Steelhead Season Continues as Trout Season Begins

Posted by Ted Kraimer - April 21, 2015

Fishing pretty much has remained the same – it’s been inconsistent. One day we find a bunch of fish, the next – a few, then fewer and back to a bunch again – you just don’t know. On both the Manistee and Betsie the steelhead have been coming and going pretty quickly. A few drop backs have been caught as the females head back to the lake after their deed is complete and those same, big, deep holes that have been holding them have also been holding some fresh fish waiting to hit the gravel. Fish are spawning on both river systems but not in the numbers we are used to.

Because of the lack or run-off this winter and little rain, look for more fish to show up through mid-May – especially after ideal conditions in which rain fall is key. I guess you could say the “run” has been spread out over a long period of time. Good flies recently have been clown rag eggs, mottled orange variation eggs, green caddis, steelhead buggers, and small black stones.

It’s finally here! This Saturday marks the annual Trout (Pike, Muskie, pre-Season Bass, too) season on rivers. Much of the water that we guide on is open all year round, but this date is significant to the small stream angler or those that follow tradition. The Upper Manistee and Boardman river levels are higher from summer levels but is lower than normal for this time of year. Some black stones have been on the water but good dry fly fishing is looking to begin closer and into May with sustained warmer temps – I saw snow today and more is in the forecast tomorrow – this tends to fluctuate water temperatures, bug emergences and the trout’s demeanor. Streamer fishing is a great approach right now with medium speed retrieves and flies with lots of action.

Good luck!

Ted

Spring Steelhead – Through mid-May on the Manistee including steelhead/trout combos. Few dates available.
Trout Season – Streamer & Dry Fly fishing is ideal throughout May on the Upper Manistee & AuSable Rivers.
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.

au sable, Betsie, boardman, boardman river, manistee, steelhead, streamer fishing, trout opener, upper-manistee

Steelhead Fishing – April Fools?

Posted by Ted Kraimer - April 1, 2015

There is no fooling that the steelhead run is behind schedule. Typically the run-off and rains have increased river flows encouraging fish to migrate upstream by now. With the cold winter, drawn-out thaw of snow (and not much of it) and cold nights, the water has been running lower, clearer, and colder than normal for this time of year – it’s been right about 40 degrees. Conditions are good for the wading angler as the water is easy to read with decent clarity and its levels, but the fish just don’t seem to be around partly because the number of fall fish that wintered over was lower than normal.

After some rain look for things to change as water flow increases. Tippy Dam pond above the dam on the Manistee river has melted quite a bit in the past week and should be ice-free by the end of the week which should help warm up the river. While there isn’t a significant amount of rain in the forecast, there is some and it should really kick things into gear and get those fish moving.

Good fly patterns lately have been green caddis, hex nymphs and egg patterns in shades of Oregon cheese and steelhead orange. On bright, sunny days look for fish to be in the deeper water and around wood and other structure. As fish begin to think about spawning look for fish to stage in the holes close to spawning gravel. It appears that this year’s run should extend a while and into May since it is slow to get going.

Just a reminder – a new fishing license is required April 1 and certain rivers/sections are now open. Some new rules exist too, check out the new MI-DNR regulation book.

Good luck.
Ted

Open April Dates: 24 & 26th

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.

april steelhead fishing. hex nymphs, Betsie, egg patterns, manistee, oregon cheese, steelhead, tippy dam fishing

Winter Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - February 18, 2015

There is no doubt that winter’s here and so are some record low temperatures making fly fishing on local rivers pretty much non-existent. Shelf ice is pretty prominent on the river’s edges and some slower portions are covered with ice, limiting access should you decide to venture out when cabin fever gets you to that point. The snow pack along the river isn’t too bad as snowfall has been a little light this winter which should help keep the spring run-off within reason. If you do head out when temps bump up a bit keep an extra change of clothes in the car, avoid walking on the shelf ice along the edge and simply use caution.

As far as the fish, look for steelhead to be in the slow moving, deep holes and don’t expect much of a fight once hooked with water temps barely above freezing. Areas with numerous springs are a good place to target as the warmer ground water seeping in often holds fish. Fish realistic flies with lots of motion like hex nymphs and preferably under an indicator for your best drag-free presentation. With fall salmon’s progeny developing, now is a good time to fish an alevin pattern for both steelhead and trout. With increasingly warmer late winter days not that far away, look for stonefly nymph action to increase and more fish to shuffle around as the days get longer and more fish get that spring urge to begin their upstream migration – it’s not that far away.

Good luck,

Ted

Spring Steelhead – It’s not too far away! From mid-March through April. 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.

Betsie, manistee, spring steelhead, steelhead, stonefly nymph, winter steelhead

November Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - November 7, 2014

There hasn’t been much of a change in fishing the past week – one day we do good, then it is tough again for a few. The bottom line – in my opinion – is that fishing has been inconsistent and tougher than it should be for this time of year and basically has been all fall. The number of Steelhead in the rivers seems to be pretty stable with a few fresh fish trickling into the Manistee but less fish than what should be in the rivers. Water temps remain in the 40’s so when hooked-up you know it as they are still sassy and are a handful to land. Reports on the other rivers in the region including the Betsie seem to be about the same.

The weather forecast is calling for cooler weather and a little of the white stuff which should contribute to lower water temps which ultimately should start getting those fish to move from the shallow water to the slower, deeper water – at least in theory. My advice would be to cover as much water as possible fishing a combo of an egg and a nymph. Then again I’m scratching my head trying to figure out what the fish really want and where.

The streamer bite on the trout rivers has improved as the browns are done spawning and looking to eat before winter sets in. Rather than cast the really big articulated patterns, consider casting some mid-sized patterns (3-5 inches long) like the Autumn Offender or Brook Trout on smaller sink-tips as the fish seem to be out of the deep holes with the lack of pressure and their desire to eat.

Good luck.

Ted

Trout – Streamer fishing on the Manistee through Fall can be hot when temps gets cold.
Fall Steelhead– Now through November – this is the time of year for our famed Steelhead.
2015 Fishing – It isn’t too early to get your dates booked for next year – now booking for all seasons.

Betsie, fall fishing, manistee, steelhead, streamer, trout

Fall Weather = Fall Steelhead

Posted by Ted Kraimer - October 31, 2014

With a day like today (high north winds, snow and rain) we can’t help but think that it is fall and the fall steelhead should get their act in order and show up in a little more force since they have been trickling in the past 6 weeks. Then again, all bets are off this 2014 fishing season as very little has been predictable throughout the year.

Fishing the past week has been up and down but overall still a bit slower than what it should be for this time of year. When we are finding fish they have been hot and a handful as the water temps on the Manistee are hovering in the high 40s. The fish that are playing along seemed to prefer egg patterns however the nymph bite is starting to improve a little bit with caddis and steelhead buggers out performing other nymphs tried. As far as egg colors…… mix it up but focus on the orange or Oregon cheese shades/colors.

Good luck,

Ted

Trout – Try streamer fishing on the upper Manistee and below Tippy Dam through Fall.
Fall Steelhead– From now through November – this is the time of year for our famed Steelhead.
2015 Fishing – It isn’t too early to get your dates booked for next year – now booking for all seasons.

egg patterns, fall steelhead, manistee, nymph, streamer, tippy dam, weather

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Posts tagged "manistee"