Fly Fishing Outing with SWMTU: White River
October 18 @ 10:30 am – 5:30 pm
Join SWMTU for some fun on the river!
White River Chinook Salmon Flyfishing Outing
Sunday, October 18, 2026
– Locations: Walk-in access on White River below the town of Hesperia, MI.
– Fish species: Chinook Salmon, aka King Salmon!
– Meeting Place: Hesperia Sport Shop parking lot at 10:30 a.m.
– Fishing Locations: Walk-in access on White River below the town of Hesperia, MI from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
– After-Fishing Gathering: High Tower Bar and Grill at 6 p.m.
How to Participate
If interested, please contact Dane Ward at [email protected] so he has an idea of how many people are showing up.
Recommendations:
– Fishing license required
– Clothing: Polarized sunglasses, hat, waders, and fall-season weather conditions.
– Wading: A good pair of wading boots are recommended for wading. You will encounter rocks of various sizes and a strong current. If you feel you will need more stability when walking around rocks and in the current, a good wading staff is a good investment.
– Gear: Minimum of 7 or 8 weight rods. Kings are tough on gear; the average weight of a king is about 25 pounds. Weight-forward flyline or/and intermediate sinking fly line for streamers with a typical drop rate of 1 to 2 inches per second (ips). A fishing net is a good investment to have in your fly fishing gear.
– Leaders: 8’ 30# tapered leader and 12# tippets.
– Flies: Weight forward-Small 1” minnow patterns and a variety of egg patterns.
– Flies: Streamers–2” to 3” articulated double-hook streamers.
Fishing Locations
Washed out bridge at 198th Ave
Area Description: The river is wide and has a good elevation drop (6ft/mile), with a rocky bottom composed of a wide variety of boulder, rock, and gravel sizes. It can be tricky wading; a wading staff is a good investment. Salmon are not shy this time of year, and you will see them. It’s recommend to fish below spawning fish. This is the best area to find a biter.
River fishing borders both private and public. These accesses are mostly private, and anglers have to stay in the river to fish; however, there are established grandfathered trails to walk along the river.
State Boat Launch, aka Access above Taylor Bridge
Area Description: The river narrows and has several deep holes with a wide variety of boulders, rocks, and gravel sizes. It can be tricky wading; a wading staff is a good investment. Salmon are not a shy fish this time of year and you will see them. I recommend fishing below spawning fish. This is the best area to find a biter.
DNR maintains an access parking lot and boat launch. Well-worn, clearly visible walk-in trails lead to the river. At this access, the river borders both private and public land. Stay on the well-established trails to walk along the river.
Zoo Hole access and Fishermen’s Trail access
River Description: River narrows and has deep holes at every big bend with a wide variety of boulders, rocks and gravel sizes. It can be tricky wading, a wading staff is a good investment. Salmon are not a shy fish this time of year and you will see them. I recommend fishing below spawning fish. This is the best area to find a biter.
DNR maintains an access parking lot. Miles of walk-in trails lead to the river and are well worn and clearly visible. More areas are public than private. At this access, the river borders both private and public land. At this access, there are mostly public but there is private too. Stay on the well-established trails to walk along the river.