T he days are getting longer on the banks of the Pere Marquette River and longer days mean spring steelhead season is about to start. Spring fishing is such a great way to enjoy the outdoors. The fishing can become pretty good as the temperature starts to warm. When the water warms the snow melts, and the rivers rise, and this triggers the spring steelhead to head up the river to spawn. As these bright fish enter the Pere Marquette River, they can be enticed with an assortment of flies. Try bigger clown eggs in bright colors like chartreuse or pink or try pursuing these fish on a swung fly with a sink-tip. Flies like big egg sucking leech patterns or goby-type patterns can produce some aggressive strikes. When the temperatures really start to heat up, try an assortment of nymphs too. My favorites are little black stoneflies or salmon fry patterns. These become a spring staple for not only steelhead but resident brown and rainbow trout.
Now is the time to get out there and try all those new flies you tied all winter or maybe the new rod you got for Christmas. Or just the fact that we live in Michigan and winters can be long. Whatever it may be get out and enjoy the start of New Year on the banks of the Pere Marquette River. For up-to-date weekly reports, check out outfittersnorth.com. Tight Lines!Pere M