Super time reconnecting with Dave and Tom, two colleagues from my past career and dear, dear friends. Both guys exemplify excellence in the role of superintendent of schools with Dave having retired from the Jenison Public Schools and Tom serving as the current superintendent. Both...
When Adam and his Dad Jim accepted an invitation to leave their dairy farm in Indiana, all they knew was that they were going to some lodge in Newaygo, Michigan to go fishing. They had no idea what fish they would chase, whether they could...
Last bass trip of the season for me, and Jim and Mary capped it off with just a perfect bass bugging day on the Muskegon River. Both are getting into fly fishing big time, and their enthusiasm, fabulous fall atmospherics, and some cooperative smallmouth bass...
"Honey, here’s an idea: let’s fly from our home in Connecticut to Grand Rapids, Michigan, rent a car, drive to Newaygo, and stay at the Muskegon River Lodge for four days and fish for smallmouth bass with Captain Don Graham. Better yet, let's do it!" And...
Father and son, Mark and Sam, intent on learning more about fly fishing, made their way to the Orvis Shop in Breton Village where the knowledgeable staff soon filled them in about fly fishing for smallmouth bass on the Muskegon River with RiverQuest Charters. Their...
The 2017 Muskegon River steelhead run is winding down, but fishable numbers continue to course the river—some of which are bright, recent arrivals. Tom poses an experienced buck, but two of the steelhead that he and Dave hooked were silver rockets that put both of...
Last week, Jeff hosted his nephew, Grant, in my boat, and today he introduced me to his other nephew, Jack. Jack has gotten the fly fishing bug of late, and today was his first crack at steelhead on the fly. Despite his granting numerous premature...
Choral director, Dr. Bob Oster, and his best bud, bamboo rod maker, Ron Barch, struck some sweet chords today on the Muskegon River. With the river flow abating, off color water increasingly clear, and summer temps and sun marking the day, the guys flat-out had a...
With five RiverQuest boats plying the MO today for the Rudolph group—a day with the river flowing over 5,000 cfs and a biting northwest wind—we gave the steelhead our best shot, and they gave us some love. I had Jon, Todd, and Mark in my...
Michigan State University sophomore, Grant, had never cast a fly rod for steelhead so today was his first gig. And what a performance it was! Grant flat-out ran a clinic on casting, fish fighting, and landing steelhead, after steelhead, after steelhead. His uncle, Jeff, a...