Spring Steelhead Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - March 30, 2018

Steelhead fishing had been pretty solid for the past couple of weeks but with the increased pressure and lack of significant rainfall/runoff to bring up new fish, the numbers of fish in the rivers like the Betsie and Manistee are less than what we would expect for this time of year and the ones in there have gotten wise to our antics.

The rain we received earlier in last week stained the smaller rivers in the region but that’s ideal. The Big Manistee is running clear below Tippy Dam almost unprecedentedly for this time of year. Smaller diameter fluorocarbon lines are the key to helping the successful angler right now. Even though water temps are right around 40 degrees, the fish have been much stronger than usual when hooked sometimes causing that lighter line break. So much for the lethargic “alligator roll” that is typical in the colder water.

Orange egg patterns had been working the best with Chartreuse combinations a close second and in smaller sizes (#8). The more productive nymph has been the green caddis in size 8 and 10, black steelhead/ice buggers a second. As always, mix it up if your patterns aren’t working.

Some fish have started to spawn while most are in the pre-spawn stage surrounding the dark slots and deeper holes near gravel. But they are steelhead so they play by their rules and can also be found in some migratory slots and routes as they ascend the river.

Just a reminder – new fishing licenses are required April 1. Also April 1, certain sections of certain rivers (Little Manistee & Platte) have an early opening season.

As always, good luck.

Ted

The Spring Newsletter just went out – click here to read and/or subscribe

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 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.

Early March Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - March 1, 2017

It seems that since the last report we have experienced winter, spring, winter, spring and winter again – which looks like it will be here for a few days.

Last weekend’s snow has come and gone as well as a gentle but consistent 30-hour rain earlier this week leaving water levels high and stained and likely to only get higher and dirtier in the days ahead on local rivers including the Manistee and Betsie Rivers. Here is a link to the USGS Michigan Stream Flow site for update river flow information.

With the increase of water also comes an advance of some fresh steelhead. Since water temps are still in the upper 30’s you can expect a mixed bag of winter and any fresh fish to co-mingle for a while before the steady pushes of fish come later in the month.

Because of the higher, dirty water, it’s time to increase your fly size to patterns more associated with the first of April rather than early March. Bigger Leeches / Buggers, large green caddis, sparkle stones, bold egg patterns in Clown, Dark Roe/Cerise, Chartreuse/Flame, and Better Than Spawn( B.T.S) fry would be good choices in conditions like this. Remember the classics from yesteryear like Springs Wiggler and Dr. Toms? Having some of these tied up in bright and/or sparkle colors can go a long ways in the spring.

Ideal presentations include nymphing under floats in moderate bubble lines as fish move out of the fast water and into secondary seams as well as the big, deep holes where drift/duck and chuck methods are ideal. It’s still early in the season but we should experience some better than usual fishing in March due to the thaws and rains. Looking outside the window as the snow piles up, it tells me it’s an ideal time to finish up tying this spring’s steelhead patterns until “spring” returns again next week.

Good luck.

Ted

Spring Steelhead – A mild winter should offer good fishing, early. A few dates remain in late March and April.
May Fishing – Trout, late steelhead, hatches, streamer fishing, bluegill on lakes – don’t overlook fishing in May.
2017 Fishing – Plan your year around your fishing – get your dates on the calendar, life will fit in around it.

Betsie, buggers, egg patterns, fishing guide, fly fishing manistee, ice bugger, Manistee below Tippy Dam, michigan river flow, springs wiggler, steelhead fishing, stelhead, ted kraimer

Ice Bugger

Posted by Ted Kraimer - December 15, 2015

Ice Bugger – Effective on Steelhead, Salmon and Trout

Yet another variation of the effective wooly bugger, the Ice Bugger is simplified, is easier to tie and offers just a little bit more slink and suave motion than the original. The Ice Bugger isn’t a radical departure from the Steelhead Bugger – which was the influence when I was looking for a way to tie a bunch of effective flies, quickly – and ended up with this design.

While it isn’t the most creative fly or variation of an existing pattern that I have come up with, the Ice Bugger does speak for itself when in the water and what eats it. Originally I tied it for Salmon and Steelhead, I have since found it works well for Trout – typically fished swung with little strips back – especially when you add a black bead head and fish it on a floating line. When using this pattern on Steelhead and Salmon, fish it just about any way you would fish a nymph – dead drift, bottom bounce and/or under a float/strike indicator. To learn more about rigging for Steelhead and Salmon fishing, click here.

Option: Add a Bead Head to the Ice Bugger

The Ice Bugger suggests a number of food sources including leeches, but I think its real effectiveness comes from its profile and motion when wet – especially when fishing in some marginally slow water which really activates the materials. The iridescence of peacock Ice Dub – which the fly was named after – only adds to its appeal.

Tie a bunch of Ice Buggers and fill your box, but don’t over dress the fly – the streamlined and sparse amount of materials is imperative.

Recipe

Hook: TMC 3761 #6
Thread: Uni 6/0 – Black
Tail: Marabou, Blood Quill – Black
Flashabou – Black/Pearl
Body: Ice Dub – Peacock
Hackle: Hen Saddle – Black

Tying Instructions

Step 1. Wrap a thread base from behind the eye to above the hook point.

Step 2. Select a marabou feather and use some of the tip section by cutting just
enough of the tip from the feather. Pinch the fibers together (as it will look when wet)
to determine the proper amount. Use the photo in Step 3 as a reference as to how much.

Step 3. Tie in tail marabou feather so it extends one hook length beyond the tie in position.
Tie down the remainder of the feather on top of the shank to provide a little bulk for the underbody.

Step 4. Tie in a single strand of Flashabou on each side of the hook so it is no longer than the tail.

Step 5. Dub a noticeably tapered body towards the hook eye, but leaving a hook eye’s space bare for the hackle.

Step 6. Select a Hen Saddle feather from the pelt that is sized accordingly. Tie in at the tip.

Step 7. Holding the stem upward with light pressure, “fold” the fibers from both side of the step backwards by pinching them. Now, wrap a collar – one wrap in front of the other – until you get a full collar. Whip finish.

Finished Ice Bugger

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