Early December Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - December 6, 2017

While fall was pretty mild with some cold days mixed in, it looks like those days are gone as winter has shown itself. With the white stuff falling outside the window and the long term forecast not calling for temps to be above freezing, anglers will have to look for their windows of opportunity to fish comfortably.

Steelhead fishing has remained mixed – doing good one day, not so good the next which seemed to be the theme for the fall run. There are a good number of fish in the system and they are scattered throughout river systems. As water temps drop into the upper 30s, the fish are mostly taking up residence in the slower water to the side of the bubble line. Swung flies in and around structure have been working as are flies presented on float and indicator rigs. Bottom bouncing/duck and chuck will work too, but the fish are starting to get lethargic and picky. Small, natural egg patterns on the smaller waters like the Betsie have been working where some larger eggs in bolder color patterns have been the theme on larger river systems like the Manistee.

Trout fishing this fall wasn’t what it normally is for the time of year but the streamer angler casting mid-sized streamers on presenting them a little slower in the cold water can get some good fish to eat. Yellow streamers, natural sculpin and baitfish patterns are great themes to start with but as always mix up the pattern and presentation.

Good luck.

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, egg pattersn, fall steelhead, fly fishing steelhead, indicators, manistee, sculpin streamers, steelhead, swung fly

November Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - November 9, 2017

Its feeling like November with signs of Jack Frost in the morning, a little white stuff in the air and fish that are transitioning into mixed cover. With the salmon done in the rivers, steelhead are no longer easily found directly below them. A good number of fish have moved into the local river systems this fall including the Manistee and Betsie, but with all the rain, the fish have scattered themselves throughout the systems. Look for fish to be anywhere on a given day: in structure/ wood, holes, pocket water, cross-overs and inside seams.

The past week’s fishing slowed down after a productive fall, but there are still good numbers of fish to be caught with ideal water temperatures which remains in the upper 40s. The water clarity remains stained as the river works though all the run-off and tannins from all the rain the past two weeks.

With fish less focused on eggs, we have been fishing a tandem rig – one egg pattern with nymph trailers like steelhead buggers, hex nymphs and caddis. Those who prefer to swing flies – this is the time of year to pull out that two-hander and swing a big streamer across both transitioning flats and around wood. Some leaves are still around but the leaf drop/catch has been reasonable.

The trout fishing is starting to get going as they, too, look for alternative food sources now that the all you can eat salmon egg buffet has come to an end. Streamer fishing for brown trout should remain solid for the next month or so. Small baitfish patterns like Dirty Hippy – rainbow, are a great pattern to start with, then cycle through your favorite sculpin and attractor patterns after.

Good luck.

Ted

Fall Steelhead – October, November and into December, these fish will bend your rod like no other – experience it.
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, brown trout, dirty hippy, egg patterns, hex nymphs, manistee, nymphs, steelhead, streamer, streamer fishing, swinging streamers, two-hander

Early November Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - November 1, 2017

After a week of high water, levels are starting to return to normal and clarity is reasonable on local rivers, however they are still stained. At first glance it seems that the water is real dirty but it has a significant amount of transparency to it where large and bold flies are no longer our top choice. More natural sized egg patterns seemed to be preferred by the steelhead, especially if you are fishing near vacant spawning gravel. A few coho and the occasional king/chinook are still around and the water directly below them is always worthy of some casts.

A number of fish moved through the Manistee and Betsie river systems and provided some good fishing some days and other days decent fishing. With water temps slowly dropping but still ideal, the fish are a handful once hooked. Fish are starting to settle into holes and around some wood – especially those fish that have been hooked or pressured; indicators and swung flies are reasonable presentations right now as the egg drop and corresponding egg bite starts to decline.

Good luck

Ted

Betsie, coho, egg drop, egg patterns, indicators, manistee, salmon egg, steelhead fishing, swung flies

Late October Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - October 24, 2017

Significant rainfall over the past few days has really brought water flows to record levels for this time of year. We often experience this much water in the spring after thaw/rain/run-off, however this time of year we are not sure what water clarity will be like going forward, but it should be better.

A positive aspect about receiving this much water is we should expect some fresh steelhead to migrate upstream, however they will be moving through seams and holding in water less familiar to us. Look for big flies (bold egg patterns and leeches) to receive the most notice from migratory steelhead in such high water. Unlike the spring, the water should drop faster as well as regain clarity, but you will want to monitor river flows and use caution if headed to the river – lots of stuff is flowing downstream including logs, limbs, leaves and the garbage that some class-act salmon anglers have left on the river banks. You can monitor water levels by checking out the USGS Streamflow website by clicking here.

Trout fishing? Big streamers on heavy sink-tips will give you a chance at big brown trout just completing their spawning. Like the steelhead waters, conditions like these requires safety and prudence if heading to the river and letting some time go by to let levels drop would be a good idea. With the recent winds, it might be a good idea to take a chainsaw along to clear any new fallen trees if using a drift boat.

Good luck and be safe.

Ted

Betsie, chainsaw, egg patterns, high water, manistee, michigan river flows, platte, salmon anglers, steelhead, steelhead fishing

Late September Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - September 20, 2017

While it’s late September it feels like the dog days of summer. The cool weather we had for a while earlier this month had us thinking that it was going to be an early fall with all the fish that showed up in local rivers. But the past 10 days of bright sun, no rain the unseasonable temps have us reaching for more sun block than we do the landing net.

Salmon fishing has been tougher than it was earlier in the run. Most of the fish that were in the Betsie have progressed further upstream and have hit the gravel to do their spawning ritual. A few fresh fish are still trickling throughout but are not holding so much in the holes as their biological clock is ticking. The Platte River is still getting a near record return of Coho salmon and the anglers have taken note. The Big Manistee has salmon spread throughout it with what seems like more Coho than Chinook salmon. The water is clear and running warm but it doesn’t have as much weed /vegetation growth offering a few more runs and holes to fish this time of year. Streamer fishing for the Cohos can be a blast – they like to eat both a swung and/or stripped fly.

The trout fishing continues to be decent for those looking for solitude on the upper Manistee. The water is running clear but with the sun set a little lower in the sky and a lack of pressure, there are some fish still coming out in the sunlight to eat both dries and smaller streamers. The brook trout are spectacular as the leaves on the bank side trees start to turn. The Boardman too has offered some decent fishing for those presenting terrestrials. Just a reminder – many trout rivers close on Sept. 30 so get your time in on them before we give them a rest. (Note: Most of the Upper Manistee remains open all year.)

Good luck

Ted

Salmon/Steelhead Combo – Early October offers a chance at both species on the Manistee.
Fall Steelhead – October, November and into December, these fish will bend your rod like no other – experience it.
Trout/Steelhead – The lower Manistee offers some great streamer fishing for trout in late Fall as another option.

Betsie, betsie river, brook trout, coho, flies, platte river coho, salmon, steelhead, streamer, terrestrial fishing, tippy dam, upper manistee trout fishing

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Posts tagged "Betsie"

Early December Fishing Report

November Fly Fishing Report

Early November Fishing Report

Late October Fishing Report

Late September Fly Fishing Report

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