A great day Fox Trapping

                        Had a great day of fox trapping yesterday.   Checking traps yesterday morning and at
      the first set a very nice Red fox waiting for me.  About 20 yards away at another set was another
      nice red fox.   I made a small cubby dirt hole at each set, with a step stick out in front.  This was 
      done ,becuse deer were seting off my traps.  I make this set fast and easy by making my dirt hole
      set, at this set I used a piece of log as my backing with my traps out about 10 inches from the log.
          Using my # 1 Fox and Coyote bait down in my dirt hole on a piece of wool, then I placed alittle       grass over the hole.  As a call lure I used  Halbaker fox and coyote food lure as a call.  I   then
      placed a #1 1/2 victor trap with wax paper as trap pan cover and sifted dirt over the trap making it
      look as flat and natural as possible.  Then to finish this set I take branches and twigs and place at
     about a 30 degree angle from my backing out about 2 ft.  At the front of the set the opening is
     about 20 inches placeing a step stick across the front. This type of set helps to keep deer from

     setting my traps off.  With a good shot of fox urine on my backing the set is finished. 

Step In Flat Set

          Hello-------trappers today I got a very nice coyote in a flat step in set.  I have used this set for about 20 years, with very good results.  Coyotes and foxes readily come into this set.  I start with an area that is well traveled by K-9s.   I dig my set straight down about 12 inches and about an 1 inch bigger around than the trap I'm using.  I like a victor 1.75 trap or a victor 1 1/2 coil spring.  I pound my Berkshire stake in the bottom of the set, them sprinkle a little salt in the bottom of the set.  I then seat my trap, put my wax paper over the pan, then using my sifter, sift a small amount of dirt over the trap.   Then about 5 to 6 inches down the hole dig on a 45 degree angle a hole for your bait.  Dig the bait hole deep enough so that a coyote or fox can't reach in and pull the bait out. When the animal can't reach the bait it will step down onto your trap.  I don't use guide sticks at this set I want the animal to be able to come in from any direction.  I like to finish the set with a little shot of fox urine
and a good call lure and sometimes a few feathers for eye appeal.  This set works well in corn fields

power lines meadows and sandy areas.  With this set I have taken many K-9s over the years.  Its one of the sets thats made me good trapper and will help you to.

Killer Coyotes

Hello everyone today I got a call from a man who had just witnessed his dog being killed by coyotes. He asked me if I would come over and try to trap them. When I arrived at his house I went and looked at the dogs remaines, it wasn't just killed it was torn apart. This was not a small dog about 60 pound animal, it was a bad thing to see.


This was in North Muskegon not far from Reeths-Puffer school, right in his back yard.

dogs and cats are being killed every day by coyotes, their numbers are to many. What if next time its someones child playing in the back yard, its going to happen. Help me

trap these coyotes email me if you have a coyote problem and I'll do my best to reduce their numbers. Maybe stop the killing of dogs and cats, maybe your pet, maybe even someone kid. P A Spring professional Trapper.

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Coyote Trapping

           Coyote trapping is a blast.  This coyote I trapped in a dirt hole set, using a 1.75 Victor coil spring trap.  My favorite set is the dirt hole set. I like to scout out a well traveled area that both coyote and fox are using.  When scouting look for tracks along roads, two tracks, sandy area ect.  Also look for coyote and fox scat (poop) this will tell you if the area is being used.  I keep a log book, writing down what I have found as future trapping spots.  When you find areas that look good map out set locations.  When making a dirt hole set find something to use as a good backing and site appeal.  Dig your dirt hole with your trowel at about a 45 degree angle under your backing, I like to dig my hole about 10 to 12 inches deep.  Then I dig my trap bed big enough and deep enough to pound down my trap stake and then seat my trap.  I like berkshire cable stakes, they're lighter than re-rod and very strong.  I personally like wax paper as a trap pan cover, works great.  I then using a sifter, sift sand over the well seated trap and cover the trap with a light covering of sand, making it look as natural as possible.  I then place a good amount of bait about a table spoon on a stick in the back of my dirt hole, placing a little grass or leaves at the entrance.  Now I like a good call lure placed on or above my backing about 4 drops works well for me.  Finishing the set I use a good squirt of fox urine on my backing, just as a coyote or fox marking his area.  I then use guide sticks on both sides of my set when needed to guide the animal over my trap.  This gives you a better chance for a good hold.  Try to keep your gloves and tools as clean and scent free as possible.   Using this set has produced great catches for me on both coyote and fox, and will help you too.  Happy Trapping.

Great day of fishing on the river

I caught these two beauties on purple wiggler flies. Everything went perfect today, the weather was great and the steelhead were biting. Kept these two fish for our meals and released 4 others. The big female was also full of spawn. That will make all my friends happy when they have roe to tie into sacks for bait.

Tomorrow's weather is supposed to be even better than todays! Let's hope for another great day of fishing. So fellow steelhead fisherman get out and get on the rivers. It's a great place to be.

great day of fishing

I had a great day of fishing on the white River. White River is a beautiful trout stream in west michigan . Got a limit of steelhead, all it seems the fish would hit were yellow wiggler flies, but its like that somedays . tomorrow it may be orange color or black they bit on.

have a great day Phil

My Family's Steelhead Fly

The Spring Wiggler Fly was created by my grandfather, Frank Spring in the early 1950's. He was an avid fisherman and wanted to create the perfect steelhead fly. I think he succeeded, and by the popularity of the Spring Wiggler I would say he did it. My father Phil Sr and Uncle Ron Spring carried on the tradition and legacy of creating this perfect steelhead fly. Now it's my turn.

These are three of the most popular colors. As an avid fisherman and steelhead guide, I've found that all three of these colors work well. Just yesterday I got a nice big female on the chartuese.

I use a variety of colors based on water conditions and lighting. Like today, the sun is shining bright so I would choose a darker colored fly. But always have an assortment of flies with me, in case the conditions change or the fish are picky.

Have more questions on the Spring Wiggler Fly or steelhead fishing? Contact me.