We are a full time, year-round, fly fishing guide service on the Pere Marquette and nearby rivers. We are able to fish year-round because the rivers in this area stay warm enough to be ice free in the winter, and cool enough to sustain trout in the summer. In addition to trout, we guide for warm water species such as smallmouth bass and pike.
Seasons around Northern Michigan
Spring
In the spring, the Pere Marquette has strong runs of migratory steelhead. These steelhead make the run up river to spawn and we typically find great fish in the pools all season long. Peak season for our Steelhead run is from March 1 to May 1.
During the month of May, we pull out the big flies and start stripping for big, resident browns. If you haven’t had the opportunity to strip a streamer for big browns, words cannot describe the excitement of watching the golden flash of a big brown flying out of the depths of a hole to strike your fly. It’s one item every angler should have on his or her “Fly Fishing Bucket List!”
Summer
Through the summer months, dry-fly fishing for trout is the draw. Impressive hexagenia and drake hatches occur throughout the month of June. During late summer, the Pere Marquette produces good trout on hoppers and terrestrials during the day. At night, the big browns prey on large mouse patterns. Smallmouth bass fishing on the Muskegon River system is very good and is a fun option.
Fall
King salmon arrive in late summer. The Pere Marquette has a famous salmon run and it brings anglers from around the country to fish this fabled stream. Peak season is from September 1-November 1. If you have never caught a big fish, king salmon are a great way to start!
Fall is one of our personal favorite times to fish. We enjoy swinging large streamers to hard hitting chrome steelhead, fresh from Lake Michigan. We pursue these fish all through winter, and they literally bring customers in from all over the world.
Winter
Early winter is a great time to swing flies for Steelhead. This type of fly fishing results in very aggressive strikes from these large, predatory fish. One of those most exciting ways to fish for steelhead! Sometimes Michigan Winters hit us hard, but if there is open water, there are fish to be had. When fishing winter months, you may be the only one on the water. Whether you choose to wade in or float, the beauty of the Pere Marquette River in the winter is indescribable!
