Had a good, but cold day with Mike on Friday. Can't remember the last time I was on the Muskegon and didn't see another boat or angler. It was very quiet. The fish came from a slooooow tailout of a run. Stay warm! Winters Here!

Had a good day with my buddy Mike. Steelhead are hot right now. Colors: pink, white, niagara gold, and plain orange. Pictured is Mike with a tough fish taken today.

Nick

Took my dad and brother out for a day of Salmon fishing on Thursday. Had a great day amongst the rain. Dad got some great shots in. Salmon run dwindling down. Next up...Steelhead! They are coming in with the rain. Pray for more rain to keep the fish coming. I have availability in November to chase the Chromers! Nick

Report

On Friday, I had Scott and his son Ross out for the day. First timers to Salmon fishing, but picked it up quickly. Ross started the day with a 20inch rainbow on a soft hackle. Great looking trout! Several salmon were hooked and landed. Weather was better than expected. Was is a bit low and fish are getting a little spooky. Hot flies are eggs, green caddis nymphs, and flashy streamers for steelhead. Nick

Report

Had Ron and Jerry out Sunday. Started off cold with temps reading in the high 20's. The cold went away with there first hookups. Landed a salmon each and enjoyed a great shore lunch. Plenty of fish throughout the upper section of the Muskegon. Seeing fish in dark water runs and holes. Trout are ever present and eating eggs and nymphs kicked up by the salmon. Seeing a couple steelhead every time out. Tightlines! Nick

Report

We have rain coming down and this is driving the Salmon in. Grand has fish...Rogue is low but has select fish...Muskegon has some as well. Fishy flies include: eggs, soft hackles, and black leaches. A few steelhead around. Trout fishing has been good on the Muskegon when nymphing. Seeing BWOs and some trout were feeding on the surface.

Local update

Greetings sportsfans!
The grand river has some kings in the downtown section. Early morning will get your bite on. Look to the deeper runs and holes. Muskegon is starting to see salmon in most of the holes but not a lot yet. We need rain and hopefully next week we will get it. Thats all for now. Nick

I am booking appointments with Mr. Chinook (Salmon) for September/ October. This is a very exciting time to catch a very large fish. The closest you will come to BIG GAME fishing without getting on a plane. Chef Dan with a King from last fall.

Report: Fishing has been good lately. Summer Steelhead have been showing up in various locations. Small and Large mouth bass have been on a very good bite with cray fish imitations leading the way. Mousing after dark is the best way to bring the biggest trout in the boat. Cooler temps this summer are going to allow for a great fall run of steelhead and salmon.

Book now for prime spots!

Report

Iso's and Caddis are leading the band at this time. Cooler temps have kept things exciting and the streamer bite is on as well. Smallmouth have been on the feed lately with some surprise attacks while trout fishing! This coming week looks to be more summer like as far as temps go. Get out and fish!

6/23/09

Had Scott and Beth out for there first time every fly fishing. This husband and wife duo did famously. Wet fly fishing was the main game, but switched over to some gray drakes late in the game and taught them the finesse game. I think we have some converts! Well, maybe not quite. Drakes, Isonychias, and Caddis are the main game on the Muskegon now. In the north, the Hexaginia Limbata is making its annual appearance.

Pic from Saturday

The poor image quality does not do this fish justice. Friend, Matt B. had his hands full with this fish. At 22inches, this was a very fat fish to boot! Caught during the evening drake/ woolridge hatch. Congrats Matt!

Last Night

Last night was interesting evening. Was out with friends Mike and Matt. Periodic spats of rain with drakes working on coming down and sulphurs too. Worked some very good fish. Friend, Matt B. got a 22 in brown . This fish was wide and outside...not the snaky fish I have seen with some of those longer fish. Got fish to go on Gray drakes and Sulphurs. Color isn't as key as is size and presentation. No pic of the pig since the only camera in the boat used real film...who still uses film? Thats all for now! Nick

Update!

Sorry fish fans...this is long overdue. I have been a little busy these days. I have been out a couple of times this week on the Muskegon for Gray Drakes in the evening. Some excellent hatches and some very nice fish coming up for them. River is at a nice level right now. I am seeing sulphurs, gray drakes, and caddis.

The Grand river has been producing some smallies, gar pike, and carp this week. All on the fly!The Gar Pike on a fly is very exciting stuff! Lots of teeth and lots of aggression...all sight fishing!

Thats all for now!

4/19 and 4/20

Had a great two days on the water with George and Jason on Sunday and Ryan and Steve on Monday. Had some great hookups and some great fish in the boat. Hens and Bucks are crushing flies. Lots of midges on the water keeping the trout looking up. New fish arriving every day. Eggs and par have scored both days. Nick

Muskegon Report

Greetings anglers!
Here is my report that is long overdue. The Muskegon is fishing well now. Water is remaining at a higher level which is definitely a good thing and keeps my arms in good shape. I am seeing plenty of fresh steelhead around. Holes, deep runs, and tailouts are all producing. Egg flies, flashy hexy, and smolts are all working. We should get another push of fish this week with the rain predicted. I had Ben and Dan out on Saturday. Even with the amount of traffic for a saturday, we had good success with steelhead and of course the ever forgiving catch and release walleyes that are ever prevalent this time of year. The steelhead are very HOT fighters right now and will break your heart at any time. Thats all for now! Tightlines!

Report

Was out with good friend John on the Muskegon today. Water is still a little high with a stain. Steelhead are active and hungry. Water temp today was 39deg. F Lots of stoneflies on the water in the afternoon. We managed a couple of fish today as well. Tailouts and dark water near gravel is producing with some persistance. Beautiful day to be out!

High Water

The Muskegon is currently running at 5410 cfs and dirty. What this means to the angler is that the fish has a lot smaller of a chance to see your offering. To the left is a solution to this. Nickel to quarter sized egg flies with and without a brass bead will do the trick. I like to add flash as well. Estaz and hackle flash will both work. Colors should be chartreuse, ripple, and anything else that is bright! Good luck out there and be careful!
I am taking bookings for spring steelhead and spring streamer trout trips! With all the water we have...this could be a great to catch your fish of a lifetime! Nick

Fishing Shows

One in Grand Rapids! http://www.showspan.com/USG/Home.aspx

Midwest Fly Fishing Expo http://www.midwestflyfishingexpo.com/index.php

Get out and support local businesses and gain some knowledge as well! Nick

Update

Last weeks rain has really impacted our rivers. I am seeing fresh fish arriving daily as well as winter fish being caught. With the higher/ dirty water I have found myself using a bigger pattern...mostly eggs with some estaz thrown in. Also, some flashy streamers to imitate the par that are around. I am doing my bookings now for the rest of March, April, and May.

Don't forget about end of May/ June Muskegon river Dry Fly trips. An incredible way to spend an evening after a day at the office. During this time of year we will be fishing Gray drakes and Sulfurs with a few surprises thrown in. This can be some of the more exciting trout fishing found anywhere. Email me at garlocknick@gmail.com

www.flyfishingfilmtour.com

Be there!

New Chrome Fish!

Clown eggs in slow deep run made this hen fall victim! Beautiful day on the Muskegon with temps reaching 45 F. Good amount of fish around!

Pics from December just received!

Robert from Virginia and the Casters Crew! Sorry about the late post on this one. Better late then never.

1-11-09

River is coming down and is at a nice level for this time of year. http://waterdata.usgs.gov/mi/nwis/uv?04121970

Swinging streamers with Spey rods and long single handed rods with Rio Skagit Versi-tip line has the ability to turn over large flies and get down deep. Muted sculpins with a bit of flash produce when placed in tailouts and slackwater seams.

Cold weather on its way for this week along with snow. Time to get caught up on some fly orders! Good luck to all!

Report 1/6/09

Just got back from the Muskegon for a quick afternoon with friend Matt Z from
www.trout-guide.com Spent the afternoon swinging flies in slow pools and tailouts. Had a brief hookup, but that fish came unpinned. It was very nice to be out and saw a few other anglers out as well. The weather looks like we will be getting some snow this week. Probably won't be getting out again until next week. Stayed tuned!

report 1/3/09

Greetings!
The muskegon is finally coming down and their are a few steelhead around. The trout are biting as well. This week should be good for fly fishing. Spawn and bobbers is key during high dirty water. I have been busy at the vise coming up with new ways to trick Mr. Steelhead. Keep an eye on the weather nazi during this time of year. During the winter, the barometer can mean the difference between a float on the river and a great day of fishing! Tight lines and give me a call or drop me an email if can help you get into some fish!