Mid-November Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - November 10, 2020

The steelhead fishing remains off with what seems like fewer fish around than we are used to this time of year. Some days we find them, other days we struggle. While the weather has been comfortable (in the 60’s!?!) it has left rivers like the Big Manistee and Betsie running clear and low. One advantage of the nice weather is the water temps have increased a little (mid to upper 40s) which is closer to the lake Michigan temps which will help inspire more fish to move up the river. At least we are hoping that’s the case.

Fish have moved throughout the river systems and it’s thought that some have dropped back downstream and started to settle into holding water which includes in and around structure. It’s a good time to swing some flies over the structure on the two-hander, while drifting flies in the proven runs, holes, and buckets always provides you with a great chance at connecting with a nice fall steelhead. Eggs in pale and yellow (think Oregon Cheese hues) continue to be the primary interest of fish, but caddis pupa and hex nymphs are starting to interest the fish again. Swung flies in Olive/Copper and Tan/Copper have had some success.

Just a reminder that firearm deer season begins Nov. 15 and continues through Nov. 30; it might be a wise idea to wear some hunter’s orange while on the bank or in the boat.

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 the fishing season.

betsie river, big manistee river, caddis, hex nymphs, swining flies, tippy dam

Early November Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - November 1, 2020

November is here and as I type, so is the snow.

Last week’s high water has pretty much dropped to normal levels leaving local rivers like the Betsie and Manistee running just a little above average re: fall levels/flows, with a slight tinge to it and in the mid-40s – kind of ideal if not perfect. Except the steelhead didn’t get the memo. The past week was unusually tough fishing especially considering the time of year and the conditions we had which should have made for a great week of fishing.

The current forecast calls for a warming trend which should help keep the water temps in the mid-to upper 40s and ideal for a number of techniques and presentations (bottom-bouncing, indicators, spey/swinging flies).

Just a few salmon remain in parts of rivers finishing up their spawning with the steelhead still sitting in the runs behind them eating eggs. It’s the time of year that we start to mix up the presentation with some nymphs fished in tandem with the eggs, or even swinging the big fly on sink-tip lines, but like most of the fall, there hasn’t been any one size, color or pattern that has been the go-to proven leader. I’m blaming 2020 on the lack of consistency.

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 the fishing season.

betsie river steelhead, manistee river guide, manistee river steelhead fishing, salmon, spey flies, steelhead fishing

Late October Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - October 23, 2020

As October winds down, the river levels are on the way up. Recent rains have been significant and anglers will find the rivers like the Betsie and Manistee high and rising. Unlike Spring when high water events last a while, the rivers should drain out by later next week, providing we don’t experience additional showers.

Salmon are pretty much done, although there are some rough looking ones either doing the last of their spawning or waiting to become biomass. With all their eggs in the river combined with the high water, a natural chum line moving downstream should encourage more steelhead to enter the river system.

When water is high like this, look for those bubble lines and seams and fish the softer side as the current isn’t as strong and the fish like to move up in the slower moving water. Water temps are in the high 40’s so the fish are still eager to eat and eager to get away once hooked.

Egg patterns and beads are the leading choice right now with natural colors and sizes being recent producers but with the high water and excess leaf drop, look for bigger and bolder patterns to paly a role in your decision.

Please release all steelhead – today’s 5-pound fish becomes next year’s 8 to 10-pound fish, etc. They don’t taste very good and your manliness isn’t validated by the number of fish you parade around the parking lot or place in the smoker.

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 the fishing season.

betsie river, egg patterns, fishing guide, manistee river, michigan fly fishing, salmon fishing, steelhead, steelhead bead

Mid-October Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - October 11, 2020

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.

End of September Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - September 26, 2020

A lack of significant rain this month has local rivers running lower and clearer than normal and prolonging the salmon run.

The upper Manistee river provided visibility like I had never seen before – it was a unique opportunity to see the water in greater detail as far as structure but also the number of big fish. With the lack of pressure on this side of Labor Day those wiley brown trout roam a bit more giving you a chance to feed them a fly.

With the dry weather and warmer temps, the terrestrial fishing has been pretty good, especially on cloudy/overcast days although bright days have been tough. Smaller, realistic streamers too have been effective and having both in your arsenal is a great approach. It’s still not easy fishing – the longer, well placed cast most days outperforms the bad presentation; that’s a given no matter what season/conditions. Fall colors along the river banks usually get started there earlier than other places in the region and this year is no different. Oh yeah, and there is pretty much no one else around.

Those looking for salmon will find fish in the local rivers as well as plenty of people fishing for them. The Betsie, Platte, Manistee, Boardman – they all have fish in them but some days you wonder if the fishermen outnumber the fish. As more people have more time on their hands this fall, it seems that the busy fall salmon season has been busier this year. Spawning has just started but there are enough fish in the holding water that are more likely to eat a well-presented fly (and give you a better fight) as they wait for conditions to change. With the lack of rain, consistent wind direction to organize water temps (and fish) in the lakes, and warmer air and water temps, the salmon run is likely to be drawn-out again this year. But with all things in 2020, who knows what will happen.

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.

betsie river, boardman river, manistee, michigan fall trout fishing, salmon, salmon fly fishing, streamer fishing, terrestrial fishing, trout fishing fall

Northern Michigan Fly Fishing Report

Mid-November Fishing Report

Early November Fishing Report

Late October Fishing Report

Mid-October Fishing Report

End of September Fishing Report

Ted Kraimer • Current Works, LLC • PO Box 333 • Traverse City, Michigan 49685 • (231) 883-8156