5-7-14 Fishing and Stuff

Wow, my last month has been like a high speed chase. Between guiding, working on our new Home/Studio so we can move in at the end of May, a massive order in my current studio headed for Alberta, Canada and cutting 5,000 Zudbubbler bodies for wholesale orders...  life has been a bit much lately. Am I complaining... not for one second! I am so thankful for the incredible blessings God has placed in my life, my barns are filled and my vats are overflowing... but I will admit I am looking forward to taking a few days off for R&R once we get moved.

On the fishing side of things, we are now past the peak of the steelhead run but a number of SH are still around... some spawning and some dropping back to the lake. I ran a mostly swung fly trip yesterday and we had some brief action in a couple runs. We also nymphed a few pockets which produced a few great hook ups.

This morning I met my client in Newaygo at 6 and we decided to rechedule as he wasn't delighted with waving a 13 foot graphite stick with lightening bolts coming down everywhere, so I am catching up on stuff in the studio today.

My apologies to everyone who keeps updated on my fishing reports, especially you guys that have been waiting for my phone call saying the fishing is really good. The fishing was really good for about 2 weeks, but my schedule was simply too full in between days that were booked in advance.

My steelhead trips are booked through mid May but after that I am open for trout trips. I hope to see YOU for some great trout and bass fishing this summer!

-Z

4-25-14 Fishing Report

Steelhead fishing is a bonanza right now with lots of fish in the river. Some spawning, some dropping back already and some still moving in. Fishing should remain very good for another couple weeks. Water level is currently just under 3,000 cfs and temp is in the upper 40's. Stained but clearing every day. Fry patterns and wooly bugger type patterns are working very well. Swinging flies is also a possibilty now as the water is below 3,000 cfs. Here are a few photos of Dan and John from Friday's trip.

4-23-14 Fishing Report

After spending the last week and a half off the water because of the massive flooding the Muskegon River has experienced, it was great to get out there again. Water temp is in the mid 40's and lots of bright steelhead are around finally. Pictured is my good friend Mitch with a beautiful hen that ate a flashback squirrel.

4-12-14 Fishing Report

Steelhead fishing was decent today. Fry patterns (BTS) and egg sucking leeches both were productive. Lots of traffic today! Pictured is Bob with a shiny hen and Mike with a 14 lb whopper buck from today.

4-11-14 Fishing Report

Sorry again for my lack of reports. Between working on our new house and guiding my hands are full. Fishing is improving as the water temp creeps slowly towards 40 degrees. Lots of ice on the ponds will keep the river much colder than normal for the next few weeks for sure. Fishing seems more like mid March than mid April. I've seen a number of polished redds but nothing on them yet. Fishing holes has been productive with a handful of steelhead per day. A good mix of winter and new fish are being caught. Egg flies, bugger type patterns and fry are all working well.
Pictured is Charlie with a great buck from tonight!

4-2-14 Fishing Report

I apologize for my lack of fishing reports in the last few weeks. Life has been extremely hectic. Anyway, here is a pic from today of Mike with his first steelhead! Congrats Mike!

Water is extremely high (5,500 cfs) and dirty but new fish are beginning to show up... spring may finally be here.

Z's Top 5 for Spring Steelhead #5

The final fly in my top 5 for spring steelhead patterns is Zuddy's Copper Stone. This attractor pattern works especially well when the tiny black stoneflies start making their way to shore. I typically fish this fly below an indicator as my bottom fly (egg fly on top). Although you can fish it on a C&D rig as well, I've found it fishes better under the indy.

Tying instructions found here