Steve and I had a double trip on Saturday in the balmy 28 degree sunshine. We hit the middle river and a couple fish were hooked on hot green spec Hot ‘n Tots, but none made it to the boat. There weren’t as many steelhead around as last Thursday and there was more boat traffic as well. Yesterday the thermometer hit 40 degrees and the snow is beginning to melt. The river opened up a good bit at Custer but is still unfishable. With highs in the 30s and even low 40s all week with a chance of rain Thursday and Friday, good things are certainly in store.
Fish holding in the lower river have been virtually unmolested for the past six weeks and fishing should be excellent when the ice finally breaks up, which should happen relatively soon given the forecast. Higher water will also mean fresh fish and in the shallower middle and upper river it will mean less skittish fish. Bright patterns, e.g. steelhead orange eggs, chartreuse eggs, and flashy streamers, should do well.
The next week or so will be a great time to fish the Pere Marquette for steelhead. Conditions are lining up right and the spring crowds are still a solid month away. Let’s get after them.