Over 20 Years In The Making…..A Pound Per Year!

Over 20 Years In The Making…..A Pound Per Year!

(Jim Pictured with his massive 20lb Steelhead From The Muskegon River)

After debating back and forth on rescheduling the trip due to bad weather turned out to be a go and go it did!  30 to 40 mile MPH gusts of wind, air temps in the low 30’s and wind chill in the 20’s.  I very seldom have a problem guiding in bad weather, but this day was the first I thought I couldn’t go on.  I didn’t have the heart to tell Jim I can’t change his flies out because I couldn’t feel my fingertips.  Luckily Jim’s wife Darci saved me by giving me some pocket hand warmers saving my fingertips from eminent frostbite!

I’d like to give a special thanks to Darci who not only “sticked it out” but also had the compassion to make sure I was okay.  Thank you Darci!  Thanks to you I can feel my finger tips again!   Thank you!!

Despite the most brutal weather conditions ever seen,  here’s Jim Topper with a Muskegon River steelhead weighing in on the bogas at 20lbs.  Been guiding exclusively on the Muskegon River year round for over 20 years.  I’ve seen a lot of steelhead over the years, but this one has to be one of the biggest, if not the biggest steelhead I’ve seen in over 20 years guiding on the MO.  Congratulations Jim!  You truly earned the right to be called “a man of steel!”

post by: Jon Fortuna

One Response to Over 20 Years In The Making…..A Pound Per Year!

  1. Hi Jon,
    I just wanted to say thank you for once again sharing your steelhead fishing passion, knowledge and experience with my family and me. I have fished with guides all over the country and have never met one that gets as excited as I do when there is a fish on. My family and I have been blessed with some great fishing memories over the last 4 years with Jon. We have sat around many nights retelling stories of our trips to the river. The Muskegon River is an fishing experience that all should try and I would recommend that they go with the best, someone who lives on the river and knows where the fish are and what to do to catch them. Thanks Jon for being that guy!

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