Posts tagged "manistee"

December Steelhead and Trout Fishing

Posted by Ted Kraimer - December 1, 2016

With December here, it’s time to think of transitional fishing as water temps cool and the days get shorter.

Our extended Fall Season was enjoyed by most being able to hit the water without the typical number of insulating layers that’s common for this time of year. The lack of cold has kept water temps on the local Steelhead Rivers in the mid to lower 40s which is still an ideal window for good steelhead fishing. But as we approach cooler water temps with colder nights, look for the fish to transition from the seams to the inside edges of runs, in structure and the deeper holes. You will still want to target the proven fall water, but don’t hesitate to fish “off to the side” a little should you not find the fish. In other words, the fish should be scattered and a mix of fresh fish and some that have been in for a few weeks.

After a pretty dry fall, we finally received some rain fall and the water levels bumped up a little. While levels aren’t high, the rains were needed to increase and inspire more fish to move in from the lake as well as redistribute some of the fish already in the systems. Smaller rivers like the Betsie, Boardman and PM should get their first significant push of fish into the systems. The Manistee with its volume off flow has had fish in it all fall, but now the gin-clear water has finally picked up a little stain which is more than welcome.

This time of year fly choice and technique can include just about any with considerable expectations on their effectiveness. Drift/Duck and Chuck, Indicator/Floats, and Swung Streamers are all worthy of exploration for good steelhead fishing. Big egg patterns fished with a nymph (hex or bugger) is great on fresh migratory fish but more realistic egg color and size and smaller nymphs are a good choice for those fish that have already settled into a river environment. Swung flies include black with chartreuse, Olive with Copper and natural sculpin schemes/colors have all been good choices.

Trout fishing on the upper Manistee and below Tippy Dam has been decent as they begin to transition a bit, too. Smaller sink-tips and mid-sized streamers fished slower than normal and with lots of twitches is a good approach. Colors, shape, size and retrieve is often different each day so mix it up until you find success.

Good luck!

Ted

Fall Steelhead – Warmer than normal water and air temps will keep us chasing chrome fish for a while yet.
Late Fall Trout – After gorging on salmon eggs, streamer fishing below Tippy Dam can be outstanding.
Gift Certificates – With the holidays upon us, ask for or give the gift of a guided fishing trip – Half or Full-Days.

Betsie, boardman river, egg patterns, manistee, migratory fish, steelhead rivers, tippy dam fishing, trout fishing

Early November Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - November 4, 2016

With November now here, we are still experiencing early October-like weather with warmer temperatures and some really hot fish.

Steelhead fishing on the Manistee has been decent with some nice steelhead playing along. But they often aren’t playing nice – that is, once hooked, they are really testing our skills with their ability to put space between you and them. The fish are scattered throughout the river system – in holes, tail-outs, seams and on the rare sunny day – in woody structure.

Majority of the fish are eating egg patterns with no one pattern, size or color outperforming another – mix it up. If fishing near the dam, go small as the fish are really keying in on eating the natural eggs left by the salmon. Just a few chinook and coho salmon remain directly below Tippy, spawning in the upper mile of water. Fishing nymphs in the past ten days is proving effective with smaller nymphs used near the dam and larger patterns like ice/steelhead buggers, hex nymphs and caddis working in the lower sections. This is the time to use that two-handed rod with streamers swung on a sink-tip.

Water temps are hovering around 50 degrees which is adding to the fish’s feistiness. Water clarity is a little too good, nudging us to use lighter lines which makes landing the fish more difficult. It appears that about half of the fish in the river had been eating really well out in the lake and they have some shoulders and girth to prove it.

The trout are continuing to appease their appetite after a heavy egg diet and are chasing a streamer when not scavenging on any remaining salmon eggs. On rivers like the Upper Manistee and Au Sable system, the streamer fishing has been decent for those looking to feed a post-spawn brown trout. Mid-sized streamers like the Autumn Offender and Ted’s Brook Trout fished on sink-tips is your best approach.

Good luck,

Ted

Trout – Target post-spawn browns with streamers on the upper Manistee or Below Tippy Dam.
Fall Steelhead – Warm weather is making for comfortable steelhead fishing. Oxymoron, isn’t it?
Late Fall Trout – After gorging on salmon eggs, streamer fishing below Tippy Dam can be outstanding.

Au Sable system, brown trout, caddis, fall steelhead, fall steelhead fishing, manistee, post-spawn streamer fishing, salmon, streamer fishing, tippy dam, upper-manistee

Mid-October Salmon, Steelhead and Trout Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - October 12, 2016

As we approach mid-October it feels closer to the beginning of the month based on conditions and temperatures.

We finally received our first nights of mid-30 degree temperatures and the water temps have dipped into the 50s which is needed for the the salmon to continue to enter the rivers. And, today we have received some very much needed rain; as water levels increase, look for the remaining salmon waiting to migrate upstream to their spawning areas and bring a few steelhead along with them.

The Betsie continues to have spawning salmon working the gravel sections as does the Manistee – primarily in the water directly below Tippy Dam. A few steelhead are around but well below what we expect for this time of year. As the weather realizes the time of year and begins to feel fall-like, look for more fish. Over the next few weeks It’s time to match the hatch and fish egg patterns that are realistic as both trout and steelhead key in on the “protein drip” – that is, the eggs from spawning salmon.

Those looking for trout will find some of bigger browns just starting to get busy on gravel – please leave those fish alone as they are future of our trout fishing – especially those rivers that are solely reliable on natural reproduction. Streamer fishing for pre-spawn and post-spawn fish on sink tips can make for some of the year’s best fishing as they are ornery and hungry. Cover water and respect the resource.

Good luck.

Ted

Trout – Have the Upper Manistee to yourself fishing wets, dries/terrestrials and streamers.
Fall Steelhead – Starting in October, extending into December. Fall Color Tour includes Chrome!
Late Fall Trout – After gorging on salmon eggs, streamer fishing below Tippy Dam can be outstanding.

Betsie, egg patterns, fall steelhead, manistee, manistee river tippy dam, salmon, steelhead, Streamer fishing for trout, tippy dam

Early September Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - September 7, 2016

With Labor Day behind us, it still feels like summer with the warm temperatures. While the days are shorter, trout fishing on the upper Manistee and Boardman during the lower light hours of the day seem to be best and when it is overcast -fishing is pretty consistent throughout the day.

The terrestrial bite has been decent all year and it remains that way. Flying ants have been around recently and since they are like crack cocaine to trout – have some in your fly box. Be sure to have some grasshoppers and general terrestrial attractors like Chernobyl Ants, Tar Babies, Fuzzy Wuzzys and Neversinks – the “foam and rubber” season remains. Have some smaller streamers to fish on floating lines for some subsurface action and once things start to noticeably cool down, have the streamer rod ready. The brook trout are getting brilliant with color as they are in their pre-spawn stage and a little feisty. Browns will get that way later in September as they prepare to spawn in October.

Salmon have entered local rivers with promising numbers of fish considering conditions haven’t been ideal the past three weeks. The Betsie has some fish in it as does the lower Manistee below Tippy Dam but we are still in summer like conditions and the number of fish around reflects that. The treatment of the Manistee last week with lampricide has seemed to work its way through the system and the fish bite has returned after a few days of being in a stupor. With more rain in the forecast and cooler weather ahead, look for conditions and fish numbers to increase steadily along the northwest coast and tributaries.

Bass and bluegill fishing remains pretty good on local lakes and ponds with the water temperatures dropping a little. Bigger fish are moving back in to the shallows and are eating the fly pretty good. Interested in learning how to fly fish? This is still a great way to learn the fundamentals and bend the rod.

Good luck,

Ted

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Late Summer Trout – Have the river to yourself fishing wets, dries, terrestrials and streamers.
Salmon – A few dates remain for Salmon fishing on the Betsie River throughout September.
Fall Steelhead – Starting in October, extending into December. Fall Color Tour includes Chrome!

Betsie, boardman, brook trout, fishing, manistee, salmon, salmon fishing tippy dam, steelhead, streamer fishing, terrestrial fishing

Mid-July Fly Fishing Report – Traverse City

Posted by Ted Kraimer - July 13, 2016

The dog-days of summer are upon us with warm weather and the Cherry Festival behind us.

The trout fishing has been up and down. Tricos are becoming more reliable on the Manistee and Boardman Rivers and will build over the month offering dry fly fishing for those looking to hit the water in the a.m. These small bugs are ideal for those 3 and 4 wt. rods you don’t use too often. The various terrestrials and attractors are becoming more effective each day and also will build – these windy days have blown ants, beetles and other insects onto the water and the brook trout and brown trout have noticed.

Those fishing in the evening and up until dark has been witnessing sporadic hatches of Isonychias, Great BWO, Light Cahills, a few caddis and little yellow sally stone flies. Now that we are on the other side of the Hex Hatch, it’s time to adjust our fishing after two months of evening fishing – you can learn more by reading “Trout Fishing After the Hex Hatch.”

Bass fishing on the lakes has been a lot of fun now that the weed growth is making it easy to find where the fish are laid up. Diving frogs, poppers and some baitfish streamers fished on a floating line can help you find a largemouth bass. Like always, target the structure of weeds, docks and drop offs. Try fishing deer hair sliders on a clear sink-tip line for a great presentation along drop-offs – most often they can’t help but eat those flies.

Those same lakes and ponds where you find bass will provide lots of opportunity for panfish and bluegill. While the big gills are off deep and pretty much out of reach for the fly angler, the smaller fish are offering plenty of opportunity to bend the rod. These fish are perfect for new and developing anglers as they offer endless opportunities to set the hook and bring them in while on a beautiful northern Michigan lake.

Smallmouth bass fishing on the Lower Manistee is increasing with the warm water and temperatures. These fish love a streamer fished on both floating line and sink-tips. While not for beginners, they offer a fun target for those looking to spend a day on the water.

There are a few Carp in Grand Traverse Bay but they have been highly difficult to pin down and predict – especially with all the wind we have been dealing with lately. The higher water of the bay has made fishing more difficult than years past but those shallow spots should have the occasional fish move through them. Consider fishing further north where the water is cooler. The majority of the season is behind us still leaving us realizing that we know less about these mysterious fish than we think.

Good luck and stay cool (on water).

Ted

July & August Trout – It’s that time of year to start your day on a river fishing wets, dry flies and terrestrials.
Learn to Fly Fish – This is a great time of year to learn how to fly fish. 1/2 day trips for beginners are perfect!
Salmon – Late August and September is when the Salmon start to migrate upstream – get ’em while you can.
2016 Dates – Now booking for the entire fishing season: trout, bass, salmon and fall Steelhead.

bass fishing, boardman, carp, isonychias, manistee, smallmouth bass fishing, tricos

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