13th Annual Western UP Trip

[Texas Fly]

Hello all,

Its that time of year again! I am headed up to visit the in-laws in the Bond Falls area from June 24 through July 6. Without revealing specifics, how have the fishing conditions been: water temp/levels, hatches, etc.

If anyone would like to get together and do some flyfishing or share info, please PM me.

Thanks in advance,

Kevin

[Nighttimer]

Texas Fly,

I spoke to you over email last year about the area. My family stays at the Running Bear cabins every year. I won't be able to go for the second year in a row because my daughter was born 3 weeks ago and I guess its a bad idea to take her up there already. Anyways, the rest of my family will be at the cabins on the july 3rd through the week. Be sure to let us know how it goes for you and post pics if you got them. I hope you get a few days with the dam closed. Feel free to email me. mgraj@triton.net

[ZobZob]

I'm heading up this weekend for a week-long trout fishing experience in the Western U.P. myself. This is about my 20th year --- I love the tranquility, no people to be seen and the thought of hooking into a monster brookie with each cast. I caught a real nice one last year that slipped right out of my hands... of course, when we all got back together to meet at the car no one believed me :lol:

It had to go at least 15"

Zob

[Texas Fly]

Just got back from my annual trip to the Western UP. Unfortunately I did not take the digital cam for pics (sorry!). Anyway the fishing was good on the Middle Branch of the Ontonagon...TU has asked that more water be sent down to improve the fishery. I believe its helping as the water level is up, about 18 inches creating new riffles and deeper holes. Caught a bunch of nice brookies in the 10-12 inch range and a bunch of fingerlings so there appears to be good reproduction with the ten inch minimum in place for the past few years.

Ran into Eric from this site...he caught some very nice brookies on our favorite stretch of water.

Kevin

[ZobZob]

Never fished the Ontonogan before ... there's so many good rivers up there I may never get the chance to.

Zob

[ZobZob]

I fished four different rivers (did one twice) this time up there and did well on three of them. I'm sorry I can not reveal the names as it is against site policy and I have been sworn to secrecy by family members that live up there. I was using crawlers and caught about 12-15 fish each trip except for Saturday with the biggest being a 12.5" brookie. The bite really seemed to turn off on Saturday for some reason.

As for useful knowledge, bring lots of bug spray as the mosquitos are pretty bad up there (what else is new???). Most of the bigger fish were hanging at the tail ends of pools w/ moderate current and any slow moving hole seemed to hold no or small fish. I saw zero hatches in progress during the five days I went out but I'm not a fly guy so maybe a few small hatches occurred without me realizing. Also, my uncle lives up there and he said they still haven't had the major mayfly hatches that they usually have by mid-July. So, if that's your thing you probably still have time.

Good luck if you go.

Zob

[shametamer]

You managed to pull yourself away from that skirt you've been chasing for that long? or did you take her and show her the 'wonders' of the yooper? Betcha she bats her eyes at you and nuttins a secret! ;) lol..glad you did well. We will try to keep the pressure on western u.p. in a week or so!

[ZobZob]

Yep, I'm actually taking a little break for a few days :evil:

The fishing was great... made me forget about women for a short time... AND that is a good thing sometimes.

Bring on the salmon!!!!!!!!

Zob