April Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - April 7, 2019

Local rivers are holding their own thanks to a slow melt/thaw of the remaining snow in the woods and a lack of significant rainfall. Steelhead fishing has been good as water temps have moved past the 40 degree mark and fish are starting to come out of the depths and are nosing around gravel on the Manistee. With much of the ice off Tippy Dam Pond, temps should stay above 40 from here on out. Smaller rivers like the Betsie already have spawning going in earnest with more fish coming from Lake Michigan with the increase in river flow.

With natural eggs drifting down stream, the rivers the smaller, more natural looking egg patterns are starting to be more effective but keep those larger, bolder egg patterns when fishing darker, overcast days or seeking fresh migrating fish in the lower sections. Caddis and Fry Patterns have been the more effective nymphs lately and with the warm temps in the forecast look for some stonefly activity to make fishing small stoneflies more effective.

While the steelhead fishing has been good, it sure seems that there has been an increase in fish harvest/mortality. Keep in mind that steelhead make a number of returns upriver in their life-cycle and that 10-pound fish you catch this year likely wouldn’t have been possible if it were kept as a 5 or 6 pound fish last year. Please limit your kill rather than kill your limit – the quality of our fishery depends on it.

Good luck.

Ted

Trout – May and June offers some of the best trout fishing of the year matching the hatch and fishing streamers.
Fall Steelhead– It’s not too early to look ahead to fall run of these fish. Hard fighting and a beautiful time of year.
Booking 2019 – Reserve your date(s) and schedule life around fishing rather than trying to fit fishing into life.

Mid-December Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - December 11, 2016

Our extended fall and fall weather came to an abrupt end as winter and the white stuff that comes along with it has hit the region. Colder temps has us thinking more about fishing right now rather than doing it but look for breaks in the weather above freezing for an opportunity to get out on the water and fish for both trout and steelhead.

The steelhead fishing early last week was still good with small, realistic egg patterns working best when fished in deeper runs and tail outs. Cover all the water but work your way over to the slower, inside part of the likely holding water, too, as fish move further out of the way of current seams as water temperatures continue to drop. Both the Betsie and Manistee has fish in it to inspire you to get on the water and away from the Holiday parties.

Trout fishing has been decent for those looking to strip mid-sized streamers and target the soft water with structure. While the upper Manistee has been worth fishing this late fall, the lower water below Tippy Dam is where some of the best fishing occurs this time of year. Water temps are around 40, so slow that strip down and fish with either short sink-tips or even floating lines with patterns that have weighted eyes or cones incorporated.

Good luck and Happy Holidays.

Ted

The Winter Newsletter just went out – click here to read if you haven’t subscribed.

Winter Steelhead – Look for breaks in the forecast to get a half-day on the water.
Early Winter Trout – After gorging on salmon eggs, streamer fishing below Tippy Dam can be outstanding.
Gift Certificates – With the holidays upon us, ask for or give the gift of a guided fishing trip – Half or Full-Days.

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December Steelhead and Trout Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - December 13, 2012

With Winter pretty much set in, it’s time to fish like it. Steelhead numbers remain decent in the Manistee river but few fish are in the Betsie. Water levels and clarity are in step with the season – that is low and clear and it’s the stealthy angler who will have the odds in their favor in these conditions. As the steelhead are tucked away in the deep and slow holes be sure to target that water and on those rare days when the sun is out, look for fish to be in tail-outs actually sunning themselves. You will also find some fish near bubble lines close to slow moving water and in and around wood making suspended flies under floats/indicators ideal. Swung flies on heavy sink-tips work well in these conditions, too, as water temperatures hover around 40 degrees; look for an undulating spey or streamer pattern to peel some fish from the wood.

The trout fishing below Tippy Dam is picking up now that they are not solely eating eggs in various stages – look for midge, scudsow bug and small mayfly/bwo patterns to accommodate an egg pattern on your tandem nymph rig. Slow sinking streamers with lots of action make for some good streamer fishing this time of year for some of the bigger fish looking to put the feed bag on before Winter really sets in hard – just remember to move the fly slower this time of year as water temps remain cold.

Happy Holidays and Good Luck!

Ted

— The Winter/Holiday newsletter just went out – click here to read and/or subscribe —

Winter Special: Take advantage of warm-ups this winter! 5 hours of fishing and lunch – $250
Gift Certificates: Ask for or give the gift of a guide trip or casting lesson. It’s a quick and easy gift! Click here.
Spring Steelhead: Mid-March isn’t that far away – get your dates secured and reserve your place in the boat.
– – Currently Booking for all 2013 Seasons – –

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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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