Muskegon report 4/22

[Steve]

Fished the Muskegon at Pine street. Got there about 4pm and started out with a caddis as there was a hatch occurring. Got no takers on that so I switched to a stone fly nymph. Started catching many hatchery browns in the 5-6 inch range. Switched to a bead-head zug bug and did about the same, kept catching the little ones. It was fun, but wanted to play with the big boys. Put on a Royal Coachman streamer and hooked up with this 8 inch brown. Not a big fish but a good day anyway. Water was extremely high and fast. Wading limited to 10 feet from shore at the most and there were many places where you had to get out and then get back in.

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/logs/musk_pic/typical_hatchery_brown.jpg

[Steve]

What's everyone's opinion on float tubes and this river? Would one be worthwhile or do you absolutely need a boat? I'm thinking if there is a place you can park and then walk back up shore and drift down this river might be more fun. Of course if your feet never tough bottom there would be no stopping.

[Dutchman]

Steve I use a boat most of the time. Mainly to get away from other people then I get out and wade.wading around the landings will usually get you into fish but not very many monsters.A lot of people put in at croton or pine street and float down in a small pram or drift boat and stop where ever the urge strikes.I mainly use the boat to get away from all the tubers. The drunks #%@# me off and the girls in bikini's "or lack there of" ruin my concentration!!!

[Steve]

Yes, a drift boat or canoe or something would be nice but I don't have one. Plus I would have to have somebody spot me or something. A tube I suppose could be dangerous with some of the powerboat I saw out there. What do you mean by not very many monsters? With the special size regulations up there I would think there would be a few lunkers. By the way does anyone rent canoes who will drive you up to Croton then let you paddle back at your leisure to their base? Well I suppose you'd still have problems as they would probably restrict you to being off the water by a certain time. It would be really cool to be able to rent a drift boat!

[This message has been edited by Steve (edited 04-23-2000).]