Trout Fishing and Spring Just Starting

Posted by Ted Kraimer - May 6, 2015

It’s really feeling like spring around northwest Michigan – warm temps, blue skies and green showing up fast on both the ground and on trees. The transition from steelhead fishing to trout fishing has been kind of stuck with neither fishing extremely well right now but one gets the sense that it’s going to change in the blink of an eye.

With the lack of rain, no fresh steelhead have moved into the river. Anglers fishing the Betsie and Manistee will find a few spawning fish but they are well aware of angler’s intent and disperse with some fishing pressure. The dark water (holes and slots) around the gravel are offering better angling for both steelhead and trout right now and most drop-back fish have done just that – made it back to the lake after spawning. The long-term forecast is calling for rain over the weekend and into next week which should bring up any remaining fish, but expect them to come and go as water temps are warm and is running clear.

The warm rain would be a good thing for the trout rivers as well. Most of the trout water – the Boardman, Upper Manistee, AuSable are also running clear – especially for this time of year. With water temps in the mid to upper 50s look for Hendricksons to be emerging in better numbers rather than the trickle of bugs which has been more common. “Henies” love warm overcast days so if you can pick your day accordingly, do so. A few black stoneflies and even a black caddis or two have been around so have some of those patterns with you as well.

Until the dry fly fishing gets going, cover some water with streamers – this is the ideal time to cover lots of water for that really big brown trout. With what seems like everyone fishing the biggest, double and triple articulated and over-accessorized streamer patterns right now, consider down-sizing things a bit and fish something a little more natural. Like usual, though, mix it up to see what might be working better that day.

The coldwater found in local lakes has kept the bluegill/panfish in the depths but this too should change overnight as fish move into fly-friendly shallow water and provide some great fishing for big gills over the next month.

Good luck,

Ted

Trout Season – Streamer & Dry Fly fishing is ideal throughout May on the Upper Manistee & AuSable Rivers.
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.

ausable, Betsie, black stoneflies, bluegill, boardman, fly fishing, hendricksons, henies, manistee, northwest michigan, steelhead, streamers, upper-manistee

Transition from Steelhead to Trout

Posted by Ted Kraimer - April 28, 2015

Trout opener has come and gone and apparently most of the steelhead run has too.

Without any rain the past week or two, the water levels have really come down on the Manistee and Betsie Rivers as the water temps are around 50 degrees and have cleared up – not what you think of when you think Spring Steelhead. I would imagine any significant amount of rain we get over the next week or so would bring in the last of the fish from Lake Michigan, but until then look for fishing to be tough with more stale fish around rather than fresh ones. Green Caddis, Steelhead Buggers and small, natural egg patterns (sockeye, gold nugget, steelhead orange/O.C) have been the more productive patterns lately.

With the nice weather in the forecast the trout waters are warming up and dry fly/emergences are increasing, although they have been pretty light due to temperatures. Black stones and blue wing olives (BWOs) have been the most common flies but if you are headed to rivers like the Boardman, Upper Manistee, or AuSable – be sure to have some Hendricksons in your box as they could begin any day. Streamer fishing has been the go-to method for covering water but with the temps still a bit cool, look for slower retrieves to work better than the fast ones and often the fish are going to be in the bigger, deeper holes. Mix it up and see what works for you that day.

Good luck,

Ted

Trout Season – Streamer & Dry Fly fishing is ideal throughout May on the Upper Manistee & AuSable Rivers.
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.

ausable, betsie river, boardman, caddis, dry fly, hendricksons, manistee, steelhead, steelhead bugger, streamer fishing, trout

Steelhead Season Continues as Trout Season Begins

Posted by Ted Kraimer - April 21, 2015

Fishing pretty much has remained the same – it’s been inconsistent. One day we find a bunch of fish, the next – a few, then fewer and back to a bunch again – you just don’t know. On both the Manistee and Betsie the steelhead have been coming and going pretty quickly. A few drop backs have been caught as the females head back to the lake after their deed is complete and those same, big, deep holes that have been holding them have also been holding some fresh fish waiting to hit the gravel. Fish are spawning on both river systems but not in the numbers we are used to.

Because of the lack or run-off this winter and little rain, look for more fish to show up through mid-May – especially after ideal conditions in which rain fall is key. I guess you could say the “run” has been spread out over a long period of time. Good flies recently have been clown rag eggs, mottled orange variation eggs, green caddis, steelhead buggers, and small black stones.

It’s finally here! This Saturday marks the annual Trout (Pike, Muskie, pre-Season Bass, too) season on rivers. Much of the water that we guide on is open all year round, but this date is significant to the small stream angler or those that follow tradition. The Upper Manistee and Boardman river levels are higher from summer levels but is lower than normal for this time of year. Some black stones have been on the water but good dry fly fishing is looking to begin closer and into May with sustained warmer temps – I saw snow today and more is in the forecast tomorrow – this tends to fluctuate water temperatures, bug emergences and the trout’s demeanor. Streamer fishing is a great approach right now with medium speed retrieves and flies with lots of action.

Good luck!

Ted

Spring Steelhead – Through mid-May on the Manistee including steelhead/trout combos. Few dates available.
Trout Season – Streamer & Dry Fly fishing is ideal throughout May on the Upper Manistee & AuSable Rivers.
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.

au sable, Betsie, boardman, boardman river, manistee, steelhead, streamer fishing, trout opener, upper-manistee

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

Spring Steelhead Just Getting Going

Posted by Ted Kraimer - April 8, 2015

We still haven’t received significant rainfall but a few fresh fish have moved upstream with warmer water temperatures while the older fish in the river have moved out of the deep winter water/holes and closer to gravel. Some days are better than others but the action has been trending nicely and improving. The forecast is promising for a much needed rain which should really encourage more fish to migrate upstream.

Steelhead have felt the magic number of 42 degrees and started to nudge around gravel although spawning isn’t taking place yet. Look for fish to be in the pocket water near gravel as well as funnels where migrating fish move through.

With the water clarity being almost too good for this time of year on the Manistee and Betsie Rivers, smaller flies and lighter line are in order. The best flies recently have included fry patterns/BTS, green caddis and eggs in orange variations. A few walleye are in the Manistee doing their spawning with the trout are gorging on their eggs.

Good luck,

Ted

Open April Dates: 24 & 26th

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

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.

betsie river, fry patterns, green caddis, spring steelhead manistee river, steelhead

Posts tagged "steelhead"

Trout Fishing and Spring Just Starting

Transition from Steelhead to Trout

Steelhead Season Continues as Trout Season Begins

Mid-April Steelhead Report – Manistee River

Open April Dates: 24 & 26th

Spring Steelhead Just Getting Going

Open April Dates: 24 & 26th

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

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