With Labor Day behind us and school in session look for the local trout rivers and streams to be vacant as most anglers this time of year are focusing on salmon as they move upstream from Lake Michigan.
The run of fish has been scattered due to various cycles of weather the past two weeks. The cool, rainy and windy weather sent some fish into most rivers including the Manistee and Betsie, but last week’s heat has them spread out and a little stale.
Some fresh rain last week and an improved forecast should help get things back on track. Look for fish to be mostly in holes, but I actually have seen some fish spawning on gravel – historically 10 days earlier than I have ever witnessed before. Pocket water near the gravel sections can be good to target as the fish transition from migrating to spawning.
King salmon numbers remain down from the epic run experienced two years ago but so far, there seems to be more than last year. Egg patterns, leeches, buggers, sparrows, green caddis and hex tend to be the perennial favorites, but those with sink-tips and some salmon streamers can get the fresh fish to go if they put their time in on the right days in the lower sections of rivers.
Trout fishing often turns on this time of year with the cooler nights and little angling pressure. As brook and brown trout recognize their upcoming spawning requirement, the pre-spawn bite can be pretty good for those looking to fish big terrestrials and streamers. As fall further approaches, look for hatches to be limited to mostly blue winged olives and terrestrials; flying ants this time of year – while hard to predict – can offer some awesome fishing so be sure to have some in your fly box.
Good luck.
Ted
Late Trout – Brown trout fishing into late December can be some of the best streamer fishing of the year.
Salmon/Steelhead Combo – Late September & early October offers a mixed bag of both species with fall colors.
Fall Steelhead – Late September, October, November & into December is the time for steelhead on the Manistee.