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December Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - December 4, 2023

December has come and it seems that the big push of steelhead we are accustomed to in the fall simply did not.

While it was a tough fall, reports from the lake indicate the population is healthy and the lack of rain is to blame for keeping the fish there. We had good pulses of fish move upstream after the rains we did receive and the light fall run bodes well for a good spring run as they move upstream for annual spawning migration as the days get longer again and rivers get a bit higher. If the long-term forecast of a mild winter holds true, look for fish to trickle through the river systems all winter long.

If you are looking to get out on the water, pick your days wisely based on the forecast as we go from late fall to winter conditions and weather. Snow is more common and run off can drop the water temp a couple degrees. A little sun not only makes it comfortable for anglers but also helps bump the water temps a little.

The steelhead that are in the system can be just about anywhere as long as it isn’t a hard current. The softer side of current seams and cross overs and those with some structure have been more reliable the past two weeks. As the water temperatures start to stay below 40 degrees, we mix up our presentation using indicators, floats, swung flies and duck and chuck.

Water clarity on the Manistee has been remarkably clearer than normal so, dropping down in tippet size is a good approach as is using some stealth. When hooked, the fish are starting to do more of that alligator roll through the fight allowing you to get away with lighter line. Smaller, less obnoxious patterns seem to be out fishing the big, bold and bright with these conditions.

Good luck.

Ted

Gift Certificates– Give the gift of time on the water this Holiday Season. Half or Full Day trips.
Spring Steelhead – Most of the season is booked – get your dates for March and April while you can.
2024 Fishing – Get your dates secured to ensure your time on the water. Booking all seasons thru September.

Mid-September Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - September 19, 2023

The summer weather is making a comeback as we officially transition to Fall this weekend.

Temps in the upper and 70s and approaching the 80s will give the trout rivers a last tickle of terrestrial activity for those looking to get out and get some dry fly fishing in for the year. The rivers (upper Manistee and Boardman) have mostly been untouched now that we are past Labor Day and well into September. In addition to the large foam and rubber leg attractor/terrestrial patterns, consider using some smaller terrestrials like ants and beetles.

Water temps are cool and sometimes when it is in the mid-50s it might be worth delaying your fishing until after the sun has come up and made it a little warmer. The brook trout have begun spawning and when you catch one you can’t help but notice those bold colors, especially on the males. And certain sections of rivers are showing some fall colors in the maples on the riverbank to really intensify the beauty of the river.

The larger and leery brown trout are starting to come out of cover after a long season of being targeted. They might grab a big terrestrial on top, but fishing smaller streamers (less than 3 inches) on intermediate sink tip lines is a great way to improve your chances and catching one.

The salmon are in the rivers pretty thick and are mostly in holding water waiting for conditions to be ideal before they hit the gravel sections to do their spawning. As usual, the rivers are busy with all types of anglers, sportsmen, poachers and others, so don’t expect to have the place to yourself. Once we get another change in the weather with the appropriate winds and some rain, look for another big push of fresh salmon to leave the lake and head up your favorite river.

Good luck,

Ted

Fall Steelhead – Just a few dates in November remain available – finish the fishing season strong.
Spring Steelhead – Most of the season is booked – get your dates for March and April while you can.
2024 Fishing – Get your dates secured to ensure your time on the water. Booking all seasons thru August.

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Late July Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - July 21, 2023

As July starts to wind down, fly anglers find themselves in the middle of summer and summer fishing conditions.

The Upper Manistee is running low and clear – which isn’t unusual for this time of year. The lack of rain has been offset by the cooler evening temps to keep the water temps in the mid-60s and safe for the trout. Most of the hatches are done with the exception of the Tricos. Theses little flies make dry fly fishing fun as the brookies and browns provide rising targets. Every once in a while we are surprised by a bigger fish that eats the little fly and test’s the strength of the 6x tippet. Mostly, it’s simply a fun time to use that lighter dry fly rod.

Without hatches or latter in the day, we find ourselves fishing terrestrials and attractors or what I refer to as the “foam and rubber hatch”. Foam bodied flies with rubber legs – drifting, skittering or twitched on the surface makes it fun. It’s not overly technical fishing, just fun covering some water and fooling some fish.

The smallmouth on the lower Manistee River has mostly been good. Once in a while we find the fish are in a mood where they just kind of look but aren’t eating. Classic “window shopping” behavior. Don’t give up, a slight change in the weather can get them eating your ever-changing streamer pattern again. The popper bite is just starting so make sure you have your favorite popper/big foam and rubber legged patterns on a floating line next to your clear sink-tip rod.

Bass and Bluegill remain our favorite target for beginners learning fly fishing. These fish keep it fun and action packed. Some bigger bluegill are in the shallows early in the day or on those rare cloudy days. The largemouth are loving small streamers fished near lily pads and drop offs. Or my personal favorite – diving frog patterns.

Good luck.

Ted

Trout – July and August is time for Ticos and Terrestrials on the Upper Manistee – an ideal half-day on the river.
Smallmouth Bass– Spend a half or full-day on the lower Manistee fishing smallies – through Late August.
Fall Steelhead – November still has some dates available in 2023 – finish the fishing season strong.

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Mid-June Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - June 12, 2023

Mid June’s trout fishing has been decent considering the bugs have been fickle.

The days of reliable hatches in the evenings and spinner falls at dusk seem to be something of the past. I can’t help but think it’s weather related and in the past couple of weeks its been bright sunny and hot days and cool evenings. This week, it’s a cold front. I’d say the best time to hit the trout rivers is any time you can, especially early or later in the day when the sun is lower and shadows offer the fish some security and anglers, hope. Or, take advantage of cloudy days.

On the Manistee the Brown Drakes are wrapping up, as are the Mahoganies and an errant Sulphur can be seen if you look closely. Medium Brown Stones are bopping around along with some Little Yellow Sally Stones. A Borcher’s Drake will cover you through various mayflies as will Robert’s Yellow Drakes – both in size 10-14. The bug savvy anglers are anticipating the most this time of year are the Isonychias. These once prolific mayflies have been hard to find the past few years but when you do, the fish only want them so have them in your box.

<<You can read more on fishing hatches prior to the Hex Hatch here.>>

Smaller streamers have been fished on floating lines or intermediate tip lines to cover water between hatches and have been reliable for those that can fish them effectively.

Bass and bluegill on local lakes are still fishing well with a number of the bigger gills still up shallow. The bass are in a post-spawn feed which seems to be different from the smallmouth bass that tend to go on a post-spawn diet. As such, the smallmouth fishing hasn’t been as good as it had been since mid-May. Look for the river fishing for smallmouth to start up again after another week – these fish like to eat and they don’t stay on the diet too long.

Good luck.

Ted

Trout – It’s Match-the-Hatch time on the trout rivers through June. Tricos and Terrestrials in July and August.
Smallmouth Bass– Spend a half or full-day on the lower Manistee fishing smallies – June through Late August.
Fall Steelhead – November still has some dates available in 2023 – finish the fishing season strong.

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Late May Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - May 30, 2023

As May comes to an end, it sure seems like we are in middle of summer with these hot days.
It’s been a while since we have had any significant rain leaving the trout rivers running low and clear. Thankfully evening temps have been cool which has kept the water temps in check, but they are creeping into the mid-60s on the Manistee, Au Sable and Boardman Rivers.

The bug hatches have been decent with sulphurs, mahoganies and caddis being the usual suspects. Clouds of spinners are forming in the evening but with rapidly falling temps as dusk settles in, they go off to the trees only to fall another day. Brown Drakes and Isonychias should be in your box as they can start showing up if they haven’t already on your favorite section of water.

Streamer fishing has been off with the lower, clear water so smaller streamers fished on lighter sink-tips or even floating lines have been fooling some fish. A lot of suckers are spawning in rivers so don’t hesitate fishing behind them for trout eating their eggs.

The lake fishing for smallmouth and largemouth bass has been really good. Surface activity with poppers has been working as the fish have moved in shallow. The bluegill fishing has been good too, just depends on which lake you are fishing. Sometimes smaller streamers for the bass are required on the bright days when the fish don’t want to look up and are fished with either intermediate tip and floating lines.

Good luck.

Ted

Trout – It’s Match-the-Hatch time on the trout rivers through June. Just a few dates to choose from.
Smallmouth Bass– Spend a half or full-day on the lower Manistee fishing smallies – June through Late August.
Fall Steelhead – November still has some dates available in 2023 – finish the fishing season strong.

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