The old yooper proverb-”Don’t like the weather, wait 5 minutes” has run it’s course here in the Upper Peninsula over the last couple weeks.  60 degrees days & then blinding sub zero snow storms the next day, this stuff gets Steelhead & fisherman bewildered!  Our later than normal Spring seems to be a reality as a large part of our adjacent Great Lakes still remain frozen as of today.  Right now rivers are quite big & cold across the UP as lots of run off has occurred over the past few days.  Rivers are going to get even bigger as the forest is still full of snow.  Steelhead numbers range very widely right now as there are many variables at this point of the season. Take it easy this upcoming weekend for Trout Opener as wading is going to be rather dicey!

Yet another winter storm has hit the Upper Peninsula, seems as if it’s a case of the never ending winter as some areas are getting up to 20 inches!  Some melt off has occurred which has risen rivers a small amount & a bit of ice is gone-not much to get excited about yet.  A small amount of Steelhead are around, these are primarily all winter fish as virtually no new spring fish have arrived.  A warm up is in the forecast for this upcoming week, it is going to take an extended period of warm weather to get this spring started at this rate. When it melts, they will come :)

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The past few weeks have been spent a long ways away from home.  Finally had enough of the prolonged polar vortex crap & decided it was a good as time as ever to get outa dodge. Hoped in the vehicle & headed west to the mountains of Colorado, I have a past there & many good friends still.  It was wonderful to visit the mountains & reconnect w great pals, a special thanks to Matt/the crew at Cutthroat Anglers in Silverthorne Co.  Be sure to look them if you need your Trout fix, they offer first class service on some of the most beautiful rivers & lakes that Colorado offers.  March offered rising fish to midges, nymphing, some streamer love & a nice 16 inch powder day of skiing-a nice change of pace :) Be sure to check out this video for some cool footage of some heavy water rowing & fishing on the Colorado River.

These Mid Winter warm ups are sure nice for the soul, the sun shining down & the melting of some snow is quite uplifting.  The cruel reality is that old man winter is still very much upon us & the angler really has to want it bad to get out on the water.  However, sometimes the fish have the same reaction when some sunlight hits the water for a change & this can result in a hookup or two.  Spring is coming, just gotta be patient..

We are entering the coldest months of the year, shouldn’t be much of a change from the last two months at this rate!  Very little fishable water is present right now, polar vortex has a tight grip on the flowing water.  Lake Superior currently has the most ice coverage it has had in a long time & this winter is currently ranking as the 4th coldest winter in UP history.  This should considerably help lake levels as minimal evaporation will occur this winter.

A brief warm up in the weather dept this past weekend provided a window for some fishing opportunities here in the Upper Peninsula. Winter is a beautiful time to fish when the weather permits, the river is so different & quiet seeming this time of the year.  Steelhead and Trout are present, persuading them to eat can be a bit more challenging in winter.  Cover the water slowly and feed them something appetizing.

Yeah, it’s damn cold out.  Virtually zero open water fishing opps at this time with the absurdly cold air mass that seems to be parked for the time being.  I have to say this is prolly the coldest sustained air temps I have ever seen in a winter here in the Upper Peninsula.

Bumble, the abominable snowman has no complaints with the current weather situation…

A brief warm up from the siberian temps sure felt nice, now back to the ice age again!  Forecast is calling for single digit temps for the time being, so limited opportunities exist for the angler.  Mid winter conditions are present and ice is a problem.  The warmest of holidays blessings from our family to you, thanks to everyone for the continued support over the years-Lets go fishing!!

Well, I thought it was cold the last time I posted a new fishing report…. This is proving to be a real Upper Peninsula winter as our downright arctic temps are becoming a daily reality.  Fishing is very challenging right now as keeping hands warm and guides ice free is nearly impossible.  Many rivers are virtually unfishable right now due to ice, conditions that we have grown accustomed to experiencing in later winter are now present.  Despite polar weather, big congrats go out to our angler pictured below-not one, but two trophy class fish for his first time ever Steelhead fishing!  There is no complaining about the weather when you are catching nice fish :)

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Fishing days are getting more and more limited on a daily basis at this point of the season.  This winter has shown the coldest temps we have seen here in the U.P. this early in the winter for a long time.  Most of the inland lakes are frozen at this time & many have enough ice for ice fishing on them.  Most rivers have considerable shelf ice and slurpee like ice conditions have been present frequently on cold days.  Regardless, some good fishing has been available for those willing to tough it out. Working good holding areas over effectively will produce opportunities, keep casting & stay warm!