Winter!!!!

I know its been quite a while since my last post... We have been getting pounded every other day with 4-12inches of snow. Many of the rivers are a real mess. Muskegon is still in good shape: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/mi/nwis/uv?04121970

The gauge says its dropping, but I would imagine that it will rise again! Thats it for now!

p.s. No that is not my Monte Carlo!

Flies

"Nick's Blue Monday"

"Lite-Brite Brown"

Great fly for slow water with large boulders. Let me know what you think!

Canvasfish.com new website

Check out Derek Deyoungs new and improved www.canvasfish.com website! You will like what you see! I really like his work.

fishing report

Had Larry and Robert out on Sunday and Monday. Robert managed a nice fish on a swung fly. Weather was cold and the snow was blowing, but these guys hung in there. Muskegon is fishing well now, with a good amount of fish in the system. Copper, Blue/ Green, and Green/ Black are some good streamer color combos.

Fishing Report

New fish in the Muskegon and Grand! Winter weather is here and the fish like it!
Here is the 10-day from the weather channel.
http://www.weather.com/weather/tenday/USMI0344?from=36hr_fcst10DayLink_undeclared

Pink, grapefruit, marble, estaz-butt eggs, and neopolitan eggs are all winners in this circle. Don't forget about the Swingers! Flashy streamers have been producing as well.

Book your trip now! November-December can be some of the best of the year!

Pic from afar

Jim Murphy sent this pic while fishing on the Grande Ronde in NE Oregon. Muskegon river steelhead are starting to show up now as well as a fresh batch of Kings. At this moment it is raining pretty good and the temp. is dropping. We could see a mix of snow and rain on monday. Steelheading should improve on the Grand and the Muskegon.

A closeup of that fish!

2 weekends ago!

Great looking fish by Jamie Garlock! Great day to be on the water...hard to believe it is October.

Update

Cooler night time temps have helped with the Salmon migration. The Muskegon is a little behind schedule, but some rain will help things along. The Grand River has Salmon, Steelhead, and Lake Run Browns. The Pere Marquette is on the down-side of peak. Some Steelhead are around.

Holy Deep Diving Thundersticks!

Early Morning King while Thunderstickin' with friend and fellow guide Matt Zudwig. We caught several fish on Saturday with the largest tipping the scales at around 15lbs. If sore arms are your thing, then give us a call and I will do my best to get you connected! Nick

Rain Rain Rain

So here we sit in GR and it has been raining 3rd day straight. We needed it! Warm Rain it is. 70 degrees out. We are at a Flood Warning according to Peter Chan the Weather Man. Went to the Muskegon for a little scouting and did see a few Kings moving. Water has a great stain to it. I am looking forward to some sunshine this week and the rivers should have a good amount of Kings in them.

King Kong is here!

With the recent rains and cooler temps, the Kings have

started their spawning migration. Get stocked up on that 8-10lb Maxima and black leeches. New pics should be up this weekend!

NEW fly tying materials from Casters!!!!

Special thanks to Dave Hise for turning me on to some really innovative materials from his pals from across the Pond. The Virtual Nymph products are sweet and Paul Whillocks Japanese Nymph Legs are definitely going to have me recreating some old favorite patterns as well as some new ones. Here is the link: http://www.castersflyshop.com/products.cfm Scroll down and go ahead and click add to cart so that you get them before your buddies do. Make sure you have the patterns that catch fish this year!

Ahhhh....the Doldrums!

I know its been a while since my last post, but we are over July and into August. To most people, August usually means that the kids are going back to school and its too hot to fish. To me, August is the time for the Kings. In the Northern streams (Manistee, Little Manistee, and Pere Marquette) Chinook Salmon will begin an annual spawning migration. The trick is to get 'em while they are HOT! Leave the egg flies at home...we're talking strippin' streamers for these big boyz. No need for the waders, just the zip offs. This is also the time of year when the big water can give up some fish from the piers using sinking lines and baitfish imitations. Get on board with this fast-paced fishhead lifestyle and you will truly put your gear to the test.

Rogue River

Floated the upper Rogue river last night with good friend Mike. A few bugs were out, but mostly just caddis and midges (aka river dust). Took the kayak and did the night thing...nice way to go! Did see some yellow sally's last night. Fish are starting to look at mice!!!

Storm on Silver Lake

As some of you may know, my parents live on Silver lake in Rockford. During the storm on Wednesday the 2nd of July they had a freak gust of wind flip the ski boat out of the hoist and shear the top of the hoist off. All of the lines from the pontoon were busted off. No one else on the lake had any issues.

Fly Water on PM

Somewhere in the flywater during the Flood of '08. Sounds like they were able to get the boat out. I am sure whomever found the boat left all contents intact.

Summer Trout Fishing

Went fishing with fellow guide and friend Matt Zudwig of www.trout-guide.com and had a decent night of throwing streamers and finally having some gray drakes fall. Gravenger Variants worked well. Water on the Muskegon is coming down slowly. As it falls we will see more and more feeding on top. Be on the lookout for Sulphurs and Iso's. The Hex has started in the northern streams. Also, night-time mousing has started and should be good once the weather warms back up. Hope everyone is getting out and wetting those lines. Don't forget to keep tying! Nick

Report from Camp

With several inches of rain in the North Country, the rivers were up and stained. Made for some interesting fishing. Many theories were cast about what the fish would be into.....or not. We rolled a few fish, caught a few fish, and just plain missed a few. I will try to post some pics of flies that are being used this year for the streamer bite. Hendricksons on the AuSable with a few fishing looking up. Used a Rio 200 grain with a six weight. Also used a 300 gr. with the higher water. It definitely got the fly down. Had a great time and it sure felt good to put the 5wt in the hands and fish a floating line that is not as thick as tow rope.

Counting down the hours...

Getting real excited about Trout Camp '08. 3 days of trout fishing with my fishing buddies. I have some real snazzy flies tied up that sure look good in the vise, but will they catch fish? I sure hope so! I am hoping to get into some Hennies while we are up there. The fish can really turn on to these when the time and weather is right. I will post when I return.

4/21/08

Sunny and hot! After a slow start in the morning and a great meal of Mongolian Beef, we were reenergized and got focused on putting some fish in the boat. As the day got brighter, smaller and more natural patterns put a tug on the end of our lines. Thanks to Father and Son duo Steve and Ryan from the Chicago area. Had a great time getting you into some fish.

New tool for the river!

The Brodin Pere Marquette! Call Casters and order yours today!

Ben finally strikes Silver in Michigan!!!

Great job Ben!

Another Look!

Here is another look at the 13lber. It was great fishing with Dave, Larry, Matt, and Jeff that day!

Big Buck!

13lbs from the Grand River in downtown Grand Rapids, MI!!!