Pere Marquette River Trout Guided Trips
Trout (year-round) – Brown trout are the dominant trout found in west Michigan with a
smaller population of rainbows with a few brook trout here and there.
Stripping Streamers – This is one of the most effective and popular techniques in our
area, you can strip streamers year around. This is always a fast-paced day and is
responsible for fooling some of our biggest trout.
Mousing – This is waking large surface flies after dark. It is also a unique experience for
anyone who hasn’t been on a river at night. Mousing is usually associated with warmer
weather.
Match the Hatch - This is taking advantage of one of the endless insect hatches that
occur through-out our area. The most popular Michigan hatch is the hex hatch, these
are jumbo mayflies that show up in June and July depending on the weather and area.
Egging – This is when you fish behind spawning salmon and steelhead for trout that are actively feeding.
Non-Fly Fishing – We offer trips with light spin gear where we usually toss large stick
baits or small spinners. Both techniques are fun and fast-paced methods that produce
some nice trout.
Reminder: All fishing gear is provided on all of our trips at no additional charge. This
includes leaders, flies, and lures. Only bring gear if it will add something to your trip.
Gearing Up: Because the PM is a smaller river with dense overhanging brush and trees,
roll casting is the ticket. For this, you’re going to want a line that is 2 or 3 times heavier
than your rod or specifically made for roll casting. The Manistee and Muskegon often
have enough backcast room for a traditional cast.
For stripping large streamers and mousing, you’re going to want a slightly larger rod
than most people think of for trout, in the 6-8 weight range. For some streamer fishing,
you’ll want a line in full-sink, sink-tip, or you can sometimes get away with a floating line
and a heavy streamer. For mousing, a floating line is perfect.
For the rest of our trout fishing, you can generally get away with a lighter, more
traditional trout set-up, something in the 5 to 7 weight range.
smaller population of rainbows with a few brook trout here and there.
Stripping Streamers – This is one of the most effective and popular techniques in our
area, you can strip streamers year around. This is always a fast-paced day and is
responsible for fooling some of our biggest trout.
Mousing – This is waking large surface flies after dark. It is also a unique experience for
anyone who hasn’t been on a river at night. Mousing is usually associated with warmer
weather.
Match the Hatch - This is taking advantage of one of the endless insect hatches that
occur through-out our area. The most popular Michigan hatch is the hex hatch, these
are jumbo mayflies that show up in June and July depending on the weather and area.
Egging – This is when you fish behind spawning salmon and steelhead for trout that are actively feeding.
Non-Fly Fishing – We offer trips with light spin gear where we usually toss large stick
baits or small spinners. Both techniques are fun and fast-paced methods that produce
some nice trout.
Reminder: All fishing gear is provided on all of our trips at no additional charge. This
includes leaders, flies, and lures. Only bring gear if it will add something to your trip.
Gearing Up: Because the PM is a smaller river with dense overhanging brush and trees,
roll casting is the ticket. For this, you’re going to want a line that is 2 or 3 times heavier
than your rod or specifically made for roll casting. The Manistee and Muskegon often
have enough backcast room for a traditional cast.
For stripping large streamers and mousing, you’re going to want a slightly larger rod
than most people think of for trout, in the 6-8 weight range. For some streamer fishing,
you’ll want a line in full-sink, sink-tip, or you can sometimes get away with a floating line
and a heavy streamer. For mousing, a floating line is perfect.
For the rest of our trout fishing, you can generally get away with a lighter, more
traditional trout set-up, something in the 5 to 7 weight range.