Twitch Flies and Twitching Them
When our first attempts at drag-free dry flies or stripped streamers don’t work “Twitch Flies” and twitching them often saves the day on the water. Read more on how to twitch and which ones to put into your fly box.
A few articles and how-to instructions related to fly fishing in northern Michigan.
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Practice Casting Prior to Fishing
Don’t practice casting when you get to the river – fish instead. Be a better angler by showing up on the water with better casting skills. Here are some ideas on how to implement some casting practice off the water.
Fly Tying Tips
Efficiency, organization and shortcuts all add up to make fly tying a little easier. This article provides five tips to help make filing your fly boxes quicker, your materials better organized and tools in better shape.
Swinging Soft Hackle Flies
Long forgotten is fishing wet flies – probably one of the oldest presentations and, at times, most effective in certain circumstances. Swinging soft hackle flies is a fun and effective way of fishing wets when trout fishing.
May Days – A Month of Fly Fishing
The Month of May is a great time to fly fish Michigan for the multiple and diverse species in our local waters. It’s a productive and less popular time for Trout, Steelhead, Carp, Bass and Bluegill on rivers, lakes, bays and ponds.
Fly Fishing Equipment Care
Your equipment is expensive, so make it perform as long as beast as possible with a little maintenance. Fly lines, rods, reels, waders and jackets can last years with a little care and maintenance.
Dressing for Michigan Fly Fishing
Fly fishing is supposed to be fun, and being comfortable by being prepared for possible weather conditions is paramount. Here are some tips on how to dress for your next fly fishing trip in Michigan to keep you safe & comfortable.
Dry Fly Fishing “Do’s”
For most trout anglers, catching fish on a dry fly is the highlight of the sport – not only is it traditional, but also visual and for some – addictive. Here are some tips for dry fly fishing to increase your chances of success.
Top 5 Steelhead Flies for Michigan
There is no shortage of fly patterns to choose from when filling up your fly box for steelhead. This list of steelhead flies for Michigan includes effective staples that have produced for me and my clients over the years – both spring and fall.
Seductive Streamer Fishing
Presenting a streamer, slowly, thoroughly and with a lot of movement can make the difference on those days when fish aren’t overly aggressive. Learn techniques to use when the heavy-handed, big fly approach comes up short.
Largemouth Bass on the Fly
Fly fishing for Largemouth Bass in the summer months offers anglers in Northern Michigan and the Traverse City region another option after months of trout fishing. Further develop your skills and have fun with these tips.
Trying New Methods
This a short synopsis of the less popular species and alternative ways to catch the popular species. Often as anglers we are looking to mix things up, experience something new, or add a new species to our bucket list.
Terrestrials and Terrestrial Fishing
A short article to help anglers fishing northern Michigan water/rivers with identifying the most important terrestrials, their significance, how best to fish them, what time of the season and day, and where (rivers and types of water).
Introducing Others To Fly Fishing
Ideas and suggestions on why and how to share the sport of fly fishing with others. Regardless of whether it’s a friend, kid, parent or spouse – make it a positive experience by keeping it fun, staying safe and create a new fishing partner.
Rigging for Steelhead & Salmon
An explanation with illustrations and descriptions on how to rig your fly fishing equipment for various methods of fishing Michigan’s rivers for steelhead and salmon. Chuck and Duck, Swinging, Nymphing and Floats.
Keeping Spey Fishing Simple
Some ideas for the spey/two-handed caster who is either a novice or interested in getting started in this fun and effective way to fish. Don’t be intimidated, avoid some common pitfalls and mistakes anglers often make.
Tips For Better Streamer Fishing
Here’s a handful of suggestions and pointers to make streamer fishing more successful by creating better chances and cashing in on them. Use big streamers for trout, smallmouth bass, steelhead, salmon and more.
Tips for Fighting and Landing Fish
No one likes to lose a fish. Here are some tips and approaches on the best way to get that fish in the net when faced with various situations. Make sure your next fish story doesn’t start with, “You should have seen the one that got away.”
Trout Fishing Before the Hex Hatch
Learn about some of the hatches that occur in the weeks before and sometimes overlap with the annual Hex Hatch, making for the best dry fly fishing of the year, often in solitude on your favorite Michigan river.
Trout Fishing After the Hex Hatch
Learn what an angler can expect to find on the water in the months following the Hex Hatch. A comprehensive article on what bugs you are mostly like to find on the water and how to fish them. This is not the time to put your rod away.
Fishing Egg Patterns
Matching the hatch with eggs for steelhead, salmon and trout introduces a new perspective on selecting egg patterns when considering factors such as egg drop, the type of eggs in the water, time of season and water conditions.
Wintertime Ideas for Anglers
This article can help you get through a long winter with some ideas to keep you involved in fly fishing while improving your skills as an angler and getting prepared for the next season once the weather breaks.