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Rain, Steelhead and Fall

Posted by Ted Kraimer - November 7, 2013

The past week has been a wet one in the northwestern part of Michigan with significant rainfalls shuffling fish around and bringing in new ones. Water levels were coming down nicely before we received another batch of rain raising the levels and adding some stain to rivers but also bringing in some new fish as well.

As water temps continue to drop into the mid-40’s on the Manistee the fish have become a little more lethargic when hooked and the fish are starting to transition into some deeper and slower runs. But don’t overlook the water that has been fishing well the past month as the steelhead can be anywhere. While majority of the fish have been eating egg patterns – often big, bright ones in the dirty water, the nymphs and streamers have been working on fish, too. As the water gets cooler look for alternative presentations to add to your approach – indicators, swung flies and picking small buckets apart for a fish here, and a fish there.

Good luck,

Ted

Steelhead -Fall fishing continues through winter and it’s not too early to book your Spring 2014 Steelhead dates.
Trout – Late fall trout fishing can be some of the best streamer and nymph fishing once the salmon leave.
2014 Fishing – It’s not too early to start booking your 2014 dates – reserve you place in the boat today.

fishing, fishing report, fly fishing, manistee, rain, steelhead

It’s November – Fall Steelhead Fishing

Posted by Ted Kraimer - November 1, 2013

The fall steelhead fishing on the Manistee has been inconsistent lately – doing well for a few days in a row and then experiencing a slow one. When its on, its on! Lots of weather systems have been through northern Michigan over the past week and even some snow fell between the rain showers which may have had something to do with the fish’s attitude. The recent rains brought the water up and should continue to bring fresh fish from the lake – there are fish from the dam to the lake. The report on the Betsie River is that there are some steelhead scattered throughout the river and a few scraggly salmon on gravel making the dark water behind them a great place to start fishing for the chrome ones. After the significant rainfall at the end of last week, most of the Betsie is running dark – be careful wading.

When fishing below Tippy dam, natural eggs and small, natural nymphs like pheasant tails and baetis are working on the pressured steelhead and brown trout. In the lower sections bigger, brighter egg patterns fished in tandem with larger nymphs and small streamers have been the ticket lately – it seems that the “bugger bite” has improved significantly since the last report. Each day is different and this is only a reference as to what has been working for us. To read the Top Five Steelhead Flies article, click here.

With the water temps hovering around 50 degrees and fresh fish around, this is a great time to swing a big fly for steelhead. Olives and tan/brown patterns with lots of gold and copper flash would be a great place to start and always have a black pattern on deck and ready to go.

Good luck,

Ted

Steelhead -A few fall steelhead dates remain and it’s not too early to book your Spring 2014 Steelhead dates.
Trout – Late fall trout fishing can be some of the best streamer and nymph fishing once the salmon leave.
2014 Fishing – It’s not too early to start booking your 2014 dates – reserve you place in the boat today.

Betsie, fall steelhead fishing, guide, manistee steelhead fishing, Northern Michigan, steelhead flies, tippy dam

It’s officially Fall and Time for Fall Fly Fishing Northern Michigan

Posted by Ted Kraimer - September 25, 2013

Now that the equinox has passed and we are fast approaching October the weather feels a little nicer than normal. Salmon fishing is taking precedent on local rivers like the Betsie and Manistee with good numbers of King/Chinook Salmon in both of them. Last week’s rain moved some fish around and they are scattered throughout the river systems; a north wind and some rain would drive even more fish into the systems including steelhead. There are a few steelies fish around but numbers are still pretty low.

The salmon have turned a little darker as a lot of fish have begun their spawning activity in the gravel sections of the rivers. The water’s clarity is a little too clear right now and lighter mono and fluorocarbon tippets are a must with the bright skies. With natural eggs in the system drifting down the fish are taking note and eating realistic size and colors. Click here to read more on egg patterns and fishing them for steelhead and salmon.

Trout fishing has been up and down on the upper Manistee as it too is running very clear. Cloudy days are better (as usual) but a mix of sun and clouds is best as it warms the water a bit and gets the brook and brown trout looking at food. Smaller terrestrials like ants and beetles have been working as have other patterns like Fat Alberts and other foam and rubber leg creations. It seems like the fish aren’t interested in eating the big terrestrial and attractor imitations lately – after all, it’s been a long trout season. fall colors on the Upper Manistee are just getting going and if you haven’t fished up there this time of year, you should – the Brook Trout are beyond vibrant. Please note that some rivers and certain sections are closed to fishing beginning October 1.

Good luck.

Ted

The Fall 2013 Newsletter just went out – click here to read and/or subscribe

Steelhead -Just a few fall steelhead dates remain and it’s not too early to book your Spring 2014 Steelhead dates.

Trout – Late fall trout fishing can be some of the best streamer and nymph fishing once the salmon leave.

2014 Fishing – It’s not too early to start booking your 2014 dates – reserve you place in the boat today.

Betsie, egg patterns, fly fishing northern michigan, king salmon, manistee river, salmon, steelhead, steelies

The Unofficial Start of Fall

Posted by Ted Kraimer - September 2, 2013

Now that Labor Day is behind us, the kids are in school and the salmon are in the rivers, it’s time to look forward to a long fall season of fly fishing.

While summer-like temps are usual throughout September, the cool summer brought the salmon closer to river mouths and into rivers much earlier this year. The Betsie, Mansitee, Bear and Pere Marquette all have fish in them and should throughout mid-October. The salmon – so far, have been on average a few pounds bigger than years past but the past week we have started to see some smaller fish swimming with the big ones. The big ones – while fresh, were hard to hold onto! We are a ways from spawning so look for fish to be in the deeper holes and eating nymphs and eggs and the occasional streamer fished on a sink-tip. Being salmon, some days they just don’t want to eat anything – mix up your fly patterns and put in your casts – it only takes a fish or two to make it a great day – more than that, even better.

There has been no shortage of anglers with this year’s early start and with the big fish come less than desirable anglers and their methods used to “catch” the salmon – program your cell phones with the DNR’s RAP Hot line (Report All Poaching) and report any violators you see: 1-800-292-7800. It only takes the word of a few tickets issued to curb some of the activity so your call can make a difference.

The warm weather over the past few weeks has warmed the trout waters but they will start to drop again with the cool down and cooler evenings. The Manistee and Boardman are running very clear right now but still have trout fishing going on. Terrestrials like hoppers, flying ants and beetles are a good bet as are some attractors. Sub-surface, try your bead head nymphs in the runs and slots and a small streamer twitched will keep you in the game. Look for the brook trout to get feistier as their spawning season approaches later this month and their colors become even more vibrant. You should have the trout rivers pretty much to yourself so enjoy the solitude and some technical fishing – there has been a decent BWO hatch on the upper Manistee in the early evenings and some remaining trico spinner falls in late morning.

Good luck,

Ted

– Sorry, at this time all salmon dates are booked. Be sure to act early next year to reserve your dates –

Steelhead -Just a few fall steelhead dates remain and it’s not too early to book your Spring 2014 Steelhead dates.

Trout – Late fall trout fishing can be some of the best streamer and nymph fishing once the salmon leave.

2014 Fishing – It’s not too early to start booking your 2014 dates – reserve you place in the boat today.

Betsie, DNR, fly fishing, guide, manistee, michigan, Pere Marquette, Rap Hotline, salmon, traverse city, trout

August Fly Fishing in Traverse City

Posted by Ted Kraimer - August 1, 2013

Now that August is here, it is full-on terrestrial fishing for trout. Water temps are cooler than normal for this time of the year on the Manistee and Boardman River and the fish are happy. The clear water and bright skies are making it tougher than normal, but there are still some trout around to play our game; look for overcast and cloudy conditions to provide your best opportunities.

When not casting terrestrials – hoppers, ants, beetles and other attractors, the most consistent insect on the water is the Trico – small mayflies that typically hit the water in mid-morning. Look for little dimples and mostly smaller fish to be out eating but always be ready to coax a larger fish to the net on the light tippet that might surprise you. Since these flies are so small, try fishing them behind a larger dry fly to serve as an indicator. Small beaded or coned streamers fished on floating lines and some bead head nymphs have been working in the deeper slots and holes with shade and/or wood.

Smallmouth bass fishing on the lower Manistee fishing is good for those looking to fish streamers, crayfish and the occasional popper. While they aren’t as big as the fish in the bay, they are a lot of fun and will make you a better streamer angler for other species including trout.

Bass and Bluegill fishing remains solid on the smaller lakes and ponds around Traverse City. If you haven’t gotten in on the bass fishing this year, it has been one of the better years we have experienced. While the larger bluegill are pretty deep most of the day and migrating into the shallows in the evenings, the largemouth bass have been accessible to the fly angler through poppers, streamers and diving baitfish. Small gills are almost always in shallow and offer beginners and kids a great opportunity to learn the basics and have fun doing it.

Good luck,

Ted

Trout Fishing – Morning Trico s and fishing terrestrials is a great way to start a day in August
Bluegill & Bass – Fishing for both species is a great way to spend some time on the water over summer.
Fall Steelhead –Few dates remain for these chrome favorites – act quick. Late Sept. – Nov.

bass, boardman river, lower manistee, smallmouth bass, terrestrial fishing, traverse city, tricos, trout fishing

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