Once Surface Temps Near shore reach 65 to 68 degrees the very next Big Blow out of the NW will turn the Lake over, the surface Temp will drop to 47 to 55. There will be Thousands of Summer Run Skamania Steelhead at St. Joseph the very next day!!!

It happens every year. Fishing is Fast & Exciting. Skamania Steelhead are one of the most Exciting Freshwater Sportfish in the US. These Silver Lightning Bolts are famous for Reel Singing Runs, Magnificent Leaps of 5 to 6’ into the Air, 5, 6, 7, 8 times before coming to Net. That's if you can get them there!!

Eric Flesvig did a Great Job on this Skamania Steelhead

The last week of June through July there are significant numbers of Skamania Steelhead milling about the Stained Water from the St. Joseph River as it empties into Lake Michigan at the Pier Head. Working this 15-35’ Inside Water is Great for an Afternoon Charter.

The Lake Michigan Fishing Charter Program is smaller 7-9 Fishing Rods, but very effective. We run 3 Down Riggers with Rotators & J-Plugs, 2 High Divers with Spoons and J-Plugs, and 1-2 Bird Rods with 2-4 Colors of Leadcore towing Spoons. The Program is small because when they Hook-Up they're going to Run & Jump. When you hook one they go Straight Up & Jump. You’ll be watching the Fishing Rods, then suddenly there's a 12# Skamania Jumping Around Behind the Fishing Charter Boat 6’ in the Air.

Jerry Curry's Group Fished with me out of South Haven, MI years ago. Jerry said "We Never Caught Fish Like This in South Haven Russ"

Deeper water 80’ and out the Thermocline is now fully developed. It holds Zooplankton, the forage for Alewives and other Baitfish. Trout and Salmon hold in this 47 to 55 degree band of water. It's close to the Dinner Table & within their “Preferred Temperature Zone”.

Fishing on the “Deep Break” is very reliable. I run a Big “Full Charter Fishing Program” giving my fishing charter customers the best opportunity for a Mixed Bag Limit Catch.

In 2006, during July I made my living in 102-108’ of water. The area was loaded with Bait and King Salmon. The North Troll into the Current was my Bread & Butter Troll. The South Troll was OK, but we had to put some serious speed on the Charter Fishing Program to get results.

I began fishing Copper Line in lieu of Lead Core on our Deeper Sets in 2006. It’s a heavy diving line. The more you put out the deeper it goes. Two Big Advantages over Lead Core. First you put out (And Reel Back In) far less Copper to get the Depth. 300’ of Copper gets as Deep as 450-500’ of 27# Lead Core. Second it has no stretch. When a Fish Bites it Sticks the Hook in Them. I had King Salmon come in with all 3 Hooks through the Jaw, and the Salmon's Mouth Pinned Shut.

Our Deep Water Charter Fishing Program proved very effective. From June 16 through July 21, 2006 we caught over 20 Trout and Salmon on every Trip. A few were pushing 30. I’m on the Lake every day. I know the Pulse of Lake Michigan, and what the Trout and Salmon are wanting.

Testimonial Letter from an Experienced Lake Huron Fisherman Dear Russ: On July 15, 2006, I had the good fortune of being invited on a fishing trip by Captain Russ Jarvis, along with his Dad, brother and another friend. Captain Russ runs a Charter Service on Lake Michigan, operating out of St. Joseph, MI. His boat, the Fin Nailer, is a comfortable 30 foot Chris Craft, having all top of the line Electronic and Fishing Equipment. Captain Russ’s skill as a Charter Boat Captain and a Fisherman speaks for itself, as we boated 20 fish, 15 being King Salmon, the other five were Steelhead and Lake Trout. The largest fish was a 20# King Salmon. I have over 25 years experience fishing Lake Huron on my own boat (a 25’ Tiara) out of Oscoda and East Tawas area. A few years ago, fishing on Lake Huron was good, however due primarily to lack of Bait Fish, the Success Rate on Lake Michigan by far exceeds Lake Huron. Also, fishing with Russ was a learning experience for me, he will share his Fishing Skills with you. If you want to catch fish and have a fun Trip, I highly recommend you book a Charter with Captain Russ and the Fin Nailer. Sincerely, Ted Kasprzak

In July, opportunities for Great Salmon Charter Fishing are in full swing. If there's Cold Water Inside, and the Skamania Steelhead & King Salmon are there, We’re on them. If not we’re on the Deep Break where Fishing is Reliable Every Day.

In July the Lake will be 70-75 degrees. The City of St. Joseph, Michigan is a lot of Fun, with Craft Shows in the Park most Weekends, Silver Beach is wonderful. The Sea is Fishable 90-95% of the time. We only had 1 Blow Day in 2006.