Today is:
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Steelhead
is our passion! Guiding on the Muskegon for
large, broad shouldered Michigan strain
steelhead up to twenty pounds in the fall,
winter and spring and pursuing the
gargantuan Skamania steelhead which run
during the summer on the St. Joseph's River
and Big Manistee, we can guide steelhead
anglers 365 days a year. By combining these
rivers, without doubt we can create the
ultimate and unparalleled world class
steelhead fly fishing experience.
Starting
in October, large wild and wild origin
stocked steelhead will ascend the Muskegon
on the heels of the wild Chinook salmon run.
By fishing Spey rods with bright marabou
Spey flies and streamers or bottom drifting
egg patterns and nymphs, aggressive takes to
the fly will occur during the warmer water
period lasting into December.
Steelhead
will ascend the Muskegon all winter long due
to its warmer tail water and ice free flows
providing for some spectacular fishing in
January and February. For those that have
experienced winter Steelheading, it is
perhaps the most rewarding time of the year.
When a large buck steelhead in the 18lb.
range hammers your pink egg fly in the gut
of a deep run during a January or February
afternoon, the exhilaration and satisfaction
is immeasurable - also you usually have the
river to yourself along with the Bald Eagles
that tower amongst the snow capped pines.
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|
A lovely fall day spey casting
on the Muskegon. |
March,
April and May see the mother lode of the
spring run. Steelhead become very finicky
and take small nymphs in a traditional
nymphing method. At the end of May and early
June, steelhead can be caught on the dry fly
during the massive Gray Drake and Isonychia
mayfly hatches.
Since the
Muskegon is progressively becoming more like
a spring creek, our
steelhead are adjusting to the gin clear
waters and feeding on caddis and midge
larvae, blue winged olive nymphs and scuds -
picture fourteen pound silver steelhead
eating size #18 scuds!
