Steve Martinez and Kevin Morlock will be at FlyMasters of Indianapolis for their Cabin Fever Festival on Saturday, January 7th from 10-6 and Sunday, January 8th from 12-5.  Steve and Kevin will be tying some of their signature patterns, answering questions and talking about their adventures from west Michigan, Beaver Island and Alaska.

Visit our Michigan Fishing Reports page for our most recent reports.

Click here for a good looking single page pdf version of this west Michigan guide report… perfect for a counter top or bulletin board.

For a more detailed report on the Pere Marquette River visit the Pere Marquette River Fishing Report site and our blog Third Coast Fly.
Pere Marquette River          Water Conditions – above average, stained
>>> We got a lot of rain three days ago and the river is just coming down.  Big rubber leg stonefly nymphs produced in the fly water on the 28th and the streamer bite should be good for a few days.  The night mouse bite was excellent in the upper river before the rain and we’re heading out tonight to see how it has held up.  Matt Dunn
USGS Real-Time Data for the Pere Marquette River at Scottville, Michigan

Big Manistee River           Water Conditions – above average
>>> Hex have been cropping up here and there with some good nights and some not so good.
USGS Real-Time Data for the Manistee River near Wellston, Michigan

Muskegon River          Water Conditions – above average
>>> Summer patterns continue to hold sway with nymph fishing still the best option.  Phil Cusey
USGS Real-Time Data for the Muskegon River near Croton, Michigan

Beaver Island >>> The weather on Beaver Island has been up and down, but average fish size continues to be several pounds over last year.  Combinations of yellow, orange and brown have been most productive.  Kevin Morlock

Click here for a good looking single page pdf version of this west Michigan guide report… perfect for a counter top or bulletin board.

For a more detailed report on the Pere Marquette River visit the Pere Marquette River Fishing Report site.
Pere Marquette River          Water Conditions – bit high, stained
>>> We finally got some needed rain and the trout fishing has been good.  There was lots of bug activity when the weather was warm but the last week has been cold, wet and windy.  Lots of baby fish around, alevin and fry patterns have been producing.  Kevin Morlock
USGS Real-Time Data for the Pere Marquette River at Scottville, Michigan

Big Manistee River           Water Conditions – average and clearing
>>> The trout fishing in the upper Manistee has been good with hatches of sulphurs and other bugs on warm days.  Like anywhere, switch to streamers when the weather is cooler.
USGS Real-Time Data for the Manistee River near Wellston, Michigan

Muskegon River          Water Conditions – average and clearing
>>> Nice hatches on the warm days with lots of action, though the bulk of the action will be small planters.  Alevin and fry patterns have produced well fished behind a larger streamer.  Phil Cusey
USGS Real-Time Data for the Muskegon River near Croton, Michigan

Open Waters >>> Stripping big streamers has been hot at the river mouths for pike, walleye and you always have a shot at something big, fast and silver.

Alevin Martinez and other alevin/fry patterns have been top producers.

Click here for a good looking single page pdf version of this west Michigan guide report… perfect for a counter top or bulletin board.

For a more detailed report on the Pere Marquette River visit the Pere Marquette River Fishing Report site.
Pere Marquette River
Temps – around 50          Water Conditions – bit high, stained
>>> The Pere Marquette steelhead fishing is hanging in there.  Enough new fish are moving up to keep the net wet.  The salmon fry are “hatching” in big numbers.  Kevin Morlock
USGS Real-Time Data for the Pere Marquette River at Scottville, Michigan

Big Manistee River
Temps – 50          Water Conditions – average and clearing
>>> There are enough steelhead on the Manistee to spice up a day but fish numbers are only fair.  Everyone is interested in what next week will bring.
USGS Real-Time Data for the Manistee River near Wellston, Michigan

Muskegon River
Temps – 50          Water Conditions – average and clearing
>>> The steelhead have slowed down over the last week but there are still enough to have some fun.  The standard egg and nymph combinations are producing best. Phil Cusey
USGS Real-Time Data for the Muskegon River near Croton, Michigan

A bright male steelhead from last week.

An interesting underwater steelhead pic.

SS Bugger (Steelhead/Salmon Bugger)… click here for tying directions.

Click here for a good looking single page pdf version of this west Michigan guide report… perfect for a counter top or bulletin board.

For a more detailed report on the Pere Marquette River visit the Pere Marquette River Fishing Report site.
Pere Marquette River
Temps – mid 40’s          Water Conditions – bit high, stained
>>> The PM River is fishing ok.  Flocks of people hit the river on Saturday and I think many went away disappointed.  With the perfect water temps the trout fishing has been great.  Kevin Morlock
USGS Real-Time Data for the Pere Marquette River at Scottville, Michigan

Big Manistee River
Temps – 42          Water Conditions – average clearing
>>> The Manistee River has ok steelhead numbers, it will be interesting to see what next week brings.  The typical egg and nymph combinations have been the best bet.
USGS Real-Time Data for the Manistee River near Wellston, Michigan

Muskegon River
Temps – 39          Water Conditions – average, stained
>>> The steelhead are doing well on the Muskegon and with the warm water temps so are the trout.  Look for the trout behind spawning steelhead or in areas with stonefly activity.  Phil Cusey
USGS Real-Time Data for the Muskegon River near Croton, Michigan

Chris with a nice PM River Steelhead, Chris did a nice job getting into a tough spot to hook-up with this fish.

Ten year old Gavin taking the chill off the morning with a warm cinnamon roll.

Click here for a good looking single page pdf version of this west Michigan guide report… perfect for a counter top or bulletin board.

For a more detailed report on the Pere Marquette River visit the Pere Marquette River Fishing Report site.
Pere Marquette River
Temps – mid 40’s          Water Conditions – average level, clear
>>> It looks like the new shipment of steelhead are starting to arrive and just in time.  Trout fishing has been good, they are acting like it is late April or May.  Our four steelhead yesterday all came off from a bunny hex.  The stone hatches have been light. Kevin Morlock
USGS Real-Time Data for the Pere Marquette River at Scottville, Michigan

Big Manistee River
Temps – 42          Water Conditions – average clearing
>>> Water temps are about perfect on the Manistee and the fishing is good.  The water has cleared enough that fly fishing is effective again.
USGS Real-Time Data for the Manistee River near Wellston, Michigan

Muskegon River
Temps – 39          Water Conditions – average
>>> Good steelhead numbers following the recent rain and high water.  Water temps are warming to a point where the steelhead and trout activity is increasing.  Phil Cusey
USGS Real-Time Data for the Muskegon River near Croton, Michigan

One of the four steelhead from yesterday, they all wanted the Bunny Hex.

Bunny Hex… Click here for the Bunny Hex tying directions and recipe.

Click here for a good looking single page pdf version of this west Michigan guide report… perfect for a counter top or bulletin board.

For a more detailed report on the Pere Marquette River visit the Pere Marquette River Fishing Report site.
Pere Marquette River
Temps – mid 40’s          Water Conditions – up & dirty/perfect
>>> The upper half of the Pere Marquette River is perfect after the recent rain and snow melt.  The steelhead are spawning with hopefully new fish on the way from Lake Michigan.  Big stonefly hatch today.  Kevin Morlock
USGS Real-Time Data for the Pere Marquette River at Scottville, Michigan

Big Manistee River
Temps – 40          Water Conditions – high & muddy
>>> Warmer temps and rain have brought mud and high water to the Manistee River.  The fly bite is tough with the dirty water conditions, go big and bright to get noticed.
USGS Real-Time Data for the Manistee River near Wellston, Michigan

Muskegon River
Temps – 36          Water Conditions – above average & stained
>>> Water levels have risen dramatically due to snow melt and rain.  Consequently, steelhead have begun to enter the Muskegon River in large numbers.  Bottom bounce with stones, wiggle hex’s and black leaches for the best results.  The afternoon bite has been best.  Phil Cusey
USGS Real-Time Data for the Muskegon River near Croton, Michigan

Morlock’s Steelhead Ammo — Click here for the recipe and tying directions…

Two of several Pere Marquette steelhead and browns caught and released on this perfect spring day.