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Welcome to RiverQuest Charters/Muskegon River Lodge
Greetings!
Not every day on the river can be magical, but October offers more than its share. A palette of golden sunlight, trees ablaze, and clear water darkened by yard-long shapes ghosting here and there is special. To be sure, the rains of fall intrude day-to-day, but seemingly more often than not, the days of October evoke pleasure and satisfaction. So it has been and surely will be on the Muskegon River this October.
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 Muskegon River Lodge
The warm air of summer now past leaves in its place cool, crisp autumn air that refreshes as one crunches through fallen leaves carpeting the forest floor and the river bank around the lodge. Ringing bells on the collars of bird dogs can be heard drifting through the poplar thickets along with the splashes of spawning salmon rising from the river. Fall has arrived at the Muskegon River Lodge, and it is not to be missed.
 Fly fishermen, arms sore from day- long battles with salmon and cheered by chasing the silver prize of fall, steelhead, relax at days end with their favorite beverages, engage in spirted conversation about fish lost and brought to hand, maybe enjoy a fine cigar, and perhaps catch their team playing on the big screen-all from the comforts of the leather-appointed furniture in the Lodge man cave. Life is good at the Muskegon River Lodge! An evening steam in the sauna or soak in the hot tub caps an evening of memorable relaxation.
Then, too, perhaps you would like to take cooking dinner during your get away off your your "To Do" list. Why not let the Muskegon River Lodge arrange dinner for you and your guests without your lifting a finger? Dinners from a simple, but gourmet, burger to an extraordinarily prepared bone-in elk filet, paired with your selection of fine wine or spirits, are available by simply calling in advance of your stay. Dinner in the comfort of the Lodge only enhances your stay with us. Why not make an already special stay extraordinary?
For information about the lodge please give us a call at 616.293.501 or email. To see a sample of our wine offerings or to take a look at our menu, please visit our website or simply download the menu here.
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 RiverQuest Charters
October on the Muskegon River offers the peak of the fall salmon run, brilliantly colored brown trout, chrome steelhead, and, of course, a front row seat to Mother Nature's show of fall colors.
Spawning salmon seemingly everywhere, from the shallowest gravel  flats to the runs and pools, provide the fly angler near constant action. This year, the salmon have been running extremely large, with some pushing the scales over 25 pounds. They test the construction of not only your fly rod but the depth of your backing. The early season left us guides holding broken fly rods and watching mega-missiles launching skyward as disc drags screamed for mercy.
Then, too, the annual parade of caviar is now in full effect with resident bows and browns gorging on an easy meals, fattening themselves in preparation for the coming winter. Indicator nymphing small egg patterns near spawning salmon can yield some of the best trout of the season. A six weight is perfect, but be careful; a rogue salmon or big-shouldered steelhead may make short work of your favorite trout stick.
 By the middle of October steelhead ascend the river. Swinging Spey and streamer flies for fall chrome in the relatively warm October waters of the Muskegon River is some of the finest sport River Quest offers. Water temperatures in the mid-fifties maximize steelhead metabolism, and the fact that the trout are Lake Michigan-fattened and coursing the river to feed and not spawn until spring, means they are in peak physical condition. Multiple water-clearing leaps are the norm with the speed of the runs extraordinary. It's common to set the hook and yell "Fish on!", only to realize, suddenly, you're already into your backing! Fall steelhead and the Atlantic Salmon we chase in July top America's list of the best fresh water fly fishing available-period. The Muskegon River, just 45 minutes north of Grand Rapids, boasts some of the finest steelhead fly fishing in the Midwest, if not United States. We would love to share it with you.
For information on how you can join us on the river simply give us a call at 616.293.0501or email. To see photos of our successful guests and their accomplishments please follow our blog and our Facebook pages.
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,Benthic Buzz by Jay AllenWith fall rapidly approaching, this month will be not only beautiful on the water but full of exciting with fishing opportunities as well. Colors will be changing both out of the river and within as a few new colorful players enter the game. October is the beginning of a couple months with something for every angler to enjoy. Trout, salmon, and steelhead await those venturing out on the water. For the trout hunters, October can be a great time to hit  hatches of small blue-winged olives(#22-#24) and cinnamon(#18) and little green(#20) caddis. Last fall, the hatches were excellent, and some very fine fish were caught on dries. Also, don't overlook the streamer and nymph fishing as well. Nymph fishing should not only include caddis, scud, sow, and bwo imitations but eggs as well. If you are in an area where you can see actively digging female salmon, you can bet there are a few big trout sitting in the dark water below their redds waiting to scarf up any misplaced eggs! Those who want to catch some of the big boys will be happy find out (if you haven't heard already) that this year we have not only a strong number of salmon but weighty, too. This could be the year to catch the king if a lifetime, so don't miss out.  Last, but certainly not least, steelhead have already showed up in the river, and for many this is their favorite time of the year to chase them. Swinging dark flies for these bright bullets can be very effective, especially as numbers increase throughout the month. With water temps still being quite comfortable, look for fish to feed in water adjacent to shallow areas and in shallow areas as well. This is one of the most beautiful months on the river, so make it a point to get out on the water and enjoy it. Plan a day with one of the RiverQuest guides to set it all aside, take a deep breath, ruminate the Autumn scents, and enjoy life. 
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 Fly Box by Michael Schmidt
Mike's Daminno
Thread:UTC 140 Denier, olive
Hook: Daiichi 2457, size 6
Eyes: 3D epoxy eyes, orange
Gills: McFly Foam, red
Body1:Marabou, white
Body2: SLF Flash Blend, Olive
With the steelhead season closing in fast, now is the time to get your smolt patterns in order. Daminno is a pretty easy and very effective pattern. This pattern can be fished either at a dead drift or on the swing.
To see more of Mike's flies, please visit his website. Mike is one of the mid-West most prominent fly tiers, fly creators, and tying instructors you will find. Make sure you check him out!
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Mennonite Girls Can Cook Book Review by Glen Blackwood I am addicted to books. Kathleen, my wife, would say that is an understatement. Fly fishing and wingshooting books have been a passion since childhood, but I also have another book addiction that is less known. Cookbooks. By looking at my middle, you will see that I have missed very few meals, and the ones I've missed, I've made up for on the next setting. Raised in a farm family and blessed with an upbringing of hearty, home cooked meals from breakfast to desert, food was the epicenter of family time. Whether it was a school day breakfast, Sunday lunch, or family reunions, the food was always hot, plentiful, and the source of pride for my mother, grandmothers, and various aunts. Not fancy restaurant food, just plain old fashioned home cooking. Food that warmed you after a morning in the barn or an afternoon afield. Soups, stews, breads, and gooey fruit-filled deserts not only filled the kitchen will aromas that still spin my head, but offered flavors deserving of a third helping. Once I left home and started my travels, the food of the world opened my eyes. Fancy food- food I had never seen or heard of-Veal Porterhouse, Paella, Basque style cooking with its blend of French cream sauces and Spanish seafood, seemed to beacon my tastebuds. Through all of this, I have never missed a chance to stop by an Amish or Mennonite bakery. Fresh pies, bread, noodles, or even brown eggs seemed a magnet for my tummy. This month's title, Mennonite Girls can Cook, is like having these ladies in your own kitchen. The hardcover book of 208 pages is filled with four-color photos that add to its appeal. The food pictures are professionally shot so the food looks great, but it is the quilt, sunflower fields, and lifestyle photos that add to this title. The book highlights ten Mennonite girls and their families and is broken into five food categories, Breakfast and Coffee Break(my favorite), Soups, Salads and Sides, Suppers, Breads(my second choice), and Deserts and Sweets. Traditional chapters, I grant, but with selections such as barbecued salmon with sun-dried tomatoes and chicken quesadillas with caramelized onions and peppers, as well as muffins with apple streusel or blueberry crumbles, this cookbook nicely blends a Mennonite bakery with tastes of 2011. The recipes are straightforward and directions, clear. The servings are large, but that is to be expected from these cooks. It is fun to read a recipe that says yields five dozen or serves 10. They also have included a section on Gluten-Free cooking. This displays the author's foresight into the issue of food allergies. Mennonite Girls can Cook is a $25.00 cookbook, published in 2011, by Herald Press. This volume will not only warm your body but your kitchen and soul as well. I encourage to purchase a copy, invite family and friends over, and spend a few relaxing hours in the kitchen or around the family table. It will be time and money well spent. Glen To purchase this book or other sporting literature, please email Glen or call 616.866.6060 |
The next level in Fly Rod Preformance
Sage Manufacturing, a fly-fishing industry leader, launches the ONE rod series. The ONE rod is the first precision casting instrument to take advantage of Sage's groundbreaking Konnetic technology. The ONE offers exceptional tracking with virtually no lateral or torsional movement, resulting in astonishing casting accuracy that is unparalleled in the marketplace.
The inherent strength of Konnetic technology allows ONE rods to have a smaller diameter and are 25% lighter than comparable Sage rods. These attributes combine to provide augmented aerodynamic efficiency. Further innovations are the 70 per cent lighter, low profile ferrules that help direct and carry energy through the rod without sacraficing strength, critical action, and feel.
"The ONE rod becomes a true extension of the angler's arm," notes Sage Chief Rod Designer Jerry Siem. "It offers a more fluid transmission of energy from the arm to the fly. The eye sees the cast it wants to make and is translated to the hand through the rod instantaneously."
Konnetic Technology
Konnetic technology, the most recent and significant evolution in the fly rod innovation, uses new materials combined with pioneering manufacturing methods and processes. This technology inocorporates an optimized ratio of Sage's proprietary resin to exclusive high modulus aerospace-grade carbon fiber.
The latest construction methods include Sage's Advanced Modulus Positioning System (AMPS); a process that precisely aligns and positions carbon fiber materials to exacting tolerances for the greatest blank strength delivering extremely efficient energy transfer throughout the shaft. Using Sage's High Compression Molding process, carbon fibers are compacted for optimum density and precise alignment while simultaneously fusing the 50 per cent lighter all-carbon fiber inner core.
Seriously, the new Sage One series fly rod lives up to the hype. You'll be amazed at just how light these amazing new fly rods are!
To test drive a Sage One series fly rod, stop by one of our regional fly shop affiliates today!
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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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