Summertime smallmouth season on the Muskegon

Its time to bust out the smallie gear as the river heats up, so does the smallmouth fishing. Fly anglers should concentrate on streamer patterns imitating both small baitfish and crayfish patterns. Surface poppers are a blast to fish as well….typically the bass will let you know what presentation the prefer fairly quickly. if they are hot on the bite the poppers are hard to beat.

Fall salmon trips as well as steelhead trips are booking as well. Don’t wait….

Summer is here and flying by!!

The trout fishing has been consistent as of late, with the bigger fish getting a bit smarter now. Hatches include Grey Drakes, Sulphur’s, caddis (both green and cinnamon) The Pm should see Hexes this week if it stays warm. Nymph fishing has been great on the Muskegon during the day in the faster slots and pocket water in the upper river. Try small bead heads, caddis pupae, sow bugs and small grey scuds.

Smallmouth bass numbers are on the rise and should start fishing well this week if it stays warm. Try streamers and surface poppers.

May 15 and its currently snowing!!!

The steelhead are pretty much done now, and we are switching gears towards summer trout and smallmouth bass on the Muskegon as well running the big boat on Lake Michigan. Either way I am looking forward to some great weather, great people and the fantastic fishing that Michigan has to offer.

Look for the hatches on the Muskegon to get cranking later in the coming week as temperatures moderate and the bugs start popping. Gray Drakes, PMD’s and cinnamon caddis. Don’t forget the streamers rods too, as salmon and steelhead fry are easy meals for the trout to target.

Give us a call if you are interested in some hydro therapy. Both full and half day trips are available.

Time flies……

Where has the last month or so gone? Its been a while since our last report, but for good reason….we have been on the water doing what we do. The run on the Muskegon peaked about mid April, possibly a week or so earlier than we would have liked it. The last two springs we had a cold start, but not this year. March warmed up and brought a bunch of fish into the river, then winter came back in early April. This held the fish off the gravel for the most part, but when the water temps started to warm up they spawned in a hurry. But there is nothing we can do about it, the fish are not on a calendar of any kind. Water temps rule the spawn for the most part.

There are still fishable numbers in the system, most fish seem to be around or on the gravels, drop backs can be found in the faster chutes looking for an easy meal as they head to the lake. Trout are starting to key in on the egg buffet and salmon fry that are very plentiful this year.

Overall I felt we had a good to great run this season. I had some very impressive days March through mid April.

If you are looking for a great day on the water please send us an email or give us a call. The schedule is opening up here for a while, its a good time to lock in those summer charters, trout trips and fall trips as well.

Best of luck on the water.

Things are running full speed on our west Michigan rivers. The weather patterns have sent fresh fish into the rivers and things are looking to be right on schedule. We have been running our trips with float fishing gear and methods for the most part, covering water and doing well. Get out and enjoy the spring weather and great fishing that Michigan has to offer.

In like a lion…..

The fishing continues to be a bit more challenging than we would like, but that’s pretty typical for this time of year. Most of the holdover fish in the system have learned that not everything is safe to eat…The new chrome fish that are in the system are much easier to catch. We have been floatfishing for the most part, covering tons of water and grinding out a few fish every time out. Look for things to change quickly in the next week as we are heading for a warm up.

I still have some open dates if you are looking for a day on the water.

Almost March!

Things on the river remain about the same, its late winter and the fish can be moody from day to day. One day the bite seems great, the next you have to work hard and present your offerings perfectly to get bit. It has proven effective to keep changing your offering until you find what they are looking for. Both size and colors are important. I have a feeling we are going to see an early spring, I’ve seen both robins and red wing blackbirds in my yard already. A few chrome hens are also present.

Look for things to pick up in the next week or so….longer, warmer days equal more fish movement. I still have a few days available if you are looking for a spring trip.

Just time for a quick update…..

The last few trips on the rivers proved to be challenging, more like marathon fishing than a 100yard dash. We have been grinding out our hookups each day, this is the time of the year where weather fronts and water temps can play a role, as well as fishing pressure. The biggest key has been fishing near structure and changing baits until you find the color / size that catches their eye. For us its been very dull drab colored beads in various sizes. As well as very small spawn bags.

Spring is right around the corner, its time to get those spring trips locked in before the dates are filled up.

Its mid January and things on the river are just about as you would expect. The cooler temps have finally arrived and are helping keep the pressure down. The fish are just now transitioning into their cold water winter lies. The fishing has been decent still, but it can be on the verge of challenging and frustrating at the same time. We have good numbers of fish in the system, but like we usually do the fish can be a bit moody. The key as of late has been to switch colors and presentations to find what gets em going. Float fishing and covering lots of water is very important. But by days end there are always a few steelhead that have seen the inside of the boat.

Plenty of openings this time of year, please give us a call if your interested. Both full and 1/2 days are available.

Spring dates are filling up as well.

Merry Christmas!!

Id like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas, and to thank you all for the many, many great years of letting me do what I love. Without your support my business would have withered away years ago. This spring I will begin my 25th year as a river guide / captain.

Thank you,

The fishing continues to be good to great!! We have great numbers of fish in the system and the river should fish well all winter long. Now is the time to get your spring dates on the calendar as well.