Richards River Guide

11/05/2024

Pretty cool stickers from Montague township hall.

09/27/2024

Was hoping the browns would be biting. Throwing F11 "hot steel" and hooked into a few of these....6lb trilene xl, 6ft ultra light Berkeley lightning rod..no match.

09/25/2024

Chunky buck brown.

09/25/2024

I finally got out for the first time this month. The drought conditions have kept me away from stream trout, for a couple weeks. With the all day rain, I was giddy with excitement. A sleepless night had Roxy and I heading east way before light. I figured they didn't get the deluge that I did.
I had 5 spots in my mind to try. Two spots on the upper main branch, and a spot on each of the 3 close by tributaries. I gave daylight some time to clear up, and got to my first spot. These aren't new spot, heck I've been hitting these since the late 70's, but this spot looked new, the water was extremely high, with about 6 inches of clarity, it was very turbid compared to 3 days earlier, when it was just barely a trickle. I clipped on the F11 "hot steel" and flipped it over to the slower side of the seam. It was the 4th twitch, it was being sucked into the main flow, I thought I snagged into an old log! Then the water exploded! A big angry buck, a river-brown made himself visible. The high oxygen levels and cool water temp had this guy in his prime fighting condition. He zipped upstream and down dodging my net everytime. I could see he was hooked well, so I kept the "wood" to him and willed him into the net before he could entangle in the branches that are usually exposed, but not now, not in this swollen current. I swiped and netted in the higher bank water among the newly soaked grasses. He was mine! My first trout of September '24, the 51st consecutive month that I have caught trout, I kept the streak alive. I released the trebles, let him rest in the net, admired him, then let him go.
He was the only fish I landed this morning, a few other missed or were slightly hooked in the stained flow. But, I was happy. We have 4 days left on the Type 1 streams, it's gonna be awesome as they levels slowly recede! Enjoy! Roxy was happy to get her sprints in, she's not a fan of rain..

09/25/2024

A much anticipated morning after a sleepless night. I have been waiting for rain to pursue September stream trout. We got it! Let's hope it's not too much though.

09/14/2024

09/12/2024

Thanks Rapala! More free gear! Roxy approves.

09/12/2024

Make Fishing Great!

09/01/2024

I bring my rod to a few of my trail cam spots. These pics (buck and brown) were taken 10 yds apart. 9/1/24, marks 50th month straight, catching wild trout.

08/30/2024

Congrats Brantley for winning the latest Rapala contest!

08/26/2024

One that didn't get away! In the frying pan by now.

08/26/2024

I finally took somebody older than me fishing! We had a great day on the river. The bite was cooperative with lots of action on topwater and soft plastics, but, the catch rate was low. I have never had a day on the river quite like this. We lost so many fish! Atleast 3 times as many as we landed. Even with sharp hooks and good hooksets, they would still throw the hook eventually. Oh well, it was still a blast. Full circle, this guy mounted my first trout for me over 30yrs ago, and here we are, fishing together today.

08/14/2024

Lincoln Furman had a great morning on the Muskegon!

08/13/2024

I love having the river to myself on a midweek evening. Fishing slow, methodical, covering every seem and boulder. Slowly cruising the shallows and eddies learning for the next time when I'm in the area. Trying different baits and fishing waters I usually skip. Now as the sun gets lower in the western sky, I study the bank. I see silhouettes. Two men with big hats and ci**rs. They watch me and point as I cast. I'm curious, my attention now divided, I glance back at them between casts. They slowly walk downstream keeping pace with my drift. My wonderment grows as I fire up the motor and work a slow diagonal upstream against the current. Easing the motor from left to right then throttling to the bank where our paths converge. "How's the fishing?" The suspendered man asks. "Good" I say, "but the catching is slow." They take turns asking about the different species available in the river. I tell them about the time I caught 8 species in one trip, they gawk in aww and look at eachother. Then I ask why they are so curious. They booked a guide for Friday and wanted a heads up on the on the bite. I show them pictures of my latest catches and they been with excitement. Then they both turn away from the pictures and look at me. "Can you take us fishing tomorrow?" I smerk and tell them I'm flattered, but perhaps maybe next year....They shuffle the gravel with their feet and look down in dissappointment, then the suspendered man holds his cigar and says "fine young man, there is a beer for you at our cabin". I then responded "save it for me". I enjoy experiences like this, being out of my shell, being at peace, learning, teaching, crossing paths with people from all over. I want to thank all of those people in my life that have made it possible for me to live this life in the great outdoors..where I truly feel free and at home.

08/07/2024

A special thanks to all of you that sent me birthday messages ( and left vm)
It was a somber celebration.
I am so thankful for Renee J Richards, my mom, and siblings for making it a very special day for me.
Today, I wanted to do a few traditional things that I always do on my birthday.

08/02/2024

We were able to beat the weekend crowds on the river this morning. Bretton witnessed the complete awesomeness of the topwater bite! He is hooked. He caught some great smallies, lost alot of great smallies and landed a big ol sheep head. Whatta great day. This 9 yr old has it!