Posts tagged "manistee river"

Late March/Early Spring Steelhead Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - March 24, 2015

It’s officially Spring! The first of the Cranes have migrated back to the river banks while the colder nights confirm that we are still in the very early part of the season. Steelhead fishing has been a little slower than normal for this time of year since the number of fall fish that wintered over was lighter than normal and significant ice cover on the rivers this winter kept fresh steelhead migration to a minimum.

We have had a little increase in water flow as some warmer days reduced the snow pack and contributed to the river – clarity and levels are ideal right now. Water temps are in the high 30s and just barely nudging into the 40s on the Manistee and Betsie Rivers. Cold nights are making for slow starts to the day but the sun helps warm up the water and angler alike – it feels good to be on the water again.

Look for fish to be holding out in winter water – that is, the bigger, deeper holes as fish wait for water temps to increase and to begin their spawning. As more fresh fish move into rivers, look for them to share a lot of the same water as well as the transitional runs on the days when fish seem to be moving. An increase in water volume and warmer temps will really trigger a surge in migration as fish are near pier heads/river mouths waiting to move. Lately the better fly patterns have been Hex Nymphs, egg patterns in shades of orange and Stonefly Nymphs.

Good Luck.

Ted

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

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.

fishing report, fly fishing, hex nymph, manistee river, steelhead

End of Winter? Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - March 11, 2015

Winter has finally loosened its death grip on us as warmer and longer days, sunshine, and daylight savings time all converged having us feeling like Spring isn’t that far away.

Often when the weather gets warm and the snow melts at this time of year, many of us head to the river looking to shake the cabin fever and find some fish. While there are some, there aren’t many steelhead in the Manistee and Betsie rivers right now. The less than average fall run didn’t provide a lot of fish to winter-over and with many of the rivers iced over in the lower sections, the typical trickle of migrating fish throughout winter didn’t happen. So, while you still have a chance to catch fish right now, look for the runs to build as river ice disappears and water temps continue to warm up and pre-spawn fish migrate upstream.

The forecast calls for most nights to be below freezing which will help keep the run-off manageable. Water levels have increased and has a little stain to it which is common for this time of year. Regardless of whether you are wading or in a boat right now, keep an eye out for large chunks of ice drifting downstream. Waiting until the sun is out to warm up the water can make a difference this time of year let alone eliminate the black ice in parking lots and on boat ramps.

Look for fish to be in the slower water/holes and also tail-outs where they sun themselves if fishing pressure isn’t too high. It’s a good time of year to fish attractor egg patterns and larger nymphs like hex patterns. With fall’s salmon’s eggs hatching into fish, alevin and fry patterns should be a given time as we wait for the first black stonefly activity which should begin any day.

Good luck.

Ted

The MI-DNR is conducting an inland trout angler survey. This is a great opportunity to provide some
information that might be considered in development of their management plan. Click here to take the survey.

Spring Steelhead – From mid-March through early May on the Manistee and Betsie. Some 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.

alevin, betsie river, black stonefly, egg patterns, flly fishing report, fry patterns, guide, guide trips, manistee river, steelhead, steelhead fishing

Mid-December Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - December 12, 2014

It’s mid-December and it feels kind of like mid-November should have. Air temps have increased a little and are forecast to remain that way until early next week. Anglers looking to fish for steelhead are finding fish in the local rivers including the Betsie and Manistee. It sounds as if all rivers have some fish in them as they begin to winter over. Water levels are in good shape for this time of year after rain, snowmelt and a water table that is filled. This is a good time of year to fish with an eye on the forecast.

With the water temperatures in the mid-30s choosing a day with a little sunshine and/or mild overnight temps can have a difference – steelhead and trout do not like significant drops in water temperatures (2-4 degrees). As the fish pretty much get into their lethargic mode look for them in the deeper holes and just off the side into the slower current. Fishing a float/indicator with an egg and nymph combo is one of the best ways to get a drag-free drift to fish residing in that water. Those looking to swing flies are finding that some fish will still play the game – especially when fishing above wooden structure where some fish have taken up residence. As the water continues to drop, look for the window of successful opportunity to get even smaller.

Trout fishing remains strong on the Manistee as fish are eating the streamer knowing that winter is a head of them. Rather than fish the big, heavy sink-tip lines, use some shorter sink-tips to allow you to fish the streamer a little slower in the cold water. When you see a fish come behind the fly be sure to activate it with some shorter strips giving life to the pattern but keeping it an easy target for the brown and rainbow trout.

Good luck.

Ted

The Winter Newsletter just went out – Click here to read and/or subscribe for delivery.

Trout – Streamer fishing on the Manistee into winter an be hot when temps gets cold.
Fall Steelhead– This big fish will continue to offer us a chance until the weather keeps us indoors.
Gift Certificates – Give or ask for a gift certificate; trips or lessons available. Quick & easy holiday shopping
2015 Fishing – It isn’t too early to get your dates booked for next year – now booking for all seasons.

betise river, indicator fishing, manistee river, michigan, steelhead, streamer fishing, traverse city, trout streamer fishing, winter steelhead

It’s Starting to Feel Like Fall Fishing

Posted by Ted Kraimer - September 11, 2014

After last week’s heavy rain, conditions have improved but salmon numbers are still off. The water came up significantly but has also come down since and clarity has improved making it almost ideal conditions especially with bright skies. Today’s wind out of the north should help push fish closer to river mouths and get fish sniffing around looking for their native river and eventually head upstream. If anything it has been close to a month since we have had good north or north-west winds to get fish staged close which is why last week’s rain didn’t influence an abundant number of fish to migrate upstream. With today’s wind and rain it is starting to feel like fall and fall fishing.

There are some King/Chinook salmon in the Betsie and Manistee rivers but they have been hard to target as they have been on the move. Most years they stage very well but his year for some reason they haven’t been. There hasn’t been a predominate fly pattern that has been working better than another so mix it up and hold on tight when you do hook-up as they are still fresh and strong.

The trout fishing has been off a little on the upper Manistee thanks to the high volume of water. This can be a great time for the streamer angler as water temps continue to dip and the days get shorter. When the water is stained and the angling pressure is light some of those ornery browns slip out of their cover and can eat big.

Good luck,

Ted

The Fall 2014 Newsletter just went out – click here to read and/or subscribe.

Trout – With Labor Day behind us, have the Upper Manistee River and its trout all to yourself.
Salmon– A few great dates remain in mid-September for salmon fishing on the Betsie River.
Fall Steelhead– From the end of September through November – this is the time of year for Steelhead.

betsie river, chinook, manistee river, salmon, trout

The Hex Hatch

Posted by Ted Kraimer - July 2, 2014

The Hex Hatch has begun on the upper-Manistee river but they have been spotty and with the ups and downs in the weather they have been inconsistent as well. Seems to be par for the course this year. The future/forecast is bright as we are looking to have consistent weather again which should make for some consistent fishing. Fishing has been off most days prior to the big bug emergence – mostly because of the lack of other bugs not hatching. One can expect to see bat flies, little mahoganies, isonychias, light cahills, golden stones and a brown drake or two as we wait for the nocturnal hex to appear. Like the Manistee, the Boardman and other local rivers have seen some hex in various locations. Click here for a hex pattern and how to tie.

Not into fishing into the dark? Try fishing a hex pattern – either a natural looking dun or spinner in the a.m. or on cloudy days for a pleasant surprise. These hex flies are like floating cheeseburgers often giving fish that are ordinarily shy just enough incentive to eat on the surface during the day.

The river is running “full” of water thanks to the periodic rains we have been receiving.Streamer fishing is also a good alternative when nothing is happening on top; look for the low-light of cloudy days or early morning to offer your best chance. Being a holiday week/weekend you might witness a little more recreation on it from other anglers as well as canoes, tubes and kayaks so factor that into your plans. Oddly, sometimes the extra traffic gets fish out of their comfort zones and hiding spots and out into a place where you can present a fly to them.

The Bay is fishing o.k. for smallmouth and carp. The past week the carp moved into the shallows and were on the spawn big time and offering some really good fishing. It seems that a lot of the spawning is over but you will still find fish in the shallow water if you look in enough places however getting them to eat has been tough. Persistence and good presentations are required to find the players. I wouldn’t be surprised to see another wave of spawning to take place as the long winter and cool spring really has things off in a lot of respects. Same with the smallmouth bass – a lot of fish have already come and gone, but look for a second wave of fish as well as the post-spawn fish looking to eat after their annual ritual.

Lakes and ponds continue to have some really good bluegill fishing going on right now. The bigger fish have slipped into the depths again now that their spawning is over, but you can find them moving back into the shallows to eat on cloudy days and evenings. The smaller fish are still around to make fishing fun for those learning how to fly fish. The largemouth bass mostly are done protecting their nests and are eating bigger flies both on and below the surface. Target the structure – drop-offs, weeds, docks and wood for your best results as the long bright days have them seeking structure until low-light periods.

Good luck,

Ted

Terrestrials, Tricos and Trout – July and August fly fishing for trout on the Upper Manistee River
Salmon– Fresh fish can enter rivers as early as mid-August and offer great fishing through September.
Fall Steelhead– From the end of September through November – this is the time of year for Steelhead.

bay fishing, bluegill, boarman river, carp, carp on the fly, hex hatch, hex pattern, isonychia, isonychias, largemouth bass, manistee river, smallmouth bass

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