Dave Richey OUTDOORS

You never know what you’ll pull out or New Water! photo Dave Richey ©2012

Anyone who has fished trout for any amount of time has a favorite stream. Call it a home stream if you will but anglers often continue to fish the same spot every time. This summer, consider expanding your choices and try a new trout stream.

Many anglers like an occasional change of pace, and my advice is to try something new and different. If river trout fishing is your game, any of these spots are good bet. They are among the best trout streams in the state.

• Platte River: This Benzie County stream is one of the finest in the nation. Fish from above the river mouth on Lake Michigan up to the Veterans Memorial Park on highway US-31 east of Honor. Some very good hatches occur on the river, particularly downstream from the lower US-31 bridge. Steelhead runs offer great sport in April and October through December, and the river produces some excellent salmon action in the fall. It is a gentle and easy stream to wade, and the water is as clear as a piece of fine crystal. Anglers who succeed on this river wade only while fishing to avoid spooking fish in the ultra-clear water.
• Betsie River is another Benzie County stream, and try fishing it from the old Homestead Dam near Benzonia downstream to Betsie Bay at Frankfort and Elberta. Some stretches of the upper river offer good insect hatches during summer months. The best steelhead action comes in March, April, October and November. Good salmon fishing can be had during September and October. Good trout fishing also can be found from Grace Road downstream to the lower River Road bridge during the summer months.
• AuSable River offers superb fly-fishing water from Grayling downstream to Kellogg and Wakeley bridges, and anglers come from around the world to sample this hallowed water. Excellent insect hatches come off from May through October. Look for big trout in the big water from Mio and McKinley downstream to Oscoda. The North Branch near Lovells is good for brookies, and the South Branch near Roscommon produces big browns. The best sport comes in midweek. Fish light, long and small in late summer and grasshopper patterns tempt August trout.
• Manistee River from Frederic downstream through the CCC Bridge and on to Sharon (about 50 miles) is noted worldwide by trout fishermen. Some wonderful fly fishing can be found above Mesick and the Hodenpyle Dam, and below Hodenpyle and down to the Red Bridge. Deep holes hold some lunker brown trout, and fly fishing with big streamer patterns after dark can produce superb action. Fish from Tippy Dam near Wellston downstream past Bear Creek and down to Manistee. Look for gravel bars in spring and fall for spawning salmon and steelhead.
• Sturgeon River between Wolverine and Indian River in Cheboygan County is an under-rated stream. It holds good spring and fall steelhead from Burt Lake, and midsummer months produce wall-hanger brown trout. The largest I’ve seen was 13 1/2 pounds. The river is swift and has some caddis and stone fly hatches, and fair to good numbers of small trout. One can catch brook, brown and rainbow trout from this river. Night fishing with big deer-hair mouse patterns can be very effective when they are cast quartering across and downstream after dark. The current is deceptively fast here, and watch for underwater clay ledges.
• Black River in Cheboygan County is noted as one of the finest native brook trout streams in the state. The headwater areas are best for brookies, and anglers can try fishing near Tin Shanty Bridge. Some of the water is difficult to fish with a fly rod but a short spinning rod will work. Many anglers prefer to wade slowly upstream, and pitch nymphs and small dry flies in tight quarters. Most of the brookies will measure 9-10 inches but the river periodically produces trout up to 16 inches. Fish in shadowed areas and under overhanging banks for bigger fish.
• Clam River in Wexford and Missaukee counties offers another excellent chance for brookies from one of the state’s finest brook trout rivers. The water from LaChance Road downstream to Blue Road offers perhaps the finest chance at a nice brook trout. This stream flows mostly through private property and access is difficult in many locations. The river has a soft bottom in some areas and can be difficult to wade. A canoe offers much easier access to some of the best spots. It also holds some sizable brown trout that hit best after dark.
• Pere Marquette River from Baldwin downstream to Ludington offers great opportunities during the summer months. A popular area is from highway M-37 Bridge downstream to Gleason’s Landing (seven miles). The river offers excellent fly hatches during the summer months, and anglers can catch steelhead during spring and fall and salmon in the fall. Mind you, this may be the state’s best salmon-steelhead river but the fishing pressure can be heavy at times. Lower river stretches can be waded but be cautious when wading through soft-bottomed areas.
• Middle Branch Ontonagon River in Ontonagon County offers good summer fly fishing between Agate and Bond falls. Agate Falls blocks any further upstream migration for Lake Superior’s brown trout and steelhead. Portions of the upper stream between the two waterfalls and all of the lower stretch is easily wadable. It offers a scenic place to fish with an excellent chance to catch a nice trout. I’ve had some superb fly fishing between the two waterfalls during July and into early August. The river upstream from Bond Falls Flowage holds some brook trout.
• Two Hearted River in northern Luce County was immortalized by Ernest Hemingway to lead anglers away from the Fox River at Seney. The Two Heart (as locals call it) has its upper stretches in Luce County near Pine Stump Junction, and it produces brook trout. The lower reaches from the Reed & Green Bridge down to Lake Superior has good native trout fishing as well as salmon and steelhead. The river has tannic-acid stained water, and it can make wading difficult in some locations. The river is as beautiful as its name implies.