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Possible Great Lakes Spey Clave

5719 Views 41 Replies 8 Participants Last post by  danimal
Well how about it, a clave sometime later this spring here in the Great Lakes. I believe that this would be a great opportunity to witness the Great Lakes fishery by showing our home rivers and teaching techniques that are appropriate to our area that may not be seen that often. Destinations would be limited to the larger rivers in our region that can be waded and allow steelheading opportunities into the May-June months. Also rivers must be stable and allow angling under all conditions. It wouldn't take that much planning, as I have already did alot of it for my own local clave that I planned on hosting. Read below for details:

GL Spey Clave locations/details:

Ontatrio - Saugeen or Maintland River: Ontario's Saugeen and Maintland Rivers border Lake Huron's shorline and boost excellent runs of broad shouldered steelhead into mid-late May. A great place to hold a clave since both rivers allow use of spey angling methods, and allow for easily wading. The opportunities of catching steelhead in prime lies such as pocket water, pools, runs, and flats only further the expirence! Also consider the unique landscape with rolling hills, farmland and woodlands.

Michigan - St. Mary's River: The St. Mary's River in Michigan's beautiful upper peninsula is a world class fishery. A larger river system consisting of a rapids and a channel that connects Lake Superior to Lake Huron. Steelhead ascend later than most rivers in the spring, with opportunities into mid-late June at times. Late May or early June would be a good bet. This river also offers the chance to hookup with early skamania steelhead, large resident browns and rainbows, and even an occasional early atlantic if conditions are ideal. Steelhead also can be taken on a dry fly on this river system. Nearby Georgian Bay allows you to chase pike, muskie and atlantics as they feed on smelt and baitfish on the flats. The remotness sets it apart, making it feel like you are in the wilderness. Truly an desitination that should be expirenced.

Michigan - Muskegon River: The Mighty Mo as it is often referred to is a tailwater fishery in the heart of Michigan's Lower Peninusla. This river is quite large and allows use of a spey. Steelhead run later into spring, but best action is late april.
This river is an excellent trout fishery resembling a spring creek. Steelhead can be very large, and a great way to target them is in the slots and pools below gravel beds. Defintly not out of the question.

Let me know what you think. I can plan this very quickly and would be a great weekend clave. I was thinking sometime in earlier May, but we can always stretch this into June if we plan on heading to the St. Mary's.:D :D
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Muskegon in May I will be there.

BBT had one last August at Henning Park access.

It was just a one dayer though no overnight lodging needed though.

PM Out
Muskegon for 1 or 2 days.

Still not many decent motels around Newaygo though is there ?

PM Out
Here is the link of lodging and camping in Newaygo area, near Henning Park and the Muskegon.

Beleive me these are not upscale motels. I went through Newaygo on may way north in April and there was not to much new there as far as motel/hotels that I could see.

Would have to find the nicest place in the area. Closest big name hotel like a Holiday Inn, Comfort Inn etc is probably Rockford, MI, or Grand Rapids. Thats 30 miles away from Newaygo as I recall too far. I'm used Hyatts, Marriotts, etc.. (but I can rough it for a night or two)

Gray Drake Lodge (MS place) is not far right ?

I really don't know this area well anymore used to fish it a lot 20 years ago but then found my lovely home river, you know what I mean. ;)

Michigan fishers will know.

PM Out


http://travel.michigan.org/lodging/?m=6&city=G3363:)
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MJYP,

Yes I know Baldwin also does not have great places to stay for the most part, but when I am there for a hard core steelheading hunt the only requirement of the hotel is that it is clean and has warm water for a good shower at the end of the day. So I can survive anywhere.

But for a clave you probably want one decent hotel/motel with good rooms and amenities, a restaurant and bar where people could mingle. Not sure if that exists in Newaygo area.

Everyone may be right about the low number of michigan spey fishers, I have not seen another one in about two years on the river. Tired of getting the strange looks about the long rod.

Would need to see how many michigan, indiana, illinois, and wisconsin and western ontario speyers may show.

Maybe just make it a mini western GL spey clave with local michigan shops that are selling spey rods and lines. PM Lodge, BBT, GRs shops, I don't know just some random thoughts.

Yes there will definitely be steelhead around if it is early may, may even take you to my secret late spring steelheading location. Ever hook a may steelhead, in those 50 degree water temps they go air borne lickety split !! :smokin:

PM Out
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Sounds good the Mo in May and possible hookups with super charged May steelhead.

Priceless !!

PM Out

P.S. Had a couple pull sail fish like porposing jumps on me at Pine Street last April. The water was still cold and they were pulling that stuff. They won ! :mad: :mad:
Michigan trout season opening weekend ? 29th

PM Out
At least we have a possibility it may be warm (50 degrees +) in May in April, well you know West Michigan april weather.

PM Out
Wow thats right in the middle of the late runs. Steelhead will be in all the west michigan rivers then and all will be open except for the upper sections of some until th trout opener the last saturday of April. Weather may even be warm. Will mark it on the calendar and hope nothing major comes up family or business.

Are the sage lite spey rods going to be there ? :smokin:

PM Out

P.S. Will have to get taxes down early this year and not wait until the last minute, 4/15
Let me know the finest lodging available in Newaygo area ?

You know 5 star ones.

The last motle I stayed in Newaygo years ago we had roaches in the motel room and no heat I think. Thank god we were on the MO all day and only crashed there at night.

PM Out
I just want to know your definition of "good" :D

PM out
Need cable tv, micro fridge, coffee maker, and indoor pool sauna, jacuzzi, attached restaurant and bar preferred also. Thats so I can put my waders and everything else on in the warm room versus at the cold and wet river access point in the dark.

Then I just pulled the preassembled and rigged rod, vest, wading staff from trunk, turn on the flash light and go into the "quick step" march in the dark, racing to get first light advantage at that mornings chosen blue ribbon steelhead holding water.

Priceless !

PM Out
Too long a ride to the MO, I think I know where I will go.

PM Out

P.S. Otherwise I will just bring Mountain tent and sleeping bag and show you how tough I can be. :chuckle:
Lets just spey steelhead fish 24 x 7 an all nighter.

Who ever catches the first steelie gets to sleep.

PM Out
You got it the magic word : $$$$$$$

PM Out
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