For the Kids!!

September 22nd, 23rd, 29th, and 30th.

Beginning Fishing for Kids Workshop Noon – 1:00 pm

Learn the basics to get started fishing. This class will include hands – on casting instructions.

Free Fish Sun Catcher Craft 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm.

Fishing Seminars

September 22^nd

2:00 pm

Fishing Hatcheries – Where do These Fish Go?

  Learn more about how hatcheries work to stock our lakes

3:00 pm

Selecting the Right Baits

Visit with our experts on selecting the right lure in the right color for the fall season

September 23^rd

2:00 pm

Know Your Lakes and Streams for Fall Fishing

Visit with local conservation or DNR representatives about area fishing and what is available around your community.

3:00 pm

Changing Water Conditions and Finding Fish

Water conditions change with the changing weather. Learn how to find the best spots to fish.

September 29^th

2:00 pm

Know Your Lakes and Streams for Fall Fishing

Visit with local conservation or DNR representatives about area fishing and what is available around your community.

3:00 pm

Electronics and Finding Fish

Learn how to use your GPS to find the best catch in various kinds of water.

September 30^th

2:00 pm

Fish Hatcheries – Where Do These Fish Go?

Learn more about how hatcheries work to stock our lakes.

3:00 pm

Fall Fishing Tips from the Pros

Learn from the experts about tips on local water conditions to selecting the right equipment.

The first 50 customers to attend the 2:00 pm seminars each day will be given a prize.

Bass Pro Shops has partnered with Keep America Fishing to develop awareness of this organization and their efforts to keep our lakes and streams available for fishing.  Enter for a chance at

One Top Winner Nationally – Tracker ® Pro Team 175 TXW package with motor and trailer and a $250 BPS Gift Card 

or

One 2^nd Place Winner Nationally – Tracker ® Grizzly ® 1648 SC and a $100 BPS Gift Card.

*Must be 21 years of age or older to enter. Entries in store

By all accounts bluegills are easy to catch…but that may be one of the reasons we love them so much! They are neither very selective nor wary and, on a good day, you can catch them until your arms ache. In other words they are great confidence builders for the beginning fly-fisher!

When to Catch Them - In Michigan there is no closed season for bluegills and you can catch them with a fly rod in spring, summer and fall, although they are especially vulnerable during the spring spawning season. When the water reaches about 65 degrees F, bluegills build their saucer shaped spawning beds in shallow water three feet deep or less. The nests are bright circular spots on the pond or lake flats. After the spawn is done bluegills will spread out in the deeper water and seek structure.

Rods and Reels - Use trout-weight outfits:  7 to 8 foot rods with 3 or 4 weight floating lines. A reel with a drag is not required.

Leaders - Use 7 ½ foot tapered leaders with 3X or 4X tippet.

Recommended Flies - A typical bluegill’s diet is about 85% insects so any fly that resembles a beetle, ant, cricket or spider will work well. We recommend the 12-piece, ''best of'' Panfish Kit from Betts. The kit includes assorted sizes and colors of Bream Getter, Stone Fly, Wooly Worm, Busy Bee, foam spiders and dry flies.

An afternoon of summer bluegill fishing with a fly rod is guaranteed to bring a smile!

By Wayne Snyder, Fly Fishing Team Leader - White River Fly Shop in Auburn Hills, Michigan.

 Last time we talked about choosing the features in a camera that are important to you. Today we will look at a few two units that retail for $99.99 at Bass Pro Shops. These units are the same price and very close in physical size. I feel both excellent value for the dollar. At first glance they are similar but knowing what features you want in a camera will help you choose the one that best fits your needs.

First is the Primos Truth Cam 35. This camera has been on the market for a few years and continues to be a great value.

http://www.basspro.com/Primos-TRUTH-Cam-35-3-0-Megapixel-Infrared-Game-Scouting-Camera/product/10206673/56466

Next will be the Wildgame innovations Red 6 Enhanced. This is a newer version of the Red 6 that has been out for a few years. There are a few differences in the new version and we will cover these differences later.

http://www.basspro.com/Wildgame-Innovations-Red-6-Enhanced-IR-6-0-Megapixel-Infrared-Digital-Scouting-Camera/product/12031005010728/423301

The Truth Cam is a 3.0 megapixel camera (daytime) with a 40’ advertised flash range. It will hold an SD card up to 8Gb. The advertised trigger speed is 1.5 seconds, but its actual trigger speed is slightly better than advertised. My favorite feature on this camera is the ability to take multiple images per event. This just means the camera will take 1, 3, or 5 pictures when the camera is triggered. Delay time between events can be set down to ten seconds. The most overlooked feature is how you adjust the settings. It uses separate sliding switches to adjust each setting rather than a button and arrow keys to scroll through menus. If you are the least bit worried about setting up a camera then this is the unit for you. The new Truth Cam Ultra 35 also has switches. This is simply the most user friendly camera I have ever operated!

This is only a 3.0 megapixel camera but it takes excellent daytime pictures and more than acceptable night photos. The include mounting strap works very well and I prefer it to the bungee cords included with some other cameras. Additionally it has a hole molded through the body of the camera for a security cable (not include). Don’t worry about the fact that it only takes up to an 8 Gb card if you are primarily going to use it in picture mode. I run all 4Gb cards, they hold thousands of photos. I have yet to fill one though I check and change the cards once a week.

On to the WGI Red 6 Enhanced.

This is a 6.0 megapixel camera with an advertised flash range of 65’. It will hold up to a 32Gb SD or SDHC card (many other units will not support SDHC). If you try and use an SDHC in a camera that that only supports SD your pictures will not save to the card though the camera appears to function normally. The advertised trigger speed is 1 second. It appears to be a bit faster than that for daylight pics.

New features include time lapse and wide angle option. The addition of time lapse gives this a feature above the Thruth 35. If you want a camera to take pics of your food plots all day then this is one of the least expensive units to accomplish that task. Time lapse will require more memory because of the amount of photos so the fact that it takes up to a 32Gb card is a plus. For standard PIR photo mode you would not need a card this large unless you were leaving it out for an extremely long time. The delay between events will go down to 15 seconds. Unfortunately it does not have the option to take multiple images per event.

WGI cameras use an electronic menu that you scroll through to set options. It is not difficult but a bit longer process than the switches. The operating panel is on the bottom of the unit which makes it more difficult to set up if it is already mounted on the tree. I would suggest setting your menu options before it’s mounted. It is also easier to change the batteries when not mounted. If you have to change batteries in the field you will have to remove at least the bottom bungee cord to get good access. The up side to the bottom panel is a very secure door that covers the controls. A USB cable and bungee cords to mount unit are included in packaging.

I have mentioned that you should pick options that matter to you. As an opinion I like the units that take multiple still photos. You could simply run your camera on video mode to accomplish the same task. When reviewing thousands of pics it is faster and easier for me to scroll through pictures rather than load and watch individual videos. The main reason we use multiple shots is twofold. First is to get multiple images of a buck. In most cases you will get a few different angles of his rack. Second is to see if there is deer behind the one that triggered the camera. If a buck is following a doe during prerut and the doe trips the camera you may not get his picture with a single image. Again you can combat his by running video mode, I just prefer the pictures.

As far as picture resolution is concerned everything 3.0 and above is fine with me. I have both 3 and 6megapixel cameras and if you zoom in the 6 megapixel is more clear. If the camera set up is correct you shouldn’t really need to zoom to get a good look. If you are taking images less for scouting and more for enjoyment of viewing the photos you will probably prefer 6 megapixels and up.

Next time we will discuss properly setting up your camera…yes, there is a right and wrong way.

 Choosing a Game Camera

http://basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Navigation?storeId=10151&catalogId=10051&langId=-1&searchTerm=game+cameras

With all the cameras on the market today how do you choose? There are many companies making good cameras at a reasonable price. Battery life has gotten exponentially better in the last few years. Picture quality and options have also improved. So what is the best? Well that may be a loaded question. The best camera for me may not be the best for you. There are a few simple questions that will help you narrow the field. First, how much do you want to spend? Next, what features are most important to you?

I run up to a dozen cameras at a time on multiple lease properties so price is important. If I was only running one or two units I would most likely spend more for each than I do currently. The second question is also important to me.

If you want a fast camera with extremely long battery life, excellent trigger speed, good resolution and an invisible flash they are available. You will pay high dollar for all these features in one unit, so back to the questions. What features are important to you?

Is picture quality more important than trigger speed?

If your camera is at a feed sight where the target animals are standing still then trigger speed may not be the most important feature. On the other hand if the camera is on trails or pinch points in travel corridors then speed may be the most important. Do you want color picture at night? If so a flash camera is for you. The few flash cameras that I have take excellent color night pictures.

If you are worried about the camera being stolen then an invisible, or black, infrared flash may best fit your needs.

In short, deciding the features that are important for your application will help narrow the field. 

“Mom, I want to go rabbit hunting.”  I turned around to make sure I had heard my son right…”what did you say?”  My 9 year old repeated, “I want to go rabbit hunting.”  Now mind you, I am a single mom with no hunting experience but I had grown up in a family where hunting was a family tradition with my grandfather, father, and brother all being avid hunters.  I knew Jack was serious about his request and I also knew I was on my own to handle the request since my grandfather and father have both passed on and my brother lives thousands of miles away.  “OK” I answered, “but the first step is to get a Hunter’s Safety Certificate before you can get a hunting license”.  He was anxious to get the process started and eagerly agreed to the required class to earn the hunting safety certification.

Now I’ve done it…I have to get us signed up for a Hunter’s Safety Class to earn our certificate, luckily I know that Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World in Auburn Hills (insert link) offers Hunter’s Safety classes for FREE!  I contact the store to get the dates and times for the classes they offer and then sign us up for a weekend class.  The associate informs me that it will be two days of instruction both Saturday and Sunday from 9 AM to 5 PM.  My mind plays all kinds of scenarios in which I spend 16 hours in a cramped room with a bunch of burly hunters and boys feeling like the outcast as the only female in the room, needless to say I am NOT looking forward to the class.

The assigned weekend arrives and my son and I make our way to the classroom, which turns out to be a well equipped and tastefully decorated space that matches the outdoor feel of the store.  Even more surprising is the number of girls and women that are there to complete the class, at least 50% of the class is female.  As the instructors cover the required information I am surprised at how much they cover in detail and how much I learn – everything from bows to muzzleloaders and more!  The instructors are knowledgeable and share stories from their own personal experiences in the field.  All the while safety is stressed in every portion of the class as well as the ethics of responsible hunting. 

The second morning offers all the students an opportunity to shoot a rifle and/or bow in the range conveniently located inside the store.  One by one the students complete the practical portion of the testing which again stresses the importance of safe and responsible hunting.  Now it is back to the classroom for some last minute instruction and then the final written exam.  I know my son is anxious about the final test and we sit with pencils poised and ready.  We tackle the test and turn it in patiently waiting for the final results, and then the moment arrives!!  The instructor congratulates us both on passing the test and presents us with our individual Hunter’s Safety Certificates.  My son is beaming with pride and immediately starts making plans for what his first hunting adventure will be.  I can’t help but smile at my son’s excitement and realize that taking this class together has been a real bonding experience for the two of us, and who knows maybe that first hunting expedition will be a mother and son event.

For more information on Michigan Youth Hunting requirements and Hunter’s Safety Certification you can visit the Michigan DNR at www.michigan.gov/dnr

Summer Camp June 9th- July 15th

The 2012 Family Summer Camp Event is geared to offer families a way to spend an enjoyable summer together with free crafts, interactive displays and outdoor skill workshops, in an atmosphere much like the summer camps many of us attended as a kid ourselves.

Bass pro shops will be presenting the following

• FREE Shooting Gallery
• FREE Archery Shooting Range
• FREE Fishing Pole Casting Challenge
• FREE Crafts!! – like the ones you used to make in summer camp – custom leather crafting, painting a bear track mold, painting a wiggle snake, decorating a seedling pot, creating your own Catch-A-Fish game, painting a birdhouse… a different craft activity each Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday through the event dates. While supplies last
• FREE photos Saturdays and Sundays – enjoy getting a picture of the kids or the whole family made in front of an outdoors backdrop
• FREE S’mores each Saturday, 6:00 – 7:00 pm.

Workshop Schedules:

Presentations are geared for kids 8-12

Get a FREE lanyard at your child's first workshop. After completion of the workshops your child will receive a unique pin for their lanyard.

Fly fishing for trout has a long, proud heritage in Michigan and the regular season opens Saturday, April 28th on hundreds of Type 1, Type 2 and Gear Restricted streams across the state. It's also the month when the first large mayfly hatch - the Hendrickson - starts on our northern Michigan streams. However, this Spring has been unseasonably warm so notch up the hatch charts at least 3 weeks earlier than normal.

A new fly line might be in order too, and you'll always need a good selection of trout leaders and tippet material. Leaders and tippet material should be fresh. Nylon gets brittle with exposure to sun, heat and oxygen. It's hard to do but you should toss out any that is over two years old. If you've ever lost a good fish to an old, possibly brittle, leader, you'll know why.

The April weather can be tricky with warm days and occasional wind chills below freezing the next so be prepared for either case. Regardless of how cold the water, how raw the wind or how hard it rains it’s an exciting time and around the state avid fly-fishers are flocking to their special Mecca’s for opening day trout traditions.

For local action don't miss our annual FLY FISHING PAINT CREEK WORKSHOP – Saturday April 21^st, 2 - 3 PM. Paint Creek's sparkling waters flow from Lake Orion to Rochester and is the best bet for the local fly angler seeking trout. You will receive lots of maps and tips for fishing for brown trout and rainbow trout in our area's "Little Gem". This workshop is FREE! No pre-registration required.

Temperatures-R-Rising very early this year in Michigan and the river fly fishing throughout the state has been excellent. Locally, Yates Park near Rochester is the place to be for the annual migratory madness spring steelhead run. For years the Clinton River has drawn dozens of local metalheads looking for a shot at the river’s big steelhead. As the Clinton’s water temperature starts to rise pods of spawning steelhead begin to cruise up the river to build their redds. Fish in the 5 to 8 pound range are common but a few bruisers even bigger will be caught. It’s time to tune up the big rigs and that’s where the White River Fly Shop comes in.

And don’t miss these great workshops about fly fishing for steelhead and fishing the Clinton River.

FLY FISHING FOR STEELHEAD - Saturday February 25, 2-4 PM. If you have ever thought about what it takes to land a Michigan Steelhead on a fly rod then this workshop is one you won’t want to miss! We’ll tell you about the rivers and the gear used to catch these noble fish. This workshop is FREE!  No Pre-Registration Required!

 FLY FISHING THE CLINTON RIVER - Thursday, March 29  7 - 9 PM. Come join us for a very special event as The Cedar Sweeper Magazine sponsors our workshop. The focus of this workshop is to provide you with knowledge you can use to fly fish the Clinton River. We’ll let you in on which fish you’ll find, what tackle you’ll need, hatch information and the best flies to use. We’ll even provide you with river maps with popular local access sites. This workshop is FREE! No Pre-Registration Required!

 If you have ever thought about what it takes to land a beautiful Michigan Steelhead then go to Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World in Auburn Hills and speak to our experts in the fishing department or the White River Fly Shop. Then grab your gear and catch a fish of a lifetime!

It’s finally chillin’ off so it’s time to inventory your tying supplies and re-stock for the Michigan cold-weather fly tying season. We’ve dedicated an entire 50-foot wall to the best selection of fly tying stuff around. Beginners to experts alike can select from a wide range of fly tying materials, tools and equipment.
At the White River Fly Shop you’ll find 10 different models of tying vises – 3 models of tying lamps – Eagle Claw, Tiemco, Gamakatsu and White River hooks – and we now have a selection of Tiemco BARBLESS dry fly and nymph hooks!

You’ll find a huge selection of floss and threads from 3/0 to 8/0, Kevlar and wires– head cements, bobbins, tying scissors, hackle pliers, hair stackers, tweezers, whip finishers, hackle gauges – a wide selection of beads, eyes, cones and mono eyes – chenille and synthetic body materials – a wide array of premium natural and synthetic dubbing – Flashabou, Krystal Flash and Estaz that attract fish – foam bodies, popper heads and rubber legs for terrestrials and bass bugs – deer hair, elk hair, moose hair, badger, black bear, and caribou hair – bucktails, squirrel tails, kip tails and synthetic hairs – rabbit strips, marabou and strung hackles to make your flies come alive – peacock herl, swords and eyes – ostrich, goose, duck, turkey, guinea – McFlyfoam for egg patterns and fly tying books and DVD’s.

Special Fly Tying Bash and New Product Night! - Thursday January 26th, 6:30 – 8:30 PM. Come join us for a very special evening to kick off the tying season. We’ll have cookies and donuts for the class participants and pots of fresh hot coffee. This year’s special guest tyer is Mr. Eli Berant of Great Lakes Fly. Eli is best known for his large flies tied for the bigger predators in the Great Lakes Region.

Also check out “what’s new” in our fly fishing product line-up. We’re signing up to 12 tyers for the tying table. Get out of the cold and come in for the fun!

So throw another log on the fire! ‘Tis the season for fly tying!

For hundreds of Midwestern fly fishermen, the first snow that signals winter also marks the beginning of a “new” fishing season. Hot on the heels of the fall runs of Coho and Chinook salmon up Michigan rivers come the steelhead – big, lake run rainbows that average 10 pounds, but which may grow to 20 pounds or more. Michigan fly fishermen begin seriously watching the steelhead streams about mid-December for moving fish. “Moving” steelhead means simply that the hold-over fish from the fall run are becoming active.

If there is one secret to productive Midwest steelhead fishing, it’s getting the fly right on the bottom where the fish are. But which fly and how does one rig-up to get the fly down? Come to our Sunday afternoon “FIRESIDE CHATS” at the White River Fly Shop and find out. The topic of this month’s chats will be Winter Steelheading Flies and Rigging. 1pm to 2pm, December 4, 11, and 18^th.  Come in with questions and we’ll have the answers about catching the noble winter steelhead in Michigan.

Wayne Snyder runs the White River Fly Shop in Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World, Auburn Hills, Michigan.

It’s time for cooled weather Michigan winter steelheading again as these magnificent fish begin showing up in November on the Betsie, Manistee, Bear Creek, and the Pere Marquette rivers. Also look for them locally on the Huron and Clinton rivers. This is all good because King Salmon numbers drop off quickly now as the spawn, and then die off, occurs. And look for the annual Coho Salmon run on the Little Manistee which is always a blast as they come to the fly very well and are great fighters.

To get you “out there” and catching fish we’ve stocked up on your favorite steelhead flies like Egg Sucking Leeches and egg flies. We’ll have Scientific Angler .030 Shooting Line, Rio Steelhead/Salmon Leaders, slinkys, and Maxima Ultragreen Leader Wheels up to 20 lb. test and lots more!

NEW! SUNDAY AFTERNOON “FIRESIDE CHATS” – 1pm to 2pm on November 6, 13, 20 and 27^th – This month’s chat topic will be our Fall Steelheading Tune-up. From "Chuck-N-Duck" to Indy rigs, come in with questions and we’ll have the answers about catching the noble fall steelhead in Michigan.

The opportunities for fly fishing in Michigan really never end!

Wayne Snyder and the White River Fly Shop Staff

              Eric, Jack, and Shawn

August is our favorite month to chase smallmouth bass with Mickey Finns, Muddler Minnows, and Clouser Minnows. If you haven't visited the Huron River before you are in for a treat. Just minutes away from Ann Arbor, the river flows clear and clean through thick woodlands with stream accessibility from several Metroparks. Water quality is very good, and the smallmouth bass population is healthy and thriving.

For the late summer trout “Second Season” it’s time again for the little bugs – blue winged olives & tricos – in the cool mornings and evenings. Mid-day throw big terrestrials – hopper, beetle and ant patterns. Also remember the fish are seeking cooler water. Find cool water and you’ll find the trout. Mousin’ at night is still goin’ on for big browns and our local lakes and ponds are teeming with largemouth bass and panfish. It’s summer so be sure to take along sunscreen and bottled water!

2011 OUTDOOR SKILLS WORKSHOPS
Our line-up of workshops is still all FREE! Pre-registration is required for all workshops so please either stop by or call the Fly Shop at (248) 209-4200 for the latest class schedule and availability.

Introduction to Fly Fishing - De-mystify the beautiful and complex art of fly fishing with our resident pro staffers. Learn the basics of a fly fishing outfit, fly selection, entomology with an emphasis on fly casting. This workshop is Free! No equipment necessary. Pre-registration required, please call the Fly Shop at (248) 209-4200. The First Wednesday of every month from 6:30-8:30 PM and the fourth Wednesday of every month from 6:30-8:30 PM.

Intermediate Fly Tying
Designed for more experienced tyers that want to expand their tying skills and learn new patterns. All materials are provided! This workshop is FREE! Maximum of six participants per class. Pre-registration required, please call the Fly Shop at (248) 209-4200. Every Thursday night from 6:30 - 8:30 PM.

Beginning Fly Tying - Learn the basics of creating your own flies to deceive fish. Our professional and knowledgeable staff will guide you in material selection, handling, and fundamental tying skills! All materials are provided! This workshop is FREE! Maximum of six participants per class. Pre-registration required, please call the Fly Shop at (248) 209-4200. The second Wednesday and third Wednesday of every month from 6:30-8:30 PM.

BACKYARD FISHERIES

Clinton River – For trout try access points at Riverside Park or River Woods Park in Auburn Hills. Spring fish are being caught on small streamers and scuds fished nymph/indicator style.
Season*: Open year-round. (size, possession limits apply)
Recommended flies: Muddler Minnow, Mickey Finn, Perfect Scud

Paint Creek – Our areas ‘little gem’, Paint Creek’s sparkling waters flow from Lake Orion to Rochester and is the best bet for the local fly angler. Stocked annually with over 6,300 yearling brown trout start at Dutton Road or Silverbell and fish north. Summer fish are being caught on small streamers and scuds fished nymph/indicator style.
Season*: Last Saturday of April and ends September 30^th.
Recommended flies: Black Nosed Dace, Mickey Finn, Perfect Scud

Huron River - For the fly-rodder the Huron is home to good populations of smallmouth and rock bass. Upstream, try access points in Proud Lake State Recreation Area, Island Lake State Recreation Area, or Huron Meadows Metropark.
Season*: Open year-round. (size, possession limits apply)
Recommended flies: Wooly Buggers, crayfish patterns, muddler minnows.

* See the Michigan Fishing Guide for details.

We believe, very simply, that a life which includes fly-fishing is more fulfilling than a life that does not. Thanks again for choosing us as your fly-fishing outfitter. We look forward to seeing all of you in the shop this season.

Wayne Snyder and the White River Fly Shop Staff

               Eric, Jack, and Shawn

The next big Michigan trout season event is mousin’ at night for trophy browns. Big mouse patterns are the ticket. Fish the same places you would go hex fishing. It’s also time for a less delicate rig…get out the 5 or 6-weights and short, beefy 2X tippets. July also marks the beginning of terrestrials time…hoppers, ants and beetles. The bugs are bigger but so are the fish. With their annual spawn now done the largemouth bass and bluegills start to hunt the water’s surface for a quick meal, so get out the big poppers and foam spiders. Remember, the White River Fly Shop has all the flies and gear you need from top name brands.

NEW STUFF! - Come in and check out our NEW White River Fly Shop Classic LA Fly Reels. The rugged frame and spool are forged and machined rather than die-cast, for optimum rigidity. The in-line multi disk drag is enhanced by a one-way roller bearing, and features a precise 720 degree range of adjustment. Includes drawstring bag.

2011 OUTDOOR SKILLS WORKSHOPS

Our line-up of workshops is still all FREE! Pre-registration is required for all workshops so please either stop by or call the Fly Shop at (248) 209-4200 for the latest class schedule and availability.

Introduction to Fly Fishing - De-mystify the beautiful and complex art of fly fishing with our resident pro staffers. Learn the basics of a fly fishing outfit, fly selection, entomology with an emphasis on fly casting. This workshop is Free! No equipment necessary. Pre-registration required, please call the Fly Shop at (248) 209-4200. The First Wednesday of every month from 6:30-8:30 PM and the fourth Wednesday of every month from 6:30-8:30 PM.

Intermediate Fly Tying - Designed for more experienced tyers that want to expand their tying skills and learn new patterns. All materials are provided! This workshop is FREE! Maximum of six participants per class. Pre-registration required, please call the Fly Shop at (248) 209-4200. Every Thursday night from 6:30 - 8:30 PM.

Beginning Fly Tying - Learn the basics of creating your own flies to deceive fish. Our professional and knowledgeable staff will guide you in material selection, handling, and fundamental tying skills! All materials are provided! This workshop is FREE! Maximum of six participants per class. Pre-registration required, please call the Fly Shop at (248) 209-4200. The second Wednesday and third Wednesday of every month from 6:30-8:30 PM.

BACKYARD FISHERIES

Clinton River – For trout try access points at Riverside Park or River Woods Park in Auburn Hills. Spring fish are being caught on small streamers and scuds fished nymph/indicator style.
Season*: Open year-round. (size, possession limits apply)
Recommended flies: Muddler Minnow, Mickey Finn, Perfect Scud

Paint Creek – Our areas ‘little gem’, Paint Creek’s sparkling waters flow from Lake Orion to Rochester and is the best bet for the local fly angler. Stocked annually with over 6,300 yearling brown trout start at Dutton Road or Silverbell and fish north. Summer fish are being caught on small streamers and scuds fished nymph/indicator style.
Season*: Last Saturday of April and ends September 30^th.
Recommended flies: Black Nosed Dace, Mickey Finn, Perfect Scud

Huron River - For the fly-rodder the Huron is home to good populations of smallmouth and rock bass. Upstream, try access points in Proud Lake State Recreation Area, Island Lake State Recreation Area, or Huron Meadows Metropark.
Season*: Open year-round. (size, possession limits apply)
Recommended flies: Wooly Buggers, crayfish patterns, muddler minnows.

* See the Michigan Fishing Guide for details.

We believe, very simply, that a life which includes fly-fishing is more fulfilling than a life that does not. Thanks again for choosing us as your fly-fishing outfitter. We look forward to seeing all of you in the shop this season.

Wayne Snyder and the White River Fly Shop Staff -  Eric, Jack, and Shawn

The Michigan Trout Season is, although wet and rainy, in full swing and in mid-June our famous Hex Hatch (Hexagenia limbata) begins on our northern rivers. Fly-rodding for smallmouth bass is just getting its steam up on Lake St. Clair and our local lakes and ponds are now teeming with spawning largemouth bass and bluegills. Sight-fishing for carp with flies on Grand Traverse Bay near Traverse City is a real blast as thousands of these giant fish shoal up in the flats to spawn in June. Look for water temperatures of about 65 degrees F, rig-up, and have some hard-pullin’ fun! Weighted Clouser Crayfish patterns and Carp Tease flies do the trick and we've got them in the fly shop.

Don’t forget Father’s Day is just around the corner. What better gift than a new doodad or two from the White River Fly Shop.

FLY FISHING FOR SMALLMOUTH BASS  Wednesday June 29, 7-9 PM.
Smallmouth bass are one of Michigan’s most abundant and popular gamefish. In this workshop we’ll tell you how and where to catch these incredible fish using fly gear! This workshop is FREE! No Pre-Registration Required!

BACKYARD FISHERIES

Clinton River – For trout try access points at Riverside Park or River Woods Park in Auburn Hills. Spring fish are being caught on small streamers and scuds fished nymph/indicator style.
Season*: Open year-round. (size, possession limits apply)
Recommended flies: Muddler Minnow, Mickey Finn, Perfect Scud

Paint Creek – Our areas ‘little gem’, Paint Creek’s sparkling waters flow from Lake Orion to Rochester and is the best bet for the local fly angler. Stocked annually with over 6,300 yearling brown trout the creek is accessible at several points along the Paint Creek Trail. Start at Dutton Road or Silverbell and fish north. Spring fish are being caught on small streamers and scuds fished nymph/indicator style.
Season*: Last Saturday of April and ends September 30^th.
Recommended flies: Black Nosed Dace, Mickey Finn, Perfect Scud

Huron River - With over a dozen recreation areas and parks throughout its length the Huron provides some of the best warm-water fishing in southeast Michigan. For the fly-rodder the Huron is home to good populations of smallmouth and rock bass. Upstream, try access points in Proud Lake State Recreation Area, Island Lake State Recreation Area, or Huron Meadows Metropark.
Season*: Open year-round. (size, possession limits apply)
Recommended flies: Wooly Buggers, crayfish patterns, muddler minnows.

* See the Michigan Fishing Guide for details.

We believe, very simply, that a life which includes fly-fishing is more fulfilling than a life that does not. Thanks again for choosing us as your fly-fishing outfitter. We look forward to seeing all of you in the shop this season.

Wayne Snyder and the White River Fly Shop Staff - Eric, Jack, and Shawn

IT’S DRY FLY TIME! In May trout come out of their winter mode and start “lookin’ up” for bugs. And it’s no wonder… the warmer weather and water temperatures brings a serious succession of caddis flies, mayflies and stoneflies to the surface, often with over-lapping hatches! At the White River Fly Shop in Auburn Hills we’ll have all of the traditional early season patterns like the Adams, Hendrickson, Quill Gordon, Red Quill, March Brown and Galloup’s Drake. We’ll have Hex patterns for the BIG hatch AND we’ll be the only fly shop in this area to have Roberts’ Yellow Drakes!

Home is where the heart is and for many of us 'home' included our local fly shop. Unfortunately this area has lost more that its share of fly shops. That said, we wish to invite all those who have lost their 'home' to visit the White River Fly Shop. Talk to us and provide us with information about favorite items that we could possibly add to our line of products. While we can't get everything we'll do our very best to get the fly fishing gear you want. Fly anglers...welcome home!

Fly fishing for trout has a long, proud heritage in Michigan and the season opens Saturday, April 30^th on hundreds of rivers and streams across the state. It's also the month when the first large mayfly hatch - the Hendrickson - starts on our northern Michigan streams. You can fish the traditional Steenrod Catskill-style Hendrickson or the Red Quill brought to us by Art Flick in 1933. We'll have plenty of both in the fly shop.

A new fly line might be in order too, and you'll always need a good selection of trout leaders and tippet material. Leaders and tippet material should be fresh. Nylon gets brittle with exposure to sun, heat and oxygen. It's hard to do but you should toss out any that is over two years old. If you've ever lost a good fish to an old, possibly brittle, leader, you'll know why.

The April weather can be tricky with warm days and occasional wind chills below freezing the next so be prepared for either case. Regardless of how cold the water, how raw the wind or how hard it rains it’s an exciting time and around the state avid fly-fishers are flocking to their special Mecca’s for opening day trout traditions.

 FLY FISHING PAINT CREEK WORKSHOP – Saturday April 23^rd, 2 - 3 PM. Paint Creek's sparkling waters flow from Lake Orion to Rochester and is the best bet for the local fly angler seeking trout. You will receive lots of maps and tips for fishing for brown trout and rainbow trout in our area's "Little Gem".Again, The Cedar Sweeper Magazine will be here to sponsor our workshop. This workshop is FREE! No pre-registration required.

BACKYARD FISHERIES

Clinton River – Migratory madness slides to a stop for steelhead and trout season begins. For trout try access points at Riverside Park or River Woods Park in Auburn Hills. Spring fish are being caught on small streamers and scuds fished nymph/indicator style.
Season*: Open year-round. (size, possession limits apply)
Recommended flies: Muddler Minnow, Mickey Finn, Perfect Scud

Paint Creek – Our area's ‘little gem’, Paint Creek’s sparkling waters flow from Lake Orion to Rochester and is the best bet for the local fly angler. Stocked annually with over 6,000 yearling brown trout the creek is accessible at several points along the Paint Creek Trail. Start at Dutton Road or Silverbell and fish north. Spring fish are being caught on small streamers and scuds fished nymph/indicator style.
Season*: Paint Creek opens on April 30^th this year.
Recommended flies: Black Nosed Dace, Mickey Finn, Perfect Scud

* See the Michigan Fishing Guide for details.

We believe, very simply, that a life which includes fly-fishing is more fulfilling than a life that does not. Thanks again for choosing us as your fly-fishing outfitter. We look forward to seeing all of you in the shop this season.

Wayne Snyder and the White River Fly Shop Staff - Eric, Jack, and Shawn

Yates Park near Rochester is the place to be for the annual migratory madness spring steelhead run. For years the Clinton River has drawn dozens of local “metalheads” looking for a shot at the river’s big steelhead. As the Clinton’s water temperature starts to rise pods of spawning steelhead begin to cruise up the river to build their redds. Fish in the 5 to 8 pound range are common but a few bruisers even bigger will be caught.

Steelhead is a name given to large rainbow trout which live in the Great Lakes and spawn in its tributary rivers and streams. Steelhead are originally from the Pacific Coast of North America and is a very popular game fish. For this reason they have been introduced all over the United States and many other parts of the world. They are an “anadromous” fish, meaning they migrate from salt to fresh water to spawn. Technically in the Great Lakes, it is “potamodromous,” which means migrations within fresh waters.

Steelhead were accidentally introduced to Michigan in 1876. Michigan’s Steelhead era began in 1966 when the Little Manistee weir started operation. Currently, the Little Manistee River is the sole source of eggs used to produce smolts stocked in the Clinton River. The Michigan DNR annually plants 30,000 steelhead smolts at the Dequindre Road site. Those smolts leave the Clinton and migrate to Lakes Huron and Erie to feed. After two or three years the fish reach considerable size and return to the river to spawn

Steelhead enter coastal streams when water temperatures reach about 40° F. Water reaching 42° F triggers the main spring spawning run. Unlike salmon steelhead continue to feed while they are in the streams. Steelhead also do not die like salmon after the spawn.

At Yates Park you will see fishermen using fly gear but spinning outfits are the norm and some will be using center-pin outfits. In Michigan you’ll need an all-species license to take and possess steelhead if you are age 17 or older. See the 2011 Michigan Fishing Guide published by the Michigan DNR for complete details.

If you have ever thought about what it takes to land a beautiful Michigan Steelhead then go to Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World in Auburn Hills and speak to our experts in the fishing department or the White River Fly Shop. Then grab your gear and catch a fish of a lifetime!