River Conditions

June 10th

Well....its been awile since my last report, Recently on the muskegon river the trout fising has been GREAT! good evening dry fly fishing and great morning streamer fishing for those willing to slap the banks with minnowy imitations. Ultra light spinfishing with rapalas has also been very good.. Smallmouth are now showing in better number and there have been some dandies. Even saw several steelies last week.

The PM is also fishing well, very similar results.

As for the lake, we are now catching very good numbers of salmon and lake trout. The fish are ranging from 3-15 lbs and fight very hard this time of year.We still have pleanty of openings and would love the chance to get you and your family on the water this summer... As always Kids are very welcome.

"Take a kid fishing,they will be grown up before long,help pass on the sport"

www.hattrickfishing.com for more big lake info

May 19th

I was on the river a few days this last week and found the fishing to be a little on the slow side for the bigger trout but the smaller fish were more than happy to play. The recent weather has slowed the hatches down, we need a few warm days strung together in order to get the bugs going. This should help the bite. There are a ferw steelies in both the PM and the Muskegon Rivers for those looking for some May steel.

The fishing out on the big lake has been SLOW ! We need a good warm up and some south winds to bring our fish to ludington. This just means we will have some great fishing once the fish show up. There is alot of bait in the area and the kings that are being caught are very nice !

www.hattrickfishing.com
400.00 4 person charter special still going on,book your date now for the special price.

May 8th

Late season steelies are still going strong, although we have not been out my good contacts say that there are still decent numbers in the MO. This should be the last good sprurt with only stragglers coming from here on out.

This week was spent getting the "Hattrick" a 28 ' Baha cruisers ready for the season. The boat goes in this week. Contact me for a SWEET !!!! deal on a summer charter.

River reports will be updated as needed.

Tight lines !!

Capt. Jon
www.hattrickfishing.com

April 29th

What a weekend, we finally got a great weekend for the opener. There are still a decent number of steelies on the Big Mo. The crowds over the weekend are now gone and the fish will get a little break. The best days have still been cloudy and rainy. The sun has made the fishing slower with the exception of the early morning hours. We have openings this week for late season steelies if you wish to get out.

Trout ..... STREAMERS !!!! small fry patterns,sculpins and buggers.....Still good numbers of black stones on the Mo bringing up nice fish in the afternoon. Book a day now before the fish get educated on the fake stuff.

PM........... still a few steelies,but the trout fishing has been the feature on this river. Streamers and dries both getting looked at. This weekends high water improved the trout fishing on all rivers.

We will be getting the HATTRICK ready for the season this summer, this week. contact us for a SPECIAL RATE !! Call or email us. www.hattrickfishing.com

April 23th

The fishing over the weekend was a little slow, bright clear skies and heavy heavy traffic were to blame.Monday fished much better due to the rainy overcast weather. There are a decent number of fish left in the MO , look in the faster water for drop backs and fresh fish. Still many fish spawning durring the low light conditions. Eggs and stones doing the best. As for trout fishing .....try stones and fry streamers.

Come to Newaygo this weeked for "Trout Fest" a spring gathering to kick off the trout season here in Newaygo.

The PM still has a few fish for those that choose that river. Fishing is slow at best. Fish early and late.The Hendricksons are starting.

April 30 is now open, as with early May contact us for some late season steelies.

April 20th

Spring is here....... The PM looks to be beyond peek...there are a few fish there but there is still quite a bit of traffic.....fish early and late or on cloudy days...Will it rain ?? This could bring in one last push. Cross your fingers.....eggs,nymphs and small fry patterns.

The Mo also looks to have peaked, the morning fishing has been the best, afternoons have been tough. Look for dropbacks in the faster runs looking for an easy meal. Still should be several more weeks of fishing here but the numbers arent there. make the best out of every chance and work hard for the next has been the rule this week. Eggs and nymphs producing as well as a few fry patterns.

Big Man has peaked also...a few steelies along with good numbers of suckers?? These fish usually show after the peak, this river is very well known for its late run fish, look here for early may action !

Summer Charters? www.hattrickfishing.com Book now 400.00 for 6 hour trip up to 6 people ! Contact us for more info.

Early may openings.... also 1/2 day afternoon specials !

April 16th

Well for the last several days I have been bouncing between the PM and Muskegon. The run on the PM looks to have peeked, with very few fish around durring the bright sunny parts of the day. The Muskegon still keeps going and going.....just like the energizer bunny. The numbers arent what they were last week but our guides are still getting into a really good numbers of fish. A few clouds would help along with some rain to bring a fresh shot of fish in the river. Eggs,stones and small caddis are the hot flies of the last week or so. Try lighter line durring the sunny days for a few more hookups.

Lots of trout in the river looking for an easy meal, stoneflies in the afternoon are bringing up a few very nice browns and bows. It is also streamer time !!! Now booking May for combo trips ! Sreamers and Dies.

We are now offering afternoon 1/2 days to get those still looking to get out on the river this spring. Great time to fish after the crowds and all the guides have left the river. Starting around 4 pm.

Now is the time to book your summer trout trips and Summer charters on the "Hattrick" please check our websitesfor more info. www.hattrickfishing.com for more info.

April 11th

Things are pretty much back to normal on the Mo. The water has dropped, but is still holding a good stain,sight fishing isn't really happening yet. There are fish throughout the system and a good mix of chrome fish and some older also. Eggs, nymphs and green caddis all having their times on the water. Still a few nice walleye getting caught......only a few more weeks till the season opens again.

April 7th

BBBBbbbrrrrrrr.....Well we are several weeks into "spring" and it looks and feels more like January. I was booked with a couple of older gentleman this past Thursday and Friday. We floated the PM on thursday and after only a few spots we had decided it was just way to darn cold to be out there, thus canceling Friday. Sorry no pics from the pm. The fishing on that river has slowed a bit due to the cold weather dropping the water temps into the mid 30's again. Back on the Mo water temps have held up a bit, hovering around the 40 degree mark. Water is dropping slowly but still holds a good stain. Eggs still working the best for most. Hope you have a great Easter Weekend.... Take care.

April 3rd

Holy Cow! More rain???? now SNOW! Truth is that all the rivers have a decent number of steelies in them...It looks as if the peak will be on time and should take place around the 3rd. week of April... lots of nice fresh fish in all the rivers. Several fish weighing into the teens within the last week or so...The high water will help the fish spawn without being constantly fished and give them a little protection.

March 28th

Back on the Mo for a few days now, the river is still very high but the water is clearing. We had a couple more great days on the Pere Marquette, mostly on eggs and some nymphs. I have also heard that the White River has a ton of fresh fish in it, plenty of spawning fish on the smaller rivers. Most rivers should be in great shape by early next week. We should have great fishing well into may this year. Tight lines!

Now is a great time to book your summer charters, please contact us for openings.

March 24th

High Water once again !! Heavy rains fell in the watershed this week. The already saturated soils were unable to saok it up fast enough forcing the rivers to rise again. The Mo is up almost 6000cfs and visibility is under 2' but we manages to land 2 today and lost a couple more. VERY BIG EGGS !!! nickle to quarter size egg flies. Look for our spring run to be in the river withing the next couple days.

March 20th

Spring on the PM...I was on the PM the last two days and the fishing was great! plenty of fish in the pools and runs near the gravel, there were fish spawning in the early morning hours but they quickly moved to the deeper runs and pockets! A few fish have made it over the weir, but looks for a big push withing the next week. Eggs and black stones were the ticket! Back on the Muskegon for a few days now. See you out there..... Still a few days open, dont wait they are almost gone !!

March 15th

HIGH WATER !!! It looks as if the spring run off has finally hit,our recent warm temps have added much needed water to the system but at a rate that even the big Mo cant handle. Floodgates opened on Wed. making the river rise over a foot in a few hours. Look for plenty of new fish to be in the sysyem when the water recedes. Trips will resume on Monday the 19 th. Due to some recent cancelations we have a few prime dates left, see our open dates.

March 8th

Finally, the warm up is on the way...will it get too warm too fast? I hope not. A nice slow melt will bring the water up and add some tint, a huge melt off will raise it too fast and possibly blow out the river. We have lots of snow pack as well as north of here. The fishing the last week has picked up a bit with a good mix of winter fish and some more new spring fish. Small stoneflies were very active today and the steelies took notice. Small pt nymphs and small eggs on light tippets were the ticket this week.

Feburuary 28th

Wow...March is here...did anyone see where winter went? The fishing has picked up a bit, but still will keep you wondering until you find them. We have been covering a lot of water recently and have found it best to keep moving. The biters have come very quickly in the runs. The fish are still in the slower pools for the most part but we are starting to catch fish from traveling spots to...It looks as if there are a few new fish in the river as well as plenty of holdovers. It look as if the next week or so will get the spring run charged up.

We still have a days open for the spring run and can add as many boats as we need to get you and your group on the water for same great spring steelheading.

Call or email for dates for spring river trips and summer charters.

Feburuary 22nd

We were out the last few days and have found the fishing to be a little slower than we had expected. Tuesday we filmed a winter steelhead show for Hunters Exchange TV. This will air in a few weeks and I will also try to have links posted to the site. We are getting several fish a day but are finding that lighter lines and smaller flies or baits are tricking them. Cloudy days are fishing better,the sun has the fish off the bite big time.

Look for a good push of fish in the next week or so. March is only a week away.

We still have openings for the spring run......let us know if you are interested.

Please email or call for availability.

Feburuary 16th

This coming week is going to warm up making it a little nicer to be out. I will be out over the weekend and a few days next week. I do still have a few days open next week if you are interested. The fishing has been good all through the cold weather. The river is really clear making the fish a little spooky especially on the sunny days. Nymphs are getting to be a little more important. Last trip out we did see a few tiny winter black stoneflies.

Spring is filling up...dont wait call now. Only till the end of the month to take advantage of the 200.00 1/2 day special.

Now is the time to book your spring and summer charters !

Feburuary 10th

Well well well, the weather finally broke a little and we hit the river. It had been almost two week since the fish had been harassed by anyone so we went to give them a reminder of what a hook feels like. We had a pretty good day landing several and loosing a couple two. Lots of wildlife and great snow covered banks. Time is passing by, don't wait to long before you think about booking spring dates, as they will all be gone. Nymphs were the ticket today as the water has dropped and cleared quite a bit.

January 29th

Steelhead count...Well if you look at click the link on the left "view all photos" you will see that I have photographed 347 Steelhead. Please keep in mind that we do not photograph every fish we catch. My estimate would be somewhere around 450-475 Steelhead since October 9 2006. An awesome year for sure!!! Is the best yet to come? Honestly, it doesn't need to get any better than it is now.

Well this is getting kinda repetative...go fishing catch steelhead, go fishing catch steelhead, go fishing catch steelhead. Although the weather has turned cooler this has actually helped the fishing. Most people think you need warmer temps and better weather to catch steelhead in the winter. Well this is totally not true. All you need to catch steelhead in the winter is to GO FISHING!! Less pressure on the fish means happy fish that haven't been pounded like they will be when it warms up. The truth is that the fishing remains to be great to excelent. Had a couple guys out on Sunday although it was too cold to pick the fish up for the pictures we decided to just lie the fish in the rod tray and snap a quick picture before returning them to the river. We did not see another fisherman and had the wwwwwbest day of my season! We only fished from 8am till 130 pm. Don't miss out.

January 22nd

It look like winter is here to stay. The fish don't seem to mind though. Water temps have cooled down to about 35, which is a good thing this will slow the fish from spawning too early. Look for fish to be in slower runs and pools. We have noticed that the biters have been coming very quickly from each spot if they are going to bite they bite fast or not at all. Eggs have ruled this week. Nymphs have been slow the last few trips. We would love to teach you a new technique or refine one you already have. Our boats have hot coffee and heaters to keep the chill off. Give us a call to get on the water.

January 17th

Winter Steelheading is here! Cold frozen fingers, slippery boat ramps, icy guides...and so on...but one thing it is not is slow fishing! Yes, the water has cooled a bit, the fish have moved into their winter haunts, but the fishing is very very good! Today we hit the river...the temp on my truck was a balmy -2 degrees! Yes, 2 below zero. What happened? We hooked up on our first cast and had 3 in the net within the first 25 casts! Today was no different from most of our season. This years run has been one of the best I have ever experienced. Lots of fish for those brave enough to go fishing. The water has dropped and cleared making smaller flies and nymphs more productive. We had the river to ourselves today.

If you are waiting for spring you will miss out! The spring will bring warmer temps for sure but will also bring the crowds and fish that are more focused on reproduction than eating! BOOK NOW!!! The fishing won't be any better than it is now. Half day trips are a great way to get out. If you are looking for spring dates they are filling fast so book now before they are gone.

The time to book your summer charters is NOW! Prime dates are available.

January 5th

Well where is old man winter??? The mild temps have made it very enjoyable on the river. Although it has also increased the traffic making the bite a little tougher. Our guide service is still having some very very good days by covering lots of water looking for the biters on the busy days. Water levels are holding up and the water has a nice stain to it. Try brighter eggs and larger nymphs to get the attention of Mr. Steelhead.

Still lots of openings for guided trips...1/2 day trips only 200.00! Spring is booking up don't hesitate to call if you are thinking of getting on the river this spring.

January 1st

First off I'd like to thank all of those that have fished with me and made my business grow through all these years. Without all of you I would not be able to do what I love to do. And would not be as successful as I am now,especially in our current economy. In no way could I have imagined way back in 1992 when I started that I would be where I am today in January of 2007. I hope this new year continues to bring continued growth. Happy New Year!

The fishing continues to be great most days. This past week the water levels stabilized at a very nice level. We continue to get new fish with each surge of water this winter due to the warmer weather. Egg patterns are still producing but nymphs are picking off some fish also.

This is the time of year where 1/2 day trips become popular. We have plenty of days open for guided trips. Multi boat trips are also possible if your group is large.

December 24th

I'd like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas!!! The fishing continues to be outstanding with a good mix of fresh fish and winter holdovers. Egg patterns still continue to produce the best numbers due to the colored water. Trips will resume Dec 27. I hope you have a wonderful holiday season.