We aren’t even to the mid-June but it already feels like mid-August. In Arizona. Extreme heat (by northern Michigan standards), low humidity, and practically no rain the past month in addition to being down more than half the annual precipitation YTD, have left the rivers low, clear, and warm. And the fish are stressed. Temps […]
With June starting, so do the big bugs. Trout fishing has been the focus of most anglers recently. This time of year, folks tend to hit the river armed with a well-stocked box(s) of dry flies or get in the boat with visions of emergers, sailboat look-a-like duns and/or spinners on the water to imitate. […]
It’s match-the-hatch time for selective trout. Bugs have been fickle, but with any on the water some good fish are eating. Softer water can reveal the bulge of an emerger being eaten or a spinner being sipped, but you have to bring your best drag-free presentation and angling skills as the water is low and […]
The past couple of weeks have had some cold overnight temperatures dropping water temps which in turn made for sporadic bug emergences and negatively affected the fishing. Water temps had dropped on local rivers including the Manistee, AuSable and Boardman into the 40s. Already two days of sunshine is helping those temps stay in the […]
We finally received some rain to knock down the dust and pollen while helping things finish greening up after an early start to the process. The rivers are still low and running clearer than normal for this time of year, but that’s been the story since late February. Water temps are stable in the mid-50s […]
It seems that this year’s April showers were replaced by April flowers as vegetation and gardens are 3 weeks ahead. We still haven’t had any significant rains and the rivers look like it – low and clear. The steelhead have thinned out without many fresh fish showing up. Those that do seem to hit the […]
It’s approaching mid-April, but it feels more like the first of May with the recent weather. One could argue that it felt more like the end of May with the recent 70-degree days. Steelhead fishing has been challenging as we had not received much precipitation and more anglers show up at the river for a […]
With the start of April behind us, anglers are finding water levels on the Manistee and Betsie uncharacteristically low and clear for this time of year. The region hasn’t received any significant rain yet this year and the snow melt has been gone for over a month. Without the rivers rising and being stained, the […]
Spring officially has started which typically means cold nights and the promise of warmer days. And Spring Steelhead. The local rivers – Manistee and Betsie – have been providing some fish but with the lack of rain/run-off, it’s been a case of earned fish rather than easy fishing. Yes, easy steelhead fishing does occur from […]
Longer days and mild temperatures have steelhead on most angler’s minds. Rivers like the Manistee and Betsie are still running cold – just under 40 degrees with fluctuations coming from cold overnights, sunshine, and any leftover snowmelt – it’s mostly gone (for now – the snowblower is still gassed up and the shovels are ready). […]
With mid-December here, so is the snow and cold, and it appears winter might have settled in for the season. Water temps on the local rivers (Manistee, Platte and Betsie) have steadily decreased into the mid-30s and has pretty much put the steelhead into a winter funk. There are fish around, but it seems fewer […]
As we enter December, anglers will find steelhead throughout local river systems (Manistee and Betsie) and pretty well spread throughout them. Water temps are hovering around 40 degrees, but after some cold nights, the smaller rivers tend to drop temps until any sunshine that day might warm them up. Since the rivers aren’t very busy, […]
