River Conditions

Fishing Report - Dec 3 2008

The fishing remains on the tough side for some reason.....We are catching fish everyday just not the numbers I think we should be catching. I have seen several pools with good numbers of fish but have had to work hard in those pools to get a bite. Other pools that should hold numbers of fish are empty. The water is very clear and low....Water temps are hovering around 39 ish.

The nymph bite has been decent this week and the egg bite has been going strong, dont be afraid to fish very small flies in the low clear water.

Plenty of openings from here on out, please dont hesitate if you want to get on the river. 231.250.9745 The winter 1/2 day special is now in effect ONLY $200.00 !!

Guided fishing trips make great holiday gifts !!!

Fishing Report - Nov 28 2009

Wow what a difference a week makes....the fishing has went from great to you better be willing to work for them. The bite has been tough the last 5 or so days...almost to the point where you ask yourself what is going on ????? The fish are in the system and are well spread out but the numbers of biters is a really good question. Colder and clearer water has gotten the nymph bite going better for sure.

There are plenty of fish in the system ,just be ready and willing to cover some water and fish hard for them.

Dec 1 is open, then plenty of openings spread throughout the rest of Dec and the winter.

231.250.9745 to book a date.

We do offer gift certificates.....guided trips make great gifts for that special person.

Winter specials coming soon....

Fishing Report - Nov 22 2008

The fishing remains great ! The steelhead numbers are there from the dam all the way through the lower river. Fishing traffic is spread out well and guys are trying just about every technique to get into some chrome.

The last few days I fished a few different areas and found fish in all sections we fished.The biters are still coming quickly, but you can sit and work for a fish or two after you get the easy ones.

Patterns....still mostly eggs, although nymphs are getting a fish here and there. Fish are in some of the slower pools but many are still using the faster runs while the water remains warm enough.

I have Dec 1 open and many other days in early Dec. Please call if you are interested in getting on the water. 231.250.9745

Fishing Report - Nov 17 2008

The fishing continues to be good, although we do need some water there is still a trickle of fresh chrome coming in the river. Fishing traffic was fair this weekend during the gun opener but not terrible. The biters have come quickly and often on the first few casts.

NOV. 20 is still open and this is a super prime day ! The outlook for DEC looks awesome...there should be plenty of fish in the system to give us a great winter or steelheading as long as fishermen limit their kill. Please remember to let a few go for the next time.

Eggs......eggs......eggs...Bright,drab,big,small.....all have worked at certain times.

Call 231.250.9745 to book a trip

Fishing Report - Nov 12 2008

A small spike in the water this past weekend sucked in a few more steelies and cleared the river of a few leaves and debris. The fishing this week has been good with a mix of brand new fish and a few week or two old steelies. Water levels are now supppppeerrrrrr low once again and the fish can be finicky..but none the less they are steelhead....does it get any better than these fish...mean and very very fiesty. I dont think so.

Small egg patterns,caddis,stones and small buggers have been working....and of course fresh spawn under floats is also working.

Nov. 20 2008 is still open,December openings ,Dec. will be a great month!

231.250.9745 too book a day.

Fishing Report - Nov 7 2008

Fishing rating.... Good !!

The fishing this week has been good to great ! The fish are moving up the river and can be found thru the entire system. Cover lots of water and look for the hungry ones....this weekends typical weather pattern should help us for the next few weeks.The leaf drop this week has made things a little tougher due to them getting caught on your lines.

Hot patterns have still been eggs, both fake and real under floats on light rods.

Recent openings  Nov. 9,11,20

Fishing Report - Nov 2 2008

Wow...November already...and THANK GOD ! This is my absolute favorite time of year to guide. There is nothing like the excitement of a fresh chrome steelhead charging the boat and going airborne.

Fishing rating is fair.....put in the time and effort and it will pay off.

I have had some pretty decent days the last few and some tough times....the pattern has been fish hard,cover lots of water and we have been getting several steelhead on a daily basis. There have been small pods moving up the river and you may find a fish or two then run into 3 or 4 fish in a pool. There are fish being caught from the mouth of the system all the way to the dam.

Patterns...the real thing as been working well(spawn),as far as imitations go...naturals and even some of the brighter clowns,green caddis (small) hex's and natural streamers with lots of movement.

Openings Nov 4,6,7    Call 231.250.9745

Fishing Report - Oct 26 2008

The last week or two we have been fishing steelies for the first hour or two then targeting the few kings that are around. The truth is that what few steelies we did hook we did not land and as for the salmon.......well we have all seen dark spawning Kings and I did not feel it necessary to post more pics of fish that were pretty beat up. The info was all correct and up to date however.

This week begins my fall steelhead season full out ! I will once again be posting great pics of Michigans wonderfull fall run steelies. Look for the pictures to start rolling in....hopefully .

The recent rains did bring in a few more steelies and there are fishable numbers throughout the entire river system. Eggs will be the primary fly in all sorts of colors until we get them dialed in. A few small streamers and the normal nymph patters will also be fished.

I do have a few openings available

Oct 31

Nov 4,10

Fishing Report - Oct 21 2008

The fishing pretty much remains the same as the last report...If the kings will sit still long enough you will get hookups..the water is very low and clear and the fish have been very spooky in the low water.

The Steelhead fishing has been spoty to say the best....there are fishable numbers around but I have been unable to concentrate on them for a full day. Small light eggs on light leaders are the best bet, or the real thing fished around spawning kings.

A few more open dates due to short notice cancelations...

Oct 26,28,29,31

Nov 4,10,28

Let me know if you would like to fish !!!

231.250.9745

Fishing Report - Oct 18 2008

I am having issues with the web site and want to thank everyone for keeping me informed of this. I assure you that the problems are not on my end.

As for the fishing I have moved back to the Muskegon for the rest of the season and have found the fishing for salmon to be on the VERY slow side. The Salmon numbers are way below the norm for this river....could this be due to the MIDNR's plan to reduce the number of salmon in lake Michigan in order to even out the forage with the number of fish that are eating them? The last salmon plant on this river was in 2005. Possibly this river will get the rest of their fish or it might be an off year for the salmon. As for the steelies the numbers are right where they should be for mid- October.

So....if you are looking to the Muskegon for a day of great salmon fishing you will most likely not find it ,there are kings ,just be ready to do a little hunting and stalking....the water is very low and the fish are seeing a ton of pressure and are quite spooky...as for steelies.....fish the normal early spots and you will find the silver lining of the river.

I have a few prime days open ...

Oct. 20,28,29

Nov. 4,10,28,30

Call 231.250-9745 to book a great day on the water

Fishing Report - Oct 8 2008

The Salmon fishing on the PM is still going well, however we are starting to see the downward turn of fish numbers, as there are just enough fresh fish coming in to replace some of the quickly dying spawners. There can be large numbers in one are and the next very few to none.We are for sure past peak on this river. There are some steelies around if you know where to look and these fish are easily fooled with egg patterns.

The Muskegon river is a little behind as far as numbers go, there are fishable numbers there but the fish seem spooky in the bright sun. There are also fishable numbers of steelies here,look near the spawnigs areas in fast pocket water to get the fresh chrome steelies.This river has yet to see the best part of the run !!!

Openings

October 13,14,28,29

Nov 4,10,28,30

I am able to book many other great guides, I am sure I can get you on the water and into some great Michigan fishing.

Call 231.250.9745 or email to book a date

Fishing Report - Sept 28 2008

The fishing has been great the last week or so.....There are still plenty of fish in the pools and deeper water. I have yet to throw at ANY spawning fish and have had great fishing in the pools. I have floated the flies section and even the lower section and found fish in all types of places. It looks as if the run will be going strong for weeks to come on the PM.

Open dates Oct 5,8,9,10,13,14,28,29

I am able to book many other great guides, I am sure I can get you on the water and into some great Michigan fishing.

Call 231.250.9745 or email to book a date

Fishing Report - Sept 20 2008

Recent rains have spread the fish from the lower river to the fly water.There are plenty of fish spawning on all the popular gravel bars.The run looks to be another year that the run is just going to be spread out with us getting a good push with each rain, but a trickle inbetween the rains.

Due to a few cancelations I have a few open dates,these dates wont last long...Sooo if you are interested please call to get a day on the river.

Sept. 25,26

I also have October and November openings

Call 231.250.9745 or email to book a date.

Fishing Report - Sept 10 2008

The fishing is picking up the last few days. There are fish throughout the entire river ,but no huge numbers in any one place. There are a few early spawners for those that like to sight fish and plenty of action in the deeper pools. Thundersticks are still getting the most aggressive fish with flies also producing.

Due to a few cancelations I have a few open dates,these dates wont last long...Sooo if you are interested please call to get a day on the river.

Sept. 14,20,25,26

I also have October and November openings

Call 231.250.9745 or email to book a date.

Fishing Report - Sept 6 2008

As you can see from the pics this weeks fishing has been decent ! This being said the river is not yet where it should be as far as fish numbers. I have been fishing the lower river with crankbaits and have had decent fishing. Recent rains have colored the water considerably and the fish feel VERY safe moving day and night. Mornings have been the best as far as the bite goes with afternoons looking more like casting practice. Look for the overall fishing with both flies and cranks to get better as soon as the water starts to clear a bit. Be careful and wade cautiously as the visibility is less than a few feet in most sections.

Due to a few cancelations I have a few open dates,these dates wont last long...Sooo if you are interested please call to get a day on the river.

Sept. 14,20,25,26

I also have October and November openings

Call 231.250.9745 or email to book a date.

Fishing Report - Sept 3 2008

My Salmon season begins full swing this week....I floated a long mid- section yesterday on a scouting mission and found that there were a couple salmon in most of the traditional pools...some moving some holding in faster runs...I DID not find any huge numbers in any one spot. As of now I would be prepared to work hard for the "King". There were fish spread throughout all 15 miles that I floated. But I did not see more than 8 -10 fish in any one spot and most pools were only holding 2-5 fish. The lower river is also spotty although that is were the aggressive biters will be. Look for flyfishing to improve after this weeks cool down and forecasted rain. Pray for North or East winds to cool the lake and bring the adult kings nearshore and up the river.

Due to a few cancelations I have a few open dates,these dates wont last long...Sooo if you are interested please call to get a day on the river.

Sept. 6,8,14,20,25,26

I also have October and November openings

Call 231.250.9745 or email to book a date.

Fishing Report - Aug 24 2008

Things have been hectic on the big boat..running multiple charters some days ! Recent river news is that there have been a few small pushes of fish up the river and some guys are getting into several a day throwing crankbaits and drtifting skein spawn. The guys throwing flies are also finding a few aggressive fish. A good rain will get things fired up and the bigger pushes of fish looking for their spawning grounds.

SEPTEMBER OPEN DATES 2,3,8,25,26 Grab a day or two !

Call or email for other openings.

231.250.9745

Fishing Report - July 27 2008

Summer weather,summer conditons and summer fishing is great ! The smallies on the muskegon are cranked up right now, good flows and good feed have the smallies cranked up. Small crankbaits,and jigs fished slow to imitate crayfish and sculpins. Most fish ranging from 9-15 inches with a good shot at fish up to 20" on most trips. Surface flies and poppers are also working well.

Trout fishing on the Pere Marquette is going well with typical summer flies. hopers,ants and small attractors are working well....rubber leg foam patters can also be great choices. Small beadheads on a 2' tippet below your dries will also get bit.

Only a month or so before the Kings begin their migration up the PM and I only have a few dates available. If you are thinking of chasing Kings on the PM please contact me asap. November is also almost full for fall Steelhead on the Muskegon.

Fall salmon and steelhead dates are available,call or email for current dates. 231.250.9745

1/2 day trips are available. Morning or late afternoon,evening trips. 250.00

I also charter out of Ludington,come fish with us on the big lake !! Kids and families welcome for a great day of catching salmon,and trout. Check out the web site for more info. www.hattrickfishing.com.

Fishing Report - July 18, 2008

Summer is here...... Right now we are in a typical summer pattern. Smallies on the Muskegon are going well, warmer water temps have the trout seeking deeper water and cooler parts of the day to forage. The PM is in its hopper season....big attractor flies with rubber legs are getting looks from the resident trout. Still plenty of summer left to get on the river and chase some fish !

Fall salmon and steelhead dates are available,call or email for current dates. 231.250.9745

1/2 day trips are available. Morning or late afternoon,evening trips. 250.00

I also charter out of Ludington,come fish with us on the big lake !! Kids and families welcome for a great day of catching salmon,and trout. Check out the web site for more info. www.hattrickfishing.com.

Fishing Report - June 30 2008

The fishing remains great on both the Pere Marquette river and the Muskegon river. The evening fishing on the Muskegon is still offering up some dry fly fishing for some very large fish. These fish are not easy by any means and are very educated....perfect or near perfect presentations are a must. Morning and afternoons have been great for smallies and the smaller trout. Baitfish and crayfish patterns are the best bet.  Hex fishing on the Pere Marquette is the thing right now....Late nights and big flies are bringing up the big boys. Morning trips with hopper/droppers are a great way to go if you dont want to fish the late nights.

1/2 day trips are available. Morning or late afternoon,evening trips. 250.00

I also charter out of Ludington,come fish with us on the big lake !! Kids and families welcome for a great day of catching salmon,and trout. Check out the web site for more info. www.hattrickfishing.com.

Fishing Report - June 21 2008

Wow...almost July and it hardly feels like we have had any summer.... The good news is that the hatches on the Muskegon have lasted much longer due to the cooler weather. Still a few Drakes but the Iso's will be the big prefered bug for the next few weeks. Big browns on big streamers !!!! dont be afraid to throw streamers 6-7 inches if you realy want a "troutzilla"

Smallmouth fishing is picking up with some really nice fish on streamers and rapalas. Warmer mornings/days have been much better for the smallies. Cover lots of water and think like a bass...cover....cover...cover...logs,stumps and drops are holding the big ones.

1/2 day trips are available. Morning or late afternoon,evening trips. 225.00

I also charter out of Ludington,come fish with us on the big lake !! Kids and families welcome for a great day of catching salmon,and trout. Check out the web site for more info. www.hattrickfishing.com. 

Fishing Report - June 15 2008

Finally got my camera back into working order.... Took a trip down the Muskegon today and got into a bunch of smallies and several world class brownies... A ton of action on both streamers and light spinning tackle. The water is perfect for fishing ! good level, and little color. Plenty of bug activity in the evenings, but not much feeding on top during the mornings except smaller fish.

1/2 day trips are available. Morning or late afternoon,evening trips. 225.00

I also charter out of Ludington,come fish with us on the big lake !! Kids and families welcome for a great day of catching salmon,and trout. Check out the web site for more info. www.hattrickfishing.com. 

Fishing Report - June 4 2008

The hatches are on !! The past week has been great on the Muskegon and the PM rivers !!! Very good spinner falls of gray drakes,sulphurs ! Plenty of other bugs too....Yellow sally stoneflies,caddis and salmon fry are keeping the fish fat and happy.  If your looking to get on the water and get into some really nice trout please give us a call.

1/2 day trips are available. Morning or late afternoon,evening trips. 225.00

I also charter out of Ludington,come fish with us on the big lake !! Kids and families welcome for a great day of catching salmon,and trout. Check out the web site for more info. www.hattrickfishing.com. We are running an early summer special, call or email for more info !!!

Fishing Report - May 22 2008

Cooler temps than normal seem to be the norm, this is keeping a few steelies in the river but also slowing the surface actuvity on the Muskegon. Streamers on the cloudy days and nymphing or swinging wet flies seem to be the key. Also try nymphing with tiny egg flies behine the herds of spawning suckers. A few smallies also are coming to the streamers.

1/2 day trips are available. Morning or late afternoon,evening trips. 225.00

I also charter out of Ludington,come fish with us on the big lake !! Kids and families welcome for a great day of catching salmon,and trout. Check out the web site for more info. www.hattrickfishing.com. We are running an early summer special, call or email for more info !!!

Tight lines.

Fishing Report - May 5 2008

The steelhead run is winding down on the Muskegon river. There are still enough fish out there to play with but the numbers are dropping off each day. Primary focus will now turn to stream trout fishing as the weather warms the hatches will start to provide some great action. Look for caddis,BWO's and a few sporadic smaller mayflies to bring the fish to the top. Sulphurs and grey drakes are only a few weeks away. Now is the time to book your summer trout trips.remember the muskegon fishes best now thru june for the big boys. Late June thru August is prime for Smallmouth Bass !!!

1/2 day trips are available. Morning or late afternoon,evening trips. 225.00

I also charter out of Ludington,come fish with us on the big lake !! Kids and families welcome for a great day of catching salmon,and trout. Check out the web site for more info. www.hattrickfishing.com. We are running an early summer special, call or email for more info !!!

Tight lines.