One of the Most Beautiful Streams (8/28/10)



My daughter fishing in the State Park

While camping at Otsego State Park this past weekend with family and friends, Donny P and I decided to hit one of the most beautiful trout streams in Michigan, the Manistee River, or more specifically the Manistee River in the Deward Area. This scenic and undeveloped area in the AuSable State Forest is a 4,700 acre special management area created to protect the corridor along this top quality trout stream. Motorized vehicles are prohibited within this special area except on roads posted as “open.” Camping is restricted to areas within 50 feet of the marked open roads. Several access roads throughout the DeWard Area lead to informal parking areas. Foot trails from these parking areas provide access to the river for fishing and wildlife watching.

Upon arriving at in the Deward Area it was difficult for Donny P and I to find a section that was not already being fished. Most of the informal parking areas had a car parked in them. Finally after a couple of tries we found our spot. I must admit, that I did not have high expectations since all sections of the Manistee River in the Deward Area are easily accessible by the fishing public, not to mention it was the weekend. To say the river was busy was an understatement.

Donny P doing his thing

To my surprise, once on the river, we caught three nice brown trout in the first ten casts. Our fly of choice was a Madam X. The secret of the day was a little “twitch” when cast above the hole. This would illicit viscous explosive strikes. The fishing eventually slowed with Donny P out fishing me as usual. That’s nothing new and frankly it is expected. Such is the life of an Average Joe Fisherman.

I was extremely impressed with the efforts of Michigan DNR to protect this world class fishery. Due to their efforts the Deward Area definitely warrants more time being spent to explore this stunningly beautiful area. In the famous words of Arnold Schwarzenegger while playing the Terminator, "I'll be back!"

Shhhh... we're hunting trout!

Look at that technique! Donny P is the man!