Mid-October Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - October 20, 2018

It definitely feels like Fall on and off the river. The recent winds have really put a lot of leaves into the river leaving a number of trees bare and anglers putting on an extra layer.

Cooler temperatures have dropped the water temps significantly the past week as they hover around 50 degrees. Between the lack of significant rainfall, drop in water temps and all of the leaves drifting through the river, the steelhead fishing has been more challenging than it had been, but yet there are fish around and still playing the game and every day is different.

The salmon are pretty much wrapping up their spawning run on the local rivers including the Manistee, Betsie, and Platte and those eggs are what the chrome steelhead are keying in on. Natural egg patterns and/or beads have been working well, however when the leaf-drop is heavy, jumping up in pattern size can help the fish see your fly. Target the holes behind remaining spawning salmon and the end of runs bellow gravel sections. Since there are fewer salmon (Chinook and Coho) right now and therefore fewer eggs, a nymph bite is beginning – caddis and steelhead buggers have been starting to produce. With less of an egg bite look for the swing-bite to start soon as the leaves are no longer fouling the presentation/flies.

Good luck.

Ted

Schedule changes have left a few dates available this fall: November 21, 23-27

Fall Steelhead – Fall colors include chrome Steelhead until Winter gets here.
Fall Trout Combo – Target both steelhead and trout (streamers) on the lower Manistee
2019 Fishing – It isn’t too early to get next year’s fishing dates secured – booking through October

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September Salmon and Trout Fly Fishing

Posted by Ted Kraimer - September 1, 2018

With September here, so are the salmon. Heavy rains and favorable winds the past week has kicked off the migration of salmon in rivers. While there are fish around, anglers will find other anglers as well as higher water and some new logs, branches and trees in your favorite bend. Water clarity is decent on the bigger rivers but smaller rivers like the Betsie it is limited. With more rain in the forecast fish should continue to move throughout river systems. Its a good time to use big egg patterns and darker nymphs and leeches as moving fish ascend the river focusing on tail outs and other migratory seams.

Trout fishing on the upper Manistee has been fishing a little better than normal for this time of year. Water temps are ideal and a little bump in the river flow combined with the overcast weather has made for some better fishing both on the surface and below. Small to mid-sized streamers and twitch flies are working and the big terrestrial/attractor patterns are bringing some fish to the surface. On the other side of Labor Day you can pretty much have most trout rivers to yourselves as school starts up and anglers chase migratory fish.

Bass fishing continues to be fun on the local lakes when casting poppers and divers. The smaller bluegill/panfish continue to come to the surface for those learning how to fly fish. As temps decrease through the month look for low-light hours to offer good bass fishing, bigger bluegill and the toothy species to move into the shallows again.

Good luck.

Ted

Fall Steelhead – Fall colors include chrome Steelhead from Early October into December
Fall Trout – Fish the upper Manistee or combine steelhead and trout on the lower Manistee
2019 Fishing – It isn’t too early to get next year’s fishing dates secured – booking through September

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October and Fall Fishing

Posted by Ted Kraimer - October 1, 2017

It’s October which undeniably means fall is here with cooler mornings and often sunny afternoons – it’s a great time to be on the water.

Those looking to fish salmon are still finding fish moving through river systems. The nice weather of September disrupted the flow of fresh fish but with some recent north winds and some rain some fresh fish have moved into local rivers.

The Betsie still has king/Chinook salmon in it and some fresh ones migrating up but the peak and bulk of the fish have moved through. Look for the river to receive spurts of fish throughout the month with most of the fish either intent on reaching spawning gravel or actively on spawning gravel. The Platte River continues to experience near record number of Cohos and that is likely to continue for a little longer.

The Manistee has salmon spread throughout it with more Cohos than Kings. Water levels are a little lower than ideal and clarity is making for some tougher conditions when the sun is out. Majority of the fish are on spawning gravel and the nearby holding water just below Tippy dam.

Trout fishing has been tough on the Upper Manistee river with the clear water. Brook trout tend to be a little more active than the browns but each day is different and sometimes only browns want to play the game. If you head to the river be prepared to fish a number of ways – terrestrials on top (ants, beetles and attractors (Skunks)) with the occasional BWO to match the hatch, and mid-sized to small streamers fished below the surface. When the winds drop lots of tree detritus on the surface go with something subsurface that might stick out and get noticed. It’s still pre-spawn mode with the browns while the brookies are bold and bright in color and doing some spawning. Just a reminder, many of the trout streams and rivers are closed to fishing beginning Sept. 30th – check the DNR regulations for what water remains open (much of the Manistee and AuSable).

Good luck,

Ted

Salmon/Steelhead Combo – Early October offers a chance at both species on the Manistee.
Fall Steelhead – October, November and into December, these fish will bend your rod like no other – experience it.
Trout/Steelhead – The lower Manistee offers some great streamer fishing for trout in late Fall as another option.

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May Days and Trout Fishing

Posted by Ted Kraimer - May 9, 2017

Trout fishing is the main theme right now as the next two months are some of the best for anglers looking to fish dry flies and streamers for brown and brook trout. All local rivers are pretty much experiencing ideal conditions and with that comes the emergence of various bugs.

On the upper Manistee, AuSable and Boardman rivers, look for the Hendricksons to continue to come off in the afternoons and their spinner falls to drop in the evenings. A few other mayflies including BWOs, Black Quills/Borchers Drake, and even a few Sulphurs/light Hendricksons are around to compliment the caddis that are a little more consistent these days. This is only the beginning of an emergence calendar that keeps us thinking about trout, dry flies and being on the water.

When nothing is happening on the surface, focus on fishing sub-surface with streamers. With the rivers having a slight stain to them right now, it’s a great time to cast a big fly on a sink-tip for those larger fish that haven’t totally gone nocturnal on us right now. After a mild winter, the fish are looking well fed and they don’t seem to be wanting to go on a diet right now.

Good streamers include baitfish patterns – especially in waters are stocked by the DNR. While Fin Clips do a good job of imitating stocked rainbows, there are other patterns that do a good job of imitating trout and other juvenile fish….Cheech Leech, Dirty Hippy, Brook Trout, mini D&Ds, Deceivers and more. And when those don’t work – or you are fishing non-stocked water – try sculpin patterns to imitate a prolific natural food source.

Bluegill are just starting to work their way up into the shallows of certain lakes and ponds. This week’s warmer weather should push them up from the depths and into water that is more conducive to fly anglers. This is a blast when you: need to fish closer to home, are introducing someone to the sport, or are simply looking for not overly technical fishing opportunities. Largemouth bass, too, are starting to get active where we can present small streamers on floating lines to them. But look out for aggressive pike that want to take your fly and keep it, too.

Good luck,

Ted

May Fishing – Trout, late steelhead, hatches, streamer fishing, bluegill on lakes – don’t overlook fishing in May.
Trout – The hatches of late May lead into June making for some of the year’s best dry fly fishing – don’t miss out.
2017 Fishing – Plan your year around your fishing – get your dates on the calendar, life will fit in around it.

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Technical Difficulties

Posted by Ted Kraimer - April 30, 2017

Sorry for the inconvenience, but we are experiencing technical difficulties. We hope to have the website running normally soon.

To book a trip, call 231-883-8156
or email ted@current-works.com.

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