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.
What to wear: Trout – While it is true that a good portion of our trout fishing is in the heat of summer, it isn’t always at the warmest part of the day, mornings can be frosty and a night trip can be damp and cool.
There is great gear available, if you want to be warm, dry and comfortable all day don’t settle for less. A pair of cotton jeans and a sweatshirt are perfect for watching a baseball game but worthless on a fishing trip. Cotton will fully saturate with water, dries slowly and retains no warmth when wet.
Every fishing trip should include rain gear, if you have waders then you only need a jacket. I would also put polarized sunglasses, baseball or other brimmed hat and Buff on the must bring list. Always plan for the worst weather possible on a trip. It is always better to have a pile of unused clothes in the boat on a beautiful day versus not having enough to put on when things turn cold.
These guidelines are for the worst possible weather, if the forecast is calling for hot, then you’ll want to adjust. For most trout trips:
Bottom - synthetic long underwear and breathable chest waders (boot foot waders are much warmer then stocking foot but stocking foot are more comfortable) or bibs and waterproof boots or boat shoes. Synthetic or wool blend socks but leave some air space and wiggle room.
Top – synthetic long underwear, synthetic flats hoody, synthetic fleece jacket and breathable rain jacket. You’ll definitely want a baseball or other brimmed sun hat. Also bring along sun lotion and bug spray.
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.
Michigan Fishing License: You’ll need a valid Michigan fishing license, here is the link to purchase a license on-line, https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-350-79119_79146_82448---,00.html
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.
What to wear: Trout – While it is true that a good portion of our trout fishing is in the heat of summer, it isn’t always at the warmest part of the day, mornings can be frosty and a night trip can be damp and cool.
There is great gear available, if you want to be warm, dry and comfortable all day don’t settle for less. A pair of cotton jeans and a sweatshirt are perfect for watching a baseball game but worthless on a fishing trip. Cotton will fully saturate with water, dries slowly and retains no warmth when wet.
Every fishing trip should include rain gear, if you have waders then you only need a jacket. I would also put polarized sunglasses, baseball or other brimmed hat and Buff on the must bring list. Always plan for the worst weather possible on a trip. It is always better to have a pile of unused clothes in the boat on a beautiful day versus not having enough to put on when things turn cold.
These guidelines are for the worst possible weather, if the forecast is calling for hot, then you’ll want to adjust. For most trout trips:
Bottom - synthetic long underwear and breathable chest waders (boot foot waders are much warmer then stocking foot but stocking foot are more comfortable) or bibs and waterproof boots or boat shoes. Synthetic or wool blend socks but leave some air space and wiggle room.
Top – synthetic long underwear, synthetic flats hoody, synthetic fleece jacket and breathable rain jacket. You’ll definitely want a baseball or other brimmed sun hat. Also bring along sun lotion and bug spray.
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.
Michigan Fishing License: You’ll need a valid Michigan fishing license, here is the link to purchase a license on-line, https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-350-79119_79146_82448---,00.html