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Posts tagged "betsie river"

Mid-April Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - April 16, 2018

It’s hard to believe that it’s the middle of April when looking at the snow, freezing rain and ice. Old man winter is being a little ornery and just won’t leave and allow what we expect weather wise this time of year. Late last week – before the winter storm –  brought some expected April showers and we sure needed a boost in river flows as the Betsie and Manistee were running exceptionally low and clear.

The increased water has the rivers looking completely different – they are higher and dirty but still fishable. With the snow pack, I am guessing that the high and dirty will be around for a few weeks. Since we have been dealing with low water we still had not received a big push of steelhead on the Manistee and I suspect with the cooler water we should get a decent run of fish spread out over the next couple of weeks. I would expect to see the last of the steelhead move through on the Betsie over the next week or so. The Platte should fish good, too, with the extra flow of water.

Last week’s effective flies no longer apply with the new water conditions. Fill your fly box with big and bold egg patterns and nymphs that have a large profile  including – steelhead/ice buggers, egg sucking leeches and sparkle stones.

Fish are a mixed bag right now – fresh fish, spawning fish, and drop back/post spawn fish. Fishing the holes around the gravel and migratory slots should be your best bet in targeting fish in the stained water.

Good luck.

Ted

Steelhead & Trout Combo – The first two weeks in May can offer steelhead in the morning and trout after noon.
Trout – Reliable hatches begin in May for surface activity. It’s also a great time to fish streamers for bigger trout.
Learn How – Take a 1/2 day trip with the goal of learning how to fly fish or improve, customized to your interests.

betsie river, fishing tippy dam, ice buggers, manistee river, steelhead, steelhead and trout, steelhead fishing tippy dam, stone

Mid March Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - March 17, 2018

As the sun radiates off the water and the chirp of birds in the background is equally welcomed, it’s apparent that the longer days and increased sunshine has Spring Steelhead fishing on angler’s minds.  The local rivers including the Manistee and Betsie have a mixed bag of winter and fresh fish in them with even a few fish that have started to spawn. Fish are spread throughout river systems and the deep holes near sections of rivers with spawning gravel are great places to target as the fish are holding and waiting for a bump in water temperatures.

Water levels are normal – some might even consider them low for this time of year – since we have had so many thaws throughout the past few months resulting in minimal run off. There is a little snow in the woods so barring any heavy rains, look for water conditions to remain this way for a while. With the lack of run off the water has good clarity leaving most river systems fish-able throughout them helping to spread out any pressure. On those sunny days, try dropping tippet size.

Effective flies have been mixed without any one pattern out performing the other: egg flies in orange or chartreuse are good choices when tied in tandem with a nymph like a fry/alevin, caddis and hex patterns.  [I wrote an article a while back talking about the top 5 steelhead flies for our Lake Michigan Tributaries – click here to read.]

Bottom bouncing/Duck and Chuck still gets anglers down to where the fish are on the bigger rivers and deeper water, and nymphing with floating lines is ideal on smaller rivers like the Betsie. Fishing under floats is a great way to cover a bubble line when the sun is out and the fish are hiding, allowing you to target water where wood and other structure requires your flies be suspended off the bottom.

Good luck.

Ted

The Spring Newsletter just went out – click here to read and/or subscribe

Spring Steelhead – Now through April, get on the water for Spring’s first opportunity to bend the rod.
Trout – Reliable hatches begin in May for surface activity and it’s also a great time for fishing streamers.
Learn How – Take a 1/2 day trip with the goal of learning how to fly fish or improve, customized to your interests.

betsie river, bottom bouncing, caddis patterns, drift fishing steelhead, duck and chuck, fly patterns for steelhead, manistee river steelhead fishing, spring steelhead

Early March Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - March 1, 2018

March is here and so is an early start to the spring steelhead fishing. The winter – at times – has been just that – winter, but there have been plenty of thaws along the way pretty much leaving us without any snow, ice-free rivers and a favorable forecast.

River levels on the Manistee and Betsie are up a bit with some stain but that is pretty much normal for this time of year as some run-off works its way through the river systems kick-starting things. With the rising water levels and increased water temps, combined with a few days of sunshine, the steelhead are a little restless. Fish that have wintered over are moving around throughout river systems and getting closer to gravel sections but are still hanging out in the nearby deeper holes with a little less current moving through them. Fresh fish will trickle through the systems offering a mix bag of fish – from colored up winter fish to bright chromers.

With water temps still in the upper 30s, drag-free/Indicator and bottom-bounce presentations are your best bet. As is normally the case for late winter and spring steelheading, an egg pattern fished with a nymph is a great one-two approach. Egg patterns in orange combinations along with chartreuse combinations are ideal in the stained conditions. For nymphs, look for black stoneflies, caddis and alevin to produce.

Don’t put your snow shovels away just yet, but definitely get your fishing equipment out.

Good luck.

Ted

Spring Steelhead – Now through April, get on the water for Spring’s first opportunity to bend the rod.
Trout – Reliable hatches begin in May for surface activity and it’s also a great time for fishing streamers.
Learn How – Take a 1/2 day trip with the goal of learning how to fly fish or improve, customized to your interests.

betsie river, black stone fly pattern, caddis, fishing report, fry patterns, manistee, march fly fishing, michigan, spring steelhead, steelhead, trout

End of the Year Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - December 20, 2017

It’s the end of the month and year and possibly the season. The long-term forecast is calling for sub-freezing temperatures for a while so it’s going to be a bit before we get another warm-up and allow for some tolerable weather on the river.  But stayed tuned – a little sun, no wind and temps above freezing can make fishing a treat after too many holiday parties or time visiting the in-laws.

Steelhead are in pretty much all of the local rivers including the Manistee, Betsie and even a few in the Boardman.  With water temps in the mid to low 30’s, the fish have mostly taken to their winter holding areas which include deep, slower holes and around structure like wood, deeper pockets or both.  It’s a good time to work on that drag free drift and fish below a float/indicator but since we are targeting “Fall” fish that have become “winter” fish, they will still chase a swung fly – just slow down the swing and target some softer water.

For those interested there is a recap/summary of this year’s fishing which can be read in the Winter Newsletter .

Thanks to all of you that joined me on the water to help make 2017 a great year. All the best to you and yours this Holiday Season and throughout the New Year with lots of time spent on the water.

Ted

The Winter/Holiday Newsletter just went out – click here to read and/or subscribe.

Gift Certificates – With the Holiday Season near, give or ask for the gift of time on the water or a lesson.
2018 Dates – Now booking for all seasons in the New Year. Reserve your dates and plan life around them!

betsie river, boardman river, gift certificates for fly fishing, manistee, season recap, steelhead, steelhead fishing, swung fly, winter fishing

Late November Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - November 21, 2017

Its late fall fishing around here with mixed weather ranging from snow, to rain to even a little sun (we sure haven’t seen much of that for a while).

Steelhead remain the primary target for most anglers with the fish transitioning into hold-over water.  Look for fish to be in holes and the slower tail-outs as the water temps continue to drop. Last week’s rain gave the levels a little bump but they are still in good shape as the water remains a little stained too on the Manistee and Betsie. Egg patterns and a nymph is a great one-two approach when drifting or fishing under an indicator. As temps hover around 40 our window for a good swing bite is starting to narrow.

Trout fishing below Tippy dam has been decent but with the stained water it’s hard to work the streamer efficiently around all the wood without donating a couple of flies. Baitfish and sculpin patterns have been best but like always, mix it up and fish it slower than you would in the spring as water temps are cooler.

With firearm deer season ending Nov. 30, consider wearing some orange while fishing for safety.

Good luck and have a nice Thanksgiving.

Ted

Fall Steelhead – As fall continues, so does our Steelhead season, into December or until the weather says no more.
Trout/Steelhead – The lower Manistee offers good streamer fishing for trout in late Fall for a combo of species.
Gift Certificates – With the Holiday Season near, give or ask for the gift of time on the water or a lesson.

betsie river, fall steelhead, manistee river steelhead fishing, sculpin patterns, streamer fishing, tippy dam
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