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Welcome to RiverQuest Charters/Muskegon River Lodge
Greetings!
June, the fly fisher's month of months! Our beloved steelhead, having completed their rites of spring, now cruise the depths of Lake Michigan replenishing their strength to return to the Muskegon in late October through May. Now, the resident brown and rainbow trout claim the river as their own. Slashing at sculpins and salmon fry, turning on nymphs as they crawl or swim to the surface, and rising and rising to duns and spinners, the trout afford the fly fisherman and woman some of the most pleasant and rewarding fly fishing of the year. Kick back on the lodge deck overlooking the river and watch for the swallows as they wheel and turn high over the river taking bugs well out of sight. But soon, there is it is-a rise there, another over there. Grab the rod, slip on the waders, and ease out into the river. It's the evening rise on the Muskegon.
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Muskegon River Lodge Life around the lodge and the banks of the Muskegon River never ceases to amaze. The sounds of birds, some new to our world, fill the morning air with sounds that delight. May flies cling to leaves and the full pine logs of the lodge walls in anticipation of their evening flight over the sparkling riffles of the Muskgeon River.
As the parade of seasonal change marches on all round on the banks of the river and throughout the forested canopy, we create new opportunities for our lodge guests. The latest: a new blog entitled, "The Emergent Epicurean," will soon reside on our website. "The Emergent Epicurean" will feature the culinary insights and talents of Heather Allen (Yes, she's Jay's lovely wife!), wine reviews, and photos from the lodge grounds and forest.
 Even better, Lodge guests now have the option of savoring one of Heather's tastefully prepared creative breakfasts. Heather's flair in the kitchen renders her breakfasts a not-to-miss morning delight. Click here to see Heather's breakfast menu.
To see our new blog or for more information about the lodge, please visit our website. Bookings or further questions can simply be answered by giving us a call at 616.293.0501 or a simple email.
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RiverQuest Charters June. Fly fishing opportunities are in overdrive as nearly every type of fish and fishing technique are available to the fly fisherman. Streamer stripping, nymphing, and dry fly casting are the order of the day and evening.
The hatches on the Muskegon River are now finding their stride, and the trout have begun to look up. Gray Drakes, sulphers, caddis, and soon Isonychia, will test the evening trout angler's cast and presentation. Day-time fly fisherman will find nymphing the pocket water with caddis nymphs and scuds highly effective. Then, too, don't go to the river in the morning without your dry fly box. This time of year, sometimes the evenings cool too quickly to enable a spinner fall, which can afford the morning fly fisherman some fabulous post-breakfast spinner falls and exciting dry fly fishing.
 June also is peak time for chasing carp and smallmouth on the flats of Grand Traverse Bay. This fishery not only provides some of Michigan's best scenery, but the technical fly fishing for carp rivals the challenge of casting for bonefish on the flats of the Caribbean. Bonus catches are Lake Michigan smallmouth bass, which run to five pounds plus. We guides regularly tell clients that of all the fish we chase-steelhead, trout, smallmouth bass, and Chinook salmon-the most challenging quarry is the lowly carp. Not so lowly anymore, though. This is a growing fly fishery with European carp devotees regularly flying in to join their American counterparts in stalking these wary fish.
To join us for an evening dry fly fishing trip on the Muskegon River or to test your skills on the flats of Grand Traverse Bay for carp and smallmouth bass please give us a call @ 616.293.0501 or send us an email.
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Benthic Buzz by Jay Allen
 June 2011 This month marks the beginning of what should be some excellent dry fly fishing. First, a disclaimer, the intent of this column is to discuss several things to look for each month as far as insect hatches as well as significant benthic happenings. The Muskegon River is so diverse and rich, I simply don't have the word space for even an attempt to cover most of what could happen each month. The goal then is to highlight several fishing opportunities and hopefully give tips on how to take advantage of certain fishing situations...sigh. That said, numbers of sulphurs continue to increase this month and the little green caddis(#18) and cinnamon caddis(#16) have started to make their appearance on the river. Good emergences have been taking place, and larger fish have  started to take notice and feed on them. Keep in mind that anytime you observe caddis on the wing and see trout feeding the most potent pattern will usually be a pupae pattern. Carry both floating and un-weighted versions to fool the most scrutinizing fish. Also, remember caddis are very active emergers; don't hesitate to add a bit of movement to the fly as it reaches a targeted fish. One of the best ways to do this is to start by casting down and across to a fish. Once the fly has drifted within 3-4 feet of the fish, lift and twitch the tip of your rod. Immediately after doing so, drop your rod tip to allow the pupae imitation to dead-drift again. This maneuver can often provide the strike you are looking for from a tough fish. You can also lift and twitch a second time in the same drift. The best advice for fishing to caddis eaters is to first determine which caddis species (mostly concerned with color and size) they are feeding on and then watch the feeding style of each fish you cast to. Sometimes you may have fish feeding only several feet apart that are doing so in an entirely different manner but at the same time feeding on the same stage of the emerging caddis. I guess that is what keeps us coming back for more-the challenge! Gray drakes were very sparse in the month of May so be ready for the heat to turn up fast with this hatch. Carry spinner patterns in sizes #10-12 2xl. The best place to be in the river for a gray drake spinner fall is in the slower runs located directly down stream from heavy riffles and pocket water. Getting into position  and having all tippets and knots spruced up ahead of time can pay big dividends when the spinners fall. You simply don't want to waste any time when fish start to feed on these flies. Make sure to have a good idea of how long your leader is before the light starts to fade. Once you can't see your fly any longer, it will help to know at least the general area where your fly is so that you can lift on any rise near it. As fishing goes, the month of June for trout fishermen on the Muskegon River can be about as good as it gets. Excellent dry fly fishing awaits those anglers who take the time to be prepared and get out and make it happen.-guide Jay Allen |
 Michigan's July Atlantic Salmon
Spring is here, and with it numerous choices of fly fishing opportunities. However, it won't be long before the classic hatches on the rivers will come to an end, the smallmouth and carp on the bay will head out past the blue line, and generally fishing opportunities begin to slim.
No slimming with this one, though: one of Michigan's best kept secrets is the Atlantic salmon fishery on the St. Mary's River between Michigan and Canada. Each year, the Michigan DNRE and Lake Superior States Aquatic Research Laboratory stock the river with over 30 thousand Atlantic salmon. In June, these magnificent fish follow spawning smelt and herring up the river and gorge themselves with high protein meals. This affords the streamer angler some fantastic streamer fishing. Once the baitfish numbers begin to lessen, mayfly and caddis hatches draw the attention of the salmon. Deep-water nymphing the river's seams and eddies near the Edison power plant can provide epic days astream.
 Recently, nationally known author and fly shop proprietor, Bob Linsenman, published an article in Mid West Fly Fishing Magazine featuring this fishery by recounting a two day trip he and Dr. Scott Smith spent with me chasing Atlantics. Needless to say, they hit it right: 42 Atlantics brought to hand in two days! To read this article follow the link to view a PDF copy.
If you would be interested in joining me this year on the St. Mary's river, please give me a call at 616.293.0501 or drop me an email. I have a very limited number of dates available, but perhaps there's a place for you! You can also visit the Atlantic salmon section on our website for more photos and trip information.
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Fly Box by Micheal Schmidt Mike's Gorgon Craw Thread: Tan UTC 140 Denier Hook: Daiichi 1530 size 8 Eyes: Bead chain, medium Tail: Grizzly Marabou, sand Legs: Rubber, Barred Orange Body1: Senyo Laser Dub, dark tan Body2: Hares Ear Plus Dubbing, Tan Head: Hungarian Partridge
Alternate Colors: Olive Grizzly Marabou, Barred Olive Rubber, Light
Olive Laser Dub, Olive Hun Partridge, Sand Grizzly Marabou, Barred
Tan Rubber, Rusty Bronze Laser Dub, and Hun Partridge
With the carp and smallie fishing in the bays heating up, this crawfish imitation is something that just may come in handy. If you are sight fishing, determine the direction your quarry is headed, place a cast up in front of it, and allow the fly to sink to the bottom. Then, once the fish gets close, start retrieving the fly with very short twitch strips. Doing so will send up puffs of mud and vibration through the water like that of a fleeing crayfish. If you are blind casting, you should look for variations in the bottom that may hold fish. Cast towards them and retrieve in a similar manner.
For more information on this great pattern or to view some of Mike's other innovative flies, please visit his website.
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Need a Speaker or Presentation?  As some of you who follow us on Facebook have read, Captain Steve Kuieck of RiverQuest Charters and the Muskegon River Lodge is now offering presentations promoting Michigan fly fishing opportunities. The talks, complete with a Power Point slide show, feature times and places to fly fish, techniques, entomology, and insights about fly fishing Michigan. Here is a review from a recent speaking engagement in Chicago-- Steve Kuieck's presentation to our fly fishing club was very informative, fast-paced, and wonderfully cohesive. The beautiful visuals, his knowledge and explanations of techniques, and his buoyant personality made his talk one of the best received in the last few years.
Bob Swan Past President - The Anglers' Club of Chicago For information on booking Captain Steve for a presentation, please call 616.293.0501 or simply email. 
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Book Review by Glen Blackwood Fly Fishing Strategies for ON-THE -Water Challenges
Fly fishing is all about the on water challenges, with the spring of 2011 being no exception. This spring has brought us the challenges of high water, dirty water, and cold water just to name a few. Not to mention sporadic hatches and barometric pressures that seem to rise and fall on a whim. The management of these challenges is the key to angling success. John Mordock's book, Fly Fishing Strategies for On-The-Water Challenges, addresses everyday occurrences on trout streams and gives the reader 180 tips to solve the river's challenges. The author is a third generation angler, schooled by his grandfather, father, and uncle in the Catskills. His old school views, as well as new school concepts, are intertwined throughout the book, allowing the reader to glean years of angling experience while learning in a modern day setting. This book covers a broad variety of topics in 97 pages. The tips in my view are concise and ring true. No fluff or hyperbole, just solid angling info, hints that only many hours on stream can provide. The book has 13 chapters that cover topics such as casting and playing and landing fish that may seem as review to some. With that said, the chapters on "Managing Refusals," "Fishing Structure," and "Maximize Productive Time" are new as a mint March Muskegon steelhead. Priced at $14.95, this soft bound book may seem overpriced, but at eight cents a tip, it is worth every penny. Fly Fishing Strategies for On-The-Water Challenges is a book I am sure that you will enjoy and reread. The tips are honest, true, and productive. Whether you fish for steelhead in Michigan or trout elsewhere, you will benefit from John's insight-the insights of one angler not preaching but just trying to help another. Glen Blackwood To purchase this book or other fine sporting literature please call or email Glen at 616.866.6060. |
Great Gear- Sage TCX 5119-4 Recently, I was able to fish the the switch TXC 5119-4 for trout on the Muskegon River. I lined the rod with a Rio Windcutter 5/6 floating line, spooled on an Abel Super 7. This package balances nicely and turned indicators over so effortlessly, that it became evident that my fishing companion of the day was going to have to really be on this toes to get a cast in ahead of me. Sage TCX series of rods have long been know for there abilities to power out line with ease, and this switch 5 wt. was no exception. Casting styles with this rod worked efficiently both with single and two-handed techniques, but since I had the rod rigged with a floating spey line, its two-handed roots proved to fit its heart and soul. The TCX Switch style rods are available in sizes 5wt.-8wt. and are 11' 9" long. If you are a fan of the two-handed style fly rods, you owe it to yourself to experience the TCX! To test drive one of these rods for yourself, please visit one of our regional fly shops . |
Great Gear - Sage VPX 5100-4 Please forgive another rave about a rod, but I am simply that pumped about it! Trout fishermen are always on the lookout for something that makes life on the river a little easier. This is especially true when the wind starts blowing and mending line becomes a chore. Late May through early June finds most of my time spent nymphing likely glides and pockets probing the dark water for hungry trout. (Of course this is only after you have pried my streamer rod from my hands!) It seams that this year has had more wind blowing up and down the river in every direction imaginable. Nymphing has been extremely challenging on windy days, until recently when the new Sage VPX 10' 5wt. 4piece was introduced to me. I am generally not a big fan of 10' rods for traditional casting since the extra length usually comes exacts fatigue and requires extra effort to keep casting. I guess should never under- estimate my friends at Sage. The new VPX 10' 5wt. not only casts and fishes effortlessly at every distance I could fish effectively, it was a true pleasure to fish. Whether it was the way it mended line or shot line clear to the farthest seams, or its handsome metallic green color--this rod truly left me wondering where it had been, and why I didn't have one until now! To test drive one of these rods for yourself, please visit one of our regional fly shops .
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"Like Us" on Facebook Most of you have heard about Facebook by now.Some of you undoubtedly have your own Facebook page. RiverQuest Charters and Muskegon River Lodge both appreciate the fun and benefit of offering "Fan" pages to our clients. The fan pages offer discussion, forums, photo albums, and, of course, a place for you to share that experience or fish tale with fellow fans. To join one or both of our fan pages, please click on the above links and give it a thumbs up! If you are not a Facebook subscriber, you will be prompted to open an account to join the fun. These accounts are free!
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