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.

Indiana fly fishing report 9/5/2020

Kankakee river smallmouth

With the crazy summer we’ve been having, a nice quiet float down the Kankakee river seems to be just what the doctor ordered. Fishing has been pretty consistent day in and day out. We are battling some extremely low water but the fish don’t seem to mind at all. Poppers in chartreuse as well as white have been getting it done. On really bright days the popper bite does die off mid day and switching to sub surface flies has been the ticket. Dark leeches, crayfish, and various bait fish patterns are productive. The nice thing about the low water is most of the fishing has been very visual. We haven’t had to bust out the sinking lines much or heavily weighted flies for that matter. I’ve been fairly busy running these float trips and will continue to do so until the water temps say otherwise. Make sure to get with me soon for your fall dates. Most days I am the only boat on the water.

Aaron from Wisconsin with a mid day popper eater

Trail Creek Steelhead Fishing report

I have not spent much time on the creeks at all this summer. Extremely warm water temps for someone who releases fish is not something I am interested in. Not to mention the amount of anglers this summer is something I have never seen before. Seven days a week there are anglers all over the public access sites. I’m glad that folks are out fishing but i’m hoping there is some river etiquette and that people are picking up their trash. From what I’ve been hearing, this hasn’t been the case. But enough bitching, there has been plenty of skamania in the creeks and in the harbor for the majority of the summer. The extended heat wave we had a few weeks backed pushed a lot of fish back out to the lake. Keep an eye on the lake temps, once they flip, they will come. I’m anticipating a solid run of fall fish. I’m uncertain what the king run will hold but only time will tell. The time is approaching. It’s been awhile since I’ve wrote a report so I will do my best to keep everyone informed. Tight lines.

Northwest Indiana fly fishing report 11/14/19

Ahh yes steelhead season is here. They is in. And with impeccable timing as the area is dealing with January weather in November. I love fishing steelhead in the snow and cold temps, but not in November. Either way the time is upon us. One can choose to deal with the cold or sit at home and scroll through pictures of other people catching steelhead.

The Indiana tribs (salt, cal, and trail) had some fish show up. I was on Trail creek yesterday with the girlfriend for a few hours and hooked one on a 8mm bead. Water seems a bit low in areas so fishing the obvious deeper stuff should produce. These fish will sit deep as they can and tight to wood. Don’t be afraid to fish the timber. Yeah you are gonna lose rigs but that’s part of it. As always, make sure to explore different and unpopular spots, while respecting the rules and private property of course. The stuff that doesn’t get fished as hard can sometimes lead to epic days. People are lazy in general and don’t always want to hoof it through the woods to find fish. Explore a little, leave the 20 access alone. You might find something you weren't expecting.

I fished the Dowagiac river this past Saturday for a half day and an angler on my boat managed to hook one steelhead and a bunch of leaves. The fish was taken on a smaller black and blue leech swung through a deeper run. There are some fish around but I feel like the “D” is expecting plenty more before its all said and done. Fish seem scattered about but there are opportunities to be had. As the days go on fishing will be getting better and better. Especially with the amount of fish on the St. Joe at the moment.

Next week we will have a brief warm up so If you want to get out and fish please let me know. I have two days open next week. Come feel the steel. I’m probably gonna copyright that slogan. And make T-shirts. Then get rich. Then just fun fish all the time……. Word.