2/4/12 - Muskegon River trout trip

beautiful bow

Jay w/ a nice bow caught on his Sage esn 10' 4wt!

this fish was caught on a 8' 3wt; what a fight 

Jay on another fish streak landing this fine rainbow.

Fishing today was challenging but very rewarding and Jay stayed on task to make it happen.  While I would say that the overall "bite" was a bit slow for a typical winters fish, Jay was rewarded with some great action for his persistence.  Almost all the fish fell to the Muskegon river scud(#16-#18) and were taken with methodical and slow drifts.  Jay was fishing his new Sage ESN 10' 4wt.  If you haven't fished one of these I'll just say WOW!  The weather was incredible which added to the overall days experience.  Water levels continue to stay high but fish are still eating well in some of the slower edges.

guided trout trip - 1/30/12

Milan w/ a stout brown trout

strike confirmed

Milan w/ his first Steelhead; nice work

Today was Milan's first day of winter nymph/trout fishing and what a day it was.  After getting the basics down he was fast into fish.  Working on the nuances of nymph fishing throughout the day paid off as he continued to get better.  He even thought it might be a good idea to throw in a nice steelhead to complete a Muskegon River sampler!

guided trout trip - 1/26/12

John's good cheer seems to always drive our fluvial friends crazy!

Josh...you can be my friend

A fly-fishermans version of antique bronze

"that's a good fish!"

variation on a theme

Fishing today was great despite high water levels.  After the water shot up to 3,000 cfs yesterday I had my worries but John and Josh, undaunted, managed to work the slow seams and present some flies that the trout could not, or should I say would not, refuse.  Fished some attractor nymphs but once again the Muskegon River scud(gammarus scud) #16-#18 put the majority of the hurt on the boys.  That along with John's "hair-trigger" that begged to be tripped.  Woe unto the unsuspecting trout that grabs his loaded scud!   John maybe the only person I know who can give a trout whirlings disease by mechanical means.  Actually , if you've seen John on my blog before it's because he often ends up with some nice fish.  What a great day to be out; saw some nice trout caught, had reasonable winter weather, made a new friend.  My apologies to those of you who missed it.

Muskegon River trout update - 1/18/12

Do big browns still have an appetite when it's cold?

This stomach pump answers that question

Steelhead love scuds

What's the next trout gonna look like? The question that drives us

winter has arrived - 1/14/12

Snow can't stop this girl

Open your eyes, breathe in deep, take it all in

Heather had three fish in the net before I could get a fly wet!

just like a guy; trying to catch up

perfection! tell me there is no Creator...

what's that...scuds got your tongue

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 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!