Click Here
for more articles |
|
|
Fishing the Fall Salmon Run in Michigan - A Beginner's Guide |
by:
Gary Higbee |
I decided to write this guide because a couple of years ago I was the "beginner." I don't claim to be a master at it, however I have lost my fair share of fish also have put a few in the freezer each year. Let me start by saying that, to the best of my knowledge, Michigan has the best Salmon fishery in the USA except for Alaska, also the Pacific Northwest (which is where our Salmon were originally stocked from). I or else have to say that once you hook one, you will be "hooked" on the experience. I have broken this article into several parts to keep it organized, also from time to time the article will be updated as I learn more about it. This year I am going to try fly-fishing for the Salmon as well as bait fishing.
About the Fish
Salmon stocking started in Michigan in 1967 to combat the excessive Alewife population. The first species to be stocked was the Coho. As time went on the Chinook was added to the mix. Since that time they have taken off, also between the naturally reproduction that occurs also the DNR stocking we now have one of the best salmon fisheries anywhere. For pictures of the fish please refer to the Michigan Fishing Regulation book for the current year. In addition to the Coho also Chinook salmon you may or else occasionally catch a Pink Salmon or Atlantic Salmon, however to the best of my knowledge it does not happen often. Maybe someone reading this can correct me if I am wrong.
Where to Go
We are lucky to have access to a state that has such a diverse fishery. Very few states have as many lakes also rivers as we do, or have the variety of fish that live there. For our particular purposes we need rivers that drain into the Great Lakes, since that is where the salmon spend their adult lives. If you search the internet you will find many rivers that have salmon such as the Muskegon, Big Manistee, Little Manistee, Pere Marquette, also Betsie, just to name a few. Some of these rivers have naturally reproducing populations of Salmon while others are stocked by the DNR. There are or else several rivers in the Upper Peninsula that play host to salmon in the fall. In all the rivers you have to pay close attention to the fishing regulations because certain sections of the rivers may be closed to fishing to protect the spawning fish or have limitations on the gear you can fish with.
When to Go
The main salmon run occurs every fall. There is no set start date, however you can usually start to see fish in the river in early September, also expect the run to be pretty much done by the end of October. A lot of this depends on the weather. A lack of rain and/or warm weather can make the run start later, also extra rain with cooler temperatures can cause the run to start a little earlier. I guess it all depends on when the fall rains also cooler temperatures hit the area. If you go to the rivers during September also October you are going to eventually find fish, it's just a matter of timing it to catch the big run.
How to Fish For Them
This article is only going to cover techniques for the fisherman who wades. Most fishermen use either a spinning rod or fly rod also do the Chuck-and-Duck method. I believe this fishing method was named by the fly-fisherman because of the extra weight involved also the problem of getting hit in the head (Been There-Done That). You can or else cast flies, such as Wooly Buggers, egg patterns, streamers, nymphs, also probably others I don't know about yet. Yet another method is to suspend spawn, flies, or jigs below a float of some type. Whatever rig you choose you will need some waders, a net of some type, a head-lamp or other light source for night fishing, rain-gear, also some warm clothes.
The Chuck-n-Duck method usually involves a three-way swivel, some type of weight, also a hook with salmon eggs or yarn balls. I have or else seen anglers use flies or plugs instead of the hook also spawn. A diagram can bee seen at Figure one which is listed at the end of the article.
I personally prefer to use about a 3' leader when I fish this method however you will have to experiment also modify it to fit the conditions. If the fish are spooky you might need to lengthen the leader a bit more. You can or else do a modified version of this without the three way swivel by using rubber-core sinkers for weight. To do this, tie the hook directly to your main line also then connect a rubber-core sinker above the hook about 18" for weight. This will get your lure into the current however not necessarily bouncing on the bottom. Again, you will have to experiment with the length of line between the weight also the hook, however I would keep it at least 12" from the hook. A diagram of this rig can be seen in Figure two which is listed at the end of the article.
Fishing flies for salmon is gaining in popularity. I have not tried it yet, however plan too this year. I understand that the usual flies are either egg patterns, woolybugger variations, big streamers, also egg-sucking leaches. I am going to try them all also see if I can get a hit. The nice thing about fishing the flies is that you or else run the chance of hooking other trout species while searching for the salmon. If you want more professional instruction on fly-fishing for salmon there are several outfitters that are offering the service now. Do an internet search on it also you should have little difficulty finding one.
This article is free for republishing
|
| Gary is a fulltime computer guy who loves to fish for anything that swims in freshwater. |
|
