1	Local Fishing Opportunities Vanguard Chapter Trout Unlimited Dec 2007
2	Session 1 (Tonight) Belle River North Branch of Clinton River Shiawassee River Paint Creek
3	Session 2 (Later meeting) Huron River Clinton River (Mainstream) Raisin River Grand River
4	Belle River (per Dan Kot) Target Species = Smallmouth Bass Some Steelhead both Fall and Spring Steelhead declining. Also many Rock Bass and some nice pike.
5	Belle River Flows from Lapeer County near Imlay City southeast through St Clair County to St Clair River near Marine City Next major watershed east of the Clinton River
6	Belle River
7	Sections of Interest Gratiot to Gratiot (1/2 Day+) Gratiot to Big Hand (One Day) Big Hand to RR Bridge (2-3 Hours) Big Hand to Kronner (All day) Weber to Memphis (Full Day+)
8
9
10	General Description Easy wading Average depth 2 to 4 ft with holes to 6 ft Bottom mostly sand and gravel + farm silt Some log jams & lots of overhanging brush Below Gratiot is more silty and is not good wading. Fly or Spin Fish
11	Fishing Suggestions Crayfish, Leach or Minnow patterns all work well. Suggested colors Bright and flashy when cold Dull brown or black when warm Fish upstream Walk back via stream or adjacent roads
12	Comments or Questions
13	North Branch of Clinton (Per Dan Kot) Target Species #1= Smallmouth Bass #2= Northern Pike Also many Rock Bass and some Steelhead and Rainbows.
14	North Branch of Clinton Starts in northwest corner of Macomb Co Flows through Almont (Lapeer Co) Turns southeast through Macomb Co Flows into Clinton near Mt. Clemens
15
16	Sections of Interest 27 Mile to old 28 Mile Bridge (All Day) 28 Mile to 29 Mile Bridge (Most of Day) 29 Mile to Wolcott Rd Bridge (1/2 Day) Wolcott Mill Park to 30 Mile Bridge (1/2 Day) Old 30 Mile Bridge to 31 Mile Rd (All Day) Note: Virtually all Metropark land!
17
18	General Description Easy Wading w 1-3 ft Depth Holes to 5 ft Bottom is rocks, sand, and silt Some weedy areas Long stretches of shallow riffles Note: This is a nice summer fish!
19	Fishing Suggestions Fly or spin fish Summer flies – Hoppers, Ants, Beetles Early or late - use streamers Spinners Silver early in season & dull brass in summer Note: Lots of bugs – use repellent or suffer!
20	Comments or Questions
21	Shiawassee River (per John Sabina) Target Fish = Smallmouth Bass Some Rock Bass Very rural setting for quiet fishing even on Holiday weekends
22	Shiawassee River Source is in Shiawassee Co Flows north through Shiawassee and Saginaw Counties Joins Tittabawassee & Cass Rivers to become the Saginaw River near Saginaw
23
24	Section of Interest North of Owosso to Saginaw County Line River is in valley with very limited access.
25	Getting There Exit I-75 North at Mount Morris Road 1^st exit above I-475 north of Flint Head west on Mount Morris Rd Left on M13 followed by quick right on Easton Rd Left on State Road for 1 ½ mi (app18 mi from I-75 ) Right on Six Mile Creek Rd Bridge is closed at Shiawassee River Park on Seymour Rd on the right. (2 mi)
26
27	General Description River is 75-100 ft wide, and only 1-2 ft deep Pockets of deeper water hold fish Bottom is mostly rocks w some silt Lots of weeds Weeds hold fish but are very difficult to fish Long sections are very shallow during summer
28	Fishing Suggestions Head downstream and then walk back Fish are in deeper, open pockets Look for large rocks in open water Fish streamers w sinking or sink tip line Yellow or green recommended Cast across and strip in as it swings Fly or Spin Fish
29	Comments or Questions
30	Paint Creek (per John Sabina) Targeted Species = Brown Trout Some rainbows (actually steelhead smolts) MDNR designated trout stream From Lake Orion to Clinton River (Rochester) Very good access but not easy fishing!
31	Map of Paint Creek Hard to find good map Online maps do not show Paint Creek Trail Paint Creek Trail provides most access Use CRCCP Map Clearly shows parking and access. Or see www.paintcreektrail.org
32	Sections of Interest Silver Bell Road to Dutton Road Silver Bell to first downstream trail bridge First to Second Downstream trail bridges Dinosaur Hill Preserve South of Tienken and above Rochester Park Kern Road upstream to trail bridge
33
34	General Description: Small stream - only 10 to 30 ft wide Normally very clear water Definite siltation problem after hard rains Bottom is gravel, sand, and silt Easy wading but with 5 ft holes Avoid high flow times Much overhanging brush and trees
35	Fishing Suggestions Fly fishing requires long casts Hard to find casting room (use shorter rod) Playing line downstream can work Fish alone and wade very slowly. Dry flies, nymphs and streamers will work More caddis than mayflies Early season fishing better than mid-summer
36	Fishing Suggestions (cont’d) Easy to spook fish Plan your approach carefully If not active feeding, concentrate on logs Brown trout hide under them Probably easier to spin fish I have no experience with spinners
37	Comments or Questions