SPRING STEELHEAD RUN UPDATE-MARCH 9TH

                                                      

 ( massive wild Muskegon buck steelhead- note the perfect fins- starting to see the larger males showing up)

SO!....we go from near zero F and freezing/blizzard conditions last week , to almost 70F yesterday- 10 day forecast- 50F-60F- sun, some rain.

HERE IS THE SKINNY-3/9:

* river flows in all rivers are on the rise with the big spring melt-off-snow /ice on reservoirs

*current river temps is 36F- WILL STAY COOL DUE TO ALL THE MELT OFF!...so it wont all explode, but the rising flows will bring in many more fish- winter really started in February and it was a very cold last couple of weeks- so think of this as a February thaw

* still looking for more steelhead to ascend every day- walleye numbers are still just picking up, so steelhead are right with them

* some darker males ( ones that have been in the system since December, are sperming and ready to go- some females are also digging gravel- especially on Rogue/P.M. etc...White also has fish on gravel

*The Muskegon is a massive drainage system- largest in Great Lakes, so we will have steelhead all March/April/May just like the past 20 years- no change

*Saw the first little black early stones yesterday- no sign of salmon sac fry yet

* Fish still holding in winter lies -spring-fed pools- higher flows will push them even deeper into 'guts and buckets'

* time to start fishing hex nymphs/leech/ buggers with copper flash as waters rise- also larger intruders with natural and flash)

(Funky Cold Medina)

MISC. NOTES

* STILL HAVE A FEW GOOD DATES LEFT FOR SPRING STEELHEAD- ESPECIALLY DURING THE WEEK

* AMOUNT OF 12-15 INCH TROUT ( AND LARGER 20'S) IN THE RIVER NOW BODES WELL FOR THE SPRING HATCHES OF EARLY BLACK STONEFLIES/GRAY DRAKES, WHICH ARE TRULY  'SUPER HATCHES" ON THE MUSKEGON

( 16 inch Gilchrist brown taken 3/7 on a #18 scud- fat as hell, so winter growth rates were excellent- can't wait for dry fly action!)

Cheers!- hope to see you this spring!

Posted in: black stones , gray drake lodge , Great Lakes steelhead , michigan steelhead , muskegon steelhead , scuds , siphlonurus gray drakes