Getting closer….

Spent my last day off getting my drift boat and river salmon gear ready, fresh reels spooled with new line, hooks and split rings changed on some lures and I have been busy curing eggs for the upcoming river season. The fish numbers seem to be up this year, as well as the size. Kings pushing over 30lbs are being caught about daily in west Michigan. There was even a 41 lb monster boated last week in Muskegon.

Look for the next strong wind event from the north or north east, combined with some measurable rains to get the river kicked off with numbers of fish.

Its going to be a ton of fun on the rivers this fall, so give us a call to hook up with your own master angler King salmon.

Almost time to switch gears….

This summer is flying by!! August already and in about a month I will be switching gears from the big lake to the smaller waters of the PM. For those looking for the early run Kings, there have been a few fish trickling into the rivers the last week or so, watch the weather and concentrate your efforts in the lower sections after the lake flips from a hard north blow. The pier heads in Ludington are giving up a few fish each morning for those casting and bait fishing.

Please give us a call if you are interested in a day or two on the river chasing some kings, I expect the fish to be very large this season and we should see a pretty good run based on the numbers of fish we are seeing on the lake.

Summers flying by!!!

Although its only late July, its time to get those fall Salmon and Steelhead trips on the books. We are seeing some very large kings in Ludington right now, with fish 24-26lbs coming into the docks daily. Even a few larger. The river fishing for salmon this year will likely be a memorable one. On top of the big Kings, we are seeing some very healthy Steelhead around as well.

Remember we offer guided float fishing trips for Kings, learn how to catch these huge river fish with us….Catching them on hardware is also a great option. These fish are true river monsters and will test your angling skills and gear to the limits.

Fall steelhead….well those are another story…super hot, aggressive fish that want nothing to do with your hook in their mouth…fast, strong and very powerful, truly the sports cars of our great lakes.

Looking for something a bit more low key…..Smallmouth bassing on the Muskegon is very relaxing, enjoy a day on the river catching these fun fighters on both fly gear as well a light spinning rods. We offer these trips through mid-September.

Summer transition-

Its mid June and the rivers are into their summer transition, The Muskegon warmed up considerably this week due to the “August” like weather, making the trout bite a bit slower for sure, but on the other side the “warm water” species that are available on the Muskegon river seem to be pretty happy. Its been  mix of fish this week for sure, smallmouth bass, rock bass, trout and the occasional pike are keeping anglers busy. Our best baits were crawfish colored hot n tots and natural colored small stickbaits that match the salmon fry and river shiners. As for bug activity, still a few gray drakes above the fast riffles, caddis in several sizes and a few Iso’s. Look for trout in the fast water, especially near feeder creeks and streams, until it cools of a bit more.

The PM is entering its summer transition as well, look for the famous hex hatch in the lower sections, daytime attractor flies are starting to produce better, swinging wet flies and bead heads in the riffles and pocket water will also produce a few fish.

Now is a great time to get your fall salmon trips booked, once again we will be offering float/ skein trips mixed in with tossing crankbaits for fall run King salmon on both the PM and Muskegon rivers. Give us a call to get your days locked in.

Trout time!

The recent cooler temps and higher water levels have been perfect for chasing some great trout on both the Pm and the Muskegon rivers. Both rivers are experiencing great evening dry fly fishing during the grey drake spinner falls, cooler evenings are bringing the bugs out a little early, which is nice. There are also Caddis, and Sulphur’s available on both rivers. Streamer fishing on grey or rainy days has also been productive.

Keep in mind that we offer both flyfishing trips as well as light spinning gear trips.

Steelhead season wrap up….

First off I would like to thank all of my clients for booking with me and spending the day with me on the river this past steelhead season, without your continued support I would not be able to do what I love. Thank You !

I finished up my season the last weekend of April and have been busy switching focus to getting my Tiara ready for its summer on the big waters of Lake Michigan, and pulled my driftboat back home from its storage location. We are fully ready to move into our spring trout fishing trips, summer smallmouth trips on the rivers as well as spring and summer charters on lake Michigan. There has been tons of press and media coverage about the future of our great lakes fishery’s, the truth is that for now the lake Michigan is fishing very well for Salmon, browns and lake trout. If you are looking to get some fishing in give us a call, we have openings for both river and lake Michigan out of the port of Ludington.

Full swing steelhead season……the fishing has been decent most days, some days you have to hunt them up a bit more, others you may find  pods here and there. Everyone seems to be having a great time enjoying this spring season. Get out there and fish!

Almost spring??

Well….it looked and felt like spring for a few days there, now winter has its grip once again. The winter like temp and conditions were great the last few days as far as crowd control goes. As a guide my days are always easier when I’m competing against less guys chasing after the same fish we are. The fishing has been pretty good most days, the fish seem to be moving around a lot and it is very important to cover water. A hot hole one day might be ice cold the next. Water temps and levels are still playing a big role in fish location.

Floatfishing with beads and spawn has been our go to method.

I still have a few openings for anyone looking to get on the water this spring.

Winter returns….thankfully!

Although the recent above average…warm weather sure was nice, in the long run it wouldn’t be good if it continued. Many things in nature need winter to be winter. The warming temps have brought in some fresh chrome to many of the river, however most of the fish we are seeing on the Muskegon are winter holdovers. The fishing has been pretty good most days, and spring fishing is right around the corner. Float fishing with beads, spawn and the occasional small nymph will see some action.

I still have some open dates in march and April if you are interested please call, email or text soon.

Check out www.raventackle.com for all of your steelhead fishing needs.

Groundhog may be wrong??

Not so sure the groundhog made the right call this time…recent weather and upcoming weather looks more like early to mid march for sure. Water levels are still up keeping the fish pretty happy for the most part, with many days fishing very well. Water temps are struggling to move much, but a degree or so change can really change the fishing some days…the tough days have been after a couple of cold days, steady average temps have provided the most consistent fishing. Float fishing with beads and spawn for the most part have been the go to methods…..the trick is figuring out the size and color of the day. This has proven to make a huge difference this winter. Seems like if you can find the exact thing they want its game on in a big way.

Spring weather is in the forecast….might want to take advantage of this early warm up and book a trip sooner than later. March and April dates are going fast….call, text or email us to lock in a trip or two.