(Tim holding this beautiful translucent chrome hen)

Check out Tim’s absolute beauty!   Holding his translucent crystal chrome steelhead along with his son Andrew.

(Andrew with the biggest of the day)

Well it might not be the prettiest of the day but it was the biggest weighing in at 14lbs on the boga grips.  You can tell Andrew’s kinda bummed by his expression in the photo…ha..ha!  Great job Andrew!

(Andrew with a hard fighting young fresh spring steelhead)

This young male steelhead fought like a 20-lber with his aerial assault in full effect!  Awesome fight!

(Tim with the last chrome steelhead of the day)

Really nice to see several nice chrome steelhead brought to the boat today by Tim and Andrew.  Great sign of whats to come!

Good numbers of steelhead are in the river system now with several more on the move in the cover of high dirty water.  Water temps are hovering around the 36 degree point with the cold spell to hit this week holding water temps in place.  Next week’s warm up coupled with rain and warmer nights will help water temps to climb that magic 42 degree ideal spawning temp.  Looks like we’re only a few weeks away from the start of the spring steelhead run!

post by: jon fortuna

Anglers are reminded that the 2018 fishing licenses go on sale starting March 1. Be sure to pick up a copy of the 2018 Michigan Fishing Guide or download it from Michigan.gov/dnrdigests.

Southwest Lower Peninsula

Overall: Steelhead were on the move last week before the rapid rise in water levels. Some have already started boat fishing. A few boats braving the float ice were going out onto Lake Michigan to target lake trout and brown trout.

St. Joseph River: Had some steelhead action.

Kalamazoo River: Also had some steelhead action.

Grand River at Grand Rapids: Steelhead and walleye were caught before the high water levels which have restricted fishing opportunities.

Muskegon River: Water levels were coming down and steelhead were being caught. Try spawn, flies, beads or wax worms.

Northeast Lower Peninsula

Cheboygan River: Was producing some steelhead including some silver fish that were coming in.

Ocqueoc River: Was producing some steelhead including some fresh fish.

Northwest Lower Peninsula

Overall: Stream steelhead fishing should be picking up with the warmer weather.

Betsie River: Water levels have returned to near normal. Look for steelhead with the warmer temperatures.

Big Manistee River: Steelhead fishing picked up with the rain and warmer temperatures. Try spawn, beads and wax worms. Water levels were near normal.

Pere Marquette River: With the lower water levels, anglers were catching some steelhead again.

Pentwater River: Was also producing some steelhead.

Very few updates have come in this week as few anglers were out.  Rain and warm temperatures have many rivers at or above flood stage.  Moving ice may also cause additional flooding.  Anglers should avoid the rivers until water levels recede.  Many inland lakes will no longer be safe.

Southwest Lower Peninsula

St. Joseph River:  Had extremely high water levels and no one was fishing.  It could be a week or so before the water recedes to fishable levels.  Look for steelhead up near the dams once it does.

Kalamazoo River:  Had high water levels.

Grand River at Grand Rapids:  High water levels and a strong current will make fishing very difficult.

Muskegon River:  Had ice jams resulting in rapidly rising water near Rogers Dam and near Croton.

Northeast Lower Peninsula

Rifle River:  Was under a flood warning.  High water levels and a strong current are not ideal fishing conditions.

Northwest Lower Peninsula

Big Manistee River:   Had reports of steelhead being caught.

Pere Marquette River:  Also had reports of steelhead being caught after the rain and warmer temperatures.

Huron Drifter

Excited to announce that 2018 I’ll have a new drift boat in the arsenal, working with Jason and Tracy I’ll be rowing a Huron Drifter this year.  I want to share a few pictures during the process as its being built.  But if your looking for a new drift boat make sure to give the guys a call.  During the test row last summer I was very impressed, and look forward to putting more time in the rowers seat in the coming months.  Will have a few custom touches that I’m excited about, especially for the dry fly angler. Follow along as the new 15″ Huron Drifter is being built.

Check out the Huron Drift online

Step 1: Laying out of the 15″ Foot Drifter

Step 2: Front Casting Brace

Step 3 : Working on the Floor

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