Lucky kid! And lucky dad! If you end up going deep on Lake St. Clair don't be surprised to get a face to face with a muskie.

If you're in MI at the end of June through early July then be sure to hit the night hex hatch, if our temperatures ever rise. It can still get down to the 40's at night.

As for tips ... I have a feeling there is not much we can tell you. But if you get to the northern Michigan trout rivers, avoid the aluminus flotilla hatch at all costs - have to get out in early morning and late evening or on weekdays.

Of course, go where there's lots of fish. If you have a canoe/raft that you can portage a 1/4 mile, there is a catch and release only lake in the northern lower - HUGE gills, bass, and pike. Near impossible to wade/fish from shore. Nice at midday when the rivers are full of canoes. Get my e-mail from the webmaster and I can send you the directions.

Be sure to stop at the old Au Sable Fly Shop in Grayling to meet Andy and to find out what trout are hitting and the best places to wade for a young kid (www.oldausable.com). Also consider taking an Au Sable river boat float. Then to Gates Lodge on the banks of the Au Sable (www.gateslodge.com) for a second opinion and to have lunch. When I took a 12-year old flyfishing for the first time, we took a break for lunch and had some of Julie's excellent soup and sandwiches while sitting at a window seat. He's several years older now, still remembers that day, and wants to stop for lunch whenever he's near the lodge.

Then there's the big water floats .... Too many other options to cover here. If you're going to other areas and want some help let me know and I will try to point you to someone.

I think you're all going to have a lifetime of memories from this trip.

Oh ... not the time of the year for anadromous runs but you can wet a line in the Grand River, right downtown. Rogue River for trout is fairly close. I'll be at the OWAA for a Saturday workshop but can't stick around.

Very cool Deeter! Have fun and be safe!

kirkdeeter

You’re on Sir provided you show me a few pointers too!

Got thinking about Young Paul, I believe when he grows up going to be one of those fella’s to say

Can’t be done?

Watch this!

Deet,

heck, i'm proud of my dog when it makes a solid water retrieve...can't imagine the pride you'll feel watching your son in the stream. have fun. -d

I saw this post late, so Deeter, maybe you'll miss it. I live 15 min north of GR and 5 minutes from the Rogue, the closest best trout stream to GR. If you're going to be in MI, I'm sure you've got lost of other top notch spots lined up, but if you're in GR for a couple days I'd love to meet and show you the Rogue. Email me dakflyer @ gmail.com if you want.

My own 8 year old caught his first brown a 10 incher, on the Rogue two weeks ago. I was just as proud of that s I am his grades

That's one happy kid and one lucky dad! I can't wait till my boy is ready to fish. He and mom came down to the lake and hopped in the boat a couple weeks ago. I drifted a weedline just praying a fish would cooperate and finally a nice 4 lb bass obliged. Little Z was sooo fired up, "That's a big fish daddy!" were some a the best words I have ever heard while fishing. After I let it go he gave us half and hour of "Catch another one!" I only hope the enthusiasm lasts as long as mine has.
Happy fishing in MI, let us know how it went. Happy Father's Day to you as well.

Great pic and good luck. Any chance you are going to spend some time on the PM? My first Hex experience happened down by Walhalla. Didn't know a bug could get that big!!

Seeing Paul in his got me thinking about getting a set for my oldest (now 10). I did a quick search for USED youth waders. Not much on the internet, at least not at a quick glance. That would be a great project for a TU or some such organization. My only qualm about getting him a set is knowing they probably won't fit next year. A "kid swap" for gear would be a tremendous help. Just a thought.

Steelhead are still running strong on the St. Mary's River. Always wanted to hit this run with someone that knew what they were doing.

http://www.freep.com/article/20090607/SPORTS10/906070516/1048/SPORTS/The...