Muskegon River Trout - 1/20/13

The forecast calls for some arctic weather this week, so I decided today might be the best chance to get out in the next few days.  Today was by no means “warm” but the trout we found were eager to feed.  The fish we hooked were located in very tight pockets, the kind you think the fish might be swimming piggy-back.  Once a pod was located, drifting scuds through the same drift produced good strikes.  Remember to fish areas you know hold fish very carefully.  I almost fished past one spot that produced fish because I was being lazy, but Hudson(my son) told me we were in too tight to the spot.  I went with his hunch and it paid off!

Jay Allen, guide

too cold?? don’t think so

fell hard for a scud muffin

deep, rich hues! they all look different

Muskegon River Trout - 1/10/13

cheating Winter

"that's a nice drift John" was the prelude to this nice trout

this fish took a #22 pheasant tail midge pupa!

Most winter trout days are better than most people would believe.  Today was better than most.  Fish were on the feed and shortly after the pleasantries Mr. McCarthy went to work.  At one point I was tempted to mutter "go easy on them, they're just trout", but John kept a heavy hand on them; almost oppressive.  Flies that were effective: #14 early brown stone,  #22 pheasant tail midge pupa, #16 Muskegon River scud.  John was certainly glad he braved the cold morning today!

Jay Allen, guide

Muskegon River Trout - 1/5/13

plenty to eat for this bow

Jay hit this fish on his second cast in the run, WOW!

gorgeous, well proportioned fish

Started out the day w/ a half-day in mind but leaving the option open to extend the day if fishing was good.  Needless to say we fished a full-day.  Fishing started out with fireworks as Jay hooked the rainbow pictured above on his second cast.  The bow made several hard runs and a few jump then hit the net.  Jay proceeded to work the pockets thoroughly and a good number of fish in a short period of time.  As the afternoon went on midges started to pop signifying a fly change that paid off.  Switched to a stone/olive midge combo and the trout started to select the midge over the stone that had produced earlier in the morning. Weather was perfect, winds low even though air temps were about 30.  After today's fishing I think it is fair to say winter trout fishing is in the on position.

Jay Allen, guide

Muskegon River Trout - 1/3/13

This brownie decided to suck on a Muskegon river scud!

nice holdover brown

well fed hold-over rainbow

Fishing today would indicate conditions for winter trout fishing are reaching idea.  Most fish hooked today were in classic winter water.  Water clarity was great and levels are perfect.  Fish were definitely eating scuds and blackfly larvae.

Jay Allen, guide

Pere Marquette trout - 12/15/12

What do they call these things?...oh yeah, trout

 

 

this resident was definitely an early Christmas gift!

Had the pleasure of fishing an entire day w/out any preconditions.   Good friend John and I spent the day probing some new water on the PM for winter trout.  What a blast!  The conditions were surreal and the fishing was good.  Picking our way though the many pockets and runs well suited for winter trout we found many takers and were occasionally gifted a shot at a real nice fish.  We fished a number of nymph patterns but found a #18-#20 blackfly larvae to be the most productive.  Other flies of note were brassies, small winter stones, scuds, and sow bugs.  While the water is quite different on the PM than on the MO solid winter nymphing skills proved to be effective when applied.  Don't miss out on this magical time of year!

Jay Allen, guide

Muskegon River Trout - 12/4/12

Fat and sassy!

John w/ a gorgeous bow taken on a Muskegon River scud

I always make sure my camera is charged and in the boat when Mr. McCarthy shows up...and today was no exception.  Fishing started out a bit slow but after covering some promising water we finally found some fish on the feed.  Fishing picked up as the morning warmed up and John managed a good number of average trout.  Then, while picking through a nice pocket, hooked into a real nice rainbow which required an "up anchor".  We definitely wanted to take a better look at this fella.  All-n-all a great day on the water!

Jay Allen, guide

Muskegon River - Nov. 8, 2012

Gary w/ a zero to sixty slam

Gary picked up a spey rod for the first time today and was quick to get in the rhythm.  After a bit of practice he was laying out nice casts.  A bit into the day and this buck gave his fly some big attitude.  One of the strikes that you don't have to ask if you got hit.  By the time he said "there's a fish" there was about 100 yards of line off the reel.  Nice job Gary.

Jay Allen, guide