Early November Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - November 8, 2021

The fall weather sure has been comfortable to fish in, but it sure hasn’t made for great steelhead fishing.

The lack of any appreciable rainfall the past 6 weeks is taking a toll on fish inventory numbers in the river. We finally got some winds to blow some water around on Lake Michigan which helps congregate fish, but the low, clear water is keeping fish from migrating upstream like we have come to expect once the calendar hits November. Help is on the way with the forecast, just not sure how much rain we will get, but any is welcomed.

With the clear water, look to use lighter tippet than typical, but use your luck and skill to land these fish as they are still full of themselves with water temperatures in the Big Manistee river reading close to 50 degrees. Might be a good time to swing a fly and look for that aggressive fish looking to destroy something if looking to try something new. Otherwise, egg and beads are fooling most of the fish hooked and the nymph bite is starting to get better (hex and larger stones) as the salmon are done and the egg drop has diminished.

Good luck.

Ted

Fall Steelhead – Some good dates remain in the second half of November. Finish the season with some chrome.
Spring Steelhead – It’s not too early to think Spring! Get your dates secured for the first fishing of the year.
Gift Certificates – Ask or give the gift of a lesson, half or full-day trip on the water.

Late October Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - October 26, 2021

As October comes to an end, it almost feels like the end of September.

The past month was mild with overnight temps well above typical leaving the water temps at least 10 degrees warmer than normal. A second, late push of salmon never occurred as a lack of wind on Lake Michigan and a lack of rain and a swollen river seemed less inviting for them to come in. Some stragglers are still in local rivers like the Betsie and Manistee, but at this stage of their life, you might need a tetanus shot before handling one of these fish.

With the nicer weather and lack of river flow, steelhead numbers are less than what they should be for this time of year. Egg patterns and beads are still ideal, especially in the tail outs and seams below spawning gravel. Since water temps are in the mid-50s the fish will move to take a fly so it’s good to hold on tight as some times they pull pretty hard. Lighter line in the clear water provides an advantage over the thicker stuff but the fish definitely have the advantage.

With the salmon winding up their spawning, the steelhead are starting to look at food sources other than eggs; late October and November are a good time for those who like to swing a fly to do so. I suspect that this November’s fishing might be a little better with warmer water temps expected to hang around a little longer.

Good luck.

Ted

Fall Steelhead – Some good dates remain in the second half of November. Finish the season with some chrome.
2022– Booking next year’s fishing seasons through September. Don’t miss your favorite seasons and good dates!
Gift Certificates – Ask or give the gift of a lesson, half or full-day trip on the water.

betsie river, egg patterns, fall steelhead, fly fishing guide, lake michigan, manistee river, salmon, steelhead, tippy dam, traverse city

End of August Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - August 29, 2020

With August coming to an end it is apparent that the Trico hatch on the local trout rivers has also come to an end. This time of year typically is a transition time where fish start focusing on subsurface presentations and streamer patterns but it’s still summer-like and the fish are still looking up and taking terrestrials, attractors and even mayfly impressions (great olives, small Isos). Some flying ants have been around and they are always a safe bet to have in your fly box for the next 5 weeks if headed to the upper Manistee or Boardman rivers.

Fishing pressure has been light and once we get on the other side of Labor Day, anglers will have the trout water pretty much to themselves and the wildlife. Take some smaller streamers and fish sub-surface on floating lines should the fish not be looking up or there is too much debris floating on the surface as winds blow pine needles, dead grass and more into the river. If you never fished your favorite trout river in September, you should try it.

Many anglers think that with September comes the salmon. This year the salmon run is running late because of the hot summer, warm water temperatures at river mouths, and lack of rain, cool nights and favorable winds. Eventually as the season starts to act a little more typical for this time of year, fish should be showing up in better numbers. The forecast calls for more of the same so look for the run to get a slow start.

Bass fishing on the local lakes has been good for those that can cast the larger patterns and covers some water. Big foam/hard shell poppers and diving deer hair sliders/divers have all taken some good fish near structure – weed beds, wood and drop offs. Bluegill fishing has slowed down but I suspect that should pick up again as water temperatures in local lakes begin to cool off.

Good luck.

Ted

Trout Fishing – Late fall can offer some really good trout fishing for those willing to fish streamers.
Or consider a trout/steelhead combo in November on the lower Manistee.
Fall Steelhead – Some good dates are available in November – a great way to finish a fishing season.

Betsie, fall steelhead, salmon, steelhead fishing, streamer fishing, terrestrial fishing

Mid-November Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - November 13, 2018

What happened to Fall? The last five days have been sub-freezing with some snow each day helping to drop the water temps and put the fish into a little bit of a funk. Once temps stabilize, the steelhead will do the same and begin to eat again as they have been a little grumpy lately.

This time of year anglers can expect a number of techniques to work – drift fishing/Duck and Chuck, Swinging Flies or indicator/float fishing. Fish are starting to move to the inside of current seams and tail outs of holes. Structure, too, is a good place to target as it provides shelter for the fish encouraging anglers to fish floats or swing a fly, although the swing-bite seems to be off lately. I’m chalking that up to dropping water temps.

Water levels have stabilized and the color/clarity is perfect on both the Manistee and Betsie rivers. Egg patterns and beads are still a great approach especially if fished in tandem with a nymph – hex, caddis and buggers being ideal choices. Swing patterns have been mixed with no one particular color or shape outperforming the other but perennial favorites include copper flash in conjunction with olive or brown bodies.

Firearm Deer Season begins November 15 and continues through 11/30 – if you head out to the river consider wearing some hunter’s orange for safety.

Good luck.

Ted

Late Fall Steelhead – There are good numbers of steelhead in the Manistee and Betsie.
Fall Trout Combo – Target both steelhead and trout (streamers) on the lower Manistee.
Gift Certificates – With the Holidays approaching fast – give or ask for some time on the water.

Betsie, caddis flies, deer season fishing, duck and chuck, fall steelhead, manistee, steelhead fishing, steelhead on the swing, swing bite

Early November Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - November 7, 2018

The low clear water of October is behind us as November brings cooler and higher water.

Significant recent rains has the river levels up on the local rivers including the Manistee, Betsie, Boardman and others. And with it should be another push of steelhead. Water levels are going to get a bit stained but that can be a good thing.

As water temps settle into the mid to upper 40’s look for fish to be in all kinds of water. Fresh fish moving through the river will be in the soft seams ascending the river where a mix of fresh and hold-over fish will be in the holes. With a few salmon still around look for the dark water downstream of them as well as vacant gravel to funnel any eggs drifting downstream to steelhead looking for an easy meal.

Egg patterns are ideal but a nymph bite continues to get stronger with steelhead buggers, bigger stoneflies and caddis producing. This is the time of year to pull the two-handed rod out and over runs and fish near structure as fall fish are generally more focused on eating and will eat – sometimes even chase – a swung fly.

Trout are in a post-spawn mode and looking to eat streamers. Some days they will hunt the big tandem articulated streamer out of aggression, but smaller 3 to 4 – inch patterns seem to be more stable producers. Natural looking sculpin and baitfish patterns are a great place to start but if the water is stained or has lots of leaves in it, try fishing something with a little flash to help it stand out. With the cooler water, slow your presentation down a little bit and even consider using a lighter sink-tip line.

Good luck.

Ted

Fall Steelhead – Fall colors include chrome Steelhead until Winter gets here.
Fall Trout Combo – Target both steelhead and trout (streamers) on the lower Manistee
2019 Fishing – It isn’t too early to get next year’s fishing dates secured – booking through October

egg patterns, fall steelhead, manistee river, michigan steelhead fishing., steelhead fishing, streamer fishing, swung fly, tippy dam, trout, two-handed rod

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Posts tagged "fall steelhead"

Early November Fishing Report

Late October Fishing Report

End of August Fishing Report

Mid-November Fishing Report

Early November Fishing Report

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