Chris Izworski, reporting from Michigan on the current state of the Pine River, finds himself looking at a stream running lean this Sunday in late September. The USGS gauge is showing 58 cubic feet per second, which puts us at 58 percent of the historical median for this date. That’s low water. The gauge height sits at 0.91 feet, and the forecast shows no rain for the next three days, so don’t expect the creek to gain volume anytime soon.
The Pine is a freestone stream in Chippewa County south of Sault Ste. Marie, and it holds both brook and brown trout. The upper sections run cold enough to hold brookies reliably. Access comes through the Rudyard area via county road crossings. It’s the kind of river that doesn’t make headlines, which is partly why it remains worth fishing when conditions cooperate.
Low Water Means Selective Fishing
Today’s rating is Fair, which translates to fishable if you pick your spots. Low water always concentrates fish into deeper pools and runs where current still moves decent volume. The margins of this creek become more critical now. Trout don’t want to burn energy in shallow flats, so focus on the structure: inside bends, drop-offs where the streambed steps down, and anywhere the bottom offers depth without demanding a long cast.
At 58 cfs, the Pine is running at less than half its normal volume for late September. This isn’t a blowout, but it’s not a luxury either. The fish will be spookier. Your approach matters more than your fly selection. Wade quietly and keep your shadow off the water. Fish that would rise eagerly in normal flows might not eat in shallow, clear conditions.
Autumn Patterns in Warm Afternoon Light
September is the season when serious anglers should be on the water more, not less. The crowds thin out, water cools, and brown trout start thinking about spawn. Today’s forecast high is 76 degrees with patchy fog burning off into sun, and wind is minimal at 0 to 5 mph. That’s pleasant fishing weather, even if the flow is depressed.
Blue-Winged Olives are hatching now on cooler streams. Expect midday emergers on overcast moments, though today’s sunny forecast will suppress activity until the light softens. Carry Parachute BWO in size 16, Sparkle Dun 16, and RS2 18s on 5X or 6X tippet. Fish emergers just subsurface if you see rises during any cloud cover.
Terrestrials fish well this time of year. Foam Beetles in 12 and Chernobyl Ants in 10 will work along grassy banks and undercut sections. Drop close to shore and let the fly sit, or give it a subtle twitch. These patterns don’t require perfect conditions and they reward precise presentation.
The golden hour window tonight runs from 5:58 PM to 7:28 PM as the sun sets. Dry fly fishing can come alive then. Fall Caddis patterns, particularly Orange Elk Hair Caddis in 14, will draw strikes in the afternoon runs and riffles if any insects emerge. Skating the caddis can provoke aggressive takes from browns moving toward spawning season.
The Week Ahead: Watch Wednesday
Today and tomorrow hold steady: 73 degrees Monday with no rain, 74 degrees Tuesday with no rain. The Pine will stay low and stable through Tuesday. Wednesday brings a 45 percent chance of rain and temperatures at 71 degrees. That rain could bump flows enough to refresh the stream without blowing it out entirely. If you’re considering a drive to Rudyard and conditions today feel marginal, Wednesday morning might be worth waiting for.
The early evening bite tonight will be your best window if you’re here today. Fish the dry fly window from just before 6 PM until dark. The water temperature is unknown, but the air will cool from 76 down to the low 40s tonight, which should settle trout into feeding mode as the light fades.
Low water requires patience and precision, but the Pine is fishable today for an angler willing to work for it. The autumn patterns will take fish in the deeper runs. If you wait until Wednesday, conditions may well improve.
For live gauge data and updated flow information, check https://michigantroutreport.com.