Jim,
We are having a MANDATORY Driver’s Meeting that Saturday for All the Drivers,
So I don’t think I will be able to join you.
Bill
BILL?! SAY IT AIN’T SO!
Jim;
If the guys need sink tips I could gather up all my flourocarbon furled leaders and get them in the mail to you this week. They will be about 12# test. The 4# test Berkley “Transition” sinks like a rock!!
If the boss doesn’t put on a mandatory overtime I’ll be there. If anyone wants to get in some more fishing Sunday I could be up for that too though you will have to explain a whole weekend without hunting to my GSP pup. She is still a long ways from the best dog I have ever hunted with but she may be the most enthusiastic.
This thread has been kinda dead the last few days. Anything new?
Sorry for not posting lately and being a little light on the details. I would definitely like to make this happen. Once again, the weather isn’t exactly cooperating, but that’s life, and you know you won’t catch any fish if you stay home.
Here is what we know as of now. We have 5 people “committed” to coming (myself, Tim Creighton, Birddog, dogtown, and Mark Steff) and we have enough “committed seats” in various boats/pontoons to accomodate 8 people (one 3-person driftboat, one 2-person skiff, and three one-person pontoons). We have two “maybes” (Jim Riemersma and Joe Valencic). Joe, what are your thoughts on coming? If Joe comes, he could possibly bring up a canoe which could handle two people, so we still would be able to make room for 3 more people if anyone else is interested in tagging along. Just grab your pole and hop in! 
And we have two definite “catch ya next times” in Bill and Brad.
Let’s plan on floating the river and stopping here and there to fish the holes along the way. Let’s also plan on having a stream lunch. Maybe some grilled steaks and chops? I would be willing to grab those if others want to bring other stuff. Whatever you want to bring, just let the group know what you are bringing. Think man-food here. Snacks and drinks too. Grills that can go in the boat for the ride would be good.
The difficulty is going to be in picking the float. To be honest I have never floated the Muskegon before, so if Birddog or others have, your experience would be valuable here. There are four boat launches below Croton Dam that we can access, Kimble Park right below the dam, Pine Street one river mile below Kimble, Thornapple five river miles below Pine, and Henning Park seven river miles below Thornapple. I would guess we could run 6 to 7 miles in a day and not be out too late, so we could float either from the dam or Pine to Thornapple, or Thornapple to Henning. Your thoughts birddog? I can also give the flyshop a call about this. If we try to get the boats launched, spot cars and get afloat, we will need to start early. If there are salmon in the river to be caught, they seem to be more aggressive earlier in the morning, before the sun comes up over the trees. A cloudy day may help. After that, we may want to just target trout, since the salmon may get snobbish, so don’t forget the 5 or 6 wt.
What does everyone think about meeting just east off US 131 at the M82 (Howard City) exit at say 7 am? Then we can hope to be headed downstream by 8-8:30.
Count me as very probable as work is quite slow right now. Of course with a job shop that can change suddenly with a couple of phone calls from customers. I get the official word on Thursday night and will try to post Friday Morning.
I think the float from the dam to Thornapple is the busiest stretch of the river but also probably has the most wadable water. Also there is another access site a ways below Henning Park off of Felch Avenue that has a pretty good launch ramp and plenty of parking that might be usefull if we float the lower stretch.
Whatever we decide, wouldn’t it save time to meet at the take out point; leave oone car there and procede to the launch area without another stop at the exit ramp? I’m pretty sure I can post a map and driving directions to the take out point once it has been decided on for those who are not familiar with the area.
Flies for targeting trout should include a few winged ants as I have seen them attract a lot of attention from the trout there in September and I think they will continue to work in early october. I usually fish the White more for Salmon and really don’t know first hand what to expect for hatches , if any. Besides egg flies which should work during the salmon run small brassies and squirrel hair or hares ear nymphs have always worked for me on the muskegon. I always have brown and /or olive weighted wooly buggers too. There are a lot of crawdads in the river and I think the wooly bugger is a good imitation of them.
So far it looks like a good plan and so far it looks like I should be able to make it. I am going to see a new contact for work so things could change in the blink of an eye but right now I AM IN. Jim just remember my talent for wind knots so hand me your rod at your own risk. LOL
LET’S FISH
Tight lines my friends tight lines
I fished the White last night and had four salmon on without landing any ( I usually do better than that). I tried to remember some things our novice salmon fishermen would need to know for this post. First, check your tippets often for abrasion. I lost the first fish when I broke off a few inches below the split shot and I know that that part of the leader gets dragged across the sharp gravel a lot. Second bring plenty of split shot. I use BB shot and add one or more as needed to the leader just above the tippet knot. They were all gone after playing each fish and I lost some others when the line hung up on the bottom. Third bring enough flies to lose them two at a time to fish and snags. You will want plenty of tippet material but I usually just use a straight piece of fifteen pound mono as the main leader. Pliers are useful in removing flies from salmon as they have fairly large sharp teeth. Bring a wading staff if you have any doubts about wading fast water with slippery rocks. I expect even more moss on the rocks than usual with the warm water we had all summer. I’ll be leaving my studded boots behind as they are not good to boats. I’m sure someone can add some things I’ve forgotten but this might be helpful. Looking foreward to seeing all of you Saturday.
So far, I am planning on seeing rainbowchaser, Tim Creighton, birddog and Mark Steff on Saturday. If any of you need to bow out, please let me know. How about dogtown and Joe Valencic? Are you guys joining us? Others are welcome as well, just let us know so we can get food. Does anyone have a portable grill they could bring along for the shore lunch? Actually, more than one grill wouldn’t hurt. I have one I can pack. Also, anyone want to bring along some favorite food or snack to pass, feel free.
Jim, how are we set for boats? I have a thirteen foot canoe I can bring but it has very little leg room if you sit in the front. I can bring a chain anchor and rope if anyone needs it and I don’t have the canoe.
birddog has a 3 person drift boat and Mark has a two person skiff and a one man pontoon. I also have a one man pontoon. If dogtown comes he said he has a pontoon, and if Joe V comes he said he has a canoe, but those guys are firm committments as of yet. Hopefully we can firm up the number attending and boat seats soon. I think we will have more than enough seats regardless, but you may want to throw the canoe on the truck just in case? Let’s see what everyone says.
I just got back in town after a week hunting trip. I have found that my shop has a very hot project and I will have to be here until the middle of next week. I am bummed! I thought I was finaly going to get to fish with some of you on what sounds like a fun float. I will be watching to see how you do and certainly hope to make it next time.
-Jeff
We’ll miss you birddog. Jim - better bring the canoe.
Son of a gun I am not sure if I am gonna make it as I have a job to do on Saturday. Now for the real kicker. The job is in Muskegon, Michigan at the Consumers Energy Plant. I am hopping to get it done Friday but right now it ain’t lookin good.
Jim I have your number and will hopefully give you a last minute call telling you I can make it. If you don’t hear from me know I am not happy.
Good luck to you all keep us informed.
And now we are down to three… Jim and Mark, you guys up for this still? Do you still want to float it or just fish in the morning at say Thornapple access?
Hey guys don’t count me out yet. I am still gonna try and make it. If the clamp comes in Friday sometime I will drive up and put it on, get a hotel ( the company will get to pay for the room :lol: ) and meet you guys in the morning. Jim I will keep you posted.
I really want to fish with you guys, I had so much fun the last time. Shoot I might even catch a fish this time LOL
Tim and Jim - check pm
Well this Micro Fish in went to heck Maybe we can try again before the run ends.