Hatch-chart pattern list
Best Flies for Boardman River (Michigan)
The Boardman River in Michigan is primarily a wade fishery. It is a freestone fishery for Brown Trout and Brook Trout, with the most reliable window in May, June, July. The patterns below are matched to the hatch chart we publish for this water. They are not a live report of what other anglers caught this week.
What's hatching now
Month, insect, size, and pattern from the Boardman River hatch chart. August is highlighted when that month exists in the chart. We do not invent a hatch that is not on the chart.
| Month | Insect | Size | Pattern |
|---|---|---|---|
| May | Hendrickson | #12-14 | Parachute Hendrickson |
| Black Caddis | #16-18 | Black Elk Hair Caddis | |
| Blue-winged Olive | #16-20 | Parachute BWO | |
| June | Sulphur | #16-18 | Parachute Sulphur |
| Brown Drake | #10-12 | Brown Drake Paradrake | |
| Isonychia | #10-12 | Slate Drake | |
| July | Hexagenia | #4-8 | Hex Paradrake |
| Grey Drake | #10-12 | Grey Drake Spinner | |
| Trico | #22-24 | Trico Spinner | |
| August | Trico | #22-24 | Trico Poly Wing Spinner |
| Terrestrials | #10-16 | Foam Ant | |
| September | Blue-winged Olive | #16-20 | Parachute BWO |
| Mahogany Dun | #14-16 | Mahogany Sparkle Dun | |
| October | Blue-winged Olive | #18-22 | Sparkle Dun BWO |
Nymphs
Subsurface patterns matched to this river's chart and catalog. Fish them at the size the chart lists, not the size that looks good in the bin.
Dries
Dries and terrestrials for the Boardman River. If the chart says a size 18 PMD, do not start with a 12.
Streamers
Streamers and wets for stained water, banks, and low light. This is not a claim that streamers are "on" today.
Setup
4X and 5X cover most nymphing. 4X on dries until the fish get picky, then 5X. A 3.0–3.8mm tungsten on the point and a lighter dropper is a default until you see the water. Tight-line the near bank and the heads of pockets. Use an indicator only when you need to search water you cannot euro.
FAQ
- What flies work on the Boardman River?
- Start with BWO Sparkle Dun and BWO Parachute, then match size to the hatch chart for the month you are standing in. The Boardman River does not need a 40-pattern box. It needs the right size on the insect that is actually in the drift.
- When is the best time to fly fish the Boardman River?
- The editorial window we list is May, June, July, September, October, November. That is a planning month range, not a guarantee. Shoulder months can fish well if flows and water temperature cooperate.
- Do I need a guide on the Boardman River?
- Michigan has walk-up wade water and, on some sections, float water. A guide is worth it for a first float or a technical tailwater. A hatch chart and a gauge are enough for a first wade if you already nymph. We list local guides and shops on this page when we have them.
- Where can I see live flow for the Boardman River?
- Open the Boardman River river page for the USGS gauge, access notes, and the same hatch chart this fly list is built from. We do not publish other people's spots or fish counts.
- Is this a report of what's working now on the Boardman River?
- No. Executive Angler does not publish other anglers' catches, GPS, or a crowdsourced hot fly. This page is hatch-chart patterns plus catalog flies. Presence on the river page is gauge and weather only.
Related
Boardman River
Access, hatch chart, USGS gauge.
Michigan
Trip planning for this region.
BWO Sparkle Dun
Dry
BWO Parachute
Dry
Elk Hair Caddis
Dry
Gates Au Sable Lodge
471 Stephan Bridge Rd, Grayling, MI 49738
Muskegon River Fly Shop
9845 Riverwood Dr, Newaygo, MI 49337
Au Sable River
Open the river guide, then its fly list.
Manistee River
Open the river guide, then its fly list.
Muskegon River
Open the river guide, then its fly list.
Pere Marquette River
Open the river guide, then its fly list.