Pere Marquette River Fishing Report

Here's what's happening in Northern Michigan

January 18, 2025

OLD FASHION WINTER

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PERE MARQUETTE RIVER FISHING REPORT:
I Hope everyone is doing well and enjoying the New Year!  We are seeing somewhat of an old fashion winter on the banks of the Pere Marquette River.  I Managed to get out for a few days last week, but the river is very low and cold.  The ice hasn’t been too bad, but I think that is all about to change by the middle of next week.  Looks like another arctic blast is on its way, bringing highs during the day only in the single digits.  With this cold weather, the water levels are going to drop and get colder. We will probably see some shelf ice and slush.  You can find Steelhead throughout the whole river. These fish are mostly early fall and winter fish. With a mix of low water levels all fall and the arrival of early winter, the numbers are still much lower.
For flies on the swing we used smaller leech and sculpin patterns with a little more bling on the cloudy, darker days.  Grapefruit Leech, Lite-Brite Leech, Blue Moon and June Bug Sculpin worked well.  Smaller egg flies like Clown Egg’s in Pink, Blue, and Cherise worked well along with Oregon Cheese Nuke Egg’s and Peach Estaz Eggs.  For Nymphs try Hub’s Hex,  Steelhead Buggers, Spring Wigglers, and Stonefly Nymphs.

PIC:  (Above) Last week, I managed to find this little Hen that fell for a Grapefruit Leech before the Arctic Blast returns. (Below)

I also want to thank Justin and all the tiers who joined me for my Fly-Tying Event at Nomad Anglers.
Check out my YouTube page for some NEW flies soon and please like and subscribe. Thank you !!!!
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

LITE-BRITE LEECH SWING FLY

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I developed this Leach pattern fifteen plus years ago. It covers all the Steelhead colors that work so well in the Pere Marquette River.
This fly works well on the swing when the water has that nice tea stain to it or has colder temperatures in the winter months.
I fish the shank version when water is high and dark in color and the Iron hook version works well when water is clear but cold.
For the head I make a nuke egg in the front using yarn . This fly works well in that it gives the fly a little kick-back when it hits the water and starts to sink.  It also works well in the slower pools in which you will find Steelhead in the winter months when the water is cold.  The yarn makes it more buoyant to float a little higher in the water column so you can fish it in slower water and over or around wood.

Recipe

Hook Daiichi 2461 Size 1
30-35 mm Shank with Size 2 Stinger Hook
Tail : Purple Marabou tied in by tip palmered towards front of hook.
Body: Simple Black Ice Dub
Collar:  Purple Marabou tied in by tip palmered towards front of hook again.
Wing : Combination of Gold, Copper, Blue and Red Flashabou
Finish with another collar of Purple or Black Schlappen tied by tip palmered to front of hook.
Head : Make a Nuke Egg with darker color for Nucleus and Lighter color at the front. If fishing in clear water, I like to do a Oregon Cheese Style Nuke and in dirtier water Chartreuse works great.
If I get time soon will tie one on my Youtube page. Any questions feel free to email me good luck and tight lines.
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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!