Trout opener has come and gone and so have the anglers. While opener weekend had mixed results thanks to cold weather, the annual traditions of groups, families and friends seemed to be alive and well. Stable and warmer temps this week has improved hatches and dry fly fishing – they should continue get even better […]
After getting a significant rainfall, the water level came up, but a push of steelhead did not. The Manistee rose nicely, but is already falling back down and not much has changed as far as conditions. I guess I was optimistic and hopeful a bunch of fish would come in or perhaps I was stubborn […]
We finally received some rain, but with the ground so dry, most of it went there rather than into our rivers having little impact on river levels and the much anticipated re-start of the Spring Steelhead run. Some fresh fish continue to trickle in on the Manistee, but not as many as there typically is […]
A classic quote from the movie Caddy Shack comes to mind as we wait for some rain to inspire the remainder of the steelhead to move upstream. While we have had some rain and some snow, no significant amount has fallen and the steelhead run remains stagnate, stale and otherwise unprecedented. The forecast is calling […]
Now that April has arrived, I kind of feel like a fool – have the bulk of the steelhead already come or are there more fresh fish to come in the weeks ahead? Never accused of being overly optimistic but a realist, I am however thinking there are more fish to come. Water levels are […]
Next to my front door are pack-boots and sandals. While it’s been a few weeks since boots were needed, last week’s sandal wearing weather made the latest cool down feel like pack boots might be a good call in the mornings. Confused on the weather? So seem the steelhead. What started off as a great […]
Wearing the clothing typically worn in July is definitely strange for steelhead fishing, but it beats fishing in gloves and fleece jackets. The water levels have come down a bit in the Manistee and more on the Betsie River with clarity improving however it’s still pretty stained. Water temps are in the mid to upper- […]
After a guide trip the other day I walked the neighborhood and witnessed flowers coming up in a garden, so yes, we are experiencing an early Spring, we just don’t need the April showers just yet. With all of the snow melt and some significant rainfalls this past week anglers are finding their favorite rivers […]
Now that it is March, it seems that April Showers – both rain and snow came a little early. The big storm last week left plenty of snow here in Northern Michigan but the 50 degree temps and rain this week has melted most of it. There is no doubt that a significant amount of water […]
While the weather has been up and down, the fishing has been relatively consistent. Most anglers are spending their time looking for steelhead and are finding them in the predictable winter lies. Despite the warm-ups and mild winter temperatures, the fish are in winter mode preferring the slower, deeper water since water temps are in […]
The break in the weather made fishing pretty comfortable over the past week, but it appears that winter is going to settle in again. A few days of temps in the upper 30s and low 40s made the river the place to be for steelhead anglers. With the sun warming up the water a bit, […]
Once Mother Nature figured out it was a new year, she adjusted the weather to be in step with what it normally is this time of year – winter like. Steelhead fishing remains the target species for those looking to get outside after a month of over eating, holiday parties and perhaps a little too […]
