Transitioning to Fall

Garden River Salmon

If it’s salmon you are looking for the Garden River in Sault St Marie, Canada, is a special place. This is private water owned by the Garden River First Nation. I’m there usually there from around September 10th to the end of
the month. The earlier dates are perfect for children and beginners as most of the fish will be pink salmon. There will 100’s of them and they are fun to catch. We offer a two-day special, one adult and one child for $1000. The later dates are when in addition to kings, we start to hunt cohos and steelhead. These trips are three days and run $995

Muskie Fishing

If muskie fishing intrigues you Jon Ray and Ed McCoy have a September venue that they fish every year. The area is in Michigan but shall remain unnamed unless you have a serious interest in capturing one of these elusive, apex predators! Contact us about open dates and more information.

Manistee River Fall Steelhead

Finally, a quick reminder, fall steelhead is the highest demand time of year at Hawkins Outfitters. Jon, Ed, Jeff and I might have a few days available, but not many. Our newest team members, Steve and Tim have days available. If interested give us a call to check availability and then get some days in the calendar.

Years ago, Kirk Deeter stated in Field and Stream Magazine that Michigan is the best state in the union to fly fish mainly due to the great fly fishing for a huge diversity of species. The transition to fall fishing is the epitome of that. Trout, smallmouth, muskie, salmon, and steelhead. So many fish, so little time!

Give Cherie a call to book any of this at 231-228-7135

Tight lines,

Capt. Chuck

Chris Butz

Chris Butz

Manistee River Steelhead Fishing Report – April 11, 2026

After the extremely high water earlier in the week, the Manistee is back down at a fishable level with a heavy stain. Steelhead fishing has been great the past couple...

Manistee River Steelhead Fishing Report – March 31, 2026

The Manistee River below Tippy Dam is in great shape for spring. Now that the snow from the last apocalypse has almost left, we are still running a bit high...

Manistee River Steelhead Fishing Report – March 23, 2026

The Manistee below Tippy Dam is in great shape for spring. We are running a bit high at around 3100 and the river has a really nice stain to it....

Manistee River Steelhead Fishing Report – March 7, 2026

After a long, cold winter we are finally starting to see some signs of spring. Rain and snowmelt earlier in the week have bumped up the flows on the Manistee...