“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 do it, they did! Lorna and husband Jim, who grew up in Mackinac City, spent the last three days chasing smallies out of the Muskegon River Lodge with Don, feasting on Chef Jenn’s gourmet creations, and savoring all that the Muskegon River Lodge offers.
As I carried my fishing gear back up to the Lodge after saying goodbye to my fly fishing customers on Tuesday, I saw Jim and Lorna up on the Lodge deck with their feet up and obviously relaxing after a full day of fly fishing with Don. We exchanged pleasantries, and then Jim and Lorna proceeded to tell me how much they loved fishing the Muskegon River with Don, the Lodge, and Jenn’s meals. “Just perfect!” or words to that effect. Then, today, I asked Don what sort of review they gave him, and he reiterated what I had heard and more, telling me that Jim and Lorna even went so far as to ask Jenn to skip the appetizer for Thursday’s dinner of lamb since Jenn had presented so much more fare than they could eat! No question; that’s a first from any guest at the Muskegon River Lodge, but a real compliment to Jenn!
This is a fishing report after all, so here’s the scoop; Jim and Lorna boated bass on all three days, though the bite on the second day was the toughest. Poppers and streamers both produced. Per usual, “The big ones got away” for sundry reasons, but no matter: Jim and Lorna loved it all—the Muskegon River, the eagles, osprey, deer, all sorts of other wildlife, and, no surprise, Captain Don Graham. Happy for all!
Captain Tom Kuieck
