S pring has FINALLY sprung……and none too soon for most here in Michigan and the Midwest. After a brutal couple runs of Arctic temperatures over the past two plus months, Mother Nature has loosened her grip, and we’re full steam ahead into our spring steelhead run on the Muskegon River. We’ve had fish in the system all winter long and for those willing and able to get into the water, found both wintered-over steelhead and resident rainbow and brown trout to play with. For winter conditions water temperatures in the 33-34 degree range, fishing has been pretty good and will only get better as water levels and temperature rise.
With the bulk of our fall steelhead run having come a bit later than in years past, this past December was by far the best month for fall steelheading. We had light-to-medium angler traffic during that time, and one can only presume, less harvesting of fish leading to winter. As a result, we should see a solid spring run, by no means comparable to the last couple of springs, but we also hope to avoid the flooding that plagued us the last two years and made the fishing either off the charts or spotty at best….nothing in between.
We should anticipate a typical spring pattern to emerge soon, with snowmelt, runoff, and rising water levels to lead us into the spring season. With any help from Mother Nature, we’ll get a few rains along the way to keep levels relatively steady and the flow of migratory steelhead at a moderate pace -vs.- HERE THEY COME….and have all kinds of fish in the system for a shorter period.
Once into the high water, off color water conditions, large and attractive flies, bait and lures will get the most attention from our first run of steelhead out of Lake Michigan and into the Muskegon River. Glo bug yarn patterns in orange, red, chartreuse and clown egg colors are always good to throw in such conditions. For those fishing bait, large and bright spawn bags will work and for lures, good wobbling action plugs in the same brighter colors will suffice. With high and off color water, fish won’t be line shy. Upping the line size is a good idea to a minimum of #8, with #10 being common because of line management ease and sufficient strength. It will still allow for some natural “flow” of fly/bait/lure on a line that’s still relatively limp.
With higher water conditions, safe wading is always in the front of one’s mind, like taking a swim in spring water can be not only very cold, but dangerous. Stick to the edges of the river if wading, follow a friend or fellow angler out and back if possible. Know that all boat ramps and public access sites/walk in areas will be busy. It has been a long winter, cabin fever was at record levels, so be nice, play fair and let’s all have a great spring season!