Welcoming 2025

Happy New Year from Green Drake Outfitters! 2024 was full of wonderful days on the water with guests and friends alike. From the whitewater rapids of Alaska to the quiet winter waters of northern Michigan, we had a ball out there.

December offered some truly outstanding steelhead fishing. Sure, the occasional slow day brought us back to reality, but for the most part it was consistently “catching”. Well-timed rains and snow melts bumped up flows and added new fish to each system.

The early pushes of fall fish seem to have settled out in their typical winter lies. I’ve been finding them in the usual slow, woody holes and runs with a defined bubble line. Look for fish to be sitting on the “slow side” of the seam - that is the slower moving water on the near-side of the main current running through holding water. The open tailouts of holes are worth working thoroughly - the back ends of deep holes where the depth starts to recede and the current straightens out.

Pete with a well-earned fish on a day where they made us work for them

Our two smallest waterways, the Platte and Little Manistee, close for the months of January, February, and March. It’s an excellent reprieve for the steelhead that inhabit them, with zero angling pressure during the early phase of their spawning season. When they open again in April, we’ll surely be back out chasing the brown trout that call these rivers home.

Post-spawn brown from a December float

Speaking of brown trout, the post-spawn bite was very solid in December. A few truly exceptional fish hit the net while fishing steelhead - a welcome surprise. If we get another mild winter, with sporadic warm-ups, opportunities to chase these beauties will continue.

Shawn with one of several great fish that ate during a high-water float after a snowmelt

We’ve been primarily running beads and egg patterns under indicator rigs. With water temps hovering in the high 30’s, a low-and-slow presentation is effective. As we roll into January, black stoneflies and hex nymphs will play a bigger role.

Dime-bright steelie fresh from Lake Michigan that clobbered a swung fly

Upcoming Events

From 6-8pm on February 25th, I’ll be offering a spring steelhead indicator fishing technique class at Nomad Anglers fly shop in Grand Rapids. It’s $10 to reserve a spot, and the money goes to a shop credit to use right there at Nomad. While indicator fishing isn’t overly complicated, there’s quite a few tips and tricks to fine-tune a rig. When an angler has confidence in the rig, flies, weight system etc, it’s easier to cover water and feel effective in their approach and time spent on the water. Hit the link below to sign up on Nomad’s website:

Guide Trips

Fish numbers are solid and the runs are spread out nicely throughout all of our creeks. January and February are excellent months to pursue steelhead before the busy days of spring. For solo anglers interested in a day with the boat entirely to themselves, I offer a one-person rate that is hard to match in the guided industry in Michigan.

Don’t hesitate to book now for the spring season! My March and April calendars are filling in nicely, anyone interested in fishing during the peak spring season should give me a call soon.

Full Day Trip for 2 Anglers (8-9 Hours) ~ $450.00

Full Day Trip for 1 Angler (8-9 Hours) ~ $375.00

Half Day Trip for 1 or 2 Anglers (4-5 Hours) ~ $325.00

As always, all equipment is provided, as well as a prepared lunch on full-day trips.

Thanks for following along with Green Drake Outfitters, I’m excited to see what 2025 has in store.

~ Cole