Posts tagged "steelhead"

Twenty Pounder Stonefly Nymph

Posted by Ted Kraimer - December 15, 2014

Twenty Pounder Stonefly Nymph

The Twenty Pounder is a variation of a somewhat common stonefly nymph pattern called the Twenty Incher. Since I like to use this fly for Steelhead and Salmon, I made some changes to the pattern to accommodate fish that are typically measured in pounds rather than inches, therefore the play on the name.

The scud hook is stronger than the original TMC 200R hook and also represents a curved stonefly getting washed downstream, providing a nice, natural profile. Copper ribbing is used rather than gold tinsel because, well, copper and peacock is a really nice combination that tends to work well on Michigan rivers and out west.

Twenty Pounder Stonefly Nymph Spring Steelhead

Fish a Twenty Pounder for Steelhead

The iridescence of peacock is very natural and offers a bit of fish appeal. Borrowing elements from another pattern called the Half-Back, it just has a way of enticing fish to eat when the standard patterns aren’t working. Proportions are important, so pay close attention to where the different parts of the fly are tied. It’s pretty easy to tie and worth having in your box. And of course, if you are a trout angler, tie some up on lighter wire hooks and fish where stoneflies are present, including rivers out west.

I fish this pattern either in a dead-drift nymphing approach or with Duck-and-Chuck. Since stoneflies can be found in gravel/rocky areas as well as sandy areas (with wood) this fly is effective in various water types. If fishing in stained or dirty water, try tyingsome of these with a thorax material that offers some flash like Krystal Dub, Ice Dub or even Estaz.

Recipe

Hook:               TMC 2457 #6 – #8
Thread:            Uni 6/0 – Olive Dun
Tail:                 Brown Goose Biots
Tail Splitter:    Arizona Synthetic Peacock Dubbing
Body:               Peacock Herl
Thorax:            Hare’s Ear Dubbing
Rib:                  Copper Wire, Medium
Wingcase:       Treated Turkey Tail
Hackle: Grouse or Hungarian Partridge

Tying Instructions:

Step 1. Wrap a base layer from the eye backwards to just past above the hook barb.

Step 2. Dub a very small ball of dubbing into the bend of the hook to help separate the biots/tail

Step 3. Tie the biots in so they curve away from the hook and are even in length. I prefer to cut
two biots at once from the strip, trimming the base, and sliding them against the ball of dubbing to help split them. After tying down, trim the excess biot and advance the thread to the thorax section.

Step 4. Tie in copper ribbing on top of the hook so it extends from the thorax area backwards to the tails.

Step 5. Tie in 5 – 7 strands of peacock herl from the thorax area
backwards to the tails.Twist herl around the thread to strengthen.

Step 6. Wind peacock herl forward making a slightly tapered body
approximately 2/3rds of the way towards the hook eye. Trim excess.

Step 7. Wind copper rib through peacock body and tie off.

Step 8. Tie in the wingcase upside down (shiny side up) and facing backwards. I like to coat the backside of my cinnamon tip turkey tail feathers with a generous coat of Flex Seal to keep the fibers from separating when I pull it over to form the wingcase. Treat your feather(s) prior to tying as the adhesive needs time to cure. Some tyers prefer Krylon Crystal Clear spray.

Step 9. Tie in hackle, curved side up and by the tips of the feather and on top/over the wingcase.

Step 10. Dub the thorax a little over the peacock and wingcase then forward
to just behind the hook eye keeping the diameter slightly larger than the body.

Step 11. Gently pull the hackle feather over the thorax and tie
down forming the legs, evenly splayed on each side of the fly.

Step 12. Pull the wingcase over the thorax by creasing the feather
with your thumbnail and over legs/feather. Trim and whip finish.

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fly tying, michigan rivers, salmon pattern, steelhead, stonefly variation, twenty incher stonefly, twenty pounder nymph

Mid-December Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - December 12, 2014

It’s mid-December and it feels kind of like mid-November should have. Air temps have increased a little and are forecast to remain that way until early next week. Anglers looking to fish for steelhead are finding fish in the local rivers including the Betsie and Manistee. It sounds as if all rivers have some fish in them as they begin to winter over. Water levels are in good shape for this time of year after rain, snowmelt and a water table that is filled. This is a good time of year to fish with an eye on the forecast.

With the water temperatures in the mid-30s choosing a day with a little sunshine and/or mild overnight temps can have a difference – steelhead and trout do not like significant drops in water temperatures (2-4 degrees). As the fish pretty much get into their lethargic mode look for them in the deeper holes and just off the side into the slower current. Fishing a float/indicator with an egg and nymph combo is one of the best ways to get a drag-free drift to fish residing in that water. Those looking to swing flies are finding that some fish will still play the game – especially when fishing above wooden structure where some fish have taken up residence. As the water continues to drop, look for the window of successful opportunity to get even smaller.

Trout fishing remains strong on the Manistee as fish are eating the streamer knowing that winter is a head of them. Rather than fish the big, heavy sink-tip lines, use some shorter sink-tips to allow you to fish the streamer a little slower in the cold water. When you see a fish come behind the fly be sure to activate it with some shorter strips giving life to the pattern but keeping it an easy target for the brown and rainbow trout.

Good luck.

Ted

The Winter Newsletter just went out – Click here to read and/or subscribe for delivery.

Trout – Streamer fishing on the Manistee into winter an be hot when temps gets cold.
Fall Steelhead– This big fish will continue to offer us a chance until the weather keeps us indoors.
Gift Certificates – Give or ask for a gift certificate; trips or lessons available. Quick & easy holiday shopping
2015 Fishing – It isn’t too early to get your dates booked for next year – now booking for all seasons.

betise river, indicator fishing, manistee river, michigan, steelhead, streamer fishing, traverse city, trout streamer fishing, winter steelhead

Winter / Late Fall Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - November 24, 2014

After our first (and hopefully last) polar vortex of the season came through dropping the air temperature and lots of snow, the weather this weekend became a little more typical of what the November offers. Most of the snow has melted although there are still some traces. Well, until the next snow comes which is forecast for this week.

In addition to the run-off from the snow and the rains we just received the river levels are running a bit high and with some color to them. It appears that over the past two weeks a few more steelhead have moved into local rivers like the Manistee and Betsie and I imagine the other rivers in Northwest Michigan. As water temperatures drop, look for steelhead to be in the deeper water and in the tail-outs surrounded with wood as fish start to take to their winter residence. It is a good time to fish some realistic nymphs as drag free as possible along with an egg (think about using an indicator or float). Swinging flies is still appropriate for those looking to use their two-handed rods as water temps are in the upper 30s; the warm rain should help offset the cold run-off.

Trout fishing continues to be decent to good for those looking to fish streamers despite the cooler weather. As the fish prepare for winter themselves, they are putting on the feedbag a bit. Really big streamers have taken some really big fish, but it’s the mid-sized streamer (size 2-6) that have been catching all sizes of fish. Mix up your colors after the olive, white, and copper/brown patterns aren’t working.

Just a reminder – firearms deer season continues until Nov. 30 so wear some bright clothing on the river for safety.

Good luck and Happy Thanksgiving.

Ted

Betsie, guide, mansitee, michigan, northwest michigan, steelhead, streamer, swinging flies, trout fishing

November Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - November 7, 2014

There hasn’t been much of a change in fishing the past week – one day we do good, then it is tough again for a few. The bottom line – in my opinion – is that fishing has been inconsistent and tougher than it should be for this time of year and basically has been all fall. The number of Steelhead in the rivers seems to be pretty stable with a few fresh fish trickling into the Manistee but less fish than what should be in the rivers. Water temps remain in the 40’s so when hooked-up you know it as they are still sassy and are a handful to land. Reports on the other rivers in the region including the Betsie seem to be about the same.

The weather forecast is calling for cooler weather and a little of the white stuff which should contribute to lower water temps which ultimately should start getting those fish to move from the shallow water to the slower, deeper water – at least in theory. My advice would be to cover as much water as possible fishing a combo of an egg and a nymph. Then again I’m scratching my head trying to figure out what the fish really want and where.

The streamer bite on the trout rivers has improved as the browns are done spawning and looking to eat before winter sets in. Rather than cast the really big articulated patterns, consider casting some mid-sized patterns (3-5 inches long) like the Autumn Offender or Brook Trout on smaller sink-tips as the fish seem to be out of the deep holes with the lack of pressure and their desire to eat.

Good luck.

Ted

Trout – Streamer fishing on the Manistee through Fall can be hot when temps gets cold.
Fall Steelhead– Now through November – this is the time of year for our famed Steelhead.
2015 Fishing – It isn’t too early to get your dates booked for next year – now booking for all seasons.

Betsie, fall fishing, manistee, steelhead, streamer, trout

Mid-October Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - October 16, 2014

It’s the middle of October – fall colors are at peak but the salmon are past peak. The salmon are dwindling in numbers on local rivers like the Manistee and Betsie; it doesn’t appear that another push is coming. Sure, some may continue to trickle in but look for a lot of empty gravel and some carcasses wrapped around logs – it’s pretty much over. What they did leave behind are lots of eggs that are drifting downstream and the steelhead have been taking advantage of.

Steelhead numbers are also down so far this fall making it tougher than normal. But ever optimistic is the steelhead angler and with our recent downpour of rain this week (I may have burned out my bildge pump this month) more fish should start to migrate upstream. Water levels are up a bit and slightly stained on the Betsie and Manistee while the lower Manistee is stained pretty good with various tributaries contributing their silt and tannins.

Egg patterns in natural and pale colors have been working – golden, sockeye, apricot, grapefruit and Oregon Cheese have been working. The nymph bite hasn’t been too strong but as the egg drop diminishes, look for that to change. More on egg patterns- click here.

Good luck,

Ted

Open dates through Mid-November: November 11 and 13

Trout – With fall here have the Upper Manistee River and its trout all to yourself.
Fall Steelhead– From now through November – this is the time of year for Steelhead.
2015 Fishing – It isn’t too early to get your dates booked for next year – now booking for all seasons.

Betsie, egg patterns, lower manistee, manistee, oregon cheese, salmon, steelhead

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