Welcome to Matt Zudweg’s Trout-Guide.com Guide Service!

Located about ½ hour north of Grand Rapids, the Muskegon River tailwater has been described as a giant spring creek with its gin clear water and constant flow. Huge gravel bars, deep pools and long eddies are home to countless resident rainbow and brown trout in the 12” to 20” size, with enough fish over 20” to keep you on edge.

Beginning in late April, we throw colorful streamer patterns to imitate the vast supply of salmon and steelhead fry that have recently hatched. Trout eat heavily on the fry, and the first few weeks of May offer exciting action and large fish for the streamer junkie. We also have opportunities to catch nice trout on dry flies at this time as tiny black stoneflies are hatching!

As we progress into late May, we begin to see trout gorging on mayflies. Swarms of mating gray drakes fall to the water most evenings and big browns and rainbows can be caught on wet flies near the surface as well as dry flies. Good drake hatches usually occur well into mid June. We also take many fish on sulphurs and isonychias at this time. As June progresses and the Muskegon begins to turn warm, we have great trout fishing on both caddis and blue winged olive (BWO) mayflies. Trout fishing usually remains good until early July, but can last several weeks longer if the summer is generally cool.

Beginning around the first of July, the Muskegon usually reaches the 70 degree mark. From this point on we prefer fishing for Smallmouth Bass. Smallies are a fantastic game fish for the fly angler with explosive takes and hard battles. Our favorite way to catch smallies is with big poppers, but we also have great success using crayfish patterns and streamers. Our average Smallmouth is 2-3 lbs., with a good number of fish over 5 lbs. caught each season. We usually have good smallmouth fishing until the leaves begin to fall in mid September.

Although we specialize in Trout and Smallmouth Bass, we stay very busy in the fall guiding for salmon and steelhead. And again for steelhead beginning in mid March through the end of April. We also offer fly fishing instruction May through September. Our trips are fly fishing in nature as that is our specialty, but we can accommodate the spin fisher as well for Smallmouth Bass trips.

We are supporters of Catch and Release fishing and therefore release all fish to be caught again.

Our guides are licensed, insured, patient and professional fly fishing addicts that enjoy sharing our wonderful sport with you.

A $100 deposit is required when booking. If your trip is canceled due to bad weather, high water or an unforeseen circumstance on my part we can reschedule your trip without forfeiting your deposit.

When choosing a date for your trip please use these general guidelines to help you in your decision. Although there are exceptions, these guidelines show what we prefer to guide for at certain times of the year for the best success rate and most fun:

-Spring Steelhead - Late March thru Late April -Streamer Fishing for Trout - Late April thru Early June -Hatch Fishing for Trout - Mid May thru Late June -Smallmouth Bass - Late June thru Mid Sept. -King Salmon - Mid Sept. thru Late Oct. -Fall Steelhead - Late Oct. thru Early December -Winter Holdover Steelhead - December thru March (weather permitting, half day trips only, noon to dark) -Instructional Trips - Early May thru Mid Sept.

Equipment: We use top quality equipment by Scott Fly Rods, Orvis, and Ross Reels. Fly rods will be provided unless you prefer your own equipment. Flies are included at no extra charge. You may also purchase many of our favorite patterns on the Merchandise page. You will need a Michigan all species fishing license, and waders. Michigan fishing licenses are available for purchase online by clicking here. You will want polarized sunglasses and raingear if the chance of rain is present.

If you are a beginner at fly fishing, please consider one of my instruction trips. Feel free to call me at 231-206-7660 or email me (matt@trout-guide.com) with any questions you may have before booking your trip.