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John Johnson's Fishing Log:

July 11, 9:00,12:00 am ,  Pine River  above Midland

The water temperature was 78oF, level slightly high , and visibility  2 feet.   After days of almost  constant rain the Pine started to return to normal levels. I started fishing a new crayfish pattern with rubber claws that  was used with great success on the  upper lake Huron earlier in the year.  The fly caught five fish in the 10 to 14 inch range.   Most of the fish were caught in two foot deep  shaded pools. At 10:00  I switched to  the old standby a #6  Chartreuse Sparkle Grub.  The logic was that the  bright color might attract the fish better in the someone  muddy water.  The  fly  was quickly effective in catching four smallmouth between 10 and 14 inches.  I came to a heavily shaded pool with a high bank and several large hemlock trees.  I heard a chirping noise and looked up t see a family of raccoons scampering across a big log.  I was  thinking that this was going to be another day were I did not catch a  15 inch fish when a nice fish hit.  It made a  quick jump and then dove down under a  small submerged  log.  Since the water was only about two feet deep I jumped out of the canoe and I was able to grab the fish  below the log.  It turned out to be 15 inches. Nice but not the 17+ fish that I was looking for.  At about 11:00 I was continuing to  think about my difficulties in catching large smallmouth.  I came to a long shaded run that looked like a perfect place for a nice fish.  At last a really big fish nailed the sparkle grub and quickly tore off fifty feet of line.  After a few two foot jumps and a two more hard runs I pulled the fish to the canoe.  A 19 inch smallmouth!  I switched to a olive deer hair frog and caught five more 10 to 14 inch smallmouth before we reached our bridge takeout.

July 13, 7:30- 9:30 pm , Tittabawassee  above Midland

The water temperature was 78oF, level slightly high, and visibility  2.5 feet.  The Tittabawassee was still quite clear even after some rain the night before.  I started fishing a tungsten eyed olive matuka  on  a long deep flat that often in the past had produced big smallmouth.  I quickly hooked a fourteen incher that fought much harder than his size.  I fished  very carefully through a serious of log jams but for some reason  did not get a strike.  I at last hooked a big fish in about four foot of water  about ten feet from shore.  The fish made a long hard run and I was very careful not to give him any slack as I chucked the anchor chain over the side and managed to get the line on the reel.  After two jumps and a really hard fight I got the fish to the boat.  Again this this fish was an over achiever – I would have guessed he was larger than 16 inches.  I switched to a #2 grey deerhair frog and caught  quickly caught two smallmouth under 14 inches.  I came to a shaded log jam and placed the frog about a foot in front if it bear shore.  A nice fish hit the fly and  as I am trying to throw the anchor over I  am drifting into the log jam- a capsize is a real possibility if I don’t get out of there.  With a considerable amount of effort I was able to paddle with my left hand into the middle of the river and get the fish under control.   After some hard  runs and  jumps the fish finally tires out enough to get him to the canoe.    It was another 16 inch fish.  I fished the last hour in many places that had produced  big fish but no strikes.  The big fish were not feeding in the shallow water before dark as they usually do.  This has been a very strange year. I have just not had much luck with large 17-20 inch smallmouth in the Tittabawassee.    I guess that my theory that the large fish move up into the small  rivers still may be true.  I  did catch a 19 inch  smallmouth in the Pine recently.

Click below for current stream flow data according to the USGS (United States Geological Service) Web Site.

TITTABAWASSEE RIVER AT MIDLAND, MI

CHIPPEWA RIVER NEAR MOUNT PLEASANT, MI

PERE MARQUETTE RIVER AT SCOTTVILLE, MI

AU SABLE AT MIO

SOUTH BRANCH AT LUZERNE

MANISTEE NEAR SHERMAN

Click here for Water Temperatures and other information for rivers monitored by the USGS.
 

 


Little Forks Outfitters ~ 143 E. Main St. ~ Midland, MI 48640
Phone: 989-832-4100 ~ Fax: 989-832-1893 ~ Toll Free: 877-550-4668