New year already??

Seems like its been forever since my last post, well it kinda has. I had no idea its been over a month since my last update. Guess I lost track of the time while chasing steelhead on the rivers. The fishing on the Muskegon has been fair most days, getting into some fish every trip….big numbers??? No, not most days, but we have had some pretty respectable days….its just the tough ones that are thrown into the mix than keep you scratching your head. Floatfishing with beads has been the go to method, but there have been days where spawn bags and even jigs and wax worms have produced some nice fish. Covering water seems to be the key as it normally is this time of the year. Just because you got them in a pool one day means nothing right now.. Bead color and size can make a big difference as well right now.

Its still worth going, fresh air and hydro therapy do the body good, as well as a few grip and grin photos to share with friends and family. Get out and enjoy the river before the crowds of spring arrive.

More ups and downs than a rollercoaster…..

What a ride its been! This month has been  wild ride, at times its been pretty normal, others its been extremely hard putting fish in the net. Some days the bites come easy…then others the river seems totally void of fish. Truth be told its been a much slower season as far as fish numbers go, but still worth spending time on the water for sure. There have been some very nice fish caught this year, heard of a couple that pushed the 20 lb mark. Water temps are falling and the fish should move into their winter pools in the coming weeks. Hopefully this will concentrate them and the cold weather will take some of the pressure of the river and give the fish a little break. This will also help the bite. Floatfishing with beads and spawn are getting us action, small flies should get noticed as well. Stealth will likely be the name of the game as the water continues to drop and clear.

******Due to fish numbers I am not allowing any fish to be kept this winter on all guided trips, never have been a guide that was after dead fish numbers anyway, never saw the benefit’s of killing the resource that fuels my business, hard to complain about the fishing after you’ve killed piles of fish.******

Fall chrome numbers still on the rise….

Well, were about a month into the fall steelhead run and its been a wild ride. Fish numbers early seemed pretty average, water levels were good…water temps were good….the fishing was average at best. Hoping that every day we got closer to November would increase our fish count. Well…fast forward to now and what we are seeing is tougher fishing that we are used to. The fishing has been spotty…most are working hard for a few fish and others find small pods of hungry aggressive fish. Fishing hard and making good drifts has paid the dues, putting fish in the net daily. Float fishing with beads and small spawn bags have been the best. Recent rains and cooler temps should kick the run up a notch or two…

I recently had Saturday November 10th open up, please let me know if you are interested.

Silver lining….

As we move out of the fall salmon run, we move into my most favorite season, fall steelhead !! These fish are insane and very addicting. Just like the fall run Salmon, this run of fall steelhead will be large as well….as for numbers, there are a few in most west Michigan rivers right now, with more on the way with the precipitation and cooler temps.

Float fishing with beads, egg patterns and spawn will be our preferred method, however flyfishing and back dropping plugs can also be productive.

We do have some open dates and would like to get you into some great fall fish.

River time….

After the rains, slow fishing and high waters forced me to reschedule some trips the first week of September, we are back on the water. Running trips on the PM for King salmon. The numbers in the upper river are decent, but I think a big part of the run has already pushed above M-37 for the season. The lower river is giving up a few fish, but be prepared to work hard for the biters. Crankbaits in the early hours, switching to floats and skein in the late morning seem to be the key.

We still have a openings if you are looking to get after some fish!!

Fall steelhead dates are filling up as well….call soon to get in on this years run, I think they are going to be big again this fall!!

Late summer update

The smallmouth bass fishing is still going strong on the Muskegon….The popper bite has turned on as well as the crankbait action. Try smaller natural patterns for the most action. Poppers seem to get the bigger fish. Crayfish baits are a good choice as well, soft plastics have only been so-so on my boat. Local rivers should start seeing Kings now as the lake has flipped and the adult kings should be moving up the river, we still have some days open for river trips for both smallmouth on the Muskegon and Salmon on the PM. Steelhead trips will begin the first week of October on the Muskegon as well.

The rain dances worked….finally!

Smalllmouth fishing is going full bore, its been a mix of sizes from 8-18 inchers. The best baits for me have been smallish minnow type crankbaits and size 2 or 3 inline spinners. Both top water and soft plastics have had their moments as well. On top of smallmouth we are seeing a few walleyes, pike and rock bass. River traffic is low and action is high.

Getting closer to the fall runs of both Kings and Steelhead, make sure you get your dates locked in for the fall run.

Summer drought??

Maybe you’ve noticed….but its been hot around here for some time now. The Muskegon is at historically low water levels and the water is warm…Its pretty much a drift boat only river at the moment…and will be until we get some much needed rains….like inches of rain…a passing shower wont change much, the soil is so dry it will soak up the majority of what rain does fall.

The smallmouth fishing is still good to great, with both spin gear as well as flies. Concentrate your efforts on the deeper channels and near structure and bigger rocks. Crayfish patterns as well as minnow baits are the ticket. Leave the jet sleds at home and bring the driftboats.

Both full and half day trips are available.

Although its only July now is the time to start thinking about fall King Salmon as well as fall Steelhead…..dates are booking up and now is the time to get on the books for this fall.

Hot start to July, this means that its time to hit the river to chase Muskegon river smallies. July and august are the prime months to get after some river smallmouth bass here in west Michigan. We offer both fly-fishing and light spin tackle trips for these hard fighting fish. If you hit the river make sure you have lures that resemble crayfish, smallies love crayfish and well as medium sized minnow baits that imitate the many types of forage in the Muskegon river. We offer both full and half day trips for smallies.

Now is the time to get your fall river salmon trips booked as well….Prime salmon dates as well as steelhead dates are booking up. This years Salmon run should be a fun one, judging from the size of the fish we are catching on the big lake this summer.

Full on summer mode!!

The fishing is now transitioning into summer mode, both trout and smallmouth are available for anglers on the Muskegon river, the PM is in hatch mode, where the fish are keying in on specific hatches offering anglers chances at large weary brown trout. These fish key in on specific bugs and their feeding times correspond with the bug activity. Local hatches consist of tan caddis, grey drakes, sulphur’s and the sucker spawn that is currently taking place on the Muskegon river.

Give us a call to get in on the summer action, guided fishing trips make great fathers day gifts!