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Posts tagged "manistee river fishing"

Late July Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - July 28, 2021

After some heavy rain last weekend our local rivers came up significantly but have dropped again and are close to average flows/heights for this time of year. The clarity is still running with a bit of a stain to them but are more than fishable, for now – if the rain we get tonight occurs, we will be back to higher, stained water leaving most of the fish with full bellies from eating everything getting washed downstream making fishing a little tougher than it should be for this time of year.

The Tricos have showed up mid-morning most days but some days it’s a short and brief hatch, other days longer; both scenarios bringing up the smaller fish with the occasional surprise on the end of the line. Isonychias are still hatching very sporadically this time of year and the fish are still responding to them surprisingly well considering how few are hatching. Light Cahills are also around, but I rarely have seen a fish eat one over the years so they aren’t my first choice in patterns – they must taste bad.

This time of year is also what I refer to as the “Foam and Rubber Hatch” – that is terrestrials and attractor patterns made with foam bodies and rubber legs that wiggle, twitch and shake bringing the fish to the surface. Grasshopper fishing gets a lot of attention in this sport this time of year, but frankly put – I don’t see too many natural hoppers on waters like the upper Manistee. These bigger hoppers fished with a twitch can still be productive, just not sure they are taking them as hoppers vs. something big and gangly on the surface.

The lake fishing has slowed down on the brighter days fishing for bluegills and the bass seem to have gone deep except for the low light of the a.m., evening, or rare cloudy day. Poppers slowly and patiently twitched, gurgled or even popped with long rests afterward have had some fish near weed beds and drop offs eat. And a few gills are just finishing up what is likely to be their last spawning in the shallows on certain lakes and ponds for some surface activity.

Good luck.

Ted

Trout Fishing – July and August is Terrestrial and Trico time! Start the day off casting to brook and brown trout
and get back to the family for lunch time – it’s a great way to start the day when in Northwest Michigan.
Learn to Fly Fish – Tailor a half-day trip to learning how to fly fish –perfect for beginners.
Fall Steelhead – Some good dates remain in November and into December.

bass fishing, bluegill fishing, isonychias, manistee river fishing, traverse city fly fishing, tricos, trout fishing traverse city

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

September Salmon and Trout Fishing

Posted by Ted Kraimer - September 9, 2019

With September well underway, anglers are finding salmon in a number of the local rivers. These fish are migratory and with the inconsistent weather (think shifting winds) the run has been truncated and some days are better than others as these fish work their way upstream.

The Betsie has been really busy as this natural reproducing fishery gets started before most others – thankfully a recent increase in DNR patrolling is just starting to have its effect and keeping some “anglers” away. Or maybe fishing in the dark hours. They are fish, not status symbols, folks, and yes they are big, but respect the resource and try to show a hint of sportsmanship including courtesy when on the water. And pick up your trash.

With salmon drawing a lot of attention, the trout rivers have pretty much been abandoned. September is a nice time to be on the water as summer and terrestrial fishing winds down. Brook trout are starting to show the most vibrant colors as they approach spawning. Fishing wets and small streamers for the bigger brown trout are regaining their effectiveness as the fishing pressure has been light for a few weeks. Always have some small brown flying ants this time of year as when they show up on the water, fish go nuts for them. Also have some BWO’s as you never know when you might have some match the hatch fishing.

Good luck.

Ted

Salmon/September – No salmon or trout dates are available this September, sorry.
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, fishing guide, manistee river fishing, salmon, streamer fishing trout, trout fishing traverse city
About Ted Kraimer Fishing Guide

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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

King Salmon Fly Fishing - Betsie River Near Traverse City

Salmon

Fall Steelhead Manistee River

Steelhead

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

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