The 2014 Paint Creek Fly for Hope Trout Tournament and the Ryan Rocks Bluegill Fly-Fishing Event are approaching soon. Both events will happen on Saturday, September 13 at the Rochester Municipal Park. This is an enormously popular one-day event founded on the motto “Fly-Fishing, Friendship, Good Humor, Good Times.” Anglers may donate $25 per person ($50 per Team) to enter the Paint Creek Fly for Hope trout tournament. All proceeds this year benefit Reeling & Healing Midwest, a volunteer … [Read more...]
The Golden Age of Fly Fishing in Michigan
May 19, 2014 by Leave a Comment
Wayne Snyder, fly fishing historian and author, will tell the story of the men and women who shaped fly fishing in Michigan: the conservationists, fly dressers, rod-crafters, guides, artists and authors on Tuesday, June 10 at 7 p.m. at the Rochester Hills Public Library. A must see for any Michigan fly fisher who is even remotely interested in the history of the ‘sport of kings’ in their own state. Snyder’s book, The Golden Age of Fly Fishing in Michigan, will be available for purchase after the … [Read more...]
Flies for Hope on Paint Creek
May 14, 2014 by Leave a Comment
Michigan's Regular Trout Season had a cold, chilly start on April 26, but that means our local Paint Creek is now open for fishing. It also means the 2014 Paint Creek Fly for Hope Trout Tournament and the Ryan Rocks Bluegill Fly Fishing Event are approaching soon. Both events will happen on Saturday, May 31 at the Rochester Municipal Park. This is an enormously popular one-day event founded on the motto “Fly Fishing, Friendship, Good Humor, Good Times.” Anglers may donate $25 per person ($50 … [Read more...]
Seasons of Fishing Hope Again Come ‘Round
March 19, 2014 by Leave a Comment
For Rochester area fishermen it was a hard winter. In fact it was brutal. With nearly four months of record snow and sub-zero temperatures there was very little fishing joy going on, especially for fly fishermen. Locally, the Clinton River was frozen over in many spots and, even worse, unsafe shelf-ice made our bold winter steelheaders stay home and tie flies. Some, in acute desperation, dashed north-west to the classic Pere Marquette River but, even there, with thin results. However, things are … [Read more...]
Our Miracle River’s December Steelhead
November 13, 2013 by Leave a Comment
I feel the long sought tug of a heavy fish and drive the hook of my fly solidly home. Confused, the fish jumps flipping in mid-air and jets downstream in a wild, manic dash. It rapidly pulls out sixty feet of my yellow fly line then, unexpectedly, pauses to rest. It is then that I know to give chase as best as I can, stumbling over slippery rocks and reeling as fast as I can to gain line. Still not knowing why it is being pulled the fish swims steadily back upstream, quickly passes me, … [Read more...]
Paint Creek Restoration Project – Two Thumbs-Up from Fishermen
October 15, 2013 by Leave a Comment
It's not often a radical change to a beloved trout stream gets such strong approval, if any approval at all. Trout fishermen are a finicky sort and can get downright heated over changes to what they've taken under their wings and into their hearts as “their” waters. “What was wrong with the way it was?” they'll lament and strongly protest all comers with designs on their domain. But the visionaries and engineers that planned and are now executing the Paint Creek Restoration Project in the … [Read more...]
Summer Trout
August 14, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Savvy Michigan fly fishermen don't hit on trout when the long days of summer get muggy and hot. Why? Net a struggling, cold-loving trout in warm, oxygen deprived waters and it will most likely go belly-up. So what's a year-round fly guy to do especially in the southern parts of the state; we go warm-water. Bluegills and largemouth bass are fine, but the grand prize of the sunfishes that I prefer is the smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu). Described here are just a few of the better SE … [Read more...]
Come Fishing at Paint Creek for One Fly Fundraiser June 4th
June 1, 2011 by Leave a Comment
Hello Friends! We just wanted to contact you with the date for the 2011 Paint Creek One Fly! The specifics for this year’s event are: Date: Saturday, June 4th Place: Rochester Municipal Park at the Kiwanis Pavilion Time: 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM If you joined us for the 2010 PC1F you know what a worthwhile and fun time it was! And this year’s event is shaping up to be the best yet! The Paint Creek One Fly was created to foster friendships, sportsmanship, the simple … [Read more...]
The Paint Creek Opener For Fishing!
April 13, 2011 by Leave a Comment
Fly fishing for trout has a long, proud heritage in Michigan, and our trout season opens this year on Saturday, April 30th on hundreds of rivers and streams across the state. Included among those streams is Paint Creek in southeast Michigan. Our area's ‘Little Gem,’ Paint Creek’s sparkling waters flow from the village of Lake Orion to Rochester and is the best bet for the local fly angler. Stocked annually with over 6,000 yearling brown trout, the creek is accessible at several points along the … [Read more...]
Temperatures-R-Rising for Clinton River Steelhead
March 16, 2011 by Leave a Comment
Yates Park near Rochester is the place to be for the annual migratory madness spring steelhead run. For years, the Clinton River has drawn dozens of local “metalheads” looking for a shot at the river’s big steelhead. As the Clinton’s water temperature starts to rise, pods of spawning steelhead begin to cruise up the river to build their redds. Fish in the 5 to 8 pound range are common, but a few bruisers even bigger will be caught. Steelhead is a name given to large rainbow trout which live … [Read more...]
