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Welcome to RiverQuest Charters/Muskegon River Lodge
Greetings!
We RiverQuest guides are flat-out pumped for 2012! Given the tremendous fall run of steelhead and the excellent numbers of fish in the river even now, we anticipate an exceptional spring season of steelhead fishing. Then, too, we're excited about continuing to grow our fly fishing skills and methods. In 2011, we worked to become more proficient with Spey flies for fall steelhead, whether fished on single-handed or double-handed rods. Our knowledge of the hatches and aquatic life of the Muskegon River is expanding, too, thanks to our resident entomologist and guide, Jay Allen. But, then, that's the joy of fly fishing; it's a dynamic, expansive sport, one in which there's more to learn and enjoy year after year. Here's hoping you, too, can grow your fly fishing knowledge and skills in 2012-perhaps even along with us.
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 Muskegon River Lodge
Finally, finally, snow has swept into the Muskegon River valley. Warmer than normal temperatures had kept us steelhead fisherman happy but left winter outdoor enthusiasts wondering how they had drawn the short straw.
The snow-less days now behind us have given way to the striking beauty of winter. The quiet and solitude a fresh snowfall brings render winter one of our favorite times to enjoy the Muskegon River Lodge. Why not embrace this winter with a relaxing stay? It's the perfect base for cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, winter steelheading, and trout fishing.
Winter evenings lived in the warm glow  of the lodge as snow drifts through the pine boughs outdoors can erase the hustle and bustle of everyday life like little else. It's truly a special place at a special time. Add our gourmet dinners, wine service, a steam in the sauna, or a soak in our hot tub, and you have just discovered a stress reliever like few others.
For information on an escape to the lodge, please give us a call at 616.293.0501 or an email.
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 RiverQuest Charters
Winter is here and with it the freedom to roam the river with as if it were your own private water. Gone are the sounds of fisherman making their way up and down river looking for that perfect run. Now is the time to explore the Muskegon in solitude. The 2011 fall run of steelhead was the best in over a decade, and now that winter is here, the potential for extraordinary winter steelheading have never been better. If you have ever wondered what it would be like to fish the river with its banks blanketed in white, this is the  year! But winter isn't just about steelhead. Water temperatures are nearing their winter lows, and especially for RiverQuest guide and trout nut Jay Allen, now is the time for some really unique trout fishing. Already packed your trout gear away for the season? You better find it and get ready to fish! Winter trouting has a special charm and can be surprisingly productive. To join us this winter on the river, call us at 616.293.0501 or simply email us. |
Benthic Buzz-January  "A Buggy New Years Resolution" Like a waning spinner fall signals the end of an amazing day on the water, so, too, does this year come to an end. Those first few trout that started sipping from the waters surface have now become the last few to pick over remaining delicacies. It is time to stop, mull over those memories we have had from this past year on the water and anticipate what might be in the year to come. A time to stop and evaluate the ways we have grown as anglers and how to improve in this next year. Improvement is not limited to just catching more fish, but includes the enjoyment of the sport as well. Of course, one usually leads to the other, but you can certainly catch more fish and paradoxically grow further and further away from enjoying it. Adopting a few disciplines on the water, on the other hand, can lead to more vivid memories and catch you a few more fish along the way. Here is my list of improvements (some of which have been repeated for many years) I plan on making for this coming year on the water and some ideas of how to go further this year in your fly-fishing adventure. First off, STOP! Slowing down on approach is the single best advice I've heard and used. There are times when I would have missed out on some of my most vivid and amazing fly-fishing memories had I not stopped for a moment to see what was going on. Like the first time I lay on an old wooden bridge overlooking a favorite spring creek. As I lay there, peering through the weathered wooden boards, observing what the browns were actually feeding on. I could have just started fishing that day and maybe caught a few fish just randomly testing patterns until I was able to fool a fish. But I wouldn't have learned anything, and I would have missed out on a valuable streamside  learning experience and memory. Another improvement that builds upon the first is to really look at what you are seeing. What I mean is ask the "What's" and the "Why's". This applies not only to hatches and benthic movement but to holding patterns, feeding lies, temperature changes, food preferences, fish movement, water fluctuations....your list can be anything. Trout, steelhead, salmon, smallmouth-whatever it is you are targeting can be addressed this way. Start a river journal chronicling each day on the river. Write down all the basics (water temp, weather, water levels, hatches, etc.) and add to them your own personal observations and ideas. A good journal can serve you for years to recall forgotten information and retrieve great memories. Also, carry the right tools on the river that will aid you in your investigation. Seine net (How to make a compact seine net for your vest may be found on Jeff's blog), thermometer, camera, insect guides, 10x loop, binoculars, sample containers to name a few. I don't carry all of these items all the time but they are extremely useful when you are asking the "W's." This year make it your personal goal to find out more about fly-fishing each time you get out on the water. It will provide you with some great memories and make you a better angler too. -Jay Allen, RiverQuest guide |
Book Review by Glen Blackwood 
A Funny Thing Happened on the way to the Trout Stream By Dick Pobst.
A day on the water can be humorous, sentimental, memorable, disastrous, but hopefully enjoyable. Dick Pobst's new book is that: enjoyable. Self-published in paperback form, this 213 page book is full of fly fishing stories and humorous pictures of signs Dick has seen over his 40 plus years of traveling as an angler.
I will get back to the stories and pictures in a minute, but first I must introduce the author. Many of you may remember Dick from his Thornapple Orvis Shop days or from his other angling books, Fish the Impossible Places,Trout Stream Insects (which has sold over 90,000 copies), The Orvis Vest Pocket Guide to Mayflies, and The Orvis Pocket Guide to Caddisflies. Dick's persona has been one of quiet observation, and his quest for knowledge led him down the path of practical entomology. This knowledge enhanced his fishing as well as that of all the readers who have absorbed this works. That said, Dick was also a mentor of businessmen in the fly fishing professions in the upper Midwest, including myself. Dick and his wife, Nancy, were the regional business managers for the Orvis Company for many years working with dealers from Minnesota to Michigan and as far south as Kentucky. Working alongside him, not only did I see his professional business side, but his warm humorous side as well. It is this side of Dick that comes out in his newest work.
These stories he tells are short and to the point, but give insight not only into him but into the fly fishing business itself. He is not name dropping when he writes of Carl Richards, John Voelker, Nick Lyons, or Leigh Perkins. He fished and worked along side these gentlemen, and his tales bring wonderful history into public view- not to mention snippets about Dave Hise, Wade Seley, Walt Grau, and John Kluesing, as well as myself.
As Dick traveled, he always carried a camera and shot photos of funny pictures on signs and such that he came across. These photo's are injected into the book adding not only humor but insight into Dick's personality. On such example is a sign that reads, "He who laughs last thinks slowest." These gems of Americana were found by traveling into the heartland trying to find a stream full of trout.
Dick, has long been a mentor of mine, but also a friend. He has taught me a great deal about the sport we love and in his newest work, he still continues to teach me. I hope you will read this book and learn as well.
Glen
To purchase this book or one of many other fine pieces of sporting literature, contact Glen by email or call 616.866.6060.
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"Fly Box" by Micheal Schmidt Shank: 20mm Articulated Shank from Flymen Hook: red stinger hook; Gama or Owner Connection: 30lb Fused Fireline Body: Ice Dub Body: Sparkle Braid Flash: Magnum Holographic Flashabou Wing: Two colors of Artic Fox Accent: Amhearst Phesant As the temps drop, it becomes tougher to get a good presentation to the fish that are also increasingly sluggish. Slower and lower presentations require materials to have pulsing movement to tempt the fish. This fly is a traditionally styled Scandi that incorporates a few modern touches. I fish it on the swing, but during this time of the year, throw an extra upstream mend to slow the fly down a bit and get it a little deeper in the column. It is important to allow the fly to swing all the way out and trail for a few seconds in the current before picking up for the next cast. That little extra pause at the end of the swing gives sluggish fish giving chase to your offering time to catch up and hammer it. To purchase this fly from Mike, or to view his other custom creations, please visit his website. |
Indiana On The Fly
Indiana On The Fly Show is scheduled for Saturday, January 7, 2012 At the Indiana State Fairground from 9:00-5:00. Another Exciting Show filled with great seminars, fly tying demonstrations, casting tips, upland bird hunting and much more! For more information please visit their website, we look forward to seeing you there!
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2012 Greater Cincinnati
Fly Fishing Show
February 4, 2012
Receptions Banquet Center - Fairfield, Ohio
The Greater Cincinnati Fly Fishing Show
(sponsored by Buckeye United Fly Fishers, Inc.) is presented every year to promote the sport of fly fishing. It is an opportunity for anyone (men, women and children) interested in fly fishing, from the novice who has never fly fished to those who have developed a passion for the sport, to spend the day learning about fly fishing, techniques, resources, and places to visit.
Everyone is invited.
For more information about the show please visit their website, we look forward to seeing you there!
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Great Outdoors Expo
The Fourth Annual Great Outdoors Expo
will be held at the Woodstock North High
School in Woodstock, IL. Woodstock North High School
3000 Raffel Rd
Woodstock, IL 60098 This two day event will be highlighted by a variety of demonstrations, seminars, and speakers. For more information about this show, please visit their website, we look forward to seeing you there!
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Lots of NEW Vendors
61,000 Square Feet! 120+ Exhibitors All the major manufacturers 120' 4 Lane Casting Pond Seminars All Day Long Learn to Tie Flies Book an Outfitter or Guide Fly Casting Instruction. For more information about this show please visit their website, we look forward to seeing you there!
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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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