Fly fishing in Michigan: What anglers need to know
Micah WalkerMichigan is the Great Lakes State, so it makes sense that fishing here is big — really big.
In fact, hunting and fishing support more than 70,000 jobs in Michigan and generates about $11.2 billion annually and 171,000 jobs for the state of Michigan, according to the Michigan Wildlife Council.
And fly fishing, in particular, has developed an almost cult-like following among anglers.
This weekend, what's billed as the oldest all-fly fishing show east of the Mississippi kicks off at Macomb Community College in Warren. The 2019 Midwest Fly Fishing Show on Saturday and Sunday will feature some of the biggest names in fly angling — Pat Dorsey, Jen Ripple, Taylor Edrington, Alice Owsley and Tim Cammisa — along with vendors, demonstrations and more.
What is fly fishing?
Fly fishing is when an artificial fly is cast on a rod to attract fish. The sport is different from conventional fishing in that an angler casts a heavy line with the fly following it instead of casting a heavy rod with the line following.
There are two different types of flies anglers can use, according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Dry flies float on the water's surface and imitate aquatic insects, such as mayflies, caddisflies, and stoneflies. This technique is mostly used for trout but can be used on bass and panfish as well. Wet flies are made to sink underwater and can imitate insects, crayfish or small fish. Wet flies can be used for catching trout, but are also good for catching bigger fish such as northern pike, muskellunge and large trout.
Tying fly fishing knots for lures has developed into an art form on its own. And fly fishing lures, many of them produced in Michigan, are highly collectible and fetch hefty sums of money at auction, according to antiquetrader.com.
Michigan is a top fly fishing state
Michigan has been in the top spot of several publications and websites over the past six years. The state was mentioned in Forbes' "Top 10 Fly Fishing States" article in 2013 and in the following year, Field and Stream named Michigan the "best fly fishing state in America." Michigan was the top destination in website Wide Open Spaces' top eight fly fishing states, also in 2014.
While no top fly fishing states list has popped up in recent years, WWJ-TV did compile a list of America's five best rivers in 2017, with the Au Sable River in northern Michigan placing at No. 1.
Women are a top growth segment
A study by the Great Lakes Fishery Commission and Michigan Tech that was mentioned in a Free Press article last year noted that the number of women anglers in sport fishing is on the rise.
One model predicts that 39,000 more women in Michigan will participate in the sport between 2014 and 2035, bring the total number to 221,000. Many of these new anglers are women 35 and under. In 2014, six percent of 27-year-old women had a fishing license, compared to the two to five percent of women that make up the ages between 27 and 79.
Overall, the number of women fishers in Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois and Indiana are expected to increase from 1.12 million to 1.2 million by 2030. By that point, women could make up to 30 percent of the fishing population in the region.
Fly Fishing in pop culture
Films and documentaries have glamorized fly fishing in popular culture, from books to dramas to documentaries.
Low and Clear (2012)
The documentary focuses on two former friends who reunite for one last fly fishing trip in British Columbia. However, over the course of their trip, they realize the things that ended their friendship in the first place.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime, YouTube, Google Play
Salmon Fishing In the Yemen (2011)
The romantic drama stars Ewan McGregor as a fisheries expert who is approached by a consultant (Emily Blunt) to make a sheik's vision of fly-fishing in the Middle Eastern country come true. The film is based on the 2007 book by Paul Torday.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime, iTunes, YouTube, Vudu, Google Play
A River Runs Through It (1992)
The film stars Brad Pitt and Craig Sheffer as Paul and Norman Maclean, brothers who reside in rural Montana. Most of their time is spent fly fishing, but their trips must end when Norman goes away to school, leaving his rebellious brother behind. When Norman comes back home, the two think about what lies ahead for their future. The drama film was directed by Robert Redford.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime, YouTube, Vudu, Google Play
Big Two-Hearted River
Ernest Hemingway's short story collection from the early 1920s features one of his most popular characters, Nick Adams. "Big Two-Hearted River" tells the story of Nick growing up in northern Michigan and his days spent camping and fishing. After a period serving in World War I, Nick goes back home and to his roots.
What you need to get started
According to Men’s Journal, beginners will need a fly rod and reel, an assortment of flies, boots and waders in case an angler wants to get in the water, a hat and sunglasses. Additional equipment to buy later may include forceps for handling flies, line nippers, spools of various diameters, and a landing net to catch the fish in.
Gear can be found at various outdoor sports stores across metro Detroit such as Cabela’s, Bass Pro Shop, Moosejaw, Orvis, and Field and Stream.
Anglers 17 and older must obtain a fishing license, according to the DNR. The license lasts for a year — from March 1 of a given year through March 31 of the following year.
The rates for an all-species fishing license are:
- Resident Annual — $26
- Nonresident Annual — $76
- Senior Annual (Residents 65 or older or Residents who are legally blind) — $11
- 24-hour (Resident or Nonresident) — $10
- 72-hour (Resident or Nonresident) — $30
All licenses include a $1 surcharge. A hunting and fishing license combo is also available, costing $76 for residents and $266 for non-residents. Anglers are able to buy licenses in person at stores such as Dick's Sporting Goods, Dunham's Sporting Goods, Ace Hardware, Meijer and Walmart. Or, they can purchase their license online at mdnr-elicense.com.
Money provided by fishing licenses goes directly back to conserving Michigan’s natural resources.
What type of fish can you catch?
According to the DNR, the most common fish anglers look out for while fly fishing is trout, but there are many other types to catch:
Sunfish and crappie
Location: Lakes
Preferred habitat: Vegetated, near shore areas; around docks and fallen trees; sandy bottoms.
Natural foods for fly selection: Small fish, insects, snails, zooplankton, terrestrials
Largemouth bass
Location: Lakes
Preferred habitat: Fallen trees and brush piles, under docks, lily pad bays, reeds
Natural foods for fly selection: Small fish, frogs, crayfish
Smallmouth bass
Location: Lakes, warmwater rivers
Preferred habitat: Rocky and gravely bottoms, rocky shorelines, slack water areas
Natural foods for fly selection: Small fish, frogs, crayfish
Northern pike and muskellunge
Location: Lakes, some rivers
Preferred habitat: Reeds, fallen trees and brush piles, weed edges, incoming stream mouths
Natural foods for fly selection: Medium fish
To find specific locations where trout is available, try the DNR's Trout Trails app. The map includes descriptions and photos for each site, information about trout species, and regulations. In addition, you can find out information about restaurants, area lodging and guides services.
2019 Midwest Fly Fishing Expo
When: Saturday and Sunday
Where: Macomb Community College Sport and Expo Center, 14500 12 Mile Road, Warren
Times: Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Admission: Adults $10, Adult 2-day pass $15, children 16 and under are free
Only cash will be excepted for admission, however, most vendors will accept credit cards.
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