Late April Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - April 23, 2019

As April begins to wind down it seems we are past the peak of the steelhead run on local rivers including the Manistee and Betsie. Last week’s rain brought the water levels up some along with a few fresh fish, but the majority of fish being caught are actively spawning as well as some drop-back/post spawn fish.

Water temps are in the mid-40s and are heavily stained, however there is still some visibility for fish to see your flies – especially if they are in the 40-inch window that they often need to be in to entice a fish to eat this time of year.

Natural egg colors and sizes have been working well and with the dirtier water, a little bigger and bolder pattern is starting to regain its effectiveness. Caddis and fry patterns have been the most effective nymph patterns for a while now.

Just a reminder that trout opener is this Saturday, April 27 – good luck as you hit the water again, practice traditions on and off the water with friends, and start off what looks like a promising trout season in 2019. With the recent warm weather you might want to have some hendricksons in your fly box just in case you need to cut your streamer off and tie on a dry.

Ted

Trout – May and June offers some of the best trout fishing of the year matching the hatch and fishing streamers.
Fall Steelhead– It’s not too early to look ahead to fall run of these fish. Hard fighting and a beautiful time of year.
Booking 2019 – Reserve your date(s) and schedule life around fishing rather than trying to fit fishing into life.

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Mid December Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - December 18, 2018

As we cross the mid-point of December anglers are finding fishing conditions to be in step with the season. Cold temps for a month and some snow have the fish in a winter mode and sitting in the slower water and eating a little less aggressively than we got accustomed to the previous months.

A decent number of steelhead are in the local rivers –Manistee, Betsie and Boardman and some days are playing along. This time of year any slight increase in water temps can be the trigger to getting the fish to eat so look for some sunshine in the forecast and/or higher overnight temps to put conditions in your favor. The water levels are typical for this time of year – a little low, good clarity but cold – just under 40 degrees.

With the cold water look for both steelhead and trout to be sitting in the deeper, slower water and in tail-outs that offer the protection of wood. Fish will still chase a slow moving, swung fly but it’s the dead drift of an egg pattern or nymph that is likely to get the bite. Smaller, subdued Caddis and hex nymphs are a great choice this time of year. The fish are a little lethargic,so you can get away with lighter tippet right now.

Streamer fishing for trout will still move some fish if you fish the slower water and near structure. Big, heavy sink-tips aren’t your best bet as smaller sink-tips and floating lines with weighted flies are. Slow your presentation down and keep it moving when that big brown slowly comes up behind it.

Good luck and Happy Holidays!

Ted

The latest newsletter just went out – click here to read and/or subscribe.

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Mid March Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - March 17, 2018

As the sun radiates off the water and the chirp of birds in the background is equally welcomed, it’s apparent that the longer days and increased sunshine has Spring Steelhead fishing on angler’s minds. The local rivers including the Manistee and Betsie have a mixed bag of winter and fresh fish in them with even a few fish that have started to spawn. Fish are spread throughout river systems and the deep holes near sections of rivers with spawning gravel are great places to target as the fish are holding and waiting for a bump in water temperatures.

Water levels are normal – some might even consider them low for this time of year – since we have had so many thaws throughout the past few months resulting in minimal run off. There is a little snow in the woods so barring any heavy rains, look for water conditions to remain this way for a while. With the lack of run off the water has good clarity leaving most river systems fish-able throughout them helping to spread out any pressure. On those sunny days, try dropping tippet size.

Effective flies have been mixed without any one pattern out performing the other: egg flies in orange or chartreuse are good choices when tied in tandem with a nymph like a fry/alevin, caddis and hex patterns. [I wrote an article a while back talking about the top 5 steelhead flies for our Lake Michigan Tributaries – click here to read.]

Bottom bouncing/Duck and Chuck still gets anglers down to where the fish are on the bigger rivers and deeper water, and nymphing with floating lines is ideal on smaller rivers like the Betsie. Fishing under floats is a great way to cover a bubble line when the sun is out and the fish are hiding, allowing you to target water where wood and other structure requires your flies be suspended off the bottom.

Good luck.

Ted

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

Spring Steelhead – Now through April, get on the water for Spring’s first opportunity to bend the rod.
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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Late November Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - November 21, 2017

Its late fall fishing around here with mixed weather ranging from snow, to rain to even a little sun (we sure haven’t seen much of that for a while).

Steelhead remain the primary target for most anglers with the fish transitioning into hold-over water. Look for fish to be in holes and the slower tail-outs as the water temps continue to drop. Last week’s rain gave the levels a little bump but they are still in good shape as the water remains a little stained too on the Manistee and Betsie. Egg patterns and a nymph is a great one-two approach when drifting or fishing under an indicator. As temps hover around 40 our window for a good swing bite is starting to narrow.

Trout fishing below Tippy dam has been decent but with the stained water it’s hard to work the streamer efficiently around all the wood without donating a couple of flies. Baitfish and sculpin patterns have been best but like always, mix it up and fish it slower than you would in the spring as water temps are cooler.

With firearm deer season ending Nov. 30, consider wearing some orange while fishing for safety.

Good luck and have a nice Thanksgiving.

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.

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Yes, An Early Spring

Posted by Ted Kraimer - March 13, 2012

After a guide trip the other day I walked the neighborhood and witnessed flowers coming up in a garden, so yes, we are experiencing an early Spring, we just don’t need the April showers just yet.

With all of the snow melt and some significant rainfalls this past week anglers are finding their favorite rivers running high and dirty. While not necessarily ideal conditions, fish are playing our game as many of the winter fish are staging around spawning gravel and new, fresh fish migrating upstream with the increased water levels. Look for fish to be in the deeper holes and just off the seam line avoiding the increased flow. Expect spawning to start taking place soon if it hasn’t started already. As the temps are just getting into the 40’s the fish are becoming more active and with the increased water flow you will have your hands full.

Visibility on the Betsie and Manistee is less than 1.5 feet and with more sun, the particulate reflects more and decreases visibility further making low light hours and shade a great place to target. Now is a good time to cast large egg patterns like clowns, sparkle eggs and Chartreuse glo bugs with large, dark flies like stone’s, leeches and buggers tied below them.

Good luck and safe wading,

Ted

– Book a Trip for the Upcoming Fishing Seasons –

Now-April: Steelhead on the Manistee and Betsie Rivers
April-May: Trout – Streamers & Dry Flies. Hendricksons & Early Bug Hatches
June: Trout -Big Dry Flies – Drakes, Isonychias and The Hex.
Booking for all 2012 Seasons – Some Fall Dates Remain Open

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