Posts tagged "manistee river"

Spring Fishing Slowly Gets Here

Posted by Ted Kraimer - May 13, 2014

The last few days have felt very spring-like with warmer temperatures, numerous rain showers and even a few mayflies. With rivers running full, trout anglers will find the streamer fishing to be ideal with slightly stained water and a tendency for the fish to be out feeding on all the food drifting downstream. Trout can be in feeding lanes where a streamer can either entice or elicit one of those big brown trout to play – a worm/night crawler/lamprey looking pattern will do the former where a big articulated pattern designed to draw out a predatory response will do the latter. It can take a lot of casts between fish, but often the fish can be substantial when casting the big rods and the big flies. Patterns tied in either yellow or black are a good place to start.

Some Hendricksons have been coming off on the Manistee with some fish coming up to eat as the water temperatures increase. Bug density and surface activity will increase in the weeks ahead and look for a lot of the other bugs to overlap as emergence schedules condense as the late start to Spring rights itself. Other bugs to be prepared for right now include black caddis, blue wing olives and black quills. Check out the Borcher’s Emerger if you haven’t already – it’s a good pattern that represents a number of different bugs when tied in various sizes.

Steelhead continue to come into local rivers, but we are well past peak as fish trickle in and leave fast with water temps in the 50s. Smaller rivers like the Platte, Boardman and Betsie have fewer fish in them while the big Manistee with a heavier flow of water has been a little more consistent. The steelhead are mostly on the spawning gravel and the drop-back fish are resting in the bigger holes and runs eating big before heading back to the lake. These drop-back fish are ideal for the two-handed caster looking to swing into fish.

The trout in the Manistee below Tippy are still close to the dam and the spawning steelhead taking advantage of their eggs as food. Look for the streamer fishing down there to pick up over the next week as fewer steelhead are around and the big sturgeon have them feeling uncomfortable in the gravel sections where they are spawning.

Lake fishing for bluegill and panfish is on the cusp of starting. Some local lakes with shallow depths and dark bottoms have just begun but most of the fishing is behind since it wasn’t that long ago that they were still covered with ice. Look for this fishing to kick off over the next week also.

Good luck,

Ted

Trout – May is a great time for mayfly emergences and streamer fishing before June’s Drakes, Isonychias & Hex.
Hatches and Big Bugs – Few dates remain in June for the big bugs – Isos, Drakes and the Hex.
Steelhead and Salmon – While Spring is late getting here, it’s not too early to reserve your Fall Dates.

Betsie, bluegill, boardman, borchers emerger, hendricksons, manistee river, platte, steelhead, streamer fishing, trout

Big Water, Big Flies, Big Fish.

Posted by Ted Kraimer - April 14, 2014

Warmer weather and some significant rainfalls the past few days have combined with record winter snowfalls created very high water conditions for the region’s rivers. They are pretty much unsafe to wade right now and boating requires prudent measures – use your best judgment if heading out.

While the water came up and has pretty much no visibility, fresh fish have moved upstream. The Manistee below Tippy Dam is running over 6,000 CFS (it’s typically about 2,300 CFS this time of year) and is in the low 40’s as the fish start to hit the gravel for their spawning ritual. A positive aspect of the high water is a greater rate of natural reproduction due to less angling harassment providing more future steelhead for us all. Please practice catch and release if you make it out and the fish to the net.

The flies that had been working last week (caddis, stones, and BTS/fry) are lost in the stained water conditions found today. Now is time for big and bright egg patterns, leeches with some bright flashabou, and some of the classic steelhead fly fishing patterns from yesterday tied with estaz, pearl chenille, krystal flash and the like. Having knowledge of where the fish like to be this time of year is going to be the key to success when combined with a little luck. We have been getting away with heavy leaders and heavy rods as both are necessary since we are fighting both the fish and high water.

To monitor the conditions on your river, check out the stream flow data website of the USGS.

Good luck and be careful.

Ted

The Spring 2014 Newsletter just went out – click here to read or subscribe.

Steelhead -While it is currently Spring Steelhead time, it’s also time to book your fall steelhead dates.
Trout – May is a great time for mayfly emergences and streamer fishing before June’s Drakes, Isonychias & Hex.
2014 Fishing – It’s not too early to start booking your 2014 dates – reserve you place in the boat today.

caddis, fishing guide, fishing report, high water, manistee, manistee river, steelhead fishing, stone flies, tippy dam

It’s officially Fall and Time for Fall Fly Fishing Northern Michigan

Posted by Ted Kraimer - September 25, 2013

Now that the equinox has passed and we are fast approaching October the weather feels a little nicer than normal. Salmon fishing is taking precedent on local rivers like the Betsie and Manistee with good numbers of King/Chinook Salmon in both of them. Last week’s rain moved some fish around and they are scattered throughout the river systems; a north wind and some rain would drive even more fish into the systems including steelhead. There are a few steelies fish around but numbers are still pretty low.

The salmon have turned a little darker as a lot of fish have begun their spawning activity in the gravel sections of the rivers. The water’s clarity is a little too clear right now and lighter mono and fluorocarbon tippets are a must with the bright skies. With natural eggs in the system drifting down the fish are taking note and eating realistic size and colors. Click here to read more on egg patterns and fishing them for steelhead and salmon.

Trout fishing has been up and down on the upper Manistee as it too is running very clear. Cloudy days are better (as usual) but a mix of sun and clouds is best as it warms the water a bit and gets the brook and brown trout looking at food. Smaller terrestrials like ants and beetles have been working as have other patterns like Fat Alberts and other foam and rubber leg creations. It seems like the fish aren’t interested in eating the big terrestrial and attractor imitations lately – after all, it’s been a long trout season. fall colors on the Upper Manistee are just getting going and if you haven’t fished up there this time of year, you should – the Brook Trout are beyond vibrant. Please note that some rivers and certain sections are closed to fishing beginning October 1.

Good luck.

Ted

The Fall 2013 Newsletter just went out – click here to read and/or subscribe

Steelhead -Just a few fall steelhead dates remain and it’s not too early to book your Spring 2014 Steelhead dates.

Trout – Late fall trout fishing can be some of the best streamer and nymph fishing once the salmon leave.

2014 Fishing – It’s not too early to start booking your 2014 dates – reserve you place in the boat today.

Betsie, egg patterns, fly fishing northern michigan, king salmon, manistee river, salmon, steelhead, steelies

Top to Bottom, Rivers, Lakes & Bays – It’s a Diverse Time to Fly Fish

Posted by Ted Kraimer - May 30, 2013

There is a lot to choose from right now for those fly fishing the Traverse City / Northwest Michigan region. The rivers, lakes and Grand Traverse Bay offer anglers everything from graceful trout to the temperamental and brutish carp – from dry fly fishing rivers to bottom bouncing weighted patterns on the bay.

The trout fishing has been decent on the Upper Manistee and Boardman Rivers. There is a diverse collection of bugs on the water most days making for some of the fun match-the-hatch chess games and head-hunting.
There have been some prolific Sulphur spinner falls the past week as well as the last of the light Hendricksons, mahoganies, caddis, bwos, black quill/Borchers and a few stones – both little yellow sallies and medium browns. Look for more of the same bugs to emerge over the week and pay real close attention to what bug and what stage the fish are keying in on. Emergers and spinners – flies fished in the film, seem to be working best. The smaller flies can be tough to fish in the dusk light – look for smooth water and slight dimples and underwater bulges for your targets as the broken water can make it tough to find fish. The streamer bite has been up and down with the cloudy days being ideal, as usual. Water levels are good – the rivers are full, have great clarity and temps are hovering around 60 degrees.

Smallmouth bass have moved into the shallows in the bay – many of the large rocks that offer some shade hold some fish, but keep your eye out for cruisers on the flats. Crayfish and minnow imitations are standard patterns you should have in your box.

The pre-spawn carp have move in, but remain transient with the weather changes, fishing pressure and low water of the bay. Water temp is key and if we continue to get warm weather, mild nights and favorable winds, it will only improve. The shallow water of East Grand Traverse Bay is a great place to look for the “golden bone” right now.

Bluegill continue to be in the shallow water offering the fly angler great opportunities and some great fish. The fish took a bit of a beating over Memorial Day weekend with many of them taken home, but the strong survive and require additional stealth to catch them.

Good luck,

Ted

Trout Fishing – May & June offer some or our best streamer fishing & great hatches!
Bluegill – Experience great fishing on the ponds and lakes in mid-May and June
Father’s Day – Ask for or give a gift certificate to dad this Father’s Day – June 16 2013
Hex Fishing – Some ideal dates are still available for the big bugs and big fish in mid/late June
2013 Fishing Season – Now booking for all 2013 seasons – don’t miss out on this year’s fishing

carp, fly fishing, grand traverse bay, guide, hatches, l, manistee river, smallmouth bass, trout, trout fishing

High Water, Tough Conditions

Posted by Ted Kraimer - April 19, 2013

After the rain, snow and winter run off last week, water levels and conditions on regional rivers (and throughout much of Michigan) remain poor thanks to more rain the past few days. Clarity is near non-existent and the flow rates are very elevated requiring caution if you plan on doing any wading.

As far as the fishing goes — there are fish around – both new, fresh fish as well as spawning steelhead doing their chore. Since water clarity is an issue, your flies need to be big and bold and numerous casts need to be made before you put it right in front of their noses where they can see it. Big egg patterns, large stones and other nymphs that have some flash in their design are good choices until the water starts to drop and gain clarity. It’s not the best fishing right now, but they are in there and a little more patience is required than normal – keep the faith and keep your casts covering the water thoroughly.

To check on your favorite river’s water level, click on the USGS Website.

Good luck,

Ted

The Spring newsletter just went out – click here to read and/or sign up for delivery.

Steelhead – Spring is already booked but it’s not too early to get your fall dates secured. Late Sept. – Nov.
Trout Fishing – May & June offer some or our best streamer fishing & great hatches – its closer than you think!
2013 Fishing Season – Now booking for all seasons in 2013 – Don’t miss your place in the boat.

fly sighing, high water, manistee river, poor conditions, steelhead

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