Another strange week of fishing. After limit catches of Chinook salmon and CoHo salmon Monday in front the piers, the fishing slowed the rest of the week. The water was still cold and there was bait around the piers, however the run of Kings never developed. There are still some fish out in 80 to 120 foot of water, 140 to 160 foot of water and out in 180 to 210 foot of water as well as a few in front the pier, however, no large concentration anywhere. The 80 to 100 foot depth includes 4, 2 and 3 year old salmon as well as a good number of lake trout. the 140 foot depth includes mainly 2 and 3 year old salmon and lake trout. Outside in the 200 foot depth there are salmon, lake trout and a good number of steelhead.
The best method continue to be 11 in Pro Troll (white glow and green glow) with the wild fern Rapture fly pulled on the downriggers, and divers. 5 color leadcore and 100 foot of copper with orange crush and orange corey stingers produced well for steelhead. 200 foot and 300 foot of copper with glow stingray and nitro lures produced well on 2, 3 and 4 year old salmon.
The water temperature Sunday was 60 degrees on the bottom in 25 foot of water which may be a little warm for the chinook salmon. However, at this time of the year, 60 degrees should not prevent the schooling and run up the river. I do not know why the run did not continue, however I keep expecting it to pick up again. For information and fishing charter reservations, email me at captron@chartermichigan.com