Late October Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - October 24, 2017

Significant rainfall over the past few days has really brought water flows to record levels for this time of year. We often experience this much water in the spring after thaw/rain/run-off, however this time of year we are not sure what water clarity will be like going forward, but it should be better.

A positive aspect about receiving this much water is we should expect some fresh steelhead to migrate upstream, however they will be moving through seams and holding in water less familiar to us. Look for big flies (bold egg patterns and leeches) to receive the most notice from migratory steelhead in such high water. Unlike the spring, the water should drop faster as well as regain clarity, but you will want to monitor river flows and use caution if headed to the river – lots of stuff is flowing downstream including logs, limbs, leaves and the garbage that some class-act salmon anglers have left on the river banks. You can monitor water levels by checking out the USGS Streamflow website by clicking here.

Trout fishing? Big streamers on heavy sink-tips will give you a chance at big brown trout just completing their spawning. Like the steelhead waters, conditions like these requires safety and prudence if heading to the river and letting some time go by to let levels drop would be a good idea. With the recent winds, it might be a good idea to take a chainsaw along to clear any new fallen trees if using a drift boat.

Good luck and be safe.

Ted

Fall Steelhead – October, November and into December, these fish will bend your rod like no other – experience it.
Trout/Steelhead – The lower Manistee offers good streamer fishing for trout in late Fall for a combo of species.

Betsie, chainsaw, egg patterns, high water, manistee, michigan river flows, platte, salmon anglers, steelhead, steelhead fishing

End of August Fly Fishing Report – Current Works Guide Service

Posted by Ted Kraimer - August 30, 2017

As August comes to an end, September has most of us thinking about salmon and fall.

With the cooler temps the past few weeks, ideal winds and some rain, fish are starting to show up in the west coast rivers including the Betsie, Manistee, Bear Creek and Pere Marquette and should continue throughout the month. Many of these fish are staging and holding in deeper, slow holes in the lower sections of the rivers . Presentations can be difficult for fish that sit just on insides of seams and sometimes simply aren’t thinking about eating but perseverance and pattern changes can make the difference some days. Eggs and nymphs are the standard when it comes to nymphing, but those looking to put in time can sometimes get a grab on a streamer – it’s not a quantity thing, but a quality thing.

Not into the crowds, big fish and heavy rods? Trout rivers become vacant this time of year with school starting up, weekend football games taking place and vacations winding down. The terrestrial fishing can be good as the unpressured fish slip out from hiding. And as cooler temps continue with some overcast days, look for the streamer fishing to start up again. The water temps on the Manistee and Boardman are cool and the brook trout have take notice – they are about as vibrant as I have ever seen. Terrestrials, foam and rubber legged patterns and attractors are a great place to start on the surface with small streamers fished on a floating line working below the surface.

Bass fishing remains decent on local lakes with the top water fishing being a lot of fun with all of the weed growth found this time of year. The bluegill fishing has tapered off a little but are still around to put a bend in the rod for those looking for simple fishing or introducing someone to the sport.

Have a safe holiday weekend and good luck.

Ted

Salmon/Steelhead Combo – Late Sept. through early October offers a chance at both species on the Manistee.
Fall Steelhead – October, November and into December, these fish will bend your rod like no other – experience it.
Trout/Steelhead – The lower Manistee offers some great streamer fishing for trout in late Fall as another option.

betise, fishing michigan rivers, guides, nymphing, salmon, salmon fishing, steelhead fishing, streamers, trout fishing michigan

Late April Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - April 22, 2017

With Spring-like weather, I’m thinking Spring is here to stay. It certainly seems like we are a few weeks ahead as I look at stream-side flora, however it appears the fish seasons are mostly in check with steelhead starting to wind down and trout beginning to get active.

Steelhead fishing is on the other side of peak. The recent rains have left local rivers high and stained and in some cases downright dirty. The Betsie is starting to clear up, but it offers limited visibility. The steelhead have been winding down on the Betsie, but fish continue to move into the system after the rains. The Big Manistee below Tippy Dam also has steelhead in it – a mix of fresh fish, spawning fish and drop-backs. The clarity had cleared up after last weekend’s rain, however the rain fall Thursday will dirty it up again by this weekend as the water in the pond changes over. With both rivers, the fresh fish are entering and leaving quickly with water temps in the low 50s.

Effective flies in the dirty water have included large bold egg patterns like Clowns, 4 Shades of Orange and John 3:16, with smaller natural egg patterns being ideal when the water is a bit clearer. Fry patterns, caddis and black stones all have all been solid choices in nymph patterns. Sunny days continue to be the curse of good fishing with overcast days offering better odds.

The trout fishing is getting going as some the first of the dry flies like Hendricksons have been hatching and at times, bringing fish to the surface. Before and after hatches, cover the water with a streamer for what is considered one of the best times to find a really nice brown trout.

Good luck.

Ted

May Fishing – Trout, late steelhead, hatches, streamer fishing, bluegill on lakes – don’t overlook fishing in May.
Trout – The hatches of late May lead into June making for some of the year’s best dry fly fishing – don’t miss out.
2017 Fishing – Plan your year around your fishing – get your dates on the calendar, life will fit in around it.

betsie river, dry flies, egg patterns, hatches, hendricksons, steelhead, steelhead fishing, tippy dam, traverse city fly fishing, trout fishing

April Steelhead Fishing Report – Manistee and Betsie Rivers

Posted by Ted Kraimer - April 8, 2017

Despite rain and some fluctuations in the water and weather, the steelhead fishing was a little slower than the previous weeks on the Manistee and Betsie rivers. While we are still catching fish, we are working harder and finding fewer – especially on those sunny days that tend to be more crowded.

The steelhead that either held-over since fall or trickled into the river through winter had provided a nice surplus of fish to play with but once the water stayed in the 40s, they hit the gravel and returned back to the lake. Except for those fish that ended up on a stringer. Keep in mind and spread the word – these fish can return multiple years if we let them; harvesting fish simply reduces the quality of our steelhead fishery in respect to both the size of fish and the number of them.

Water levels are up a bit, but not out of character for this time of year. With water temps in the 40s we are seeing more stoneflies on the warmer days and the natural sized egg patterns in realistic colors have increased in effectiveness. Other egg patterns that have been working include: clown eggs, rag eggs in Sockeye/Dark Roe and Golden Nugget Bling/Burnt Orange. Nymphs: Green Caddis, R2D2 Stones, Small Black Stones and fry patterns.

With water temps rising, it’s time to start thinking about trout as an alternative to steelhead fishing. The next two months can be some of the best streamer fishing for brown trout on local rivers.

The MI-DNR has released their trout “management” plan and are seeking comments – if interested, you can read by clicking here.

Good luck.

Ted

May Fishing – Trout, late steelhead, hatches, streamer fishing, bluegill on lakes – don’t overlook fishing in May.
Trout – The hatches of late May lead into June making for some of the year’s best dry fly fishing – don’t miss out.
2017 Fishing – Plan your year around your fishing – get your dates on the calendar, life will fit in around it.

betsie river, black stone fly pattern, black stoneflies, fonzi fry, fry patterns, green caddis for steelhead, MI_DNR, steelhead, steelhead fishing, steelhead flies, tippy dam

Mid March Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - March 16, 2017

Not much has changed since the last fishing report. The weather has been up and down but it appears that mid-March is beginning to trend to warmer conditions. And with Spring officially starting Sunday, it would be good to see winter in the rear view mirror.

Recent cold weather slowed down some of the advancement of fresh steelhead into the Betsie and Manistee rivers, but that will change with some sunshine and warmer water temps. Water levels are ideal – about normal for this time of year and with a little stain to it.

There is a mix of fish in the rivers – both winter holdovers and some fresh ones, too. Look for the fish to be staging in deeper and slower runs near gravel sections as they are in a pre-spawn mode. Successful flies are all over the place: mid-sized eggs in a variety of colors with orange combos and chartreuse being the preferred colors. The winning nymphs include: Buggers, Caddis, Big Stones and Alevin/ Fry Patterns.

Good Luck,

Ted

The Spring 2017 Newsletter just went out – click here to read and/or sign up for delivery.

May Fishing – Trout, late steelhead, hatches, streamer fishing, bluegill on lakes – don’t overlook fishing in May.
Trout – The hatches of late May lead into June making for some of the year’s best dry fly fishing – don’t miss out.
2017 Fishing – Plan your year around your fishing – get your dates on the calendar, life will fit in around it.

betsie river, caddis fly, manistee, steelhead fishing, stoneflies

Posts tagged "steelhead fishing"

Late October Fishing Report

End of August Fly Fishing Report – Current Works Guide Service

Late April Fishing Report

April Steelhead Fishing Report – Manistee and Betsie Rivers

Mid March Fishing Report

The Spring 2017 Newsletter just went out – click here to read and/or sign up for delivery.

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