Early October Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - October 7, 2023

Summer-like weather has come to an end after a few extra weeks of it which continued well into October.

The local rivers have been really low from a lack of rain, however today’s rain along with the rain in the forecast should really help get the local rivers into shape and get the fish moving. I am not sure I have ever seen the rivers this low at this time of year. Water temperatures, also, should get into seasonal form and drop into the 50s.

Salmon are all over the place in the local rivers (Manistee, Betsie, Platte). Because of the date/time of year and the warm water, the fish are pretty dark and busy doing their spawning ritual. It seems that there are a few more salmon around this year than in recent years which is a good thing. The more salmon in Lake Michigan usually means less pressure on the steelhead from the lake anglers which helps to bolster steelhead population. And more salmon in the river means more scent and eggs to coax steelhead upstream. A few steelhead have been moving up the river but mostly the juvenile skippers on their first return up the river.

Trout fishing was extended for those looking to fish some terrestrials thanks to the warm weather but now it’s time to pull out that 6 or 7 wt rod, sink tip lines and box full of streamers. It’s pre-spawn for the brown trout on most rivers and the fish can have an attitude and chase down a fly. Because our trout population is meager and mostly dependent on natural reproduction, please leave any visible spawning brown trout alone to help ensure a future fishery. Some rivers closed on October 1 so make sure your favorite section of water is still open before fishing it.

Regardless of where you are fishing or for what, you’ll find the trees well decorated in fall colors making for a great backdrop as you fish and wind down the season.

Good luck.

Ted

Fall Steelhead – Just a few dates in November remain available – finish the fishing season strong.
Spring Steelhead – Most of the season is booked – get your dates for March and April while you can.
2024 Fishing – Get your dates secured to ensure your time on the water. Booking all seasons thru August.

Betsie river fly fishing, caddis, egg patterns, fall steelhead, fly fishing guide, lake michigan, manistee river, Platte River, salmon fishing, salmon fly patterns, steelhead, tippy dam, traverse city, trout fishing, trout fishing with streamers

Late October Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - October 26, 2021

As October comes to an end, it almost feels like the end of September.

The past month was mild with overnight temps well above typical leaving the water temps at least 10 degrees warmer than normal. A second, late push of salmon never occurred as a lack of wind on Lake Michigan and a lack of rain and a swollen river seemed less inviting for them to come in. Some stragglers are still in local rivers like the Betsie and Manistee, but at this stage of their life, you might need a tetanus shot before handling one of these fish.

With the nicer weather and lack of river flow, steelhead numbers are less than what they should be for this time of year. Egg patterns and beads are still ideal, especially in the tail outs and seams below spawning gravel. Since water temps are in the mid-50s the fish will move to take a fly so it’s good to hold on tight as some times they pull pretty hard. Lighter line in the clear water provides an advantage over the thicker stuff but the fish definitely have the advantage.

With the salmon winding up their spawning, the steelhead are starting to look at food sources other than eggs; late October and November are a good time for those who like to swing a fly to do so. I suspect that this November’s fishing might be a little better with warmer water temps expected to hang around a little longer.

Good luck.

Ted

Fall Steelhead – Some good dates remain in the second half of November. Finish the season with some chrome.
2022– Booking next year’s fishing seasons through September. Don’t miss your favorite seasons and good dates!
Gift Certificates – Ask or give the gift of a lesson, half or full-day trip on the water.

betsie river, egg patterns, fall steelhead, fly fishing guide, lake michigan, manistee river, salmon, steelhead, tippy dam, traverse city

Late September Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - September 23, 2019

With Fall officially starting today it sure feels like we were in the middle of summer just last week with the 80-degree days. With a little color in some trees, it appears that fall is imminent.

The warm weather paused the migration of salmon on the local rivers, but the significant rains over the weekend and winds on Lake Michigan should restart the migration of King and Coho salmon as they feel comfortable moving up that increased river flow. Wading anglers will find the rivers higher and smaller rivers like the Betsie also dirty as some areas received over 4 inches of rain.

The warmer temperatures sure extended out terrestrial fishing on the trout rivers like the upper Manistee. Water temps are still around 60 degrees and the fish still looking up. Some BWOs and great olives are worth having in your box should a hatch occur, but tie on the bigger foam and rubber attractor and terrestrial patterns for what could be your last fix of dry fly fishing. The water had been too clear but with the rain there is some color to it. This is also the time that streamer fishing can be ideal for those looking to cover some water looking for the pre-spawn browns that have started to come out from cover after a long season of getting fished to.

Good luck.

Ted

Fall Steelhead – Good November and December dates remain open for these prized sport-fish.
2020 Fishing Season – We are booking dates through September of 2020 – don’t miss the prime times.

betsie river, big manistee river, coho salmon, dry fly fishing, king salmon, lake michigan, salmon, trout fishing, upper manistee trout fishing

Late September Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - September 19, 2016

As we approach the Fall Equinox it still feels like summer with warmer than normal temps and without those cool nights that say it’s fall.

Despite the warm weather some salmon have been moving into the local rivers, just not in the numbers we have come to expect after a few early runs in recent years. After the two previous year’s runs, some anglers are skeptical as to what this year will offer. So far the number of fish in rivers this year exceeds what we saw last year and once we get the cooler weather, N.W. winds, and some rain – the run should kick into high gear. The success of the charter boats on the lake help support our optimism.

The Platte has had decent Coho salmon move through it despite the water being so warm. The Betsie has had a consistent trickle of fish moving through it and the Manistee system is slowly building in numbers. Fish are often holding in the deep holes and waiting, too, for the weather to change before they hit the gravel.

The extended summer has given trout anglers a longer terrestrial season than ever expected on the upper Manistee and Boardman. From flying ants to grasshoppers, activity on the dry flies has been decent. Twitching big wet flies and small streamers on a floating line helps get the attention of those brook and brown trout that are feeling skeptical this far into the season of foam and rubber flies twitched on the surface. Have some large BWO patterns for any matching of the hatch opportunities and enjoy having the river pretty much all to yourself.

Good luck.

Ted

Salmon – A few dates remain for Salmon fishing on the Betsie River throughout September.
Late Summer Trout – Have the river to yourself fishing wets, dries, terrestrials and streamers.
Fall Steelhead – Starting in October, extending into December. Fall Color Tour includes Chrome!

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Mid-March Steelhead Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - March 17, 2016

Steelhead remain the primary target for anglers hitting the water right now. Really nice weather last week warmed the water temps up just a bit and that along with an increase in water volume moved some fish throughout the river systems. With water temps hovering around 40 degrees, the fall steelhead that wintered over and the fish that moved upstream throughout the winter have repositioned themselves upstream and are starting to stage in some of the deeper water/holes near spawning gravel waiting for ideal conditions to begin that process.

Some fresh steelhead from Lake Michigan have also moved upstream in both the Manistee and Betsie rivers – these fish can be scattered throughout the system as well as the water they are holding in. Look for seams/bubble lines for these migrating fish as well as traditional holding water like holes. With the volume of water, the fish are pulling pretty hard when hooked.

When the sun shines and the water warms up some, the little black stoneflies have become active making it an ideal fly pattern to tie on. Other flies that have been working lately include caddis, bold mixed-colored egg patterns and steely buggers.

Good luck,

Ted

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

Spring Steelhead – Good dates for March Steelhead fishing are still available.
May Fishing – It’s not far away and it’s a great month for streamer and dry fly fishing for Trout.
2016 Dates – Now booking for the entire fishing season: trout, carp, bass, salmon and fall Steelhead.

betsie river, black stone fly, caddis, lake michigan, manistee fishing, spawning, steelhead, steely bugger

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Posts tagged "lake michigan"

Early October Fly Fishing Report

Late October Fishing Report

Late September Fishing Report

Late September Fishing Report

Mid-March Steelhead Fishing Report

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

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