Finally, I’ve worked things out with the computer! My apologies to my clients for the delay in getting these posts up; apparently, the sign-in password protocol for our reports needed some attention. I’ve clustered the reports of last week under this one post.
4-17-10
Terrific day of fly fishing for steelhead today with the three members of the Chamberlain group: Greg, Aaron, and Frank. From the mid 80’s to 31 degrees this morning—whew, what a weather switcheroo! The guys hooked a very large number of steelhead, including a double chromer—both in the air simultaneously—with Greg from Kentucky notching honors for fish brought to hand. The last three days were marked by greater numbers of fish and steady river flows. In all, great conditions for success. Our best flies were pale eggs, Headbanger Hexes, Wiggle Hexes, and Flashback Stones. Part of a group of 20 guys who descend on the Muskegon each spring and fall, Greg, Aaron, and Frank were a blast to have in the boat. All are avid fly fishermen and respect our river and the steelhead that it holds. No whimpers from them either when, after the first steelie rolled, foul-hooked, I took the rod and broke the fish off. Hence, a perfect day with wonderful companions. Thanks, guys, for a day I’ll remember for a long time.
4-19-10
Great time on the Muskegon with Chris and Dave, members of the Kamin group up from Illinois. An experienced dry fly guy, Chris was new to steelheading, while Dave joined us last year in the snow and cold. Dave scored first with a pretty hen, and Chris soon cranked it up by landing multiple bucks. What a change in weather for today: high sixties, low wind, and sight-fished steelhead. Pressure was non-existent on the river, and it wasn’t long before we broke out the switch rods and the fat lines. Pale eggs and wiggle hexes were our top flies today. Thanks, guys, for a terrific time!
4-21-10
Today I hosted Brent and Shane from the Heneveld group—long time clients and friends of all of us at RiverQuest. Shane was new to fly rodding for steelhead, and with the water dropping to a ten year low for the date and steelhead dropping back to Lake Michigan in large numbers, I anticipated on a tough day on the water. After probing one of our favorite pools, only to take a ridiculously fat red horse sucker on a caddis, we headed down river. It took us awhile to find some happy fish, but soon both guys were into the some very strong and fast steelhead. Brent lost a huge buck and later a large hen right at the net when she shot under the chine of the boat, parting the leader. Shane, though, boated his first steelhead—not the largest hen he will boat in his steelheading future, but surely one of the most memorable. Again, caddis did the trick. In short, a wonderful day under sunny skies and little or no breeze. What a perfect spring day on the Muskegon! Thanks, guys, for a most enjoyable time.
4-23-10
Two members of the Rockford Construction group, Micheal and Dave, joined me for a day of steelheading with the fly rod. Conditions were tough: low water, bright skies, and steelhead that are wrapping up their spawning chores. “Location, location, location” was the mantra; on the hunt we went, and lo, and behold, there they were! Wish I could say it was skill, but I”ll call it what it was—luck! Luck that we were able to find some fish in a couple of locations that kept us busy all day. Shane and Micheal were new to fly fishing for steelhead, but both caught on quickly and did a great job with their casting, line management, and fish fighting. Two trout and five steelhead hooked made for a good day for us. Schmidt’s steelhead bugger topped the fly list. Check out how chubby the brown trout is—a trout that may well have succumbed to high river temps last summer, but due to the cool summer and cold water bubbler installed at the dam by Consumers Power, there it is. We are going to have one fantastic trout season here very soon. Super job, guys! Lots of fun; happy you learned so much so well!
4-23-10
My youngest son Ryan and his buddy Marine Ken, home on leave, joined me for a late afternoon float trip. As the sun dropped behind the trees, the steelhead moved out onto the gravel, giving us a wonderful couple of hours of action. The guys have fished and hunted together for years, and as I watched them laughing and kidding around, it was as if they were 15 again. In short, a special time for two guys special to me. Pictured is Ryan with his 8 lb. buck.
Captain Tom Kuieck
