Winter’s Arrival

November has a habit of flying by, and this year was no exception. It’s a month full of outdoor opportunities - so many that it can seem difficult to decide what to pursue any given day. A wonderful problem to have, undoubtedly.

The fall steelhead run was strong, although plagued by consistently low, clear waters and mild temperatures. Some days, the less-than-ideal conditions bothered them more than others - pushing fish deep into woody runs and holes seeking cover and solitude. Overcast, funkier days kicked steelhead into high gear and glued them to the tailouts where they played along nicely. Overall, we had a lot of fun out there and landed some outstanding fall-run steelies.

Sean with a chrome steelhead in tight quarters

We had a nice mix of fly and gear anglers. Landing a hot fall steelhead on fly is truly a feat, and can take the right combination of persistence and patience. I applaud all of my guests who took on that challenge. The techniques and skill set employed with indicator and swing fishing build over time. Everyday on the water incrementally adds to an anglers overall toolbox. The lessons learned on mending, feeding line, roll casting, and drag-free drifts translate to angling scenarios all over the country.

What a difference with gear rods. Drifting beads, jigs, and spawn bags with spinning and baitcasting rods is simply deadly on steelhead. Between the addition of scent on top of nearly-perfect drifts every time, there’s no question they offer a more effective option for “catching”. As winter settles in and temps plummet, we’ll lean harder into conventional tackle.

With the arrival of bitter cold temps this week, the December window for post-spawn brown trout has been limited. November offered fair opportunities with streamers, however the low and clear water made for very spooky fish. We had some great days, despite the challenging conditions. Small and black leech patterns consistently won out. If we get any sort of a warm-up this month with a touch of snowmelt, trout fishing could be exceptional.

Shawn with a dandy post-spawn brown trout on fly

With nearly a foot of snow on the ground outside my window, winter has officially settled in. We’ll see what the rest of the month brings, however the two-week forecast looks to be relatively unchanged.

Winter steelhead fishing can be some of the most enjoyable days of the year. Rainbow trout are a fish of all seasons, and their desire to feed in the coldest of temperatures impresses me year after year. Chasing winter steelhead is truly an extreme sport, and offers amazing opportunities to be outside and enjoy winter in the midwest.

As long as temps hover in the 20’s/30’s, winter fishing will remain possible. Repetitive nights in the teens will freeze up slow-moving sections and boat ramps near calm water, making things difficult. We’ll be optimistically watching the forecast for any windows of opportunity the next couple weeks.

Guide Trips

Full Day Trip for 1 or 2 Anglers (8-9 Hours) ~ $450.00

Half Day Trip for 1 or 2 Anglers (4-5 Hours) ~ $325.00

As always, all equipment is provided, as well as a prepared lunch on full-day trips.

Spring Steelhead

With spring angling now just a few months away, I’m working on putting together my guide schedule for February-April. Weekend dates usually fill-up the quickest. Use the contact form on the website or email/call directly to plan a day for spring steelheading.

Gift Cards

eGift Cards make a fantastic gift for the holiday season. Full and half-day guide trip pricing options as well as custom amounts. Give the angler in your life something they’ll truly appreciate - a personalized experience they can book on their schedule and convenience.

Packages and All-Inclusive Options

“Best of the Northwest” ~ Three Days, Three Different Rivers - $1,275.00

A unique opportunity to explore steelhead fishing in a trio of river systems in Northwest Michigan over the course of 3 days. One day on a large river system in our jetboat. A second day floating a medium-sized remote river in a drift boat. And a third day traversing a small and intimate river only accessible via raft. Experience the full spectrum of steelhead fishing in NW Michigan.

“Best of the Northwest” is also available as an all-inclusive option, with lodging and all meals provided. Call or email for details and pricing. Available for group trips up to 6 anglers.

As always, thanks for following along

Cole