Since the last report we have had some cold weather – especially low overnight temps – keeping the water temperature right around 40 degrees. While some snow fell, most of it is still on the ground so the water/river levels have not increased leaving us with unusually clear water conditions on the Manistee and Betsie Rivers. Without a surge of warm water to pull a bunch of fresh fish from Lake Michigan we are still working over a mixed bag of steelhead – some winter hold-overs and others that have trickled through the river system the past weeks.
Some fish are spawning but with the low and clear water you are likely to find those and pre-spawn fish in the pocket water near gravel sections. We are getting drop-back steelhead in the runs as they put on the feed bag before returning to the big water.
Effective flies have been mixed….. eggs patterns in Clown, orange and John 3:16 colors combinations. Nymphs too have been varied: green caddis, ice buggers and Hex Nymphs seemed to have worked best in the past week. With the clear water, you might have to drop tippet/leader size but know that the fish have been uncharacteristically feisty and strong-fighting with water temperatures as low as they are so drop down only when you need to.
Good luck.
Ted
Steelhead & Trout Combo – The first two weeks in May can offer steelhead in the morning and trout after noon.
Trout – Reliable hatches begin in May for surface activity and it’s also a great time for fishing streamers.
Learn How – Take a 1/2 day trip with the goal of learning how to fly fish or improve, customized to your interests.