Northern Michigan Trout on Dry Flies - Part 1

This year, late May to early June, the bug hatches will explode. Dry flies will be on the trouts' menu. How do you land a trout on a dry fly? Who asked that question, that is not an easy question to answer.
OK, I'm not going to address the Hexagenia Lambata hatch, mousing, or spawning salmon and Steelhead. Those two foot plus fish are a challenge of a different sort. I'm talking late afternoon summer trout. The 8 to 14 inch Rainbows, Browns and Brookies that live in the beautiful smaller rivers and streams through out northern Michigan. Believe it or not all three species take the dry fly differently. A trained eye can tell the type of trout taking the dry fly. It is with this knowledge you can solve the age old problem...the big one that got away. Knowing the species and size can help you in your fight to land a trout.
First the small river Rainbow Trout in the summer are about 8 to 10 inches in size. The large spawning Steelhead, by June,  have vacated these smaller streams moving back into the deep water of the lake. The first year Rainbows now are free to travel the rivers. Their dry fly take most of the time is with a surface splash that actually throws water into the air. They will hit midstream and fight you there. They are easy to beat. They also feed when the water temps are above 70 F. The only trout to do so. The Rainbows fight aggressively but their smaller size is no match for your 3x leader.
Stay turned for part 2 coming soon.

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