Our Famous Waters

Some very well known people have fly fished in our waters. It must have made quite an impression on them, because they had to write about it.

Two-Hearted River
While Nick walked through the little stretch of meadow alongside the stream, trout had jumped high out of water. Now as he looked down the river, the insects must be settling on the surface, for the trout were feeding steadily all down the stream. As far down the long stretch as he could see, the trout were rising, making circles all down the surface of the water, as though it were starting to rain."
- Big Two-Hearted River by Ernest Hemingway.

Newberry, Mi. Brook Trout, Rainbow Trout, The Two-Hearted River and its four branches run west to east across northern Luce County for over 100 miles. The system made famous by the Ernest Hemingway "Nick Adams Stories" bears the same name and drains a watershed of over 180 square miles of mostly remote lowland forests, marsh and bog. The high quality of the tea-colored water reflects relatively undisturbed natural conditions. The Two-hearted is the only Michigan stream to be designated a wilderness river under the states Natural Rivers program. Most of it can be fly-fished and fishing pressure on the upper reaches is low to moderate. It is canoeable from the High Bridge on County Road 407 to the mouth. At the mouth is the Rainbow Lodge. Motel, Store,and Canoe Rentals. (906-658-3357) Motels and Resorts around Newberry. Guides- Uncle Ducky Outfitters (906-228-5447)

Fox River
Seney, MI. Brook Trout. The Fox River rises from a semi-open marsh draining the Deadman Lake in eastern Alger County about 10 miles southwest of Grand Maris. It flows in a southeasterly direction for 35 miles mostly in Schoolcraft County until it empties into the Manistique River near the village of Germfask. The Fox River Basin is about 10 miles wide and 26 miles long. An excellent brook Trout Stream it is widely accepted that this is the river Ernest Hemingway fished when he wrote the Nick Adams stories and not the Big Two-Hearted. No one knows for sure but they are both excellent Brook Trout streams. The Fox and its east Branch have been included in Michigan's Natural Rivers Program. In addition, 18 miles of the Main Stream above Seney and 15 miles of the East Branch from M-77 to the Luce County line have beeen designated Michigan Blue Ribbon Trout streams. It is still possible to catch the 2 or 3 pound Brookie here although most are in the 10-11 inch range. It ! is a beautiful pristene trout stream largely unchanged since the days of Hemingway's visit. It is not an easy stream to flyfish or canoe. But, those with some skills at both pursuits will be amply rewarded. Lodging. Seney, Mi. Motels. Guides- Uncle Ducky Outfitters (906-228-5447)

Little Garlic River
(One of the many home waters in our area fished by Robert Traver aka John Voelker who wrote Trout Magic, Trout Madness, Anatomy of a Fisherman)

Marquette, Mi. Steelhead. Brook Trout. Located about 10 miles north of Marquette on county road 550 the Little Garlic is a notable Steelhead River especially during the early part of the season with the spring run-off. Filled with large granite rocks and boulders the river is fishable either at the rivermouth or upstream from the DNR parking lot just west of County road 550. You can trek upstream about 3 miles to the Falls. Just below the falls there are many small pools that hold many spawing Steelies. I've spent hours at the base of the falls just watching the fish trying to make the upbound leap. Spawn works best for the Spin casters and muddlers and streamers for the Flyfisherman. Lodging; Nordic Bay Lodge(800-892-9376) Guides Uncle Ducky Outfitters (906-228-5447) Fly/Bait/Tackle Gander Mountain (906-226-8300

Carp River
(One of the many home waters in our area fished by Robert Traver aka John Voelker who wrote Trout Magic, Trout Madness, Anatomy of a Fisherman)

Marquette, Mi. Steelhead, King Salmon, Coho Salmon, Brown Trout, Brook Trout. Falling over 15 miles down a very steep gradient of nearly 600 feet the Carp is one of the best kept secrets of the UP. Clear cold waters rampaging over granite rock and boulders with a gravel bottom offer the angler a varity of fish all the way up to the Carp River Falls about 5 miles upstream. From the rivermouth in the Marquette Lower Harbor local anglers give moderate pressure to this river but nothing like a downstate quality stream. Fly fishing and/or spin cast generally with spawn is the ticket here. Easy parking and lodging almost next door make the Carp an excellent destination river. Lodging: Nordic Bay Lodge( 800-892-9376) Guides Uncle Ducky Outfitters (906-228-5447) Fly/Bait/ Tackle Gander Mountain (906-226-8300)