I'm dreaming of a fishy Christmas - 12/27/11

Hudson w/ a hefty dusk steelhead

scud eating brownie

Noah w/ a fine fat rainbow

late season rainbows never get old!

surprise eagle lake rainbow holdover!  

Amidst all of the Christmas festivities I did manage to get out for a couple of fishing spurts around the holiday.  Hudson, Noah, and I got out for a couple hours one day and while the fishing was mediocre we did manage some nice trout.  The weather was nice and it was a great time in the boat with my boys.  Water levels are starting to hit some form of regularity and the water is in great shape!  Hope all had a reflective Christmas and look forward to a fishy New Year!

Muskegon River - 12/18/11

Gavin w/ a nice bow

Released to fight again

He didn't quit smiling like this the rest of the day

Hello lady!

Muskegon River Trout - 12/14/11

This buck ate a small copper bugger

Fished late this afternoon for a quick fish planning on only fishing for trout.  Water levels were at about 2,200 cfs when we got on the water and then dropped to about 1,700 cfs late in the afternoon.  Water temps were still just below 40 deg/f.  Didn't take any samples but did see a smattering of midge on the waters surface.  Trout fishing was a bit slower but still not bad considering the water movement.  Fished a couple runs for steelhead after fishing for trout and caught the fish pictured above on a small copper bugger(body and tail 1.5 inches altogether).  Took us around the bend; not giving up easily.  Scuds and various other nymphs drumming up the trout.  Still hoping for the midge to kick it up a notch and get some sippers on top!  

Muskegon River Trout - 12/11/11

Let the games begin; winter trout fishing getting good

Hit the river this afternoon for a slow-paced, down right relaxing fish.  Water was in great shape having dropped significantly in the past few days.  Water level was at 1,440 cfs and water temp was about 39 deg/f.  When water temps start to get in the 30's excellent winter trout fishing on the Mo is around the corner.  Seine samples revealed massive quantities of scud and good numbers of caddis larvae.  Fish hit a variety of patterns including: #16 AB gammarus scud, #18 caddis larvae, midge larvae.  This was the first day that I've seen good numbers of trout near or in wintering holes/runs.  Didn't catch any monsters but numbers were good and fish average size(length and girth) is up and looking good!  I have a few days of solid tying but will be back on the water shortly after; hopefully with  more good news.

Recent Steelhead Feats

John w/ a plump egg eater

This buck took us way down

Steve w/ his first Fall Steelhead; Nice!

Chad and a Happy Birthday wish come true(assist by Kurt)

early morining fish

Josh w/ one for the road!

Hit the water at daybreak this morning w/ good friend Josh.  As always, wish we had had more time.  Purple and black leeches/streamers and still a few fish on eggs.

This buck hammered a purple and black streamer

guide trip and fishing w/ friend

Jim w/ first landed steelhead; nice work!

Joe and Jim during a streamside business meeting; hold all calls

Josh's first Steelhead expressed his emotions as it jumped numerous times

11/2 and 11/3 pics

Ron with a spunky, bright, fish

good friends Ron and Chuck enjoying the afternoon together

we quit counting the leaps on this one

family fun

Yes, 10yr olds can catch fall steelhead!

Craaaaaazy! - Fishing pics from the past few days

Andy w/ a hefty brownie

Steve with cold forged steel!

sometimes I have to wet a line

There is a story to this steel horse

good friend thoroughly enjoying the day

10/19/11 - Muskegon River Steelhead

"This was supposed to be a salmon trip, oh well"

If the fishing today mirrored the weather conditions, things would have been much different.  But alas, as lungs expelled thick clouds of smoke and icy water fell from the sky, Brian found his happy place.  Clouds rolled back, blue skies rolled in, and a smile was found gracing his visage more than should be expected on this dreary day.  I kept trying to locate a fish that would bring him back to the realm of mortals but to no avail,  he was undaunted.  Brian went 100% for fall steelhead(not on just a couple), something I may not see again for a while.  Hail to the victors!

Brian with another cartwheeling acrobat 

10/8/2011 - Muskegon River Salmon

Logan w/ a nice buck

Katie with a well fought fish

Spent a great day on the river with Logan and Katie who had never caught a King Salmon before.  They did a fine job fighting and landing some real nice fish.  The weather for the day was near perfect which helped sooth sore and tired forearms.   The Muskegon is just breathtaking this time of year, throw in some big fish on the fly and it's hard to beat.

10/1/2011 - Muskegon River Trout

John doing it right

Mike w/ a buttery brown

After a few grueling days on I-80 I find myself back floating to the cadence of the Muskegon.  It has only been a few weeks but some notable changes have been made to the salmonid community since my previous trips.  The "brutes" have ascended the river and are starting to make a few remodeling changes.  But much to my surprise/pleasure today was one last trout trip before salmon fishing really gets underway.  And catch trout is what John and Mike did!  Starting off the day with a 22" rainbow(possibly a steelie but pretty colored up) on a caddis larvae.  Weather was excellent and the fishing was steady all day with many nice fish caught and as many more eluding the net.  Water levels were up a bit so fish have moved around but were still feeding well.  Caddis activity was decent at times but when they were most active the wind was up so we decided not to fish dries.  The salmon are about to take the show here on the Muskegon but for hard core trout fisherman there are still many opportunities.

Muskegon River trout - Sept. 13,14

Mel w/ the reward of a nice drift

After guiding out in Jackson Hole for a few weeks one might ask, "How can it get better than this?".  A valid question, true, but ohhhhh Michigan and the Mighty MO.  Playing hard to win first chair, second fiddle, not an option. The past few days would make anybody but a dry-fly prude blush, and maybe even them.  After a nice temperature downswing fish are back at it and getting sassy-fat.  While there are a couple areas that have good fish rising to caddis, pseudo's, and winged ants we have been focusing on the excellent nymph fishing.  Fish counts have been high and many holdover fish are being hooked/landed.  Mel and Joe  put the screws to em' and dialed in with the precision of an atomic clock.  The result was a crescendo fortissimo resulting in an epic battle waged to the tune of "The Last of the Mohicans" and a magnificent steelhead!  Michigan and the Mighty Mo...We hear your melody.

Joe worked hard for this one; 9' 5wt/5x/#18 ab hare's ear 

9/6/11 - Snake River, Fish Creek, and Buffalo Fork

Dan with a Monster 21" cutthroat

Gorgeous Snake River Fine-spot Cutt

Beauty w/ a beast!

The fishing the past week or so has consistently gotten better.  The water in the Jackson Hole area is clearing by the day and water levels are dropping to ideal fishing levels.  Hatches have also increased with heavy emergences of PMD's, caddis, and BWO's starting up.  Rowing the Snake has kept me on my toes because as the water levels drop some channels are becoming hard to float down.  Fishing all around has been great and many fish in the 20"(measured) category have been brought to net.  There is nothing like stalking a actively feeding monster cuttie in less than a foot of water!  And we have had quite a few opportunities to do so lately.  This is the kind of fishing that really puts your presentation skills to the test.  This coming week I will be back in Michigan for a week of trips but then back to Wyoming for another couple before Salmon and Fall Steelhead kicks in back in Michigan.  Too many fish too little time.

Will with a hard earned selective sipper

Skip made it look easy 100 yards after push off

Greg w/ a nice one on a father/son float

Back in the shadow of the Tetons - 8/20/2011

Wow,  after a few years away I find myself back in Jackson Hole guiding for trout sounded by the amazing Tetons.  A couple of weeks ago I made a call to a couple outfitters in JH that I used to work with.  Found out one of them(Rhett w/ Real Deal Anglers) was very busy and could use the help.  After a few days of praying and figuring my family and I packed up the truck and towed my good friend Greg's  drift boat out to start guiding for several weeks.  This is not a permanent move, just a chance to guide in a place I love and spend a bit of time with my family enjoying the end of summer.  I will be back in MI in time for the fall  action!  I left in the slow time for trout in MI and ended up here in just the beginning of the trout season here in JH.  With such a massive snowfall here last winter rivers are just now clearing and starting to fish!  Hard to believe.  Nonetheless, fishing is heating up and the Snake is looking great.  PMD's are starting to bring up fish and big attractors are turning up a few monsters.  It is great to be back, even if it is for a short period of time.