St. Joseph River, MI

**inchr48** · 03-10-2009, 10:53 AM

If the rain this week doesn't screw it up, I've been invited on a charter for steelies on Friday out of Berrien Springs, MI.

Will give an update with the outcome.

**inchr48** · 03-19-2009, 10:33 AM

Couldn't get out on the 13th due to high (flooding) water levels.

Things are settling down again, so will try again Saturday the 21st.

Here's a link to the fish cam on the Fish Ladders at the Berrien Springs Dam:

Berrien Springs Dam Fish Cam

**upperEA** · 03-19-2009, 12:50 PM

There is some great steelie fishing there 48. My grandpa worked for the company that built that latter, he was the welder on the project. I remember he would take me there while he worked I was around nine at the time... Pretty cool for a kid to see those critters up close like that...

**inchr48** · 03-22-2009, 06:22 PM

Friend and I pulled into Shamrock Park at 6:45 AM. Met up with our other two partners and climbed aboard Rainbow Charters by 7 AM. Captain Darrald May at the helm of his War Eagle with twin Johnson 90's doing the work. These charters are running boats with cabins built on them, and running heaters. I guess the fish are hitting all winter. The two guys we met up with have fished the St. Joe for 25 years, and are hitting this area until Tuesday.

Before official sun-rise we had motored to the dam and set up in an eddy current, just off the main discharge. We were throwing spawn on a bait hook behind a 5/8 oz bell sinker on a dropper line. Cast into the current, and let it carry you around or into the eddy.

We also had Black/chrome Wiggle Warts out doing their thing in the current. The first few fish hit on the plugs. Then a few on the spawn. This scenario repeated until we limited out by 10:30 AM. Half the fish were fresh from the lake, and the other were well colored after being in the river for a while. The last one I caught was on a in-line planer board set up. We were taking the planer board off, so I grabbed the line going back to the plug to take the tension off. Before we could get the planer board off, a Steelhead hit the plug, and I set the hook by hand, then cranked him in.

Pretty good outing, 35 - 50 degrees, and overcast in the AM.

Broiled some last night and brined up some for smoking. Light apple smoke today to finish them off. Mighty tasty with crackers and cheese and your favorite adult beverage.