Lots of Sunscreen

Posted by Ted Kraimer - March 20, 2012

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- 40’s which is rare for this time of year. With conditions right for spawning, the fish are working gravel while the fresh fish are staging near gravel waiting for their opportunity to progenerate future steelhead runs. A number of the fall and winter fish have already completed their mission and are dropping back with more fresh fish dribbling in.

There hasn’t been a “silver bullet” fly pattern lately, but flies to keep in your rotation include black stoneflies, hex nymphs with a little flash (crossdresser), caddis, fry/alevins, and lots of eggs in big, bright colorations in low light conditions and mid-sized, natural looking patterns when the sun is out.

Look for the streamer fishing on the upper water to be better than normal for this time of year for those looking to cast streamers for trout. This weather is promising to make for some great early season trout fishing with dry flies in April and anyone headed out there now will want some small black stonefly dries.

Have Fun!

Ted

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Yes, An Early Spring

Posted by Ted Kraimer - March 13, 2012

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 running high and dirty. While not necessarily ideal conditions, fish are playing our game as many of the winter fish are staging around spawning gravel and new, fresh fish migrating upstream with the increased water levels. Look for fish to be in the deeper holes and just off the seam line avoiding the increased flow. Expect spawning to start taking place soon if it hasn’t started already. As the temps are just getting into the 40’s the fish are becoming more active and with the increased water flow you will have your hands full.

Visibility on the Betsie and Manistee is less than 1.5 feet and with more sun, the particulate reflects more and decreases visibility further making low light hours and shade a great place to target. Now is a good time to cast large egg patterns like clowns, sparkle eggs and Chartreuse glo bugs with large, dark flies like stone’s, leeches and buggers tied below them.

Good luck and safe wading,

Ted

– Book a Trip for the Upcoming Fishing Seasons –

Now-April: Steelhead on the Manistee and Betsie Rivers
April-May: Trout – Streamers & Dry Flies. Hendricksons & Early Bug Hatches
June: Trout -Big Dry Flies – Drakes, Isonychias and The Hex.
Booking for all 2012 Seasons – Some Fall Dates Remain Open

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Early Spring?

Posted by Ted Kraimer - March 8, 2012

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 is in the local rivers and they will continue to rise as more melting takes place with the extended forecast. Thankfully a lot of the water went into the unfrozen ground, restoring the water table after a pretty dry winter.

The Manistee is experiencing a good number of fish and water rising. Many steelhead are staging around the gravel areas and this burst of water should bring more fish upstream to play with. The water closer to the dam is going to have better clarity than downstream however that should change as the Pine River and Upper Manistee’s dirty water flows through the pond and under the dam by the weekend.

The Betsie River has had some good pushes of fish move through it lately with timing being paramount. Some of these fresh fish are stopping to hang around with the winter hold over fish while the others continue to move through. The water is rising rapidly and as of Wednesday it still offered good clarity but it was changing and today it is colored up.

Flies: eggs flies in a multitude of colors – clown, steelhead orange, chartreuse, and Oregon Cheese are good bets along with bigger nymphs including steely buggers, leeches, caddis, hex nymphs, stones and fry patterns. Little stone flies are hatching so have a few in the box especially for any sunny days as slight bumps in water temps increases bug densities.

To check on water levels on various rivers (there isn’t one for the Betsie) click on the USGS Waterflow site. Be careful wading.

Good Luck,
Ted

February, Ground Hogs and Steelhead

Posted by Ted Kraimer - February 2, 2012

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 staying in the upper 30’s and not fluctuating too much. A few fresh fish have moved throughout the Manistee and Betsie, but most of the fish being caught are those fish that have wintered over after coming up in the fall and early winter. Good flies have included alevins and fry as the salmon eggs are starting to pop and transform into fish, as well as small black stones, sow bugs, hex nymphs and small, pale colored eggs. With the fish holding in the slow water and often on the inside of bubble lines, strike indicators and floats come in handy.

Regardless of what the Groundhog signifies, if the weather pattern we have experienced so far this winter continues, look for an early spring run of steelhead and relatively low water levels.

Good luck,
Ted

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Bonus Weather

Posted by Ted Kraimer - January 12, 2012

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, the fishing seemed to improve later in the day, however the clear water of the Manistee makes using light line and fluorocarbon a must in with the bright sun. The Betsie, too, is clearer than normal but has its typical tinge to it which makes fish a little less cautious.

Fish have been coming from the deeper, winter holes and runs often just on the inside of the seam line or in the tail out. Successful fly patterns included small pale egg patterns, stones in various sizes, hex, prince, hares ears and pheasant tail nymphs. Keys to fishing right now include trying to avoid those cold water temperature fluctuations – anytime it drops a couple of degrees quickly you are in for a tough bite – keep track of overnight low temps to help chose your best days and/or what time to start.

Good luck.

Ted

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Northern Michigan Fly Fishing Report