RIVERS NORTH UPPER PENINSULA FISHING REPORT!

Rising Giants

July 23rd, 2009

The past week of fishing for Atlantic Salmon on the St.Marys River here in the U.P. has been very monumental to say the least.  As a guide I am always trying to provide something new & different for my clients from the norm-there are proven techniques that will catch fish day in/day out.  There are also techniques that when you catch a fish doing the given technique it becomes etched in your memory forever.  Heavy Hex activity occurred this past week & many fish of the river system take advantage of this massive bug buffet.  One can fish a lifetime to encounter the perfect situation to take an Atlantic Salmon eating bugs off the surface.  Luckily I was joined by Chris Bouws this given day, Chris’s persistence & ability to cast an entire floating fly line into the backing provided for what I can say was the most exciting spectacle I have ever witnessed in fly fishing!  Congrats Chris on a truly remarkable feat-a 10 lb 3 yr old Atlantic Salmon on a dry fly!

Let the good times roll……

High Seas

July 14th, 2009

Warming water temps on the St.Marys river system have a plethora of different insects emerging-Caddis, Hex, Midges & other Mayflies have been active.  Currently the Atlantic Salmon are taking center stage as some good fly fishing opportunities have been available with some great fish here on the St.Marys river.  Smelt & other bait fish are still present in good numbers so nymphs are not the only thing on the menu for our finned friends!  Water temps are in the lower 60’s and a mix of nasty & nice weather has been present.  Sure seems to be no consistency in the weather dept this Summer-one day there are 25 mph winds & cold, then the next day 75 degrees with loads of sunshine.  Us locals of the Upper Peninsula say- if you don’t like the weather here, wait 5 minutes & it will probably be different! Congrats to 15 yr old Brent Major on a truly world class male Atlantic Salmon that weighed in at 15 1/2 lbs!  Holy waaaaaa!

Summer is half way over, or has it just half begun?

St.Marys Smiles!

July 10th, 2009

Unstable weather has been present over the past week making for some cold air temps, heavy winds, rain and then some sunshine at times.  Atlantic Salmon fishing on the St.Marys river has been producing some great fish-2,3 and 4 year old fish are present ranging from 3-15 lbs.  Lots of different techniques are still producing fish as bait fish and aquatic insects are present.  Some Mayfly activity has started over the last few days, as well as Caddis & Midges on the menu.  Steelhead, Chinook and Lake Whitefish have also been providing some fun, with water temps @ 61 degrees there is a diverse amount of species of Trout & Salmon available.  The cool Summer we have been receiving is great for Trout, Steelhead, and Atlantic Salmon populations-the sunny hot days are great, but the cool water keeps our finned friends happy!  Check out artist Paul Gray’s St.Marys River Atlantic Salmon artwork-a Michigan artist featuring angling art from around the U.S.!

 

 

Life is good in the U.P., come see for yourself!

Let Freedom Ring!

July 2nd, 2009

Cooler weather & rain has been present most of the week making for some favorable fishing conditions verses the heat wave we had been encountering.  Atlantic Salmon fishing on the St.Marys river has been providing for some good opportunities for some great fish. Currently water temps are in the upper 50’s and the aquatic insect life has been getting active (Midges & Caddis).  Baitfish are still present so lots of different techniques have been taking Atlantic Salmon, Steelhead and lake Whitefish.  Some Mayfly activity has been happening in the bays of Lk Superior so some bigger bugs should be present very soon.  In the central U.P., resident Trout fishing has slowed down a bit as we are entering the warmer months of the summer.  Small spring creeks have still been fishing well with attractor patterns as well as some BWO’s, Caddis, Iso’s, Cahills, & Hex. 

 

Happy 4th of July-celebrate your independence & enjoy a cold beer!