Diving into Winter
After an incredibly strange fall for Northern Michigan weather, it appears winter has settled in for the time being. Mild weather defined October and November, offering some very comfortable angling.
Overall steelhead fishing the last 6 weeks was very solid. The smaller waterways that I frequent this time of year suffered from extreme drought conditions, however our fall run remained strong in the low water. The lack of flows concentrated fish in fairly particular stretches of water, making for explosive opportunities scattered between stints of quiet river.
Rick with one of many chromers on a windy afternoon
I’m optimistic about the coming winter months. A decent shot of water would be beneficial to spread out the current fish in the systems. The two-week forecast looks great for winter fishing, highs in the 30’s and nighttime temps not dipping too far into the 20’s.
A bold brown that clobbered a black leech in cold water
With extremely low river conditions, the streamer trout bite was tricky. With such limited opportunities for high water events, timing was critical. With abundant steelhead around, it was hard to break away for days pursuing trout in less than ideal conditions. Our odds at steelhead on stripped flies was honestly better than the trout, making for really exciting days watching them chase streamers.
Fall steelhead that ate a stripped streamer
Winter is such a magical time to be on the water. With a strong run of fall fish, December, January, and February should hold promise for consistent angling. It will primarily be an indicator game, running floating lines and vertical floats fished deep and slow. It continues to impress me how my returning clients advance so quickly at this technique. As a guide it’s extremely rewarding to watch folks reap the benefit of learning this craft. In a world of instant gratification, learning to land steelhead on fly is a real celebration of doing something the hard way.
Bryan all smiles after a day of catching fall steelhead on fly
On a recent trip on a particularly blustery November day, a relatively new fly-angler mastered the indicator game rather quickly and put impressive numbers of fish in the net on fly. Patience, willingness to learn, and a great attitude led him to quick success and a new skill set.
Fall fish gaining some color as winter sets in
Upcoming Guide Trips
I have availabilty throughout December, January, and February for those interested in chasing winter steel on the fly. If temps really dip, utilizing conventional gear like spinning rods and centerpins can be an effective ways to continue to enjoy time on the water (without completely frozen hands).
My spring schedule is filling in quickly, especially weekend dates in peak season. Now is a great time to plan a spring trip. With the holidays approaching, I have eGift cards available as well.
Guided Day Floats for Steelhead
Full Day (8-9 Hours) for Two Anglers ~ $450.00
Full Day (8-9 Hours) for One Angler ~ $375.00
Half Day (4-5 Hours) for One or Two Anglers ~ $325.00
Recent Reviews
“Had a great day fishing with Cole, not only did he put me on fish he gave me great instructions to have a successful day and make me a better fisherman. Thanks again Cole!”
“What a great weekend my son and I had fishing with Cole! Not only is he incredible about putting you on the fish, but he’s also extremely knowledgeable about the areas he fishes. This was our first time out with Cole and I would highly recommend him to anyone looking to truly enjoy a great day fishing! We’ll definitely be planning a return trip”