The fall season on the Muskegon River is a truly “magical” time. From the last of the chinook salmon entering the river on their annual spawning run to the resident rainbow and brown trout that are actively feeding around salmon spawning grounds to the grand prize for many anglers during this great time of year in Michigan, FALL STEELHEAD!
These blazing chrome bullets are in feeding on salmon eggs, and insect larva kicked up when salmon are spawning and are FULL of energy. A 5-6 pound Muskegon River fall steelhead will far exceed your expectations of such a fish, with acrobatic jumps that you would not think possible from such a fish. An adult fish of 8-10 pounds or more will test any angler’s skill and tackle.
November finds me fishing both fly fishing and light spin tackle gear and it’s all up to one’s personal preference for which technique they choose. Fly fishing options include bottom bouncing “chuck and duck” rigs, along with indicator nymphing setups and swinging streamers with sink tip lines. Spin tackle rigs are either bottom bouncing egg and nymph patterns, as well as floating egg imitations or bait under bobbers on longer rods.
Fall steelhead will be looking for food to feed on, so we target the areas where we still have spawning salmon, but also focus on the “tailouts” below salmon spawning grounds.
We have many miles of good river to fish this time of year, from Croton Dam area all the way down to Bridgeton, Maple Island, and below. With one of the longest “fall/early winter” steelhead seasons of any river in the Midwest, the Muskegon River will fish well for steelhead right up to Christmas most years. I hope YOU have a chance to wet a line this fall.
BY: Capt. Jeff Bacon
Michigan Fly Fishing Ventures
(616) 560-3195
www.westmichiganflyfishing.com