PERE MARQUETTE RIVER REPORT
November 21, 2011
Water levels on the PM have recovered from the recent precipitation; clear conditions are present throughout most of the river system. Water temps are a bit chilly staying near 40 degrees and even colder in the morning hours.
Steelhead fishing remains strong. The recent rains helped build on what were already good numbers of fish. Many sections of river have solid fishing and with deer season in full swing, river traffic is low; weekdays have been best.
Egg patterns are still the top producers; Oregon cheese nukes and pink Glo Bugs in small sizes are a must. Small pheasant tail flashback nymphs are working well also. 3X fluorocarbon and even 4X with the water clearing will be necessary to fool weary fish. Streamers are also producing hits with egg-sucking leeches and flesh patterns.
Landed steelhead are averaging 8-9 lbs. with some nearing 12 and range from being ultra bright to getting a little pink. Some fish are still really hot while some are beginning to slow down with the cooler water; this should also make some of the larger fish more landable.
Open dates are still available in the weeks to come; it should be great fishing going into December for those who don’t mind a little chill. I hope you all have a safe and successful rifle season and a Happy Thanksgiving.
See you out there,
Brad
www.pmangler.com
Steelhead fishing remains strong. The recent rains helped build on what were already good numbers of fish. Many sections of river have solid fishing and with deer season in full swing, river traffic is low; weekdays have been best.
Egg patterns are still the top producers; Oregon cheese nukes and pink Glo Bugs in small sizes are a must. Small pheasant tail flashback nymphs are working well also. 3X fluorocarbon and even 4X with the water clearing will be necessary to fool weary fish. Streamers are also producing hits with egg-sucking leeches and flesh patterns.
Landed steelhead are averaging 8-9 lbs. with some nearing 12 and range from being ultra bright to getting a little pink. Some fish are still really hot while some are beginning to slow down with the cooler water; this should also make some of the larger fish more landable.
Open dates are still available in the weeks to come; it should be great fishing going into December for those who don’t mind a little chill. I hope you all have a safe and successful rifle season and a Happy Thanksgiving.
See you out there,
Brad
www.pmangler.com
October 26, 2011
Pere Marquette river conditions are currently in great shape. Recent rains have the water stained nicely; water levels have come up but may not last long unless this rain continues. Water temps have been dropping due to recent cooler temps and precipitation and will continue to drop with cooler weather forecasted.
Fishing has been good; solid numbers of steelhead being caught throughout the river system. The increase in water level has helped to kill off a lot of the “Zombie Kings” that were still around and moved up the remaining salmon that were in the lower river, replenishing spawning gravels for the next week. Steelhead have become much more approachable with fewer salmon around. Eggs, however are still pumping down the sandbars and inside bends, making fly selection simple. Egg flies size 10 & 12 and a few clowns in the Glo Bug variety have been working well; 1X and 2X fluorocarbon have been most effective. Some trout are being caught, most of which are on the small side. Spawning season for browns is approaching, making large trout hit or miss. Streamer fishing has been ok with a few smaller browns and a few good tugs by steelhead; large black bunny leeches have been most productive.
There is quite a variety for approach this time of year; whatever your technique of choice, swing, chuck or indicator, the PM is priming up to be a great fall/winter fishery. There are some last minute dates still available before rifle season begins for you deer hunters and also throughout November. Send me an e-mail or call to see what’s available.
See you out there,
Brad
brad@pmangler.com
Fishing has been good; solid numbers of steelhead being caught throughout the river system. The increase in water level has helped to kill off a lot of the “Zombie Kings” that were still around and moved up the remaining salmon that were in the lower river, replenishing spawning gravels for the next week. Steelhead have become much more approachable with fewer salmon around. Eggs, however are still pumping down the sandbars and inside bends, making fly selection simple. Egg flies size 10 & 12 and a few clowns in the Glo Bug variety have been working well; 1X and 2X fluorocarbon have been most effective. Some trout are being caught, most of which are on the small side. Spawning season for browns is approaching, making large trout hit or miss. Streamer fishing has been ok with a few smaller browns and a few good tugs by steelhead; large black bunny leeches have been most productive.
There is quite a variety for approach this time of year; whatever your technique of choice, swing, chuck or indicator, the PM is priming up to be a great fall/winter fishery. There are some last minute dates still available before rifle season begins for you deer hunters and also throughout November. Send me an e-mail or call to see what’s available.
See you out there,
Brad
brad@pmangler.com
