Hoping for warmer weather to get the west Michigan smallmouth action going ! Smallies are a great target species for kids! They are aggressive and fairly easy to catch “most” days. Flies, stick baits or soft plastics!
Trout fishing is still going strong…plenty of options.
Go fishing!!!

Trout time!

The trout fishing is kicking into full gear. The higher amounts of rain as of late have offered us the chances to throw streamers as well as dry fly fish in the evenings. Don’t be afraid to throw bigger streamers…big fly equals big trout most of the time.  Look for the warmer evenings to produce the best dry fly fishing. Grey drakes,sulphur’s and caddis rule the Muskegon right now. Nymphing has been good around the gravel bars and faster runs. Fishing pressure has been low.

Bittersweet end…..

Its been a long running season for us on the river starting wayyyyy back on October 4 2014. Long but great season with tons of steelhead and some awesome brown trout thru the colder months. The fishing this spring was good to awesome. Some very memorable days for sure.

I would like to thank once again all of my awesome clients that continue to support me and my business. Many of you have been with me for close to 20 years or longer…great times are always had. Without your support I’m sure I would be doing something much less fun. Thank you !!!!!

Its May now and time to think about those summer trips for trout and smallmounth on the river. Looking for a big water experience? We do that too….join us in Ludington aboard the “Hattrick” a fully furnished 31′ Tiara.

Best of luck on the water

Holy cow!!!

Time has been flying by. I apologize for the time between reports, but things have been very busy on the river the last few weeks. The fishing has been good to awesome for us the last several weeks. For the most part we have been float fishing, running either spawn or beads. Bead colors and rigging can be very important. So if your not getting bit….change things up till you find the magical colors. Natural colors are best most days. I think we are past peak, but the fishing should remain solid for a couple more weeks.

Check out raventackle.com for your steelhead gear.

Full Steam ahead !!!

Spring fishing has arrived. Water levels are on the rise as well as temps. Hopefully this year we dodge the floods and see a nice gradual melt and run of fish. We are catching a mix of late winter holdovers and spring run fish. Look for the fishing to really kick into high gear in the coming weeks. Still a few days open in March and April for those wishing to soak in some fresh spring air and catch some great fish.

The fishing is not red hot but if you work at it you will get your shots! Sunny days have been the toughest by far. Look for fish in all types of water. Float fishing has been the best for us….covering water is the key.

Finally…..with the tiny crack in old man winters armor, we were able to hit the rivers for a few days earlier this week. Although the fishing wasn’t stellar…we did work hard and found a few fish willing to play each trip. There defiantly seems to be a “bite” period each day that has the fish turned on…the fishing can go from hot…to not…or vice versa very quickly. Low water and even lower water temps have the fish a bit moody. Presentation seems to be a huge part of the key, lighter leaders, very controlled floats and covering water will get bites. I also noticed that in some spots you had to pound the run in order to get bit….not many first drift bites the last few trips.

Best set ups have been float fishing with beads, spawn and small nymphs….hopefully this weeks coming thaw will get the water levels and temp back to normal. Until then be ready to work hard for your shot at Michigan’s steelhead.

Still some days left open, call soon before its too late.

Old man winter has a firm grip on west Michigan rivers and streams. The weather pattern we have been in has not been very conducive for steelhead fishing most days. Forcing me to catch up on other projects on the home front. (which its good to get caught up on the to do list) Especially because the weather is causing me to move trips into March and April.

I still have some days open in the coming months, if you are looking into some spring fishing, don’t wait too long as the opening I do have left are going fast.

Look for a few warmer days to thaw the rivers and open up the boat ramps.

Winter tightens its grip……

The fishing the last week or so has gotten slightly tougher. The fish seem to be very moody. One day it fishes well, just as you would expect with un pressured winter fish, then….bam the next trip they seem to have lock jaw!

Some days finding the right offering has been the challenge, don’t be afraid to try different offerings and colors and sizes as the fish in the river this time of year are pretty smart. Lighter lines have helped most days. Some days it seems you have to pound them out of the pools, others the first few casts prove to be the fish catchers.

Spring will be here before you know it as will the crowds…avoid the rush and get a day or two on the river now. February, March and April dates still available.

$200 half day trips thru Feb.

Welcome to the new site!!!

I hope you enjoy the new look and features of the new site. I decide to combine the web sites for both of my businesses. Many of you already know that I offer fishing trips on both the river and the lake in the summer. I’m hoping to expose more people to the different types of fishing that I offer.

The fishing is in true winter mode. This is just about my favorite times of the year to fish. There is very little pressure on the rivers and the fishing can be very good. We are getting into good numbers of steelhead as well as some awesome brown trout this winter. I cant remember seeing this many big browns as this year. We have been float fishing mostly and fishing both beads as well as spawn, with a few flies from time to time.

Look for the biters to come quickly in the pools, it pays to be ready on the first cast into new waters. If you miss the strike….chances are that fish is not coming back.

The days are flying by and it will be spring before you know it, its a great time to check the calendar and get those spring dates locked in.

Winter 1/2 day trips are still only $200