WHITE RIVER WALK-IN FLY-FISHING
SPRING STEELHEAD
Photo's of 2011
As daylight struggles to cast a grey shimmer of light on this location the Buck Steelhead respond with much aggression. These large Lake Michigan grown Rainbow’s smash the flies with such a force there is no mistaking that you have just been bit. Air acrobatics accompanied with blistering line stripping runs provide even the most experienced anglers a challenge at staying ahead of these very powerful freshwater beasts of a fish. Once you set the hook on these red stripped rockets you will be in awe of the sheer power that is stored inside these creatures of the river.
Daylight brightens with blue skies, the Steelhead leave the spawning gravel and head for deeper shaded water. As a guide with 20 years experience fishing Steelhead in the rivers of Michigan I understand how these fish think. We quickly move on to the holes running double fly sets. First fly consist of egg pattern trailed by an egg-sucking leech. On the second cast through this hole an average sized Hen (female) Steelhead smashes the cotton-candy leech.
Back to Back Hen Steelhead! This one has a little more weight to her and just as much spunk. The fish slime wasn't even off this anglers hand before the rod tip smacked down and the fight was on all over again. Two for two in ten minutes, so far we are beating the odds on hook-up to landing ratio. Watching the pure excitement, hearing the laughs, and seeing the overall enjoyment on the anglers faces makes my day all worthwhile.
Michigan Walleye on the Fly
Walleye also run upstream to spawn in the spring. It is not at all uncommon to catch Walleye between 5 to 13 lbs. These fish smash the flies with much aggression. Most common flies these Walleye take are Black Stones, Olive Wigglers, and Caddis Rock Worms. These are not in season during this time frame, but none the less they sure are a blast to catch. The variety of fish that flow through this river make for a very rewarding and attention focused day of fishing. Whether the water is high, low, dirty, or clear there is always something willing to bite your line.
Day after day the water temperatures rise, Black Stones come out of the river bottom in clouds. The fish become very aggressive as they smash everything that drifts through the holes and runs. Around midday you could not make a cast without hooking one of these White River Walleye’s.
Michigan Bone-Fish
If there is one thing you can count on catching every time, everyday, all day until you are sick of fighting fish, it's the White Sucker. If Cabela’s comes out with a spray to keep these fish off our flies I will be the first to buy stock in that. Sometimes these fish are so aggressive in the feeding that you can’t get down fast enough to get close to the Steelhead. Although, with that said these fish provide a very positive aspect to the unique fishing experience on the White. The gentleman in this photo is very new to Fly-Fishing and these fish provide everyone with the feel of a fish taking the fly as well as providing you with a less powerful run. Letting the angler learn and understand how to control the reel & rod while fighting fish in river currents.
Teams of suckers run ramped through the river devouring everything in their path. This gentleman is also newer to the sport of Fly-Fishing. Although these suckers can become difficult to deal with during the warmest part of the day eating everything that hits the water. They still provide positive lessons on fly placement and fish control for those just getting into Fly-Fishing. They are a very positive ego booster providing you with the confidence that you are placing your cast and presenting your fly in the correct location. These suckers are hanging out with the Steelhead & Walleye’s, so once you start picking up these fish it won’t be long before you feel an aggressive Steelhead smash your offering.
Everyone gets the opportunity to fight Michigan Bone-Fish. Regardless of experience level these fish keep you fine tuned with the feel of the fly rod & reel. If you are a gambler these fish often start side bets on who can land the most in 30 min. This can provide some very competitive and focused fishing battles between anglers on a given outing. On this day I couldn't believe it, a $100 dollar bill sits in my pocket as I keep count for the 1/2 hour sucker durby....Really? hahaha!!
GUIDE RYAN COTE' Contact me direct rcote@quackaddict.org or (616) 318-1890 Cell
Every once in a while the group just needs a break from catching limitless numbers of fish. Here and there someone comes up to me with a rod in hand and say's “If you wouldn't mind I would like to take a break as my arms are burning from fighting fish after fish” so I gladly take the rod and make a few cast myself. You see I don’t fish with my clients, my focus is on your success, but I won’t turn down the opportunity to wet a line here and there if offered.
Lodging available at All Seasons Inn for White River Walk-in Trips. All Seasons Inn is guides choice, this is where I hang my hat when doing back to back trips. Contact them today to see what rooms may be available. http://www.allseasonsinnmotel.com. These rooms are First Class, but you don't have to take my opinion, look at their website above and see for yourself.
Muskegon River Spring Steelhead
Photo's of 2011
This little Jack Steelhead was supper aggressive with an attitude of a fish 3 times his size. I was able to witness this young Steelhead come screaming out of the dark water and smash a cotton-candy leech with such force you would have thought he was a 15 pounder. We couldn’t help but laugh at this little ultra-aggressive jack. Warmer water temps as well as a manageable stream flow is just what we have been waiting for. It was a long transition from winter to spring here on the Muskegon, but its here now and the fish now it as well.
This is a nice specimen of what the Muskegon River has to offer anglers on the fly. On April, 11 2011 the days of fishing the dark, deep, and slow holes of the Mighty Mo are over. Winter has pushed out and Spring has taken its place. The Steelhead return in good numbers, once again welcoming anglers with tight lines, singing reels, and rods bent signaling what is still yet to come. We are just getting started! Rich joins me for a four hour fish as we go 4 fish landed out of 9 fish hooked. The full day trips are sure to be double digit catches easily.
First shift fishing on the Mighty Muskegon for a second shift worker. Richard joins me on April 13, 2011 for a 4 hour fish before work, his Rainbow fever or is it cabin fever has kicked into high gear. Either way we set off before daylight in hopes of finding fish long before anyone else hits the river. Well once again it pays off big! The Mighty MO opens her waters to the anglers, once again blessing us with some beautiful fish. We were not targeting this Hen (female) Steelhead as we were casting to the Buck’s dogging side to side over the redd, but this aggressive Hen smashed a little black stone as it came floating by. After a great morning Fly-Fishing on the Muskegon River this angler heads off to work reeking of fish, while recapping the morning’s events with co-workers.
Buck's & Hens and more Buck's is how this all day outing went. We were into so many fish we spent 5 of the 8 hour fish in one location. On April 14, 2011 Dave demonstrated superior rod, reel, and fish control on this outing. We ended up going 16 landed out of 19 Steelhead hooked. The three fish that got away ran us under some logs, otherwise I have no doubt we would have landed every fish hooked. Unbelievable showmanship and control!! I asked Dave how he was able to keep damn near every fish on the line; all he would say is “time on the river my friend, time on the river.” Hahaha! Ok your secret is safe with me.
Jon comes back to visit us on April 15, 2011 for another Michigan Adventure on the Fly. This time he chooses the Muskegon River for his destination. Normally he is one to book a walk in trip on the White, but he decides to shift gears as we target the Muskegon for this 4 hour fish. This morning started out with awesome weather! Heavy cloud cover, light rain, and no wind a fly fisherman’s perfect recipe for success. Within 20 minutes of leaving the boat launch Jon was tangled up in this nice Buck Steelhead. This was the norm for the first 2 ½ hours as we went 2 for 6. The last 1 ½ hours was like someone shut off the switch. The cloud cover started breaking up, boat traffic became heavy, and the fish seemed to disappear back into the dark depths of the Mighty Muskegon. Jon thanks for the great time on the river. I look forward to seeing you again.
This was one nasty wet, cold, cold and cold, windy April 19, 2011 Steelhead outing. At the young age of 78 years old, Dr. Baldridge joins me for an all day outing. I had no idea just how tough this gentleman was. We ended up going 4 landed out of 15 hooked. The morning started out beautiful with a spectacular sunrise and still winds. Then that was the end of the pleasantries. Heavy cloud cover moved in (very ideal conditions for Steelhead fishing). Then it snowed, then hailed, then rained, then winds up to 30 mph. I thought to myself this is going to cut our trip short for sure, but Doc was casting his 9’9’' 8wt Loomis like it was a bright sunny day. I asked Doc if he was cold or wet he stated, “I’m a little wet, my hands are rather cold, but if you are thinking I am ready to quite that’s not going to happen. You see all these fish in here! There is no way we are leaving until my guided time is up!” So I sat back down and thought to myself this gentleman has more stones then guys a third of his age. Doc thanks for keeping me out in that inclement weather, watching you fight fish after fish made all the bad weather disappear.
Jim & Noah a father and son duo join me on April 22, 2011 for some Muskegon River Steelhead fishing. These two gentlemen have never held a fly rod or fished for Steelhead until today. This was a day full of first on this father & son outing. We were faced with high water, medium – heavy stain, along with shy fish. Changing flies often along with leader was the key to keep the light biting fish active. We still ended up going 4 landed out of 7 hooked. Despite the tough water conditions, we still had our bag of tricks full in order to make sure we put some fish in the boat. Before the day was over these two guys had the Steelhead fly fishing down. Thanks Jim & Noah for a wonderful Good Friday on the Muskegon River. Seeing a father and son spend the day together competitively bonding hits our guides right in the heart strings.
Mothers Day May 08, 2011
Dave Cote' (my father & guide) and myself take off early in the morning on Mother's Day in search of some Muskegon River Steelhead. It was like we had a private river all to ourselves. I guess all the Mom's kept the kids at home, all but ours. We never saw a soul on the river until late afternoon. At 2:30 in the afternoon Dave and I where sitting high on the hog with 13 landed out of 21 hooked. What A Day!!! This was the best Steelhead fishing of the season thus far. The river had a medium stain but the bright sun light made sight fishing with a Fly Rod real exciting. Out of all the fish we caught we only hooked 2 Hen's, the other 19 all Males and some real monsters. Happy Mother's Day!
WORDS FROM THE GUIDE
Male Steelhead (A.K.A. Buck) All males have a hooked bottom jaw. Females do not have this feature
GUIDE RYAN COTE' Contact me direct rcote@quackaddict.org or (616) 318-1890 Cell
Over the past 20 years I have witnessed a strong decline in fish numbers not just on the Muskegon River, but all rivers of West Michigan. Steelhead do not die like Salmon after spawning. These fish don't even spawn until 6 years of age. You see I was raised with an understanding that conservationist (hunters, fishermen & women, outdoors persons, game officers) were the voice for those creatures that have none. That we are to Protect & Preserve the egg laying or young rearing species of all wildlife, so that we can guarantee our future generations will be able to enjoy these magical resources as we once have. It’s sad to think we as the dominant intellectual species still take these resources for granted as if they will be here forever without some kind of proactive control. The female Steelhead don't need to be removed from the river, there is no difference in taste when it comes to males or females. Please help us preserve this majestic resource by only taking a male Steelhead if you want to eat them, and only take what you will use. There is no need to fill a cooler on every outing. Let's leave the Hen's (female) in the river so that we all can continue to enjoy these beautiful Lake Michigan grown Rainbow's.
GUIDE RYAN COTE' Contact me direct rcote@quackaddict.org or (616) 318-1890 Cell
The Muskegon River is also home to schools of spawning Walleye. This river system is one of the main rivers in which the Michigan Department of Natural Resources & Environment (MI DNRE) uses to replenish Michigan lakes with Walleye. This vital tail water is essential to many lakes throughout the state so that anglers all across Michigan may pursue one of the most sought after game fish of the summer, the Michigan Walleye. There are many mixed views when talking to anglers along the Muskegon River while discussing the tactics for relocating these Walleye fry. One thing we all need to keep in mind as conservationist is for every hundred Walleye caught and stripped of its eggs and seminal fluids there are thousands that go on to reproduce naturally in the river system. Without this process we would most likely see a large decline in Walleye populations on the inland lakes we love to fish during the summer months here in Michigan.
GUIDE RYAN COTE' Contact me direct rcote@quackaddict.org or (616) 318-1890 Cell
Yep even the Muskegon River has Michigan Bone-fish swimming between its shores. This might be one of the most least desirable fish you can catch on the fly, but never the less they still provide a hell of a tug on the line and put a large bend in the rod. Now that warmer water temps are here to stay all the fish in the river system come out of hibernation. Sometimes you never really know what is tugging on the end of your line when fishing the magical Muskegon River. I am here day after day getting my fish on!! What are you doing on these beautiful spring days? Come join me in the hunt for Muskegon River Monsters!!
Lodging is available at Riverside Resort. Contact Candice for available rooms at http://www.riverside-resort.net . Riverside Resort is located on the beautiful Croton Pond in Newaygo County, Michigan. Lodging at Riverside Resort is a short 8 miles from our meeting location and minutes from some of the most beautiful stretches of river holding teams of Steelhead. Riverside Resort is very clean set in a rustic feel with modern amenities. They offer small scale rooms as well as very large apartment style lodging. There is a small town grocery store about 1 ½ miles from lodging or the famous Driftwood Bar & Grill located just across the pond from Riverside Resort.
Muskegon River Fall Salmon
The fall season is truly something that memories are made day after day, trip after trip. This was part two of this youngman's adventure into the wild. Our morning started out with a round of duck hunting during the morning hours then shifted gears as our pursuit focused on the fall run Salmon. Our young angler shown in this photo gave his father a run for his money as he man handled these monster fish to the net. Great Job!! I bet you'll nap all the way home once you hit the back seat for your road trip back to Indiana. Thanks for coming out guys, a great time was had by all!!
More Photo's Coming Soon!