WINTER STEELHEAD AND TROUT SPECIAL-FISH PRIME TIME OF DAY!

As the the Great Lakes winter is upon us, our prime fishing times for steelhead and trout will be later into the day as temperatures warm and with a very strong dusk bite!
Each year we offer a "winter special".
So for 295.00- one or two, all tackle and flies provided , we do a 11 AM until dusk trip- prime time of day to catch a steelhead or two...nymph and midge fish for resident browns and rainbows, or throw big meaty streamers for the rivers elusive but always there big browns!
Call or email us to book a winter outing that can be very productive and a fun getaway from the cabin fever blues!

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Posted in: brown and rainbow trout , gray drake lodge , great lakes winter steelhead , muskegon browns , winter steelhead fly fishing , winter trout fishing on tail waters

FEBRUARY MADNESS CONTINUES

Seriously... swinging flies on the big Muskegon to winter holding lies, that can average 6-11 feet, in the deep spring-fed pools for steelhead, that often won't move far to take a swinging fly is not an easy gig. If I get one steelhead per client in 35F ICE COLD WATERS?- WE ARE DOING WELL, AND EACH FISH IS RELISHED AND APPRECIATED.!!!- that is the beauty of the challenge of deep winter swinging.
Maybe I'm not as good as the other guides to keep my realistic low, yet totally satisfying expectations- I hope to be more enlightened someday. 

But. When we start to get stupid numbers of fish on the swing in deep pools and runs, along with those amazing browns I have been posting, I'm elated but confused, by the  abnormal conditions and how they will affect future expectations, 

Needless to say, I should logically accept and feel the need to relish and appreciate what has been divinely given to me for the last week of guide trips. I think my sorrow sometimes for catching too many fish is born out of my 'twisted sense' of over respect for the elusive chrome mykis warrior that  more often humbles us and I like to often label as 'selective'- a term that is obviously dear to me.

Anyways, the day we had today: dense fog in the morning with next to zero visibility, a very cold , damp, deep chill in the bones that played capriciously on my sports Arthritis, and then finally sun at 4 PM, gave me and my client one one of the finest days I have ever witnessed in February-  in the winter's' classic deep ice box month. 

( I never talk numbers, but when you hit 6 for 6 on the swing in February- epic/thankful is all I can humbly say!)

So, this 'manna from heaven day', couldn't have happened to a better dude than my client Dr. Jeff Territo, who has guided with me since I started my business back in 2015. Jeff has had epic days in the last two decades; and 'paying your dues'  shunk days. But today?,  the mykiss gods came smiling . 

Also, what impressed me the most was the size of our steelhead that are getting bigger and back to normal like the big river Muskegon has always produced. After two years of small sized migrating steelhead, I' seeing some very thick and healthy fish- rather than slinked out snakes. Things look good for the Lake Michigan forage base in my secular 'up the river homie experience'. But Chuck Madenjian ,  my friend from Ann Arbor-'the  Great Lakes forage base guy", might think otherwise.

I hope I didn't' offend anyone by my observations and success, of what is often jealously labeled' shameless self promotion", but my feelings are real and sincere. 
Can't wait for the next episode of climate change coming this weekend!
Cheers, 
Matt....PS. would love to see you this spring and see what is in store -love the learning curve!

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Posted in: gray drake lodge , great lakes winter steelhead , michigan fly fishing , michigan steelhead , muskegon river fly fishing , Muskegon River steelhead , winter steelhead fly fishing

The Magic of February -pre-spawn Dino-red banders

The stage is set . 4900 cfs. A winter warm up.This is a February gallery of what could be had . Dino-donkey double red banders that are love sick for action despite 34F water temps. They jump from the shy selective pool pacifists, to aggressive police protecting their turf. Our biggest steelhead come from this pre-spawn period. Let the red band trophy hunt begin! B.C. sized steel ready to crush a deep swinging fly, nymph or egg pattern with a vengeance- it's all good stuff!- bucket list time!

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Posted in: aggressive steelhead and Atlantic salmon behavior , gray drake lodge , Great Lakes steelhead , muskegon river fly fishing , muskegon steelhead , steelhead dreams , winter steelhead fly fishing

2016/2017 RE-CAP/OVERVIEW: TROUT/STEELHEAD/SALMON-MICHIGAN'S MAGNIFICENT GOLD COAST-PART I- STEELHEAD

                             ( a massive 'Michigan born and raised' Atlantic salmon ( caught by Brett Howard 11/16) , from our freshwater TSS- Trout, Steelhead. Salmon utopia. From the Great Lakes, to thousands upon thousands of inland glacial lakes and pristine fertile blue ribbon, spring-fed, trout filled river systems and tributaries , all of which makes Michigan one of the most unique salmonid ecosystems on the planet)

On this New Year, we along the magnificent gold coast of Lake Michigan's salmonid tributaries, are blessed beyond belief with having the 24/7, 12 months a year world class options to catch wild browns,rainbows, brook trout, unique wild strain steelhead-winter and summer strains , wild Pacific salmon;chinook , pink and coho, and a blossoming Atlantic salmon fishery like nowhere in the planet.

Our vast subterranean aquifers trap water water through the glacial till soil like the chalk downs of England's chalk streams. Through its sandy and gravel soils, spring creeks surge upward and feed the larger river systems and the Great Lakes in a constant hydrological infusion that through precipitation constantly replenishes the systems. 

Very much like the entire Baltic coastline from the Scandinavian countries to Russia, its dense forests of pines,cedars: with their bog wetlands, birches and hardwoods, along with gentle rolling hills of the northwoods, create the ultimate habitat and ecosystem infusion to allow massive wild trout and salmon spawning nursery waters and populations in such vast scenarios like no other. Yes, Montana , New York, Pennsylvania are epic and unique in their own ways and have similar world class fisheries. But Michigan's vastness of cold, clean water and it's mild to cool temperate climate is the finishing touch to this amazing wonderland. Having the most intense, diverse and prolific aquatic insect hatches on the planet, this all fuels the whole fly fishing experience that is truly 'Pure Michigan'. 

STEELHEAD

( From reduced sized steelhead observed in 2015 due to a falling big lake forage base, 2016 saw a major tilt towards larger fish due to the thinning out of  Pacific salmon predation which impacted positively both steelhead and salmon sizes) 

The past 2016 year global climate change reared its ugly head in a big way. A massive heat wave ( by cooler temperate Michigan standards ) materialized from late May and lasted all the way through November. Flooding , and than to quickly 'drying up and hot' was the norm all over the Great Lakes in the El Nino year. 

Major initiatives were under way in the management of the fishery like banning chumming and what looks like the future ability to grow more wild strain Michigan steelhead as smolts in future hatchery programs, we are still plagued by liberal laws that allow the killing of three wild steelhead a day by anglers. The one fish limit was agin rebuked by fisheries officials, which was sad news and made no sense for quality anglers verses meat harvest anglers. Thankfully, more anglers are 'catch-and release'- or 'limit kill' quality seekers.

As the alewife populations diminish and fluctuate, this bodes well for multi-predator foraging steelhead that will target the vastness of pelagic and benthic prey such as sculpins, chubs, smelt, shiners,sticklebacks,perch, whitefish, gobies- just about anything that swims. Also freshwater shrimp, and the booming mayfly and midge hatches ad to the mix. Its wild and stocked smolts have very fertile rivers and salmon and sucker eggs to predate upon as well.

WINTER/SPRING-2016

After a mild start, a deep arctic blast came February thru March. After that was heavy flooding from rain and melt off- a bizarre spring. Stable conditions didnt materialize until mid late April with many fish already spawned and left. May still had good numbers of steelhead but it warmed up fast. The size of the fish were definitely much bigger than the previous year and showing a positive trend. The early black stonefly hatch happened in the flooding and wasn't a factor of the run and trout taking dries which was very sad. 

SUMMER SKAMANIA STEELHEAD

More brutal daily heat coupled with a drought did not allow any serious migrations to take place on the St. Joe River until September/Labor Day. First year we saw such an endless heatwave in as long as I can remember- especially when the two previous summers were actually cold and had the fish running everywhere and endlessly. When the fish finally came in they were of good size and healthy quality which bode well for the anglers that got to be there at the right time.

On a positive note, most likely many summer runs forgoes running the rivers which should make for a very healthy  and larger year class/classes in 2017.

We continued to experiment with dry line terrestrial and mysis shrimp patterns including swinging for steel.

NOTE: On years when we have serious heat and drought waves, rivers like the Muskegon and Grand attract many stray summer runs like we had at 6th street on the Grand, the Muskegon at Croton and the Kalamazoo and Paw Paw. Fish starving for colder water or following bait on lake turnovers result in these runs.

FALL STEELHEAD

The heat, drought and very low waters continued. Surprisingly good numbers of fish entered the river but were easily targeted ( many were killed) due to no water flows and fish congesting at holding lies. With less eggs in the system they were more willing to chase and nail a swinging intruder or spey. Finally when we received rain/snow by early December good numbers of larger sized steelhead started to enter the river. The massive beast above taken on the swing by Paul Dolbec of Delaware at the end of October when a few very large fish entered our river systems

2017 OVERVIEW

 A large hen steelhead taken by myself on the Muskegon Christmas day is a good sign the lake forage is stable and diverse in predator food forms and promises well for 2017- other rivers like the P.M. also had excellent numbers of large healthy sized steelhead all fall and winter.

A late blooming year class of alewives not thought to be that strong be are showing up along with lots of sticklebacks/chubs/sculpins/shiners , including invasive shrimp which are eaten heavily. 

With lots of snow and rain all December into January, barring no extreme weather like we had in 2016, the new year shows more promise than 2015/2016 and a return to "normal', if that exists anymore!  

Feel free to comment and your thoughts are welcomed!....hope to see you at the Gray Drake in 2017!

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Posted in: gray drake lodge , Great Lakes steelhead , Great Lakes summer steelhead , michigan steelhead , muskegon steelhead , winter steelhead fly fishing

THE GREAT LAKES CRYSTAL BALL 2016- PART II- STEELHEAD

OVERVIEW
   The only thing steelheaders have to fear is their own fears themselves ... paranoia, greed, immediate gratification and an over expectation attitude behavior fueling it. Let's face it, these fish have been loved to death. And,  have seen an amazing two decade "wild" fluctuation in catch ratios. From the insane double digit days of "steelhead alley", to insane sizes of over-fed steelhead on alewives in the 199/2000 cusp, to days of slim pickings on Erie tribs, diminishing sizes everywhere due to lack of forage base, exotic predators and overfishing- oh!, dont forget the see-saw ride of global climate change and freezing over of all the Great Lakes into one giant iceberg (2015)- to the hottest lake temperatures ever recorded this summer will bestow. 

The steelhead's worst enemy is politics( state /province and federal agencies trying to please too many at the victim of the fish themselves) and modern google/apple technology, that has created insatiable, immediate gratification 'monsters' out of all steelheaders- not to mention the death knell of the 'numbers game'. 'Too much information too fast and NOW", has taken the charm, mystique, 'fish of a thousand casts' romance out of the true old glory days of McMillan/Combs/Waller etc., when each steelhead was earned and admired- not insisted upon! Guides/outfitters/lodges, trying to make a living  thru all this mess are also to blame ( me included!). Fast acting social media/blogs/real time/steelhead sites etc.,  take that romantic mystery hunt out of the search for the elusive chrome wanderer. 
Enough of the pulpit! - thank you for indulging me, but I think you know my gist of it. Everyone just relax, enjoy being on the river, forget about the numbers- like the old days when you caught "one" steelhead was a BIG DEAL!

PROGNOSIS-LOOKING GOOD!

The fluctuating and constantly changing forage base of the Great Lakes is only favoring the eventual dominance of steelhead as the apex predator. The downturn of the alewives that kings are 'so hardwired to' ( yes steelhead will gorge on them if they are there!), but their preference for multi-foraging appetites allows them the comfort of  a slow attacking scavenging trout that will eat almost anything. Gobies, perch, cisco, smelt, shiners, sculpins, mysis shrimp, sticklebacks are all on the 'up-and up" and filling the steelhead bellies nicely

BIG NEWS-NO CHUMMING ALLOWED IN MICHIGAN WATERS- designated trout/salmon/steelhead rivers

If Michigan's (liberal angling policies) drove you away in search of much better steelhead management waters like the Salmon River in NY, you need not fear any longer. For anglers that were disgusted to see anglers/guides pull up to pools and toss gallons of salmon eggs to turn on an artificial/self indulging fake bite, that will be no more. Effective 'NOW", there is no more chumming, and steelhead will now be able and must chase a fly, nymph, egg, egg sack, intruder, spinner, plug, to have its aggressive needs sparked. That was a big move and all are now on an equal playing field and must earn and enjoy each fish in a classic old school way- just say'in!

WINTER RUN STEEL

Given the size of some of the salmon being caught in the big lake this summer, their side-by side predators- winter steelhead, should show some amazing growth rates and sizes- also given the fact that they are multi- foraging beasts- it should be an amazing fall run which we shall soon see .

Also, given the massive increase in native and exotic shrimp, Hexagenia  hatches, emerald shiner/perch and sculpin populations , these will give the fish extra poundage.

SUMMER STEELHEAD

The verdict isn't really concluded and out yet on the summer run of 2016-  but it has been brutally disappointing. Yes I have managed to find fish, but nothing like years past. The big problem is/was the hellish heat wave of 2016, coupled with epic droughts, than a flood. We only had 'ONE'- lake thermal cold conversion all summer-(second one is going on now and seeing the second wave of fresh migration. The month of September( trending now!) might be epic- stay tuned!

BOTTOM LINE

(The fall runs of 2010/2011 were the best we have seen in 20 years- both on the cusp of hot summers/low water levels, warm autumn weather and a "sleeper bumper crop of alweives' we are now just seeing in 2016 in some lake areas.( this image October 20th, 2010- water levels were bloody low and warm- chumming was illegal that year btw)

Going strictly by my 20 years of keeping accurate records/temps/catch rates /migration timing etc., I'm predicting an amazing fall for several reasons( ain't guide talk :).

1.Looking back at epic fall runs like the ones in 2010/2011, they had hot summers/ low water autumns with only a trickle of water. Lake temperatures were warm. The warmer temps leaves the " window of run' migration opportunity opened longer into December. A very cold quick winter arrival will take longer to build up due to warm water levels.

2. Warmer water will keep steelhead out deeper with more foraging opportunities- cold waters spread the bait out and thus the fish hunt harder and less fruitful

3. Better size and abundance of salmon mean less targeting of steelhead by charters- this year charters have done well on salmon concentrated on forage based schools of prey.

BUT!!!...in the end, we shall see!- least I can do is give you my prognosis - still much, much, much better than last year!- get out and enjoy a day on the river and  learn to become better and more caring steelheaders- it's more fun that way! ( for more reading- lots more info here- just say'in)

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Posted in: gray drake lodge , Great Lakes steelhead , Great Lakes summer steelhead , michigan steelhead , Muskegon River steelhead , Selectivity book , steelhead dreams , summer skamania steelhead , winter steelhead fly fishing

DECEMBER FORECAST- CONDITIONS CAN'T GET ANY BETTER!

(last week's steelhead before the 'perfect storm')

After a "head scratching "fall, the tide will quickly change IMHO.
Plagued by brutally low waters, extremely warm weather, the 'chrome carpet ride' was very poor- roughing it out to get a fish here and there. Sunny days in the 60/70's F in November kept steelhead and browns mostly confined to the lake and lower estuaries, extremely skittish and hiding near cover and the low flows making swinging flies in traditional lies next to impossible. As much as guides hate to admit it, but it has been tough- pulling out a fish on the swing in a day was a huge accomplishment. I'm sure there are better guides and steelheaders than me laughing at this post, but that was my experience and one that many honest fisherman will agree .Bobber/spawn/Centerpin and other 'tossing' methods were and always be more effective if you choose to fish that way- your gig !

BUT!!!...we couldn't of had a more 'perfect storm' this weekend at just the right time- the next month of December should be amazing in my opinion- here is why!

*Only several times in a decade , do you get a perfect alignment of conditions that nature can coincide for 'perfect' migratory steelhead, lake-run browns and Coho/ Atlantic salmon- a.k.a "magic carpet ride"

All of these wonderful critical factors are fusing together as we speak:

* El Nino winter- this system is firmly in place and will continue to give the Great Lakes /Midwest above average temperatures and mild weather thru December, so critical to strong migration

*Rain event- we just had 1 to 2 inches in some spots of rain ( but all rivers got a major soaking) and had a major rise in river flows ( Muskegon hit 5,000 cfs -low flood stage- PERFECT!!!!!.- all rivers have a nice'green/brown cloaking stain ideal for all day migration up river. Remember last year we already had several feet of snow and temperatures in the single digit Fahrenheit

* Lake/River temp alignment-Lake temps as we speak - 48 F....River temps 46F...couldnt be more perfect- plus off color of estuaries move bait upriver/steelhead/browns on their heels. Low water seals up migrations and concentrates fish in larger pools where they can be 'hammered' ruthlessly- not so with low flood stage waters.

* Here is a big one-Full Moon!- the alignment of the current full moon with all these conditions couldn't be better!- all day and night migration occurs due to the lack of melatonin build up 

SO....all I can say is December will be an epic steelhead month!...get ready

P.S.- the rain couldn't have come better for our newly stocked Sturgeon River strain brown fingerlings planted last week- float stocking at its finest!

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Posted in: gray drake lodge , Great Lakes steelhead , great lakes winter steelhead , michigan steelhead , muskegon river fly fishing , muskegon steelhead , winter steelhead fly fishing

SELECTIVITY REVIEWS- AND LOOKS LIKE A WARM SPELL!

http://thetroutzone.blogspot.com/

Brutal and wicked can't describe the winter so far!...hope is coming!....26F TODAY- winter steelhead are ready and hungry!
Here is a nice review on Selectivity. Hope to see my friends in Chicago this weekend at Chicago Fly Fishing Outfitters this Saturday- Feb 1st for a presentation and book signing!

Also please note our new numbers on our web site

cheers!

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Posted in: gray drake lodge , Great Lakes steelhead , great lakes winter steelhead , Selectivity book , winter steelhead fly fishing

WINTER STEELHEAD & ATLANTICS...BOOK UPDATES..GREAT WINTER COMING!

 

What an amazing fall it has been!...and with the great water levels December thru February will see some of our largest winter strain steels in the river. First the massive run of King and Coho salmon in decades. Now Plenty of water from the storms and the start of what promises to be an incredible December and January run of winter steelhead following a very strong fall run. Not to mention the phenomenal year class run of Atlantic salmon up north. How nasty weather: wind, rain/snow goes hand-in hand with these migratory fish just opens our eyes all over again.

All rivers have healthy high river levels for migration which will peak in December and January on the Muskegon with 3,600 cfs flows that will bring in lake-run browns as well....really looking forward to this winter!

BOOK/MEDIA UPDATES: The new "12 YEAR ANNIVERSARY STEELHEAD DREAMS EDITION" is now available at your local fly shops in both soft copy-34.95 and limited hard copy-49.95. Note that in the new edition there are updated chapters on Great Lakes Atlantics and a new chapter on Lake-Run -Brown Trout. I will be doing book signings all winter. Also,  I will be doing "CHROME FRIDAY"- Thanksgiving Friday at Schultz Outfitters doing a program on Understanding Steelhead and signing books along with the mastery of Greg Senyo's  mykiss patterns. I'll be at Nomad Anglers December 14th doing the same.

 

SELECTIVITY- THE THEORY AND METHOD OF FLY FISHING FOR FUSSY TROUT, ATLANTIC SALMON AND STEELHEAD-STACKPOLE BOOKS

 

Available January 1st- preview copies should be ready end of December. My first book signing will be in January at Glen's Great Lakes Fly Fishing and the following week at The Somerset Fly Fishing Show. I will also hopefully be doing book signings at your local fly shop/clubs.

In April I will be the featured presenter at The VIRGINIA FLY FISHING &WINE FESTIVAL- a very cool three day festival that has been around for decades in the lovely Shenandoah/Blue Ridge mountains. I also have an article in the January 1 issue of FLY FISHERMAN called 'Checkmate Steelhead'- matching the hatch for winter/summer chrome. Hope to see all my Facebook/Linkedin friends, clients and acquaintances !

Cheers!...Na Zdrowie

 

ENJOY THE IMAGES AND VIDEOS THAT TELL THE STORY- I AM SO BLESSED AND FORTUNATE TO BE A PART OF THIS AMAZING WORLD OF TROUT, SALMON AND STEELHEAD

 

( amazing footage of Atlantics spawning...watch the male come in and cozy up to the hen- his kype mouth is locked in a tremor as he squirts his milt on the red and the female's eggs- please refrain from fishing to spawning fish since it would be great to see natural reproduction take a strong hold)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Posted in: gray drake lodge , Great Lakes atlantic salmon , Great Lakes steelhead , great lakes winter steelhead , Muskegon River steelhead , Selectivity book , steelhead dreams , trout and eagle , winter steelhead fly fishing