The Northern Angler Fly Shop

The Northern Angler fishes the Boardman, which rises east of Traverse City toward Kalkaska and runs out through downtown into Lake Michigan, its North and South Branches joining to form the mainstream. The shop is honest that this is often a challenging river: its speed and depth can make wading a serious business, and the trout are wild, unstocked since 1972. Taking out the Brown Bridge, Boardman and Sabin dams has kept it running cold. Brook and brown trout are spread through the system, with salmon and steelhead closer to town in the spring and fall. Guided days are three to four hours for a half day at 425 dollars, or six to eight hours for a full day at 550, with boats taking two anglers and a guide.