Mid October Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - October 19, 2022

It seems like it has been an old fashion fall with cooler weather, frosts kicking the fall colors into bold expressions, and maybe a little too much rain in our rivers. After over 3 inches the past couple days our local rivers are running more than full, they are high and have some color to them. Lots of leaves, too.

The salmon are past peak and the fish that are in the river are finishing up their spawning on the Manistee. Steelhead have moved through most rivers systems and are taking advantage of the eggs that the salmon are contributing. Like the salmon, they are running large and with the warmer water temperatures, they have been more than a handful once hooked. With water temps about to drop below 50, they should be a little more user friendly but don’t expect much change – upper 40s doesn’t curb their enthusiasm too much.

Since the natural food source has been eggs, egg patterns and beads have been the most productive. When a lot of leaves in the water consider using larger and bolder colors to help them stick out. Nymphs like buggers and hex have taken some fish as has a swung fly or two. With the high water, you might have to go a little bigger and bolder with all patterns.

Because fish were not stocked by MI-DNR in the spring of 2021 we have lost a year class of fish – PLEASE practice catch and release to help us absorb the missing population in the years ahead.

Good luck.

Ted

Fall Steelhead – Finish the season with what started the season – Steelhead! A few dates available in November
2023 Fishing – Get your dates secured to ensure your time on the water. Booking all seasons thru September.
Gift Certificates – Quick and easy gifts of a half-day, full-day or casting lesson for friends or family.

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Mid-April Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - April 15, 2022

Water levels and clarity have improved a lot in the past week with that lack of any appreciable precipitation on the local watersheds. There is still a stain to the Manistee and Betsie rivers, but that isn’t out of character for mid-April and steelhead fishing.

Water temps have passed the 40-degree mark which is what the fish prefer to begin their spawning ritual. Fish tend to be near and on gravel with some more fish moving though the rivers from Lake Michigan. Cloudy and overcast days have made for better fishing compared to the sunny days as more fish feel comfortable moving through the river in these conditions.

Egg patterns are still catching plenty of fish and we are using smaller ones with the clearer water and their resemblance to the more natural eggs drifting though the system. The nymph bite has been better this past week with caddis and black stones working nicely but fry patterns being the best non-egg pattern as the salmon fry have become active with the warmer water.

Good luck.

Ted

May Days – The month that offers so much variety for a number of species. <<More info>>
Match the Hatch – Late May and June offer dry fly anglers some of the best trout fishing of the year.
Fall Steelhead – Some good dates remain available in October, November and into December.

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April Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - April 9, 2022

The local rivers are all running high with recent rains. The good news is we have a few days without any rain (or snow) in the forecast.

Higher water has meant dirty water. A flood gate was lifted on Tippy Dam yesterday which always frees up mud and algae while increasing the flow. The ice on the pond has melted so we should see the water temps break the 40-degree mark soon, especially with a forecast of air temps in the 50s. The Betsie almost always has a stain to it which only increases as the flow also increases.

Some steelhead have begun their spawning while others are headed up to do it. Look for fish to be just about anywhere in the river – softer seams for migrating fish, deeper holes and pocket water near spawning gravel for those waiting to get on it.

Proven flies have mostly been larger rag eggs and bead rigs in brighter colors including clown, pink, combos with cerise, and chartreuse.

Crowded conditions continue to be norm which isn’t anything new when it comes to Steelhead fishing in April. Smile and recognize that the next angler is only trying to do what you are.

Good luck.

Ted

May Days – The month that offers so much variety for a number of species. <<More info>>
Match the Hatch – Late May and June offer dry fly anglers some of the best trout fishing of the year.
Fall Steelhead – Some good dates remain available in October, November and into December.

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Early April Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - April 2, 2022

April has come but the snow hasn’t gone. The transitional weather usually found in March is continuing as we get into April with a mix of rain, snow, mud, and ice. We did see the sun twice last week which, could be a sign of things to come.

With the rain and snow, water levels on the Manistee and Betsie have come up significantly. There is also a lot of color to the water so larger fly patterns are the go-to approach until things clear up again. Egg patterns and beads in bold colorations have outperformed smaller presentations and the larger nymphs are working better than the smaller ones.

Steelhead are in the rivers and with temps in the upper 30s some fish have begun to spawn while more fish are getting restless in the holes and runs near spawning gravel. The rise in water levels should also recruit more fish to come upstream from the lake which is good because the fish that have been in the river a while are starting to get wise to what we are up to.

The higher water has made fishing smaller rivers more challenging for the wading angler. As a result, it seems the Big Manistee has even more boats on it with people looking to get their spring steelhead fix. The once common friendly acknowledgment between boats for courteous boat handling techniques sadly has become the exception, not the norm. Remember that we are all sharing the resource and a little courtesy can go a long way whether you are in a boat or wading.

New fishing licenses season began April 1 and just a reminder that there are new harvest limits on local rivers to help preserve fish populations and support natural reproduction with fewer hatchery fish in river systems. All guide trips remain catch and release.

Good luck.

Ted

May Days – The month that offers so much variety for a number of species. <<More info>>
Match the Hatch – Late May and June offer dry fly anglers some of the best trout fishing of the year.
Fall Steelhead – Some good dates remain available in October, November and into December.

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Mid March Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - March 19, 2022

A really warm Thursday with intense sunshine really knocked the snow pack in the woods and valleys down, creating significant run-off into the tributaries and rivers. Local rivers are on the rise and gaining some color which is likely to continue after some rain and more of it in the forecast.

With rains comes fish. There are some fish in the Betise and Manistee rivers and more are migrating upstream, with older fish shuffling around and staging. When the water gets high like this, look for fish to be anywhere including the fresh, migrating steelhead to be in the soft bubble lines traveling upstream.

As the water gets higher and dirtier, increase the size and boldness of your flies. Larger stone flies, green caddis and egg patterns will become prominent in these conditions.

We aren’t quite in Spring yet, but rather what I refer to as “mud season” – both on the banks and in the river.

Good luck.

Ted

May Days – The month that offers so much variety for a number of species. <<More info>>
Match the Hatch – Late May and June offer dry fly anglers some of the best trout fishing of the year.
Fall Steelhead – Some good dates remain available in October, November and into December.

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Posts tagged "steelhead fishing"

Mid October Fishing Report

Mid-April Fishing Report

April Fishing Report

Early April Fishing Report

Mid March Fishing Report

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