Brown Trout, winter and Noodle Rods

If the ice is not moving down river from the lake, your will find a hardy group of souls gathered behind the Sewage Treatment Plant just north of the Black River in Port Huron Michigan. This dedicated group sets up shop at the south end of the boardwalk, they use “noodle rods”, so named because of their length and flexibility, to catch the winter Browns that seem to like the confluence of the clear river water and the muddy flow from the Black River.

They rig these lengthy poles with a long leader, and a tiny hook, with a live minnow for bait, they cast into the backwater, and wait for the elusive Brown Trout to take their offering! The wind often blows directly down river off Lake Huron, and it chills to the bone. This hearty group doesn’t mind, especially if they can point to some fresh caught Brown Trout, laying in the snowbanks behind them.

I enjoy fishing, but when I winter fish, I am in a shanty with a Colman Heater! I often stop by through the winter to follow the group and check on their catch. When I see the fresh fish in the snowbanks, my mind fast forwards with thoughts of spring weather, when I too will join this hardy group on the wall. Brown Trout are caught year round in the Blue Water Area, and Michigan Department of Natural Resources maintains a stocking program to make sure they are plentiful for local fishermen to enjoy year round.

If you are in Port Huron during the next few months, drive down by the river, park in the south end lot of the sewage treatment plant, and you just might be able to catch a glimpse of these hearty souls enjoying the outdoors. If for some reason they are not fishing, you will still get a beautiful view of the river, the ice flows, winter waterfowl, and the occasional freighter that might still be running!