Cooks Bridgeon Pere Marquette River
King Salmon spawning is in full swing
- 01King Salmon spawning is in full swing, creating excellent opportunities for egg patterns.
- 02Fresh Steelhead are actively migrating into the Pere Marquette from Lake Michigan.
- 03Cooler 45°F temperatures are ideal for streamer fishing for predatory fish.
- 04Clear skies and moderate winds (8 mph NW) make for comfortable fishing conditions.
- 05Resident Brown Trout will be opportunistic feeders below spawning salmon and on various aquatic insects.
What to tie on at Cooks Bridge
Picked from recent reports for this stretch.
Little Black Stonefly nymph
Winter stoneflies are one of the few large insects active in February on Michigan freestones; this is a high-protein staple for resident trout.
Micro Egg
Steelhead and resident trout remain keyed into egg shapes year-round; peach and orange are top producers in winter.
Buy at AmazonZebra Midge
Midges are the most consistent hatch during the Michigan winter. Use black or red in sizes 18-22 as a dropper fly.
Buy at AmazonMouse Pattern
Big brown trout are known to aggressively strike mouse patterns at night during late summer.
Royal Wulff
An excellent general attractor dry fly for summer and fall, particularly effective in the pocket water of freestone streams.
Buy at AmazonParachute Adams
A highly versatile mayfly imitation and general attractor, effective for rising trout throughout the spring, summer, and fall seasons.
Buy at AmazonBlood Dot Egg
Fall is prime egg season on the Pere Marquette, as King Salmon spawn. Steelhead and resident trout key in on these readily available protein sources.
Buy at AmazonComet
Large streamers like the Comet are excellent for enticing aggressive strikes from fresh Steelhead and Salmon navigating the Pere Marquette in the fall.
Buy at AmazonEgg Sucking Leech
A classic fall attractor pattern, effective for migratory Steelhead and Salmon entering the Pere Marquette, imitating both leeches and eggs.
Buy at AmazonMichigan season by season
What changes on the water through the year, with the flies for each season.
Fly shops nearby
Local flies, current advice and guided trips.