Mid March Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - March 13, 2024

Significant rains after the last fishing report brought the Manistee and Betsie River levels up quite a bit and added some color which encouraged steelhead to migrate upstream. Since then, the water levels have fallen pretty much back to normal levels for this time of year. Clarity has improved, too, offering a little color and stain which is the opposite of what we were dealing with all winter.

With the water temperatures in the low 40s, some spawning activity has taken place. Look for fish in the pocket water and holes near spawning gravel and in the soft-seamed runs where fish moving upstream prefer to swim/migrate.

The bright, sunny days made fishing a little difficult so look for shaded runs when out in those conditions in the future.

The effective fly patterns have been varied – steelhead buggers are the leading nymph with stoneflies a second. Smaller eggs (#8 rags/nukes and 8 mm beads) in natural tones/colorations have been the best producers. This time of year we always run at least one egg pattern, if not two.

Good luck!

Ted

Spring Steelhead – A few dates remain available in March and April if you want to get out.
Trout Season – Mid-May into July offers some of the best match-the-hatch dry fly fishing of the year.
2024 Fishing – Get your dates secured to ensure your time on the water. Booking all seasons thru September.

Early March Steelhead Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - March 4, 2024

The mild winter continues with some back-and-forth weather, but we are experiencing more warmer days than cold ones especially for the beginning of March. The snow we received this winter slowly melted into the ground replenishing the water table rather than creating a high-water situation to prematurely kick the run off. Without a snowpack the steelhead run will be dependent on rainfall (or, more snow and its ensuing melt – keep your shovels on the porch as winter isn’t over).

The Manistee and Betsie are approaching 40 degrees which seems to be the threshold to spur activity. There are fish in both systems and they seem to be spread throughout. Some spawning by fall fish that wintered over and were pressured for months has already taken place; with the light run of fall fish there should be plenty of fresh fish to come up. The pre-spawn fish that have trickled upstream this winter are staged near gravel sections waiting for conditions to be just right.

The little black stoneflies have been out most days when the sun warms things up and with the clear water, the fish are noticing the smaller nymph patterns. Other nymphs to try are caddis and hex nymphs. Egg and bead rigs work too with smaller, more natural looking patterns working better than the big, bold varieties which usually work better in low light and low visibility conditions.

Good luck.

Ted

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Late December Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - December 22, 2023

Steelhead remain the target of anglers headed out this time of year and with the seasonal forecast calling for mild temperatures there should be windows of opportunity to get out and into some fish.

Steelhead numbers remain low after a slow fall season but are slowly building. If mild temps continue, fish should trickle in over the winter on the Manistee. Water levels remain low and have been remarkably clear. Any runoff/rain will change things and likely mix things up in the river so monitor those opportunities, especially if fishing smaller rivers like the Betsie. Or, simply look to get out when it’s going to be comfortable to get rid of any cabin fever that has set in.

As water temperatures settle into the 30s, look for fish to be in the slower water off to the side of the seams and if there is some structure and/or deep water – all the better to hold a winter steelhead.

Eggs are almost always fished on a nymph or drift rig and this time of year a nymph is usually fished with it. Those fishing a swung fly will still find some fish, just make sure the speed of the swing is going slow as fish get a little lethargic in these conditions.

All the best to you and yours this Holiday Season and great fishing throughout the New Year!

Ted

<< The end of the year Newsletter and recap on the years fishing just went out – click here to read or subscribe >>

Spring Steelhead – Most of the season is booked – get your dates for March and April while you can.
Trout Season – Late May into July offers the best match-the-hatch dry fly fishing of the year.
2024 Fishing – Get your dates secured to ensure your time on the water. Booking all seasons thru September.

betsie river, manistee river, nymph rig, steelhead, swung fly, traverse city fly fishing guide

Late October Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - October 22, 2023

As October winds down, so has the salmon fishing. There seemed to be more salmon this year in the Manistee and Betsie rivers than in recent years as their population builds back up thanks to an increasing baitfish population in the lake.

With so many salmon laying eggs in the river, it makes for a great “protein drip” for the steelhead to feed on. So far this Fall, the steelhead numbers have been quite low for adult fish, but with a great number of skippers (15-22” steelhead). Time will tell if the low return is a matter of low water that most rivers on the west side of the State are dealing with, warmer water temps, or a lack of fish population, but it sure feels great when that adult jumps on and reminds us of what a great sport fish they are. It’s also a reminder not to take them for granted and that catch and release is crucial for the future of our fisheries.

Some fresh coho have been around, too, which are always a fun bycatch.

Most of the fish are being caught on eggs and beads with so many eggs in the water. Natural looking colors and sizes are still the first choice but on days when the leaf drop is heavy, sometimes fishing an egg pattern that’s a little larger and/or bolder can help bring some attention to it. You can read more on fishing egg patterns here.

As a seasoned veteran guide now retired recently shared with me – “Keep the faith, they have a way of just showing up”. We look forward to that.

Good luck.

Ted

Fall Steelhead – Just a few dates in November remain available – finish the fishing season strong.
Spring Steelhead – Most of the season is booked – get your dates for March and April while you can.
2024 Fishing – Get your dates secured to ensure your time on the water. Booking all seasons thru September.

betsie river, egg patterns, fishing steelhead, guide, guide trip, manistee river, salmon fishing, steelhead

Mid-April Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - April 14, 2023

The water levels from last week’s rain has pretty much moved through the system and have returned to normal level. Clarity remains good, but still has a stain to it on both the Betsie and Manistee Rivers, which is usually a good thing.

The abnormal July-like weather with temps in the 80s and bright sun has made fishing very difficult the past week as steelhead hate the combination of high sun and stained water. Add the normal angler pressure that comes with this time of year along with a few extra folks taking advantage of the nice weather and, well, let’s just say I am looking forward to next week’s fishing with more seasonal temps and possibly some rain. (I will probably complain about that, too, when it happens but likely not as much as I did this week’s weather).

Eggs were working with orange hues being the leading color and chartreuse a close second. The better nymphs have been fry patterns and a few fish came on green caddis.

It’s been a mix of fish – fish are spawning hard with the increasing water temps and drop backs are headed back to lake Michigan. A few new/fresh fish are moving through the system, but it’s usually in the low light of mornings before the sun gets too high and they go hide until evening to resume their seasonal commute.

Good luck.

Ted

2023 Fishing – Get your dates secured to ensure your time on the water. Booking all seasons.
Trout – May’s streamer & dry fly fishing turns to the big bugs of June. Good dates to choose from.
Fall Steelhead – Just a few prime steelhead dates remain available in 2023 – finish the fishing season strong.

betsie river, caddis, egg patterns, fishing report, guided steelhead trips michigan, manistee river steelhead fishing, steelhead, steelhead fishing

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Posts tagged "betsie river"

Mid March Fishing Report

Early March Steelhead Fishing Report

Late December Fishing Report

Mid-April Fishing Report

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