Born and raised in northern Michigan, Ethan has been fishing the area as long as he can remember. After earning a college degree and then attending Sweetwater Guide School, Ethan cut his teeth guiding in Bristol Bay, Alaska. However, his love for northern Michigan and its intimate fisheries brought him back to Boyne Country. As the Director of Operations for Boyne Outfitters, Ethan is able to introduce people to the cherished waters and fishing he has enjoyed for much of his life. Travel remains a large part of Ethan’s life and career, and fly fishing satisfies the wanderlust as he has traveled to the Bahamas, Belize, Florida Keys, Smoky Mountains, British Columbia, and continues an annual pilgrimage to the Rocky Mountain west.
- Northern Michigan’s ‘Tip of the Mitt’ Region – The amount of diversity – in terms of an angling experience – in northern Michigan is unmatched nearly anywhere in the world. Backcountry fishing intimate spring creeks for native trout, phenomenal hatch match dry fly fishing and streamer fishing the mid-sized rivers for colored-up browns, steelhead on the swing, throwing poppers for bluegills, and world-record class atlantic salmon and smallmouth bass fisheries. It’s hard to find the time to dedicate to all of them… a lifetime of fishing the region has definitely helped.
- Amplitude Infinity & Amplitude Smooth Trout
- These are a toss-up, as these are my go-to trout lines depending on the weight. The Amplitude Smooth Trout covers most of my small trout needs (the Creek Trout is a nice addition for the really small stuff), whereas the Amplitude Infinity covers a full-range of diverse fishing conditions with the mid-weight rods.
- Sonar Sink 25 Cold
- This is an easy choice for the small-to-medium sized rivers we have in northern Michigan. The length is perfect for smaller pocket water and runs and allows for both jigged and swim fly presentations. The 250gr is a cult-classic in northern Michigan, and the 300/350gr weights cover the heavy-flows. The sleeper, though, is the 150gr for the summer bugger fishing.
- Sonar Titan Full Intermediate
- This line has quickly become one of my favorite lines for warmwater & stillwater fishing. The heavy-weight forward taper allows turnover for all sizes of flies and presentation at distance, but also for fast turnover for the quick shots of the fish that shows up out of nowhere and cruises past within 40 feet. The fly stays high in the water column for good visibility, but stays low enough to help kill the spook factor of the most finicky fish. The intermediate running line keeps the fly in the zone compared to the jig action of a floating runner.
- My current dream trip(s) are:
- Tsimane Lodges in the remote jungle region of Bolivia for Golden Dorado
- Thorofare area of Bridger-Teton National Forest for Yellowstone Cutthroat.
- Bob Marshall Wilderness for Westslope Cutthroat and Bull Trout
I’ve caught both Yellowstone cutts & Westslopes in their native drainages, but I love remote adventures in search of native species in their historic ranges.
- Two truths and a lie. – I’ve received commendations from the US Coast Guard and a Lifesaving Award for a small boat rescue of 6 people. My second-day-ever guiding was a solo fly out in Bristol Bay, Alaska. I’ve caught every permit I’ve ever cast to.
