Wednesday, July 25, 2012

7-25-12 Fishing Report

Streamers ruled most of the day today but poppers came on strong in the evening. Here are photos of a few of the nicer bass from todays trip. Thanks Dale and Todd for a very enjoyable day on the water!





Monday, July 23, 2012

7-23-12 Fishing Report

Today I fished a section I don't normally fish for bass because of the tuber crowd, but I felt like doing something different. The bite was pretty good on streamers but not as great on poppers. We did get a couple nice one's on the Zudbubbler though. Pictured is Arnie with  a decent smallie.


Saturday, July 21, 2012

Toothy Critters

My beautiful daughter Morgan holds a pike that ate her streamer this afternoon. We often have them eat the fly, but don't get the fish or the fly back... she lucked out this time. Smallmouth fishing was also good on poppers.


Friday, July 20, 2012

Swinging Streamers for Smallmouth

I kind of cringe about placing a video on my report blog that isn't top quality, but I did the best I could with what I have to work with... at least for now. Hoping to do more of this stuff and would like to purchase better equipment... I need to find a sponsor:) Anyway, bass fishing is fantastic right now... the popper bite is great!



Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Rain Finally!

After seeing the lowest water levels I can remember on the Muskegon the last couple weeks, the river is finally rising due to lots of rain overnight and this morning. This will make bass fishing a little tougher until the water clears up again, but we sure needed it.

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

www.zflyfishing.com is Live!

My new website is up and running! I hope you will check it out at http://www.zflyfishing.com

Saturday, July 14, 2012

Change is not bad

So it happened again, I was just answering another email from someone asking questions like "did you quit Feenstra Guide Service? Was there a fight? Are you still friends?" So I will attempt to stay ahead of the rumor mill on this one.

I suppose it was four or five years ago now that I agreed to abolish my own guide service and guide exclusively for Feenstra Guide Service. At the time, my guide service was focussed on just trout and bass and I was taking alot of salmon and steelhead trips for FGS. Without marketing myself as a trout and bass guide any longer, I began to loose touch with many of the clients I had accumulated as they simply weren't interested in cold weather fishing. Because the steelhead trips were so numerous though, FGS was better for me financially and it was a great experience to be under Kevin's leadership.

What changed?
As many of you already know, last fall I decided to retire from the cold weather guiding myself due to some circulation issues I was having as a result of frostbite. I realized this spring that there was a need to begin rebuilding my client base for the guiding I have always been the most passionate about, trout and smallmouth bass fishing. This is why I have started my own guide service again.

So, to clear up any questions or rumors the answer is No, I haven't quit FGS... I am still happy to take FGS clients if they request me or if Kevin is already booked. No, Kevin and I did not have a fight, in fact our friendship is better than ever. Kevin is one of the finest people I know and is very understanding and supportive of my decision.

I hope this clears up any questions and I also hope you will check out my new website http://www.zflyfishing.com It is still in the construction phase but should be completed any day now. You can also sign up to follow my fishing reports and blog by submitting your email in the box to the right of this post.

Be blessed,
Matt "Z" Zudweg

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Fishing Report 7/10/2012



I spent the afternoon with my wife and kids on one of my favorite stretches of the river for smallmouth. The swimming was great and the popper bite superb! Once again, the yellow Zudbubbler was the hot popper of the afternoon. Pictured is my youngest daughter Alexa with a nice smallie and a big smile.

Thursday, July 5, 2012

Fishing Report 7/5/2012



Popper action was fantastic today... hard to believe it is only early July! The super hot weather is a bit miserable but a jump in the river every now and then makes you forget all about it. The bass are certainly feeding well with the hot water temps! It's only going to get better over the next 2 months. The yellow Zudbubbler was the hot popper today!