The realities of summer fly fishing are that some days are just simply better than others. Today would prove that without question. Bright s...
Right out of the gate I knew I would like Ben. “How many do you think we’ll catch today” as we headed down the stairs from...
“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 a...
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 knowle...
Long-time guest and friend Jim enjoying some of summer’s best top-water smallmouth fly fishing with RQ guide Capt. Don. Don’t ...
Our new website is finally up and running thanks to our good friend Kevin Horning. Smallmouth bass fishing has been fantastic on the Muskego...
After several windy days it was great to have a calm day. It’s pretty much “name your game” right now on the Mo’. Ma...
Steelhead fishing from October to early May is a long haul when you look back over the entire season. It certainly was nice and refreshing t...
Finished up my last official spring steelhead trip today. While it’s always bittersweet to put away the steelhead gear, it means that ...
Steelhead fishing is pretty much day by day at this point. Play your cards right and be rewarded or play them wrong, and well…. Today ...
The 2017 Muskegon River steelhead run is winding down, but fishable numbers continue to course the river—some of which are bright, recent ...
April ended with some major rains moving through the area. Thankfully the heaviest stayed just South of our area, however the river is going...
Introducing young people in to our sport is the only way to ensure that fly fishing continues for generations to come. Now I think it’...
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 fishin...
The warm winds of summer blew up and down the river today making it feel anything but April. Despite the abnormal conditions the steelhead g...
Choral director, Dr. Bob Oster, and his best bud, bamboo rod maker, Ron Barch, struck some sweet chords today on the Muskegon River. With th...
Yes, it’s still April, but with summer like temperatures in the mid 70’s, it wasn’t hard to understand why the steelhead w...
Sunny skies and steelhead do not normally go well together. However when they do, it certainly can be a treat! Pictured is Michael with nice...
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 wi...
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...
Long-time guest and friend Jon Rudolph joined me today river. If Jon wasn’t my very first customer, he certainly was my second! 21 yea...
Chris and Scott joined me today for their annual hiatus from Northern Michigan. I look forward to each and everytime we fish together as we ...
Partly sunny skies and steelhead were the order of the day. Fortunately both were delivered and good times were had! Pictured is Ty with a d...
Well, maybe a tad overstated but not by much! The Willett family is operationalizing the maxim to the max with family fly fishing trips lite...
Dreary skies = happy steelhead. Pretty much says it all. I sure love being on the river on days like yesterday, but boy oh boy, the steelhea...
Falling water, clearing, and beautiful sunny skies—nearly perfect! Despite our backdrop being spot on, the steelhead didn’t get the ...
The spring steelhead run on the Muskegon River continues to build. Fish are holding in dark water, though some are now scouting spawning ar...
20 years of trips to the Muskegon and no two really alike. As I fished with Richard today we reminisced about all the different experiences ...
Avid hunter and “Panther Marten” fished-upstream-for-trout guy, Mike, has landed steelhead on Big Blue but has never fished them...
Sunny skies and moderate temperatures provided the backdrop for a beautiful day on the Muskegon River. The steelhead continue to be pretty f...
Sigh of relief! A much improved morning bite brought smiles to both Jamie and Bill. Happy clients = happy guide! Pictured is Jamie with the ...
Some days you knock it out of the park and some days you’re just happy with a base hit. Well, today was one of the latter—not sure e...
The trip home was calling and a short day on the water was all that time would allow. Making it count with the time you have didn’t ph...
Most ladies would have rather spent a cold rainy Saturday at the mall—not these ladies! Yes, the weather wasn’t the most pleasant, b...
Steelhead fishing continues to be good on the Muskegon River. Some days you just need to work a little harder for your successes than others...
We RiverQuest guides continue impressed with the quality and number of steelhead in the Muskegon River for this stage of the spring run. Tod...
Last day with the Murphy group today, and what a day it was: warming temperatures, eager steelhead, and, believe it or not, afternoon sunshi...
Here are a couple more Murphy group steelhead, this time from Jay’s boat today. Great day for all! Captain Tom Kuieck ...
RiverQuest guides Don Graham, Jay Allen, and I had the pleasure of hosting the Murphy group—guys, who, I’m told, all live in the sam...
Try less than 15 casts with a fly rod and a casting style you’ve never experienced and then hookup with a gorgeous fresh run hen stee...
The calendar still says winter and it certainly showed today. The big low-pressure system producing all of the snow softened the predictab...
Day two with MTB was a little slower than the first. A great time was had by all and a few nice still had made their way in front of the c...
Our new friends from Moody Tongue Brewing Co. are joining us this weekend at the lodge. While we we certainly are spoiled by some tremendous...
Conditions on the Muskegon River are getting back to normal. Currently the river remains pretty big but very fishable around 4300cfs and 35....
60 degrees and sunny in February is hard to complain about. However, it certainly comes with some trade offs! Konrad joined me for his first...
Conditions on the Muskegon River remain ideal for later winter steelhead fishing. A big warm up is in store beginning tomorrow. While we do ...
The thought of snow blanketing the river banks and weighing heavy on the limbs of our beautiful white pines had been much anticipated by Joh...
Fresh run steelhead await in the Muskegon River, as the hen I pose from today’s float with RiverQuest guide and best bud, Captain Don ...
Steelhead fishing on the Muskegon River lately has been a lot like the weather—its had its ups & downs. Dr. Buckley joined me yesterda...
The polar plunge has finally retreated back to Canada. 35 degrees on the river felt balmy compared to most days recently. The level finally ...
The polar plunge loosened its grip ever so slightly today. The snow continues to pile up— The swing has been challenging over the past few...
Oh the weather may be frightful, but the joys of steelhead on the swing are sooooo delightful! Bruce and his son Charlie toughed it out in s...
A winter wonderland as far as the eye can see. Yes, we’ve transformed our world to winter white over the past 48 hours. Surely this ti...
Winter is upon us. Our first Winter Storm Warning is in effect and with it I think it’s time to embrace “winter steelhead season...
Peter, director of Eastern Orvis ELOG joined me today for his first of two days swinging Michigan steelhead. While Peter has been privileged...
Favorable conditions brought out a pretty good numbers of anglers on river today. Not a real big surprise, but certainly more than most days...
I love guiding—it’s the best job on the planet! Dispite having a big list of things to accomplish around the lodge and in the office...
I had the pleasure of spending the day with Dr. Lacina today. It was a “made to order” kind of day. Dark skies, light precipitat...
Rick and Linda celebrated their wedding anniversary with us and I don’t think it could have been any better. Pictured is Linda with he...
A 20 degree morning on the Muskegon River gave us some seriously red cheeks for the first few hours of our day. The water temperature is dr...
The crazy weather continues. 70 degrees Friday afternoon and 32 degrees and heavy snow showers Saturday afternoon! Simply crazy to have a 40...
Last day with the MRO crew—today was a memorable one for sure! Couldn’t be happier for them! Now if the big bucks would just show my...
Low-clear water continues to test the tenacity of our clients. Covering plenty of water and making good use of every swing has been the tick...
High winds and plenty of leaves made for some challenges on the river today. Capitalizing on opportunities would be especially key. Grabs ha...
The one day of clouds came to an end and returned us to bright blue sunny skies. Sure can’t say it isn’t pretty. Pictured is Mic...
Boy, it was sure nice to have a full deck of clouds! Still had to earn our steelhead, but certainly looked more like November today! Picture...
A trend towards more normal November weather is in the ten day forecast for whatever that’s worth! Both Peter and his son Pete earned ...
As we said goodbye to our guests of the past few days and reflect on the memories of the trip, it’s hard to be crabby about our succes...
Another bluebird sunny day on the Muskegon River—a prime ingredient to a successful day of swinging flies for steelhead, LOL! Thankfully t...
Sunny and beautiful—hardly steelhead weather, but really tough to complain about unless you’re a steelhead funky. Gonna have to earn...
Sure was nice to have a rare dreary day today! High skies of late have proved tough, but hey, this I why we love it so much! Remember, swing...
What really could be better? A day on the water spent spent with your good friend and beautiful fall steelhead on the swing. Pictured is a g...
Terrific time with two great guys, Paul and Steve, today! Loved the way both took to swinging flies all morning for steelhead with the Spey ...
The weather roller coaster this week has made for some interesting steelhead fly fishing on the Muskegon River. Bottom line, right run—rig...
Kelly can put a fly with a single-hand rod just about anywhere you ask. He’s caught fish all over the country perfecting his skills. T...
Short term prime opening due to cancellation : 11/1–11/3. If you’ve been on the fence about fall steelhead 2016, don’t miss this chanc...
Short term prime opening due to cancellation : 11/1–11/3. If you’ve been on the fence about fall steelhead 2016, don’t miss th...
It’s good to be a kid right? A senior in high school and his whole life in front of him, what could possibly be better! How about ...
Over the years the McKay group has seen high and lows in their fall Muskegon River fly fishing outings. One thing that has always been consi...
Not me, thankfully, but much to our delight, the Chinook salmon of the Muskegon River might well quote America’s river bard, Mark Twai...
Guiding brings graces us with long term friendships, and today exemplified that fact big time as Rusty and David gave me way more than I gav...
You wouldn’t know it by the crazy weather we’re having, but fall is progressing right along on the Muskegon River. If I had to g...
Typically when you think of the fall harvest, the images of bushels of apples or wagons of shell corn come to mind. However in our river wor...
Ask any fall fall fly fisherman what his or her favorite fall color would be, pretty sure most will answer the brilliant orange & red sp...
To be sure, it’s rare for a fly fisherman to take that first cast only to hook a 10 lb. fresh run male steelhead, but that’s wha...
Alex & Greg celebrated their engagement together fly fishing on the Muskegon River with me today–certainly a privilege for me! Thankfu...
Good friends Pete & Trisha joined me for a much needed day away from the normal everyday tasks. While Pete has spent many days with me o...
Building for the future us what the outdoors is really all about. The John Green family joined us today and his 10yr old son was on a missio...
When Kentucky residents Kimberly and husband Vincent accepted an invitation to a wedding in Zeeland, fly fishers that they are, they decided...
How about a three boat Muskegon River float trip to honor 80 year old Grandpa Ken on this notable birthday? Totally cool, that’s what ...
Somedays it all about the weather. Last night a fairly significant cold front swept through the region. No, the water temperature didn’...
Newly retired from the trucking company he and his wife Mary founded some years back, Jim is getting serious about fly fishing, now that he ...
Back in the day, I never believed that while fishing, such a thing as “The Bite” existed. Having guided commercially now for s...
Who wouldn’t want a surprise All-inclusive gift to the lodge and and a day of guided fly fishing for a birthday present? I think Julie...
Longtime customer and friend, Jeff, started taking his nephew, Grant, fly fishing with me a couple of years ago a couple of weeks before sch...
Long time guest and friend Matt from the DAC joined me along with his nephew Harris for a little escape from their Lake Michigan family vaca...
Scott Burke and his son from Elkhart TU joined Dave today for a quick escape from Indiana. You never know how a quick trip will turn out, bu...
RiverQuest Captain Don Graham and I finally were able to find time to hit the water for some smallmouth bass fly rodding. Great fishing this...
At days end on the river, when a 13 year old young man who loves to fish but has never touched a fly rod, let alone cast one, tells the guid...
Here’s a thought: gather all the kids and their spouses from sundry parts of the country at the family cottage; celebrate the Fourth o...
Wonderful trout fishing on the Muskegon River last night: trout taking nymphs and dry flies, gorgeous evening light, and the delightful comp...
Trout fishing on the Muskegon continues to be productive. Dry fly fishing in the evenings targeting the peak Isonychia emergence is best. Gr...
It’s been a fantastic week on the Muskegon River. Surely the past two-weeks will probably hold its own for many years to come. Joining...
The Muskegon River continues to produce fantastic fly fishing for trout! Honestly, we might want to pinch ourselves. Morning Gray Drake sp...
Gosh, finishing out the month of May with a weeks worth high temperatures in the middle to upper 80’s certiainly isn’t something...
Josh has fished from California to the Bahamas but never fly fished for trout, so we started with a gray drake dry, once he got the castin...
Dry fly fishing is about as good as it gets right now on the Muskegon River. Pictured is Jerry with a truly awesome brown trout that took a ...
I don’t think Mother Nature understands a gentle progression of one season to the next. Last week we were easing along toward summer a...
Great finish to a long week on the river. Whether it was the wind, rain, or light numbers steelhead it made for a rather trying week. As t...
Pretty much the only way to describe today on the river was raw! Cold–blustery east winds accompanied by driving rain, perfect weather for...
Not often that one hears Latin in a fishing boat, but when Dr.Bob Oster, his buddy Ron Barch, and guest Marty—a former professional trumpe...
Our RiverQuest customers treat us guides very well and regularly thank us with gratuities at day’s end for which we are most grateful....
Today, Dr. Jeff, an accomplished fly fisherman, baptized one my new Orvis Recon 7 wt. fly rods that I had purchased for indicator fishing st...
We RiverQuest guides love introducing people to fly fishing, so today it was my pleasure to put a fly rod in Ken’s, which, I learned, ...
So, last April, when Pat and Chad fly fished steelhead with me, it took the two of them to land a steelhead—one hanging on to the bottom t...
Have any of my fly fishing customers NOT wanted to savor my succulent, grilled, streamside prepared steak, chicken, or pork loin luncheons, ...
The struggle bus was with us this morning on the Muskegon. In fact it took a pow-wow at lunch to gather the troops and come up with the af...
