Spring Water: Small mouth and Rock bass on the Cass

Small mouth and Rock bass on the Cass:

The several inches of rain we received over Memorial Weekend really bumped up the water levels on the river making fishing tough as the water resembles chocolate milk.

Hands down the top producer on this river is the Murdich Minnow! I actually just ordered another dozen from Great Lakes Fly in several different color variations.

Though we have caught fish on Zuddlers and Great Lake Deceivers, the Murdich Minnow is a Cass River killer! We've been fishing 6wt and 7wt 9 foot rods with Rio 250 grain 24 foot sink tips and it seems to be the perfect set up producing plenty of fish. Primarily small mouth and rock bass with the occasional northern pike.

The river runs 61.5 miles from Cass City to it's discharge point at the Saginaw River. It meanders through the Shiawassee Wildlife Refuge as well as several Cities. The wildlife is abundant along the river and is very common to see depending which stretch of the river you are on. As we were on the water one day several weeks ago we noticed some different may flies and caddis. I did some research and found the river actually has quite the prolific hatches, very similar to the Au Sable (minus the trout).

HATCH CHART:

The results show the insects that will be hatching on or around the Cass River. Hatch times fluctuate based on water temps.
Insect Size Date Range:
Blue Winged Olive 18: April 15 to April 30
Little Black Caddis 16,18: April 15 to April 30
Hendrickson 12,14: April 15 to May 15
Mahogany Dun 16: April 15 to May 15
Tiny Blue Winged Olive 22: August 1 to September ...15
Blue Winged Olive: 16 July 1 to July 30
Trico 22,24,26: July 15 to August 31
White Mayfly 12,14,16: July 15 to September 15
Hexagenia 4,6: June 1 to June 15
Light Cahill 14: June 15 to June 30
Gray Drake 12,14: May 1 to May 30
Sulfur 16,18: May 1 to May 30
Terrestrials 6,8,10,12,14,16,18: May 1 to September 15
Caddis 16: May 15 to August 15
Brown Drake 10: May 15 to May 30

Though due to recent water levels there hasn't been much surface activity besides some of the bass grabbing bugs while hiding near shore, before the rain the river received over Memorial Weekend, while streamer fishing every now and then we would see large bass exploding the surface while grabbing caddis and cahills. Keep in mind due to the mild winter and warmer than usual temperatures the may fly hatches on most Michigan river systems are several weeks head this year.

PICTURES OF A FEW STREAMER CAUGHT FISH THIS WEEK:

MURDICH MINNOWS FROM GREAT LAKES FLY!!!

Order some flies!

greatlakesfly.com

WOOF!!!

Redington CPX 9' 7wt fly rod, 3.5 Lamson Konic large arbor reel loaded with Rio 24' DC sink tip with a Murdich Minnow streamer fly.

These fish are a ton of fun to catch and fight like champs! All caught and released and waiting to be caught again! The rivers gradient does change drastically from the head waters to the tail with the changes of it's path through farm country, cities and towns, wildlife refuges, etc. The agricultural fields bordering the river which are tiled do drain quite a bit of water into the river (see USGS chart above for accurate statistics).

Some incredibly beautiful drake mallards along the river right now as the hens are all still tending to this springs brood.

If you plan on attending Frankenmuth's Bavarian Festival this weekend, stop down to the river and wet a line! Be aware M-83 will be closed during the parade over the weekend. It looks like residence of the Saginaw Valley region are in for some hot weather this weekend with temperatures reaching 90 degrees! Get out and enjoy some outdoor activities, but don't forget the sun screen and bug dope! Also, if you have a pet be courteous to their needs regarding insect repellent and sun block. Bay Valley Animal Hospital sells a combination of the two in a gel form which repels mosquito's, flies, etc. Another fact to be aware of is due to the significantly mild winter, it is tick season and there are plenty of them. B.V.A.H. also sells a monthly treatment for protection for your pet. My chocolate labrador "Belle" the television sensation on NBC's morning show gets this simple to apply treatment along with Heart Guard monthly.