June has arrived and usually the first of the big bugs on the river arrive with it. Isonychias should be in the fly box if you are headed out to the local rivers. Plenty of other bugs can be found on the water this time of year, too: March Browns, Sulphurs, Mahoganies and Black Caddis. […]
With May upon us, we find ourselves still under the squeeze of Covid-19. Anglers can still fish on their own or with members of their household, but in compliance with Michigan’s Stay Home/Safe order, not with others unless 6ft of distance can be maintained. I have been contacted by customers old and new about the […]
The Michigan Stay Home/Stay Safe order has been extended through the month of April, so guide trips will become available again starting May 1, 2020. <<Click here to read an overview/options for May fishing>> Anglers can still fish on their own if they maintain social distancing (6’) and will find steelhead in all the local […]
In compliance with the Governor’s Executive Order, guide trips have been suspended until April 13th, 2020. As interpreted, outdoor activities are still permissible, however maintaining the 6 foot distance between others is not feasible during guide trips which led to this decision. It’s not easy to walk away from three weeks of income, nor is […]
Most of the snow is gone (except for north facing slopes) and much of that runoff has found it’s way to the river systems. Water levels are up on area rivers and they have some stain to them. The Manistee below Tippy Dam is running 3,200 cfs and the Betsie, too, is running full. The […]
As we flip the calendar to March it’s apparent that the days have become longer, temps a little warmer, and the sun is making an appearance a little more often. Was it me or did it seem like the sun went south for the winter this year? Much of the snow pack has diminished thanks […]
It’s been a see-saw winter with snow, mild temps, more snow, etc. But the calendar notes it is January and any chance to get out and fish this time of year should be considered a bonus. Despite the warm-ups, the water temperatures on local rivers remain in the lower 30s. Whether you are looking to […]
While we are officially still in Fall, there is no denying that we are in Winter once we step outside or even look out the window. And the fish know it, too. Fishing has become tough the past couple weeks with water temps in the mid 30’s. If it is steelhead you are after, look […]
The mild fall came to an abrupt stop last week with a cold front and significant snowfall dropping the water temperatures in the local rivers. Temps on the Manistee and Betsie are in the upper 30s after dropping about 8 degrees in 10 days. Now as it rains, the snow is sure to melt but […]
November greeted us with full-on fall weather – a mix of snow and rain and some wind making for classic fall steelhead weather. Water temps have settled into the lower to mid 40’s on the lower Manistee below Tippy Dam and Betsie Rivers which are running higher than normal for this time of year, but […]
Mid-October finds the weather and fisheries in-line with the calendar. The river banks are popping with color as the leaves and salmon change color while some chrome steelhead show up. The salmon run is past the peak however a fresh one shows up occasionally. With the erratic weather patterns since late August, I wouldn’t be […]
A few trees are starting to change colors as we head to the river but they remain pretty green along the river bank. Water temps are just starting to drop below the 60 degree mark after some cooler temps and more of the same in the forecast. Another batch of rain has sent another batch […]
