The Muskegon river near Newaygo, MI is running a bit below normal flows for early March.
We did get a push of new steelhead in from lake Michigan during the high water and full moon in mid February.
Overall, fishing this winter has been good for both resident trout and steelhead that are staying in the river during winter months.
Trout have been caught on floating line/indicator rigs, with small nymphs such as midge larva, brassies, scuds, black stones, pt's and hares ears.
Steelhead flies to have on hand include egg patterns in drab, pastels and nymphs such as sparse hex's, scuds, steely buggers, sac-fry, caddis, black stones, hares ear, pt's and woven polish nymphs.
Although this rise in water levels and related warm weather may have many in the "spring" mind set, we're not done with winter and the water temps are still rather cold, hovering in the low to mid 30's.
We have not had such runoff in late February for as long as I can remember, and this is going back 15+ years.....what lies ahead for the rivers of west Michigan, I am not certain, but I will be out there !
A traditional tailwater fishery, the Muskegon is a true "big river". It spans more than 100 yards at its widest points and flows over 200 miles south and west from northern lower Michigan, into the port town of Muskegon on the lake Michigan shoreline. This rich river system is home to numerous insects & hatches and host to resident rainbow and brown trout. The Muskegon river also receives migratory runs of fall salmon and spring steelhead that provide outstanding big game action for the fly fisher. Most all fly fishing techniques are employed on the mighty Muskegon, from dry fly to indicator nymphing, streamers and bottom bounce nymphing for migratory big game.
