I fished a lot as a kid growing up across the street from Lake St. Clair. my friends and I would take our worms and go fish from shore for perch crappie and bass. Also the Ice fishing was great. After finding a wife and career I moved to an area with a lot of small lakes and bought a fly rod. I fished for bluegills and bass then started going up to northern Mi. to fish for trout. I have done this mostly by myself. I have no friends that fly fish. I have 3 kids that keep me and my wife very busy and it is very hard to make much time for fishing. I usably steal away when ever I can for a quick trip to the lake or stream which explains the predicament I am in now. I do like to fish with other people but I have no friends who fly fish.There is fly fishing clubs and other places to meet other fly fishers but I don’t have time to participate so getting to know others has been tough. I would like to plan a trip to north of Soo St. Marie brook trout fishing a lake that I fished a 10 years ago and I don?t have anyone to do it with. My kids are either to young or uninterested ( depending which one). So is anyone out there from Michigan who would like to go away for a long weekend to some of the most beautiful country in this part of North America to fish for native brook trout?
BD,
Plan on making the Michigan Fish-In in August! You’ll meet lots of FF people! And probably even catch a few fish!
Betty
Trouts don’t live in ugly places
I know where you are coming from! I work full time, go to school half time at night and have a four year old. I dont care if I catch fish I am just happy when I get to go. Good luck I hope you find sombody to go on your trip with.
Born to fish forced to work.
Alan
One way to meet fly fishermen in your area is to become a member of trout unlimited. They have local chapters in most major metropolitan areas. Another way is to take fly tying lessons if they are offered from your local fly shop or look for a fly tying club in your next of the woods. You will meet other fly fishermen and probably will find some fishing buddies that way.
We have a great club that meets right by work and I even joined for the second half of the year a couple of years back. The problem was that I couldn’t make time to go on any of their outings. The problem is not the opportunities but being able to take advantage of them. That?s what?s great about the Michigan fish-in. It would be easy to find other fisherman but nobody wants a fishing partner that can never go fishing.
Jeff
Jeff,
I too joined a local club but seldom make the outings. On thing I did find, by joining the club, I met local people that liked to fish. Now I just call them directly when I can go and see if we can work something out.
Brian
With a wife and 4 kids of my own - I hear you loud and clear.
If there is a local(ish) fly fishing discussion board for your neck of the woods - get in there. Many people came from the same boat - and understand where you’re at. So swap fish tales, tricks, fly recipees, etc… Once in a while you’ll meet up with one or 2 of them - maybe not.
I rarely plan a fishing trip (actually, once a year - and that’s a fund raiser while ice fishing). Other than that - hit and run, cast it when I can.
Thing is … in a number of years we’ll likely have ample fishing opportunities, and time to meet up with someone.
(and I’ll likely be too set in my ways fishing alone …)
darrell,
I fish alone…or sometimes not.
When our oldest was a year old, we lived in Alaska. DH and I would take turns with the baby so the other could fish. Few years later, our kids had their first spin reels and would want to go fishing. Generally DH would be downstream or upstream, kids would get their hooks snagged, I’d put down my rod to help them. Now they’re old enough to deal with it on their own. And my youngest is wanting to learn to fly fish for the first time this Spring. <G> Sometimes the kids are busy, I or DH can sneak off to fish.
Some of the greatest memories when I was growing up was fishing and camping with my dad. Decades later, they’re still good memories.
Birddog, give your kids a few years or do it now. Sometimes fishing isn’t about getting a fish. It’s about time spent. Maybe the oldest isn’t interested in fishing, but sometimes just fishing and talking can create good memories. Younger ones like time with dad, too. Before long, they’re not going to be interested in parent time of any form. 
Thanks for the replies. I know it will be quicker than I want till the time when I will have nothing better to do than go fishing. My kids go fishing with me around the house but I would like to get away and fish a little bit more seriously sometimes. That is what is great about FOAL, I don’t have to commit any more than I want and it is always there when I have time.
-Jeff
Hey birddog,
I live in SW MI and fish frequently. I have a place on the Ausable and get to the UP as well. Email me and we can try to get together.
I fish alone with my old buddies Jack Danniels, Johnny Walker, Jose Quervo and my Old Grand Dad. I’m usually the designated fishermen though.