Early April Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - April 9, 2025

After a week of high and highly stained water, the river levels have returned to normal flows for this time of year and still have a bit of a stain, which also is normal for this time of year. Water temperatures are in the low 40s thanks to some cold nights and the lack of warm days to keep the run from running it’s course in short order.

The steelhead continue to be mixed – pre-spawn, spawning and post spawn. The males tend be a little older as they dance from gravel bar to gravel bar and have the color to show for it while fresh females are continuing to slip upstream. As with the fall run, the spring run has had more “skippers” (15-22” fish) than the larger adults however it seems lately a few more bigger fish are making a return to the river and bending the rod more. Don’t forget these smaller fish are next year’s bigger fish and the new fishing regulations as of April 1 limits harvest to only 1 steelhead/rainbow trout.

Larger flies have been working in the stained water – leeches, large stones and fry patterns tied below egg patterns and beads which have been bolder and more prominent in the stained water. Egg patterns with chartreuse have been working better than they had been, but that also usually results in an encounter with some walleye on the Manistee below Tippy dam as that’s seems to be a perennial favorite color of theirs. With the lack of rain in the forecast, I suspect smaller and more natural toned patterns will improve in effectiveness as the water continues to clear up.

Good luck.

Ted

Fall Steelhead – Spring season is all booked, but a few dates remain available for the Fall Steelhead.
Trout Fishing – May and June offer some of the best technical dry fly fishing as we chase bugs and browns.
2025 Season – Now booking the entire season for trout, bass, steelhead and salmon – get your dates planned.

Late April Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - April 21, 2024

As April winds down, I can say I’ve never experienced one like this one before.

The steelhead fishing was affected by the lack of rain and high water from a snowpack that never happened in this El Nino year. Winter was mild and so was the run of fish as they seemed to be spread out over 3 months without any noticeable peak. I suspect the trickle of fish will continue but it will be even lighter as we approach May.

There are still some fish to be found in the Betsie and Manistee but with water temps in the low 50s, they seem to come and go quickly with some males hanging around in out for their next date to show up.

Here in Traverse City the Boardman has some fish in it for close to home fishing or in my case – fun observation from the bridge as I go to the post office. It actually offers a good opportunity to watch steelhead behavior…. like fish sitting in the deep holes behind the gravel, how a stable, solo fish in a hole changes its attitude when another fish moves in, or fish moving into the shadow of the bridge when the sun gets overhead. Anyway, there are fish around in our rivers but it is winding down.

With the warmer weather and trout season officially opening this Saturday, it might be time exchange your steelhead rod for your favorite dry fly and streamer rods. Some rivers are open all year, others extended seasons and most closed until the last Saturday in April – check the MI-DNR Regulations if you aren’t sure.

Hendricksons have been spotty but showing up most days when conditions are right. Fish this time of year aren’t overly selective, but they do need some bugs on the surface to get them to look up. When an emergence isn’t around, cover the water with a streamer. Water clarity of the upper Manistee, AuSable and Boardman is a little clearer than we expect for this time of year so a mid-sized streamer likely will be a better pattern rather than the large ones.

Good luck.

Ted

betsie river, hendricksons, manistee river, steelhead, steelhead guide, tippy dam, traverse city, trout fishing, trout fishing traverse city

Late March Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - March 27, 2022

The higher water from run-off and some rain showers brought in fresh steelhead and invigorated those already in the Manistee and Betsie to move around. With a stain to the water, fish were happy and moving along those soft bubble lines towards the sections of rivers with spawning gravel as they prepare for why they come into the river. It was a good week to be out fishing.

Water temps have been hovering around 40 degrees but the cold weather of the weekend should keep things at that temperature or below, encouraging most fish to sit in holding water until things get a little warmer before the spawning really kicks in.

Egg patterns were favored with bolder colors standing out in the opaque coloration of the water. When the sun did peek out, smaller and more subtle egg patterns and nymphs seemed to work better. On days that are mixed with both clouds and sun, try a large egg and a mid-sized nymph like a hex or larger stonefly to cover both lighting situations.

Just a reminder that new fishing license are required April 1. New regulations on many of the local rivers have a harvest limit of 1 steelhead to help bolster natural reproduction and fish populations. All guide trips continue to be 100% 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.

beads for steelhead, betsie river, egg patterns, fly tying, manistee river, steelhead, steelhead fly fishing, steelhead guide, stonefly

Posts tagged "steelhead guide"

Early April Fishing Report

Late April Fishing Report

Late March Fishing Report

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