Pere Marquette River Fishing Report

Here's what's happening in Northern Michigan

MARCH 22, 2026

MARCH MADNESS

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PERE MARQUETTE RIVER FISHING REPORT:
Early last week, we experienced quite the weather event up north.  This system brought freezing rain, rain, snow, and gusty winds. The rain pushed the river over its banks and dropped water temperatures low enough to start forming ice again. By the end of the week,  the river had receded significantly and temperatures climbed, leading to improved fishing conditions. Upper sections of the river now have a nice tea stain.  Hopefully, Mother Nature will be done with her own version of “March Madness” and Spring will defeat winter for good here on the Pere Marquette River.
Steelhead fishing was pretty good again last week.  The water temperature came up with the warmer temps last week and the fish were happy.   Still finding a mix bag of older Winter Steelhead and fresh Steelhead in the system.  Look for this high water however to shuffle the deck once it comes down.  Hopefully this will push some more Spring fish into the river.
Fishing Conditions
  • Flows remain fast, making wading challenging—please be cautious and know your limits.
  • With more snow melt and rain in the forecast, water levels may rise again, so stay prepared.
Fishing Highlights
  • Steelhead: Some fresh fish have been found
  • Resident trout: The bite has been impressive on Fry and Alevin patterns.
Fly Recommendations
  • Larger, brighter Egg Flies and Fry or Alevin patterns worked well last week.
  • Salmon Fry are starting to appear along the banks.
  • As water clears, consider trying Black Stonefly Nymphs—several were spotted fluttering Friday afternoon.
Picture
(Above) Larry landed this great Spring Steelhead on a Hub’s PM Parr
On a sad note, I lost a good friend and client, John Dekker recently.  Some of you may have bumped into John on the river over the years. He loved to fish the PM!  John was one of my first regular clients back in the late 90’s at the Orvis Lodge.  John was a great Angler, Fly Tier, and most of all, a good friend. He became more like the older brother I never had!  He was such a great guy.  He was there to lend a hand or just an ear.  He will be missed dearly. RIP JD! I hope you’re swinging up some big chrome Steelhead up there. We’re sending our deepest sympathies to John’s family and friends.
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Check out my YouTube page for an awesome Fry pattern my good friend and guide of many years, Walt Grau tied up. Walt is one of the most creative Fly Tyers you will ever meet. Please don’t forget to subscribe.
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 P.M. PARR

PERE MARQUETTE RIVER STEELHEAD FLY
Spring on the Pere Marquette River sees one of the biggest hatches of the season.  This hatch is not a MayFly or Stonefly a trout would rise to and sip off the surface.  This hatch happens below the surface along the banks of the river.  As water temperatures warm, baby King Salmon begin to hatch.  These little Salmon become a huge food source for resident Trout in the river and also the migratory Steelhead.  Salmon eggs sit on the bottom of the river all winter long waiting for river temperatures to warm in the spring. When the water temps warm, these eggs become an Alevin and then a Fry. Quickly, they turn into a Parr which is what we see in the river.  You will see thousands and thousands of small minnows everywhere.  These little minnows are baby King Salmon.
A great fly I developed over the years, is my PM Parr.  If you have tied my “Hub’s Hex,” this follows those same tying steps.  This fly works great fished under a Strike Indicator.  The key to effectively fishing this fly is to let the fly swing out at the end of the drift, before you bring in to re-cast.  Trout and Steelhead will focus on it as it begins to swing and lift off the bottom.  At this stage, the fly resembles a life-like, wounded Parr. You can also tie this fly a little bigger and swing it for Steelhead or Trout.  I prefer using a 30 or 35mm shank with a size 2 stinger hook.
Be sure to tie a few of these up for the spring Season! Good luck and tight lines!
HUB’S PM PARR
  • Hook: Tiemco 3761 Size 6
  • Tail: White ( Natural) Grizzly Marabou (Don’t Cut)
  • Body: Caddis Green Ice Dub
  • Collar: Small Mallard Flank palmer to front
  • Head: Med Red Plastic Eyes, dubbed with Orange or Shrimp Pink Ice Dub (EGG)
  • Wing: Pull over Marabou and tie off
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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!