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.

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

Ludington Pier Cam  

March 16, 2011 at 9:15 AM

Ludington Pier - Steelhead Fishing

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

Live Camera View

 

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 

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.

Hung Nguyen - 3 Steelhead at St. Joe

On November 13, 2010 Hung Nguyen was fishing off the Pier at St. Joseph and caught 3 nice Steelhead by casting spoons. 

Headed to the River....

It's that wonderful time of the year, when Chrome is in the river!  We have a small group of people coming from central and lower Michigan to test out the Manistee River and surrounding areas.

More reports soon.
See you out there!

Fishing at Tippy Dam (north side)

For those people looking to be able to get easy access to fishing the Manistee River at Tippy Dam there is a north parking area and boat launch.  Many people also fish the south side of the dam but there is a steep bank and lots of steps winding down the hill.

The North side has been greatly improved over the years to include: fish cleaning station, Grills, benches, crushed rock pathway, stairs down to the riverside as well as a dock area with a wheelchair ramp.

Having traveled around many places, it is GREAT to see this area developed to allow special needs access.  There is still plenty of river that isn't developed between the Dock and the Saw Dust Hole for those who like a more remote feeling.

Overall this is one of the best locations for salmon & steelhead fishing when you consider all the options.

Tippy Dam - Temp, Flow & Heigh

Here are the current conditions for fishing Below Tippy Dam for March 14, 2010.

This information is pulled from USGS servers and you can also get updated information from the links on our home page www.hothuntingspots.com

Tight Lines....

More Wax Worm action

There was lots of fun for everyone, even with the smaller fish strikes were abundant.

Black Stone Fly...

A nice male taken on a Black Stone Fly.  This guy had the hot hand today with lots of hook ups and fish.

Wax worms drifting

Today many fish were spread out with the high water and they were feeding.

Brown Trout on the Manistee

It was great to see lots of people using the dock, which provides access for people with special access needs or parents who are concerned their children may drift away....

Lots of fish rolling on the slow water.  Best action was using a small hook & wax worm drifting with a bobber for the Browns.

Fish On....

The river was full of action today, lots of fish and Plenty of people bringing fish down around the bend with the river so fast it was hard to net before the boat launch.

Steelhead from Tippy Dam

Nice fish

Big Manistee River - Walleye

Today was a nice day fishing the river.  It is high and fast but for the last few days of Walleye season you have to love it.

Tippy Dam - Temp & Discharge (from USGS )

Here are the latest flow reports showing Temp and Discharge of the river.

LOCATION.--Lat 44°15 34, long 85°56 30 referenced to North American Datum of 1927, in NE ¼ SE ¼ sec.36, T.22 N., R.14 W., Manistee County, MI, Hydrologic Unit 04060103, on right bank 700 ft downstream from Tippy Dam, at public access site, 3.2 mi north of Wellston, and 5.0 mi southeast of Brethren

River Reports - Big Man at Rainbow Bend

Got a call from my "Desert Mike" and he reports that guys are doing very good on the river Plugging holes near rainbow bend and below.  The temp of the river is looking better each day and a little rain to boot.... this weekend should be great.

I am packed and ready to head north after work today and I will be sending a live report later this weekend.

Steel is in the River.... Tight Lines!

Big Man Updates

Got word from the river that fishing is picking up.  There are plenty of good fish in the river and working the holes with body baits or drifting spawn has been the key so far.

I am excited to be up there in person next weekend.  I will post more reports from the field.