Trophy brown trout caught on a Hex imitation in northern Michigan.
If you love things that go bump in the night, then join us for dry fly and mousing trips for big brown trout. In June, July, and August we do nighttime trips, starting with the famous nighttime drake and hex hatches in June and continuing into August with mousing. This is a great chance to experience the river and tune your senses in the still of night--until one of those bruisers hits your fly and shatters the tranquility.
DRAKES AND HEXES: Have you tried the hex hatch by yourself? If so, you know how challenging it can be. Fish is rising. Is it big or small? Where is it rising? The drake and hex hatches are the best time of the year to hire a guide. We know what it takes to catch these big fish on massive mayfly imitations.
We chasing Hex Hatch on multiple rivers till mid July. Then its all mousing!
Using a boat we can focus on areas of the river away from other anglers and have the peaceful night all to ourselves. That is, right up until the bugs start popping and the fish start gulping them down. We have several tried and true patterns originated right here in northern Michigan for the drakes and hexes. Whether its the duns or spinners, we know how to target the biggest fish.
MOUSING: Cast as far as you can into the darkness.
Big Brown that ate glow purple mouse pattern
Strip. Strip. Strip. Strip. WHAM!The fight is on. It's pulling harder than any trout you've ever fought. Close to the net. Light comes on. It makes another powerful run. Back to the net. Again it runs from the light. Getting tired (your arm, not the fish). Finally it comes to the net and you're staring at something too big to be a trout.
A 30.5" nighttime brown trout from Northern Michigan caught in late July mousing.
Another Michigan brown from night on the Au Sable.
That's kinda how the story goes when you catch the trout of a lifetime at night.
Late night float - August mousing!
Big browns do most of their feeding during low-light periods and at night. When the water is low, sometimes the best streamer fishing is at night. Year-round, mousing at night can be a really productive way to drum up huge fish. The thrill of hearing a monster brown blow up your mouse in the darkness is an unforgettable experience.
If the Au Sable browns aren't big enough, join us for a trip down to Arkansas' White River for a summer adventure.
In addition to Michigan drake, hex, and mousing trips, we're offering a mid summer jaunt down to Arkansas to pursue these brutes in the warmth of summer. Call to inquire about those trips.
