when it’s fished in their territory.  Swinging flies in the spring, just like in the fall months, is a great and efficient way to cover lots of water when wade fishing. Swinging is great because you don’t need to be weighted down with excess gear.  This is one of the reasons I love swinging flies – swinging is simple and efficient. If winter begins to transition to Spring, the water warms, and the Angling pressure is high, don’t forget to fish the pocket water around spawning areas. Tight Lines and Good Luck this Spring!

I am Jeff Hubbard. I grew up in West Michigan with a real love for the outdoors. After guiding in Alaska for a few years, I returned to my favorite rivers and streams, here in Michigan. Among these, the Pere Marquette River is my favorite by far. I have spent many years next to this great river in the town of Baldwin and have a great love for this great natural scenic river. I became a professional guide in 1998, and fishing still remains a real passion to me.

I’m a licensed USFS Special Use Permit holder and State of Michigan Permit holder.  This allows me to fish the whole water shed of the Pere Marquette River.  I am fully insured and CPR Certified. I run Full and Half Day Trips, Instructional, walk and wade, or float trips.

Always feel free to drop me a note if you have any questions or ideas!  Thank you for stopping by!