Pere Marquette area

been invited to a free 2 day guided trip sometime in May (date not confirmed) in the area of the Pere Marquette
 
the river name he mentioned wasn't the Pere Marquette , but close enough we may or may not fish  that system proper   
 
I'm assuming steel are there?
also told of Browns in the 20-22" range??
 
I'm told we'll be in a drift boat at least some of the time .
so it can't be skinny/small water, right??
 
hooz been there in May, early, mid or late? ??
 
skoolme
 
Thanks
 
 
..L.T.A.
 
 

D-nymph
Who is the guide?  Steel probably still there, but probably not a ton of them.  Great brown trout fishery.  It's not a big river, width wise, drift boats get down it with no problem.  In some places with wading anglers it gets tight (from left to right) going passed them in a boat.  Relatively heavily fished due to it's strong populations of wild trout/steel/sammins.  Yes, it can still be skinny water, if by "skinny" you mean "shallow".  Western Michigan substrate is totally different than your area.  It's sand & logjam cover instead of boulders & bedrock.  You'll have bug hatches, probably several of them on any given day.  Perhaps even mousing if night fishing is an option, people do that there regularly.  Big streamers are also popular, several modern patterns were developed there. Trust your guide, take his advice, fish what he says to fish & you'll have a ball.  gorgeous country, IMO.  If you've never fished out of a drift boat, you're in for a fun time.

Check out Chad Betts website. He has a lot of info on the area... Bettsguideservice.com

It is a little bigger than Elk. Like Nymph said: log jams and sandy bottom. Beautiful scenery. The artificial section is a great area. little pressure. You will float and wade the the better areas I'm guessing. Muskegon river would be better that time of year, but you should at least have some good trout fishing. Steelhead will be hit or miss depending on water and weather.

genieman77

D-nymph  Trust your guide, take his advice, fish what he says to fish & you'll have a ball.  gorgeous country, IMO.  If you've never fished out of a drift boat, you're in for a fun time.

 will do THAT for surewhat line should I have on my rods?I have a 10ft 6wt that has a "noodlely" action and  a faster/stiffer 9ft 7wt (that I handle/cast/like better) leaders??2X?  this getting jazzed does the angling  pressure get stupid like our north shore tribs?  ..L.T.A.    

Not even remotely close. Salmon gets a little busy. If you have time, check out the White River. Just south of Pere Marquette. Wade able and really not a river. It's a great gem that doesn't get the press that Manistee and PM get.

genieman77

Indiana_Bob


Check out Chad Betts website. He has a lot of info on the area... Bettsguideservice.com

It is a little bigger than Elk. Like Nymph said: log jams and sandy bottom. Beautiful scenery. The artificial section is a great area. little pressure. You will float and wade the the better areas I'm guessing. Muskegon river would be better that time of year, but you should at least have some good trout fishing.

 cool beansI think I was on Bett's when searching a few hours agoTrying to remember the river name he mentioned ..began with a "O" and was French named this will be a gas for me Guide's name I forget, but the friend that invited me has been with him many times up there and says it's great ..L.T.A. 

Au Sable is what I'm guessing..

My company built the Windfarm in Ludington a few years back. I learned a lot areas from the locals during my stay there.

genieman77
 
 
will do THAT for sure
what line should I have on my rods?
I have a 10ft 6wt that has a "noodlely" action and  a faster/stiffer 9ft 7wt (that I handle/cast/like better)
 
leaders??
2X?
 
 
this getting jazzed
 
does the angling  pressure get stupid like our north shore tribs?
 
 
..L.T.A.

 
Let's back it up a minute... combining posts & not quoting them all...  First off, Pere Marquette is in Western Michigan.  AuSable is in NE Michigan, they are probably a 2-3 hour drive apart.  One flows to lake Michigan, one to Lake Huron.  Did he mention something like "The Holy Waters"?  Check with your buddy, buddy.  haha 
 
If it is the AuSable, I spent a few days there last May, it's real nice.  No Steelhead in the trout water because there are power dams downstream.
 
I think the guide will most likely provide the rods & reels unless you have one you really like.  Unless he's not providing gear I'd use his stuff, all of his stuff, rods/lines/leaders/tippet/etc. he's the pro, you're the angler.  He'd rather you use his stuff, that he knows how it performs than you use your stuff which may not be suited or optimal for the kind of fishing he's planning.  Or if you have a rig you particularly are fond of, talk to the guide, he'll advise too big or too small.  That all said, if you are to bring your own gear (which is not a common expectation) you should talk to the guide because he knows his fishery.  All of us jamokes would just be guessing. 
 
 

wellh3ll..I got it all screwed up
 
it's the AuSable for Browns
 
 
 
..L.T.A.

Indiana_Bob
Guessing you will be drifting upper parts for Browns. 140 miles of River to fish. Enjoy..

 
Thanks Bob
Barring any SAFU's, I'm sure I'll enjoy it if for no other reason than being new places
 
I hope  the guide is worth his salt
I know enough about steelhEDz to be dangerous...
But Browns are proven to be  smarter than me  
 
..L.T.A.

D-nymph
  The amount of brown trout cover available is ridiculous.  But they are tough,
 

 
Does that mean you  can't slap the water to a froth with ridiculously poor casts and chuck 'n duck fishing like you can in Erie to  catch steel?
 
are you saying I have to deftly lay an offering in a perfect spot/zone for a chance?
 
"Toto, we're not in Kansas anymore"
 
..L.T.A.

4/0 treblez n lotza lead

D-nymph



 
More important than bombing 60 foot casts onto a dinner plate size spot will be 30 foot casts with good mending of line & controlling your drift well. 

 
even I can handle that
 
 
 

Once he sees your skillz or lack thereof, the guide will be able to put the boat within your casting range

 
make my day
 
 

Then he'll go to the bar & tell his buddys how bad his sports sucked at casting today

 
I'll break both his thumbs
 
 
..L.T.A.
 
 
 

KJH807
GM77
 
You have PMs turned off...
 

 
NFW???
My inbox  doesn't say full
and I sure didn't black ball you....you're one of Cool Kids Duud
 
PM coming your way
 
BTW, I promise all I WILL let the guide lead
there's was never any doubt in my mind about that
 
I may be a dumknowitall, but I ain't toopid neether
 
..L.T.A.

genieman77

 weighted trebblez and smOke ressipee?  ..L.T.A.  

Ewwwwww yinz ain't gonna eat dem things.. is yinz?

Larry I have a nice 13 ft  rod CR500 made that would work nice on that water, never seen any water.