Swamp Stew: Michigan Bowfishing | S3E07 | MeatEater

Steven Rinella returns to his cherished boyhood stomping grounds along Michigan’s Muskegon River. He'll paddle his canoe through the marsh to camp and bow fish for sucker, bowfin, and gar. With the rich bounty of overlooked aquatic foods that can be found in this freshwater paradise, he'll demonstrate how beat the heat by salt curing fish and later he'll prepare a camp meal of fried gar.
#fueledbynature #MeatEater
Presented by @onX Hunt
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[@jimlahey7790]

As a professional lighting engineer I can confirm that mouthing sound effects is absolutely necessary while rigging lights.

[@jakebeard622]

Brilliant 😅👌

[@jesseeddy9191]

Have to agree every time I install a new dimmer switch I gotta make the light sabre sound when I turn it on for the first time

[@erikforks8909]

This man’s speaking facts! 😂

[@mattplyler12]

It is essential!!

[@GregariousAntithesis]

That would be cool like Apocalypse now and the air infantry.

[@macsmith2092]

He lives the life all outdoors men want to live.

[@25TheCaveMan]

Steve's just a great dude.

[@MetalBuddhaHead]

Definitely seems that way... Seems like just a plain old good dude... That's why I support his endeavors... If you are good people I will go out of my way to support you plain and simple..

[@ricklane1042]

He could be an awful person. How do you know? Ellen Degeners told you he was solid?

[@ifitflysitmustdie2418]

@@ricklane1042 ok window licker

[@NightmaresGirl]

I hear Ryan Callahan is just a REALLY solid down to earth dude too.

[@pureruckuspower2165]

@@ricklane1042 man you got a point there.

[@adamgibbs7738]

My all time favorite episode yet. Sometimes we don’t appreciate what was in our backyard

[@williamrobinson4265]

hell yeah

[@HatedJared]

My wife and I moved to Twin Lake this year, where he is from, didnt know that at the time but pretty cool considering there are like 1300 people here.

[@ebag2316]

@@HatedJaredI grew up in Twin Lake!

[@coachgaryb]

I was born in Muskegon, grew up in Oceana County (Hart) this episode made me homesick. I left in 1983, after joining the military. I visit every few years, but now live in Texas. Great episode!

[@everydayman3497]

I moved from Muskegon to dfw lol small world

[@paulwinstanley2948]

Thank you for your service

[@homelessbillionheir3471]

THANX F👊🏻R SERVING.

[@itypefaster]

Raised in Big Rapids, military took me to SC, abut 4 years ago I moved to Fairbanks, AK.

[@JackBQuick79]

I live in Coopersville, just east of Muskegon. I frequently go to the lake shore in Muskegon though and i love every minute.

[@kevinlaughery9552]

I love michigan that's why I never leave. I knew I liked Steve because I share the same moral compass and I love his insight into things. The most respectable hunter on planet earth! Knowing your from Michigan explains it all!

[@Verlisify]

7:20 perfect demonstration of aiming lower than low and some more low

[@Juan_Duran]

Thought your accout name was familiar... odd to see you here though

[@MisterSlingshot]

I love the fact that you never have a bunch of fancy gear and you can still show people how to enjoy the outdoors simply

[@AngryOscillator]

Have you seen the Wild Within episode were Steve is filming in Guyana? With his fancy bow and his fancy tent haha

[@airmobiledivision7759]

He definitely does have a bunch of fancy gear lol. He usually hunts with a custom rifle and accompanying custom ammunition. Not to mention the gear he typically wears is pretty damn expensive for the non-sponsored. That being said, you could certainly do everything he does with lower-end stuff. Love Steve. Great dude.

[@bena3341]

This is definitely his most ghetto episode. That machete he is using is like the worst machete you can buy.

[@scaredofghosts6813]

Ur close to that stage when u turn into that old man that hunts with a revolver

[@TJray623]

Its cool to see a michigan dude out hunting fishing around the world and comes back to his old home town and still getting his game here too great show you have going and out of this world recipes you create .

[@bryanmarks4591]

Calm day on lake Michigan. Lucky to have been able to film. Most days you wouldn't make it out the mouth in a canoe.

[@bussinwithbutch6873]

fr fr

[@frankajello]

I gotta think the camera man pulled him there on a jon boat right

[@bakon321]

I’d watch anything with Steve in it. Doesn’t hurt that this show is top notch TV

[@murrijuana2842]

It's not TV.

[@daltonsharpe]

Love seeing you back in Michigan, it is great to see MeatEater videos so close to home.

[@txtpqb]

and a LOT of skeeters with those lights!

[@Kennith277775]

Meat eater is literally the best hunting and fishing show I've ever watched. I'm obsessed. Steve rinellas unique perspective. His ability to narrate and educate his audience is what makes the show for me. He lives a lifestyle that most of us only dream about. You can tell he's passionate about it too.

[@Mangobrain82]

Slapping HUGE bowfin. Keep them alive right until it’s ready to clean and cook. Best ever

[@jonvia]

I come for the fishing and hunting, I stay for the life lessons =)

[@timrinner8557]

Yes the beauty on lake michigan is out of this world. I love all the great lakes in michigan. My life has moved me in the other direction then you. I left the west coast, hunting and fishing in california and Arizona to a very cold Michigan in January. The opportunity that Michigan has to offer to is outstanding. I am very glad you have not forgotten what made you... You. Keep up the good work I love your adventures and details. And thank you for not forgetting your home from the past.

[@everydayman3497]

Love it. I grew up in Muskegon and fished a ton on that river. Snug Harbor has tons of eagles and amazing fishing!

[@musk__]

Steve is a connoisseur with words

[@rwilson208]

Your son is in for an amazing life. This is what life is really all about. A trip like this is good for the body, but also peace for the soul. God Bless

[@johns5263]

When steve said " right there i was arrested on trumped up charges" made me lol Nothing like waiting or canoeing and jumping out in a creek or slow moving mid size stream and catching smallies on light tackle. Something primitive and relaxing about it.

[@theoutdoorsman9726]

Man growing up there was nothing better than putting our little Jon boat In to the little small rivers and creeks around with all our fishing and camping gear and floating them all evening just fishing and having good times and then setting up camp somewhere along the way and camping under the stars. It’s such a good time, but let me tell you from experience, camping in these swampy marshy places you will get more swarmed by mosquitos than you could’ve imagined haha! They will nearly drive you insane. Just be sure to keep your tent zipped until you go in it so they can’t get in with you. Then you can at least sleep without them swarming you and continuous buzzing in your ear. It helps to stand by the fire and marinate in the smoke a while lol. It’s like natural bug spray😂. It works. Man we had some amazing adventures on those old waterways.

[@billyray9663]

Steve holding a salty ass fish: “you could eat it right now, but it would taste salty” Thanks Steve 😊

[@jaibir7]

The sound track at the end is "Let me know - Underscore" by Angel Luis Samos. I thought Steve's final words were complimented well by the soundtrack giving it a strong nostalgic feeling. Another beautiful episode.

[@no6hunter]

Shout out to all the legal smallies who evaded Steve during this trip

[@TonyMichaels166]

I’m in the thumb. Great to see the mitten on MeatEater!

[@nickgood4520]

My new favorite bathing about Steve has to be his sound affects. 😂

[@alstone5559]

One of the most serene beautiful meat eater episodes.

[@michaelwilliams4371]

Steve needs to do an episode on Michigans King Salmon run, one of the most undertalked about fishing oppurtunities in the country

[@BigDan7114]

Shhhhhhh lol. I’m in northern Ny and when the neighboring states show up in season it’s madness .

[@forevercontrarian3517]

Whoa.....slow down. No need to advertise. I have been doing all the major runs for forty years. I have seen far too much crap and chaos. Best to just enjoy what we have.... 🍀😷🇺🇸🎯👍🛶🎣

[@timothyspatharos599]

This episode reminded me of my youth and brought back so many good memories. I lived in the Vermilion River / Lake Erie every chance I got. Exact same experiences. Thank you Steve ! That was fun to watch

[@parviusx9308]

Love that your a Michigan man! Makes me love watching that much more

[@Ryan-op5pk]

This is awesome I watch meateater every morning on Netflix so I have watched the 3 seasons hundreds of times

[@AznKiddSam123]

I like how this guy takes the littlest of things and make it happen

[@ryanbluschke]

I’m from Michigan as well and every time I come back I always realize how lucky I am to live in such a beautiful state.

[@LGRW313]

if you live there where are you coming back from?

[@LGRW313]

@John Johnson 23 years without a title isn't great but imagine living in Ohio and having a ton of championships but an absolute GARBAGE state

[@topshotta9497]

Just listening to steve rinella speak about anything really can clear my anxieties and frustrations about the day

[@dmbi]

Michigan is one of the best states change my mind.

[@Brandonthesnifferofall]

Gretchen Whitmer... the reason I’m moving back to Texas

[@dmbi]

@@Brandonthesnifferofall you got me there my friend.

[@brandonlemon2060]

I live in MI, God willing, I'll die here too.

[@Brandonthesnifferofall]

@@brandonlemon2060 I love the state, people in it and the public land access. Hate to move but it’s easier to make $ when you’re not concerned about 2A and rights in general.

[@blllllllllllllllllllrlrlrl7059]

Gretchen Whitmer.

[@calebwright5721]

Steve is the man. He is what a outdoorsman is really suppose to be. All you young hunters out there this is how you operate as a hunter and outdoorsman

[@blakemcvey9315]

Man I absolutely love it. We’re out of Grand Rapids, have hunted this marsh for years! It’s so cool to see the home state getting the love

[@HOLYdEYEver]

Steve. I do not have the words to explain how much I love to hear you speak. "Here is the thing" and you are chasing a thought that alot of us always think about but never put into words.

[@donaldcady3839]

I have been watching his show a lot lately. Didn't know he was from here.

[@mikewiginton7948]

I live in Michigan on the Muskegon. The fresh coast is the best coast!

[@JackBQuick79]

Michigan born and raised. Love our beautiful ecosystems we have at the tip of our fingers.

[@theonionwizard8686]

Such an awesome video. As a Michigander who fished a lot in Boy Scouts and is getting back into it, I really enjoyed the nostalgia this brought

[@1999tenorio]

i wish this was 3 hours long

[@miguelrios3463]

I don't get tired of watching your videos. Your story telling abilities are second to none. Then the fishing, the hunting, and and cooking and eating the harvest it is just icing on the cake.... Thank you!!

[@shinitaisenpai9057]

"I had drunk and disorderly.... which was legit" that got me good

[@wildthing3112]

Sucker tastes great from a nice clear lake or stream. Several bones are in the tail. Just pick those out and enjoy fresh or smoked!

[@nielrossouw7831]

This is what life is supposed to be like. Love the awesome content!

[@toddvandyke1023]

I'm happy to see a Michigan guy coming back to his roots

[@fappydabear1774]

It's cool that you are just using a canoe. No fancy stuff. Just something that any kid could do.

[@EpicEvilMonster12]

Steve's sounds effects 11/10

[@donthomason7838]

Adventure is GOOD for the soul. Resets the clock. Thank you, Steve for reminding us of that.

[@pjkokos]

So, the one thing that's never talked about are the bugs at night that will land on the body and you'll wake up in the morning with a thousand bumps everywhere. I wish he would indicate what repellent he uses.

[@handlershorizon6107]

I do a light weight marino wool long sleeve base layer and outer layer sprayed with permethrin. Light weight fingerless gloves are nice. Prefer a buff over a head net. Keeps most of my skin safe. Deet or picardin on any sizable skin shown. Makes it last longer on long journeys if you only have to do a narrow stretch of skin.

[@Gunny1549]

I was always under the impression that bowfin was not native to Michigan. But looking back over my 30 years of fishing in Michigan. They have always been here. Never stop learning

[@haydenrobison3120]

Being from michigan, I absolutely love Steve's connection to areas so close to home. That stretch of the muskegon reminded me of the grand river down by me. Sometimes I get an urge to run away when I'm on my own, and get lost in some faraway plains state. But Mr. Rinella tugs on my michigan grown heartstrings:) Hope I get the chance to meet him someday

[@pattyolantern5163]

Love the fishing bud. Looking forward to more eps

[@noahrhyndress1775]

This by far my new favorite episode. As someone who grew up here too its amazing to see him go over my drinking grounds

[@hossman3334]

i grew up in the Upper peninsula, and you are absolutely right, the access to so much as far as the outdoors so close to home no matter where you are in michigan. you take it for granted when you are submersed in it.

[@Smellydoug]

That's a great take on relativity to the way we approach food. Steve is fantastic.

[@brandonlemon2060]

Man, this reminds me of my time in the Scouts.

[@bigbrotheriswatching2680]

I watched this video all the way through and not once did they mention molestation.

[@keasevox]

Suddenly I love this channel

[@matthewwidner4148]

Watching this reminds me of backpacking with my father-in-law in Lake George, CO. We caught browns and rainbows. Man they tasted good!

[@jameskrahn8355]

3 simple words. it's your roots! what makes us all go forward. you can always come home

[@jeffwhalen9279]

I watch youtube on my TV. and I check my "subscriptions" tab to see what has been posted by the channels I subscribe to. MeatEater is the only channel where your videos do not show up in that tab. I have to go directly to your channel to check for new episodes. I am subscribed I double-checked. I wonder why.

[@MarcusOlssonVRS]

Same thing here on my computer, i even checked the notifications bell and still didn't get anything on this episode

[@CRAKATWASHINGTON]

This is the same for me

[@rodrigoalvarez9689]

It's the commies

[@coles4480]

That’s happened to me with other channels I unssubed and then resubscribed to fix it

[@kyanberusama8847]

That's interesting because it's on my phone and i get a notification everytime they post a new video

[@shawndudleson2603]

I would like to see you and Joe Robinet do a camping/fishing video together

[@matchesigotem4186]

I grew up in Grand Traverse County. You nailed it when you talked about how lucky you/we are to have grown up in such places. Hit me right in the feels by making me think of my homes river and the time spent on them. Si Quaeris Peninsulam Amoenam, Circumspice,

[@indicahybrid974]

really goes to show how simple things can be with just patience. He's more of a teacher than most of you like to think :D

[@Proxzima]

Grew up and have lived in Michigan my whole life. Have fished the Muskegon many times in my grandparents backyard. Awesome episode

[@yup9647]

Favorite episode so far. It is attainable for everybody and still looked like an extremely fun adventure.

[@kevinwinkler7116]

Undoubtedly, I am beyond grateful that Steve had the vision and passion to pursue MeatEater! The world is a much better place thanks to this show! The knowledge and presentation in every episode keeps me begging for more! I would love to hear the story behind Steve's first thoughts of producing videos. What an immense pleasure to watch an outdoor program that isn't choked with brand advertising and relentless product hype and subliminal plugs for overpriced crap!

[@txtpqb]

I like the grilling rack idea.

[@digitalhippie2336]

Hello everybody - this is "Fish Eater", and I'm Steven Rhinella I fish to live, and live to fish *I'm sorry*

[@CodyMoore1987]

Steve, I grew up almost directly across from you in Kenosha Wisconsin. I certainly know what you mean about looking out across the lake (looking east for me of course) into what looks like an endless ocean. I reside in the Tampa area now. However, watching your videos like this one sure make me miss home a bit. Best content out there man. Thank you for living the life you do.

[@michaele8157]

This was a fantastic episode. Absolutely loved it.

[@LGRW313]

Michigan is the best. Such a beautiful state!

[@tigersbaseball1989]

We need more Michigan episodes! ❤

[@ironry29]

Yay! Welcome Back Home... Sir! 😊

[@titanius_anglesmith_i2323]

The ” real stretch “ on the resisting arrest charge is too funny😆 I can imagine drunk Steve just talking shit to some police

[@Matthew-zk4qr]

Reminds me of long summer’s at the river 😭

[@starshiplazyboy475]

My wife and I had our wedding reception at my aunt's house, which is about 100 yards from where Steve's cooking up that gar. Small world.

[@billysavage7816]

Living in England I envy the fishing and hunting opportunities you get to have, but fantastic to watch 👌

[@davidrife6191]

Grew up and lived in Michigan till I was 34. Then like you made way to Montana. Sure miss the Salmon run in the falls. The rivers and streams off of Lake Michigan in the fall are like magic. But wouldn’t make me move back there and give up the hunting here. If I want to fight fish here like that I head out on Canyon Ferry and slay giant rainbows. Same breed as in Michigan, eagle lake rainbow, we called them steelheads there.

[@smeggie42]

Never knew he was from Michigan. Now i like him even more

[@bluntly2165]

I love how he calls the Muskegon River. Fresh water.... is anything but fresh...

[@donaldcady3839]

Haha. Grand river too.

[@sandcreekoutdoors1056]

Yes sir!! Definitely my favorite episode yet! Some of the best bowfishing is found right here in michigan🔥🔥. May want to lose those slides on your spinner setup😉

[@ElementalAdventures-xb2jh]

Just seen this.... It was epic! We need more michigan fishing youtube videos and this is the best one i have seen! Never bow-fished but gonna start now. Thanks for the video and be sure to do more in michigan!

[@Mufahz]

Steve needs to do more self canoe videos like this

[@c0re93]

This really shows the importance of wetlands and streams. They can be wild even if there is a city around it

[@Chadley77Deters]

Great episode, love seeing my home town represented. Graduated from the same high school as Steve. Crazy to think we have fished the same waters.

[@accurateoutdooradventures]

Grew up fishing that river good to see positive results

[@zachva390]

I've grown up in the area. Used to canoe that stretch of the Muskegon every year! We've since started canoeing down in Hastings but that 31 bridge brings back so many memories!

[@jacobford797]

He seems like such a kid growin' up back in Michigan haha!

[@The_HR_Guy]

This is literally my backyard ❤

[@getreal9400]

When I was little, the old people would catch red horse sucker and use a meat grinder. Grind the whole thing up and make salmon patties. Well, something like salmon patties I love them.

[@marklacombe2671]

Fish, salt, pepper, maybe some teriyaki and rice. I'm in heaven. Nothing wrong with a good cat fish fry.

[@Johngoes.outdoors]

Love this show

[@bigange6629]

I've missed this episode somehow on TV. Fantastic show.

[@antlerking69]

One of my favorite episodes 👍

[@tigertantitan576]

Beautiful footage