michigan steelhead fishing. Archives - Current Works Guide Service

With the first day of Spring, we are reminded that it’s a transition into the new season, not the flip of a switch. Since last week’s report a lot of snow has melted which brought the river levels up and added some color to it. The water temps are still in the low to mid 30’s and with the amount of snow still around in places I don’t see temperatures getting too high, too soon and that’s a good thins as it will make for a nice prolonged run of spring steelhead.

The fish are mixed with fresh ones moving upstream as well as older fish sitting in the deeper water and waiting for the water to warm up so they can get one with spawning activities. Cover the water and structure – with the increase in flow, daylight and fish, comes the increase in the number of anglers which all have the tendency to push fish into secondary water/holding spots.

Not much new on which fly patterns to tie on – big and bold egg patterns, green caddis, stoneflies, hex nymphs and alevins are perennial favorites.

Good luck.

Ted

The Spring 2019 Newsletter just went out – click here to read or subscribe.

Spring Steelhead – Now through April. Start the fishing seasons with some chrome! Some dates still available.
Trout – May and June offers some of the best trout fishing of the year matching the hatch and fishing streamers.
Booking 2019 – Reserve your date(s) and schedule life around fishing rather than trying to fit fishing into life.

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The low clear water of October is behind us as November brings cooler and higher water.

Significant recent rains has the river levels up on the local rivers including the Manistee, Betsie, Boardman and others. And with it should be another push of steelhead. Water levels are going to get a bit stained but that can be a good thing.

As water temps settle into the mid to upper 40’s look for fish to be in all kinds of water. Fresh fish moving through the river will be in the soft seams ascending the river where a mix of fresh and hold-over fish will be in the holes. With a few salmon still around look for the dark water downstream of them as well as vacant gravel to funnel any eggs drifting downstream to steelhead looking for an easy meal.

Egg patterns are ideal but a nymph bite continues to get stronger with steelhead buggers, bigger stoneflies and caddis producing. This is the time of year to pull the two-handed rod out and over runs and fish near structure as fall fish are generally more focused on eating and will eat – sometimes even chase – a swung fly.

Trout are in a post-spawn mode and looking to eat streamers. Some days they will hunt the big tandem articulated streamer out of aggression, but smaller 3 to 4 – inch patterns seem to be more stable producers. Natural looking sculpin and baitfish patterns are a great place to start but if the water is stained or has lots of leaves in it, try fishing something with a little flash to help it stand out. With the cooler water, slow your presentation down a little bit and even consider using a lighter sink-tip line.

Good luck.

Ted

Fall Steelhead – Fall colors include chrome Steelhead until Winter gets here.
Fall Trout Combo – Target both steelhead and trout (streamers) on the lower Manistee
2019 Fishing – It isn’t too early to get next year’s fishing dates secured – booking through October

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Posts tagged "michigan steelhead fishing."

Early November Fishing Report

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