Moores Park - Grand River

Moores Park - Grand River

Friday, March 18, 2011

Ludington Pier 3/18

The last 2 days have been GREAT Weather to get out and fish.
Here are some camera shots from Ludington.










Traverse City

It is a bit early, but don't forget the Traverse City area for great fishing, food and fun!

Benton Harbor St Joe 3/18

Wow What a great view for the fishermen on Lake Michigan today.

Leland 3/18

A beautiful area if you haven't been there.... check out Leland


Rogue River 3/18

The weather has people outdoors and the fishing is picking up.

Checked in on Rockford today several times and a pretty good number of people fishing on and off.

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Rogue River Action 3/16

A bit more action starting up on this wonderful warm day!

Looks like a few more fish are making their way up stream.

Ludington Pier - 3/16


March 16, 2011 at 9:15 AM
Ludington Pier - Steelhead Fishing

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Rogue River 3/15

Checking out the fishing action at 8pm.  There were a number of people fishing on and off all day long and it looks like a few people working on some fish.  STAY TUNED!

Rogue River - Cam & Flow Data

LIVE CAM of Fishing Area
 
Today I updated the Steelhead Report with a few new items which include Live Camera Views of the Rockford Dam Area that you can check to see if people are catching fish.

Also I added the USGS River Flow Data so you can check in to see what the river levels are and such.

USGS River Data 

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Rogue River - Rockfort 3/13


 Well the final report from the Rogue River is that we had a great time, it is a beautiful spot to fish.  We did not hook any fish, we saw 3 or 4 that appeared to try to jump into the rapids so there were fish here, just not biting.

I highly suggest if you have not visited this spot, add it to your list for great fun and easy access.

Douglas

Rogue River - West Fishing Area


Another photo showing the West bank fishing area on the Rogue River

Rogue River - March 13th


This photo was taken from the West side of the fishing area in Rockford on the Rogue River.  You can see my son taking a short break from fishing and my friends Doug (wading) and Jack down near the bridge.

The fence you see along the edge of the river is a very nice feature because it provides safety but also is just the right height to fish over and it is right on the edge of the river.  This area was designed and built  by people who are fishing friendly and understand the needs of people wanting to fish.

Down near the bridge on the west side of the river is a small platform to enter the river if you wish to wade or to net fish.  On the east side, there is a gate with steps going down to the river.

I know of a few spots where fishing blends in well with the surrounding area, however this is one of my favorite places because of the surrounding community and town.

Enjoy!

Stick Bass Puts up a fight!


Nicholas got very excited when his float went under and his pole was tugging....

He was very anxious to see what had taken interest in his wax worm and slip bobber setup - only to find that he hooked a floating stick.  He let me know that it was still fun and got his little heart going for a bit when he was not sure what was pulling so hard.

In his defense, imagine how much pull a stick in the white water is going to have.

Nick is hoping to get his first steelhead this year!

Rogue River - Family Friendly Fishing



Well it is that time of the year... actually many of you have been out for months fishing the rivers for winter steelhead.  I enjoy fishing the river and taking a break from ice fishing.

Behind me you see the double spillway in Rockford Michigan on the Rogue River which flows down into the Grand River.

My first comment about this fishing spot is that it is FAMILY FRIENDLY!
For those of you that have a family and you are looking for a spot to get out, this is one of the best spots I know of that offer safety items ( fences ) to put your mind at ease a bit.  This spot is located right in downtown Rockford and there is a bait & tackle shop across the street.  In addition to the safety and tackle shop, there are benches to sit and food, ice cream and stores within a short walk from the fishing area.

If you are looking to get a little fishing time in with the family - this spot is one I recommend because you have options for your younger boys and girls once they are done fishing.

Good Luck and Enjoy!

Rogue River - Family Friendly Fishing


I wanted to point out a few more points about fishing in Rockford.

There is a park south of this spot within walking distance.  Behind me you see some of the stores and the back of the ice cream shop.  Many people who just want to take a break and enjoy the sounds of nature will enjoy the roar of this river as the double spillway creates a wall of sound that you must hear to understand.

If you are out and about on the SW side of michigan, stop in and check this place out.  Parking is near and you won't be disappointed.

Good Luck
Douglas Resseguie
Hot Hunting Spots

Rogue River - Family Friendly Fishing


A photo of my son Nick leaning on the safety rail around the fishing area.

Nicholas has been wading in the river with me in the Great North Country us "trolls" call the U.P. but each river is unique.  Nick and I decided not to wade here today because the river was fast, but more importantly there was plenty of room to fish and as a young boy he enjoys changing his spot and bait often.

Being on shore left the most options for a quick escape to the restroom if needed and you will see in other photos the my young fisherman decides to take some breaks on the bench.

You can also see in this photo the walk way going over the dam and that it has protective rail as well.  This is very nice because you can enjoy the view and quickly get from one side to the other without walking over the bridge south of the dam.  The bridge has ample sidewalk, but if you are a parent you may find walking over the dam much more relaxing.

Rogue River - Wading



Here is a photo of Doug Sandburg, wading in the Rogue River down from the Spillway of the Dam.

In order to fish for steelhead or salmon you can fish from shore, a boat, or wading out into the river.

FIRST OFF - Safety First !!!

If you have not been out in a river in waders..... USE CAUTION.  The rivers during spring time are fast and high.  At times the water location where you are fishing will have the water level change due to rain, melting or other factors up stream.

The rocks and bottom of the river can be slippery or muddy and it is possible to lose your footing if you are not careful.  Another common mistake people make is moving too quickly and finding the bottom of the river drop off quickly.

Please be very careful if you fish the river during the spring.  Ice chunks, sticks, logs and other materials can also flow down at you and if you are not paying attention - you can get knocked over or hurt.

OK ------ ALL THAT BEING SAID:

One of my favorite ways to fish is wading! 

This allows you to get out and present your bait in different areas and using a different angle of approach.  There are some rivers that you just can't seem to get the right drift or float unless you are out because of the distance or angle of the runs.

Be Careful and have fun!

Rogue River - Floating


Float or Floating is also what many people call using a Bobber.  Why would you do this you may ask when the river is moving very quickly and in prior posts you have read that the bait needs to be low just off the bottom?

Good question - my personal answer is this.
I like to use a floating method when the water is fast but you see slow or reverse current areas where there is foam or other materials floating or churning.

Using a small hook with a wax worm or wiggler and a bobber you can flip (or cast ) your set-up / rig out into the current and let it naturally drift into these slower water areas.  This presentation will allow fish that are feeding slowly to drift over and pick up some easy food.  The key is a slower presentation - when fishing is slow and the fish seem to pass on everything you present....

Slow things down a bit with a Float and offer a small bait slowly.

Good Luck

Rogue River - Drifting


The steelhead action at the Rockford Dam is just about to heat up.  For those people who like to fish early before the main run, you have some room to fish using a number of techniques.  One of the ways you can present your offering to the steelhead is to drift.

In short - drifting is allowing your bait to enter the water above the run or hole, a spot in the river where the fish are or you believe them to be, and allowing it do drift through naturally.

This process is then repeated many times as you attempt to make the perfect presentation to the fish... or in many cases when fish are spawning - you invoke some defensive response to protecting their bed.

Rogue River - Rockford


Nick was enjoying time on the river, he is slowly learning the art of steelhead fishing.... ( learning to snag, pull, breakoff and tie a new setup on again! )

Actually if you are new to fishing for steelhead and you don't make contact with the bottom and feel the gravel, bumps and occasional snag - you are fishing too high and you probably are not getting many fish.

There are some exceptions to that, but most of the time you need your rig to be down just off the bottom to have much response from the fish.

Great Job Son!  You are learning.

Moores Park - Grand River

Rockford Dam - Rogue River

Grand and Red Cedar Rivers

Tippy Dam - Manistee River

Old Town - Grand River

Flat Rock - Huron River