November 8, 2026
With all the leaves pretty much off the trees and more cloudy days than sunny ones, it’s feeling like fall steelhead season.
Temps remain a little warmer than usual and that has kept the water temps just into the 50s on the lower Manistee. The water is running clear despite recent rainfall; it just wasn’t much to add any color to the water. The Betsie has a little color to it and is in the mid-40s.
Since we haven’t had a significant rain to encourage a huge push of fish, the run has been a trickle of fresh fish and a few that have been in the river – while wiser – are getting just a little bit of color to their flanks. A rare salmon or two are around adding some eggs to the river and fish tend to be behind them, but also throughout the river systems.
With the clear water, smaller egg and beads in muted and/or pale colors have been working. A little lighter line is helping to hook them, too, but not land them. With the warmer water temperatures, the fish have an overdrive most days so bring your A-game. The swing bite for those sweeping runs and structure with sink-tips and a bigger fly on a two-hand rod are finding enough action to keep the faith.
Good luck.
Ted
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