December Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - December 10, 2019

While we are officially still in Fall, there is no denying that we are in Winter once we step outside or even look out the window. And the fish know it, too.

Fishing has become tough the past couple weeks with water temps in the mid 30’s. If it is steelhead you are after, look for them to be in the darker, deeper holes/water just off the side of the main current seams.

Fish can be found in the Manistee and Betsie river systems, they are just spread out and it seems that their numbers are a little thin considering the number of fish encountered this past fall. Perhaps sore-mouthing them educated and encouraged them to head back to the lake; angler’s placing fish on a rope or in a cooler definitely had an impact, too. With river temperatures less than the lake temperatures, I’m thinking that new fish migrating upstream will be minimal until the days start getting longer again. I’ve been wrong before, though.

Just as the steelhead fishing slowed, the trout fishing also requires persistence. Those fishing streamers might be better served fishing the inside bends and soft water structure for brown trout looking to have their Christmas feast. Mid-sized streamers seem to be more effective after a few years of triple-tandem articulated, keel-shanked,and over accessorized rattling streamer patterns fished big and heavy. Try fishing those smaller streamers slowly either on a small sink-tip or floating line if the pattern has some weight.

Good luck, enjoy the solitude out there and Happy Holidays!

Ted

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

2020 Fishing Season – We are booking dates through October of 2020 – don’t miss the prime times.
Gift Certificates – As we approach the holiday season, consider asking or giving the gift of time on the water.

betsie river steelhead fishing, manistee river fishing report, steelhead fishing on the manistee, streamer fishing, trout

Early April Steelhead Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - April 8, 2018

Since the last report we have had some cold weather – especially low overnight temps – keeping the water temperature right around 40 degrees. While some snow fell, most of it is still on the ground so the water/river levels have not increased leaving us with unusually clear water conditions on the Manistee and Betsie Rivers. Without a surge of warm water to pull a bunch of fresh fish from Lake Michigan we are still working over a mixed bag of steelhead – some winter hold-overs and others that have trickled through the river system the past weeks.

Some fish are spawning but with the low and clear water you are likely to find those and pre-spawn fish in the pocket water near gravel sections. We are getting drop-back steelhead in the runs as they put on the feed bag before returning to the big water.

Effective flies have been mixed….. eggs patterns in Clown, orange and John 3:16 colors combinations. Nymphs too have been varied: green caddis, ice buggers and Hex Nymphs seemed to have worked best in the past week. With the clear water, you might have to drop tippet/leader size but know that the fish have been uncharacteristically feisty and strong-fighting with water temperatures as low as they are so drop down only when you need to.

Good luck.

Ted

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.

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Mid June Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - June 19, 2017

As we get deeper into June the trout fishing remains solid, especially for those looking for match-the-hatch opportunities. The Manistee, Boardman and Au Sable all have been getting decent emergences most nights, but as bugs sometimes go, some nights there are very few bugs.

Look for the last of the Sulphurs, at twilight along with Isonychias, Gray Drakes, Brown Drakes, Little Yellow Sally Stones, Medium Brown Stones, Golden Stones, Bat Flies, and Mahoganies to be mixed in with some caddis. Just a few reports of the Hex have been around in the lower sections of rivers where the big bugs typically begin early in the season, not on the upper sections where the water is cooler. With the cool down in weather I suspect things will need to warm up again for the emergence to get on schedule again.

After quite a few rains the past week, look for the river to be higher than normal and with a little bit of a stain to them but still very fishable.

The local lake fishing continues to offer some really good bass and bluegill fishing. Some big gills are still in shallow water on the smaller lakes as are some largemouth bass looking to eat the smaller bluegill on the end of your line. A rare pike is making an appearance, but those are mostly hiding out in the weeds in a little deeper water. The lake fishing remains a great learning experience for those new to the sport while fun for those with experience.

Carp fishing has been a struggle this year with the cooler water in the bays. Some days we find them, most days we can’t. We are still in pre-spawn mode but with the higher water in the bays, the fish aren’t as predictable as they have been in the past. The smallmouth bass however have been cooperating a little better as the cooler water has prolonged their season and keeping the fish in shallow enough water that we can get a fly to them. Crayfish and minnow patterns have been working well.

Good luck.

Ted

Lost and Found: I found a fly rod and reel at 4 Mile Bend Access on the Upper Manistee June 9th. If you are the owner, contact me to identify the make and model and I will see to it that it gets returned.

Trout, Tricos & Terrestrials – Through July and August. A half-day trip on the river is a great way to start the day.
Fall Steelhead – From late Sept. through November, these fish will bend your rod like no other – get your dates.
2017 Fishing – Plan your year around your fishing – get your dates on the calendar, life will fit in around it.

AuSable fly fishing, bat flies, bluegill fly fishing, boardman river, brown drakes, carp fishing grand traverse bay, hex, manistee river fishing report, report, stone flies, streamer fishing, terrestrial flies

February, Ground Hogs and Steelhead

Posted by Ted Kraimer - February 2, 2012

While the weather has been up and down, the fishing has been relatively consistent. Most anglers are spending their time looking for steelhead and are finding them in the predictable winter lies.

Despite the warm-ups and mild winter temperatures, the fish are in winter mode preferring the slower, deeper water since water temps are in staying in the upper 30’s and not fluctuating too much. A few fresh fish have moved throughout the Manistee and Betsie, but most of the fish being caught are those fish that have wintered over after coming up in the fall and early winter. Good flies have included alevins and fry as the salmon eggs are starting to pop and transform into fish, as well as small black stones, sow bugs, hex nymphs and small, pale colored eggs. With the fish holding in the slow water and often on the inside of bubble lines, strike indicators and floats come in handy.

Regardless of what the Groundhog signifies, if the weather pattern we have experienced so far this winter continues, look for an early spring run of steelhead and relatively low water levels.

Good luck,
Ted

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Posts tagged "manistee river fishing report"

December Fishing Report

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

Early April Steelhead Fishing Report

Mid June Fly Fishing Report

Lost and Found: I found a fly rod and reel at 4 Mile Bend Access on the Upper Manistee June 9th. If you are the owner, contact me to identify the make and model and I will see to it that it gets returned.

February, Ground Hogs and Steelhead

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

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

Lost and Found: I found a fly rod and reel at 4 Mile Bend Access on the Upper Manistee June 9th. If you are the owner, contact me to identify the make and model and I will see to it that it gets returned.

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