Lower, High Water Steelhead Fishing

Posted by Ted Kraimer - April 21, 2014

After a long week of really high water and a bunch of cancelled trips the river levels have returned to just “high water” conditions on the Manistee, Betsie and Boardman Rivers. All that rain last week really brought a lot of run-off when combined with the snow that had been lingering around and in some cases, reaching new or close-to new stream-flow records. While the water level has decreased, you will find the water to be highly stained with limited visibility as well as a few collapsed river banks, new trees in the water and a new look to some of your favorite sections of water.

Steelhead – both fresh run and spawning fish are in the Manistee below Tippy dam, but you better know where they are since visibility is so poor. Providing we don’t get more rain, it should continue to improve in the days ahead. In the high water, really big egg patterns and big stones worked, and as clarity improves average sized eggs (6 & 8, Oregon cheese/orange), caddis and fry patterns have been working. We are still fighting the fish as much as we are the high water so try some heavier leader and hold on. I suspect the steelhead will offer us good angling opportunity through the first half of May.

This Saturday marks the beginning of Trout season in Michigan. After a number of average and sub-average winters and good opening days, anglers will find conditions to be behind a few weeks this year thanks to a long brutal Winter and a slow start to Spring. The water is up a bit and cooler than we would like.

Water temperatures are warming up into the upper 40’s on the upper sections of rivers with virtually no bug activity/emergences. Some warmer weather over the next couple of weeks will help get things on track. In the meantime, if headed to your favorite trout river/stream, make sure you have some streamers – always a great bet in the early season to feed unpressured and hungry fish. Pike, Walleye, early Bass and Musky season also opens, but be aware, most of the local lakes are still covered in ice.

Please practice catch and release.

Good luck,

Ted

The Spring 2014 Newsletter just went out – click here to read or subscribe.

Steelhead -While it is currently Spring Steelhead time, it’s also time to book your fall steelhead dates.
Trout – May is a great time for mayfly emergences and streamer fishing before June’s Drakes, Isonychias & Hex.
2014 Fishing – It’s not too early to start booking your 2014 dates – reserve you place in the boat today.

Betsie, caddis, egg patterns, Manistee below Tippy Dam, oregon cheese, steelhead, stones, trout, trout season in Michigan

Mid-October Michigan Steelhead Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - October 17, 2013

With fall colors at their peak there are a number of salmon around on local rivers, but we have past the peak of the run. The Betsie still has some fish moving in as does the Manistee, but mostly the fish are concentrated to spawning gravel and the dark pocket water and holes nearby and looking shabby.

With the salmon come lots of salmon eggs that the steelhead have been focusing on. The wet October has kept good numbers of steelhead moving through systems and they have been testing equipment and angler’s abilities – they have been tough to hold onto. Like the salmon this season, the steelhead seem to be running a little larger than we normally experience.

Egg patterns are the primary fly of choice for those looking to feed a steelhead what they have been eating. Natural looking patterns in colors like Golden Nugget, Sockeye and Light Roe have been most effective but mix it up until you find the fish’s preference and the conditions. When fishing tail-outs, steelhead buggers and caddis have been working as well. With the wet forecast, more steelhead should continue to trickle into the rivers.

Available Fall Steelhead dates available through Mid-Nov: Nov. 5, 6, 8, 12

Steelhead -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, egg patterns, michigan steelhead fly fishing report. manistee river, salmon, steelhead

Fall Colors, Spawning Salmon, and Super-Charged Steelhead

Posted by Ted Kraimer - October 12, 2013

With another week of mild weather its hard to believe that it is mid-October. Since we haven’t had a frost yet in the region the fall colors aren’t as brilliant as usual, but the fishing has been making up for it.

After last week’s rain, river levels came up and have since dropped while leaving the water with a slight stain – which is a good thing with all the bright sunshine we have been experiencing. The spawning salmon continue to populate the gravel sections of local rivers, most notably the Betsie and Manistee. Below Tippy dam there are countless numbers of salmon on gravel spawning with others right behind them in pocket water and still some fresher staging fish in the bigger, deeper holes waiting for their time to come. Look for steelhead to be in the dark water right behind spawning fish and the egg collecting runs below spawning areas. With water temperatures near 60 degrees the fish tend to jump out of the water a bit and make it hard to bring them to hand. Majority of the steelhead have been coming from egg patterns with smaller, natural color’s being best. Mix it up throughout the day as sunlight and angling pressure changes.

I haven’t been on the trout waters nor have I heard reports of people fishing the Upper-Manistee, but I imagine the terrestrial fishing on the surface is going strong considering the mild temperatures. The brook trout can be amazing this time of year and we are getting closer to when the browns spawn and sometimes – given the right weather conditions, the streamer fishing can be outstanding.

Good luck,

Ted

betsie river, brook trout, egg patterns, fly fishing, spawning salmon, tippy dam

October Fly Fishing in Northern Michigan

Posted by Ted Kraimer - October 3, 2013

With the flip of the calendar, a look at the fall color in the trees and chrome in the water- the only thing wrong is we only have four weeks to enjoy what the month has to offer.

October Fly Fishing in Northern Michigan is one of my favorite months to fish. Cool mornings, clear days and big fish. Steelhead fishing has picked up a little on the Manistee as they take full advantage of the salmon eggs drifting downstream. There are still good numbers of King Salmon in the Betsie and Manistee Rivers with the majority of the fish on gravel doing their thing. Steelhead take note and residence in the holes, pocket water and slots below them taking advantage of the “protein drip”. Egg patterns have been the most effective patterns lately with a few nymph patterns also proving worthy – caddis, pop’s buggers, and pheasant tails. The water is still clear demanding light leaders and the steelhead have been hard to land with water temps being as warm as they are – the fish are spastic to say the least.

Even though trout season has closed on a number of rivers throughout the state, certain sections of certain rivers like the Manistee remain open. Brook trout fishing remains solid and the brown trout are becoming a little more responsive to our antics now that they are getting closer to their spawning season and angling pressure has dropped off. The streamer bite has picked up a bit – still smaller patterns with the clear water vs. the really big stuff and on top: BWOs and terrestrials like ants and beetles and the occasional smaller Isonychias.

Good luck

Ted

betsie river, brook trout, egg flies, egg patterns, king salmon, manistee, october steelhead fishing, trout, upper-manistee

It’s officially Fall and Time for Fall Fly Fishing Northern Michigan

Posted by Ted Kraimer - September 25, 2013

Now that the equinox has passed and we are fast approaching October the weather feels a little nicer than normal. Salmon fishing is taking precedent on local rivers like the Betsie and Manistee with good numbers of King/Chinook Salmon in both of them. Last week’s rain moved some fish around and they are scattered throughout the river systems; a north wind and some rain would drive even more fish into the systems including steelhead. There are a few steelies fish around but numbers are still pretty low.

The salmon have turned a little darker as a lot of fish have begun their spawning activity in the gravel sections of the rivers. The water’s clarity is a little too clear right now and lighter mono and fluorocarbon tippets are a must with the bright skies. With natural eggs in the system drifting down the fish are taking note and eating realistic size and colors. Click here to read more on egg patterns and fishing them for steelhead and salmon.

Trout fishing has been up and down on the upper Manistee as it too is running very clear. Cloudy days are better (as usual) but a mix of sun and clouds is best as it warms the water a bit and gets the brook and brown trout looking at food. Smaller terrestrials like ants and beetles have been working as have other patterns like Fat Alberts and other foam and rubber leg creations. It seems like the fish aren’t interested in eating the big terrestrial and attractor imitations lately – after all, it’s been a long trout season. fall colors on the Upper Manistee are just getting going and if you haven’t fished up there this time of year, you should – the Brook Trout are beyond vibrant. Please note that some rivers and certain sections are closed to fishing beginning October 1.

Good luck.

Ted

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, egg patterns, fly fishing northern michigan, king salmon, manistee river, salmon, steelhead, steelies

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Posts tagged "egg patterns"