Current Works Guide Service
  • (231) 883-8156
  • ted@current-works.com
  • Book a trip
  • Subscribe to Newsletter
  • Home
  • Guide Trips & More
    • Guide Trips & Pricing
    • Casting Lessons
    • Gift Certificates
    • Book a Trip
  • Fishing Report
  • Fish & Seasons
    • Steelhead
    • Trout
    • Smallmouth Bass
    • Salmon
    • Bluegill / Panfish / Bass
    • Golden Bones / Carp
  • Rivers & Hatches
    • Upper Manistee River
    • Lower Manistee River
    • Betsie River
    • Boardman River
    • Hatch Chart
  • Fly Tying
  • Articles
  • Gallery
  • About
    • About Your Guide
    • Testimonials
    • Newsletter
    • Area Information

Spring Steelhead Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - March 30, 2018

Steelhead fishing had been pretty solid for the past couple of weeks but with the increased pressure and lack of significant rainfall/runoff to bring up new fish, the numbers of fish in the rivers like the Betsie and Manistee are less than what we would expect for this time of year and the ones in there have gotten wise to our antics.

The rain we received earlier in last week stained the smaller rivers in the region but that’s ideal. The Big Manistee is running clear below Tippy Dam almost unprecedentedly for this time of year. Smaller diameter fluorocarbon lines are the key to helping the successful angler right now. Even though water temps are right around 40 degrees, the fish have been much stronger than usual when hooked sometimes causing that lighter line break. So much for the lethargic “alligator roll” that is typical in the colder water.

Orange egg patterns had been working the best with Chartreuse combinations a close second and in smaller sizes (#8). The more productive nymph has been the green caddis in size 8 and 10, black steelhead/ice buggers a second. As always, mix it up if your patterns aren’t working.

Some fish have started to spawn while most are in the pre-spawn stage surrounding the dark slots and deeper holes near gravel. But they are steelhead so they play by their rules and can also be found in some migratory slots and routes as they ascend the river.

Just a reminder – new fishing licenses are required April 1. Also April 1, certain sections of certain rivers (Little Manistee & Platte) have an early opening season.

As always, good luck.

Ted

The Spring Newsletter just went out – click here to read and/or subscribe

Steelhead & Trout Combo – The first two weeks in May can offer steelhead in the morning and trout after noon.
Trout – Reliable hatches begin in May for surface activity and it’s also a great time for fishing streamers.
Learn How – Take a 1/2 day trip with the goal of learning how to fly fish or improve, customized to your interests.

betise river, big manistee river steelhead fishing, ice bugger, manistee tippy dam, steelhead bugger, steelhead fishing, trout fishing
Traverse City Weather
50°
Rain
6:05 am9:12 pm EDT
Feels like: 46°F
Wind: 10mph ENE
Humidity: 83%
Pressure: 29.81"Hg
UV index: 1
ThuFriSat
54°F / 41°F
50°F / 39°F
55°F / 39°F
powered by Weather Atlas

Articles & Fly Tying

Fighting Fish - Getting the Fish in the Net

Tips for Fighting and Landing Fish

Fonzi Fry

Fonzi Fry

Introduce Fly Fishing -Father and Son

Introducing Others To Fly Fishing

Sparrow Nymph Pattern with Rib

Sparrow Nymph Pattern (Gartsides)

Goblin

Goblin

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

© 2024 Current Works, LLC — All rights reserved
  • Home
  • Guide Trips & Pricing
  • Fishing Report
  • Fish & Seasons
  • Rivers & Hatches
  • Fly Tying
  • Articles
  • Gallery
  • About
  • Sitemap