The lack of rain and seasonal weather has frankly left the river with a lack of fish. The Manistee is running low and clear with less than normal steelhead numbers throughout the river system. It appears that the other local rivers are experiencing similar conditions as we wait for wind and rain. The unseasonable weather we have had the past two-plus months has had an impact on the fish migration and the fish that are in the system quickly get wise to our intentions. The past few days we finally had some cold nights and some rain is forecast a few times over the next 10 days which should only help send more fish upstream while improving conditions. Water temps have slipped into the upper 40s which is great and the forecast of a mild winter should only help make late fall fishing good.

Trout fishing has been good thanks to the lack of cold weather. Streamer fishing on the Manistee – above and below Tippy dam – has been a great approach with overcast days being much better.  The clear water and bright sun has been a bad combo as the fish tend to hide in those conditions. Various streamers have been working with white/gray baitfish (think stocked 4-5 inch skamania steelhead) patterns tending to out produce the other colors. Mix up colors and as the water temps dip, mix up your retrieve.

Firearms deer season begins Sunday Nov. 15 – if you head out to the river, wear some bright orange for safety.

Good luck.

Ted

Late Trout –  Brown trout fishing into late December can be some of the best streamer fishing of the year.
Fall Steelhead –  Look for the good fishing in Nov. & into December for  steelhead on the Manistee after some rain.
Gift Certificates – With the holidays just around the corner consider giving or asking for some time on the water.