OH THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS FRIGHTFUL....................BUT THE FIRE IS SO DELIGHTFUL..............LET IT SNOW!

We are having a beautiful winter storm! .............it is good to see white again.

River conditions perfect-1960 cfs-40 F.Fresh steelhead and lake-runs still coming in-trout are taking up winter lies where midge and caddis larvae and scud activity is greatest.- also near the warm water springs.

To all those who called , e-mailed, wrote kind notes and wishing me well on my Bi-Lateral procedure...............thanks a bunch-really appreciate it!!!!!!!!!!!!!. All went well and can't wait to get back out on the river as the Bionic river man.

Finalizing all dates for our exciting 2010 winter fest events.

Cheers!

CHROME KEEPS COMING.......AND THOSE ORANGE FISH WITH SPOTS

Given the excellent flows and very good fall run of steelhead, we should have an exceptional winter fishery.The last week have seen good numbers of lake-run browns come in and have been a treat to catch as a bonus.

Water levels-1990 cfs-temp 45F.

December will be an excellent month with the water temps holding up so far.

We will be announcing our winter weekend festivities shortly. We have new book author signings, bird shooting, culinary arts tributes to world great chefs..........it is gonna be a fun filled winter at the Gray Drake and Trout and Eagle Lodges.........hope to see you!

A FEW MORE MEMORABLE THANKSGIVING SHOTS

one of the more memorable caddis browns

The new Trout and Eagle Lodge

fall steel from November

2009 summer run from the St.Joe

Sorry, having backwoods wireless has a tendency to cut off posts...here are a few more thankful moments!

(below images-Murphy with a huge male chinook caught pool swinging and Lars Berding from Germnay shot of a massive gray drake spinner swarm fromearly June

HAPPY THANKSGIVING YA'LL!

Despite our state's economic fiasco and governmental disaster, we have a great amount to be thankful for.Our natural resources are one of the best in North America ........and in this we must thank God for!

Especially here on the Muskegon, we've had a very good year.Here are my highlights:

* a good spring steelhead run lasting till early June

*"mind-boggling" mayfly hatches in May and June-some of the thickest Gray Drake hatches I've ever witnessed in 20 years!!!!!........plus incredible sulphers,cahills, olives, Isonychias till fall, epeorus, golden stones ,tricos.....unbelievable dry fly fishing!

* THE CADDIS ARE BACK IN A BIG WAY-July, August, September, early August saw fantastic dry fly activity nightly to caddis as strong as they were in the early 90's.....can't wait till next year

*Consumer's Power installation of the cold water bubbler at Croton and new turbine at Hardy-also to their agreement to run the program indefinitely

* to a cool normal summer that saw trout growth rates with the caddis approaching 1 1/2 inch per month thru the summer.....like the old days!

* to all those little wild steelhead parr we caught all summer in the caddis hatches--the 3 inchers that usually disappear by July

* a better than last three years chinook salmon run

* a good fall steelhead run

* to the new Orvis Endorsed Trout and Eagle Lodge

* to some huge browns we caught spring, summer and a hawg lake-run brown just last week.

* to great and fun loving clientele that make this business worthwhile!

All in all...........I am very thankful!. Now if we can get regs to enhance the quality of the fishery "for all".....NOT JUST THE FLY GUY!, I think we can have one of the best world class fisheries, despite many out there that don't want it to be!!!!!

Everyone...........PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!.....let your voice be heard for the new cold water regs for 2010!

CHEERS!

THANKSGIVING WEEK UPDATE!

(FYI-Brown trout harvest season is closed on the Muskegon)

Water levels has dropped and is very clear-1660 cfs.Steels and trout moving to winter lies and got a hammering this past weekend with boat and angler traffic.Lake-run browns coming in .

All fish are getting spooky and selective so you must go to lighter tippets and fish different water.

All for now

NOW THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKIN ABOUT!!!!!!!!

last light "croc" jaw developing male on iceman

It was an awesome day.......sun,warmth ,lots of boats -but by 3Pm river was calm - tranquil- no screaming damn jet boats.Fish were porpoising in pools as dusk came on....classic late fall behavior.

Had the pleasure of guiding Gerry Demilo and his gorgeous 17 year old daughter Jaimie from Youngstown ,OH.Gerry, a veteran of "steelhead alley"was impressed by the speed of our Mich. steels and acrobatics when hooked.

After a couple of nice steelies, the main course was ready to be served.With the sun at a perfect sunset position, first cast in a new lie produced a huge splash and heavy- butt kicking fight....no jumps though....just hard head shaking throbs of the rod.

A late Chinook I thought"......gotta be!. But what was he doing in a deep gut of a pool?. When the fish came close to the net I really shitenzeed myself when I saw the huge spots...one of hell of a dawg lake-run brown! Smashed a TASMANIAN COPPER FRUIT LOOPS LEECH.

Congrats Gerry and Jaimie for a great day. My gosh..that's what makes your guide's day a schizzo!

GO BUCKEYES...sorry..went to OSU!

How big was the fish?........well I'll let all my beloved sputnik lovers/haters/supporters/Harvard educated Mich-sportsman fan club........where all posters there know "everything about everything" and are doing there best to educate all the clueless lower class/ naive anglers like myself,......... to decide.......have fun guyzez

Peace out..................btw- only have my Pentax compact Optio 20-7 pix.......Nikon dx100 35mm took a bath in river with that"damn distorting 16mm fish eye.

NOW IS THE TIME FOR THE HUNT FOR THE PERFECT MALE CROC!

As these magnified males cheeks start turning crimson red, the next month will see the best before they get their winter holdover "dark"."CROCS" as Atlantic salmon guides call these kyped jawed males, they are magnificent.......... BUT WHAT ABOUT CHROME HENS? .......like a lady eating chocolate covered cherries.....bring on the vicious CROCS!