Things are heating up?

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!

via Allen Brothers http://ift.tt/1l1z7Fo

Hazing on the MO – Winter Trout Premier

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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

via Allen Brothers http://ift.tt/1aj7G6r

Along for the Ride – Fishing in a Winter Wonderland

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.

via Allen Brothers http://www.theallenbrothers.com/site/2013/12/along-for-the-ride-fishing-in-a-winter-wonderland/

embracing the cold – winter trout fishing early on the MO

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”

via Allen Brothers http://www.theallenbrothers.com/site/2013/12/embracing-the-cold-winter-trout-fishing-early-on-the-mo/

The weather man will steer you wrong…

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

via Allen Brothers http://www.theallenbrothers.com/site/2013/12/the-weather-man-will-steer-you-wrong/

Texas Wishes are BIG

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!

via Allen Brothers http://www.theallenbrothers.com/site/2013/11/texas-wishes-are-big/

Rain or Snow – on the water

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.

via Allen Brothers http://www.theallenbrothers.com/site/2013/11/rain-or-snow-on-the-water/