March Thaw Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - March 8, 2022

Warm weather over the weekend along with a heavy rain really knocked down what snow was around and increased flows on the Manistee and Betsie rivers. Monday found us with another 4 to 6 inches of fresh snow which kind of makes this a typical March. And further confirmation that we are in that transitional season between late Winter and Spring is the first robin sighting outside my window this morning sitting on a bush because there was too much snow on the ground to look for worms in the frozen ground.

With the water being high, and snowmelt dropping the water temperature, look for the steelhead in the river to shuffle around and stage near gravel. And the surge of high water (it’s already dropping again) should have triggered some fresh fish to start heading upstream.

Accompanying the increased water level is some color; consider running a larger fly than you would in the clear conditions of winter. Egg patterns are still tied on every rig this time of year with a nymph below it. Steelhead buggers, big green caddis (#6 and 8) and a hex nymph with some sparkle are good bets and if there is decent visibility to the water definitely try a fry pattern.

And be careful walking on compacted refrozen snow along riverbanks and on trails – it can be rod and bone-breaking icy.

Good luck.

Ted

May Days – The month that offers so much variety for a number of species. <<More info>>
Match the Hatch – Late May and June offer dry fly anglers some of the best trout fishing of the year.
Fall Steelhead – Some good dates remain available in October, November and into December.

Late October Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - October 26, 2021

As October comes to an end, it almost feels like the end of September.

The past month was mild with overnight temps well above typical leaving the water temps at least 10 degrees warmer than normal. A second, late push of salmon never occurred as a lack of wind on Lake Michigan and a lack of rain and a swollen river seemed less inviting for them to come in. Some stragglers are still in local rivers like the Betsie and Manistee, but at this stage of their life, you might need a tetanus shot before handling one of these fish.

With the nicer weather and lack of river flow, steelhead numbers are less than what they should be for this time of year. Egg patterns and beads are still ideal, especially in the tail outs and seams below spawning gravel. Since water temps are in the mid-50s the fish will move to take a fly so it’s good to hold on tight as some times they pull pretty hard. Lighter line in the clear water provides an advantage over the thicker stuff but the fish definitely have the advantage.

With the salmon winding up their spawning, the steelhead are starting to look at food sources other than eggs; late October and November are a good time for those who like to swing a fly to do so. I suspect that this November’s fishing might be a little better with warmer water temps expected to hang around a little longer.

Good luck.

Ted

Fall Steelhead – Some good dates remain in the second half of November. Finish the season with some chrome.
2022– Booking next year’s fishing seasons through September. Don’t miss your favorite seasons and good dates!
Gift Certificates – Ask or give the gift of a lesson, half or full-day trip on the water.

betsie river, egg patterns, fall steelhead, fly fishing guide, lake michigan, manistee river, salmon, steelhead, tippy dam, traverse city

Late September Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - September 25, 2021

With September winding down it seems fishing is ramping up.

The trout streams have been pretty quiet with few anglers fishing and the fish have responded by slipping out from their protective log jams and are out where you can get a fly to them. With the water clear (upper 50s temp), you can see the fish, but usually after you have spooked them. Cast down and across with smaller streamers and twitch and strip rather then rip and strip for your best success. With some days forecast to be in the 70s, keep a box of terrestrials with you in case the fish start looking up again. Fall colors on the upper Manistee are starting to pop making it a great way to spend an early fall day in solitude.

<<Click here to read an article on how to move your streamer a little slower>>

Salmon fishing picked up this week with a change in the weather and some favorable winds to mix up the water and draw some fish closer inshore and up the rivers. All the local NW Michigan rivers have fish in them and a few are starting to scratch the gravel as they begin the spawning ritual.

Good luck.

Ted

Fall Steelhead – Some good dates remain in November and into December. Finish the season with some chrome.
2022– Booking next year’s fishing seasons through September. Don’t miss your favorite seasons and good dates!
Gift Certificates – Ask or give the gift of a lesson, half or full-day trip on the water.

manistee river, salmon, salmon fishing, steelhead fishing, streamer fishing, terrestrials, upper manistee

Mid August Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - August 19, 2021

After last week’s rains, the rivers have returned to normal levels and clarity.

Trout fishing is slowing down some due to all the food that washed downstream with the recent high water feeding the fish. And, well, it’s that time of year where the fish – it seems – are wore out after a long spring and summer of pressure.

If headed out, look for Tricos to be hitting the water mid-morning providing some match-the-hatch dry fly fishing for brook and brown trout. When fishing these small flies, sometimes it’s best to fish a two-fly rig – with a larger dry to serve as an indicator with a small Trico below it. It’s also a great time to use that 3 and 4 wt rod you might have.

Wet flies and small streamers (less than 3 inches) fished on a floating line can bend the rod some if the surface activity isn’t overly productive. Other terrestrials and attractors make this time of year fun on top for the dry fly angler looking to spend some time on the river with out all the demands and technical fly fishing.

Lake fishing continues to offer bluegill and bass, but it seems the best fishing is early, late or on a rare cloudy day. Nothing new here – target the structure including the drop-offs for where fish are hanging out.

Good luck.

Ted

Trout Fishing – August is Terrestrial and Trico time! Start the day off casting to brook and brown trout and get
back to the family for lunch time – it’s a great way to start the day when in Northwest Michigan.
Learn to Fly Fish – Tailor a half-day trip to learning how to fly fish –perfect for beginners.
Fall Steelhead – Some good dates remain in November and into December.

bass, guide manistee river, learn to fly fish, manistee river, manistee river fly fishing, streamers, terrestrials, traverse city fishing guide, trout fishing, upper manistee river

Late June Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - June 29, 2021

As July winds down, so does the Hex Hatch. The hot weather of mid-June got the bugs going early this year and relatively steady if not predictable, then the weather changes came. With the cool downs, I suspect hatches will continue through the upcoming nights, just not heavily, and spinner falls will be similar – sporadic and light. Then again, there is no telling.

Northern Michigan finally got the rain it so desperately needed and not too much of it like downstate. The local rivers (upper Manistee and Boardman) did come up, but not terribly, nor are they considered high. A little stain entered the river, too, as the increase in flow pulled some of the silt off the banks and pushed it down river. Water temps range from upper 50s in the a.m. to mid-60’s most evenings.

The cloudy weather has made for better trout fishing in daylight hours and some of the weather has encouraged some Isonychias to emerge; it’s been good to see these bugs show up again after a few years of sparse emergences. A smattering of other bugs are around including medium yellow/brown stoneflies (mattress thrashers) BWOs, Little Yellow Sallies, and Bat Flies. Because the hatches have been so sporadic this year, having your early June dry fly boxes in your vest would be prudent because you never know when an outlier might make an appearance. Some smaller streamers fished on a floating line can yield some nice brown and brook trout this time of year, too.

Bass and bluegill fishing remains strong on the area lakes. The largemouth bass are becoming more aggressive in their post spawn phase and the bluegill continue to feed both sub-surface and below. Weed beds near drop-offs and structure should be where you focus your casts.

Good luck.

Ted

Trout Fishing – July and August is Terrestrial and Trico time! Start the day off casting to brook and brown trout
and get back to the family for lunch time – it’s a great way to start the day when in Northwest Michigan.
Learn to Fly Fish – Tailor a half-day trip to learning how to fly fish –perfect for beginners.
Fall Steelhead – Some good dates remain in November and into December.

bass fishing, bat fly, boardman river, brown trout, fishing traverse city, fly fishing guide service, hex hatch, isonychias, manistee, manistee river

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Posts tagged "manistee river"

March Thaw Fishing Report

Late October Fishing Report

Late September Fishing Report

Mid August Fishing Report

Late June Fly Fishing Report

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