Michigan Flies

Flies / Streamer

St. Marys Smelt Streamer

A

Atlantic salmon arrive in the St. Marys tailrace in late June eating smelt and juvenile salmonids, and 'stripping large baitfish imitation patterns on sink tips can provide for some exciting strikes' until the Hex hatch in mid July switches them to insects. A three to five inch white and silver baitfish also takes lower Au Sable Atlantics below Foote Dam on streamers through the winter.

#1–4White/silverPearl with olive backGray/white
What the pattern looks like
Reference photos of the St. Marys Smelt Streamer tied by others, shared by their photographers. Not our flies; our own product photos replace these as they are shot.

Photo © Quinn for Fly Deal Flies, used with permission · Magog Smelt

Season
Months this pattern is in play across Michigan, derived from what it imitates.
  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec
Imitates

Forage

  • Rainbow smelt
  • Coho smolt
  • Juvenile trout and salmon parr
  • Alewife
Fish it for
Atlantic salmonSteelheadBrown trout

Setups

  • Streamers
  • Swinging flies (spey / switch)

Sources