Legends, Rivers, and Rising Trout: The Story of Early Spring Fly-Fishing

Early spring can offer some of the best fly-fishing of the year.

If captured on film, it might have looked much like a scene out of the ‘92 classic A River Runs Through It—minus Brad Pitt and Emily Lloyd, of course. While the setting may appear similar, these events took place a decade before the Great Depression in the quaint town of Lovells, Michigan.

The rumble of a locomotive interrupts the serene setting as it crawls to a stop in front of the small train depot. Two well-dressed gentlemen, known to be automotive industry leaders, exit a private rail car and make their way toward The Douglas House. After they check in to the lodge, they sign the registry and date it: Sunday, June 10, 1917.

The date is noteworthy considering it coincides with what is often called the “Hex hatch,” the emergence of the largest Mayfly in North America. A phenomenon where for a few short nights in early summer, cryptid-like nymphs morph into 2-inch long winged insects that litter the rivers by the millions and become entrees for hungry trout. This event is specifically unique to Northern Michigan and a highlight for fishermen who prefer to catch bruiser fish on big flies.

Henry and Edsel Ford had traveled by train to a fishing lodge built in 1916 on the banks of the legendary North Branch of the Au Sable River. The Douglas House had quickly become a well-known destination for those seeking the perfect cocktail of fishing and repose, and considering Henry’s penchant for trout fishing, the rest is history.

It’s important to note that Henry and Edsel Ford weren’t the only two executives within the auto industry to arrive by train, sign The Douglas House registry or fly fish the pristine waters of the Au Sable. Throughout the early 1900s the lodge hosted the likes of Harvey Firestone, Horace and John Dodge, Charles Nash, William Durant, A. P. Sloan, and Walter P. Chrysler. One has to conclude from the bits of historical evidence, these men came to the lodge for something other than the amenities—indoor plumbing and electric lights—it was the blue-ribbon trout fishing.

“TYPICALLY, WHEN WATER TEMPERATURES ARE BETWEEN 50 AND 65 DEGREES TROUT ARE NOT ONLY ACTIVE, THEY ARE AGGRESSIVE AND OFTEN CHASE A STREAMER 10 FEET BEFORE SMASHING IT.”

Local lore has woven a compelling narrative claiming a not-yet-published Ernest Hemingway cast a line in these parts as well. One can’t help but wonder if Thomas Edison, John D. Rockefeller, Jr., and the long list of anglers who traveled here, came in hopes of experiencing what Hemingway so colorfully depicted in Big-Two-Hearted River.

“As he put on pressure the line tightened into sudden hardness and beyond the logs a huge trout went high out of water. As he jumped, Nick lowered the tip of the rod. But he felt, as he dropped the tip to ease the strain, the moment when the strain was too great; the hardness too tight. Of course, the leader had broken. There was no mistaking the feeling when all spring left the line and it became dry and hard. Then it went slack. His mouth dry, his heart down, Nick reeled in. He had never seen so big a trout.”

But trout fishing isn’t limited to prose, novels or a rustic lodge situated in the pine forest of Northern Michigan. From the Adirondacks to the Rocky Mountains, ample opportunities for trout fishing can be found coast to coast. Over 30 states, including Arizona and Oklahoma, offer access to trout in lakes, tailwaters, rivers and streams.

Where one choses to chase the noble trout is personal. Every fly-fisher has a litany of reasons why they prefer a certain state, river, stream or even a particular riffle. Thankfully, the curtain is closing on the last act of winter and spring provides opportunity to head out to your favorite fishing hole.

Location, Location, Location

For the angler who’s suffering from cabin fever, spring brings hope and expectation. Warmer days mean warmer water, which results in the sluggish fish of winter beginning to feed more aggressively. Unfortunately, the change in weather can also mean unstable water conditions.

Anglers know the transition between winter and spring is never linear, it’s intermittent at best. One day it can be shirt sleeve weather and the next you can have ice in the guides. Factor in the high, stained water from rain or runoff and it’s easy to see why some fishers stay at home—but there’s no need to.

Dirty water doesn’t mean the fish stop feeding, in fact, it can result in just the opposite. High water provides more food in the water column and the increase in biomass can trigger an increase in feeding activity. The trick is knowing where to fish when the water is dark and dirty. While it’s easy to get distracted by the amount of water you can’t fish, concentrate on fishing soft seams, couch water and slow water along banks where the majority of fish will be congregated.

“IF IT’S FISHABLE, GO FOR IT—IT NEVER HURTS TO TRY. THE ONE THING THAT IS FOR SURE, YOU WON’T HAVE TO FIGHT THE CROWDS AND IF YOU’RE LUCKY, IT’LL BE SOME OF THE BEST FISHING YOU’LL EVER HAVE.”

Timing is Everything

It’s no secret that spring water flows can be volatile, fluctuations in volume can change by the day. The USGS Water Data website (waterdata.usgs.gov) is a reliable source for accurate water flow information and an ideal source for tracking rising, cresting and falling water levels.

During early spring rising and falling, water levels offer some of the most productive fishing. Some anglers believe two or three days after the crest, when the river is falling and beginning to clear, is the prime time to fish high water. If the water falls enough to offer roughly 12 inches of visibility, go fishing. Trout are opportunistic, the water doesn’t need to be gin-clear before a fish will take your fly. Spring fly-fishing tactics are relative. By paying attention to ambient temperature, water temperature and water flow you’ll have a better understanding of what’s happening under the surface.

As water temperatures begin to rise, insect activity increases. Depending on your state of residence, March and April emergence can occur mid-morning to mid-afternoon. An emergence chart is a handy tool to help you know what insects are currently, or will be hatching in your local area. The good news for dry fly enthusiasts is there’s no need to be on the water at the crack of dawn.

One of the hatches that kicks off during early to mid-spring is the baetis hatch, commonly known as the blue wing olive. On those dreary days in April when it’s overcast with light precipitation, the baetis come to life. If the water is rising and the baetis are hatching, you’ll want to be on the water. A few weeks after another mayfly will hatch, which is referred to as the March brown. This fly is a larger specimen and known to be a favorite among selective trout. Match the hatch and experiment with duns, emergers and cripples. And don’t be afraid to try a two-fly rig, it can be the ticket to fooling a picky eater.

Go Big

Early spring is also an ideal time to fish big streamers. When the water is high and cloudy, Tom Rosenbauer, noted fly-fishing author and host of the Orvis Fly Fishing Podcast suggests, “My ace in the hole is to fish streamers early in the season, but you have to forget what worked for you on that float trip last summer. Typically, when water temperatures are between 50 and 65 degrees trout are not only active, they are aggressive and often chase a streamer 10 feet before smashing it. With water temperatures in the 40s, trout may not move a foot to take a fly, and they’ll seldom chase a fast-moving fly.”

Dead-drifting big steamers is another deadly tactic. Fishing them deep in the feeding lane has been known to produce big trout. You can try fishing a variety of colors and sizes, though black and olive are known to be productive colors.

Whether fishing steamers, leaches or nymphs, regardless of the pattern, go slow and go deep. Taking the time to locate where the fish are holding in the water column can make the difference between ‘successful’ and ‘skunked.’ While winter fishing may have required micro meals, visibility is important in high water. ‘Big’ can get a fish’s attention when nothing else will.

There are few absolutes when it comes to spring fly-fishing. If a river or stream is blown out, filled with logs and debris to the point of being dangerous, stay home. If it’s fishable, go for it—it never hurts to try. The one thing that is for sure, you won’t have to fight the crowds and if you’re lucky, it’ll be some of the best fishing you’ll ever have.

So, whether you travel by private jet to fish legendary waters, drive across town to fish a local river or hike deep in the backcountry, it’s irrelevant, what’s most important are the memories you take back home.