Northern Michigan Fly Fishing Report

Winter Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - January 23, 2019

It’s the back half of January and winter has set in with some really cold temps, periodic snow and full-on winter conditions on the rivers. Fishing is limited right now – those needing to shake cabin fever are finding the occasional steelhead on the Betsie and Manistee river. Water levels and clarity are fine, it’s just that the water temp is in the mid 30’s and shelf ice is starting to form. As usual, look for fish in the slower, deeper water because the fish too have the winter blues and are just chilling on the slow side of the current.

Not into breaking ice out of your guides every couple of casts? Then, instead tie flies/take a class, reorganize your vest and/or gear bag, read a book or watch videos on fly fishing – the weather is perfect for these activities. The days are getting noticeably longer which reminds us that Spring Steelhead season kicks off in mid-March which isn’t that far away.

Good luck on and off the water this winter.

Ted

Upcoming:

Spring Steelhead – Mid-March through April. Hit the water for this annual rite of Spring to start the fishing year.
Trout – May and June offers some of the best trout fishing of the year matching the hatch and fishing streamers.
Booking 2019 – Reserve your date(s) and schedule life around fishing rather than trying to fit fishing into life – booking all species/seasons for 2019.

Mid December Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - December 18, 2018

As we cross the mid-point of December anglers are finding fishing conditions to be in step with the season. Cold temps for a month and some snow have the fish in a winter mode and sitting in the slower water and eating a little less aggressively than we got accustomed to the previous months.

A decent number of steelhead are in the local rivers –Manistee, Betsie and Boardman and some days are playing along. This time of year any slight increase in water temps can be the trigger to getting the fish to eat so look for some sunshine in the forecast and/or higher overnight temps to put conditions in your favor. The water levels are typical for this time of year – a little low, good clarity but cold – just under 40 degrees.

With the cold water look for both steelhead and trout to be sitting in the deeper, slower water and in tail-outs that offer the protection of wood. Fish will still chase a slow moving, swung fly but it’s the dead drift of an egg pattern or nymph that is likely to get the bite. Smaller, subdued Caddis and hex nymphs are a great choice this time of year. The fish are a little lethargic,so you can get away with lighter tippet right now.

Streamer fishing for trout will still move some fish if you fish the slower water and near structure. Big, heavy sink-tips aren’t your best bet as smaller sink-tips and floating lines with weighted flies are. Slow your presentation down and keep it moving when that big brown slowly comes up behind it.

Good luck and Happy Holidays!

Ted

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Early Winter Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - November 28, 2018

With November coming to an end, it is apparent that fall itself ended a few weeks ago. Winter temps and some snow have been the norm with air temps below freezing as water temperatures hover around 40 degrees on the local rivers.

There are steelhead in all the rivers, but they are spread throughout the watersheds and acting more like winter fish with their tendencies to sit in the deeper, slower holes and tail outs. There are still some fresh fish moving through as other fish transition to the cold water so don’t abandon the runs and seams that typically hold fish in the fall.

Egg patterns are still a favorite of steelhead as salmon eggs continue to trickle down the river. Small egg patterns and beads in pale colors like cream, egg, grapefruit, Oregon cheese, and buff do a good job of imitating the natural stage eggs are in after being deposited in the river over a month or so ago.

Fish eggs in tandem with some natural looking nymphs – hex, caddis and steelhead buggers are always the first nymphs to get tied on in fall, winter and spring. The swing bite continues to be tougher than we’d like as that window to get fish to chase a swung fly is getting narrower with dropping water temperatures.

Trout fishing also has slowed mostly because of dropping water temperatures. Those fishing streamers below Tippy Dam are finding natural bait fish patterns are doing a good job of imitating recently stocked/planted fish…. Dirty Hippies, Skam-Man, T&A Bunkers and bobble heads; Big trout eat smaller trout. It’s a good time of year to switch that long and heavy sink – tip for a shorter one so you can slow your presentation down without hanging up on the bottom. Nymphing under indicators close to the dam in distinct bubble lines can extend your trout season if streamer fishing isn’t your thing.

Good luck.

Ted

Early Winter Steelhead – There are decent numbers of steelhead in the Manistee and Betsie.
Fall Trout Combo – Target both steelhead and trout (with streamers) on the lower Manistee.
Gift Certificates – With the Holidays approaching fast – give or ask for some time on the water.

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Mid-November Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - November 13, 2018

What happened to Fall? The last five days have been sub-freezing with some snow each day helping to drop the water temps and put the fish into a little bit of a funk. Once temps stabilize, the steelhead will do the same and begin to eat again as they have been a little grumpy lately.

This time of year anglers can expect a number of techniques to work – drift fishing/Duck and Chuck, Swinging Flies or indicator/float fishing. Fish are starting to move to the inside of current seams and tail outs of holes. Structure, too, is a good place to target as it provides shelter for the fish encouraging anglers to fish floats or swing a fly, although the swing-bite seems to be off lately. I’m chalking that up to dropping water temps.

Water levels have stabilized and the color/clarity is perfect on both the Manistee and Betsie rivers. Egg patterns and beads are still a great approach especially if fished in tandem with a nymph – hex, caddis and buggers being ideal choices. Swing patterns have been mixed with no one particular color or shape outperforming the other but perennial favorites include copper flash in conjunction with olive or brown bodies.

Firearm Deer Season begins November 15 and continues through 11/30 – if you head out to the river consider wearing some hunter’s orange for safety.

Good luck.

Ted

Late Fall Steelhead – There are good numbers of steelhead in the Manistee and Betsie.
Fall Trout Combo – Target both steelhead and trout (streamers) on the lower Manistee.
Gift Certificates – With the Holidays approaching fast – give or ask for some time on the water.

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Early November Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - November 7, 2018

The low clear water of October is behind us as November brings cooler and higher water.

Significant recent rains has the river levels up on the local rivers including the Manistee, Betsie, Boardman and others. And with it should be another push of steelhead. Water levels are going to get a bit stained but that can be a good thing.

As water temps settle into the mid to upper 40’s look for fish to be in all kinds of water. Fresh fish moving through the river will be in the soft seams ascending the river where a mix of fresh and hold-over fish will be in the holes. With a few salmon still around look for the dark water downstream of them as well as vacant gravel to funnel any eggs drifting downstream to steelhead looking for an easy meal.

Egg patterns are ideal but a nymph bite continues to get stronger with steelhead buggers, bigger stoneflies and caddis producing. This is the time of year to pull the two-handed rod out and over runs and fish near structure as fall fish are generally more focused on eating and will eat – sometimes even chase – a swung fly.

Trout are in a post-spawn mode and looking to eat streamers. Some days they will hunt the big tandem articulated streamer out of aggression, but smaller 3 to 4 – inch patterns seem to be more stable producers. Natural looking sculpin and baitfish patterns are a great place to start but if the water is stained or has lots of leaves in it, try fishing something with a little flash to help it stand out. With the cooler water, slow your presentation down a little bit and even consider using a lighter sink-tip line.

Good luck.

Ted

Fall Steelhead – Fall colors include chrome Steelhead until Winter gets here.
Fall Trout Combo – Target both steelhead and trout (streamers) on the lower Manistee
2019 Fishing – It isn’t too early to get next year’s fishing dates secured – booking through October

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