Late March Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - March 20, 2021

Spring officially has started which typically means cold nights and the promise of warmer days. And Spring Steelhead.

The local rivers – Manistee and Betsie – have been providing some fish but with the lack of rain/run-off, it’s been a case of earned fish rather than easy fishing. Yes, easy steelhead fishing does occur from time to time. Water temps are in the low 40s and are bouncing around with temperature swings that can range 30 degrees in a day.

As these fish migrate upstream to spawn, many are staging in areas near spawning gravel waiting for conditions to be just right. Look for fish in the holes near gravel or runs between holes. Some fish have begun spawning which should take place for another month or so. With angling pressure increasing, look for fish to seek shelter in secondary spots, specifically around the structure of log jams.

Some little black stone flies have been emerging which makes it a great pattern to fish when tied in tandem with an egg or bead. If the water becomes too colored/stained, the smaller stonefly is hard to see and larger patterns are suggested. Green Caddis, Hex Nymphs and Steelhead Buggers are all great pattern choices right now.

Please keep in mind that Steelhead will return to Lake Michigan after spawning and come back even bigger next year if you allow them to, not only making for bigger fish, but also more fish. MI-DNR was unable to collect eggs in 2020 to support their supplemental spawning program in 2021– this season it is more important than ever to limit your harvest to help the fishery absorb this loss. The steelhead population, simply put, is not infinite.

Limit Your Kill
– All Trips Remain Catch and Release –

Trout Fishing – May and June offer some of the best streamer and dry fly hatches of the year.
Learn to Fly Fish – Tailor a half-day trip to learning how to fly fish –
perfect for beginners or those looking to dial in a new technique.
Fall Steelhead – Some good dates remain in November and into December

Betsie, green cadds, guide, little black stonefly, manistee river fishing, MI-DNR Steelhead, steelhead, steelhead fishing

Early November Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - November 1, 2020

November is here and as I type, so is the snow.

Last week’s high water has pretty much dropped to normal levels leaving local rivers like the Betsie and Manistee running just a little above average re: fall levels/flows, with a slight tinge to it and in the mid-40s – kind of ideal if not perfect. Except the steelhead didn’t get the memo. The past week was unusually tough fishing especially considering the time of year and the conditions we had which should have made for a great week of fishing.

The current forecast calls for a warming trend which should help keep the water temps in the mid-to upper 40s and ideal for a number of techniques and presentations (bottom-bouncing, indicators, spey/swinging flies).

Just a few salmon remain in parts of rivers finishing up their spawning with the steelhead still sitting in the runs behind them eating eggs. It’s the time of year that we start to mix up the presentation with some nymphs fished in tandem with the eggs, or even swinging the big fly on sink-tip lines, but like most of the fall, there hasn’t been any one size, color or pattern that has been the go-to proven leader. I’m blaming 2020 on the lack of consistency.

Good luck,

Ted

Trout/Steelhead Combo – Late fall can offer a combined chance at both species on the lower Manistee.
Fall Steelhead – Some good dates are available in November – a great way to finish the fishing season.

betsie river steelhead, manistee river guide, manistee river steelhead fishing, salmon, spey flies, steelhead fishing

End of August Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - August 29, 2020

With August coming to an end it is apparent that the Trico hatch on the local trout rivers has also come to an end. This time of year typically is a transition time where fish start focusing on subsurface presentations and streamer patterns but it’s still summer-like and the fish are still looking up and taking terrestrials, attractors and even mayfly impressions (great olives, small Isos). Some flying ants have been around and they are always a safe bet to have in your fly box for the next 5 weeks if headed to the upper Manistee or Boardman rivers.

Fishing pressure has been light and once we get on the other side of Labor Day, anglers will have the trout water pretty much to themselves and the wildlife. Take some smaller streamers and fish sub-surface on floating lines should the fish not be looking up or there is too much debris floating on the surface as winds blow pine needles, dead grass and more into the river. If you never fished your favorite trout river in September, you should try it.

Many anglers think that with September comes the salmon. This year the salmon run is running late because of the hot summer, warm water temperatures at river mouths, and lack of rain, cool nights and favorable winds. Eventually as the season starts to act a little more typical for this time of year, fish should be showing up in better numbers. The forecast calls for more of the same so look for the run to get a slow start.

Bass fishing on the local lakes has been good for those that can cast the larger patterns and covers some water. Big foam/hard shell poppers and diving deer hair sliders/divers have all taken some good fish near structure – weed beds, wood and drop offs. Bluegill fishing has slowed down but I suspect that should pick up again as water temperatures in local lakes begin to cool off.

Good luck.

Ted

Trout Fishing – Late fall can offer some really good trout fishing for those willing to fish streamers.
Or consider a trout/steelhead combo in November on the lower Manistee.
Fall Steelhead – Some good dates are available in November – a great way to finish a fishing season.

Betsie, fall steelhead, salmon, steelhead fishing, streamer fishing, terrestrial fishing

“Winter Time, and the fishing isn’t easy”

Posted by Ted Kraimer - January 18, 2020

It’s been a see-saw winter with snow, mild temps, more snow, etc. But the calendar notes it is January and any chance to get out and fish this time of year should be considered a bonus.

Despite the warm-ups, the water temperatures on local rivers remain in the lower 30s. Whether you are looking to fish for trout or steelhead, the name of the game is to fish the slower water where fish are kind of doing the equivalent of hibernating. When a fly comes into their window, they have plenty of time to inspect it so leader size and realistic patterns can make the difference.

If fishing streamers for trout, small sink-tips or floating lines with heavily weighted flies is a good approach for a while until things warm up.

Steelhead anglers will find that fishing under a float or indicator might provide the best drag-free presentation right now; fishing a realistic and action-enhanced hex nymph pattern is one of my favorite flies to tie on this time of year.

Not into winter fishing? Here are some ideas on how to spend the new couple of months until the white landscape is replaced with green.

Good luck.

Ted

June’s Big Bugs – With summer comes some of our best dry fly fishing – don’t miss the Drakes, ISOs and Hex
Fall Steelhead – Spring season is almost all booked so be sure to get your fall dates before they too are gone.
2020 Fishing Season – We are booking dates through 2020 – don’t miss the prime times.

2020 fishing season, fall steeelhead, fly tying, hex nymph pattern, local rivers, steelhead fishing, winter, winter fishing

Mid-April Steelhead Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - April 15, 2019

Steelhead fishing continues on the local rivers, however the fishing has slowed recently with heavy angling pressure, a majority of the fish hitting spawn mode, and a lot of fish already having completed their annual task.

Water temps are in the mid-40s and bright days with lots of sunshine like today really help increase temps further. Clarity is good but that is likely to change with the rain that is forecast over the week; when that happens look for another push of fresh fish to move through the Betsie and Manistee river below Tippy Dam.

Productive flies have been mixed with green caddis, fry and smaller natural egg patterns being the front runners. Buggers and egg sucking leeches are picking up their fair share of fish as are some hex patterns.

Fish harvest continues to be more prevalent this year than years past – please conserve your catch and keep to ensure a future, sustainable fishery. Steelhead can return year after year but only if they stay off the rope and avoid the filet knife.

Good luck.

Ted

Trout – May and June offers some of the best trout fishing of the year matching the hatch and fishing streamers.
Fall Steelhead– It’s not too early to look ahead to fall run of these fish. Hard fighting and a beautiful time of year.
Booking 2019 – Reserve your date(s) and schedule life around fishing rather than trying to fit fishing into life.

betsie river steelhead, caddis patterns for steelhead, guide trips manistee, steelhead, steelhead fishing, tippy dam steelhead fishing

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Posts tagged "steelhead fishing"

Late March Fishing Report

Early November Fishing Report

End of August Fishing Report

“Winter Time, and the fishing isn’t easy”

Mid-April Steelhead Fishing Report

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