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15 Reasons to Head To Michigan For Serious Flats Fishing
15 Reasons to Head To Michigan For Serious Flats Fishing
Don’t laugh. Here are 15 reasons why the serious shallow-water angler should head north to find epic (and affordable) action in skinny water. FlyTalk bloggers Tim Romano (photos) and Kirk Deeter recently visited Beaver Island in Lake Michigan, and here’s what they experienced.
For many anglers, sight fishing is top of the game. You see your quarry, you plan your approach and, with any skill (and luck), you make that perfect presentation and get bit.
This is the realm where fishing meets big game hunting. It’s all about stealth and the stalk. And the best reward is a massive fish pulling on your line. For years, fly anglers have beaten worn paths to places like the Florida Keys, Laguna Madre in Texas, the Louisiana Coast, the striped bass waters around Long Island, even the tropical flats of the Hawaiian Islands, to find this special thrill (with very good reason).
And yet, as wonderful as the tarpon, redfish, and bonefish flats are (and make no mistake, they all offer amazing opportunities and are laden with traditions that define shallow water angling)… pound for pound, cast for cast, and minute for minute, one of the best flats fishing experiences to be had in the United States might very well be had far from salt water, rather, in the skinny shoals of the islands in northern Lake Michigan.
Click on to find out why...
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Don’t laugh. Here are 15 reasons why the serious shallow-water angler should head north to find epic (and affordable) action in skinny water. FlyTalk bloggers Tim Romano and Kirk Deeter recently visited Beaver Island in Lake Michigan, and here’s what they experienced.
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Comments (18)
So you released an invasive species back into the habitat they are ruining?
Looks like Tim was on top of his game with the camera this trip.
KD/TR
Nice work. I'm headed up there to try my hand at those carp and smallies in July!! Thanks for a great piece.
These fish should be tossed up on the bank to die or kept for rose bush fertilizer. But they are very tasty smoked once you remove the mud stripe from the filets.
I love this piece. I live in Michigan and have never been to Beaver Island but really need to do this trip soon.
The carp that are bad is the silver carp not the one in the photo
I think you gents are confusing the Asian carp with the common carp...
see here:
http://www.epa.gov/greatlakes/invasive/asiancarp/
I feel blessed to have learned how to flyfish in those waters 40 years ago. Smallmouth with an occasional Northern was the game. Those Carp were there too along with a lot of snakes. Fond memories!
the invasives are asian carp not common look it up
The common carp might be better described as non-native... Which would put them in good company in LAke Michigan, along with salmon, steelhead, and brown trout! I certainly think of these carp in that regard...
ive heard of some sight fly fishing for massive carp on the wisconsin side in the tribs. Going to have to check it out. Beaver island looks amazing possibly a trip i'll have to take soon.
my cousin is a beginer wanna-be flyfisher, i'll take him ther so we learn a thing or two.
FOR THOSE WHO ARE HEADING TO BEAVER ISLAND SOON, YOU ARE IN FOR A TREAT! GOD BLESS AMERICA AND NORTHERN MICHIGAN! DEEP BLUE WATER!
Great piece, guys!
I've lived in Michigan all my life, the first part in the Lower Peninsula (Fudgie or Troll country) and the last 35+ years in the Upper Peninsula (God's Country). Beaver Island is good, but read $$EXPENSIVE$$ compared to the Upper Peninsula's Southern shoreline fishing (Lake Michigan or Lake Huron [fantastic smallie fishing]). You can expect to spend only half or a third as much for lodging and meals, and the atmosphere, well...It's the U.P.,eh!
Interesting.
Thanks for the info. Too many writers don't take price into consideration. I went to the Apostle Islands in Wisconsin last August. Might try Porcupine State Park on Lake Superior. Going kayak fishing.
On my "To-Do" list !!
Post a Comment
I think you gents are confusing the Asian carp with the common carp...
see here:
http://www.epa.gov/greatlakes/invasive/asiancarp/
The common carp might be better described as non-native... Which would put them in good company in LAke Michigan, along with salmon, steelhead, and brown trout! I certainly think of these carp in that regard...
I've lived in Michigan all my life, the first part in the Lower Peninsula (Fudgie or Troll country) and the last 35+ years in the Upper Peninsula (God's Country). Beaver Island is good, but read $$EXPENSIVE$$ compared to the Upper Peninsula's Southern shoreline fishing (Lake Michigan or Lake Huron [fantastic smallie fishing]). You can expect to spend only half or a third as much for lodging and meals, and the atmosphere, well...It's the U.P.,eh!
The carp that are bad is the silver carp not the one in the photo
the invasives are asian carp not common look it up
my cousin is a beginer wanna-be flyfisher, i'll take him ther so we learn a thing or two.
FOR THOSE WHO ARE HEADING TO BEAVER ISLAND SOON, YOU ARE IN FOR A TREAT! GOD BLESS AMERICA AND NORTHERN MICHIGAN! DEEP BLUE WATER!
Looks like Tim was on top of his game with the camera this trip.
KD/TR
Nice work. I'm headed up there to try my hand at those carp and smallies in July!! Thanks for a great piece.
I love this piece. I live in Michigan and have never been to Beaver Island but really need to do this trip soon.
I feel blessed to have learned how to flyfish in those waters 40 years ago. Smallmouth with an occasional Northern was the game. Those Carp were there too along with a lot of snakes. Fond memories!
ive heard of some sight fly fishing for massive carp on the wisconsin side in the tribs. Going to have to check it out. Beaver island looks amazing possibly a trip i'll have to take soon.
Great piece, guys!
Interesting.
Thanks for the info. Too many writers don't take price into consideration. I went to the Apostle Islands in Wisconsin last August. Might try Porcupine State Park on Lake Superior. Going kayak fishing.
On my "To-Do" list !!
These fish should be tossed up on the bank to die or kept for rose bush fertilizer. But they are very tasty smoked once you remove the mud stripe from the filets.
So you released an invasive species back into the habitat they are ruining?
Post a Comment