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In a nutshell, we'll do our best to provide you with some clear water angling insights. Stray away from our suggested recommendations only slightly and you'll find yourself with only your hook line and sinker...
and an empty creel bag to boot.
What are the elements that make or break an Upper Peninsula fishing journey???
Understanding Clear Water Angling
I don't care what anybody else tries to make you believe. Clear water angling is one of the most difficult forms of fishing there is- whether its fly fishing a remote trout pond, stream or river,
to spin fishing a developed or remote inland lake or Lake Superior.
Consider this... If you're fishing Lake Superior where the water depth is 35
feet- on a calm day you can see a beer bottle perfectly on the bottom substrate.
If you're fishing on our inland lakes, on a calm day you can easily see the lake
bottom substrate at 10 and even 14 foot depths. This is no joke.
Imagine then, how- let alone what- our finicky, line-shy game fish can see.
Fishing clear water is a whole different ball game for sure.
Before you even attempt to fish our neck of the woods, you're going to have to
learn a few basic "clear water fishing" principles in order to achieve any degree of fishing success
in our lakes rivers and streams.
Clear Water Elements for Success
- SIGHT
Fish during low light levels, especially during summer months. In most instances a full sunlit day will
scurry fish off to the cover of depths, structure and vegetation.
Normally, glancing over the side of your boat, one can see a beer bottle on
the substrate in 20 feet of water. If you can see the bottom- game
fish can see you... long before you made your presence. Fish overcast
days, fog, early morning and late afternoon into evening hours. Always
try to fish the shaded side of the lake and watch closely any shadows you
cast.
- SOUND
They claim that sound travels faster and longer in murky water than in
clear water. This may be true, however in the U.P. clear water game
fish have an extraordinary sense for sounds. While fishing use a quiet,
stealth like approach to deep water drop offs from points, weed lying areas
and structure shorelines. Bang a tackle box on the bottom of
your boat, hit the side of your craft with an ore, or encounter the same
from a neighboring fisherman... hang it up! Under such conditions...
the best thing you can do is leave the lake and pursue another
alternative. If you're with a fumble fingered fisherman who has a
tendency to produce sound alarms for game fish, it'd be a good
idea to line the hull of your craft with a good insulator.
- PRESENTATION
I've seen this so often I wish I'd be given a dollar for every
encounter. Most anglers believe the larger the diameter monofilament the
better their chances of catching big fish... in anticipation of big fish.
What do they get for fishing with 15 lb. test line? Almost always...
NOTHING! Give up the notion that big is better. Actually, using
too large a diameter of monofilament (especially if it's old) will result in
line shy game fish to become wary and will totally refuse any offering if only
slightly detected.
The greater the line size diameter, carries with it, a substantially larger
olfactory (smell) sense... highly detectable to predatory game fish
populations within our clear water lakes, rivers and streams.
Suggestion... never, ever use over 6 lb test line. If you do, you fail.
If you play your cards right and fight the fight, you can easily catch a 12
lb. plus fish on 6 lb pound test line. Isn't that fishing???
Discover Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter Michigan Upper Peninsula Fishing Adventures on U.P. inland lakes, rivers and streams. Capture the thrill of it all.
Where do you fish from here?
More info for a U.P. Fishing Guide Adventure
Send me a reservation request & book on line.
E-mail Me
to receive more information and I'll get back with you ASAP.
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