I'm sad to summer go, but for me, we enter my favorite time of year! With most people going North to pack rivers to chase King Salmon, I'm loving how quickly the rivers I enjoy become quiet!!! I do river fishing Salmon, but I'm over the crowds and prefer to have miles and miles of river to myself. With the cooler nights, I'm starting to find Pike more spread out throughout the Pine River and on the hunt to prepare for their winter. Classic Mepps #5's have been working the best for me with the majority of fish still caught near structure but have found some out in the open cruising for a meal. As it continues to get cooler, I'm anticipating someone getting a true Michigan Giant this FALL! Smallies and Whopper Ploppers aren't as fire as it was a few weeks ago, but it's still producing. But Smallies remain aggressive as they're starting to prepare for colder days and want to take advantage of an easy meal. October is prime Salmon time for the Muskegon - book with me before I fill up and I anticipate I will soon! Captain Dan

I've had more interest in Pike fishing this summer than ever before. Pike can be finicky fish and totally shut down if it's "TOO NICE" out. However, if you can fish for them during the correct conditions, cool and cloudy, you'll have a really good chance for a special day! I hope I continue to get more interest in Pike fishing. I love pike fishing in the fall; cool weather, colors changing, quiet on the river and BIG Pike roaming around the entire river, looking to feast before winter. Smallmouth fishing on the Muskegon has rebounded after a week slow spell. During a recent trip I had a single client put over 15 Smallies in the boat while using the same Whopper Plopper. While mixing in some Ned'ing and tossing big spin blade's we were finding a mix of medium to large smallmouth. I anticipate the smallmouth fishing to continue to be strong through September. Don't wait to get out, get a hold of me today!

There is nothing more relaxing than floating the Muskegon River in the middle of the summer while chasing Smallies and Trout! With longer days now, evening trips are my favorite this time of year. It seems everything is in play to catch a smallie; from Ned'ing the bottom, swim baits through the middle section of the water or top water blow ups. Trying different things and being flexible is a must until you find what's working that day. Most likely tomorrow it will be something different than the day before. We have had some very odd weather patterns over the last 10 days that have created some tougher fishing. The river went up nearly 2.5 feet and within 48 hours back down 2.5 feet. The river temp shot up to 73 and back down to 66 in the same time frame. Multiple cool nights and days and a few humid days mixed in. Fingers crossed we get back to a steady weather pattern. I have several days remaining in July, August and September to get out for Smallmouth, Trout and Pike (on the Pine) if you want a chance at fighting the hardest fighting fish pound for pound in Michigan, BOOK SOON!