Jimmy, Jim, Joe & Sean joined Jay and me for this years trout opener. The traffic on the river was lighter than I would have expected but we were all pretty okay with that. While there may be a few steelhead still around they are spread very thin through the system with drop-backs making up the majority. Those drop-backs and a few browns and even the errant smallie will fall to a swung fly. Nymphing is by far the most productive for trout. A few fish will chase streamers but we need a bit of a bump in water temp before that really takes off. A good time was had by all today and as a sampling of their fish shows they have reason to have enjoyed their day.

Capt. Dave DeVries & Jay Allen

Dave, Don, and myself had the pleasure of hosting the Bowen group today. While the day was to be cut short due to scheduled return flights to Florida, we had the pressure on us to produce in short order. Lady luck smiled once again on us–the swing bite hadn’t changed from yesterday. Pictured is Daryn with his first steelhead on the swing.

Capt. Steven Kuieck

Some days the stars align and great things happen! Joining me today was Dan and Dan, both long-time Muskegon River patrons. Drop-back steelhead numbers far exceed numbers spawning or yet to spawn–steelhead in the river. Since the streamer trout bite continues to be a little soft for me personally lately, I thought why not give it a go for at least a half day of swinging. Well the stars aligned and lady luck took over from there and we ended up with a pretty special day of swinging flies on the Muskegon River. Pictured are a couple from today.

Capt. Steven Kuieck

The Hollobaugh group joined Dave, Jay, and I for the last couple days. On a normal year these dates would have been as close to 100% certainty in the world of fly fishing for steelhead. This year however mother-natures fast track through spring handed off a much different set of cards. Hunting down the slimming number of steelhead is becoming more difficult each day. All of the guys the last two days took to the challenge with a smile and in the end posed some steelhead for their guide’s cameras.

While we certainly will encounter opportunities for steelhead over the next couple weeks, the majority of our focus will now shift towards trout over the coming days.

The past couple days on the river has found us lugging nearly every type of gear we own. Spey gear and Spey flies for drop-backs, 7wts for stripping streamers, 5wts for afternoon dry-fly fishing, and 4wts for soft-water nymphing are all providing good opportunities for our fisherman. Bring it all, you’ll be happy you did! Pictured are Mark and Pat with their first steelhead.

Capt. Steven Kuieck

Long time customer and friend “Uncle” Pat hosted his two nephews (brothers both) for some late season fly fishing for steelhead.  When the weather gods turned nasty, Pat felt it all the more important for the guys to do the trip to create a memory, however, brutal the weather might make it. I applauded the “toughen them up” approach, and off to the river we went, greeted, of course, by rain and chilly temps.  Dressed for duck hunting, as it were, the guys took all Mother Nature dished out and prevailed.  Lots of searching up and down the river yielded steelhead throughout the day.  Once casts and line management were under control, they guys began hooking steelhead. Of course, as the fickle finger of fishing fate would have it, the “big ones got a away,” but as one can see from the expressions on the guys’ faces, size today didn’t matter…

Thanks guys for a great time under some tough conditions.  I think Pat would agree; the guys passed the grit test with flying colors.

Captain Tom Kuieck

Chris with a buck from the 14th that gave us a great fight, nice job Chris bringing this one to the boat.

Capt. Don Graham

Mike Harvey and his good buddy Lou joined me today on the Mo’. The ever fickle tail of the spring steelhead run continues. High skies kept the bite short and sweet today, however a few new fish were had. Streamer fishing for trout continues to gain steam with some nice fish today. Pictured are a couple steel from the AM.

Capt. Steven Kuieck

A bit of a reunion today with my reconnecting with Jeff and Dave with whom I fished a number of years ago.  Great time with lots of catching up.  The steelhead celebrated with us as the guys connected repeatedly.  C & D, as well as indicators and fat lines did the trick with our best fly Schmidt’s Black Stone Fly. Pictured are Jeff and Dave with a couple of the steelhead brought to hand today.  Thanks, guys!  Hope we can do it again!

Captain Tom Kuieck

What beautiful day on the river! Certainly a great way to finish up with the Action Fab crew. The steelhead certainly didn’t appreciate the high skies today, but after yesterday’s gale force winds–I’ll take it! Pictured are a few from my guys today.

Capt. Steven Kuieck

Great first day with the Action Fab crew, despite the relentless howl of 40+ mph winds. Luck was on our sides and both Lenny and Brian boated some very respectable steelhead. River flows took a big rise today and should give a hall pass to all the drop-backs headed to the lake, and maybe, just maybe give us a little squirt of new fresh fish–here’s to hoping anyway! Pictured are the guys with a couple of their best.

Capt. Steven Kuieck