Pere Marquette River Fishing Report

Here's what's happening in Northern Michigan

March 23, 2025

FEELS LIKE WE'RE GOING BACKWARDS

pere_marquette_river_steelhead
PERE MARQUETTE RIVER FISHING REPORT:
Last week Steelhead fishing on the Pere Marquette River was pretty consistent.  The bite and the fishing has been up and down depending on the weather, water temperatures, and water level.  We did see a nice bump again in the water level last week. Now the river levels and water temps are dropping.  It seems like we are going backwards instead of forward with the weather.  We are still hooking mostly winter and fall Steelhead. Towards the end of the week, we did find a few fresh spring fish, which is a good sign of things to come.  Looks like winter is landing again next week with colder temps and snow. This should keep water temps a little cooler and slow the fish down.
For flies last week: With the higher water levels, bigger and brighter worked well.  Clown Egg’s and Estaz Egg’s in Chartreuse and Cherise, and Hubba Bubba worked well. The PM Parr and other Fry patterns worked really good for Steelhead and for the resident Trout too.  Steelhead Buggers with Peacock Body and Pearl Flash turned some heads along with bigger Stoneflies.  On the swing try baitfish patterns imitating Salmon Parr or Fry along with Leeches if the water is stained.  Good Luck and Tight Lines!!!!!

PIC:  (Above) Dave had the luck of the Irish on St. Patrick’s Day, even though the weather felt more like New Years Day. 🙂

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
Learn More About booking a trip with Outfittersnorth

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!