March 2016 Fishing Report

March came in like a lamb this year and certainly appears to be headed out like a lion but that’s not stopping me from posting my first fishing report of the year. This week’s storm which hammered central Wisconsin left the U.P. unscathed as nary a flake of snow fell Wednesday and Thursday. Depending upon where you are, rivers are flowing clear or still iced up. Along the shores of Lake Superior (where I had hoped to fish), some rivers are still ice covered (or filled with chunks) and there is significant snow to melt. Farther inland, rivers have dropped after last week’s flushing and some are running clear. Getting to the rivers that are fishable is a real challenge as steeper slopes are ice covered and gravel roads are impassable due to the frost coming out of the ground. There is also still some snow to melt, but at least one can imagine that we will be able to fish opening weekend next month. If you are thinking about booking a trip with the U.P. Fly Angler, there is still time as I have dates left in July and August. 

It's show time

Photo Courtesy Paul Smith

It’s that time of the year where I gas up the truck and put on some miles. Yes, folks, it’s show time. This year I will be visiting four shows in three states. On January 23, I am in Appleton to take part in Fox ValleyTrout Unlimited’s Cabin Fever Day. February 13 will find me in Madison at the BadgerFly Fishers’ annual Spring Opener. On February 19-21 you can visit with me in Iowa at the Hawkeye Fly Fishing Show. In March, I head to Warren, Michigan to attend the Midwest Fly Fishing Expo on March 12 and 13. You can follow any of the links for more information. Please stop by my booth and visit. 

Only a few days left in regular season

Photo courtesy of Paul Smith

It’s hard to believe there are only a handful of days left in the fishing season. It has been a season marked by roller-coaster weather, the likes of which I have never seen, and which has continued into September. The past seven days were a classic example as we saw highs in the 50s late last week and reached the mid-80s much of this week. The fishing has been, for the most part solid, although some days the fish have been less than easy to come by. (Streamers have been the consistent fish-catching fly for the past couple of weeks.) Nonetheless clients have departed pleased with their catch and the always-great scenery. The scenery will only get better as the trees are beginning to show off their fall brilliance. In case you missed it, check out Paul Smith’s story on the U.P. Fly Angler which ran in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. While our 2015 season is booked full, make plans now to join us in 2016. 

Cooler days, hotter fishing ahead

You know it’s been a busy summer when it’s been more than a month since you have posted a fishing

report. So …

This has been one of the warmest summers I can recall. July was brutal at times and that, along with the lack of rain, made finding cool water a challenge during the hottest stretches. August has been better in terms of rain, but we are still experiencing hot temperatures.  That being said, the fishing has still been good. Stimulators have been the magic fly this summer, the larger, the better. The fish have been keying into hoppers on certain days as well, although they have not been as ravenous about them as last year. The streamer bite remains slow and nymphing well … nymphing always works.

In case you missed it, the U.P. Fly Angler was recently featured in a Midcurrent photo essay by Dave Karczynski.  Make sure you check out his fine work.

Fall is approaching rapidly and some trees are already changing colors. The thimbleberries are ripe and you really need to be “bear aware” this time of year. I spooked a bear out of a patch this week, an experience that’s pleasurable for neither man nor beast.

We still have some openings for the end of August, the end of September, and early October so contact us to book a trip.  Cooler days and hot fishing are still ahead.

Fishing remains hot in the U.P.

It certainly has been a busy month and the fishing, along with the temperature, has heated up. Last week’s temps reached the middle and upper 80s, rough weather to take for those who are seemingly more comfortable when the thermometer dips to a chilly 30 below zero. The fishing has remained solid with brook trout up on top taking caddis, stoneflies and hoppers. Small rainbows have also been willing to take dry flies off the surface with the larger fish more tuned into nymphs. The streamer bite has slowed dramatically perhaps due to warmer stream temperatures. That being said, some of our waters are approaching that “don’t fish” range of 68-70 degrees (65 degrees for brook trout) which means it is important to carry a thermometer and find cooler water (or a cold beer) in order to minimize your impact on our favorite fish. Rain and cooler temperatures are in the forecast which means any limitations will not last long.

Hot U.P. fishing in June

It’s been a busy month of June for the U.P. Fly Angler, but I wanted to take a few moments and give

an up-to-date fishing report. So, how has the fishing been? In a word, phenomenal. The brookies have been very active chasing dry flies of about any size, shape and color. Stimulators and caddis have been the strongest at taking fish. Nymphing has been equally good with Copper Johns doing plenty of damage to the area rainbows, some of which have been sizable. Water temps are good as we have had cool days and frequent rains. Lows tonight are expected to reach into the mid-30s. We still have a few open dates in July and August so give us a shout.

Snow just won't quit

For the second Tuesday in a row, the U.P. has experienced snow. The proof is in the picture to the left. That’s just the kind of spring it has been and it has made the fishing tough some days and great others. This week Pete and Bob joined me and for the first eight hours of Day One, the fishing was brutal, as in no fish landed. It took a change in river systems to break the drought and Bob did it in fine fashion, landing a coho salmon from the first pool. Granted it wasn’t the largest coho ever caught, but it was the first I’d ever seen from that river. The next pool was literally ridiculous. For 90 minutes, it gave up rainbow after rainbow, the total exceeding three dozen. The day kind of summed up this spring … either crazy good or stupid bad. Streamers and nymphs continue to take the most fish, with the occasional trout falling to a tan caddis. It’s raining right now and we are expecting a solid inch over the next 24 hours. It is much needed moisture and, with more normal weather forecast for the rest of the week, fishing should shape up nicely. Continue to follow our Twitter and Facebook pages for updates.