Posts tagged "fry pattern"

Late March Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - March 26, 2023

As March winds down, we find ourselves in a unique situation with the steelhead.

Not much has changed since the last report as we still have had back and forth weather including some storm systems that have left some snow on the ground, but then bright sunny days to melt it soon after.

A lot of spawning has taken place on the Manistee and Betsie Rivers over the past 10 days by the steelhead that were hold-overs from fall and those that came in over the winter. With relatively clear and low water, the strong pushes of fresh fish have been more of a trickle until flows change. The 6-10 inches of snow we received yesterday and how it melts should change things going forward in regard to color and height and making it more appealing for fresh fish to head upstream.

The fish are spread throughout river systems and can be found in all sorts of water. In the clear water, fish have been in the dark holes, pocket water and runs near gravel. Seems the fish are spawning mostly at night and low-light hours as the water has been clear enough to see fish if they were out. Tail outs will provide a crack at fresh fish moving through and some fish have been holding over in the big, deep holes, too.

With more eggs in the water, the egg pattern and bead bite has improved but a lot of fish are still coming on the nymph. Caddis and small stones have been fishing strong, but some bigger stones have been taking some fish too. The fry bite should take off any day but so far there hasn’t been many salmon fry seen in the shallow water so it’s a matter of days before they become productive for the steelhead.

Good luck.

Ted

2023 Fishing – Get your dates secured to ensure your time on the water. Booking all seasons.
Trout – May’s streamer & dry fly fishing turns to the big bugs of June. Good dates to choose from.
Fall Steelhead – Just a few prime steelhead dates remain available in 2023 – finish the fishing season strong.

betsie river, caddis, egg patterns, fry pattern, manistee river, michigan, steelhead, steelhead fishing report, stoneflies for steelhead, stonefly

Early March Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - March 1, 2022

Now that it’s the first of March, it’s time to start thinking about fishing again!

It’s been a pretty cold winter with a few mild days mixed in to help keep the snowpack reduced. These mini run-off situations gave some bumps to the water levels which encouraged a few steelhead to come into the local rivers like the Manistee, Bear Creek and the Betsie. Water temps have been pegged in the mid-30s with, but with overnight temps staying in the double digits, things will slowly warm and fishing will only improve.

This time of a year the sun can come out just enough to help warm the water up just a bit. But if it is too warm and causes run-off from melting snow, the water temp usually drops making fish that tend to be lethargic even more so, and a little grumpy too. As we get a few warm-up cycles, look for fishing to improve, especially on the smaller rivers that tend to fluctuate quicker (think warmer) than bigger rivers.

Dead-drift egg and nymph combinations are your best bet this time of year, especially in some of the deeper slower moving water where a lot of the fall and winter hold over fish have taken up residence. The fish are shuffling around a little with the days getting longer with some steelhead starting to stage near the gravel sections of rivers. If you are fishing near gravel where salmon spawned in the fall, don’t hesitate to fish Alevin or even Fry patterns as these are starting to become active. Small (#10 and 12) Green Caddis in clear water can be real effective this time of year, too.

If you are looking to get fired up about fishing, check out the Fly Fishing Film Tour (FT3) this Saturday, March 5th, hosted by The Northern Angler at The City Opera House here in Traverse City.

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.

alevin pattern, betsie river, egg patterns, fly fishing guide, fonzi fry, fry pattern, green caddis, manistee river steelhead fishing, steelhead fishing, traverse city, traverse city fly fishing

Early April Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - April 2, 2021

With the start of April behind us, anglers are finding water levels on the Manistee and Betsie uncharacteristically low and clear for this time of year. The region hasn’t received any significant rain yet this year and the snow melt has been gone for over a month. Without the rivers rising and being stained, the steelhead migration has been more of trickle than a “run”.

The fall fish that wintered over and those that came throughout the winter have already performed their spawning and moved back to the lake. There are a lot of empty gravel beds which should help with wild fish reproduction rates – all of our rivers could stand a population increase. Fishing has been tough as we continue to experience more anglers and less fish. Sure helps make the case for catch and release for those that don’t practice it.

With the water being clear, lighter line and smaller flies have been working better than the bigger and bolder patterns. Eggs and beads in smaller sizes and natural color schemes (orange-ish) have been working better than others. The green caddis tied in size 8 and 10 have been working well and the fry bite is starting to take place as more juvenile salmon fry are swimming around clueless – the fry bite is one of the more aggressive takes while nymphing. Don’t forget your black stones and hex nymphs.

The long-term weather forecast is calling for more of the same – dry conditions and mild temps. With the water in the low 40’s it might be a good thing that we don’t have a big push of water as the steelhead run would likely be condensed to a short 5 day event. As it looks, it will be a long, slow trickle of fish, until any appreciable rain and runoff takes place.

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

betsie river, egg patterns, fonzi fry, fry pattern, green caddis, guide trips, hex pattern, manistee river, steelhead patterns, tippy dam

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

Spring? Kind of – Fly Fishing Report 3/22/13

Posted by Ted Kraimer - March 22, 2013

The calendar says its Spring but one look outside confirms winter is hanging around. The forecast is calling for a bit of a break from freezing temperatures and a little sunshine which will improve both the steelhead fishing and catching as water temps slightly increase and the ice doesn’t build in the rod tip.

The rain and partial thaw two weeks ago really set up some good pre-spawn conditions. Most of the winter fish in the Manistee have staged near gravel sections and can be found in the deeper slots, holes and pools as they get ready for water temps to further increase to do their thing. The increase in water also brought in some fresh fish from the lake to add some chrome to the mix with lots more to come over the next month. A number of fish moved through the Betsie River system after the rain and there are fish scattered throughout the system – look for another increase in water flow to really make for another push of fish – the Betsie typically some of its best fishing in March as fish migrate upstream.

Water clarity is ideal with a slight stain and water temps are in the mid-30’s. A little sun can have a nice impact on water temps and the fish — look for those afternoon windows to get some fishing in. Flies of choice are the usual suspects – egg patterns (clown, orange variations of Nuke eggs, chartreuse glo bugs and rag in various colors) tied in tandem with caddis, stones, Alevins/Fry, steelhead buggers and hex nymphs.

Good Luck,

Ted

There is a new group with the intent of getting the act of chumming banned (throwing fish eggs above likely holding steelhead lies before fishing). Become more informed and lend your support if you are in agreement.

Spring Steelhead – From mid-March through April. Some dates still available in April – schedule yours today.
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.

alevins, betsie river, fly fishing report, fry pattern, manistee river, spring steelhead, steelhead

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