Mid March Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - March 17, 2018

As the sun radiates off the water and the chirp of birds in the background is equally welcomed, it’s apparent that the longer days and increased sunshine has Spring Steelhead fishing on angler’s minds. The local rivers including the Manistee and Betsie have a mixed bag of winter and fresh fish in them with even a few fish that have started to spawn. Fish are spread throughout river systems and the deep holes near sections of rivers with spawning gravel are great places to target as the fish are holding and waiting for a bump in water temperatures.

Water levels are normal – some might even consider them low for this time of year – since we have had so many thaws throughout the past few months resulting in minimal run off. There is a little snow in the woods so barring any heavy rains, look for water conditions to remain this way for a while. With the lack of run off the water has good clarity leaving most river systems fish-able throughout them helping to spread out any pressure. On those sunny days, try dropping tippet size.

Effective flies have been mixed without any one pattern out performing the other: egg flies in orange or chartreuse are good choices when tied in tandem with a nymph like a fry/alevin, caddis and hex patterns. [I wrote an article a while back talking about the top 5 steelhead flies for our Lake Michigan Tributaries – click here to read.]

Bottom bouncing/Duck and Chuck still gets anglers down to where the fish are on the bigger rivers and deeper water, and nymphing with floating lines is ideal on smaller rivers like the Betsie. Fishing under floats is a great way to cover a bubble line when the sun is out and the fish are hiding, allowing you to target water where wood and other structure requires your flies be suspended off the bottom.

Good luck.

Ted

The Spring Newsletter just went out – click here to read and/or subscribe

Spring Steelhead – Now through April, get on the water for Spring’s first opportunity to bend the rod.
Trout – Reliable hatches begin in May for surface activity and it’s also a great time for fishing streamers.
Learn How – Take a 1/2 day trip with the goal of learning how to fly fish or improve, customized to your interests.

Early March Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - March 1, 2018

March is here and so is an early start to the spring steelhead fishing. The winter – at times – has been just that – winter, but there have been plenty of thaws along the way pretty much leaving us without any snow, ice-free rivers and a favorable forecast.

River levels on the Manistee and Betsie are up a bit with some stain but that is pretty much normal for this time of year as some run-off works its way through the river systems kick-starting things. With the rising water levels and increased water temps, combined with a few days of sunshine, the steelhead are a little restless. Fish that have wintered over are moving around throughout river systems and getting closer to gravel sections but are still hanging out in the nearby deeper holes with a little less current moving through them. Fresh fish will trickle through the systems offering a mix bag of fish – from colored up winter fish to bright chromers.

With water temps still in the upper 30s, drag-free/Indicator and bottom-bounce presentations are your best bet. As is normally the case for late winter and spring steelheading, an egg pattern fished with a nymph is a great one-two approach. Egg patterns in orange combinations along with chartreuse combinations are ideal in the stained conditions. For nymphs, look for black stoneflies, caddis and alevin to produce.

Don’t put your snow shovels away just yet, but definitely get your fishing equipment out.

Good luck.

Ted

betsie river, black stone fly pattern, caddis, fishing report, fry patterns, manistee, march fly fishing, michigan, spring steelhead, steelhead, trout

Mid-April Steelhead Report – Manistee River

Posted by Ted Kraimer - April 14, 2015

Last week was bizarre – the steelhead came before the rain and then the rain came and has left us wondering where the fish are in the Manistee River. A few days last week fished really well with some big, bright fish playing along nicely, but lately, they have been mostly shy.

The water came up – but not too much – and the water clarity has gone from that greenish color to more of an opaque tan as the water from the Pine River above Tippy dam flushes through. Without much rain in the forecast, look for the water to clear quicker than normal for this time of year. The river currently has about 2 feet of visibility – which is enough when you consider the nature of spring steelhead’s desire to move for a fly and the temperature is in the mid-40s. Some fish are on gravel, others are moving through and others are in pocket water near gravel getting ready to do their chore. Few fresh male fish are around so look for them to come in the weeks ahead as well as more females which should mostly likely migrate after the next rain.

The best flies lately have been green caddis, stones, Fry Patterns and eggs in Golden Nugget/Burnt Orange combos and Chartreuse/Orange rag eggs. Since the water is dirtier, I have been mixing up the sizes of the flies going larger and darker as the sun comes out. With the PM and Muskegon near unfishable with high water, more boats than normal have been on the water.

Good luck,

Ted

Open April Dates: 24 & 26th

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.

big manistee, caddis, fry patterns, green caddis, manistee fishing report, manistee river, rag eggs, spring steelhead, steelhead, tippy dam

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

Spring? Kind of – Fly Fishing Report 3/22/13

Posted by Ted Kraimer - March 22, 2013

The calendar says its Spring but one look outside confirms winter is hanging around. The forecast is calling for a bit of a break from freezing temperatures and a little sunshine which will improve both the steelhead fishing and catching as water temps slightly increase and the ice doesn’t build in the rod tip.

The rain and partial thaw two weeks ago really set up some good pre-spawn conditions. Most of the winter fish in the Manistee have staged near gravel sections and can be found in the deeper slots, holes and pools as they get ready for water temps to further increase to do their thing. The increase in water also brought in some fresh fish from the lake to add some chrome to the mix with lots more to come over the next month. A number of fish moved through the Betsie River system after the rain and there are fish scattered throughout the system – look for another increase in water flow to really make for another push of fish – the Betsie typically some of its best fishing in March as fish migrate upstream.

Water clarity is ideal with a slight stain and water temps are in the mid-30’s. A little sun can have a nice impact on water temps and the fish — look for those afternoon windows to get some fishing in. Flies of choice are the usual suspects – egg patterns (clown, orange variations of Nuke eggs, chartreuse glo bugs and rag in various colors) tied in tandem with caddis, stones, Alevins/Fry, steelhead buggers and hex nymphs.

Good Luck,

Ted

There is a new group with the intent of getting the act of chumming banned (throwing fish eggs above likely holding steelhead lies before fishing). Become more informed and lend your support if you are in agreement.

Spring Steelhead – From mid-March through April. Some dates still available in April – schedule yours today.
Trout Fishing – May & June offer some or our best streamer fishing & great hatches – its closer than you think!
2013 Fishing Season – Now booking for all seasons in 2013 – Don’t miss your place in the boat.

alevins, betsie river, fly fishing report, fry pattern, manistee river, spring steelhead, steelhead

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Posts tagged "spring steelhead"