Silverside Outfitters and Guide Service - Northwest Michigan's Finest Flyfishing

Calendar (Pere Marquette-P.M., Muskegon-Musk., Manistee-Man.)

MARCH-APRIL- The annual Steelhead spawning run. Large fish in shallow water make for exciting sight fishing opportunities. Bright fish will be holding in the pools and runs ready to attack your offering. Drop-back steelhead on their way back to the big lake, will be looking to replenish their energy and feed actively at this time. Steelhead average 8 to 10 lbs. and fish in the teens are caught every year. Peak on the Pere Marquette is usually late March/early April and the larger Muskegon peaks a week or so later with fishable numbers until mid.-May. The first few hatches start at this time and rising trout can be found on warm April afternoons. The last Sat. in April marks the official opening of trout season.

MAY-JUNE-. Steelhead can be found well into May on the Muskegon and we still bring along the 8wt.'s just in case. Insect activity increases as the water warms and we start to target trout. Mayfly, Stonefly, and Caddis are in full swing by mid-May and last thru June. The Pere Marquette Hex hatch starts around June 20th and provides a honest chance at a 20"+ brown in the dark. Fishing with 200-300gr. sink-tips and large streamers is done during non hatch times to lure trout from the logs and many stream improvements.

JULY-AUGUST-Terrestrial fishing at its finest. This can be some of the most exciting trout fishing of the season and one of our specialties. Educated trout coming up to get your Hopper in late summers clear water doesn't get any better. Some morning hatches of tricos, caddis, and B.W.O.'s can occur as well. Some salmon start to show up in the lower rivers by mid August. While there aren't always a lot of salmon at this time they will not get any fresher and you can have the river to yourself. At this time of year we offer hardware trips for early salmon. Salmon responded well to large spinner and plugs and you'd better have a good grip on your rod when one decides to strike. NEW- stripping streamers for salmon early in the morning then switching to smallmouth bass once the sun comes up on the Manistee.

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER-The Salmon spawning run. Thousands of chinook salmon ascend our rivers in the fall averaging 10-15lbs. with bigger fish taken every year. The peak of the run on the Pere Marquette and Manistee is usually the first week of October and the Muskegon peaks a week later. Fish can be present until November some years. By mid October the number of steelhead reach fishable numbers and become our primary target. This time of year books a year in advance.

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER-Prime time Fall steelhead(P.M., Musk., & Man.). Hooking a fall steelhead with a fly rod is a exciting experience with cart-wheeling jumps and powerful runs. The steelhead at this time of year will be keyed into the many salmon eggs present. The well presented egg pattern will usually be taken aggressively. Swinging streamers with sink tip lines can also be effective at this time of year. The Fall Steelhead fishery has become just as popular as the spring and booking well ahead is suggested for best dates.

JANUARY-FEBRUARY-Winter steelhead(P.M., Musk., Man.)-the cure for cabin fever. Steelhead that come in the fall will winter over until spring. Their metabolism slows down during winter but they can be caught on a fly at this time. Look for breaks in the weather when planning a winter trip. The peace and tranquility you get steelheading in the winter is unbeatable. We carry heaters in the boats to take the chill off on the cold days. Winter specials and 1/2 day's available thru Feb.