Muskegon River Fishing Report T he Muskegon River in West Michigan is where you will find many anglers in pursuit of the Crown Jewel of Great Lakes big game fish…..fall STEELHEAD! These epic jumpers – a.k.a. Michigan Tarpon – have endless energy and can test the best angler skill and equipment. With the fall season being rather atypical this year, the steelhead run has been erratic at best. They ARE in the river though and we’re finding them by covering water and fishing smarter, not harder. We have been using various techniques for chasing our silver friends. Fly fishing with swung flies on both single-handed rods and spey casting with longer two-handed rods. Floating line and indicator setups when angling experience and river conditions will allow. As well as deep water drift fishing, also known as chuck-n-duck. Flies we’ve been using include imitation egg patterns. Also on the menu have been naturals such as green caddis, hares ears, scuds and PT’s in the upper water closer to Croton Dam, where river habitat supports such bug life. Fly rods can range from 11-12’+ two-handed rods for spey casting 300-400 grain Skagit lines, with T-8, 11 & 14 sink tips, with heavier tippet in the #15 range. Also, add whatever gaudy attention-getter flies you want to swing through likely runs. For floating line + indicator rigs, as well as chuck-n-duck, 7-8 weight rods in 9-10’= lengths are the norm. For the spin fisherman, the same sampling of egg and natural insect imitations can be fished either under a small float or by bottom bouncing as well. Casting and retrieving lures such as spinners, Thundersticks, Rapalas, Hot-n-Tots and the like, can get attention as well. Floating spawn bags under bobbers when depths allow, is a very popular technique as well. As we get closer to true winter conditions, some will switch to smaller jigs, tipped with wax worms to fish their favorite pools and runs. Spinning rods range from shorter 7-8’ rods, medium action for casting-retrieving lures, 9-10’ medium action rods for bottom bouncing, and longer 10-11’+ rods in medium action as well, for floating bait under bobbers are pretty common. Resident trout fishing up near Newaygo has been pretty good for those willing to go with light line, small nymphs and egg imitations and cover water. Walk-in access for this time of year is somewhat restricted to the water around Newaygo itself. This includes walk-in spots up near Croton Dam, the Pine St boat launch, as well as 72nd streets off both Pine St off Croton Dr and Thornapple Rd off M-82. Although we got an early shot of winter, I suspect that we will see more normal weather return before the true winter season sets in for good. With that, we should see better weather for river fishing for steelhead and lake run brown trout. I hope you all have an enjoyable and safe holiday season and wrap of 2014!
[easy-social-share]