Mid-April Steelhead Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - April 16, 2016

It’s finally starting to feel like it did in March – that is “Spring like”. Warm weather has replaced two weeks of cold weather and the forecast is calling for more of it, thankfully.

Water levels on the big Manistee River below Tippy Dam and the Betsie River have dropped to normal levels for this time of year and clarity is just about right – slightly stained. Water temps are in the low 40’s but should bump up with this sunshine and warmer nights.

Fishing for steelhead the past two weeks have been pretty inconsistent with a good day followed by some slower days. It is my opinion that the fish just aren’t around in numbers that we associate with this time of year. With some warm rain we should see a nice push of fish, but until then, look for the run to be slower than normal with fish moving in daily, just not in the density we are accustom to. I think the spring steelhead fishing on the Manistee should continue well in to May this year. Again.

Fish are hitting gravel but aren’t staying there after little angling pressure. Look for your better fishing to be in the pocket water around spawning gravel and the choke points/funnels to intercept fresh fish moving through. There hasn’t been a consistent leading fly pattern, just the usual patterns. With the bright sun and improved water clarity, try dropping down in fly and leader size.

Good luck.

Ted

May Fishing – It’s not far away and it’s a great month for streamer and dry fly fishing for Trout.
Big Bugs – The month of June is the month of Big Bugs – Isonychias, Brown Drakes and the Hex – got dates?
2016 Dates – Now booking for the entire fishing season: trout, carp, bass, salmon and fall Steelhead.

Early April Steelhead Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - April 6, 2016

Now that we are well into April we are experiencing March-like weather. Seems fitting since March was so pleasant. After last week’s significant rains, snow and cold days and nights, the steelhead fishing has been a little more challenging that we are accustomed to for this time of year.

The water is dropping to ideal levels on both the Manistee and Betsie; however they are still a bit high. Clarity continues to improve but the water is stained while remaining fishable. Water temps are in the low 40s and the steelhead have started to hit gravel to do their spawning duties. But with the cold nights and fluctuating drops in water temperature, the fish have been found in the pocket water near gravel. Fresh fish have been moving through the Betsie and it seems that the spring run on that river is bouncing back nicely from a few lean years. A surge of fresh fish on the Manistee below Tippy Dam is highly anticipated.

There hasn’t been a magic fly pattern or one that has been working more than others, but the usual suspects are good places to start. Click here for a list of the Top 5 perennial steelhead patterns. When fishing runs and deep holes looking for fresh fish moving through the system, go with larger patterns so they have a better opportunity to see it. In pocket water, drop down in size and almost fish for them as if they were trout – the steelhead tend to revert to those characteristics once in the river for a while.

Good luck.

Ted

betsie river, manistee, steelhead patterns, tippy dam

Mid-March Steelhead Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - March 17, 2016

Steelhead remain the primary target for anglers hitting the water right now. Really nice weather last week warmed the water temps up just a bit and that along with an increase in water volume moved some fish throughout the river systems. With water temps hovering around 40 degrees, the fall steelhead that wintered over and the fish that moved upstream throughout the winter have repositioned themselves upstream and are starting to stage in some of the deeper water/holes near spawning gravel waiting for ideal conditions to begin that process.

Some fresh steelhead from Lake Michigan have also moved upstream in both the Manistee and Betsie rivers – these fish can be scattered throughout the system as well as the water they are holding in. Look for seams/bubble lines for these migrating fish as well as traditional holding water like holes. With the volume of water, the fish are pulling pretty hard when hooked.

When the sun shines and the water warms up some, the little black stoneflies have become active making it an ideal fly pattern to tie on. Other flies that have been working lately include caddis, bold mixed-colored egg patterns and steely buggers.

Good luck,

Ted

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

Spring Steelhead – Good dates for March Steelhead fishing are still available.
May Fishing – It’s not far away and it’s a great month for streamer and dry fly fishing for Trout.
2016 Dates – Now booking for the entire fishing season: trout, carp, bass, salmon and fall Steelhead.

betsie river, black stone fly, caddis, lake michigan, manistee fishing, spawning, steelhead, steely bugger

September Salmon and Trout Fly Fishing

Posted by Ted Kraimer - September 7, 2015

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.

betsie river, brown trout, egg patterns, manistee river, manistee trout fishing, nymphs, salmon, sparrow, steelhead

Still some summer fly fishing to be had

Posted by Ted Kraimer - August 25, 2015

The recent cold front has a lot of anglers thinking about the fall fishing but we still have some summer fishing left – the calendar and forecast confirms this.

Water conditions for local trout rivers are in fine shape with temps around 60 on the upper Manistee and Boardman rivers making wet-wading, well, tricky or uncomfortable when in waist deep water. The recent rains haven’t effected levels too much but rather freshened them up so to speak. With the over-cast conditions fish have been out and on the prowl making for improved streamer fishing conditions when not casting surface flies. Try fishing smaller weighted streamers on floating lines and/or short sink-tips.

Very few bugs have been on the water other than Tricos in mid-mornings when temps are normal which is what we should have later this week and next. On the windy days don’t look for the Tricos to be on the water as the wind keeps them from landing however, these windy conditions make for better terrestrial fishing as hoppers and other land-based insects find themselves on the water. It’s the time of year for “foam and rubber” terrestrial and attractor patterns. Some days the fish want movement in those flies, other days dead drift with an occasional twitch so mix it up.

Bass and bluegill fishing is still going strong on the local lakes but the bigger bass are getting wise to our program of poppers and diving bugs. Like the trout fishing, the cloudy days seem to be better and the best fishing has been near structure including weeds, fallen trees and drop-offs.

The winds of the past few days have mixed up the water on Lake Michigan and some salmon have moved closer to shore with just a few making it up the tributaries as we approach September. Salmon reports on the big lake have been mixed so there aren’t many predictions on what the fall run of fish will be like on local rivers, but we should have a better idea in mid-September.

Good luck.

Ted

Summer Trout Fishing – Terrestrial and Trico fishing through August on the Manistee.
Smallmouth Bass – Streamer fishing on the lower Manistee is a great way to spend a summer day.
Fall Steelhead – Late September through November is the time for sassy steelhead on the Lower Manistee.

betsie river, boardman, fishing the manistee, salmon, streamers, terrestrial fishing, trout

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Posts tagged "betsie river"

Mid-April Steelhead Fishing Report

Early April Steelhead Fly Fishing Report

Mid-March Steelhead Fishing Report

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

September Salmon and Trout Fly Fishing

Still some summer fly fishing to be had

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