By: Capt. Jeff Bacon
April is a magical time in Lake Michigan and on the Muskegon River as the mighty steelhead run is under way!
Considered by many to be the most desired of the Great Lakes big game fish, these chrome creations of fins and muscle ascend their natal rivers on their annual spawning run and the Muskegon River has one of the best spring steelhead runs of any river east of the Mississippi River. With one of the longest spring steelhead seasons to be found, the Mighty MO will have these fish in from March – mid May most years and even longer, but weather plays a big role in determining how far into May our run will go.
Fly fishing options include shooting line drift fishing, also known as chuck-n-duck, as well as indicator nymphing with floating lines, as well as stripping or swinging streamers on sink tip or sinking fly lines. Most rods are in the 6-8 weight range, in 9-11’+ lengths and fishing tippet ranging from 6-10# in most cases, quite a bit heavier when swinging streamers though and using 15+# tippet common for that. Conventional equipment anglers with me are using mostly longer rods in the 11′ length, rated for 6-12# line and floating our “offering” under floats/bobbers. Also, an option is bottom bouncing similar offerings on 9-10′ rods, with similar line rating, through pools, runs and troughs where spring steelhead can be found.
The great brown and rainbow trout are not far behind the spawning steelhead. With such easy meals available to trout, it’s easy to see why some BIG trout are susceptible to being caught during the spring steelhead run.
On occasion, we’ll find our annual black stone fly hatch occur in April AND at a time when river temperatures have warmed enough to allow trout to identify all those tasty, easy meals floating on the surface. Water temperature is key here, as if it’s still too cold for trout to come to the surface and justify staying up there to goggle a few dry flies quickly, then they won’t key in on them.
With most of the river from Croton Dam down to Newaygo having suitable habitat for steelhead to stage, spawn AND “drop back” into nearby pools in order to feed a little before going back to Lake Michigan, there is ample water to fish in.
By: Capt. Jeff Bacon
Michigan Fly Fishing Ventures
(616) 560-3195
www.westmichiganflyfishing.com
