Hayward showing off a big smile and a big hen!! Nice job!
the rain droplets on the lens speak volumes…Jim pushed through and was well rewarded
Kenny getting the edge off…I never doubted you man
“it’s no walleye, but it will have to do”…Randy finds out what steelhead are all about
Ken takes one for the team!
It doesn’t always work out the way you want, but today was a Godsend…John had set up a fishing date for his b-day and invited his good friend Chad to join him. Needless to say things lined up and it was a day of many opportunities. Some made good and others leaving us speechless. Good company, fishing, and food. A b-day wish come true!
Jay Allen, Riverquest guide
nicely colored buck for the b-day boy
the browns can’t leave John alone!
Chad got on the stick and landed this nice hen
John’s retort!
oh happy day…..
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It didn’t take too long for holden to get back into the groove
One of the “warmer” steelhead caught
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8:30 am, 2 deg/f , and we are cruising up the MO. Steam is rolling off of the 33 deg/f water telling of arctic like conditions. Stopping periodically to remove slush that is clogging the jet intake. Man card in tow. A story that could have been told many times this winter but not by many. We love it! Mink on the banks, eagles study us from the timber, turkey forage and then nervously fly across the river…they are on to us. Steelhead emerge form the icy depths…
Jay Allen, Riverquest guide
worth cold hands!
Drew making neoprenes look functional and stylish!
Lake Michigan Gem
like downtown
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There is a distinct sense of desperation in voices of most when talking about this WINTER. To that end I say make the most of the days that are “possible” to fish. Everybody has their limits but I find that this limit can be over come by a few trout brought to net…such was the case w/ Dr. Whetzel. A week before the trip from Indy to Michigan he was determined to get here for some much needed fishing. The only thing that was going to stop him was the driving weather to and from Indiana. While the daytime high was meager, it was well worth the effort to endure a few longer sessions around the propane heater. Dodging icebergs on the river was and added thrill!
Jay Allen, Riverquest guide
MO Bow???????Either way, a turbo trout
Jay certifying his 4wt for a steelhead permit!
imitation…its whats for dinner
No photo enhancement needed….
variety is the spice of life
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In spirit of friendly competition John and Josh headed out for round 2. When the boat hit the water the temperature gage in the car was reading 1 deg/f. Cold weather was no match for the anticipation of another day of winter trouting. Rod guides slowly started to freeze w/ less regularity and fish were cooperating, what a great time on the water. Fish, laughter, and a bit of ribbing are all part of the fun.
Jay Allen, Riverquest guide
A man with “style”
all for the love of TROUT
Josh has become too comfortable with this pose!
dinamite goes KABOOM!
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I always feel privileged to accompany a new initiate on his/her first winter trout trip. The reactions are usually similar but with a different twist, based on each persons unique nature. It is fun to watch. Today was one of those days. While Tom is no stranger to the MO today was his first go at winter trout. I think Josh was also eager to see his reaction to such an exciting way to experience trout. A day filled with tight lines, sunshine, good food, and laughs. A truly blessed day!
Jay Allen, Riverquest guide
Josh showing who should be doing the guiding!
even the average sized trout can blow you away
first successful trout head transplant…Tom poses w/ a 14″ trout head attached to a 18″ trout body
mmm…mmm…mmm!
preparing the patient for liposuction
fishing stud
once a year we have to indulge…DNR Mystery Hold-Over!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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The holiday season would just not be quite complete without a bit of fishing…Well at least not for my Dad. An excursion in the jet boat was necessitated, even at this time of year. After my Dad got me and my sis AKA Mak into the act we prepared for Old Man Winter’s worst. We embarked from the launch at about 10:00 and had two hours to give the trout a run for their money. We were cutting it close as is usual with the Allens. My Dad wasted no time in maneuvering us into a position from which we could ferociously bombard the enem-er, catch those trout! I must admit, it did hurt a bit being out-fished by Mak but, at the end of the day, I’m just glad I was along for the ride! Happy Holidays!
Hudson Allen, son-of-a-fly-fishing guide
First catch of the day.
Mak making quick work of those rainbows.
I had to pull my weight… Someone’s gotta catch those brownies.
Beautifully colored rainbow.
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With the hard hitting early winter we have been getting, things have started up a bit early this year for winter trout fishing on the Mo. Today was just a half-day w/ John but it was good enough to consider charging for a full day. Water temps having reached the 30′s a week or so ago has caused the early migration of trout to their winter lies. Not all fish appear to have made the transition but MANY have. With the overall health of the trout high it seems we are in for a great winter of fishing…embracing the cold.
Jay Allen, Riverquest guide
I’d rather have frozen fingers…if one of these is cradled in between
John has officially been admitted into the “winter trout veterans club”
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Got a call from Jack late last week who had a trip booked for the 9th. He was bringing his son-n-law Kyle with. ”do you think we should still do the trip? Will the weather be a problem?”, is something like what he said. To which I replied,”it is fishing, but…it has been good and if you can hack the weather I think it should hold on, the only concern I have is if Kyle is hardcore enough”. At that he said,”He’s gotta learn sometime; man up or learn to golf! I’ll see you on monday” The problem with the weather man is that he is only worried about being comfortable. He has no passion or drive like those of us pursuing the awesome steelhead that inhabit the Muskegon River. He has no problem with looking at the nasty weather outside and could be no more excited than cozying up on the couch with his favorite pair of slippers and watching the favorite sit-com…not on my watch! We ended up having a great day on the water, lots of snow, and good conversation, as well as some exceptional steelhead. Weather man…you have no power here.
Jay Allen Riverquest guide
Kyle was patient and was rewarded w/ a fantastic 1st steelie on the fly!
When jack released this gargantuan the river level went up noticeably
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A few years back I had the chance to guide Mike and Paula in Jackson Hole. It was summertime, the weather perfect, fishing on the Snake. As the day went on they asked about fishing in Michigan and I said they should give our Steelhead a try sometime. Last winter Paula called to book a trip on the MO over Thanksgiving as a birthday surprise for Mike(if any women are reading this take note; coolest wife props for this maneuver). I was excited about the chance to fish with them again. They brought some friends from Texas with and I got to fish with Mike and Roger(his wife surprised him too for his b-day!) for a couple days. Neither of them had caught a Steelhead, a problem we had to resolve. Somewhere along the Mike said “it sure would be nice to see some snow while we are fishing in Michigan”, and on cue the heavens opened up the night they got in. The morning of our first day snow blanketed the ground and the beauty was surreal. Big flakes coming down and big Steelhead coming to the boat. Two days of snow and winter weather didn’t stop these Texans from enjoying the days on the water. What a contrast to the first time we fished together on the Snake…
Jay Allen, Riverquest Guide
Mike’s fly-fishing experience came in handy for fighting Steelhead
a brown thrown in for variety
pulling through on the first day…Roger scores
another golden view
you expect it for a Michigan native…but Texans are tough!
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When Dan and Chad called a few weeks ago it was to reschedule a trip. It was early in the morning the day of when I got the call. Rain was pounding down near Lansing where they live. Fishing in the cold rain didn’t sound too fun. Being in the middle of a long string of trips with no days off, I wasn’t too sad. A day off. I did however question just how serious these guy were about fishing, how tough they were. Even though I had fished with Dan and his sons before they hadn’t been put to the test with weather. A few weeks later we met for the rescheduled trip and all questions of manhood were dispelled. We didn’t encounter rain but we did fill the boat with snow! In between fish I had to shovel the boat out! We had a great time and in the end had a great memory of a day in the elements that was worth the effort.
Jay Allen, Riverquest Guide
Getting the camera out was a bit challenging w/ the snow flying. Dan w/ a nice one.
Rarely do I get to fish with someone for the first time during the winter. Usually it takes a bit of work, even coercion, to convince anglers that they need to come out for a bit of trout fishing in the winter. Not the case with Damion and Matt. This past winter I had the chance to take these two out on the river and we had a great day. Somewhere along the time on the river Damion caught a smaller “jack” steelhead on a scud. While it was a great bonus for a day of winter trout fishing, it was nothing like the fish they would encounter this fall. Nothing can really prepare you for fall steelhead and after landing their first fall steelhead I think they would agree. They both landed and lost some and in the end it was a great day.
Jay Allen, Riverquest guide
I think Matt can now fully appreciate the gravity of a smooooooth drag!
this fish is probably the equivalent of adding a terabyte of ram to Damion’s winter steelie
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There are times we all get caught up with the business of life and forget about some of the things we really enjoy doing. Schedules fill up, children grow up(in need of our attention), life happens. For Aaron, what was once a passion, has been put on the back burner lately, and for many good reasons. When Jon invited him to join him for a day on the water he was in. Never having caught a steelhead on the fly, he was eager to learn. And learn he did. Weather was fantastic and fishing superb, allowing Aaron, Jon, and David the chance to tangle with some real nice fish. Some call it fate, others fortune, and some chance. These guys chose to see it as God’s blessing. I agree.
Jay Allen, Riverquest guide
Aaron enjoying a day on the river and first fall steelhead on the fly!
Fishing is a great way to meet new people and make new friends. This is one of the things I like most about guiding. Getting to know friends better on the water and sharing in their triumphs is a blast. Finding out where they have fished and where they would like to is interesting. The camaraderie is so much of the sport we enjoy…After having a great year of saltwater fishing filled w/ countless tarpon and bones, Jay hit a mile mark on the MO as well. Landing his first chromer on the swing was just what he needed to finish the year strong. Of course, we still have December! Way to go Jay.
Jay Allen, Riverquest guide
no a bad one for the first on the swing!
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