Posts tagged "salmon fishing"

Late September Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - September 29, 2024

With Fall officially starting last week and September coming to an end, it still kind of feels like summer with temperatures in the 80s. I guess, the summer of 2024 continues.

With salmon being a migratory species looking to get upstream to spawn, they have a biological clock that sometimes can’t wait for conditions to be perfect before they run upstream. The water is warm and the lack of any significant rain the past 7 weeks has rivers running low and clear.

There has been a steady trickle of fish in rivers like the Manistee and Betsie with many of the slower moving pools and holes holding pre-spawn fish as they look for water temperatures to drop before hitting the spawning gravel in earnest. Some spawning has taken place as has the migration of salmon fisherman and all that comes with it.

There is a mix of size classes – some small and some that are big. Seems that when you find big fish, they are just that – well over 20 lbs and become a real slug fest on the end of the line.

With the extension of this warm weather, trout fishing has continued to be decent for this time of year. Terrestrial fishing is still bringing fish to the surface but as heat stressed tress drop their leaves early and pine needs fall to the water’s surface on breezy days, it can be difficult for the trout to see a dry fly with all the debris on the water.

It’s a great time to fish a small to mid-sized streamer on either a floating line or clear sink-tip line for pre-spawn browns and even the aggressive brook trout that are all marked up with vibrant colors. With the trees changing colors and most anglers occupied elsewhere, you’ll pretty much have the river to yourself.

Keep in mind that a lot of the smaller trout rivers and streams in the region close to fishing on October 1.

Good luck.

Ted

Fall Steelhead – Finish the season with steelhead on the lower Manistee. Good dates in November remain.
2025 Fishing Season – It’s not too early to look ahead to the next year and get your dates planned and secured.

Betsie, fly fishing traverse city, grayling, guided fishing, manistee river, salmon fishing, terrestrial fishing, trout fishing traverse city

Late October Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - October 22, 2023

As October winds down, so has the salmon fishing. There seemed to be more salmon this year in the Manistee and Betsie rivers than in recent years as their population builds back up thanks to an increasing baitfish population in the lake.

With so many salmon laying eggs in the river, it makes for a great “protein drip” for the steelhead to feed on. So far this Fall, the steelhead numbers have been quite low for adult fish, but with a great number of skippers (15-22” steelhead). Time will tell if the low return is a matter of low water that most rivers on the west side of the State are dealing with, warmer water temps, or a lack of fish population, but it sure feels great when that adult jumps on and reminds us of what a great sport fish they are. It’s also a reminder not to take them for granted and that catch and release is crucial for the future of our fisheries.

Some fresh coho have been around, too, which are always a fun bycatch.

Most of the fish are being caught on eggs and beads with so many eggs in the water. Natural looking colors and sizes are still the first choice but on days when the leaf drop is heavy, sometimes fishing an egg pattern that’s a little larger and/or bolder can help bring some attention to it. You can read more on fishing egg patterns here.

As a seasoned veteran guide now retired recently shared with me – “Keep the faith, they have a way of just showing up”. We look forward to that.

Good luck.

Ted

Fall Steelhead – Just a few dates in November remain available – finish the fishing season strong.
Spring Steelhead – Most of the season is booked – get your dates for March and April while you can.
2024 Fishing – Get your dates secured to ensure your time on the water. Booking all seasons thru September.

betsie river, egg patterns, fishing steelhead, guide, guide trip, manistee river, salmon fishing, steelhead

Early October Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - October 7, 2023

Summer-like weather has come to an end after a few extra weeks of it which continued well into October.

The local rivers have been really low from a lack of rain, however today’s rain along with the rain in the forecast should really help get the local rivers into shape and get the fish moving. I am not sure I have ever seen the rivers this low at this time of year. Water temperatures, also, should get into seasonal form and drop into the 50s.

Salmon are all over the place in the local rivers (Manistee, Betsie, Platte). Because of the date/time of year and the warm water, the fish are pretty dark and busy doing their spawning ritual. It seems that there are a few more salmon around this year than in recent years which is a good thing. The more salmon in Lake Michigan usually means less pressure on the steelhead from the lake anglers which helps to bolster steelhead population. And more salmon in the river means more scent and eggs to coax steelhead upstream. A few steelhead have been moving up the river but mostly the juvenile skippers on their first return up the river.

Trout fishing was extended for those looking to fish some terrestrials thanks to the warm weather but now it’s time to pull out that 6 or 7 wt rod, sink tip lines and box full of streamers. It’s pre-spawn for the brown trout on most rivers and the fish can have an attitude and chase down a fly. Because our trout population is meager and mostly dependent on natural reproduction, please leave any visible spawning brown trout alone to help ensure a future fishery. Some rivers closed on October 1 so make sure your favorite section of water is still open before fishing it.

Regardless of where you are fishing or for what, you’ll find the trees well decorated in fall colors making for a great backdrop as you fish and wind down the season.

Good luck.

Ted

Betsie river fly fishing, caddis, egg patterns, fall steelhead, fly fishing guide, lake michigan, manistee river, Platte River, salmon fishing, salmon fly patterns, steelhead, tippy dam, traverse city, trout fishing, trout fishing with streamers

Mid-September Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - September 19, 2023

The summer weather is making a comeback as we officially transition to Fall this weekend.

Temps in the upper and 70s and approaching the 80s will give the trout rivers a last tickle of terrestrial activity for those looking to get out and get some dry fly fishing in for the year. The rivers (upper Manistee and Boardman) have mostly been untouched now that we are past Labor Day and well into September. In addition to the large foam and rubber leg attractor/terrestrial patterns, consider using some smaller terrestrials like ants and beetles.

Water temps are cool and sometimes when it is in the mid-50s it might be worth delaying your fishing until after the sun has come up and made it a little warmer. The brook trout have begun spawning and when you catch one you can’t help but notice those bold colors, especially on the males. And certain sections of rivers are showing some fall colors in the maples on the riverbank to really intensify the beauty of the river.

The larger and leery brown trout are starting to come out of cover after a long season of being targeted. They might grab a big terrestrial on top, but fishing smaller streamers (less than 3 inches) on intermediate sink tip lines is a great way to improve your chances and catching one.

The salmon are in the rivers pretty thick and are mostly in holding water waiting for conditions to be ideal before they hit the gravel sections to do their spawning. As usual, the rivers are busy with all types of anglers, sportsmen, poachers and others, so don’t expect to have the place to yourself. Once we get another change in the weather with the appropriate winds and some rain, look for another big push of fresh salmon to leave the lake and head up your favorite river.

Good luck,

Ted

Northern Michigan, salmon fishing, streamer fishing, trout, trout fishing

Early September Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - September 5, 2023

With September here and the weather forecast to turn to seasonal weather this week, it might be time to give a nod to the long summer season and everything the fish provided. And since most fisheries were getting tired, the change in weather and angling pressure should help to improve fishing.

The clear water of the local trout streams has been challenging the last few weeks. Thankfully the water levels stayed fine, and temps stayed nice and cool, but the fish seemed to get weary – especially without any bugs on the surface drawing them out from their cover.

Terrestrial fishing has been spotty on the upper Manistee river – some nice brown trout have come to our foam and rubber flies, but the next day you might think there isn’t a fish in the river. Twitch flies lost some of their effectiveness, too, but with the coming cooler nights, shorter days and fewer people on the water trends should reverse. The brook trout’s colors are getting vibrant as they start to think about spawning which typically takes place later this month. It’s a pretty nice time of year to be on the trout waters.

Salmon have entered most of the rivers in the region but the recent near record setting heat has put a pause on a fresh run of fish and the fish already in the systems have gotten a little stale. The salmon fishing, too, will improve with the change in weather, especially some favorable winds on the lake and some precipitation.

Good luck.

Ted

Fall Steelhead – November still has some dates available in 2023 – finish the fishing season strong.
2024 Fishing – Get your dates secured to ensure your time on the water. Booking all seasons thru August.
Gift Certificates – Quick and easy gifts of a half or full-day guide trip or casting lesson for friends or family.

brook trout, guided fishing traverse city, salmon fishing, terrestrial fishing, trout fishing, upper manistee river

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