Fly Fishing For Blue Ribbon Bronze

Explore Lake Erie's Forgotten Gem

The Huron River, Lake Erie's westernmost tributary, flows from Michigan's Oakland County and empties into Lake Erie. A river that's often overlooked for its spectacular fishery and scenery, it's one of the few remaining "Blue Ribbon" urban fisheries in the Midwest.

The Huron's nothing short of an outstanding smallmouth bass stream, where numerous public-access points are easily found along prime fly-fishing stretches and within parks, so everyone can enjoy this designated Wild and Scenic River.

The Huron fishes well from the last Saturday in April (season opener) through late-October. Baitfish-imitating streamers take the majority of fish each year.

Other fly-fishing techniques have their time and place on the Huron. Tactics such as nymphing, and the use of large, gaudy topwater flies and dry flies to imitate large mayflies, caddis and terrestrials are all used to entice both lake-run and resident smallmouth bass that inhabit the river.

The river offers its smallmouth deep pools, riffles, runs and tons of underwater woody debris and structure – All vital elements needed to make the river great and sustain a healthy fishery.

Even though the river's gained popularity over the last decade, you can and will find solitude between its banks. There are areas on the Huron where you'd swear you were in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, but you're just minutes from a metropolitan nightlife.

Mike Schultz is the owner of Schultz Outfitters Fly Shop, located on the banks of the Huron River in Ypsilanti, Michigan. And he says it best: "Save gas and fish for bass."

The shop caters to the needs of traveling and local fly anglers coming into Southeastern Michigan. If you plan to travel this year and you're looking for exceptional fly fishing off the beaten path, give the Huron River a cast.

For more information on fly-fishing opportunities for the Huron River, please visit SchultzOutfitters.com or contact the fly shop at (734) 544-1761.