World Class 10 Hour Salmon & Steelhead Adventures
Shared Trip
Shore Fishing
10hour salmon and steelhead fishing from shore or iceSeason runs September 15th through May 15th annuallyMultiple techniques including casting lures and float fishing
There's something special about having the shoreline all to yourself, rod in hand, waiting for that telltale tug that means business. This isn't your typical charter boat experience – it's you, me, and prime fishing real estate where these legendary fish come to feed. From September through mid-May, we're targeting some of the most prized catches in freshwater: Atlantic salmon, Coho, Chinook, and chrome-bright steelhead. It's a full 10-hour commitment that serious anglers absolutely love, and with just one guest at a time, you get personalized attention that makes all the difference between going home with stories and going home with fish.
This is old-school fishing at its finest. We're talking about reading water, understanding fish behavior, and putting in the time it takes to connect with these incredible species. Depending on conditions and season, we might be casting from rocky shorelines where salmon stage before their runs, or setting up on ice where steelhead are holding in deep pools. The beauty of shore fishing is mobility – if the fish aren't biting in one spot, we pack up and move to the next honey hole. I've been working these waters long enough to know where fish hold during different times of day and varying conditions. Weather plays a huge role, and part of what makes this such a rewarding experience is learning to adapt. Some days we're dealing with wind and chop, other days it's dead calm and you can see every ripple. Winter ice fishing adds another dimension entirely – we're talking about drilling holes, setting tip-ups, and jigging in heated shelters when the bite gets tough.
We're using three proven methods that consistently produce fish: casting lures, float fishing, and bottom fishing. Each technique has its place depending on what the fish are doing. Casting lures means covering water with spoons, spinners, and plugs that trigger aggressive strikes from active fish. This is visual, exciting fishing where you're constantly working different depths and retrieves. Float fishing is all about presentation – we're drifting natural baits or small lures through current seams and holding water where fish are feeding. It's a finesse approach that requires patience but often produces the biggest fish. Bottom fishing comes into play when fish are hugging structure or holding deep. We're using slip sinker rigs, three-way swivels, and heavy enough tackle to stay in contact with the bottom while feeling every tap and bump. I provide all the gear, but if you have favorite rods or reels, bring them along. Part of what makes this trip special is matching tackle to conditions and teaching you to read what the fish are telling us through the rod tip.
Atlantic salmon are the crown jewel of our fishery, and when they're running, there's nothing quite like hooking into one of these silver bullets. They average 8-15 pounds but can push 20-plus, and they fight like fish twice their size. These salmon are incredibly acrobatic – expect multiple jumps and screaming runs that'll test your drag system. Peak season runs from October through December, though we see stragglers well into winter. What makes them special is their unpredictability. One minute they're ignoring everything you throw at them, the next they're crushing lures with reckless abandon.
Coho salmon, or silvers as most anglers call them, are pure adrenaline. They're smaller than Atlantics, typically running 6-12 pounds, but pound for pound they're some of the hardest fighting fish you'll encounter. These guys love shallow water and structure, making them perfect targets for shore fishing. They hit lures hard and immediately go airborne – it's not unusual to see a Coho jump four or five times during a single fight. September and October are prime time, when they're staging in nearshore areas before spawning. They're also one of the best eating salmon, with firm, flavorful meat that's perfect for the grill.
Steelhead trout are what fishing dreams are made of. These chrome-bright beauties are basically ocean-going rainbow trout that have bulked up on a saltwater diet. They average 6-10 pounds but can reach 15-plus, and they fight with the endurance of a marathon runner. Steelhead are notorious for their long, powerful runs and their ability to find every snag, rock, and piece of structure in the water. Winter steelhead fishing from December through March is legendary – these fish are fresh from the lake, bright silver, and absolutely furious when hooked. They're also incredibly spooky, so stealth and proper presentation are crucial.
Chinook salmon, the kings of the salmon world, are what every serious angler dreams about. These are the heavyweights, regularly hitting 15-25 pounds with the potential for much larger fish. What sets Chinooks apart is their power – they don't jump much, but they'll take you on runs that seem to last forever. When you hook a big king, it's all about staying calm and letting your drag do the work. They're most active during our early season September and October timeframe, though we see them sporadically through winter. Landing a Chinook from shore is a badge of honor that'll have you planning your next trip before this one's even over.
This isn't your average half-day trip – it's a full commitment to serious fishing with a guide who knows these waters inside and out. The season runs from September 15th through May 15th, giving us prime access to multiple salmon runs and the best steelhead fishing of the year. With only one guest per trip, you're getting personalized instruction, the best spots, and the kind of attention that makes the difference between a good day and a great one. These fish don't run on schedules, and having 10 hours gives us the flexibility to adapt, move, and stay on them when
Salmo SalarAtlantic salmon are the kings of the North Atlantic, averaging 28-30 inches and 8-12 pounds. These silver beauties turn bronze when they enter freshwater to spawn. Unlike Pacific salmon, Atlantics can survive spawning and do it multiple times. They're anadromous, spending years at sea before returning to natal streams. You'll find them in deeper pools and runs, especially around cover like boulders or undercuts. Our season runs September through May when they're most active in cooler water. What makes them special is their legendary fighting ability - they'll leap and run like no other fish. The meat is premium table fare too. My tip: use darker flies on cloudy days and swing them through the current at a 45-degree angle downstream.
Oncorhynchus mykissSteelhead are sea-run rainbows that pack serious muscle from their ocean time. These silver rockets average 24 inches but can push 45 inches and 55 pounds. They're basically rainbow trout on steroids - same species, different lifestyle. You'll find them in deeper runs and pools with good current, often tucked behind boulders or under cover. Our prime time runs mid-fall through spring when they're fresh from the sea. What makes steelhead special is their raw power and stamina - they'll test every inch of your gear. Plus they can spawn multiple times, unlike Pacific salmon. The fight alone makes them worth targeting. My go-to technique is swinging flies downstream, and here's the key: use thin-tied flies like Skunks or Golden Demons in sizes 6-8, and don't be afraid to fish them deep.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaChinook are the true kings - the biggest salmon you'll encounter, running 12-39 inches and 7-15 pounds, with monsters pushing 30+ pounds. These silver-sided bruisers have blue-green backs and black spots everywhere, even inside their mouths. They're light-shy, so they hang deep near the bottom during daylight. You'll find them in deeper pools, channels, and around structure where they can ambush prey. Our September-May season catches them during their spawning migrations. What makes kings special is their sheer size and power - they're bulldogs that'll test your drag. The reddish-pink meat is restaurant quality. Since they avoid bright light, early morning and evening fishing produces best. Here's my tip: use weighted baits to get down to them, and on bright days go with chartreuse/blue or pink/orange flies.
Oncorhynchus KisutchCoho salmon, or "silvers," are pure acrobats that'll jump 6 feet straight up when hooked. These beauties run 12-30 inches and average 8-12 pounds, with that classic silver body and dark blue-green back. They love calm water under debris and near structure in rivers connected to the ocean. During our September-May season, they're moving through on their spawning runs. What gets people hooked is their aggressive nature and spectacular aerial shows - they're absolute fighters. The bright orange meat is top-shelf eating too. You'll find them in both fast currents and holding pools. For the best action, try swinging bright spinners in moving water, but switch to twitching jigs with long tails when they're holding in deeper spots. Bright colors like chartreuse and pink work magic.
Port Huron, MI