Smallmouth Outing

The annual Smallmouth Outing is in Port Austin, MI on Thursday May 16 though Sunday May 19, 2024.

A list of recommended equipment is below for getting you going. If you have other preferences or favorites, go ahead and bring them. Hope to see you up on the Flats!

Cost

$50, payable to Renee Gall by April 15, 2024

Your $50 includes:

• Annual Smallmouth Outing T-Shirt
• Pizza party Friday night around campfire (BYOB)
• Saturday is Texas BBQ
• Firewood, paper products, etc.

Registration deadline is April 10th. No refunds given after the registration deadline.

Contact Renee at: [email protected]

Accommodations

We typically reserve rooms at the Blue Spruce Motel:

Blue Spruce Motel & Horseshoe Cabins
8527 Lake St, Port Austin, MI 48467
989-738-8650

Email Stephanie at the motel; she will send an annual email blast around March 1st with a
reminder to book and pay the $50 nonrefundable deposit due by March 22, 2024.

For suggestions of other accommodations, please ask Renee.

Volunteering

Most of us on this outing are seasoned anglers, and know these waters. We understand the techniques that are used to catch these fish in the various spawning stages. There are a few newbies to this outing and a few that have had some struggles in the past at catching these “smallies” in Port Austin. There is a definite technique to learn in fishing for them, at this time of the year and place.

I am looking for volunteers to pair up with these anglers to show the techniques that you
have learned, so everyone can have a great and successful fishing experience. Once they understand and get the feel and start catching fish, the confidence level rises and they are on their way to a fun and successful weekend of fishing.

Equipment Recommendations

• Rods: Bass: 5, 6, 7, or 8 weights – Carp: 7 weight or heavier.
• Waders: Still early in the season, could be warm or cold; & Chest Waders for sure.
• Rain Gear/Wading Jacket: Might be a great idea. Rain is almost a possibility.
• Wading Boots: Make sure you have something that will work well on rocks. You will be fishing and wading amongst various rock fields and debris.
• Wading Staff: Very much recommended.
• Water Vessels: Due to the high water the last few years, kayaks, canoes, and other water vessels are a great a choice; and make sure to have your life jacket with you. One thing to remember weather can turn nasty so always be prepared.
• Line: The recommendation for the style of flats fishing we do in and around Port Austin is either Floating or Intermediate Lines if the waters are low and even high. If the waters are really high, sinking lines work great or sink tip lines.
• Leader & Tippet: A straight fluorocarbon line for a leader (for streamers), for nymphs the Borger Leader or a Six 6’s western leader (great for windy conditions) which also works good for dries if we end up dry fly fishing (very rare though), & the tippet you will want it to be strong enough to hold up with the fish & against the debris that is in the bays (0x, 1x, 3x or 8lb, 12lb, or 15lb Fluorocarbon)

Important Notes: If the water temp is 60 to 65 degrees, then spawning time is on in the shallows. But if the temp is below 60, then the males will be on the beds and the females in the deeper water (but still able to wade).

Emerald Shiners and Black Nose Dace’s are the main source of food in Lake Huron.

Fly Recommendations

For Smallmouth

• Good color choices for flies would be: Chartreuse, Olive, Brown, Yellow, Purple, Blue, or a combination of colors mentioned. (colors depend on the weather & water conditions)
• Streamers (sizes 3/0 thru 10): Minnow Patterns (various Clousers, Griz’s CT, Mickey Finn, Black Nose Dace, Emerald Shiner, Griz’s Thumper Series, Murdich Minnow or a Darter Pattern). Sculpin Flies in Olive, Brown, Black & Yellow. Leech Patternsin colors of Olive, Purple, Brown or Black. Nymphs (Sizes 12, 10, & 8): Sparrow, Prince Nymph, my Red Headed Prince Nymph, Zug Bug, Pheasant Tail, Clouser’s Swimming Nymph, Little Black Stones various Scuds; & any type of Hex
• Nymphs Attractor Patterns (sizes 8 to 3/0): Sparkle Grubs, Barr’s Meat Whistle, Mickey Finn, Foam Bomber, Griz’s Nerdy Hillbilly Streamer, Griz’s Bad Hair Day, Schultz’s Kickin’ Chicken, & Lynch’s D & D.
• Crayfish (Sizes 1/0, 2, 4, & 6): Darkes Sugar Creek Crayfish, Clouser Crayfish, Griz’s “DSP” Crayfish or if you have a favorite that will work also.

For Carp

You can use above Nymphs, (make sure they are weighted though), leeches, Clousers, or even Crayfish.