Indiana fly fishing report 2/14/2021

Sometimes all it takes is one…..

Its been awhile since my last report. Unfavorable water conditions, a damn removal, weather and covid have basically all but shut down my winter season. Folks that were scheduled to fish with me already know this, but the Dowagiac river is closed indefinitely until potentially the summer. Michigan DNR stated that the river will remain closed during the damn removal for liability issues. That is all I know. The parking lot at the put in (damn) is closed with no entry permitted. As a guide here in the winter months, I am only set up for drift boat trips on the Dowagiac. At this time, I am not offering another alternative boat trip until I return from Alaska next fall. My deepest apologies to folks looking to get out on a drift boat for some steelhead. Beyond the Dowagiac river closure, Trail creek as has not been fishing good all winter. The fall rains and higher flows we usually anticipate for the late fall and winter never came. The water remains low and slow with a severe lack of steelhead. Now, with this cold snap, most of the creeks are iced over. I was getting out on an occasional walk and wade trip, scratching out a fish here and there with clients. It eventually became slower and the unfavorable weather hit making it very difficult for even the every day anglers out there. I always pride myself in being honest with folks who are looking to tag their first steelhead. Right now its tough. We are hoping for a nice spring and for plenty of fish to finally show up. Until then, tie some flies and get some gear cleaned and organized. I wish I had some better news to report. Fingers crossed the coming weeks will turn some things around. Until next time.

Indiana fly fishing report 9/5/2020

Kankakee river smallmouth

With the crazy summer we’ve been having, a nice quiet float down the Kankakee river seems to be just what the doctor ordered. Fishing has been pretty consistent day in and day out. We are battling some extremely low water but the fish don’t seem to mind at all. Poppers in chartreuse as well as white have been getting it done. On really bright days the popper bite does die off mid day and switching to sub surface flies has been the ticket. Dark leeches, crayfish, and various bait fish patterns are productive. The nice thing about the low water is most of the fishing has been very visual. We haven’t had to bust out the sinking lines much or heavily weighted flies for that matter. I’ve been fairly busy running these float trips and will continue to do so until the water temps say otherwise. Make sure to get with me soon for your fall dates. Most days I am the only boat on the water.

Aaron from Wisconsin with a mid day popper eater

Trail Creek Steelhead Fishing report

I have not spent much time on the creeks at all this summer. Extremely warm water temps for someone who releases fish is not something I am interested in. Not to mention the amount of anglers this summer is something I have never seen before. Seven days a week there are anglers all over the public access sites. I’m glad that folks are out fishing but i’m hoping there is some river etiquette and that people are picking up their trash. From what I’ve been hearing, this hasn’t been the case. But enough bitching, there has been plenty of skamania in the creeks and in the harbor for the majority of the summer. The extended heat wave we had a few weeks backed pushed a lot of fish back out to the lake. Keep an eye on the lake temps, once they flip, they will come. I’m anticipating a solid run of fall fish. I’m uncertain what the king run will hold but only time will tell. The time is approaching. It’s been awhile since I’ve wrote a report so I will do my best to keep everyone informed. Tight lines.

Northwest Indiana/Southwest Michigan Fly fishing report 12/16/19

Trail Creek Steelhead

Where they at? Any information regarding the missing steelhead please contact me with details. Fishing above the lamprey barrier has not been productive at all. Fishing below the barrier is fairly scarce as well. Unless the entire winter run of steelhead is hanging below the barrier and into the golf course (private property), there is not many fish in the system. Water is still at unusual heights. Low in most spots. Very slow to zero current in the lower stretches. For this late in the year, there should most definitely be much more fish to be had. Not really sure what the issue is but lets keep our fingers crossed that more fish come in.

Salt Creek / Little Calumet Steelhead

Plenty to be said about the two more unpopular tribs recently. Water looks great. A good amount of fish scattered throughout both systems. Smaller stone flies with some wiggle, 8mm beads in a brighter orange, and small black bunny leeches have been productive. The usual deeper runs with some current is where the fly fisherman should be. Put in some legwork to find the not always prominent “fly water”. Bait rules in slow water so make sure you seek out the right type of water. Good presentation and some persistency will pay off. When I fish the creeks I usually run and gun. When the water temps are low, slow things down. The fish won’t be moving much for your offering. You need to put your offering right in their face.

Dowagiac River Steelhead

The fishing continues to be pretty hot on the D. Caddis and hex, the staples, are still getting it done. Swinging flies has been pretty steady as well. Lots of fish around leading to some good days. Water looks great and its looking like its going to be a killer winter.

Northwest Indiana/Southwest Michigan Fly fishing report 11/21/19

Not many steelhead in Trail Creek quite yet. Anticipating some fish moving in with the recent snow melt and run off we’ve had the past week. Salt Creek and the little Cal had a good push of fish this past week. Lower Salt and Cal is fishing well. I’ve even heard good things from upper salt as well. 8mm - 10mm beads and small leeches dead drifted under an indicator has been effective. As always, respect private property and your fellow anglers.

I finished up a trip on the Dowagiac River yesterday with one angler. We grinded out two fish on a full day float. Not the results I was hoping for but I’ll take two fish nonetheless. Both fish came on dead drifting a black and blue leech under an indicator. One of the takes was at the very end of the drift as the leech pulled up from the bottom and started kicking across the current. No fish on beads or bugs. Where da browns at? Water was up a bit but the river was overall in great shape. Still waiting on the big push of winter fish. Fish slow and meticulously. Opportunities are there for those that are patient and take their time. I have Tuesday open next week if anyone wants to get out and fish. Next report up after Thanksgiving. Happy holidays and tight lines bruhs.

Northwest Indiana fly fishing report 11/14/19

Ahh yes steelhead season is here. They is in. And with impeccable timing as the area is dealing with January weather in November. I love fishing steelhead in the snow and cold temps, but not in November. Either way the time is upon us. One can choose to deal with the cold or sit at home and scroll through pictures of other people catching steelhead.

The Indiana tribs (salt, cal, and trail) had some fish show up. I was on Trail creek yesterday with the girlfriend for a few hours and hooked one on a 8mm bead. Water seems a bit low in areas so fishing the obvious deeper stuff should produce. These fish will sit deep as they can and tight to wood. Don’t be afraid to fish the timber. Yeah you are gonna lose rigs but that’s part of it. As always, make sure to explore different and unpopular spots, while respecting the rules and private property of course. The stuff that doesn’t get fished as hard can sometimes lead to epic days. People are lazy in general and don’t always want to hoof it through the woods to find fish. Explore a little, leave the 20 access alone. You might find something you weren't expecting.

I fished the Dowagiac river this past Saturday for a half day and an angler on my boat managed to hook one steelhead and a bunch of leaves. The fish was taken on a smaller black and blue leech swung through a deeper run. There are some fish around but I feel like the “D” is expecting plenty more before its all said and done. Fish seem scattered about but there are opportunities to be had. As the days go on fishing will be getting better and better. Especially with the amount of fish on the St. Joe at the moment.

Next week we will have a brief warm up so If you want to get out and fish please let me know. I have two days open next week. Come feel the steel. I’m probably gonna copyright that slogan. And make T-shirts. Then get rich. Then just fun fish all the time……. Word.

The Region's fly fishing report 11/1/19 - Winter is coming

Winter is coming. As a matter of fact, It think it’s already here. Water is on the drop. Da fishing should be pretty darn good throughout the area for the next few weeks if you’re a steelhead angler.

That being said, I’ll probably still be throwing the biggest flies I have and watching pike chase it down only to swing and miss right at the boat for the next few weeks still. Until I have my fill of that, which might not ever happen, I will probably put the steelhead fishing on the shelf for the weekend unless someone wants to book a trip. Which I would then try really hard to explain how much cooler it is getting refused by big pike all day, and that pike fishing would be a muuuuuch better option. I’m about to get reeeeeal dialed in though, I can feel it.

Much more detailed report coming on Monday. Until then, stop being lazy and googling fishing reports and go find out for yourself. P.S. I did hear that Joe Schmoe said his second cousin’s sister’s brother caught 48 steelhead last night out of Trail Creek. All on a completely bare size 2 gamagatzu octopus hook with a half ounce split shot just above it.

Word…

The regions fly fishing report 10/31/19

25-55 mph winds with more rain leaves us with fantastic weather conditions today. Wind speeds up to 45 mph have been scientifically proven to tighten your loops while casting. So with gusts up to 55, you should be able to toss a 200 footer with no problem. We don’t always get perfect fly fishing conditions, but when we do, I usually don’t fish.

Steelhead should be crushing flies throughout the state today. The 40 degree temperature drop that will happen later today will jumpstart them into feed mode like you’ve never seen. Days like today they’ve been know to eat small children aimlessly wandering the riverbanks. That being said, flies in the 2-5 foot range are idea for these conditions. Ive thrown flies as large as 7 feet long. No big deal.

If you are going to throw beads make sure to go large as well. When I say large I mean like 40mm-65mm beads. I’ve also had success drilling a hole through a 16 lb bowling ball just slightly bigger than the diameter of my tippet. Run the bowling ball through your tippet, as you would with your bead. Peg the bowling ball, and tie on a size 12 gamagatzu bead hook. Size 12 is recommended for a more stealthy presentation. I’ve notice anything larger than a size 12 will spook fish and they will ignore the bowling ball. Also, make sure to paint your bowing ball with a bunch of different nail polishes to match the hatch. Steelhead really like chartreuse eggs with copper glitter and a hint of pink or even yellow.

That’s about all the information I feel comfortable giving out today. I can understand that most of my tips and pointers are probably wayyyy over your head as a novice. Me being a pro guide, I like to just give you bits and pieces of my genius. Till next time…..