Early March Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - March 1, 2022

Now that it’s the first of March, it’s time to start thinking about fishing again!

It’s been a pretty cold winter with a few mild days mixed in to help keep the snowpack reduced. These mini run-off situations gave some bumps to the water levels which encouraged a few steelhead to come into the local rivers like the Manistee, Bear Creek and the Betsie. Water temps have been pegged in the mid-30s with, but with overnight temps staying in the double digits, things will slowly warm and fishing will only improve.

This time of a year the sun can come out just enough to help warm the water up just a bit. But if it is too warm and causes run-off from melting snow, the water temp usually drops making fish that tend to be lethargic even more so, and a little grumpy too. As we get a few warm-up cycles, look for fishing to improve, especially on the smaller rivers that tend to fluctuate quicker (think warmer) than bigger rivers.

Dead-drift egg and nymph combinations are your best bet this time of year, especially in some of the deeper slower moving water where a lot of the fall and winter hold over fish have taken up residence. The fish are shuffling around a little with the days getting longer with some steelhead starting to stage near the gravel sections of rivers. If you are fishing near gravel where salmon spawned in the fall, don’t hesitate to fish Alevin or even Fry patterns as these are starting to become active. Small (#10 and 12) Green Caddis in clear water can be real effective this time of year, too.

If you are looking to get fired up about fishing, check out the Fly Fishing Film Tour (FT3) this Saturday, March 5th, hosted by The Northern Angler at The City Opera House here in Traverse City.

Good luck.

Ted

May Days – The month that offers so much variety for a number of species. <<More info>>
Match the Hatch – Late May and June offer dry fly anglers some of the best trout fishing of the year.
Fall Steelhead – Some good dates remain available in October, November and into December.

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End of December Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - December 21, 2021

The first day of winter kind of feels like it with below freezing temps and a threat of some snow in the forecast.

It’s mostly been a cold month with the exception of a few days as fish are settling into winter mode. Steelhead numbers increased on the Betsie and Manistee with the increase in water levels/flows from melting snow and rain. Water temps are in the upper 30’s so fish have mostly taken up residence in the slower and deeper water/holes, but not exclusively.

Steelhead tend to be pretty lethargic in these conditions so drag-free drifts are likely going to be rewarded more than other techniques. This should be the trend over the next couple of months unless we get a warm up or even just a couple days of sunshine to increase the water temps a few degrees which activates the fish again. A swung fly will still tease a fish into hammering something if so inclined to tease one up but even in warmer water conditions, this tends to be a less productive presentation but for some, more rewarding.

Good luck fishing if you’re getting away from the in-laws or taking advantage of some time off this Holiday season – for most this time of year it’s just about being on the water and having a chance.

Happy Holidays and all the best on and off the water in the New Year.

Ted

<<The Winter Newsletter just went out, click here to read>>

2022 Fishing – Booking all seasons and species for the New Year. It’s never too early to plan next years fishing.
Spring Steelhead – It’s not too early to think Spring! Get your dates secured for the first fishing of the year.
Gift Certificates – Ask or give the gift of a lesson, half or full-day trip on the water.

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Late October Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - October 26, 2021

As October comes to an end, it almost feels like the end of September.

The past month was mild with overnight temps well above typical leaving the water temps at least 10 degrees warmer than normal. A second, late push of salmon never occurred as a lack of wind on Lake Michigan and a lack of rain and a swollen river seemed less inviting for them to come in. Some stragglers are still in local rivers like the Betsie and Manistee, but at this stage of their life, you might need a tetanus shot before handling one of these fish.

With the nicer weather and lack of river flow, steelhead numbers are less than what they should be for this time of year. Egg patterns and beads are still ideal, especially in the tail outs and seams below spawning gravel. Since water temps are in the mid-50s the fish will move to take a fly so it’s good to hold on tight as some times they pull pretty hard. Lighter line in the clear water provides an advantage over the thicker stuff but the fish definitely have the advantage.

With the salmon winding up their spawning, the steelhead are starting to look at food sources other than eggs; late October and November are a good time for those who like to swing a fly to do so. I suspect that this November’s fishing might be a little better with warmer water temps expected to hang around a little longer.

Good luck.

Ted

Fall Steelhead – Some good dates remain in the second half of November. Finish the season with some chrome.
2022– Booking next year’s fishing seasons through September. Don’t miss your favorite seasons and good dates!
Gift Certificates – Ask or give the gift of a lesson, half or full-day trip on the water.

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Mid September Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - September 12, 2021

Water levels are in good shape as nice, pleasant weather continues through September. Water temps on the upper Manistee are in the high 50s and with some sunlight, it creeps into the lower 60s. Getting a little later start in the morning helps to allow the fish to wake up and terrestrials dry out from the night’s dew fall.

Sub-surface twitch flies and smaller streamers are also a good approach. Seems that the brook trout have shuffled through the river moving closer to their favorite spawning regions and the bigger browns are starting to come out from cover after a long summer of playing hide and seek.

Salmon have entered most of the rivers in west Michigan as have salmon anglers. With the warm weather runs likely will be stagnant until the next episode of north/northwest winds push some fresh fish into the river mouths and an increase in river levels from rainfall draws them up. If headed out, please share the resource, pick up after yourself and lead by example. Or go trout fishing instead to avoid that scene which seems to only get worse each year.

Bass and bluegill fishing has pretty much come to an end with most of the fish hanging in the deeper water off the shallows as it offers them the best thermocline. After 3.5 months of pleasing anglers, I supposed they earned to have the rest of the fishing season off.

Good luck.

Ted

September Trout Fishing – Cool nights and warm days, this time of year you have the river to yourself.
Fall Steelhead – Some good dates remain in November and into December. Finish the season with some chrome.
2022– Booking next year’s fishing seasons through September. Don’t miss your favorite seasons and good dates!

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Early April Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - April 2, 2021

With the start of April behind us, anglers are finding water levels on the Manistee and Betsie uncharacteristically low and clear for this time of year. The region hasn’t received any significant rain yet this year and the snow melt has been gone for over a month. Without the rivers rising and being stained, the steelhead migration has been more of trickle than a “run”.

The fall fish that wintered over and those that came throughout the winter have already performed their spawning and moved back to the lake. There are a lot of empty gravel beds which should help with wild fish reproduction rates – all of our rivers could stand a population increase. Fishing has been tough as we continue to experience more anglers and less fish. Sure helps make the case for catch and release for those that don’t practice it.

With the water being clear, lighter line and smaller flies have been working better than the bigger and bolder patterns. Eggs and beads in smaller sizes and natural color schemes (orange-ish) have been working better than others. The green caddis tied in size 8 and 10 have been working well and the fry bite is starting to take place as more juvenile salmon fry are swimming around clueless – the fry bite is one of the more aggressive takes while nymphing. Don’t forget your black stones and hex nymphs.

The long-term weather forecast is calling for more of the same – dry conditions and mild temps. With the water in the low 40’s it might be a good thing that we don’t have a big push of water as the steelhead run would likely be condensed to a short 5 day event. As it looks, it will be a long, slow trickle of fish, until any appreciable rain and runoff takes place.

Good luck.

Ted

Trout Fishing – May and June offer some of the best streamer and dry fly hatches of the year.
Learn to Fly Fish – Tailor a half-day trip to learning how to fly fish –
perfect for beginners or those looking to dial in a new technique.
Fall Steelhead – Some good dates remain in November and into December

betsie river, egg patterns, fonzi fry, fry pattern, green caddis, guide trips, hex pattern, manistee river, steelhead patterns, tippy dam

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Posts tagged "betsie river"

Early March Fishing Report

End of December Fishing Report

Late October Fishing Report

Mid September Fishing Report

Early April Fishing Report

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