End of August at Mission Lodge

I will be back in Michigan one week from today and chasing Kings the next day.  I can't believe the summer has gone by so fast, but I guess time flies when you are having fun!!  The fishing up here has been outstanding, the rivers are loaded with bright chrome Coho Salmon (silvers) and the Rainbow Trout are gorging on Sockeye Salmon eggs and dying King, Chum and Pink Salmon carcasses.  I am looking forward to fishing with everyone who is on the books for Kings or fall Steelhead after one more week of guiding here in Southwest Alaska.

A big Rainbow from a small river.

Can't get enough of those big trout.

A nice Rainbow posing for a picture after being released.

Double header on the Togiak Silvers.

Jim and River doubled up on the Goodnews River.

The "End of Steelhead Season" Report or is it?

Well we all though it would be completely done after the last surge of high water but low and behold there are enough fish around to make a good day.  Ed hit the water with me for the last 2 days and hooked a bunch of Seelhead putting a good number of those in the net.  Some are in good shape and others look pretty rough but we are happy to be able to still put a bend in the rod in mid May on a year it looked like it would finish up in April. 

The end of Spring Steelhead season can only mean one thing,  it's time for Alaska!!!  June 4 looks to be the date this year, my return date is tbd.  Anyone looking to book Fall Salmon or Steelhead dates your best bet is to get them locked in before I go, they can be booked while I am in AK by e-mail or through voicemail, but they could be full by then.  As of right now my openings are October 6, 7, 8, 10  then November 3, 5, 6, 10, 13, 15 - 19, 21, 25, 27, 29, 30.  Other guides are availbale on dates I am booked so call or e-mail for availability. 

Ed is pictured below with a few Steelhead from the last two days including one that pulled the boga grip scale to 15lbs.!!

5/10/2012  Ed with a hefty 15lb. Steelhead from yesterday.

5/10/2012  A plump hen from yesterday.

5/10/2012  The picture does this fish no justice, it was the best looking fish in 2 days.

Time to book your Fall Steelhead dates!!

This is what we have to look forward to,  book your November Steelhead dates now!!

5/10/2012  A hen that was nearly done with her duties.

Muskegon River Steelhead

After the river turned to chocolate milk yesterday from swollen creeks I was not sure what to expect this morning, we drove into the launch to find much improved clarity over yesterday.  The river flow is now just over 3,000 cfs. and visibility is 5 to 6 feet.  Steelhead fishing was outstanding today as Ed and Derek learned the technique of back bouncing spawn, they must have put in a reservation because we were the only anglers in the section of river we fished!!  Fishing should be great over the next week or more with this shot of water and less boat traffic with the turn of the calendar into December. 

I sill have November 30 and plenty of openings in December for those wanting to get in on the fall Steelhead action on the Muskegon River.

11/28/2011  Derek with some Muskegon River Chrome.

11/28/2011  Ed with a colorful buck caught back bouncing.

11/28/2011  Back bouncing for Muskegon River Steelhead.

11/28/2011  November chrome!!

  

Michigan Fall Steelhead

The lack of boat traffic was a pleasant surprise today after the army of boats that hit the water yesterday,  add some cloud cover to the recipe and what you have is a bang up day on the river catching Steelhead.  Back bouncing spawn is still our top pick for putting good numbers of Steelhead in the net.  There are good numbers of fish throughout the Muskegon River system and still plenty chromers on the move. The first two weeks of December will fish like the first of November if this mild weather stays around so don't hesitate to call.  Jim and his son Sam enjoyed some very good action back bouncing for Steelhead on the Muskegon River today.

11/26/2011  Sam with a nice chrome Steelhead.

11/26/2011  Muskegon River Fall Steelhead.

11/26/2011  Back bouncing for Steelhead has been very effective.

11/26/2011  The "left handed double" 
definition:  "fish on, me too, wait it's the same fish, it ate both spawn bags!!!!

   

Muskegon River Steelhead Fishing

Muskegon River Steelhead fishing is,  well you guessed it still great!!  Water level has bumped back up just over 2,000 cfs. and temp is still holding above 40.  With the nice weather and being the day after Thanksgiving the boat traffic was very heavy as expected but the fish did not seem to mind a few more boats running around.  John and Ed put some nice fish in the boat today including a hgandfull of 9 to 10 pounders and the best of the day caught by John was 13lbs.  I still have November 30 and plenty of dates in December open for anyone who wants to get out, call (616)204-4999 or e-mail jeff@muskegonriverguide.com

11/25/2011  Ed and John with a nice Steelhead caught Back bouncing spawn.

11/25/2011  John with the big fish of the day and his biggest to date 13lbs.

11/25/2011  A nice Muskegon River fall Steelhead

11/25/2011  Chrome buck Steelhead.

   

Muskegon River Fishing Report

  The Muskegon River is at a great level for this time of year and water temp is holding in the upper 40's.  Steelhead fishing was outstanding again today and boat traffic was surprisingly light.  Ed and Fritz are pictured below with a few Steelhead from today.

11/16/2011  Fritz with a chrome hen with a big belly.

11/16/2011  Ed broke this fish off on a hookset just about a minute before it bit again!!

11/16/2011  Back bouncing for Steelhead is deadly in the right hands.

11/16/2011  Ed with a hefty buck Steelhead caught back bouncing.

November Steelhead

Muskegon River water level has dropped to just over 2,000 cfs but is still in great shape, water clarity depends on the area fished but where we were today it still has a slight stain.  The Steelhead fishing was exceptional today as we ran into a few groups of new fish making the bite fast and furious in some areas.  Doug and Doug are pictured below with some nice November Steelhead.

11/15/2011  Doug with a great Steelhead.

11/15/2011  One of the Dougs with a chrome Steelhead.

11/15/2011  A nice Steelhead at the end of the day.

11/15/2011  Back bouncing spawn for Muskegon River Steelhead.

 

Muskegon River Guide

Alex treated himself to a half day guide trip on the Muskegon River for his birthday today and it proved to be pretty productive putting double digits in the net before noon.  We are catching a mixture of chrome and darker fish but the chrome fish outnumber the dark ones.  Boat traffic was very light today as we only ran into two boats at the end of our day and hopefully tomorrow will follow suit with the firearm deer opener here in Michigan.  Good luck to all the hunters and be safe!!!

11/14/2011  These fish fought hard today.

11/14/2011  Gotta love November chrome.

11/14/2011  Alex with another birthday Steelhead.

11/14/2011  Alex with a nice chrome hen caught back bouncing.

Muskegon River Fishing Report

We got some much needed rain today and it put the Steelhead on the bite in a big way.  The rain is forecasted to last thru late morning tomorrow so we should see a nice bump in water level and color along with another shot of chrome Steelhead. 

11/8/2011  The bite was on in the rain today.

11/8/2011  Chrome Buck Steelhead from the Muskegon River.

11/8/2011  Muskegon River Steelhead fishing has been great.

11/8/2011  Brian with a bright hen.

Muskegon River Steelhead

Mark and Jim are pictured below with a few of the fish they caught on the Muskegon River today.

11/7/2011  Jim with a big chrome hen.

11/7/2011  Fall Steelhead fishing has been great.

11/7/2011  Jim loves the chrome.

11/7/2011  Mark with a nice buck Steelhead.

Float Fishing for Steelhead

Steelhead fishing on the Muskegon River was excellent today.  We started out with our favorite method, back bouncing spawn and were taking some fish but not as many as I thought we should so we decided to switch gears to float fishing in the gin clear water and we absolutely buried the numbers we have been putting up back bouncing!!!  I guess that means for now while the water is crystal clear the method of choice for us will be float fishing.  Bill, Mike and Vince are pictured below each with one of many fish from today, young Vince at 14 years old was deadly today out fishing both Mike and Bill.  Great job Vince.

11/6/2011  Bill with a chrome hen caught float fishing spawn

11/6/2011  Mike with a Muskegon River Steelhead that ate a tiny spawn bag under a float.

11/6/2011  Vince with a hefty buck Steelhead caught float fishing.

Muskegon River Steelhead Fishing

This has been a great Fall Steelhead season thus far.  The fish have been averaging a couple pounds bigger than normal and we have caught a good number of Steelhead over 10 lbs.  We were spoiled in the month of October nearly having the river to ourselves most days but today the crowds showed up and the boat ramp parking lots in the area we fished were pretty full.  Despite the traffic increase Phil and Dan had a great day on the River, they are pictured below with a few of many.

11/4/2011  Dan with a healthy hen at 10lbs.

11/4/2011  Muskegon River Steelhead.

11/4/2011  Another 10lb. Steelhead caught back bouncing spawn.

11/4/2011  Phil with a nice hen from this morning.