On the River with Colton Bay Outfitters chronicles our staff's experiences and observations on the water ways.
7/12 - 7/18
Sunday July 12th - CBO participated in Huron River Day at Galloup Park hanging out and casting with kids was the name of the game. Soon after I hooked up the Clacka and headed out with Paul Christensen for a little scouting mission that yielded a handful of smallies, one largemouth, and a small Pike. After the float we headed down river for our first Huron River night trip of the year. Higher than normal off colored water and quickly dropping air temps didn’t help but we managed a few small fish. Can’t wait for 90-degree days and muggy nights! Not sure if summer will ever come.
Monday July 13th - Full day LoHo trip with Bob Bailey. Floated from Flat Rock to I-75 tossing big streamers on intermediate lines. The white Sex Dungeon did all the damage putting a dozen or so smallies and one pike in the boat. We farmed off a really nice 18” class smallie right at the net that was a heart breaker for both Bob and myself. The Lower is finally getting into shape after a very slow start this season. Bob rolled close to 50 fish in 7 hours of hard fishing. Can’t wait to get back down there next week.
Tuesday July 14th - Half-day carp trip with new clients Paul Courant and John. After discussing options we decided to hit two different sections of carp water one of which was fishing really good and the other not so good. Just as I suspected we hooked a bunch of fish in spot one and struggled in spot two. Both Paul and John fought multiple fish but only three found the net. I hope we can hook up for a HEX date come August. Great fishing with ya!
Wednesday July 15th - Half-day carp trip with new fly angler Cameron Lippert. Cam took a beginner On-Stream lesson on June 26th. Talk about tossing him to the wolves! Cam did an excellent job and caught on fast. By end of the day he landed a half dozen smallies and 4 nice carp with a couple double-digit fish to hand. Way to go bro! You are getting good. Can’t wait for our HEX trip.
Thursday July 16th - Double Half-day trips 9AM – 2PM long time fly angler Art Mikkola tested his skills with a little carping going 4 for 9. We even had a free air show by the Blue Angels!
Second half of the day 5PM to Dark was spent with regulars Leon Bunch and Gregg Rasmussen. Originally booked as a smallmouth trip I easily convinced the guys to take a shot or two at the carp. Both Gregg and Leon landed their first carp on the fly as well as a dozen or so smallies.
Friday July 17th - DNF
Saturday July 18th - DNF
7/5 - 7/11
Sunday July 5th- Participated in the aluminum hatch on the Platte River. Don’t ask!
Monday July 6th- What happened to all the water??? Filmed a TV Show with local fishing show “Fish on with John” Check them out on YOU TUBE. Search "Fishonwithjohn Banner Day" Much to my surprise the carp water had all but dried up. I have no idea what happened but it made for some very tough fishing. John Faller did all the fishing as I guided. We ended up going 2 for 3 on camera and 2-4 all together. If I had to guess the river was running at 200cfs where we were. It was BERRY BERRY tough!
Tuesday July 7th - Picked up Ice, Mountain Dew, and Red Bull from Wesco to get us through the night. Floated the PM from 2AM to 7AM. Mousin was OK but the air temps were in the 30’s yes that’s not a typo. 30 degrees in July! John Davis put a solid 18” brown in the net on the dangle while Brad Turner and Tommy Lynch put a few respectable fish in the net as well. I rolled a few but mostly manned the oars. SKUNKED!!! (Slept from 8AM to 1PM) Walked in Green Cottage to Burnt Cabin 2PM to 5PM. Hit 7 fish on Size 8 Madsens Skunk with a size 16 Rusty Spinner dropper. Biggest was a 14” Brown that took the skunk twitched.
By 10PM we had the boat back in the river floating the same stretch of water as the previous night. With in 5 minutes Davis hooked and landed another 16” Brown. After the first fish the bite slowed down until 3AM when I hit back-to-back high teen Browns. That was all she wrote. Air temps were in the low 40”s. Hex action was know where to be found
Wednesday July 8th- Slept from 8AM to 3PM then BBQ at the Smith Cabin on the PM with good friend Corey Nohovig. By 7:30PM we were on the road headed for the Upper Manistee. Floated BKZ to 3 Mile with Tommy Lynch and John Davis. We had a couple Hex’s on the water but only scored a small brookie. Fishing was the slowest mousing I’ve ever had. Between the three of us we only rolled 2 fish all night. Took out at 5AM and made the morning run back to Ann Arbor.
If you looking to do any fishing on the Pere Marquette Tommy Lynch and Brad Turner are two of the best and most respected guides in the state. Check Tommy out at www.thefishwhisperer.com or call Brad at 231-282-0450.
Thursday July 9th- On Stream Lesson with new customer Mark Benson and sons that I met at the Ultimate Fishing show in January. The lesson went good and the boys learned a lot. I hope we can get you guys set up with some gear to keep on practicing.
Friday July 10th - Half day guide trip with good customer Tommy Vaughan of the Firing Line Gun Shop in Westland, Michigan. www.firinglineguns.com. If you need or want a new gun or accessories Tommy can hook you up. They have a great staff and the best range in SE Michigan.
The fishing was pretty good for the late start. Fishing carp in the evening can be tough but Tommy got the job done like he always does going 3 for 6 with a big boy that tipped the scales at 13lbs. Way to go Tommy!
6/28-7/4
Sunday June 28th – Half day guide trip with first time carper Rich Rickman. After working out the kinks on the first few spots we hit Rich caught on quick landing 3 of the 6 fish he hooked. All 6 fish were hooked on the dropper fly. If you’re struggling to hook up with carp on the berry run a “Plopper Dropper”. We usually run 6 inches of 12lb fluorocarbon off the back of you floating berry. A simple Mc Fly foam berry does the trick quite well.
Monday June 29th – Half day guide trip with first time carper Dr. Craig Cattel. Craig came out of the gates STRONG hooking a brute of a carp that took him 200ft into his backing. Unfortunately we lost that fish after it weaved its way under a fallen tree and through two bridge pilings. Craig ended the day with 3 fish in hand.
Tuesday June 30th – After a last minute date switch due to blown out conditions on the Lower Huron. Katie Ferner from the PM Lodge was in town looking to do some fishing. Once I mentioned carp on the surface she was on her way from Rochester Hills with in minutes. Fishing new water for the first time this season we got into a ton of fish. When all was said and done we hooked and landed double digit numbers of carp. Who says girls cant fish? Great job Katie!
Wednesday July 1st – I spent my after noon giving an On-stream lesson to Carol & Jack Light at Dexter Huron Metropark. It was nice to see the river starting to drop again. Both Carol and Jack had a great time. I look forward to getting you two back on the water soon. At 6PM it was back on the river with Colton Bay owner John Davis for a little carpin. Low light conditions and high water made it difficult to land fish but we managed to get a few to go. One of which was hooked from a bridge then landed over 150 yards down stream after an epic run and rod pass off a 25FT bridge! Yeeeeeeee hawwww gotta love the berry fishing!
Thursday July 2nd – After getting blown off the water on June 25th I was back on the water with Vince St. Lawrence to finish a lesson. On my way home from the shop I couldn’t resist a little solo carpin. Lets just say I got my fix!
Friday July 3rd – DNF
Saturday July 4th- DNF
6/21 - 6/27
What a year on the Huron... High water since April! Summer is finally here and were still dealing with unseasonably high water. 1500CFS as of 9AM this morning! Since were always looking for fishable moving water this time of year were always fishing. This past week has not been an exception so... When life gives you lemons make lemonade!
Sunday June 21st - Had the opportunity to fish the flats of Northern Michigan with fellow guides Dave McCool and Peter Hodgeman on their off day. We found good numbers of fish in all but one location. All of us hooked and landed carp. Rust colored fishy petes and clouser swimming nymphs did the damage.
Monday June 22nd - Fished the middle Huron with GREAT success! Carp are locked on a select few mulberry trees that are usually dry this time of year. I had an epic day on Monday going 14-17 on the berry. I was running a two berry fly rig. One being a deer hair floater and a Soft Server Berry "Dropper" tied 6" behind. 80% of my fish were caught on the dropper. Biggest took the boga grip to 18lbs. Not bad solo with no net man.
Tuesday June 23rd - On Stream lesson with Paul Preketes from 3-7PM. Paul did a great job and learned a lot. I hope this river drops so we can get him into fish before the summer ends. On my way home I couldn't resist the thought of hooking up with some carp. Headed back to the middle river for a shot at the title! Ended up going 2 for 5 in my flip flops from shore. The flooded flats in Fuller Park were loaded with fish that were eager to take a berry on the surface.
Wednesday June 24th - We were scheduled to shoot a tv show with "Fish on with John" A new fly fishing show from the Midwest. After discussing the conditions we rescheduled a later date. So what do we do when the rivers blown out and we have free time. Call up a friend and go fishing. Fellow Huron River Angler/ Guide Paul Christensen and I headed back to the spot for some carp action. With only a couple hours to spare we ended up going 4-7 on carp.
We had to pull some circus like moves to land fish but it was well worth it. FYI Do not fight carp down stream of the last island in Island Park or you will float your hat. Which I did Brad Pitt style!
Thursday June 25th - On Stream Lesson with Vince St. Lawrence. What a trooper! Vince and I finished up 2 hours of our 4 hour lesson before the sky's opened up again. Taking the gauge back up to 3000 CFS! On the way back to the shop down Huron River Drive we found ourselves trapped between two large fallen trees. After pulling out the tow strap and dragging a 40ft tree off HRD we were back at the shop soaking wet with a good story. Thanks Vince! Of course I stopped to check the SPOT on the way home. Saw a few fish but the river was super muddy. Didn't even take the rod out of the truck.
Friday June 26th - On Stream Lesson with Cameron Lippert. Over the 4 hour lesson Cameron learned everything from the basic over head cast to single hauling and roll casting. Way to go Cam I'm glad you had a great time. Looking forward to getting you out for the Hex in August. After the lesson I thought about stopping at the spot but opted for tying some flies instead. Paul C fished carp and went 2 for 2 in the muddy water.
Saturday June 27th - As promised I hit the Huron mid river after working the shop til 5PM. Good numbers of carp were locked on trees gulping berries. Running solo I ended up going 6 for 7. Biggest fish dunked the boga grip to 13lbs!