Posts tagged "guide"

Late March Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - March 20, 2021

Spring officially has started which typically means cold nights and the promise of warmer days. And Spring Steelhead.

The local rivers – Manistee and Betsie – have been providing some fish but with the lack of rain/run-off, it’s been a case of earned fish rather than easy fishing. Yes, easy steelhead fishing does occur from time to time. Water temps are in the low 40s and are bouncing around with temperature swings that can range 30 degrees in a day.

As these fish migrate upstream to spawn, many are staging in areas near spawning gravel waiting for conditions to be just right. Look for fish in the holes near gravel or runs between holes. Some fish have begun spawning which should take place for another month or so. With angling pressure increasing, look for fish to seek shelter in secondary spots, specifically around the structure of log jams.

Some little black stone flies have been emerging which makes it a great pattern to fish when tied in tandem with an egg or bead. If the water becomes too colored/stained, the smaller stonefly is hard to see and larger patterns are suggested. Green Caddis, Hex Nymphs and Steelhead Buggers are all great pattern choices right now.

Please keep in mind that Steelhead will return to Lake Michigan after spawning and come back even bigger next year if you allow them to, not only making for bigger fish, but also more fish. MI-DNR was unable to collect eggs in 2020 to support their supplemental spawning program in 2021– this season it is more important than ever to limit your harvest to help the fishery absorb this loss. The steelhead population, simply put, is not infinite.

Limit Your Kill
– All Trips Remain Catch and Release –

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, green cadds, guide, little black stonefly, manistee river fishing, MI-DNR Steelhead, steelhead, steelhead fishing

Early December Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - December 3, 2015

It’s December, but the rivers are acting like it’s still November thanks to a mild fall. After some significant rainfall last week (it would have been a lot of snow!) and a bit more since, the rivers came up but have since dropped to just above normal for this time of year.

With the rain came a “shuffling of the deck” – that is, the steelhead moved around throughout the river systems. Steelhead are scattered throughout the Manistee system and can be found in a mix of water types as they begin to transition into a late fall/early winter pattern. Fresh fish that are migrating up with the water will remain in the bubble lines and cross-overs where fish that have been in the system are starting to make the deeper water of holes their preferred residence. Look for fish to move towards structure as they get into a winter pattern as water temps drop. Thankfully the majority of the rain that fell last Thursday was warm leaving the water in the low 40s.

This is a good time of year to target the steelhead with a number of different techniques including floats/indicators, bottom bouncing/Duck-and-Chuck, and swung flies as you can target a variety of water. Eggs still are working but a nymph bite has become stronger. As for swung flies: brown with copper and Olive with gold have been working.

Trout fishing remains an option for those looking to extend their season especially with the mild temperatures. Conditions below Tippy Dam remain good for those looking to fish streamers for some chunky browns and the occasional steelhead. White baitfish patterns like Dirty Hippies – Rainbow, CF Minnows – Rainbow, and Half and Halfs in gray/white/grizzly have been producing.

Good luck,

Ted

Late Trout – Brown trout fishing into late December can be some of the best streamer fishing of the year.
Fall Steelhead – Look for fishing to continue through December for steelhead on the Manistee River.
Gift Certificates – With the holidays just around the corner consider giving or asking for some time on the water.

eggs, fall steelhead, guide, nymphs, steelhead fishing, streamer, swinging flies for steelhead, tippy dam, trout

End of Winter? Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - March 11, 2015

Winter has finally loosened its death grip on us as warmer and longer days, sunshine, and daylight savings time all converged having us feeling like Spring isn’t that far away.

Often when the weather gets warm and the snow melts at this time of year, many of us head to the river looking to shake the cabin fever and find some fish. While there are some, there aren’t many steelhead in the Manistee and Betsie rivers right now. The less than average fall run didn’t provide a lot of fish to winter-over and with many of the rivers iced over in the lower sections, the typical trickle of migrating fish throughout winter didn’t happen. So, while you still have a chance to catch fish right now, look for the runs to build as river ice disappears and water temps continue to warm up and pre-spawn fish migrate upstream.

The forecast calls for most nights to be below freezing which will help keep the run-off manageable. Water levels have increased and has a little stain to it which is common for this time of year. Regardless of whether you are wading or in a boat right now, keep an eye out for large chunks of ice drifting downstream. Waiting until the sun is out to warm up the water can make a difference this time of year let alone eliminate the black ice in parking lots and on boat ramps.

Look for fish to be in the slower water/holes and also tail-outs where they sun themselves if fishing pressure isn’t too high. It’s a good time of year to fish attractor egg patterns and larger nymphs like hex patterns. With fall’s salmon’s eggs hatching into fish, alevin and fry patterns should be a given time as we wait for the first black stonefly activity which should begin any day.

Good luck.

Ted

The MI-DNR is conducting an inland trout angler survey. This is a great opportunity to provide some
information that might be considered in development of their management plan. Click here to take the survey.

Spring Steelhead – From mid-March through early May on the Manistee and Betsie. Some 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.

alevin, betsie river, black stonefly, egg patterns, flly fishing report, fry patterns, guide, guide trips, manistee river, steelhead, steelhead fishing

Winter / Late Fall Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - November 24, 2014

After our first (and hopefully last) polar vortex of the season came through dropping the air temperature and lots of snow, the weather this weekend became a little more typical of what the November offers. Most of the snow has melted although there are still some traces. Well, until the next snow comes which is forecast for this week.

In addition to the run-off from the snow and the rains we just received the river levels are running a bit high and with some color to them. It appears that over the past two weeks a few more steelhead have moved into local rivers like the Manistee and Betsie and I imagine the other rivers in Northwest Michigan. As water temperatures drop, look for steelhead to be in the deeper water and in the tail-outs surrounded with wood as fish start to take to their winter residence. It is a good time to fish some realistic nymphs as drag free as possible along with an egg (think about using an indicator or float). Swinging flies is still appropriate for those looking to use their two-handed rods as water temps are in the upper 30s; the warm rain should help offset the cold run-off.

Trout fishing continues to be decent to good for those looking to fish streamers despite the cooler weather. As the fish prepare for winter themselves, they are putting on the feedbag a bit. Really big streamers have taken some really big fish, but it’s the mid-sized streamer (size 2-6) that have been catching all sizes of fish. Mix up your colors after the olive, white, and copper/brown patterns aren’t working.

Just a reminder – firearms deer season continues until Nov. 30 so wear some bright clothing on the river for safety.

Good luck and Happy Thanksgiving.

Ted

Trout – Streamer fishing on the Manistee into winter an be hot when temps gets cold.
Fall Steelhead– This big fish will continue to offer us a chance until the weather keeps us indoors.
Gift Certificates – Give or ask for a gift certificate; trips or lessons available. Quick & easy holiday shopping
2015 Fishing – It isn’t too early to get your dates booked for next year – now booking for all seasons.

Betsie, guide, mansitee, michigan, northwest michigan, steelhead, streamer, swinging flies, trout fishing

It’s November – Fall Steelhead Fishing

Posted by Ted Kraimer - November 1, 2013

The fall steelhead fishing on the Manistee has been inconsistent lately – doing well for a few days in a row and then experiencing a slow one. When its on, its on! Lots of weather systems have been through northern Michigan over the past week and even some snow fell between the rain showers which may have had something to do with the fish’s attitude. The recent rains brought the water up and should continue to bring fresh fish from the lake – there are fish from the dam to the lake. The report on the Betsie River is that there are some steelhead scattered throughout the river and a few scraggly salmon on gravel making the dark water behind them a great place to start fishing for the chrome ones. After the significant rainfall at the end of last week, most of the Betsie is running dark – be careful wading.

When fishing below Tippy dam, natural eggs and small, natural nymphs like pheasant tails and baetis are working on the pressured steelhead and brown trout. In the lower sections bigger, brighter egg patterns fished in tandem with larger nymphs and small streamers have been the ticket lately – it seems that the “bugger bite” has improved significantly since the last report. Each day is different and this is only a reference as to what has been working for us. To read the Top Five Steelhead Flies article, click here.

With the water temps hovering around 50 degrees and fresh fish around, this is a great time to swing a big fly for steelhead. Olives and tan/brown patterns with lots of gold and copper flash would be a great place to start and always have a black pattern on deck and ready to go.

Good luck,

Ted

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, fall steelhead fishing, guide, manistee steelhead fishing, Northern Michigan, steelhead flies, tippy dam

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