Despite the relatively mild winter we have had, the steelhead fishing is about where it should be for this time of year.
The sun has been shining a bit more lately bumping the water temperature into the upper 30s on the Manistee and into the 40s on smaller rivers like the Betsie. However, some cold nights or winter weather events returns conditions to what we expect for Mid-March.
Some fresh fish have been moving through the river systems but the majority of the fish have been those that have been in the river systems for a bit. The deeper, slow holes near gravel sections of water have been the most reliable with the occasional fish found in the smaller holes near gravel. A few fish have actually been seen on gravel indicating that the spawning process has just begun.
Nymphs have been fishing a bit better than eggs lately with stoneflies and caddis being the most productive. Always fished in tandem with an egg pattern, look for the eggs to become preferred as spawning activity builds and the number of natural eggs drifting downstream increases.
Good luck.
Ted
Open Spring Steelhead Date: I just had a recent cancellation – March 27 is available
2023 Fishing – Get your dates secured to ensure your time on the water. Booking all seasons.
Trout – May’s streamer & dry fly fishing turns to the big bugs of June. Good dates to choose from.
Fall Steelhead – Just a few prime steelhead dates remain available in 2023 – finish the fishing season strong.