Indiana fly fishing report 2/14/2021

Sometimes all it takes is one…..

Its been awhile since my last report. Unfavorable water conditions, a damn removal, weather and covid have basically all but shut down my winter season. Folks that were scheduled to fish with me already know this, but the Dowagiac river is closed indefinitely until potentially the summer. Michigan DNR stated that the river will remain closed during the damn removal for liability issues. That is all I know. The parking lot at the put in (damn) is closed with no entry permitted. As a guide here in the winter months, I am only set up for drift boat trips on the Dowagiac. At this time, I am not offering another alternative boat trip until I return from Alaska next fall. My deepest apologies to folks looking to get out on a drift boat for some steelhead. Beyond the Dowagiac river closure, Trail creek as has not been fishing good all winter. The fall rains and higher flows we usually anticipate for the late fall and winter never came. The water remains low and slow with a severe lack of steelhead. Now, with this cold snap, most of the creeks are iced over. I was getting out on an occasional walk and wade trip, scratching out a fish here and there with clients. It eventually became slower and the unfavorable weather hit making it very difficult for even the every day anglers out there. I always pride myself in being honest with folks who are looking to tag their first steelhead. Right now its tough. We are hoping for a nice spring and for plenty of fish to finally show up. Until then, tie some flies and get some gear cleaned and organized. I wish I had some better news to report. Fingers crossed the coming weeks will turn some things around. Until next time.

The Region's fly fishing report 11/1/19 - Winter is coming

Winter is coming. As a matter of fact, It think it’s already here. Water is on the drop. Da fishing should be pretty darn good throughout the area for the next few weeks if you’re a steelhead angler.

That being said, I’ll probably still be throwing the biggest flies I have and watching pike chase it down only to swing and miss right at the boat for the next few weeks still. Until I have my fill of that, which might not ever happen, I will probably put the steelhead fishing on the shelf for the weekend unless someone wants to book a trip. Which I would then try really hard to explain how much cooler it is getting refused by big pike all day, and that pike fishing would be a muuuuuch better option. I’m about to get reeeeeal dialed in though, I can feel it.

Much more detailed report coming on Monday. Until then, stop being lazy and googling fishing reports and go find out for yourself. P.S. I did hear that Joe Schmoe said his second cousin’s sister’s brother caught 48 steelhead last night out of Trail Creek. All on a completely bare size 2 gamagatzu octopus hook with a half ounce split shot just above it.

Word…

The regions fly fishing report 10/31/19

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…..