Dedicated
to
Michigan's
Huron River
Visit our Blog - RiverThoughts
|
|
|
|
|
Visit our Blog - RiverThoughts |
|||
| |
|
|||||
|
Fishing Reports Archive
Archived Fishing Reports..... see what was happening the last couple of years, do some planning, and reading for that rainy day! These Huron River fly fishing reports are posted by Dirk Fischbach
(Huron River Fly Fishing Adventures). The Season that Was, 2005 Huron River Fly Fishing Adventures wrapped up its season on the river last weekend. We thank all the great people that floated and fished with us this year -- it was some great fun. A couple of highlights included a 20" bass caught by a student in the Pinckney Community Schools fly fishing program, and a couple days of great fishing from float tubes on local lakes with Ramsey and Matthew Gregory from California. Much of the season saw very low water, and very high temperatures, and we also had some mid-summer spate events, accompanied by heavy siltation, which are cause for concern (I have addressed them with the Huron River Watershed Council and we are seeing what can be done). The Ephoron hatch was pretty disappointing (heavy but very short) and limited the effectiveness of the Hex, as well. Still, many good fish were caught during the Hex spinner flights, and the hatch lasted from Late July into September, and you really can't ask for more than that. The late season caddis hatch never brought any good fish to the surface, despite a couple nights of very heavy hatches. The Ridiculous Yarn Clouser and the Chernobyl Ant were the best producers, day in and day out. The Turck's Tarantula remained productive this season, and seems to be a staple for many anglers. Chartreuse Clousers scored well late in the season, and the tried and true Woolly Bugger also had its days. I hope everyone had a great season. Craig and I have some big plans for next year, and we will be revealing them later this winter. I look forward to seeing everyone at the symposium, November 20. Thanks! Dirk October 2 and 4, 2004 Upper River: Very clear but good depth for this time of year. Temp was 66 degrees at noon Sunday. Fish are in transition to fall haunts and a few of the reliable summer "holes" produced little. Later in the day, the fish could not stay off the Ridiculous Yarn Clouser in olive/cheese. Lower River: Excellent shape and 72 degrees Tuesday evening. The yarn Clouser fished near wood was a real producer. Also, the caddis hatch is starting on the Lower River. Size 12 tan caddis in the air from about 6:45 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. few risers -- but one very big fish surfaced. Good luck!
September 17 and 18, 2005 Upper River: Low, clear and cooling water. 70 degrees at 2 p.m. at Hudson Mills Saturday. Fish were very active to Chernobyls in the mid-day heat, but action cooled as the temps did in the evening. A switch to subsurface fare brought a few fish to hand, but the action was definitely not the same. Fish were surprisingly active given the changing barometer, but were tight to cover. Lower River: Water is in great shape and the fish are hitting very well. Cherobyls are the best bet right now, but pay attention to falls of winged ants and also caddis hatches. Most fish were tight to cover, but a few were venturing forth into the main channel, including a couple nice fish. Don't miss this great weather!!! Good luck. September 10, 2005 Upper River: Water is low, low, low! The fishing was very good with terrestrials (Chernobyls, etc. -- Black over Black Chernobyl fished extremely well) in any water over 12" with cover. The peak time was 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. with a definite decline in activity after 4:30 p.m. Lower River: See report for Upper River, but add a little stain to the water. Wow, there's a lot of grass in the river, and many stretches are so low now that I can't really float the boat! The leaves are already turning (due to the drought, not cold weather I suspect!!) The message is -- get out there and fish now, beacause I think the leaf drop is not far off! Anyone who has fought with the problem of leaves on the water knows what I'm talking about!! Labor Day Weekend Water was low and clear in both the Upper and Lower river. Hex were in the air at about 7:45 p.m. at Osborn Mill, but terrestrials are ruling the roost tight now. A Chernobyl Ant (tan over yellow) or Club Sandwich Hopper will get good fish moving. Fish were tight to cover at Hudson Mills, but often the cover was a mid-channel rock or log. The evening was not nearly as productive as mid-day, and it seems as though the "fall pattern" is staring early, despite the warm temperatures. Good luck! August 25, 2005 Upper River: Very low and clear. 79 degree water temp at 6 p.m. at Hudson Mills. Fish were tight to cover, and pretty sluggish. A well-cast Turck's (my client did a great job) took a 17-incher, but the going was fairly slow aside from this. A few takers to the Hex, which came on from about 8 p.m. to 8:30. One angler had some fish working the top, but it was an isolated incident -- I saw only a couple risers anywhere else. Lower River: No Report, but water is low and clear. Good Luck! Aug. 5-7, 2005 Upper River: Water is low and clear (4x tippet conditions), running about 80-85 throughout the day. Big fish are chasing a lot, taking a few. Be prepared to change out flies again and again and again to get them to hit. Foam hoppers and Chernobyls are very good, as is the well-placed and worked Turck's. Logjams continue to be the best bet for daytime fishing. The Hex are on at about 8:15 p.m., and fish can be caught more in the channel of the river, particularly over substantial rocks. Not enough Ephorons up here yet to have steady feeders. Lower River: It's happening. Get out there. Hext at 8:15 to 8:45, Ephorons right on their heels. Good risers at Delhi and Osborn Mill. Fair risers at Zeeb and Dexter Huron. Mast Road was a major disappointment. Lots of bugs, very few risers. During the day, run Clousers, crayfish and weighted 'Buggers in the runs; Turck's and foam around the sunken logs. Note: How to get the perfect Hex drift. We call this "cast short, drift long." Establish a position UPSTREAM of the area you intend to fish. Strip a lot of line out (about 30 feet) and let it sit in the water or in a stripping basket. Carry no more than about 15 feet of line in the air during false casting. Dump the cast with a lot of slack in a quartering downstream angle. As soon as the fly lights on the water, begin shaking the slack line on the water into the drift. This is done by moving the rod tip HARD in an upstream motion with the tip angling down to the water from about shoulder height (sort of like "toenailing" a pice of wood). It is crucial that you start this long before the line and leader come taut from the cast. When the fish takes, quickly pull all slack out of the system and tighten up on him. This, in combination with him turning his head back down on the fly, will set the hook very well and also protect the tippet (not too critical with the 3x we're using at Osborn Mill, but the same technique works for Sulphurs on the Au Sable with 5x). Good luck! July 30, 31, 2005 Upper River: Water is clear and in great shape at Hudson Mills. It was 79 degrees at 12 noon Saturday. Fish are active and a well-placed Chernobyl Ant, Woolly Bugger or Turck's will take fish. The Hexagenia are on at about 8:30 p.m., and a few fish are rising. You can find fish in deeper channels, as well as along logjam edges, but the biggest fish are in the logjams. Lower River: Water is still off-color, but fishable at Osborn Mill/Delhi. Solid hatches of Hex (at least two flavors -- atrocaudata and limbata) and the Ephorons are here! Sadly, there was little surface activity despite the good numbers of bugs, and one can only assume it is a clarity issue. Still, the patient caster will take fish up top from about 8 p.m. on. Good luck July 27, 2005 Upper River: Water was up a bit but definitely fishable; clarity was good. Temperature was 82 at 6 p.m. at Hudson Mills. Fish were active throughout the evening, but not overly so. A Turck's Tarnatula got consistent attention when well-worked close to cover. A strong flight of Hex spinners came on at about 8:15, and lasted nearly 30 minutes. There were no risers, but a Hex pattern took a few 'gills. Lower River: Looked unfishable to me at Zeeb, with visibility limited to about 12 inches. Good luck! July 24, 2005 Upper River: Water was up but clearing nicely at Hudson Mills after the morning's T-storms. Water temp was 85 at 5 p.m. Fishing to logjams was very productive, especially with a Turck's Tarantula cast upstream and retrieved back down in a rapid strip. The fish were deep into the cover and several locations required a skip-cast to get the bug back up under the canopy, where it could attract some attention. This is incredibly exciting fishing, although many hits are missed. The magic hour was from about 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. (I quit fishing at 5, so it may have gone on later). Good Luck. July 23, 2005 Upper River: Water at Hudson Mills was a little high, but clarity was good. Temperature was 85 degress at 3 p.m. Big fish are holding in the submerged logjams, and a reliable floater, like a Chernobyl or Club Sandwich offering, is a must. A few fish were still hitting the Clousers, and chartreuse seems to be the color of choice over the last few outings, but it has not been bang-bang. A smattering of Hex showed up at about 8:30, but there was little interest, and in fact the best fishing was in the middle of the day, far and away. Good luck
July 20, 2005 Upper River: No Report Lower River: Water was up and off-color, but still fishable. Big, nasty patterns, like Craig Kivi's Four Eyes, Chartreuse Clousers, and other streamers worked past logjams and across rocky sections got some action, but in general, the fishing was slow. A few big fish were spotted, but showed little interest in our offerings. A few Hex showed up between 8:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. but there was no surface activity to speak of, although a Chernobyl Hopper and Turck's both took fish. Good luck, Upper River: No report Lower River: Water is up a bit, but very fishable. Not much surface activity yet (my guess is another week), but a few fish were coming to the smattering of Hex spinners and a number of smaller fish were taking a tan caddis (about a size 14). A patiently worked crayfish pattern got several takes and a small contingent of Ephoron were spotted. Things were slow below Delhi, but you can tell that it is ready to bust loose. A little more good weather, and I think the bonanza will be on! Good luck, Hit a small local lake for some float tube fishing. Water temps were very warm, but fish were active. Clients landed nearly 60 fish in about two and a half hours of fishing. Gills were inhaling Copper Johns, Prince Nymphs and Damsels (size 12 on Copper John, 14 on Prince, 10 on Damsel) on a steady or trolled retrieve. Bass were taking light colored 'Buggers and olive/cream Clousers worked with a hand-twist retrieve. I hope to hit the river Thursday, as we are going back to the lake tonight!! Good luck,
June 26, 2005 Upper River: Water was hot (85 degrees at 2:30 p.m. at Hudson Mills), and the fish seemed a little lethargic. Lots of half-hearted follows and a few grabs, but pretty slow. Fish were tight to cover, but would follow off of logjams, especially to floating patterns like Chernobyl Ants and Madam X's. A few caddis (about a 14, tan) were on the water, along with some Sulphurs. There weren't enough risers to tune into what they were taking, but there was the occasional dimple. Good luck! June 25, 2005 Upper River: Temps around 80 (82 at Hudson Mills at 4 p.m.), low and clear. Fish are on the muscle!! Great chases/takes with Chernobyl Ants in tan/green, tan/yellow. Ridiculous yarn clouser also getting plenty of attention. I was fortunate enough to run into a pair of brutes yesterday -- and I will post a photo of the one as soon as I finish this roll of film. If you've been waiting for things to turn on -- they have!! Fish the logjams, but don't worry about being too tight to them, the fish seem willing to move a bit to chase right now. Good luck. Dirk June 18 and 19, 2005 Upper River: Temp was 72 at 2 p.m. Saturday at Hudson Mills. Water was clear and up a bit from last week. Fish were very tight to cover in general, with a couple caught mid-channel off rocks. Tan strip leeches and clousers connected best, with a few fish also taking Chernobyl Ants in green/tan combo. Still pretty slow going, and many good anglers were working hard to get any action. Lower River: Fished it Sunday with my son Evan and we had good success mid-afternoon. I caught a pair of nice smallmouth on a tan strip leech and Evan scored with a Turck's Tarnatula. I didn't take a water temp, but it felt about mid-70s. Much more activity than on Saturday -- it just felt "fishier" and there was a lot more going on (a few risers here and there). Takes were hard! Good luck June 11-12, 2005 Upper River: Low and clear, water running about 80 degrees. Saturday was the first day this year that I have seen a lot of big fish on the move and on the muscle. Tan is grand!! The fish seemed to really like a tan-colored strip leech, but they also were taking strip leeches in yellow and black, as well. Buggers also would connect. Sunday was much tougher (could have been the advancing weather system), but again, fish were behaving much more "summer-patternish" -- hanging out where they should be and attacking a well-presented fly. Work the logjams hard, hard, hard. Lower River: Same as upper except not quite as clear. Same program, except that a few more fish are still being caught mid-channel. For my money, though, I'd rather work the logjams. Good luck! Dirk
Upper River: No Report Lower River: Water is warm (80 degrees??? can my thermometer be right) at Delhi, low and clear. Fish are sluggish, and there doesn't seem to be any great "secret" unlocked yet (at least by me). Woolly Buggers, Clousers and large foam terrestrials all are getting takers, but it is not like flicking on a switch. One consistent thing seems to be yellows and chartreuses -- these seem to get more interest than the average, with basic black running a close second. We had a lot of surface activity to chernobyl ants in yellow/tan and green/tan, including one nice smallmouth, but most of the fish were rockies (not that rockies are a problem at all!!!!) Good luck!
June 7, 2005 Lower River: No report Good luck! June 4, 2005 Upper river: Water is warm, low and clear. Fish will take a well-presented bugger, leech or Clouser, but presentation is critical right now. I call this "first cast" fishing: If the first cast is good, you'll likely get some attention, but if you have a poor initial cast or hit it in the wrong spot, the fish are pretty unforgiving right now. Fish are scattered all about. As much activity mid-channel as there is in the logjams -- but I have yet to see a big fish out away from shoreline cover. Plenty of risers before dusk -- a few very nice ones!!!!! Lower river: Very fishable. Fish are a little more willing to play, and my guess is they are coming out of their post-spawn funk down here a few days earlier than those above Mill Creek. Try Clousers or big buggers swept past logjams and large boulders. Good luck! Opening Weekend, May 30th, 2005 Fishing report River is very fishable, and temps are running between 63-67 degrees at Hudson Mills. Fish are being persnickety in mid-day, and I suspect a "post-spawn" condition. A well-worked bugger will take a few, as will Clousers. In the evening, we have been blessed with solid emergences/spinner flights of several bugs. Golden Drakes are on the water all day, and the fish love these (use a White Drake in a size 12). We also have Isonychia spinners THICK, and these are about 10 2xl in a burgundy color. My father took a few very nice fish (17" biggest) with a patiently worked yellow/black bugger in a size 6. Good luck! Unofficial! The bass season is still one week away, but this weekend I conducted an on-river class for Pinckney Community Education. We had 10 outstanding students plying their new skills. Water temps were 62 degrees both Saturday and Sunday. The river is already in mid-June shape, and clear. The students learned to work cover and wade safely, and they gave many a rock bass a lesson. They also tapped a few smallmouth. One student -- Jo -- landed a monstrous bronzeback of nearly five pounds (I think she's ready for a graduate-level course!!) Strong hatches of Anthopotamus (Golden Drakes) in a size 12-14, and a few caddis. Looks like a glorious opener next week. The only downside is a lot of bass are going to be on beds. Please don't target these vulnerable gents! Dirk
October, 9 and 10, 2004 Upper River: Water temp 63 degrees in the afternnon both days. Lower River: No report. October 3, 2004 Upper River: No Report Lower River: Flows were clear and low. I didn't have my thermometer, but the water seemed to be about 65. Tremendous activity to the Ridiculous Yarn Clouser. Fished near log jams in 1-3 feet of water, the fly took many solid fish, including a pair of 15-16 inchers. Golden Drake owner Craig Kivi and I waded from Mast Road to Zeeb in the afternoon and evening and took close to 40 fish. It was an awesome day. Not too many leaves in the water yet, and the fish are really on the muscle in the mid-afternoon. Very good caddis hatch and a few risers. I didn't switch over because the Clouser was doing so well. Good luck! See you at the symposium Oct. 24!
Sunday was a whole different story. Fish were tight to cover and only the very best of casts would move them. A Chernobyl Ant and the Turck's enjoyed modest success. With the cooler nights, the fish are just getting cranked up around noon and best fishing is in the afternoon and early evening. Upper River: Clear and fishing well. Water temp was 73 degrees at noon at Hudson Mills. The Stimulated Madame brought up a very nice fish (16 inches) and the Chernobyl Ant in a all yellow (Chernobyl Hopper??) netted a 14-incher. The Turck's got a few looks and the Clouser Minnow in my secret new formula (see below) also scored. Lower River: No REport Dirk's New Secret Clouser: (What Craig Kivi and I call the Ridiculous Yarn Clouser) Hook: 3XL nymph in a #6 This is a three-minute fly -- and boy, does it work! Good luck! Upper River: Clear water and slightly better than normal flows made for some excellent fishing. Clousers are the key still, with Turck's also doing well. The tried and true Woolly Bugger, in a number of shades also is a good bet. On Sept. 5, I had my best morning ever on the river, with a number of very nice fish coming to hand -- it was a Blonde Woolly Bugger and a Clouser that turned the trick. Lower River: Fairly clear and in very good fishing shape. Streamers during the day, and still a few dry fly opportunities in the evening. A note about Clousers: Those who want to stick with Clousers through a good portion of the day need to carry a wide variety. I like different color combos at different times, but more importantly, the weight needs to be adjusted. If you want to fish out in the channel, a 6/32 set of dumbell eyes on a number six (3XL nymph) hook is great. But, if you want to work in amongst the thick stuff, go with no heavier than 5/32, and the micros and minis are often more practical. Good luck! September 3, 2004 Upper River: Water is clear, near normal flow and fishing very well. Try Clousers in deeper runs, and rocky sections of the main channel. A lighter-weighted version is good around logjams, too. The Turck's will also get some looks when fished around wood. Lower River: Clearing and very fishable. Again, the Clouser seemed to be the best bet, but any good streamer should work. Hex still coming at about 8 p.m., but very little surface activity. Good luck! August 30, 2004 Upper River: Water was clear and about normal flow at Hudson Mills. Great Hex flight at 8 p.m., but no risers to speak of, and no takers on a Hex/Ephoron rig. The Blonde Woolly Bugger took a few fish and the Clouser Minnow in a fox/gray squirrel combo fished pretty well. Overall, the fishing was slow, but a beautiful evening with outstanding moonrise! Lower River: No Report August 28, 2004 Upper River: Water was high and uncharacteristically cloudy. Fished the early morning with Craig Kivi of Golden Darke. We both did well with Clouser-style flies, particularly worked right out in the main channel. I pitched a Kiwi Muddler around logjams and did not get much response, but lost one monster fish that probably would have gone four pounds. A Blonde Woolly Bugger produced nicely in the afternoon. Lower River: No Report Looks like another plug of water coming Sunday. Be careful out there! August 26, 2004 Upper River: No Report Lower River: Still a good flight of Hex at about 8 p.m. and lots of fish responding. Most takers right out in the channel. A Clouser Minnow in red/gray fox squirrel worked very well in the pre-hatch and the Turck's Tarantula had its usual takers. Water level is still high for this time of year, but we are seeing some excellent fishing right now. Those too busy to fish now should be tying up baitfish patterns, terrestrials and Size 12 tan caddis for the fall blitz! Good luck! August 25, 2004 Upper River: No report Lower River: Hex activity remains solid from 8 p.m. to about 8:30 p.m., but the Ephorons have really dropped off the scene. Much more blind casting now, but fish will still take the Hex and/or Ephoron if you drift it past enough good lies. Not many big fish working the top right now, and most anglers would do well to simply "ring up numbers" of smaller fish and enjoy themselves rather than holding out for big fish. If you arrive early enough, a big terrestrial pattern should get some looks, and I would recommend a Chernobyl Ant or Club Sandwich Hopper. Both these patterns will become critical in the days and weeks ahead. Good luck!
Upper River: No Report Lower River: Water temp was 74 at 6 p.m. at Delhi Trestle. Hex hatch came on strong at about 8 p.m. but the Ephorons were pretty sparse. Not many rising fish, but a well drifted Hex/Ephoron rig would get some takers. To fish this way, make a leader of 4 feet of .020", one foot of .013", three feet of .009", 10" of .008. Tie your Hex pattern here. Now, tie an 18-24 inch section of .007" to the bend of the Hex pattern's hook. To this, tie on your Ephoron pattern. Deadly rig. Good luck.
August 23, 2004 Upper River: No Report Lower River: Water temp was 72 degrees at 7 p.m. at the Delhi Trestle. In honor of the hatches, I have composed a short little ditty. Sing it to the old Armor Hot Dogs theme: Mayflies. Lots of mayflies. Sorry. Couldn't help myself! Hex and whites still coming at dusk, but it is tailing off. Get out there soon! Good luck! (note: the webmaster takes NO responsibility for the quality of any song lyrics posted on this web page!) August 22, 2004 Upper River: Water is low and clear. Black Woolly Bugger produced nicely, as did the Turck's Tarantula -- but the star of the show was the Clouser Minnow! Still working very close to logjams. Lower River: Low, pretty clear and fishing well. The Clouser did ver well right up into the hatch. Hex were thick in a couple spots around Delhi and Osborn Mill and the Ephorons were decent. Good fish taken on both patterns. What happened to the Gray Drakes?? Things are winding down on the hatches -- but remember, we have some very nice caddis emergences in September/October and the terrestrials will fill the surface activity gap, too! Good luck August 20, 2004 Upper River: No report Lower River: Best dry fly fishing of the year. Flows were normal. River was clear. Temperature was 68 degrees at 6:30 at Osborn Mill. Gray Drakes everywhere -- and fish actually feeding on the duns (this is new to me. I have never had any luck with anything but spinner falls of this hatch, on any water). Try an Adams in a size 12 from 6:00 p.m. until the Hexes and Ephorons get going. Most fish working in the main channel, with a few bruisers off to the side in slack water. Good luck! August 19, 2004 Upper River: No report Lower River: Water is in good shape, clear and approaching normal flows. Very solid Hex spinner flight commencing at about 7:45 p.m. at Osborn Mill. Ephorons came on nicely at about 8:20 p.m. Solid surface activity right up until dark with a spent Hex and/or Ephoron Paradrake. If you have not gotten out yet to catch these hatches, you need to do so in the very near future -- time is not (as the Rolling Stones once said) on your side! Good luck August 18, 2004 Lower River: Water temp was 72 at 6:30 near Delhi. Not much activity in the pre-hatch period, but the Hex came on good at about 8 p.m. with the White Drakes close behind. Good solid 45 minutes of action. The dual rig of a Hex with White Paradrake dropper was a killer. I still believe that while the fish, once rising, will generally take the Hex, the White Drakes (Ephoron) are the straw that stir the drink. They get things moving. Most fish were taken right in the channel once the hatch got going. Good luck! August 14, 2004 Upper River: Hey! There ARE rocks in the river! The water finally came down enough that I actually had to maneuver the boat today. Glorious day on the water. Clouser Minnows in olive and white were the ticket early, and a Kiwi Muddler ruled in the early afternoon. The Fangless Rattlesnake took a couple fish, too. The return of more normal flows seemed to get the fish working better, and several takes came on fairly long chases. The logjams are still the best bet, but the fish seem to be expanding their hit zone. Water clarity was excellent. Lower River: Tie on a Kiwi Muddler and forget about it! Jam it tight to banks and cover and hang on! Hex spinner flight was short lived again, but the fish kept taking them right up until dark. Hex came on at about 7:30 p.m. at Delhi. The White Drakes really get the fish moving up, and they are very eager for the Hex then. Good luck. Dirk August 11, 2004 Upper River: No report Lower River: Water temp was 73 degrees at 7 p.m. at East Delhi Park. A flurry of activity on Hex Spinners at about 7:30 p.m. as the bugs came on strong -- and then disappeared. This had to be the shortest spinner flight in history! Fortunately, the Ephorons came on strong at 8:25 p.m. and provided good action right up until dark. Anglers fishing tight to the bank and to cover recorded some fine catches on White Wulff's and Hex Spinners. The Kiwi Muddler made a good accounting of itself in the pre-hatch period, worked carefully around cover. August 10, 2004 Upper River: No report Lower River: Water temp was 76 at 7 p.m. at Osborn Mill. An olive over white Clouser got some attention in the pre-hatch period and the air was solid with hex spinners by 8 p.m. Ephorons came on like gang-busters at about 8:30 p.m. Not many rising fish, but those that showed their noses seemed very interested in the Hex Spinner pattern. Jerry Grimes was working his usual magic below me and my clients, and he seemed to have some nice fish going on his Ephoron Spinner. Most risers were in the middle of the channel, often off the edge of weed beds or downstream from sizeable rocks. Still an awful lot of water out there, so be careful. Good Luck! August 8, 2004 Upper River: Clear but still high. Olive 'Near Nuff Sculpin produced in the late morning when carefully worked among the logs. A Zoo Cougar also got some takers in the noon hour. Lower River: High and slightly stained. Still scoring intermittently with Turck's and the Stimulated Madame worked well, but Hex were the story. Jim amd Wendy Lawson put up some nice fish, including Jim's beautiful 16-incher, on spent spinners. Good luck. August 7, 2004 Upper River: High but clear. Very slow in the morning, but picking up well from noon on. Turck's was working well, and a Chernobyl Ant in tan and black also got some nice takes. This is not great fishing, but it is fair, and maybe as good as we'll get this summer. Lower River: Two strategies. Either go big and high (Kiwi Muddlers, Turck's) or down and dirty with crayfish and Near 'Nuff Sculpin. The Near 'Nuff was a very consistent producer, as was the crayfish. Keep working the log jams hard, and look for shelves where shallow water dumps over into deeper runs. Good luck. August 4, 2004 Upper River: Water is high and fast, but clear and fishable. Temp was 78 at 7 p.m. at Hudson Mills. Good flight of hex at about 8 p.m. that lasted until about 8:45 p.m. Not much activity, however. My client scored a fair smallmouth on a spent spinner pattern, but it was slow going to be sure. Use extreme caution out there -- the water is very deep and much faster than normal. Lower River: No report. August 3, 2004 Upper River: No Report Lower River: Water is still very high, but clarity is not bad. Good hatches of Ephorons and hex, commencing at about 8 p.m. Tons of Whites on the water by 8:45 and fish responding, although not an all-out blitz. I had many takers on a tandem rig of hex with White Paradrake dropper. My friend Steve fished a traditional Hex, solo and did well. Be very careful wading! Good luck. Aug. 1, 2004 Upper River: Water is moving fast, and the morning was pretty much a bust. However, by noon the fish were really getting on the muscle! I had the privilege of having Scott Smith (Head T.U. advanced instructor) in my boat, and his expert casting and fishing skills helped overcome some stubborn fish. By mid-afternoon, things were fishing pretty well with a Turck's Tarantula and a Kiwi Muddler (size 6 in both cases). Scott also introduced me to the Rattlesnake, and I think this fly may become a staple. (I'll write it up later). We also had luck with Clousers, but top-water seemed best. Lower River: High and off color, but decent fishing. Again the Kiwi and Turck's are your best bet when worked around downed timber. I went out with Dave DeSmyther and Ron Cooch for hex action later, and the hatch was good and we had some fair success with spent spinners. Ephorons seem to be making a rebound this year!! And caddis also are everywhere. Good luck! July 26, 2004 July 17, 2004 Upper River: Clarity is good, but still a lot of water! Action was best in the mid-afternoon with a Turck's Tarantula. A Woolly Bugger in olive and black also found some takers. Fish the logjams hard! Lower River: Off-color but fishable. The 'Ol Woolly Bugger in black is still a good bet here. Hex will be starting soon, and the fish are already starting to like big surface patterns in the afternoon. The great fishing is coming, trust me! Dirk ps. I'm off to Drummond Island for a week. Take care and be careful wading out there, it's still pretty tough. July 15, 2004 Upper River: No Report Lower River: Water temp was 78 degrees at 8 p.m. at Zeeb Road. Water is high and dirty, but fish are active! I started with a Kiwi Muddler and hit a nice smallmouth on the third cast; I stayed with the pattern and caught a few more, but then things started to slow. I switched to a Clouser and it was like turning on a switch. I was finding fish in rocky runs, even those with good current flow. Fairly slow retrieve, just keeping it off the bottom. This was excellent fishing, despite the generally poor condition of the river. Good luck July 12, 2004: Upper River: Water temp was 80 degrees at 7 p.m. at Hudson Mills. Water is high and fast; fishing is low and slow. A few fish moved to a slowly worked Woolly Bugger, but the fishing is pretty stinky (my client hooked one fish this evening). You will find fish behind large log jams in very slow water and in long slack areas that you would normally bypass. Having just returned from Montana (where the fishing was HOT) this was an unwelcome reality check!! I had my client pitch everything -- Stimulated Madame, Turck's Tarantula, Clouser Minnow, Craig's Woolly Twister, Gurgler, etc., etc. -- the only thing that worked at all was simple bead-headed Woolly Bugger in olive and black. Let's pray for some dry weather! Lower River: No report. June 26, 2004: Upper River: Clarity is good but water is still high and fast. Mid-afternoon was best, with fish moving to take large attractors on the surface. Efforts should be concentrated on slow backwaters and other well-protected (from the current) spots. I still think the river is a good week from fishing the way we would all like to see it. June 24, 2004: Upper River: Much the same as last night. Temperature was 73 degrees at 7 p.m. at Hudson Mills. Fishing action was very slow, Craig's Woolly Twister and a Black Woolly Bugger both scored, but only with a lot of work. The river is still several dry days from being good, and I strongly recommend hitting some of the area lakes in the meantime. June 23, 2004: Upper River (Above Mill Creek): Water is very high and fast, but the clarity is okay. Use extreme caution if wading -- this is not the Huron as you are accustomed to it! June 13, 2004: I checked the river yesterday; temp was 68
October 19 - 10/19/03
October 12 - Upper River (Above Mill Creek): Temperatures are favorable (64 degrees at 4 p.m. at Hudson Mills), but fish are definitely making a move to cold-weather haunts. Fishing low and slow with lead-eyed patterns is the best bet right now. The leaves are coming off the trees and the river is loaded, and any pattern worked on or near the surface is sure to get caught up. Again, a low-riding pattern is your best bet, and even these will pick up a lot of leaves in the course of a day. Fishing was slow today, but the scenery is beautiful -- Get out there now, and enjoy the crimson and yellow showcase! Lower River: Same as above. September 27 - Upper River (Above Mill Creek): Recent rains have raised the river a few inches and cooled it considerably (low 60s just after noon). Best success was with very slowly fished deep-running flies, like a Clouser Minnow and Near \'Nuff Sculpin -- however, those willing to work these patterns will enjoy good fishing! Not much going on up top, although on warmer days hoppers should still be quite effective and the caddis should be coming on in the late afternoons. With the Clousers, etc. September 21 - September 7 - Upper River: The Hex hatch is waning, but the fish will still respond to a spent spinner in the evening (a phenomenon that will continue for a couple more weeks). With the cooler nights, activity really picks up as sunlight warms the water the following day (about 11:00 a.m. on). Terrestrials (hoppers, crickets, beetles and ants) are the ticket, along with large minnow imitations like a Matuka, Spruce or a Turck's Tarantula. Popping bugs also will work well. Fish tight to cover, and adjust your approach based on what the fish are taking. On this day, a completely dead drift with a Chernobyl Ant was absolutely deadly; on other days, they like a little action. Water temp. was 76 degrees at 7 p.m. at Bell Road. September 4 - (Dirk added a note to me that I thought would interest folks as well, "The latest ,and truly the greatest! I caught the largest smallmouth of my life tonight. 21" and about five pounds. I've caught a few other 21" in past years, but never this heavy. Awesome fish -- on a dry fly!) Congratulations, Dirk! September 1 - Lower River: No new report. August 24- August 19 - Upper River (Above Mill Creek): Low water, but intense Hex action! Evenings are fabulous from 8:00 on. This is the peak of the Hex -- get out there now for a good chance at a large smallmouth August 5- August 3- July 31 - HEX ALERT! (Webmaster's note: The Bass in the chain of lakes are starting to hit for us bait fishermen as well. Took a short trip between Baseline and Whitewood two nights ago and scored three smallmouth and three largemouth in about 40 minutes... (crawlers on a harness). I know Dirk wouldn't approve of this method, but it's still fun!) July 29 -update for 7/29, everything is basically the same, water temps are running in the high 70s and low 80s at Delhi Metropark. July 28- Flook Dam to Mill Creek: No report
|
|||||
| | | | | |
|
© Huron River Net 2004  |
.jpg)