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Upper Peninsula Fly Fishing Report – July

It’s July in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, and right out of the gate, I have to say—I’m amazed.

In over 20 years of guiding, I don’t recall ever being able to float a boat down these rivers this late into summer. Yet here we are, and the water levels are still healthy enough to support floats. That alone is worth celebrating.

As for the fishing? It’s lights out right now. Brook trout, brown trout, and smallmouth bass are all in great shape.

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Hatches & Activity

The hatches are firing:

• Stoneflies
• Blue-Winged Olives (BWOs)
• Caddis
• Light and Dark Cahills

These are all popping off daily, keeping the fish active and the action steady.

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Brook Trout

Brook trout streams are staying cool thanks to good flow, but remember—brookies hate bright sun. One minute, you’re on fish, the next, they’re gone. Just ask Matt, who recently floated a beautiful stretch of one of our special rivers. The brookies were on fire... then the sun broke through, and just like that, it was over.

Pro tip: When the sun’s high, shift your focus to the shadows and shaded banks. That’s where the brook trout will tuck in.

Favorite flies for brookies:

• Bead-head buggers
• Hornbergs
• Soft hackles (Sackers and similar)

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Smallmouth Bass

Smallmouth action continues to be excellent, both on streamers and topwater flies. Matt’s been running trips with a mix of both, and the results speak for themselves—aggressive eats, tight lines, and happy anglers.

So if you’ve been waiting for a sign to get on the water—this is it. The rivers are in rare form for July, the fish are happy, the bugs are hatching, and there’s no better time to be out there.

Until next time, stay safe and tight lines.
God bless, and see you on the water.