Pere Marquette River Fishing Report

Here's what's happening in Northern Michigan

May 4, 2025

SPRING HAS FINALLY LANDED ON THE PERE MARQUETTE RIVER

pere_marquette_river_brown_trout
PERE MARQUETTE RIVER FISHING REPORT:
It’s finally  starting to look and sound like Spring up here on the Pere Marquette River.  Last week, the banks started to turn green and the Grouse started to drum along the banks of this great watershed.  Trout season officially kicked off last Saturday in our state. I spent last week back rowing everyday while pitching streamers at the banks with clients.  The streamer fishing for Trout and Steelhead was decent last week especially on the warmer and cloudier days.  The water temps have still been cool for this time of year, so the dry fly fishing has been slow.  Last Thursday we sat out in a pretty good “all day” rain event. By Saturday, that rain brought the river levels up making for some good streamer fishing. For flies, try smaller Streamers and baitfish imitations in an assortment of colors depending on the sky and the water levels.  I saw a few Little Black Stoneflies, BWO’s, and some March Browns flying around early last week when the sun was out.  Good Luck out there and tight Lines !!!

PIC:  (Above) Trevor with a great Brown taken on a Streamer last week.

Check out my YouTube page for a new fly pattern video – HUB’S PM PARR FLY TYING TUTORIAL
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

FLY OF THE MONTH

HUB'S PM PARR

Jeff Hubbard's_PM_Parr
The King Salmon eggs begin hatching in late winter/early spring in our Michigan Rivers providing trout and steelhead an abundance of feeding opportunities. You can the PM Parr under an indicator rig or with chuck and duck style fly fishing.  These patterns are often taken by hungry steelhead at the end of the drift, on the swing out. At this moment the pattern suddenly rises from the bottom and triggers the predatory response of a hungry steelhead or trout. This pattern continues to be effective into late spring as “drop-back” steelhead begin feeding heavily during post spawn. Swinging techniques often elicit savage predatory takes as these post spawn steelhead put on the feed bag as they migrate out of the river system back to the lakes.
Follow the link over to my YouTube page and check out my fly tying video of Hub’s PM Parr!

Hub’s PM Parr Fly Tying Tutorial

Recipe

Hook: #700 Dai Riki number 6 or 8
Tail: White Grizzly Marabou
Body: Olive Ice Dub with Mallard flank palmered to front of hook
Wing: Grizzly Marabou pulled over top
Eyes: Med Red Eyes
Head: Shrimp or Orange Ice Dub
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

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!