Vanguard Fly Tying

Another great issue of Michigan Trout magazine has arrived in the mail, and it's packed with conservation news and fishing tips. But you don't need to be one of our state's more than 7,000 Trout Unlimited members to read the Spring 2026 issue. It's available for free online using the link below and at your local Michigan fly shop. Thanks again to all our contributing writers. We couldn't do it without you!

Michigan Trout Spring 2026 - web.pdf | Powered by Box

It must be spring! The Midwest Fly Fishing Expo starts tomorrow (Friday and Saturday) in Waterford, Michigan, and as I have for the last 30+ years, I'll be sharing a booth with the Vanguard Chapter of Trout Unlimited. I'll be selling my trout flies, framed salmon and steelhead flies, my three books, and more. There will be a Vanguard Chapter raffle to raise funds, and we will sing the virtues of our conservation work on Michigan rivers. I hope you can join us!--Joe Barker

It's here! The fall/winter edition of Michigan Trout Magazine. Thank you to our contributors for some great articles on reconnecting the headwaters of the Au Sable River, promoting resiliency in Michigan rivers, an update on the Consumers Energy hydro sale, and much more. Check it out with the link below.
Michigan Trout Fall 2025 final.pdf | Powered by Box
michigantu.app.box.com

I've added more videos to YouTube based on my recent Alaska trip. The best way to access them is to go directly to my channel on YouTube by searching for "Vanguard Fly Tying" and selecting a video of interest. If you subscribe to my channel (it's free!), you'll be automatically notified of future videos I produce.

Watch my latest videos on Fly Fishing with bears in Katmai National Park near King Salmon, Alaska, on the Brooks and Margot Rivers, and taking a float plane to the Kulik River to fish for rainbows from a rubber raft.

Fly Fishing alongside Bears in Katmai National Park Fly fishing on the Brooks and Margot Rivers near King Salmon, Alaska, with lots of bears nearby.

Read all about it! The summer issue has hit the newsstands and the internet. Conservation news from the Michigan Trout Unlimited and its affiliated chapters, fly fishing tips, fishing stories, and much more. Thanks to all our contributors who make this and every issue possible. Another great read!

https://michigantu.app.box.com/s/5bqvues7qsmq318yks86f7wv7fiqtei9

New married-wing classic salmon flies added to my Vanguard Fly Tying website.

The Hexes were in full force on the Holy Water of the Au Sable this week, although so was the heat. The water was 75 degrees on Monday before cooling to 69 after a shower on Tuesday allowing for fishing. Consequently, Monday night was spent on the Manistee River where the water was 65 although no Hexes. That didn’t seem to matter with 6 browns and brookies between 8”-10” caught before dark in a matter of an half hour with my Little Fat Bastard pattern and an aerobatic 22” brown just after dark on my Madam Hex despite no bugs in the air. Tuesday was spent in my float tube on Wakeley Lake just outside Grayling catching 2 dozen nice largemouths, the biggest 3 measuring between 18” and 19”, on my Wakeley Lake Special dragonfly nymph imitation. Tuesday’s reward during the prolific Hex hatch and spinner fall on the Au Sable resulted in a nice 21” brown proceded by a beautiful 16”rainbow on the same LFB before nightfall.

Spring is official! The spring issue of Michigan Trout magazine is now available online. Thanks, everyone, for making this another great issue.

Michigan Trout Spring 2025-web.pdf | Powered by Box

It's almost here! This weekend is the 2025 Midwest Fly Fishing Expo at Macomb Community College in Warren, Michigan, a sure sign of spring. I'll again have a booth, along with the Vanguard Chapter of Trout Unlimited, selling my trout flies, shadow boxes, and more. This is the 30+th year that I've been doing the Expo. It is always exciting, even if sales aren't the best because it's an opportunity to socialize with TU members, customers, and other fly-fishing enthusiasts. Come check it out.

Fishing Exhibition in Warren, MI | Midwest Fly Fishing Expo Discover fun and informative fishing demonstrations and seminars at the Midwest Fly Fishing Expo in Warren, MI.