Another very good day on the river with Bill and his daughter Katie and friend Joe, Katie landed her first steelhead and Joe landed his largest steelhead today. Thanks Bill, Katie and Joe for a great day on the river.

Capt. Don Graham

Another fantastic day checked off the calendar. Joining me today was Bela and Ben. Bela, glad to be back on his home turf, put on quite a show and posed some nice fish on front of the camera. Ben, aka Slippery Fingers, also finally managed to hold a respectable buck for the camera after some good laughs.

Capt. Steven Kuieck

Brutal, brutal! You’ve read our posts:  “Great day on the water, fabulous atmospherics, and so on.” Not today. When I have to shovel the sleet on the floor of the boat into a pile to keep Rod and Ron erect, you know this was no bluebird day on the MO.  Sleet, rain, wind, fingers that didn’t want to respond—that was Mother Nature’s hand dealt to us today.  Ron Barch, owner/operator of Alden Creek Fly Rods, a bamboo rod making company annually hosts fellow bamboo rod maker Bill from Missouri.  Active in Trout Unlimited there, Bill donates half of his rod production to environmental and fisheries related fund raisers.  This year, he brought his architect brother Rod.  All the guys were flat-out terrific:  no complaints about the weather, toughness through and through, and multiple hookups and fish brought to hand all day. Top it all off with a gourmet banquet prepared by Ron’s friend Bob (and former colleague of mine), and believe it or not, it proved a most memorable and enjoyable day.  Ron holds a handsome buck, and Bill, a hen nearly finished with her homemaking chores. Check out the treetops behind Rod and the skipper he holds; iced over as were we!

Captain Tom Kuieck

Definitely not a “Chamber of Commerce” day by weather conditions, but arguably by fishing standards! Joining me today was Chris and Scott. Those of you who know the guys, know that they swing for the fences. Today was no exception, and they totally knocked it out of the park. Pictured is Chris with a great buck photoed between showers.

Capt. Steven Kuieck

Steve and Mike joined me on the Muskegon river today fly fishing for steelhead, with a bonus of a very nice Brown trout that Steve caught, his largest so far.

Capt. Don Graham

Brrr, the last few day have sure seemed chilly. Sadly, this is what the weather is actually supposed to be like this time of year, but my body has already adjusted to the crazy warmth of last week and I just can’t warm up!

Steelhead fishing today with long-time guest and friend Bill along with his buddy Dave was quite good. Green caddis, sparkle stones, and pale eggs patterns were hands-down the best today. For the first time in three years, today was all about Dave, and it was Bills turn to watch Dave pose for the camera time after time–I don’t think Bill really minded all that much though.

Capt. Steven Kuieck

Tim, Al, Jake, and Rich joined Jay and I for a windy day on the Muskegon. Fishing continues to be very productive with small nymphs. Noticeably today, drop-back hens could be seen porpoising about the river. This coincides with the continue drop in flow as these spawned fish head back to the lake. Several of these fish took on the strip today….time to swing? Pictured is Rich and Tim with a couple from today.

Capt. Steven Kuieck

Guiding me today with the very latest steelhead news and notes was Captain Don Graham, who graciously spread the love among his fellow RiverQuest guides.  As is so often the case, his suggestions were spot on, and my guys, Mark and Dave, reaped the benefits.  Thanks, Don!

The steelhead run is excellent, as we and others have been reporting, and is at least a week and half to two weeks early with fish-love on gravel well underway.  Flows are ebbing back to normal ranges with clarity and color improving significantly.  Egg patterns and buggers were the favored fare of the day.  Dave played “gracious host” as his customer and friend Mark, new to it all, connected with fish after fish.  Pictured are Mark with his first steelhead ever, but surely not his last; Dave with alpha buck; and Mark with momma hen.  All in all, a wonderful day with two positive, fun guys!  Thanks, Mark and Dave!

Captain Tom Kuieck

Tom w/ a real Hog!

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A well placed fly brought Mike this nice fish

Jay Allen, guide