Posts tagged "steelhead"

Steelhead Fishing – April Fools?

Posted by Ted Kraimer - April 1, 2015

There is no fooling that the steelhead run is behind schedule. Typically the run-off and rains have increased river flows encouraging fish to migrate upstream by now. With the cold winter, drawn-out thaw of snow (and not much of it) and cold nights, the water has been running lower, clearer, and colder than normal for this time of year – it’s been right about 40 degrees. Conditions are good for the wading angler as the water is easy to read with decent clarity and its levels, but the fish just don’t seem to be around partly because the number of fall fish that wintered over was lower than normal.

After some rain look for things to change as water flow increases. Tippy Dam pond above the dam on the Manistee river has melted quite a bit in the past week and should be ice-free by the end of the week which should help warm up the river. While there isn’t a significant amount of rain in the forecast, there is some and it should really kick things into gear and get those fish moving.

Good fly patterns lately have been green caddis, hex nymphs and egg patterns in shades of Oregon cheese and steelhead orange. On bright, sunny days look for fish to be in the deeper water and around wood and other structure. As fish begin to think about spawning look for fish to stage in the holes close to spawning gravel. It appears that this year’s run should extend a while and into May since it is slow to get going.

Just a reminder – a new fishing license is required April 1 and certain rivers/sections are now open. Some new rules exist too, check out the new MI-DNR regulation book.

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.

april steelhead fishing. hex nymphs, Betsie, egg patterns, manistee, oregon cheese, steelhead, tippy dam fishing

Late March/Early Spring Steelhead Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - March 24, 2015

It’s officially Spring! The first of the Cranes have migrated back to the river banks while the colder nights confirm that we are still in the very early part of the season. Steelhead fishing has been a little slower than normal for this time of year since the number of fall fish that wintered over was lighter than normal and significant ice cover on the rivers this winter kept fresh steelhead migration to a minimum.

We have had a little increase in water flow as some warmer days reduced the snow pack and contributed to the river – clarity and levels are ideal right now. Water temps are in the high 30s and just barely nudging into the 40s on the Manistee and Betsie Rivers. Cold nights are making for slow starts to the day but the sun helps warm up the water and angler alike – it feels good to be on the water again.

Look for fish to be holding out in winter water – that is, the bigger, deeper holes as fish wait for water temps to increase and to begin their spawning. As more fresh fish move into rivers, look for them to share a lot of the same water as well as the transitional runs on the days when fish seem to be moving. An increase in water volume and warmer temps will really trigger a surge in migration as fish are near pier heads/river mouths waiting to move. Lately the better fly patterns have been Hex Nymphs, egg patterns in shades of orange and Stonefly Nymphs.

Good Luck.

Ted

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

fishing report, fly fishing, hex nymph, manistee river, steelhead

Egg Sucking Leech Pattern

Posted by Ted Kraimer - March 24, 2015

Egg Sucking Leech

Egg Sucking Leech patterns are well known by steelhead and salmon anglers and this pattern is just a little more realistic looking than many of the patterns found in fly shops today.

The typical “egg” on ESL patterns is made of bright chenille or even ice dub and really serves as a large attractor/focal point to get aggressive fish to take it. While aggressive fish of these species do exist, I feel there tends to be more fish that aren’t aggressive on an everyday basis, therefore increasing the probability of fish eating this less obtrusive pattern. The larger, gaudy and obnoxious looking patterns – I have witnessed – can turn fish aside where this “kinder, gentler” pattern tends to move into the fish’s view and often garners a feeding response.

Vincenzo with a Spring Steelhead

While leeches exist in many rivers, I don’t think they ever attach themselves to free drifting eggs. I think the idea of the Egg Sucking Leech fly pattern is that of a big and bright attractor (egg) attached to large black or purple body (leech) – this pattern is a tamer version of that idea. Do I fish patterns both big, gaudy and attention grabbing as well as the smaller, “natural looking” patterns like this one? Yes, but if I had to choose just one of the two, it would be this one – especially for steelhead fishing. The plastic bead specified is a very realistic imitation of natural steelhead eggs in regards to color and size.

The pattern itself is really quick and easy to tie which is important to Steelhead and Salmon anglers in the Great Lake Tributaries since we tend to go through a lot of flies.

Recipe

Hook: TMC 3761 #6
Thread: Uni 6/0 Black or Olive Dun
Tail: Wooly Bugger Marabou – Black
Body:                    Peacock Herl and Peacock Herl Dubbing
Hackle:                 Indian Saddle – Black
Collar:                   Dubbing – Arizona Synthetic – Peacock
Bead:                    Pucci 5mm Orange Pearl

Tying Instructions:

Step 1. Place the bead onto hook. Sometimes the hole is too small and
either the barb needs to be slightly flattened or you can use a 1/2″ countersink
drill bit by hand to slightly increase the hole’s size on back side.

Step 2. Wrap a thread base from behind the plastic bead to above the hook barb.

Step 3. Tie in the marabou tail so it extends one hook shank’s length.

Step 4. Tie in a hackle feather by the tip. Make sure that the hackle barbs won’t
extend perpendicular to the hook shank more than 1-1/2 times the hook gape.

Step 5. Tie in 4 or 5 peacock herl by the tip.

Step 6. Wind the peacock forward to just behind the bead forming a nice, slightly tapered body.

Step 7. Palmer the hackle feather to just behind the bead.

Step 8. Place a little dubbing between the hackle and
bead to bridge the gap between the body, hackle and bead.

Whip finish and you have an Egg Sucking Leech.

Print This Page

egg sucking leech pattern, great lake tributaries, salmon, steelhead, steelhead and salmon anglers in the Great Lake Tributaries

End of Winter? Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - March 11, 2015

Winter has finally loosened its death grip on us as warmer and longer days, sunshine, and daylight savings time all converged having us feeling like Spring isn’t that far away.

Often when the weather gets warm and the snow melts at this time of year, many of us head to the river looking to shake the cabin fever and find some fish. While there are some, there aren’t many steelhead in the Manistee and Betsie rivers right now. The less than average fall run didn’t provide a lot of fish to winter-over and with many of the rivers iced over in the lower sections, the typical trickle of migrating fish throughout winter didn’t happen. So, while you still have a chance to catch fish right now, look for the runs to build as river ice disappears and water temps continue to warm up and pre-spawn fish migrate upstream.

The forecast calls for most nights to be below freezing which will help keep the run-off manageable. Water levels have increased and has a little stain to it which is common for this time of year. Regardless of whether you are wading or in a boat right now, keep an eye out for large chunks of ice drifting downstream. Waiting until the sun is out to warm up the water can make a difference this time of year let alone eliminate the black ice in parking lots and on boat ramps.

Look for fish to be in the slower water/holes and also tail-outs where they sun themselves if fishing pressure isn’t too high. It’s a good time of year to fish attractor egg patterns and larger nymphs like hex patterns. With fall’s salmon’s eggs hatching into fish, alevin and fry patterns should be a given time as we wait for the first black stonefly activity which should begin any day.

Good luck.

Ted

The MI-DNR is conducting an inland trout angler survey. This is a great opportunity to provide some
information that might be considered in development of their management plan. Click here to take the survey.

Spring Steelhead – From mid-March through early May on the Manistee and Betsie. Some 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.

alevin, betsie river, black stonefly, egg patterns, flly fishing report, fry patterns, guide, guide trips, manistee river, steelhead, steelhead fishing

Winter Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - February 18, 2015

There is no doubt that winter’s here and so are some record low temperatures making fly fishing on local rivers pretty much non-existent. Shelf ice is pretty prominent on the river’s edges and some slower portions are covered with ice, limiting access should you decide to venture out when cabin fever gets you to that point. The snow pack along the river isn’t too bad as snowfall has been a little light this winter which should help keep the spring run-off within reason. If you do head out when temps bump up a bit keep an extra change of clothes in the car, avoid walking on the shelf ice along the edge and simply use caution.

As far as the fish, look for steelhead to be in the slow moving, deep holes and don’t expect much of a fight once hooked with water temps barely above freezing. Areas with numerous springs are a good place to target as the warmer ground water seeping in often holds fish. Fish realistic flies with lots of motion like hex nymphs and preferably under an indicator for your best drag-free presentation. With fall salmon’s progeny developing, now is a good time to fish an alevin pattern for both steelhead and trout. With increasingly warmer late winter days not that far away, look for stonefly nymph action to increase and more fish to shuffle around as the days get longer and more fish get that spring urge to begin their upstream migration – it’s not that far away.

Good luck,

Ted

Spring Steelhead – It’s not too far away! From mid-March through April. 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, manistee, spring steelhead, steelhead, stonefly nymph, winter steelhead

«‹17 18 19 20 21 ›»