| September 09 2007, Newaygo Michigan- | | | | 5. River Rat Dog/ or call 517-651-2616 |
| This sleepy rural, mostly farming | | | | A typical 8 hour float trip on the |
| community lies in Western Michigan, just | | | | Muskegon River includes the boat and |
| 30 minutes north of Grand Rapids. | | | | guide, all rods and equipment and a |
| Newaygo County has over 230 natural | | | | shore lunch for around $325.00 (prices |
| lakes and 350 miles of rivers and | | | | vary) Partial trips are also available |
| streams, 2 huge dams, Croton and Hardy. | | | | for around $200.00. A State of Michigan |
| Hardy Dam is the largest earthen dam | | | | fishing license and trout stamp (all |
| east of the Mississippi River. The | | | | species) is required, but not included |
| Muskegon River continues to be the main | | | | in any package. You can obtain a license |
| attraction for summer cottage residents | | | | from Parsley's Sport and Fly Shop |
| and fishermen, who find it nearly the | | | | (231-652-6986) located on the banks of |
| best source for spring and winter | | | | the Muskegon River in downtown Newaygo. |
| steelhead and its fall salmon run | | | | We now know a little bit about Newaygo |
| anywhere! | | | | County, the Muskegon River and its fall |
| The fall salmon run on the Muskegon | | | | salmon run, how to fish em or at least |
| River and nearby White River occurs | | | | who to call to help you fish em, but you |
| every fall. This fall salmon run usually | | | | will also need a place to stay. Yea, you |
| runs from the middle of September to the | | | | will be tired after a day on the river |
| end of October or later. Water | | | | battling 15-30 pound salmon. |
| temperature determines run time and | | | | There was a reason behind this article, |
| length. | | | | you see, I own and manage several |
| You do not have to worry about missing | | | | waterfront cottages rentals in Newaygo, |
| the fall salmon run, because as the | | | | which caters to fishermen, hunters, ice |
| salmon run tails off, the fall/winter | | | | fishing, and snowmobiles and for family |
| steelhead enter the rivers from October | | | | vacations. |
| to early spring, usually the end of May. | | | | We are open year round and our modern |
| During the fall salmon run, most baits | | | | fishing cabins/cottages are on Hess |
| will work such as, Husky Jerks, | | | | Lake, an all-sports lake, and the |
| Hot-n-Tots, Rattle Traps, Thundersticks, | | | | Muskegon River. |
| Lil Cleo to name a few. You should also | | | | On Hess Lake, you can enjoy 1 and 2 |
| be prepared to fish with chunks of fresh | | | | bedroom cottages that sleep up to 6 |
| roe or spawn sacs tied with a 3 way | | | | people each, with modern kitchens and |
| swivel with a large split shot about a | | | | appliances, all kitchen utensils, linens |
| foot below the swivel and a leader tied | | | | and bedding. All cottages also feature |
| to the other eyelet about 18" behind | | | | fire pits, private patios/ decks, gas |
| this. | | | | grills, docks for your water toys, and |
| Not sure how to fish for these fall | | | | one cottage even has a hot tub. |
| dandies? No need to fret here, Newaygo | | | | We also have a fantastic Muskegon River |
| is home to more than a dozen local river | | | | front cottage on over 3 acres with 350 |
| guides. Many of these guides have been | | | | feet of water frontage. Low cost |
| featured in nation fly fishing articles | | | | cottages are our approach to staying |
| and as authors. | | | | open year round. You can rent these |
| I would recommend these five top notch | | | | spacious cottages from just |
| guides as your starting point. | | | | $75.00-150.00 per day or $300.00-$450 |
| 1. Riverside Outfitters LLC/ or call | | | | per week from September to the end of |
| 231-834-9155 | | | | May. |
| 2. Betts Guide Service/ or call | | | | Now that you have all the information |
| 231-652-3189 | | | | you need to plan your Muskegon |
| 3. Feenstra Guide Service/ or call | | | | River-Fall Salmon Run fishing trip to |
| 231-652-3528 | | | | all seasons Newaygo Michigan, don't |
| 4. River's Bend Guide/ or call | | | | hesitate, and make your reservation |
| 231-250-9745 | | | | today. |