I added this Top & Enclosure to make it more comfortable, for Late Fall & Winter Steelhead Trips, but October can be Cold, Rainy, and even Snowy.

If there's the Slightest Chance of Bad Weather I’ll bring the Top & Enclosure along. I have a Kerosene Heater. When it’s Rainy, 45degrees and we have the Top up and the Heater running we are the Envy of the River. You go by the guys sitting in the rain in an open boat, and “The Look on Their Face says Boy I Wish I Was With You Guys”

King Salmon were originally Imported to the Great Lakes from the Pacific NW in the late 1960’s to combat Alewife Baitfish Overpopulation & Annual Die-Offs, and to Create a Sportfishing Industry. Prior to the introduction of King and Coho Salmon each Summer Millions of Alewives would die, and wash onto the Beaches in piles. To clean the Beaches of Alewives they would scoop them up with Loaders, and Truck them away by the Dump Truck Load.

King Salmon and other Sportfish have reduced the population of Alewives from 79% of total Lake Michigan Fish Population in 1967 to 14% Today. King Salmon in the Muskegon River originate from either Natural Reproduction or Smolts planted by Fisheries Managers with the Michigan Dept. of Natural Resources (DNR). The MI DNR plants over 60,000 King Salmon Smolts in the Muskegon River each year. These 8” fingerlings migrate to Lake Michigan, where they feed on Alewives They become “Top of the Food chain” and have the aggressive attitude to go with the territory.

King Salmon Mature at Fall of their 4th year. That's why their often called “4 year olds”. They grow to 15-30#. But it seems every year I hear of a 40# + King taken in the Lake or a Tributary River.

Fall of their 4th year Natures Biological Clock calls the Adult Kings home to their “River of Origin” to Spawn (Lay Eggs) & Die. Its sad for me to witness the deterioration and death of these incredible Sportfish, but I am consoled by the thought that because they have Spawned Themselves to Death, 4 years from now their Offspring will give us the Thrill of the Fall King Salmon Run again.

I’ve spent Thousands of Days on the River, hunting, catching, and studying these fish. Spawning Kings go through a “Series of Stages” during the Spawning Process. I’ve found through experience that “Set Up Fish will take a Fly over a Gravel Spawning Bed”, but when they’re in the other Stages they won’t and we’re wasting our time trying.

First, Kings instinctively know they need to find Gravel to Spawn. As they Spawn, the Eggs settle down into the Gravel, and are protected from predators like Trout, other fish, Crayfish, Bugs, etc. until they Hatch. The River Bottom near Lake Michigan is muddy, sand, and clay. So the Female Kings will move upstream to find suitable Gravel Beds for Spawning.

Second, once a “Hot Female” (one that's Full of Eggs & Ready to Spawn, finds the Gravel Bar/Bed she likes she’ll begin to “Fan the Bed”. I call this “Working”. By Fanning her Tail over the Gravel she’ll “brush away the silt that covers the Gravel” As she fans and cleans the Gravel it will become a Bright Spot on the River Bed. Sometimes a single Female will “Work” a smaller Bed, other times we’ll see 5-6 Females “Working” a Long Gravel Bar.

Third (Stage 3), Male Kings follow the Females up the River. Once a Male finds a “Hot, Working” Female he’ll move up check her out, let her know he’s ready, then drift back to the bottom of the Bed and wait for her to begin Spawning (Laying Eggs), then another Male will show up, and another, and another. I’ve seen 8-10 Males Spawning with a single Female. While she is preparing the Gravel Bed the Males will compete for the Front (Dominant) Position in the Line. You’ll see one in the Back, move up and Bite the Front Male, then they’ll “Chase” each other around. I call this “Chasing”. During Stage 3 there may be 10 Males “Chasing” each other around. They won’t hold so you can Target a Precise Cast to Them, and They usually Won’t Take a Fly while this “Chasing” is going on.

Stage 4 “Set Up Fish”. Now the Female has Fanned the Bed, it’s bright and clean. The Males are done “Chasing” the Winner, the Dominant Male is the First one in Line, and the others are “Lined up like Dominoes” waiting for a chance to move up and Fertilize the Eggs. These Fish aren’t really interested in Feeding, but I think they earn points by “Keeping the Bed Clean & Safe” for the Eggs. You’ll often see a Subordinate Male move up and Chase Away a Rainbow Trout on the Bed waiting for an easy Salmon Egg Meal. Or move up to get a Bug or anything that settles on the Bed. Now these Fish will Eat a Properly Presented Fly. “Set Up Fish” is where we Win Success.

I learned long ago to Maximize my Fishing Time by “Not Spending Time on Dead Water.” We hunt for, set up on, and Cast to “Set Up Fish”. To Maximize our Time, and give you the Greatest Opportunity for Success. My Clients will tell you that I’ll search the River, maybe Pass Up a Hundred Fish in Phase 2 “Working” or Phase 3 “Chasing”, and end up on 3-4 Females “Working” with 20 or more Males “Set Up” and within reasonable Casting Distance of the Boat.

The Muskegon River from the M-37 Bridge at Newaygo to the Croton Dam is a Fast (7MPH) , Clear, Western Style River with Hundreds of Gravel Beds in this 24 mile stretch. There's always a New Opportunity to find an ideal group of “Set Up Fish” around every bend, and in every run. Croton Dam is as far as the Salmon can migrate. There is no Fish Ladder at Croton. The Water flowing over the Beds is Clear, and usually only 3-7’ deep. You can easily see the Salmon determine what Stage of Spawning their in, or watch ;your Fly Rig Drift through the Bed. Usually you can see the Fish Take Your Fly.

I am trying to give you an accurate description of what you’ll see, and how we’ll hunt the River for “Set Up Fish”. Water Levels are lowest in the Fall.
My Jet Sled the Fin Nailer II is designed to run in very thin water. We can Run on Plane in as little as 4” of water, and Static Drift (Slip Downstream Slowly) in
8.” This Boat gives me the ability to search the Whole River under the worst conditions to “Get You On Fish”

The Fin Nailer II is Custom Built with Elevated/Carpeted Casting Decks which gives us a Distinct Advantage in Spotting Fish, Targeting a Precise Cast, and Watching for the Strike.

During most of the Season, and Average Day you will see Hundreds of King Salmon in various Stages of the Spawning Process. During the Peak, you could easily see 1000 Kings in a Day. I’ve done it lots, and lots of times.

I prefer to use Spinning Rods & Reels for these Trips. I find it’s easier to Cast, and better for Fighting Salmon. I provide either Spinning Rods, and/or Fly Rods (Your Choice) and will be glad to instruct you in the use of either. We’ll be Drifting a specially weighted Rig with 2 Flies along the River Bottom, over the Spawning Beds. Right into the Kings Face.

Precise Casting is important. A Long Cast will Drift Past the Fish. A Short Cast may come up Short, or not get to the bottom before reaching the Fish.
I will Patiently Guide You, and Advise you to Cast Out a Little Further, or Upstream a Little More. While watching the resulting Drift from each Cast, we adjust the Cast to Hit the Target Spot and get the Right Drift Through the Fish. Ideally we want to Cast out past the Fish, and have the Current Swing the Rig along Right in their Face.

The Weighted Rig I use is a “Free Sliding” Pencil Lead Sinker on a Snap-Swivel. I use a Barrel Swivel as a Stop, and tie a Lighter Weight Tippet to the 2 Flies below. The Pencil Lead Rig is advantageous because the Line to the Flies is Free allowing “You to Feel the Bite”, the Pencil Lead Skips along the Gravel, and won’t snag like Shot. We Trim the Pencil Lead to make the weight Just Right for the particular Drift you’re on. We want the Rig to Tap, Tap, Tap the Bottom right to the Fish, not Tap, Snag, Tap, Snag, it has to be Smooth. If it doesn’t Tap, well then you’re not getting down to the Fish, and we need to cut you a heavier piece of Pencil Lead. It comes in a roll.

The Flies we use are #6-#10 Nympths. Bright Colors on Cloudy Days, and more subtle, very natural patterns on Sunny Days. I normally retie the Rig for my Clients. I Hand Tie all the Flies we use, and will have a couple thousand along on the Trip. If they want a #6 Olive Stone that Day I want to have plenty along.

The Main Line I prefer is Spectra Power Pro 20# Braid, then 12’ of 15# Seagar Carbon Pro Fluorocarbon to the Barrel Swivel, and 6-10# Seagar Tippet. I like the Braid Main Line because it’s tough, won’t stretch, and you Feel Every Movement the Fish Makes. 12-15# Trilene XL would stretch and kink, we’d have to respool after a couple of fish. I’m convinced Kings & Steelhead can’t see Seagar Fluorocarbon Line. I could run 4-6# Trilene XL on the Tippet and the Fish would “Run Away From Your Rig”. Run 12-15# Seagar through the same Fish, and they Hold, They Can’t See It.

For Rods & Reels I believe there is no substitute for Quality. I am on the G Loomis Pro Staff Program and I use there 9’ GL3 Spinning Rods Medium Power. Shimano Solstace 400RH Reels, their Smooth, Reliable, have Adequate Line Capacity, and the Rear Drag makes it Easier to Adjust Quickly during the Fight. I use 7-8# St. Croix Legend, and Sage Fly Poles with Sage Lamson, and Scientific Anglers Reels “Large Frame.” I provide either or both (Your Choice) and I’ll be happy to teach you how to use both.

You’ll notice I “Gear Up Light” for 15-30# King Salmon in a 7 MPH Current River, but I think it makes the whole experience much more rewarding. You have to “Play the Fish”. It takes Skill, and Patience to land one on this Light Gear. But don't’ worry, I’ll help you, and if he gets away Big Deal. There are lots and lots of Salmon. We’ll get another one going and with each Fish your Skill will improve, and you’ll start Boating Fish.

First, we’ll slowly search the River, moving from one Spawning Bed to another hunting for the Right Group of “Set Up Fish.” Once we’ve found them I”ll position the boat 30-40’ to the Side and a Little Upstream. We’ll drop the 80# Main Anchor to secure the boat position.

We’ll begin “Targeting & Casting” to the Fish. We’ll be much more successful if we use fewer more Precise Casts to Hook Fish, rather than Casting all over the place “Lining & Spooking” the Salmon. Ideally we want to Cast out past the Fish, and have the Current “Swing Our Presentation” across the Bed right in Front of Their Face.

You’ve Cast to your Target Spot, perfect, you watch your Rig Drift right to the first Male in the Line of 8 Kings. He Twitches just to the Right, and Turns. “That's it HIT HIM He Took it!!” You Set the Hook, like a Lightning Bolt he races 20’ ahead and Makes an Amazing 4’ Leap into the Air. FISH ON!!! No Kidding it happens just like that! It’s a Heart Pounding Thrill!!

Suddenly just as fast as he went up, he Bolts Downstream 80’ below the Boat. Line is Singing Off Your Reel. The Main Anchor has an 80’ Line with a Buoy tied to the end. “Throw the Buoy” your Buddy pulls the Anchor Line off the Bow Cleat, throws the extra Line and Buoy in the water, and we begin to Drift Downstream. I lower the 30# River Anchor with the Electric Winch and it Thumps the Bottom slowing us down. I use the Winch & 30# Anchor to “Control the Speed & Position” of our Downstream Drift.

We want to position the Boat below the Struggling King forcing him to fight the Rod and the Current. This set up on the Boat enables my Clients to Boat many more Fish, than they would from a “Fixed Position Boat”. From a Fixed Position Boat you have to Drag the Fish Upstream into a 7 MPH Current with 8-10# Line.

Usually when the Fish poops out it turns sideways to the Current and Drifts Downstream Lost & Gone. But not us We’ll Drift Downstream 1/2 a Mile if that's what it takes for you to land your Fish.

During the Fight I’ll Patiently Guide You in Fish Fighting Technique, only to help you Build Skill, be more successful. I hope you get him in, but if not Oh-Well lets go set up again, and get another one going. There are lots & lots of Fish.

If we Land Your King, we’ll all Laugh, Shake Hands, High Five, Pick on your Buddy because Yours is Bigger than His Last One, all that Stuff. It is Too Much Fun!! If you’d like to keep Salmon, we can take (3) per Day per Angler. Their very Good Smoked, Just Hard to Get Lit. If not I like to take a nice Photo, then Revive Them in the Water until their Frisky Again. I like to Return Them Lively to enjoy the rest of their Spawn before they die.

We’ll Fire the Motor, un up to our Spot, grab the Main Anchor Buoy, secure the Boat, and begin Fishing Again. Get another one going and do it all over again. All Day Long, King after King after King.

Long before I became a Charter Boat Captain on Lake Michigan, I Fell in Love with October King Salmon Fishing. It is Truly “One of the Best Things in Life.” If you like to fish. If you Love to Fight & Catch “Big Powerful Sportfish” you owe it to yourself to try this. “You Won’t Want to Stop.” “You will Look Forward to Going Again” ALL YEAR LONG!! I Promise.