Fat Trout

With August upon us this week, the weather in Northern Michigan remains cool and wet. Periodic rains with soft warm afternoons in the low 70's Fahrenheit dropping into the 50's F at night has kept the inland rivers water levels high and cool. Stream side grasses have reached 6 feet high. The whole north is as green as I have ever seen it.
Usually this time of year trout are forced by hot and low water levels into deep holes for relief. That has not been the case thus far. The river water temperatures remain in the low 60's F. The trout are very healthy, cool, and well fed. I have noticed that multiple casts are needed to eek them out. You must be patient at good holds. Sometimes a dozen presentations are needed for success.
The Sturgeon river between Wolverine and Indian River is having some late Drake mayfly hatches , but other rivers seem to be quiet with Light Cahill, Adams, and stoneflys in small numbers. Terrestrials such as hoppers, Hornbergs and humpys are a fun fly during the afternoon.
The bright red Cardinal flowers will begin to bloom this week marking mid summer. It is hard to believe the Great Lakes King salmon will soon begin staging in deep water in front of the rivers. Lake Michigan's water level is still up from past lows and the salmon run should be good.
Global warming is still bringing hot temperatures to the world. We have been lucky, just maybe those mid 90's F days are gone from this area for the rest of the year...maybe.

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