September Salmon Fly Fishing

Posted by Ted Kraimer - September 9, 2013

It still feels like summer with the warm weather but temps more fall-like are forecast for later in the week.

Salmon fly fishing has taken most of the notice of anglers lately as the runs in the Betsie and Manistee Rivers have been good this year. Those of you that have been out know that the fish are running a few pounds bigger on average and have been tough to land. Being salmon, some days they respond to flies well, other days not so. Mix up your patterns, your presentation and even a slight angle change to the run/hole which can make the difference.

There hasn’t been a predominate or favorite fly pattern lately, just the usual nymph patterns like caddis, stones, hex fished in tandem with an egg pattern. Floating lines with indicators have been coming in handy when fishing the insides of runs where staging salmon often sit, but most of the time clients have been using the duck and chuck method with success. (Read more about rigging for salmon here.)

The trout fishing remains decent for those fishing terrestrials and small streamer patterns on rivers like the upper Manistee and Boardman rivers. Water levels are decent for this time of year and clarity is a little too good after a long season, but have the river to yourself while you catch brown and brook trout.

Good luck,

Ted

– Sorry, at this time all salmon dates are booked. Be sure to act early next year to reserve your dates –

The Fall 2013 Newsletter just went out – click here to read and/or subscribe

Steelhead -Just a few fall steelhead dates remain and it’s not too early to book your Spring 2014 Steelhead dates.

Trout – Late fall trout fishing can be some of the best streamer and nymph fishing once the salmon leave.

2014 Fishing – It’s not too early to start booking your 2014 dates – reserve you place in the boat today.

Betsie, boardman, fishing terrestrials, fly fishing, guide. client, manistee, salmon, trout fishing

The Unofficial Start of Fall

Posted by Ted Kraimer - September 2, 2013

Now that Labor Day is behind us, the kids are in school and the salmon are in the rivers, it’s time to look forward to a long fall season of fly fishing.

While summer-like temps are usual throughout September, the cool summer brought the salmon closer to river mouths and into rivers much earlier this year. The Betsie, Mansitee, Bear and Pere Marquette all have fish in them and should throughout mid-October. The salmon – so far, have been on average a few pounds bigger than years past but the past week we have started to see some smaller fish swimming with the big ones. The big ones – while fresh, were hard to hold onto! We are a ways from spawning so look for fish to be in the deeper holes and eating nymphs and eggs and the occasional streamer fished on a sink-tip. Being salmon, some days they just don’t want to eat anything – mix up your fly patterns and put in your casts – it only takes a fish or two to make it a great day – more than that, even better.

There has been no shortage of anglers with this year’s early start and with the big fish come less than desirable anglers and their methods used to “catch” the salmon – program your cell phones with the DNR’s RAP Hot line (Report All Poaching) and report any violators you see: 1-800-292-7800. It only takes the word of a few tickets issued to curb some of the activity so your call can make a difference.

The warm weather over the past few weeks has warmed the trout waters but they will start to drop again with the cool down and cooler evenings. The Manistee and Boardman are running very clear right now but still have trout fishing going on. Terrestrials like hoppers, flying ants and beetles are a good bet as are some attractors. Sub-surface, try your bead head nymphs in the runs and slots and a small streamer twitched will keep you in the game. Look for the brook trout to get feistier as their spawning season approaches later this month and their colors become even more vibrant. You should have the trout rivers pretty much to yourself so enjoy the solitude and some technical fishing – there has been a decent BWO hatch on the upper Manistee in the early evenings and some remaining trico spinner falls in late morning.

Good luck,

Ted

– Sorry, at this time all salmon dates are booked. Be sure to act early next year to reserve your dates –

Steelhead -Just a few fall steelhead dates remain and it’s not too early to book your Spring 2014 Steelhead dates.

Trout – Late fall trout fishing can be some of the best streamer and nymph fishing once the salmon leave.

2014 Fishing – It’s not too early to start booking your 2014 dates – reserve you place in the boat today.

Betsie, DNR, fly fishing, guide, manistee, michigan, Pere Marquette, Rap Hotline, salmon, traverse city, trout

May and Spring-like weather = Mayflies

Posted by Ted Kraimer - May 2, 2013

Trout Opener has come and so has some warmer weather. After a cold spring this week’s summer-like temperatures kicked things into gear as trees are starting to leaf out, the grass is getting greener and mayflies are starting to show up, albeit sparsely.

Water levels on local rivers continue to be a little higher than normal and with a slight stain making for streamer fishing conditions. As the water continues to warm up, look for more hendricksons to emerge and the fish to notice – mild nights and warm days and sunshine can really have an impact. Fishing with streamers before the hatch begins is a great way to cover some water with mid-afternoon being the ideal target time for mayflies on top. A few stoneflies are fluttering around on the surface, too and handful of caddis in your box might not be a bad idea, either. Streamers in all sizes – from the size of tube sock to 3 inch patterns are all good bets as you determine what they are in the mood for. Since the water is cold, slow your retrieve down a bit and incorporate some jigging motion with a pause for that territorial pounce.

Steelhead fishing has slowed down this past week on the Manistee with the rapid increase in water temperatures. While a few bright, fresh fish have moved in, majority of the fish have moved back to the lake and the fish lingering around are on the darker side as they continue to spawn. As any new fish enter, they get down to business quick before returning to Lake Michigan. Small natural eggs, caddis and small black stones seem to be the best producers. I’m sure more steelhead will show up over the next couple of weeks making a combination of steelhead and trout fishing ideal and a great approach this time of year. It was a really good spring run and I already look forward to the run of fall steelhead.

Good luck,

Ted

Trout Fishing – May & June offer some or our best streamer fishing & great hatches!
Bluegill – Experience great fishing on the ponds and lakes in late mid-May and June
Hex Fishing – Some dates still available for the big bugs and big fish in mid-June
2013 Fishing Season – Now booking for all 2013 seasons – don’t miss out on this year’s fishing.

Betsie, hendricksons, manistee, steelehead, streamers, trout fishing

April, Spring and Steelhead are Here

Posted by Ted Kraimer - April 6, 2013

Now that we’re in April, the weather is acting accordingly with some rain, warmer air temps and snow melt. The steelhead have noticed, too. The rainfall over last weekend increased flows nicely and brought a fresh push of fish in the river systems with more to come after the next weather event. Because the winter’s thaw has been prolonged water conditions have been ideal; levels are slightly increased and the clarity is decent throughout both the Manistee and Betsie rivers. With the forecast, the amount of snow left in the woods and the gradual pace of the thaw, look for the season to be spread out through the month of April – of course this can all change with one significant warm rainfall.

Water temps have increased and have been holding closer to 40 degrees on the Manistee inspiring the first of the spawners to hit the gravel to do their annual reproduction activity. You will find fish in pocket water all around the gravel patches and in the deeper holes near gravel sections. Fry patterns, caddis and various egg patterns have been out producing the other patterns but each day is different and mixing it up and covering water should find you success.

Good Luck,

Ted

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

Steelhead – Spring is already booked but it’s not too early to get your fall dates secured. Late Sept. – Nov.
Trout Fishing – May & June offer some or our best streamer fishing & great hatches – its closer than you think!
2013 Fishing Season – Now booking for all seasons in 2013 – Don’t miss your place in the boat.

Betsie, fly fishing report, fry pattern, manistee steelhead fishing, michgan steelhead fishing

September Salmon

Posted by Ted Kraimer - September 4, 2012

After 3 weeks of virtually no rain, we finally received some. While it should help with the migration of salmon in our rivers, more rain is needed and it looks like there might be some relief in the forecast. A shift of strong northerly winds and lower air temps will help too, but never underestimate the will -power of fish to move up stream.

The Betsie is still plagued by low water levels and the fish are having a difficult time getting over the shallow river mouth at Betsie Lake. Look for strong westerly winds to back water up and allow easier migration to all the fish staging there. Some fish are in the river but they are not at their typical levels for this time of year – lots of casts and fishing lots of water is key. The Manistee has fish in the lower sections, too, and will benefit from improved conditions of rain fall, temps and wind direction. Stay tuned.

Trout fishing continues on the upper Manistee for those looking for solitude and smaller fish. The hatches are very light right now making it ideal for the hopper/terrestrial/ Rubber legged pattern angler to cover water and elicit a strike. The water is running nice and cool, however it is very clear right now. Some rain to stain the water would make for decent streamer conditions and chose cloudy days over bright ones for the best action no matter how you fish. Have small Isonychias, BWOs, Cahills and flying ants in your box for any natural bugs that might emerge.

Good luck,

Ted

The latest newsletter recently went out – click here to read and/or sign up for delivery

Salmon: Salmon season extends through September. Limited dates available.
Steelhead: The end of September means it’s time to focus on fall steelhead through November.
Fall Trout: Fish the Upper Manistee throughout fall or Lower Manistee in late October and through November.
Booking for all 2013 Seasons and through August – reserve your place in the boat.

Betsie, manistee, salmon

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Posts tagged "Betsie"

September Salmon Fly Fishing

The Fall 2013 Newsletter just went out – click here to read and/or subscribe

The Unofficial Start of Fall

May and Spring-like weather = Mayflies

April, Spring and Steelhead are Here

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

September Salmon

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