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Fly Fishing Michigan

From March to November Pat Moore guides the blue ribbon waters of Northern Michigan. As the spring thaw approaches, massive migrations of steelhead move into the rivers and streams to spawn. With the use of drift boats he floats four to eight river miles down some of the most scenic rivers in the Northern Michigan in pursuit of these silver streaks.

When steelhead season comes to an end, the waters warm to a 55-60F range, this gives way to prolific insect hatches, creating some of the most challenging dry fly fishing in the U.S. Michigan boasts some of the more fabled trout streams and rivers, names such as the Pere Marquette, Au Sable, and Manistee rivers.

April, May, and June are the best months to book fly fishing trips in Michigan. In April small black stoneflies begin to appear on the water surface giving the cabin fevered angler the first dry fly action of the season. May and June keep the action going with major hatches and spinner falls of Hendricksons, Sulfurs, Brown Drakes, Isonychia and, of course, the great Michigan mayfly Hexogenia Limbata or the "Hex." July and August are excellent months for terrestrials and late August with spectacular hatches and spinner-falls of Ephrons or white flies.

Also in August comes the arrival of salmon into the rivers and streams to spawn. This opens the door for Michigan's famous arm wrenching battles with the massive King and Coho Salmon! There's nothing more exciting than hooking into one of these beasts with a fly rod.

For those anglers who enjoy a little surface violence added to their day, stripping streamers is the game. There is nothing like watching an 18 inch Brown Trout getting medieval on your fly six inches beneath the surface. This can be some of the most exciting fishing Michigan has to offer.

Seasons of Fly Fishing in Northern Michigan

In March and April, we have a great run of steelhead in Northwestern Michigan's streams. Large numbers of 5-15lb fish enter the Betsie, Platte, Boardman, and Manistee Rivers. Good numbers of hookups are possible and when hooked, these silver rockets go ballistic. If you want solitude not offered on the crowded Manistee and Pere Marquette Rivers during steelhead and salmon season, Pat and his guides work private stretches of the Betsie River. It's likely you won't see another soul the entire day!

When steelhead season comes to an end, the waters warm to a 55-60F range, this gives way to prolific insect hatches, creating some of the most challenging dry fly fishing in the U.S. Michigan boasts some of the more fabled trout streams and rivers, names such as the Au Sable and Manistee rivers. March,April, May and June are the best months to book trout trips in Michigan. In March/ April small black stoneflies begin to appear on the water surface giving the cabin fevered angler the first dry fly action of the season. May and June keep the action going with major hatches and spinner-falls of Hendricksons, Sulfurs, Brown Drakes, Isonychia and, of course, the Giant Michigan Mayfly, Hexagenia limbata, or the "Hex." July and August are excellent months for terrestrials late August with spectacular hatches and spinner-falls of Ephrons or white flies.

Also in August comes the arrival of salmon into the rivers and streams to spawn. This opens the door for Michigan's famous arm wrenching battles with King and Coho Salmon! There's nothing more exciting then hooking into one of these beasts with a fly rod. September is a prime month for salmon, with some runs going into October in full force.

Thanks to special regulations on some rivers in Michigans trout season never has to end. Some of our best fishing is in October and November as big Browns go through their spawning. After spawning these fish are HUNGRY! For those anglers who enjoy a little surface violence added to their day, stripping streamers is the game. There is nothing like watching an 18 inch Brown Trout getting medieval on your fly six inches beneath the surface. This can be some of the most exciting fishing Michigan has to offer.