UPPER MICHIGAN — When writing about the abundance of fishing opportunities in the western Upper Peninsula, one immediately thinks of looking for trophy lakers on the open waters of Lake Superior or perhaps thoughts turn to walleye and pike on the Keweenaw waterway, burbot on Keweenaw Bay or pan fish on the inland lakes.

Conversely, when one thinks of fly fishing it may invoke images of Brad Pitt on a Montana stream. While these two accounts are indeed accurate, they are not mutually exclusive. Fly fishing in the U.P. is serious business. Although the late Marquette County Judge John Voelker, writing under the pen name Robert Traver, is perhaps most famous for “Anatomy of a Murder,” fly fishermen are just as familiar with his “Trout Madness,” “Trout Magic” and “Anatomy of a Fisherman.”

Not only is UP fly fishing serious business, it is big business, with several professional guide services and outfitters in the peninsula. While Lower Michigan waters such as the Pere Marquette and Au Sable rivers attract large crowds each season, their UP counterparts such as the Fox, Manistique and Voelker’s beloved Escanaba, can certainly rival any stream beneath the bridge for variety, quality and quantity of trout and other species. Fly fishing in Michigan’s U.P. has a strong heritage-with thousands of miles of Blue Ribbon Trout streams. Indeed, the UP is a fly fisherman’s paradise

Whether you’re a beginner looking for an initial foray into what Voelker called the “incurable disease,” or a seasoned addict, taking advantage of one of the Upper Peninsula’s professional fly fishing guide services is recommended to enhance the UP fly fishing experience.

While there are several to choose from, Rivers North, based in Marquette County, but serving the entire Upper Peninsula takes great pride in being the UP’s first full-time fly-fishing guide service.

Rivers North owner, Captain Brad Petzke, says fly-fishing in the UP presents anglers a unique experience. “The upper Peninsula offers essentially the United States most diverse fly fishing opportunities available,” Petzke said. “The amount of different species present as well as varying types of water, makes the upper peninsula a unique destination for Anglers.”

Petzke said whether you’re looking for trophies or tonight’s supper, you can get it fly fishing in the UP. “Our diversity of species ranges from cold water species, such as the unique Atlantic Salmon to the warm water species, such as the elusive musky. These unique species coupled with our remote location offers Anglers the most secluded fishing potential in the lower 48.”

While anyone who owns a pole and a fly can go fly fishing, Petzke says guides can provide the expertise to enhance the experience and increase your odds of landing a prize. “Hiring a fishing guide is recommended when visiting a new area for several different reasons. Obviously you’re fishing with someone who spends nearly every day of their fishing season on the water and thus can create a positive learning environment while maximizing your time on the water. You will learn new techniques as well as useful information about the fish and area you are visiting.”

Marshall Kemppainen of Chassell is one of Petzke’s guides working primarily in streams. Kemppainen says he enjoys taking folks out on their first fly fishing experience.”I enjoy sharing the outdoor experience with the people I come across,” Kemppainen said. “I get especially fulfilled when parents bring their kids and they get to learn a new skill. Parents love seeing their kids have fun too so everyone has a good time … that’s super rewarding.”

Like Petzke, Kemppainen says fishing can be about more than catching fish. “If we can pass on some outdoor conservation attitudes and catch some fish as well, that’s a bonus.”

You can learn more about Petzke, Kemppainen and Rivers North at riversnorth.net