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 Fishing

Back bouncing for Dropback Steelhead was great again today, we even found one tight hen in the mix.  Ken and Dennis are pictured below with a few of today's Steelhead from the Muskegon River.

5/2/2012  Dennis with a tight pre spawn hen on May 2!!!

5/2/2012  Ken with a hard fighting dropback.

5/2/2012  Back bouncing spawn was great and we were the only boat in the area.

5/2/2012  A dropback male from today.

May Steelhead

Back bouncing for Steelhead was very productive today.  It seemed if we could keep the trout from biting long enough a Steelhead would eat and there were plenty of healthy trout eating as well.  Steelhead numbers are shrinking daily but there are biters to be found for those willing to put in the time.  I will not be taking any more Steelhead bookings this spring but for anyone who wants to get out and catch some of the obese trout we have this spring I have some open dates between now and the first of June when I leave for Alaska.

Ed and Fritz are pictured with a few Steelhead and a great Lake Run Brown Trout from today.

5/1/2012  Ed with a hen full of eggs.

5/1/2012  Fritz with a very nice Steelhead.

5/1/2012  Back bouncing was great today.

5/1/2012  Fritz with a fat Brown Trout.

Dropback Steelhead Fishing

Fishing for dropback Steelhead in the Muskegon River has still been producing some action but the fish are scattered and numbers are on the decline.  I have not seen any pre spawn Steelhead in weeks and while there are some fish still sawning in the upper sections I am not sure there are enough to recharge the dropback fishing back to what it was the past few weeks.  At any rate we will keep fishing for the biters that are here until they are all gone. Below are a few pictures of Steelhead caught back bouncing from the last few days.

Muskegon River Steelhead

Despite a very large number of our Spring fish getting their job done in mid to late March this spring the Steelhead numbers are respectable in the Muskegon River.  Back bouncing in the deep water has been good and for the guys looking to fish shallow there are enough fish around with a few select areas being better than others.  Below are a few pics from some recent back bouncing days.

4/21/2012  Ed with a very healthy dropback Steelhead from today.

4/21/2012  Fritz with a nice Steelhead caught back bouncing today.

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4/21/2012  Dropback fishing is still holding on. 

4/21/2012  Another nice hen from today.

Dan with a dropback Steelhead from a recent afternoon trip.

The dropbacks were hanging close to spawners on this day.

Bright sunny skies and the Steelhead bit was fine.

Afternoon fishing has been good.

Steelhead Fishing in the wind

It was a very windy day on the Muskegon River today making for some difficult back bouncing conditions.   Dave and Dan did pull through with a few nice fish despite the tough conditions.

4/16/2012  Dave with a nice Steelhead from today.

4/16/2012  Dan is on the board.

4/16/2012  Back bouncing for Steelhead.

Michigan Steelhead Fishing

Steelhead fishing is still good for us on the Muskegon River, dropbacks are plentiful and traffic is minimal.  Ed is pictured below with a few he caught back bouncing today.

4/15/2012  Ed with a nice dropback Steelhead.

4/15/2012  Steelhead fishing has been great.

4/15/2012  The sun came out for a while but the camera was a bit wet from the rain.

4/15/2012  Back bouncing for dropback Steelhead.