With the colors at peak, anglers are finding that the peak of the salmon run is behind us. A few fresh fish are slipping through the river systems (Betsie, Platte, Bear Creek, Manistee) but the majority of the fish have been there a while and look like it. Crowds are still at unprecedented levels as it seems everyone watched a few too many YouTube fishing videos during the Covid shut-down and wanted to partake in the salmon fishery this year once it came around. It would be nice if they would play trailer videos of Woodsie the owl preaching “Give a hoot and don’t pollute.” Trash from the trash-class remains far too common.
With the lack of any significant rain for some time, river levels are dropping fast and remain clear. Some steelhead have moved into the rivers but most days it seems like the anglers out number the fish. With a cool down and some rain, steelhead conditions should improve as October advances.
With the dry and warm weather, the trout fishing with terrestrials continues provided there isn’t too much tree-debris floating down the river to hide your dry fly. Brown trout should be getting close to spawning and if you come across them, please leave them alone – between most rivers relying on natural production, heavy angling pressure, and poor resource management by MI-DNR – the rivers need all they help they can get.
Good luck.
Ted
Trout/Steelhead Combo – Late fall can offer a combined chance at both species on the lower Manistee.
Fall Steelhead – Some good dates are available in November – a great way to finish a fishing season.