michigan steelhead — Blog

Not many steelhead in Trail Creek quite yet. Anticipating some fish moving in with the recent snow melt and run off we’ve had the past week. Salt Creek and the little Cal had a good push of fish this past week. Lower Salt and Cal is fishing well. I’ve even heard good things from upper salt as well. 8mm - 10mm beads and small leeches dead drifted under an indicator has been effective. As always, respect private property and your fellow anglers.

I finished up a trip on the Dowagiac River yesterday with one angler. We grinded out two fish on a full day float. Not the results I was hoping for but I’ll take two fish nonetheless. Both fish came on dead drifting a black and blue leech under an indicator. One of the takes was at the very end of the drift as the leech pulled up from the bottom and started kicking across the current. No fish on beads or bugs. Where da browns at? Water was up a bit but the river was overall in great shape. Still waiting on the big push of winter fish. Fish slow and meticulously. Opportunities are there for those that are patient and take their time. I have Tuesday open next week if anyone wants to get out and fish. Next report up after Thanksgiving. Happy holidays and tight lines bruhs.

25-55 mph winds with more rain leaves us with fantastic weather conditions today. Wind speeds up to 45 mph have been scientifically proven to tighten your loops while casting. So with gusts up to 55, you should be able to toss a 200 footer with no problem. We don’t always get perfect fly fishing conditions, but when we do, I usually don’t fish.

Steelhead should be crushing flies throughout the state today. The 40 degree temperature drop that will happen later today will jumpstart them into feed mode like you’ve never seen. Days like today they’ve been know to eat small children aimlessly wandering the riverbanks. That being said, flies in the 2-5 foot range are idea for these conditions. Ive thrown flies as large as 7 feet long. No big deal.

If you are going to throw beads make sure to go large as well. When I say large I mean like 40mm-65mm beads. I’ve also had success drilling a hole through a 16 lb bowling ball just slightly bigger than the diameter of my tippet. Run the bowling ball through your tippet, as you would with your bead. Peg the bowling ball, and tie on a size 12 gamagatzu bead hook. Size 12 is recommended for a more stealthy presentation. I’ve notice anything larger than a size 12 will spook fish and they will ignore the bowling ball. Also, make sure to paint your bowing ball with a bunch of different nail polishes to match the hatch. Steelhead really like chartreuse eggs with copper glitter and a hint of pink or even yellow.

That’s about all the information I feel comfortable giving out today. I can understand that most of my tips and pointers are probably wayyyy over your head as a novice. Me being a pro guide, I like to just give you bits and pieces of my genius. Till next time…..