Much needed rain fell throughout the area and has given some reprieve to our area rivers. I certainly wont complain about the rain, however I will only mention it made our fishing over the weekend challenging.  Roger and Eddie made their first trip to Michigan for smallmouth, and after Saturdays struggle I was feeling as though it might be their first and last! Both guys have logged many hours on the water chasing musky and bass and understand that tough days happen, but for me that never dulls the pain. Thankfully, and a few grey hairs later, the bite made a 180 yesterday midday and a strong finish was had! Pictured is Roger with a respectable Muskegon River smallie.

Capt. Steven Kuieck

Lady luck smiled on us today and kept the storms at bay. Smallmouth fishing with both top-water and streamers was very good throughout the morning and into the early afternoon. Pike continue to steal our top-water presentations–I’m not a big fan of wire, however they are now into me for about $15 in poppers. The warm weather favors these river smallies, expect things to maintain stride for the foreseeable future.

Capt. Steven Kuieck

Gary and I had a great time today fishing poppers for smallies, nothing like watching the water explode on your popper.

Capt. Don Graham

One of the great joys of guiding is making life-long friends. So it is for me with Mary and Jim.  They’re way more than clients, and as they grow their fly fishing skills, it’s a joy to see them enjoy our sport all the more. Mary had the hot hand today while Jim played the role of supporting cast member.  Streamers started hot and when they turned off, we tossed poppers which proved more to the smallie’s liking. Pictured below are some of Mary’s conquests today:  her first smallie hookup up on the long rod; her first “All by Myself” popper smallmouth; and her big one of the day.  Fantastic time with a terrific couple.  Thanks, Mary and Jim!

Captain Tom Kuieck

Beautiful summer day on the river today! Smallies on top, a few bonus pike, and great company! For Don and I, it was a pretty perfect day!

The river level is in much better shape from the recent rain-let’s see how long we can hold on to it….

Capt. Steven Kuieck

Hot weather=smallies on top!  So good to get back on the water with best bud and fellow RiverQuest guide, Don Graham. So good to see the bass cooperate.  If you haven’t had a smallmouth put a bend in the rod for a while, you’ll likely be surprised, even as we are each time we hook up, at how great a sport fish they are.  Even better, to watch them blow up on poppers makes it all the more fun and exciting.  Great day; great time!  Now, if I could just get Don to crack a smile!

Captain Tom Kuieck

RiverQuest Charters and the Muskegon River Lodge are excited to announce that today we begin a new chapter in our quest to provide you with an exceptional experience! Both the Lodge and RiverQuest are now Orvis Endorsed. While we will always welcome and appreciate all of the fine fly fishing gear our industry has to offer, we will now begin to have Orvis gear prominently featured for our guests! Thank you for your continues support, we look forward to what the future has in store as we begin this new chapter in our history.

Capt. Steven Kuieck