Indigo Guide Service

West Michigan Fishing Report for July 15th, 2010

Click here for a good looking single page pdf version of this west Michigan guide report… perfect for a counter top or bulletin board.

For more regular updates, please visit our blog Third Coast Fly.

Pere Marquette River          Water Conditions – rising
>>> After a few days of very warm weather and water temps in the upper 60s last week, things are back to normal. Regular rains have kept the PM in good shape. Big yellow streamers and mice after dark have been the most productive way to catch big trout. With the lamprey weir shut down this year we’re seeing a lot more salmon and lake run browns in the upper river already. Should be a good salmon season.  Matt Dunn
USGS Real-Time Data for the Pere Marquette River at Scottville, Michigan

Big Manistee River           Water Conditions – above average
>>> Early salmon arrived last week in fishable numbers. Hopper fishing is just getting going.
USGS Real-Time Data for the Manistee River near Wellston, Michigan

Muskegon River          Water Conditions – above average
>>> Trout fishing has fallen off with the warm temperatures. Smallmouth fishing is good.  Phil Cusey
USGS Real-Time Data for the Muskegon River near Croton, Michigan

Beaver Island >>> The guys are still catching carp pushing that magical 40 pound mark. Smallmouth fishing has also been very good with 5-6lb fish caught regularly. We think the next state record smallmouth will come from Beaver Island.   Kevin Morlock

West Michigan Fishing Report for June 30th, 2010

Click here for a good looking single page pdf version of this west Michigan guide report… perfect for a counter top or bulletin board.

For a more detailed report on the Pere Marquette River visit the Pere Marquette River Fishing Report site and our blog Third Coast Fly.
Pere Marquette River          Water Conditions – above average, stained
>>> We got a lot of rain three days ago and the river is just coming down.  Big rubber leg stonefly nymphs produced in the fly water on the 28th and the streamer bite should be good for a few days.  The night mouse bite was excellent in the upper river before the rain and we’re heading out tonight to see how it has held up.  Matt Dunn
USGS Real-Time Data for the Pere Marquette River at Scottville, Michigan

Big Manistee River           Water Conditions – above average
>>> Hex have been cropping up here and there with some good nights and some not so good.
USGS Real-Time Data for the Manistee River near Wellston, Michigan

Muskegon River          Water Conditions – above average
>>> Summer patterns continue to hold sway with nymph fishing still the best option.  Phil Cusey
USGS Real-Time Data for the Muskegon River near Croton, Michigan

Beaver Island >>> The weather on Beaver Island has been up and down, but average fish size continues to be several pounds over last year.  Combinations of yellow, orange and brown have been most productive.  Kevin Morlock

West Michigan Fishing Report for May 16th, 2010

Click here for a good looking single page pdf version of this west Michigan guide report… perfect for a counter top or bulletin board.

For a more detailed report on the Pere Marquette River visit the Pere Marquette River Fishing Report site.
Pere Marquette River          Water Conditions – bit high, stained
>>> We finally got some needed rain and the trout fishing has been good.  There was lots of bug activity when the weather was warm but the last week has been cold, wet and windy.  Lots of baby fish around, alevin and fry patterns have been producing.  Kevin Morlock
USGS Real-Time Data for the Pere Marquette River at Scottville, Michigan

Big Manistee River           Water Conditions – average and clearing
>>> The trout fishing in the upper Manistee has been good with hatches of sulphurs and other bugs on warm days.  Like anywhere, switch to streamers when the weather is cooler.
USGS Real-Time Data for the Manistee River near Wellston, Michigan

Muskegon River          Water Conditions – average and clearing
>>> Nice hatches on the warm days with lots of action, though the bulk of the action will be small planters.  Alevin and fry patterns have produced well fished behind a larger streamer.  Phil Cusey
USGS Real-Time Data for the Muskegon River near Croton, Michigan

Open Waters >>> Stripping big streamers has been hot at the river mouths for pike, walleye and you always have a shot at something big, fast and silver.

Alevin Martinez and other alevin/fry patterns have been top producers.

West Michigan Fishing Report for April 18th, 2010

Click here for a good looking single page pdf version of this west Michigan guide report… perfect for a counter top or bulletin board.

For a more detailed report on the Pere Marquette River visit the Pere Marquette River Fishing Report site.
Pere Marquette River
Temps – around 50          Water Conditions – bit high, stained
>>> The Pere Marquette steelhead fishing is hanging in there.  Enough new fish are moving up to keep the net wet.  The salmon fry are “hatching” in big numbers.  Kevin Morlock
USGS Real-Time Data for the Pere Marquette River at Scottville, Michigan

Big Manistee River
Temps – 50          Water Conditions – average and clearing
>>> There are enough steelhead on the Manistee to spice up a day but fish numbers are only fair.  Everyone is interested in what next week will bring.
USGS Real-Time Data for the Manistee River near Wellston, Michigan

Muskegon River
Temps – 50          Water Conditions – average and clearing
>>> The steelhead have slowed down over the last week but there are still enough to have some fun.  The standard egg and nymph combinations are producing best. Phil Cusey
USGS Real-Time Data for the Muskegon River near Croton, Michigan

A bright male steelhead from last week.

An interesting underwater steelhead pic.

SS Bugger (Steelhead/Salmon Bugger)… click here for tying directions.

West Michigan Fishing Report for April 11th, 2010

Click here for a good looking single page pdf version of this west Michigan guide report… perfect for a counter top or bulletin board.

For a more detailed report on the Pere Marquette River visit the Pere Marquette River Fishing Report site.
Pere Marquette River
Temps – mid 40’s          Water Conditions – bit high, stained
>>> The PM River is fishing ok.  Flocks of people hit the river on Saturday and I think many went away disappointed.  With the perfect water temps the trout fishing has been great.  Kevin Morlock
USGS Real-Time Data for the Pere Marquette River at Scottville, Michigan

Big Manistee River
Temps – 42          Water Conditions – average clearing
>>> The Manistee River has ok steelhead numbers, it will be interesting to see what next week brings.  The typical egg and nymph combinations have been the best bet.
USGS Real-Time Data for the Manistee River near Wellston, Michigan

Muskegon River
Temps – 39          Water Conditions – average, stained
>>> The steelhead are doing well on the Muskegon and with the warm water temps so are the trout.  Look for the trout behind spawning steelhead or in areas with stonefly activity.  Phil Cusey
USGS Real-Time Data for the Muskegon River near Croton, Michigan

Chris with a nice PM River Steelhead, Chris did a nice job getting into a tough spot to hook-up with this fish.

Ten year old Gavin taking the chill off the morning with a warm cinnamon roll.