Late April Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - April 24, 2022

Finally, some warm weather is helping us forget about the cold spring we have had so far. With temps in the 70s this weekend the water temperatures should climb a little and get things to where they should be for this time of year.

Steelhead fishing is winding down on local rivers (Manistee, Betsie and Platte) with most fish hitting the gravel fast and getting back to the lake. Drop-back fish and a few fresh ones that are a little late to the game can be found in the runs and holes while most anglers focus on the shallow water. Smaller egg patterns and beads in natural colors have been best while fry and caddis are taking a respectable number of fish, too. With practically no suckers in the river yet, I suspect we will have a trickle of steelhead for a bit longer.

Water temps on the upper Manistee reached mid-50s this weekend and some of the first Hendricksons have shown up. Not many, but some. Water temps usually need to be in the upper 50s before the surface activity goes to the next level and one can expect to cast to a rising fish. In the meantime, cover the water with streamers. The next 4 to 5 weeks is a great time to have a dry fly rod rigged in the boat while you cover the water with subsurface patterns. When a hatch or rising fish presents itself, switch rods/presentations.

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.

betsie fishing, caddis, dry fly fishing, eggs, hendricksons, manistee river, steelhead, streamer fishing, tippy dam

Mid May Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - May 13, 2021

The past couple of weeks have had some cold overnight temperatures dropping water temps which in turn made for sporadic bug emergences and negatively affected the fishing.

Water temps had dropped on local rivers including the Manistee, AuSable and Boardman into the 40s. Already two days of sunshine is helping those temps stay in the mid-50s with more sun and normal night time temps forecast ahead which should help stabilize temps, improve emergences, and make for better trout fishing. Trout hate drops in water temps, especially when under 60 degrees so time of day and sunshine can make a difference on when to likely experience a hatch.

Already we are seeing the last of the dark Hendricksons (mostly spinners that didn’t freeze), light Hendricksons, caddis, and brown stones. Look for more bugs to show up including Sulphurs, black quills, Mahoganies, and more. This time of year can offer some really good dry fly fishing, but it’s technical fishing with clear water and educated fish – bring your A-game and a lot of different mayfly imitations including an assortment of Borcher’s Drakes.

The clear water is making streamer fishing a little tougher, too. Between hatches/emergences, fish the smaller patterns low and slow and cycle the colors until you find one that works for the day’s conditions. And the fish’s preference.

Lake fishing hasn’t been on fire but like the trout rivers, this warm weather will get those fish into the shallows any day if they haven’t already.

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

au sable, Black Quill, caddis, fly fishingreport, hendricksons, manistee river, sulphurs, traverse city fly fishing

Early December Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - December 2, 2020

As we enter December, anglers will find steelhead throughout local river systems (Manistee and Betsie) and pretty well spread throughout them. Water temps are hovering around 40 degrees, but after some cold nights, the smaller rivers tend to drop temps until any sunshine that day might warm them up. Since the rivers aren’t very busy, sometimes it’s a good idea to get a later start and let both the air and water temps increase some. If there is one thing all species of fish don’t like, it’s a rapid drop in temps when things are already cool.

Not much has changed – it’s time to cover the water with your favorite method – drift fishing, indicators or swinging flies on sink-tips. Look for the fish to have moved into water a little slower than they have been as they begin to adjust to the colder temps and maybe consider taking up residence near some structure for the winter. A mix of fish are being caught – fresh chrome ones and some with a little color to them, especially the males. Bubble lines are still worth targeting, especially on the soft side of the current.

Eggs and beads are still working well, with caddis, hex and the occasional big stone fly working when tied below an egg. Swung flies in tan/brown with copper and olive and copper seem to have been more successful than other combinations.

There’s still some good weather and fishing to be had so don’t put your gear away just yet.

Ted

Fall Steelhead – Take advantage of the mild late Fall weather – it’s a great way to finish the fishing season.
Gift Certificates – Give the gift of a Fishing Trip or Lesson – Half of Full Days available – they’re easy and fast.

Betsie, caddis, chrome, egg pattern, gift certificates fly fishing, manistee, manistee river, manistee steelhead, steelhead

Late November Steelhead Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - November 22, 2020

Steelhead fishing continues as the water temps remain in the mid to lower 40s on the Manistee and Betsie Rivers. Usually by now they are cooler, so the milder temps of Nov. has been welcomed. Fish continue to be fickle, spread-out, and doing a pretty good job of making us work for them each day. But not working hard in snow has made the challenge a fair and reasonable trade-off.

Fish are starting to like something more than just eggs with some nymphs starting to take their share of fish. Hex nymphs, caddis and steelhead buggers lead the category with beads and eggs in various colors working when tied above the nymph. In clear water, the muted and smaller sizes are ideal with bigger, bolder colors in the stained water combined with overcast skies. If that doesn’t work, do the opposite – it’s how 2020 has played out so consider this as a possible plan-B.

The trout fishing below Tippy Dam has been more of a struggle this year than anyone expected. Not sure if the hot summer wreaked havoc on the population or all the hunter-gather types harvested them all, but they have been elusive.

It’s still deer season so some hunter’s orange might be a good call if headed to the water.

Good luck and Happy Thanksgiving.

Ted

caddis, fishing, fishing guide manistee river, manistee steelhead, tippy day steelhead fishing

Mid-November Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - November 10, 2020

The steelhead fishing remains off with what seems like fewer fish around than we are used to this time of year. Some days we find them, other days we struggle. While the weather has been comfortable (in the 60’s!?!) it has left rivers like the Big Manistee and Betsie running clear and low. One advantage of the nice weather is the water temps have increased a little (mid to upper 40s) which is closer to the lake Michigan temps which will help inspire more fish to move up the river. At least we are hoping that’s the case.

Fish have moved throughout the river systems and it’s thought that some have dropped back downstream and started to settle into holding water which includes in and around structure. It’s a good time to swing some flies over the structure on the two-hander, while drifting flies in the proven runs, holes, and buckets always provides you with a great chance at connecting with a nice fall steelhead. Eggs in pale and yellow (think Oregon Cheese hues) continue to be the primary interest of fish, but caddis pupa and hex nymphs are starting to interest the fish again. Swung flies in Olive/Copper and Tan/Copper have had some success.

Just a reminder that firearm deer season begins Nov. 15 and continues through Nov. 30; it might be a wise idea to wear some hunter’s orange while on the bank or in the boat.

Good luck.

Ted

Trout/Steelhead Combo – Late fall can offer a combined chance at both species on the lower Manistee.
Fall Steelhead – Some good dates are available in November – a great way to finish the fishing season.

betsie river, big manistee river, caddis, hex nymphs, swining flies, tippy dam

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Posts tagged "caddis"

Late April Fishing Report

Mid May Fishing Report

Early December Fishing Report

Late November Steelhead Fishing Report

Mid-November Fishing Report

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