Fishing Articles

Here in the Great Lakes Region we have a lot of anglers who fish for Steelhead and with that comes a lot of fishing pressure. Not to mention the unpredictable weather patterns from our Great Lakes. When you have no rain in the forecast for long periods and with the added fishing pressure that can mean a tough day on the river.  With that being said, these conditions present challenges for the everyday Steelhead angler and when faced with low, clear conditions we must make things happen to maximize our time on the water.  Whether you believe in climate change...

Lake Michigan, or any Great Lake for that matter, can be an intimidating body of water.  Many fishermen tend to think that you need at least a 28-foot boat all decked out with the latest gear to even attempt to fish its waters and be successful. This statement couldn’t be further from the truth. The big water is certainly something that you should not take lightly. However, given the opportunity there are many chances for those of us who run smaller boats to get out and be successful at catching our limits of trout, salmon, or walleye that inhabit these...

Over the past few years, stealth riggers have been some of the most productive rods on the Blue Horizon. Spring, summer, and fall, they produce fish. Anytime I encounter clear water, negative fish, or strong currents, adjusting riggers to stealth mode will produce fish. One other note: clean spoons run on stealth riggers catch huge fish during the middle of the day. If you don’t currently incorporate stealth riggers into your spread, you will want to pay close attention. Secret Weapon Rigs (SWR) Ever been skunked? It is painful! From one fisherman to another, there is a greater distance between...

Imagine, fishing a lake where limits of walleye are just waiting to grab your lure. Hold on it even gets better. How would you like to catch walleye that average around six to seven pounds, with a number of ‘eyes exceeding 9 and 10 pounds? Does it sound like a dream come true? Well, Lake Erie has these dream fish. I know what you are thinking. Lake Erie is a Great Lake, a great big lake. Its large size gives fish miles and miles of water to hide in. Well, in the summer their hideout is easy to find because...

Season’s Close: End-Game Steelhead by Matt Straw The river was an impressionistic painting—more Monet than real. A thick cloak of fog removed all detail and filtered bright color from the world, leaving dull pastels. Snow melt trickled from needles on overhanging pines. “Plop.” Rings rolled away in the current, distorting the window-pane clarity of the water. Soft, diffused light streamed through the snow-laden trees. A late-March snow storm had passed. The wet, heavy kind that turns a walk through the forest into a slapstick comedy. Steelhead were spawning heavily a few days ago in water reading 45°F. But a constant, 48-hour...