Posts tagged "manistee river"

Late November Trout and Steelhead Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - November 23, 2015

The weather finally realized what time of the year it is as temps dropped and so did some white stuff. The water temp on the Manistee below Tippy dam is still in the low 40s which makes it ideal for both steelhead and trout fishing. More steelhead have entered the system since the past report and they are relatively spread throughout; word has it that other rivers like the Betsie, PM and Boardman also have more fish in them as well. Fresh fish continue to trickle in and some of fish are starting to get a hint of color that show’s their relation to rainbow trout. This also means that fish are beginning to transition to some holding water rather than mostly runs which has been the primary focus of anglers so far this fall.

As steelhead move around, target all types of water including holes, tail-outs, structure and around wood. Now is a good time to fish indicators/floats, swing a streamer/spey fly, or even cast streamers for steelhead. Streamer fishing the lower Manistee for trout remains good with 3-4″ baitfish patterns working well when olive and natural sculpin/goby patterns aren’t and hold on tight if a steelhead grabs the other end of your 6 wt. streamer rod – you’ll know it. The water levels are o.k. but are running clear – drop down in leader size and/or consider using fluorocarbon especially when the sun is out.

Don’t replace your fly rods with snow shovels just yet – there is still some good fishing to be had – especially if the predicted mild El Nino keeps temps moderate.

Happy Thanksgiving and Good luck,

Ted

Late Trout – Brown trout fishing into late December can be some of the best streamer fishing of the year.
Fall Steelhead – Look for the good fishing in Nov. & into December for steelhead on the Manistee River.
Gift Certificates – With the holidays just around the corner consider giving or asking for some time on the water.

manistee river, spey fly, steelhead, steelhead fishing, Streamer fishing for trout, thanksgiving, tippy dam, trout, winter fishing

September Salmon and Trout Fly Fishing

Posted by Ted Kraimer - September 7, 2015

With Labor Day behind us and school in session look for the local trout rivers and streams to be vacant as most anglers this time of year are focusing on salmon as they move upstream from Lake Michigan.

The run of fish has been scattered due to various cycles of weather the past two weeks. The cool, rainy and windy weather sent some fish into most rivers including the Manistee and Betsie, but last week’s heat has them spread out and a little stale.

Some fresh rain last week and an improved forecast should help get things back on track. Look for fish to be mostly in holes, but I actually have seen some fish spawning on gravel – historically 10 days earlier than I have ever witnessed before. Pocket water near the gravel sections can be good to target as the fish transition from migrating to spawning.

King salmon numbers remain down from the epic run experienced two years ago but so far, there seems to be more than last year. Egg patterns, leeches, buggers, sparrows, green caddis and hex tend to be the perennial favorites, but those with sink-tips and some salmon streamers can get the fresh fish to go if they put their time in on the right days in the lower sections of rivers.

Trout fishing often turns on this time of year with the cooler nights and little angling pressure. As brook and brown trout recognize their upcoming spawning requirement, the pre-spawn bite can be pretty good for those looking to fish big terrestrials and streamers. As fall further approaches, look for hatches to be limited to mostly blue winged olives and terrestrials; flying ants this time of year – while hard to predict – can offer some awesome fishing so be sure to have some in your fly box.

Good luck.

Ted

Late Trout – Brown trout fishing into late December can be some of the best streamer fishing of the year.
Salmon/Steelhead Combo – Late September & early October offers a mixed bag of both species with fall colors.
Fall Steelhead – Late September, October, November & into December is the time for steelhead on the Manistee.

betsie river, brown trout, egg patterns, manistee river, manistee trout fishing, nymphs, salmon, sparrow, steelhead

Trout, Terrestrials, and Tricos

Posted by Ted Kraimer - July 21, 2015

Trout fishing has been decent lately with more fish looking up in the daytime hours now that hatches aren’t prolific and fish need to keep their eyes open for their food.

Fishing on the Manistee and Boardman has been seeing some terrestrials on and in the water – this is a good time to fish beetles, ants, small grass hoppers and other attractor flies – especially those with rubber legs forming an “X”. Look for the smaller patterns to be a little more effective right now as the natural insects are mostly small. <More on fishing terrestrials>

It wouldn’t be a bad idea to have some Light Cahills, BWOs and Isonychias in your fly box as these tend to trickle-hatch for a few more weeks. If headed out in the a.m. – you will want Tricos as they have been around once the air warms up but they are more effective fished before sun is heavy on the water – these should continue through much of August. For those unwilling to separate from their headlamps and fishing in the dark, mouse and other surface patterns have had mixed success. < More on fishing after the Hex Hatch >

Water clarity is a little too clear and water temps have been climbing, but they have been falling too, with the cool nights which can have an effect on how the river is fishing. Cloudy and overcast days have been best, but we just haven’t had too many of those lately. This is a great time of year to get out early and fish until noon.

Bass and bluegill fishing on lakes has slowed a little and are best fished in the mornings or evenings as a lot of the fish are in deeper water during the day which is difficult to fish effectively with fly fishing equipment. In the low-light hours, they move into the shallows to feed. Diving frogs and mid-size poppers have been best for the bass with small spiders, terrestrials and nymphs working on the bluegill.

Good luck

Ted

Summer Trout Fishing – Terrestrial and Trico fishing in July and August on the Manistee.
Smallmouth Bass – Streamer fishing on the lower Manistee is a great way to spend a summer day.
Fall Steelhead – Late September through November is the time for sassy steelhead on the Lower Manistee.

bass fishing, boardman river, light cahills, manistee river, mouse patterns, terrestrial fishing, ticos, trout fishing traverse city

Trout Fishing and Transitioning from Hex

Posted by Ted Kraimer - July 11, 2015

Now that summer is here with the warm daytime temps, the hex hatch has mostly caught up and is winding down on local rivers including the Manistee and Boardman. The upstream portions (think cooler water) of river systems are your better bets right now if you are still looking for those nocturnal bugs that bring out some really nice fish that are typically inaccessible the rest of the year with a dry fly. Since we have had our share of cool periods the past few weeks along with some cold nights – look for there to be sporadic bugs for another week, so keep a few of those big flies in your box if you are headed out in the evenings – the spinner falls should occur just before dark through the first hour of dark should conditions be right.

Other bugs have been on the water but they too, have been light in numbers: Isonychias, BWO, Light Cahills, Little Yellow Sallies, and gray drakes have been more commonly present in the evenings, but on cloudy days there has been some daytime emergences. To learn more on fishing trout after the Hex, click here.

As we transition from the match-the-hatch dry fly fishing done the past 7 weeks, start to look to prospect and probe your favorite trout water with some smaller streamers on floating lines and consider bringing your terrestrial patterns with you for some fun surface activity – this will only get better in the weeks ahead. The Tricos should start in another week or so and typically are on the water mid-morning before the sun gets too high. Now is also a good time to swing soft-hackles again through riffle water on your lighter weight rods if you are looking for some brookies and the occasional larger brown trout.

Bass fishing on local lakes continues to be good – be sure target the lily pads and drop offs for your best bet with surface poppers and diving bugs. The bluegill fly angler will find some bigger gills at first light and evening moving to the shallows while there are plenty of smaller bluegill/panfish in the shallows for those just learning to fly fish.

Smallmouth bass fishing on the lower Manistee river is getting better with the added heat and should only continue to as summer progresses. Fishing streamer patterns on sink-tips is the norm and popper fishing can be just what the fish are looking for.

Good luck.

Ted

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

hex fishing, isonychias, manistee river, poppers, smallmouth bass, soft hackles, tricos, trout

Mid-April Steelhead Report – Manistee River

Posted by Ted Kraimer - April 14, 2015

Last week was bizarre – the steelhead came before the rain and then the rain came and has left us wondering where the fish are in the Manistee River. A few days last week fished really well with some big, bright fish playing along nicely, but lately, they have been mostly shy.

The water came up – but not too much – and the water clarity has gone from that greenish color to more of an opaque tan as the water from the Pine River above Tippy dam flushes through. Without much rain in the forecast, look for the water to clear quicker than normal for this time of year. The river currently has about 2 feet of visibility – which is enough when you consider the nature of spring steelhead’s desire to move for a fly and the temperature is in the mid-40s. Some fish are on gravel, others are moving through and others are in pocket water near gravel getting ready to do their chore. Few fresh male fish are around so look for them to come in the weeks ahead as well as more females which should mostly likely migrate after the next rain.

The best flies lately have been green caddis, stones, Fry Patterns and eggs in Golden Nugget/Burnt Orange combos and Chartreuse/Orange rag eggs. Since the water is dirtier, I have been mixing up the sizes of the flies going larger and darker as the sun comes out. With the PM and Muskegon near unfishable with high water, more boats than normal have been on the water.

Good luck,

Ted

Open April Dates: 24 & 26th

Spring Steelhead – From mid-March through early May on the Manistee and Betsie. Few dates available.
September Salmon – Dates are limited for fishing the Betsie River in early Sept. and later on the Manistee.
2015 Fishing – It isn’t too early to get your fishing trips planned for the year. Booking all species/seasons.

big manistee, caddis, fry patterns, green caddis, manistee fishing report, manistee river, rag eggs, spring steelhead, steelhead, tippy dam

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