October and Fall Fishing

Posted by Ted Kraimer - October 1, 2017

It’s October which undeniably means fall is here with cooler mornings and often sunny afternoons – it’s a great time to be on the water.

Those looking to fish salmon are still finding fish moving through river systems. The nice weather of September disrupted the flow of fresh fish but with some recent north winds and some rain some fresh fish have moved into local rivers.

The Betsie still has king/Chinook salmon in it and some fresh ones migrating up but the peak and bulk of the fish have moved through. Look for the river to receive spurts of fish throughout the month with most of the fish either intent on reaching spawning gravel or actively on spawning gravel. The Platte River continues to experience near record number of Cohos and that is likely to continue for a little longer.

The Manistee has salmon spread throughout it with more Cohos than Kings. Water levels are a little lower than ideal and clarity is making for some tougher conditions when the sun is out. Majority of the fish are on spawning gravel and the nearby holding water just below Tippy dam.

Trout fishing has been tough on the Upper Manistee river with the clear water. Brook trout tend to be a little more active than the browns but each day is different and sometimes only browns want to play the game. If you head to the river be prepared to fish a number of ways – terrestrials on top (ants, beetles and attractors (Skunks)) with the occasional BWO to match the hatch, and mid-sized to small streamers fished below the surface. When the winds drop lots of tree detritus on the surface go with something subsurface that might stick out and get noticed. It’s still pre-spawn mode with the browns while the brookies are bold and bright in color and doing some spawning. Just a reminder, many of the trout streams and rivers are closed to fishing beginning Sept. 30th – check the DNR regulations for what water remains open (much of the Manistee and AuSable).

Good luck,

Ted

Salmon/Steelhead Combo – Early October offers a chance at both species on the Manistee.
Fall Steelhead – October, November and into December, these fish will bend your rod like no other – experience it.
Trout/Steelhead – The lower Manistee offers some great streamer fishing for trout in late Fall as another option.

betsie river, chinook salmon, coho, fly fishing, manistee, Platte River, salmon fishing, streamers, tippy dam, trout fishing, upper manistee river

Late September Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - September 20, 2017

While it’s late September it feels like the dog days of summer. The cool weather we had for a while earlier this month had us thinking that it was going to be an early fall with all the fish that showed up in local rivers. But the past 10 days of bright sun, no rain the unseasonable temps have us reaching for more sun block than we do the landing net.

Salmon fishing has been tougher than it was earlier in the run. Most of the fish that were in the Betsie have progressed further upstream and have hit the gravel to do their spawning ritual. A few fresh fish are still trickling throughout but are not holding so much in the holes as their biological clock is ticking. The Platte River is still getting a near record return of Coho salmon and the anglers have taken note. The Big Manistee has salmon spread throughout it with what seems like more Coho than Chinook salmon. The water is clear and running warm but it doesn’t have as much weed /vegetation growth offering a few more runs and holes to fish this time of year. Streamer fishing for the Cohos can be a blast – they like to eat both a swung and/or stripped fly.

The trout fishing continues to be decent for those looking for solitude on the upper Manistee. The water is running clear but with the sun set a little lower in the sky and a lack of pressure, there are some fish still coming out in the sunlight to eat both dries and smaller streamers. The brook trout are spectacular as the leaves on the bank side trees start to turn. The Boardman too has offered some decent fishing for those presenting terrestrials. Just a reminder – many trout rivers close on Sept. 30 so get your time in on them before we give them a rest. (Note: Most of the Upper Manistee remains open all year.)

Good luck

Ted

Salmon/Steelhead Combo – Early October offers a chance at both species on the Manistee.
Fall Steelhead – October, November and into December, these fish will bend your rod like no other – experience it.
Trout/Steelhead – The lower Manistee offers some great streamer fishing for trout in late Fall as another option.

Betsie, betsie river, brook trout, coho, flies, platte river coho, salmon, steelhead, streamer, terrestrial fishing, tippy dam, upper manistee trout fishing

Late April Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - April 22, 2017

With Spring-like weather, I’m thinking Spring is here to stay. It certainly seems like we are a few weeks ahead as I look at stream-side flora, however it appears the fish seasons are mostly in check with steelhead starting to wind down and trout beginning to get active.

Steelhead fishing is on the other side of peak. The recent rains have left local rivers high and stained and in some cases downright dirty. The Betsie is starting to clear up, but it offers limited visibility. The steelhead have been winding down on the Betsie, but fish continue to move into the system after the rains. The Big Manistee below Tippy Dam also has steelhead in it – a mix of fresh fish, spawning fish and drop-backs. The clarity had cleared up after last weekend’s rain, however the rain fall Thursday will dirty it up again by this weekend as the water in the pond changes over. With both rivers, the fresh fish are entering and leaving quickly with water temps in the low 50s.

Effective flies in the dirty water have included large bold egg patterns like Clowns, 4 Shades of Orange and John 3:16, with smaller natural egg patterns being ideal when the water is a bit clearer. Fry patterns, caddis and black stones all have all been solid choices in nymph patterns. Sunny days continue to be the curse of good fishing with overcast days offering better odds.

The trout fishing is getting going as some the first of the dry flies like Hendricksons have been hatching and at times, bringing fish to the surface. Before and after hatches, cover the water with a streamer for what is considered one of the best times to find a really nice brown trout.

Good luck.

Ted

May Fishing – Trout, late steelhead, hatches, streamer fishing, bluegill on lakes – don’t overlook fishing in May.
Trout – The hatches of late May lead into June making for some of the year’s best dry fly fishing – don’t miss out.
2017 Fishing – Plan your year around your fishing – get your dates on the calendar, life will fit in around it.

betsie river, dry flies, egg patterns, hatches, hendricksons, steelhead, steelhead fishing, tippy dam, traverse city fly fishing, trout fishing

April Steelhead Fishing Report – Manistee and Betsie Rivers

Posted by Ted Kraimer - April 8, 2017

Despite rain and some fluctuations in the water and weather, the steelhead fishing was a little slower than the previous weeks on the Manistee and Betsie rivers. While we are still catching fish, we are working harder and finding fewer – especially on those sunny days that tend to be more crowded.

The steelhead that either held-over since fall or trickled into the river through winter had provided a nice surplus of fish to play with but once the water stayed in the 40s, they hit the gravel and returned back to the lake. Except for those fish that ended up on a stringer. Keep in mind and spread the word – these fish can return multiple years if we let them; harvesting fish simply reduces the quality of our steelhead fishery in respect to both the size of fish and the number of them.

Water levels are up a bit, but not out of character for this time of year. With water temps in the 40s we are seeing more stoneflies on the warmer days and the natural sized egg patterns in realistic colors have increased in effectiveness. Other egg patterns that have been working include: clown eggs, rag eggs in Sockeye/Dark Roe and Golden Nugget Bling/Burnt Orange. Nymphs: Green Caddis, R2D2 Stones, Small Black Stones and fry patterns.

With water temps rising, it’s time to start thinking about trout as an alternative to steelhead fishing. The next two months can be some of the best streamer fishing for brown trout on local rivers.

The MI-DNR has released their trout “management” plan and are seeking comments – if interested, you can read by clicking here.

Good luck.

Ted

May Fishing – Trout, late steelhead, hatches, streamer fishing, bluegill on lakes – don’t overlook fishing in May.
Trout – The hatches of late May lead into June making for some of the year’s best dry fly fishing – don’t miss out.
2017 Fishing – Plan your year around your fishing – get your dates on the calendar, life will fit in around it.

betsie river, black stone fly pattern, black stoneflies, fonzi fry, fry patterns, green caddis for steelhead, MI_DNR, steelhead, steelhead fishing, steelhead flies, tippy dam

Late March Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - March 23, 2017

Some cooler weather the past week has confirmed that we are still in the month of March and despite Spring officially starting, we still had some cooler weather to contend with.

Without much precipitation lately, few fresh steelhead have moved into the Betsie and Manistee Rivers but the fish already in the river systems have been playing along pretty good most days. Fish have been in mixed water – deep holes and the gravel runs with pocket water intermixed as fish are beginning to get ready for their spring spawning.

Effective flies include size 6 egg patterns in a variety of colors including Clown, John 3:16, Golden Nugget/Burnt Orange with Caddis, alevins and fry patterns being the most productive nymphs.

With the forecast calling for some rain this weekend look for the water to rise with additional color and fresh fish a few days later.

Good luck.

Ted

The Spring 2017 Newsletter just went out – click here to read and/or sign up for delivery.

May Fishing – Trout, late steelhead, hatches, streamer fishing, bluegill on lakes – don’t overlook fishing in May.
Trout – The hatches of late May lead into June making for some of the year’s best dry fly fishing – don’t miss out.
2017 Fishing – Plan your year around your fishing – get your dates on the calendar, life will fit in around it.

betsie river, caddis patterns for steelhead, fly fishing reports traverse city, manistee, steelhead, tippy dam, trout

Posts tagged "betsie river"

October and Fall Fishing

Late September Fly Fishing Report

Late April Fishing Report

April Steelhead Fishing Report – Manistee and Betsie Rivers

Late March Fishing Report

The Spring 2017 Newsletter just went out – click here to read and/or sign up for delivery.

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