By: Capt. Stacy Chupailo
River Hunter Charters
(616) 502-4657
If you are looking for big numbers, this is the time to fish. May has started out with huge numbers of fish being caught each day. We have been averaging 10 to 20 a trip, and sometimes numbers reaching as high as 30. The majority of the fish we are catching are cohos and surprisingly good numbers of kings. We have been lucky with the winds blowing west and north most of the start this month. Long story short, most of the kings are on our side of the lake this spring. For now, we are fishing two areas. From the pier heads out to 90 feet have been real good for kings, and good depths for lake trout. Most of this fishing has been at the top fifty feet with spoons and some paddles. Most of the lake trout are coming off the bottom with the tin cans and also with spin doctors with either spin-n-glows or flies. The second area has been that 160-220 feet. This has been some of the most consistent fishing all spring. Big numbers of cohos have been around all spring, and it’s also nice to see the Kings showing up also. Most sets have been coming from 150 feet down to the riggers to the colors up high on the boards. Best baits have been big white paddles down deep with either Raptures Oceania flies or Big Weenies Poofster fly. Both have been very good.
As for high upsets, mixed veggies has been one of my best baits so far this spring, either in the standard or stingray sized spoons. Best sets have been either on the riggers, or we have been running them on the seven colors of lead. For the most part, everything has been working well. Fishing has been on fire. As for June, I hope the fishing stays the same, but as the water warms the fish will start to disappear. Get out now and get some of these cohos and kings while the fishing is still hot. There some of the best-eating fish right now, with the cold water still around. Good luck and good fishing.
Captain Stacy Chupailo
River Hunter Charters