Mild winter or will we pay in March for such mild weather…

This winter has been a pleasure on the river most days, although that will change later this week as I can see a few morning lows in the single digits. But then a quick rebound into the 30’s for another handful of days. We have been busy picking on the winter holdovers and even a few fresher fish here and there. Water levels continue to run above average, water temps are running in the low 30’s.

For the most part we are float fishing with spawn and various beads of different sizes or colors. The fish can be very moody this time of year with changing weather patterns and water levels. It seems like the slightest change in water levels can either turn them on or off….This time of year its a numbers game….cover a ton of water and you will find a few by days end. Bead sizes have ranged from 6mm up to 12mm depending on the clarity and the day. As for colors…dull drab colors seem to be best.

Dates are filling up for the spring run, if you are interested in getting on the water before the crowds now is the time to fish. Give us a call to lock in your dates.

Well its a new year, so I guess I should make a resolution….

I’m going to try to update the reports page more often, try as I may…we will see if I can keep my resolution.

As for the fishing, we are fully into winter mode on the rivers. The fish are settled in to their winter spots and the fishing can be lights out one day…and tough the next. Winter steelhead can be a moody creature. All in though we usually figure them out as the day goes on. This is likely why winter fishing is my absolute favorite time of year. The fishing and the tranquility cant be beat. The crowds of the fall are long gone and the fish are more relaxed. If you have not fished with us in the winter, I highly recommend that you give us a call.

For the most part we have been float fishing with beads, small spawn bags and jigs and wax worms. As well as experimenting with a few other top secret baits. We do offer centrepin gear if you would like to try this newer trend in steelhead fishing.

Both full and half days are available, please let us know if you have any questions.

$200 half days 1-2 anglers 4-5 hours

Wow….so sorry for the lapse in reports.

Its been a very busy fall for us, both the fishing and a few things going on with family life. I apologize for the lapse.

So far I’d say this fall has been better than last fall for most west Michigan rivers. The fishing has been very inconsistent most days however. Also the amount of water we have had this fall has the rivers high and there are so many places for the fish to hide. I’m hoping once winter sets in and the rivers finally drop that the fishing heats up and becomes more consistent.

Our best method lately has been float fishing with beads and small spawn bags, water temps are still near 40 degrees and the fish are still spread through out  many types of holding waters….look for them to filter into slower pools in the next couple weeks. As for bead colors, that’s been changing daily, as has the size of the beads…8mm-12mm they can all work.

If your looking to get out get with us, things are opening up on our calendar and we would like to get you on the water.

We also have gift certificates available for that special gift.

This years salmon run has been an interesting one for sure, the fish are either big or huge….still waiting for a 30 pound river king, the closest we have come is 29 pounds. The crankbait bite has been good most days, then switching over to the bobber and skein program. It sure is fun pulling on these brutes with heavy gear and big hooks. Still have a day or two available for anyone looking to hit the river this fall for salmon. Steelhead dates are filling in…..do not wait…book now, before my open dates are all filled in.

Summers almost over….

Time to lock in those King salmon trips as well as fall steelhead dates. The books are filling up for fall river trips on both the Pere Marquette river and the Muskegon river. The kings are running very large this year and this fall will offer the chance for anglers to land a 30 plus pound fish. Might need to upsize the line and leaders this year, change out the hooks on crankbaits for sure.

Although I’ve not been on the Muskegon river much this year, the times I have been out were very fun trips, lots of fish..mostly smallmouth bass and trout as of late. Ultra light rods and reel with small crankbaits and poppers will get plenty of action. Small inline spinners fished in the faster water will work for trout as well.

I will be winding down my charter season in a couple weeks and switching gears towards the rivers for the fall run fish…give us a call to get in on the action and your shot at a 30 pound king this year….I’m betting the steelhead will be huge this year as well.

Summer fishing = Smallmouth bass….

If your looking to hit the Muskegon river now is the time to target Smallmouth Bass…Water temps are up and the trout fishing has slowed down. But fear not…the smallmouth fishing is on fire!!

Small crankbaits, poppers,soft plastics and inline spinners will keep you busy..mid day fishing is typically the best. Although getting an early start will help is missing out on some of the tubers and kayakers.

We are also filling in our fall schedule, if you looking at something a little bigger to pull on your line, king salmon and steelhead will be here before you know it.

Please let us know if you have and questions or would like to check on availability.

Summer is here and there are many options…

We offer both flyfishing and spin fishing trips for everyone, current summer options are trout fishing and small mouth bass on the Muskegon river as well as trout on the PM river. Start times vary and can be adjusted to meet your needs, both full and half days available.

Best bets for trout…match the hatch if the bugs are around, if not simple attractor flies….adams, caddis, smaller rubber leg patterns and my favorite…small ants fished in tandem with a larger dry fly. Rainy darker days will produce on streamers, as well as early and late. Smaller crankbaits,inline spinners are producing on the spin gear….also small plastic swimbaits, jigged on the bottom are good bets as well.

Smallies are big fun in the summer, as for flies…surface poppers, as well as streamers that imitate crayfish and small baitfish. Spinning gear guys…toss smaller minnow baits,poppers and even small inline spinners…mid day is usually best on the rivers for the most action.

Yes..I know its been awhile since our last update.

Spring 2019 has been an interesting one for sure. Early March saw normal conditions and slightly below normal catches, but still the fishing was decent you just had to work a bit harder than normal. By the middle of March things were very different. We saw a pretty good run off and rain event that brought the river way up, and brought in very few fish. On top of that it seemed that the majority of our fall/winter fish were gone…..did they spawn in the high flows and 35 degree water??? some did for sure….but who knows how many. The fishing in late March wasn’t the best by a long shot…work hard for 4-6 hookups was the norm. Here comes April….things are going to get better…right?? the big push has to show up….well water temps were low and levels were high…the fish came in on a trickle…and that is still how it is now…Water temps are finally in the mid 40’s and the majority of the fish are spawning, some fresh fish are still in the pools and the dropbacks seem to be leaving quickly. We have been floatfishing for the most part running beads in various sizes and colors…covering the right types of water and at the right time of day will bring the most action. Look for the run to last another week or two, but if temps climb fast and we don’t see many fresh fish in the system by May it may be even harder than it is now.

Almost March….

Turning the page to a new month in just a few days…hopefully mother nature will turn up the heat a few degrees. Recent ups and downs in the weather patterns have the fishing up and down as well…water levels are playing a big role, stale winter fish can be hard to fool in low clear water…..throw in a sunny day and that is a recipe for tough fishing. Hopefully we see a slow melt and steady water levels for the next couple months and get a good run of spring fish. Beads still remain the best bet most days….though small and really small spawn bags have also had their moments. Float fishing and covering water is key at this time of year.

Deep freeze is over !!

Looks like the coming weeks will be more like a Michigan winter. The 2 week arctic freeze is just what the fish needed, giving them a break from fishermen and the bump in water has shuffled the deck. Saw a couple brighter fish this week as well as some old winter holdovers. The fishing was decent and it sure felt good to get out of the house. If you are looking to shake the cabin fever, please give us a call we can help. Both full and half day trips are available.

Spring dates are filling up, if you are in need of a day or two, please contact us soon.