Posts tagged "fry patterns"

Late April Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - April 23, 2018

Boy what a difference a week makes. While last week had us thinking we were stuck in winter, the past few days have us thinking spring. Sunny skies and warmer temperatures has the water warming up just a bit after all that run-off from the snow increased water levels but kept the temp near 40 degrees on the Manistee below Tippy Dam with smaller rivers like the Betsie warming up into the mid-40s.

Water levels are ideal and have a nice stain to them making black flies stick out a little bit in the conditions. With stoneflies flying around it’s a good time to pull those out of the fly box again and tie them on. Caddis and fry patterns have taken some fish also. Egg patterns that have been working include smaller clown patterns and natural looking patterns like nuke eggs.

With the warmer water on the smaller rivers increasing so did a nice number of fish. The Manistee didn’t get as many fresh fish but there are still pre-spawn, spawning and post spawn fish around to play the game. Focus on migratory slots and the pocket water near spawning gravel for your best fishing.

This Saturday is the official start of Trout season throughout the state – for those headed out for “Opener” to keep with traditions, good luck and think streamers more than dry flies until the water warms up a bit more. With the warmer weather some of the smaller rivers could reach the critical low 50’s in time to trigger some Hendricksons but I would guess we are a good 10 days behind.

Good luck!

Ted

Steelhead & Trout Combo – The first two weeks in May can offer steelhead in the morning and trout after noon.
Trout – Reliable hatches begin in May for surface activity. It’s also a great time to fish streamers for bigger trout.
Learn How – Take a 1/2 day trip with the goal of learning how to fly fish or improve, customized to your interests.

betsie river, caddis, fly fishing steelhead michigan, fry patterns, hendricksons, manistee, steelhead fishing, stoneflies, streamers, tippy dam steelhead fishing, trout season

Early March Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - March 1, 2018

March is here and so is an early start to the spring steelhead fishing. The winter – at times – has been just that – winter, but there have been plenty of thaws along the way pretty much leaving us without any snow, ice-free rivers and a favorable forecast.

River levels on the Manistee and Betsie are up a bit with some stain but that is pretty much normal for this time of year as some run-off works its way through the river systems kick-starting things. With the rising water levels and increased water temps, combined with a few days of sunshine, the steelhead are a little restless. Fish that have wintered over are moving around throughout river systems and getting closer to gravel sections but are still hanging out in the nearby deeper holes with a little less current moving through them. Fresh fish will trickle through the systems offering a mix bag of fish – from colored up winter fish to bright chromers.

With water temps still in the upper 30s, drag-free/Indicator and bottom-bounce presentations are your best bet. As is normally the case for late winter and spring steelheading, an egg pattern fished with a nymph is a great one-two approach. Egg patterns in orange combinations along with chartreuse combinations are ideal in the stained conditions. For nymphs, look for black stoneflies, caddis and alevin to produce.

Don’t put your snow shovels away just yet, but definitely get your fishing equipment out.

Good luck.

Ted

Spring Steelhead – Now through April, get on the water for Spring’s first opportunity to bend the rod.
Trout – Reliable hatches begin in May for surface activity and it’s also a great time for fishing streamers.
Learn How – Take a 1/2 day trip with the goal of learning how to fly fish or improve, customized to your interests.

betsie river, black stone fly pattern, caddis, fishing report, fry patterns, manistee, march fly fishing, michigan, spring steelhead, steelhead, trout

April Steelhead Fishing Report – Manistee and Betsie Rivers

Posted by Ted Kraimer - April 8, 2017

Despite rain and some fluctuations in the water and weather, the steelhead fishing was a little slower than the previous weeks on the Manistee and Betsie rivers. While we are still catching fish, we are working harder and finding fewer – especially on those sunny days that tend to be more crowded.

The steelhead that either held-over since fall or trickled into the river through winter had provided a nice surplus of fish to play with but once the water stayed in the 40s, they hit the gravel and returned back to the lake. Except for those fish that ended up on a stringer. Keep in mind and spread the word – these fish can return multiple years if we let them; harvesting fish simply reduces the quality of our steelhead fishery in respect to both the size of fish and the number of them.

Water levels are up a bit, but not out of character for this time of year. With water temps in the 40s we are seeing more stoneflies on the warmer days and the natural sized egg patterns in realistic colors have increased in effectiveness. Other egg patterns that have been working include: clown eggs, rag eggs in Sockeye/Dark Roe and Golden Nugget Bling/Burnt Orange. Nymphs: Green Caddis, R2D2 Stones, Small Black Stones and fry patterns.

With water temps rising, it’s time to start thinking about trout as an alternative to steelhead fishing. The next two months can be some of the best streamer fishing for brown trout on local rivers.

The MI-DNR has released their trout “management” plan and are seeking comments – if interested, you can read by clicking here.

Good luck.

Ted

May Fishing – Trout, late steelhead, hatches, streamer fishing, bluegill on lakes – don’t overlook fishing in May.
Trout – The hatches of late May lead into June making for some of the year’s best dry fly fishing – don’t miss out.
2017 Fishing – Plan your year around your fishing – get your dates on the calendar, life will fit in around it.

betsie river, black stone fly pattern, black stoneflies, fonzi fry, fry patterns, green caddis for steelhead, MI_DNR, steelhead, steelhead fishing, steelhead flies, tippy dam

Spring Steelhead Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - March 29, 2016

UPDATE – April 1: After significant rains on Thursday river levels have increased significantly and are still on the rise making wading difficult in most places and the water stained. Use caution if heading out. One positive, the warmer rain should bring a nice of fish into the rivers over the next couple off weeks.

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Not a lot has changed since the last fishing report. Steelhead remain the focus of anglers looking to get into the Spring spirit with longer days and warmer(?) temps.

After the warm-up a few weeks ago, the fish that wintered over joined some fresh fish and moved upstream in both the Manistee and Betsie rivers making for some good days of fishing. Since then, the weather has been up and down for us with some cold nights, sunny days, snow, rain, etc. – just like March is supposed to be like – and leaving the water up but not too high. While stained, the water is still more than fishable with temperatures hovering in the low 40s.

While some new fish continue to trickle into the rivers, majority of the fish have a little color to them and are staging and getting ready to spawn. After a warm rain look for things to change. But with the forecast, look for conditions to be similar which looks like it will remain a nice prolonged spring steelhead season.

Look for fish in the pocket water near spawning gravel, secondary bubble lines and deep holes. My preferred set-up has been a decent sized egg (#6 ) in orange variations and clown (heavy chartreuse), with a nymph dropper –steelhead caddis, early stoneflies and fry patterns working best.

Don’t forget new fishing licenses are required beginning Friday April 1, 2016

Good luck!

Ted

The Spring Newsletter just went out – click here to read and/or sign up for delivery.

May Fishing – It’s not far away and it’s a great month for streamer and dry fly fishing for Trout.
Big Bugs – The month of June is the month of Big Bugs – Isonychias, Brown Drakes and the Hex – got dates?
2016 Dates – Now booking for the entire fishing season: trout, carp, bass, salmon and fall Steelhead.

caddis, fry patterns, manistee and betsie river, manistee river, steelhead, stoneflies

Mid-April Steelhead Report – Manistee River

Posted by Ted Kraimer - April 14, 2015

Last week was bizarre – the steelhead came before the rain and then the rain came and has left us wondering where the fish are in the Manistee River. A few days last week fished really well with some big, bright fish playing along nicely, but lately, they have been mostly shy.

The water came up – but not too much – and the water clarity has gone from that greenish color to more of an opaque tan as the water from the Pine River above Tippy dam flushes through. Without much rain in the forecast, look for the water to clear quicker than normal for this time of year. The river currently has about 2 feet of visibility – which is enough when you consider the nature of spring steelhead’s desire to move for a fly and the temperature is in the mid-40s. Some fish are on gravel, others are moving through and others are in pocket water near gravel getting ready to do their chore. Few fresh male fish are around so look for them to come in the weeks ahead as well as more females which should mostly likely migrate after the next rain.

The best flies lately have been green caddis, stones, Fry Patterns and eggs in Golden Nugget/Burnt Orange combos and Chartreuse/Orange rag eggs. Since the water is dirtier, I have been mixing up the sizes of the flies going larger and darker as the sun comes out. With the PM and Muskegon near unfishable with high water, more boats than normal have been on the water.

Good luck,

Ted

Open April Dates: 24 & 26th

Spring Steelhead – From mid-March through early May on the Manistee and Betsie. Few dates available.
September Salmon – Dates are limited for fishing the Betsie River in early Sept. and later on the Manistee.
2015 Fishing – It isn’t too early to get your fishing trips planned for the year. Booking all species/seasons.

big manistee, caddis, fry patterns, green caddis, manistee fishing report, manistee river, rag eggs, spring steelhead, steelhead, tippy dam

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