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Posts tagged "indicators"

Early December Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - December 6, 2017

While fall was pretty mild with some cold days mixed in, it looks like those days are gone as winter has shown itself. With the white stuff falling outside the window and the long term forecast not calling for temps to be above freezing, anglers will have to look for their windows of opportunity to fish comfortably.

Steelhead fishing has remained mixed – doing good one day, not so good the next which seemed to be the theme for the fall run. There are a good number of fish in the system and they are scattered throughout river systems. As water temps drop into the upper 30s, the fish are mostly taking up residence in the slower water to the side of the bubble line.  Swung flies in and around structure have been working as are flies presented on float and indicator rigs.  Bottom bouncing/duck and chuck will work too, but the fish are starting to get lethargic and picky. Small, natural egg patterns on the smaller waters like the Betsie have been working where some larger eggs in bolder color patterns have been the theme on larger river systems like the Manistee.

Trout fishing this fall wasn’t what it normally is for the time of year but the streamer angler casting mid-sized streamers on presenting them a little slower in the cold water can get some good fish to eat. Yellow streamers, natural sculpin and baitfish patterns are great themes to start with but as always mix up the pattern and presentation.

Good luck.

Ted

Fall Steelhead – As fall continues, so does our Steelhead season, into December or until the weather says no more.
Trout/Steelhead – The lower Manistee offers good streamer fishing for trout in late Fall for a combo of species.
Gift Certificates – With the Holiday Season near, give or ask for the gift of time on the water or a lesson.

Betsie, egg pattersn, fall steelhead, fly fishing steelhead, indicators, manistee, sculpin streamers, steelhead, swung fly

Early November Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - November 1, 2017

After a week of high water, levels are starting to return to normal and clarity is reasonable on local rivers, however they are still stained. At first glance it seems that the water is real dirty but it has a significant amount of transparency to it where large and bold flies are no longer our top choice. More natural sized egg patterns seemed to be preferred by the steelhead, especially if you are fishing near vacant spawning gravel. A few coho and the occasional king/chinook are still around and the water directly below them is always worthy of some casts.

A number of fish moved through the Manistee and Betsie river systems and provided some good fishing some days and other days decent fishing. With water temps slowly dropping but still ideal, the fish are a handful once hooked. Fish are starting to settle into holes and around some wood – especially those fish that have been hooked or pressured; indicators and swung flies are reasonable presentations right now as the egg drop and corresponding egg bite starts to decline.

Good luck

Ted

Fall Steelhead – October, November and into December, these fish will bend your rod like no other – experience it.
Trout/Steelhead – The lower Manistee offers good streamer fishing for trout in late Fall for a combo of species.

Betsie, coho, egg drop, egg patterns, indicators, manistee, salmon egg, steelhead fishing, swung flies

Winter Mode – Steelhead Fishing and Fly Tying

Posted by Ted Kraimer - January 20, 2013

Winter is bouncing back and forth between mild and severe offering decent windows of opportunity when the temps are comfortable.  There are steelhead in the local rivers with a mix of fresh and winter fish in all systems including the Manistee, Betsie and Boardman.  The thaws and rains over the past couple of weeks helped bump water levels up which mixed the fish a little bit moving them around as well as inspiring a few fresh fish to enter the rivers.

Water levels are normal for winter steelheading and rather than typical gin-clear water, there is just a little color to it which is good. Since the fish in the systems are mixed, you will find that the increases in water shuffled the deck so to speak and this will help to keep the fish from being overly stale which can be a problem this time of year as they tend to hibernate in the deep, slow water. Water temps are running in the mid-30s.  The drag-free drift is most important this time of year as the fish are demanding. Egg patterns this time of year do a decent job of catching fish and their attention so if heading out be sure to fish a tandem rig with very realistic looking nymphs like hex, caddis, and small mayflies.  Presentations under an indicator/float is a good idea this time of year to help with the subtle take but also to help you suspend your flies above structure. Look for the inside of seams to be more productive throughout the winter.

The forecast isn’t calling for any warm-ups and should the weather service remain true to its prediction you might find the cold of January is a great time to tie some flies or read a book on fishing. Some old and new favorite books of mine include: Mayflies – Top to Bottom by Shane Stalcup, Dynamic Nymphing by George Daniel, The River Home by Jerry Dennis and Bonefishing  by Randall Kaufman. Check your local fly shop, club or group for fly tying classes this winter – it’s a great way to spend a cold, dark night thinking about fish, filling your  fly box and learning more about flies and fishing.

Good luck,

Ted

Winter Special: Take advantage of warm-ups this winter! 5 hours of fishing and lunch – $250
Gift Certificates: Ask for or give the gift of a guide trip or casting lesson. It’s a quick and easy gift! Click here.
Spring Steelhead: Mid-March isn’t that far away – get your dates secured and reserve your place in the boat.
– – Currently Booking for all 2013 Seasons – –

current works, fly tying, hex, indicators, manistee, manistee river, michigan, nymph, nymphing, steelhead, ted kraimer

December Steelhead and Trout Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - December 13, 2012

With Winter pretty much set in, it’s time to fish like it. Steelhead numbers remain decent in the Manistee river but few fish are in the Betsie. Water levels and clarity are in step with the season – that is low and clear and it’s the stealthy angler who will have the odds in their favor in these conditions. As the steelhead are tucked away in  the deep and slow holes be sure to target that water and on those rare days when the sun is out, look for fish to be in tail-outs actually sunning themselves. You will also find some fish near bubble lines close to slow moving water and in and around wood making suspended flies under floats/indicators ideal. Swung flies on  heavy sink-tips work well in these conditions, too, as water temperatures hover  around 40 degrees; look for an undulating spey or streamer pattern to peel some fish from the wood.

The trout fishing below Tippy Dam is picking up now that they are not solely eating eggs in various stages – look for midge, scudsow bug and small mayfly/bwo patterns to accommodate an egg pattern on your tandem nymph rig. Slow sinking streamers with lots of action make for some good streamer fishing this time of year for some of the bigger fish looking to put the feed bag on before Winter really sets in hard – just remember to move the fly slower this time of year as water temps remain cold.

Happy Holidays and Good Luck!

Ted

— The Winter/Holiday newsletter just went out – click here to read and/or subscribe —

Winter Special: Take advantage of warm-ups this winter! 5 hours of fishing and lunch – $250
Gift Certificates: Ask for or give the gift of a guide trip or casting lesson. It’s a quick and easy gift! Click here.
Spring Steelhead: Mid-March isn’t that far away – get your dates secured and reserve your place in the boat.
– – Currently Booking for all 2013 Seasons – –

betsie river fishing, indicators, manistee river, river, spey, streamers, swung flies, trout, winter steelhead

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Fish & Seasons

Fall Steelhead Manistee River

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King Salmon Fly Fishing - Betsie River Near Traverse City

Salmon

Bluegill, Panfish and Bass Fly Fishing on Local Lakes Near Traverse City

Bluegill / Panfish / Bass

Fly fishing for smallmouth bass Manistee River and Northern Michigan Lakes

Smallmouth Bass

Trout Fishing Manistee River near Traverse City Michigan

Trout

Carp Fishing West Grand Traverse Bay

Golden Bones / Carp

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

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