As September winds down, so does the summer weather with temperatures starting to drop a little. The water levels on all the region’s rivers are very low and clear making fishing a little tough.
For those looking for the migratory salmon, you will find fish in rivers like the Betsie and Manistee but a lot of them are stale and in a pre-spawn holding pattern. A bump in water flows from rain and some favorable winds will encourage more fish to head upstream and migrating salmon tend to be a little more playful than the ones that have been in the river a while. The forecast promises for these conditions.
The trout fishing has been decent with water temperatures still hovering above 60 degrees most days and some fish looking up to eat terrestrials and some mayflies that are olive and about a size 14. I used to call them mini-Isonychias but honestly haven’t taxonomically identified them. An oversize BWO, even a parachute Adams does a pretty good job of getting fish to rise to them. Smaller streamers fished on lighter sink-tips or even floating lines has been another approach in the clear, low water. With leaves changing color, the trout rivers are a pretty special place to spend some time right now.
Good luck.
Ted
Trout Fishing – Have the river to yourself with school starting and football keeping people off the trout rivers.
Fall Steelhead – Finish the fishing season with our favorite species to chase. Dates remain available in late Nov.
Spring Steelhead –The season will be here before you know it – get your dates secured Mid-March thru April.