Current Works Guide Service
  • (231) 883-8156
  • ted@current-works.com
  • Book a trip
  • Subscribe to Newsletter
  • Home
  • Guide Trips & More
    • Guide Trips & Pricing
    • Casting Lessons
    • Gift Certificates
    • Book a Trip
  • Fishing Report
  • Fish & Seasons
    • Steelhead
    • Trout
    • Smallmouth Bass
    • Salmon
    • Bluegill / Panfish / Bass
    • Golden Bones / Carp
  • Rivers & Hatches
    • Upper Manistee River
    • Lower Manistee River
    • Betsie River
    • Boardman River
    • Hatch Chart
  • Fly Tying
  • Articles
  • Gallery
  • About
    • About Your Guide
    • Testimonials
    • Newsletter
    • Area Information

Posts tagged "steelhead"

May Days – A Month of Fly Fishing

Posted by Ted Kraimer - March 12, 2014
May Fly Fishing - Streamer Fishing Michigan

Brown Trout caught in May

It is no secret that northern Michigan’s fly fishing is one of a kind when you consider the variety of species in our local waters. The first popular season of the year is Spring Steelhead from mid-March through April, and Trout fishing in June with its hatches of big bugs aren’t missed by many. But in between is the month of May – a great month to fly fish Michigan – filled with a number of choices for anglers of all skill levels at a productive and less populated time.

Below is a brief summary of the various species, time of month and common approaches we take to fishing through May.

Steelhead

May Fly Fishing - Drop Back Steelhead I

Drop-back steelhead caught on the swing

Most years, the steelhead on rivers like the Manistee below Tippy Dam continue to migrate in early May although, typically not in the numbers found in April. Considering how few anglers are out there and with water and air temps much warmer, this can be an ideal time to target drop-back and up-stream bound steelhead with nymphs, swung flies and streamers.  Just because the crowds are gone doesn’t mean the fish are.

More on Swinging for Steelhead

Steelhead & Trout

May Fly Fishing - Late Season Steelhead in Michigan

Late season Steelhead hooked while trout fishing

Waters like the lower Manistee containing both steelhead and trout, can offer a great one-two approach. That is, focus on steelhead until the sun gets high, then target trout. Or spend the day targeting trout with nymphs and streamers and hold on tight should you hook onto a steelhead in the process.  Streamer fishing is a good way to cover lots of water and focus on predatory trout and the drop-back steelhead looking to eat before heading back to the lake.  During the second half of the month steelhead are usually gone and anglers focus on trout with all types of presentations – nymphs, streamers, wet flies/soft hackles and dries.  Since trout are stocked in this water, it can be an ideal place for a beginner or kid to learn while making their trout fishing experience a positive one.

Trout

May Fly Fishing - Daylight Hatches and Brown Trout

Depending on the length and severity of winter, the first part of May usually offers good hatches of mayflies and caddis and build throughout the month on local rivers making for great dry fly fishing. The upper Manistee and AuSable are known for their dry fly fishing for brown, rainbow and brook trout. Watching them eat your hendrickson or mother’s day caddis in daylight is what it is all about for a lot of us anglers. Water conditions can vary from year to year – it can be clear or it can be stained, but regardless, the fish are there and usually looking to eat. Hendricksons to sulphurs and lots in between, don’t miss out on hatching bugs and rising fish.

May Fly Fishing - Michigan Mayfly Hatches

Late afternoon mayfly hatch in Michigan

A well-rounded angler who can not only cast a dry fly when an emergence takes place but can fish below the surface with a sink-tip fly line and a streamer can really maximize May’s potential.  May is – in my opinion – the best month to focus on the big trout with big flies. Since the trout haven’t been pressured, this is a good time to feed them a streamer pattern as they are not only hungry but also territorial.

On those first warm days of spring having your favorite dry fly rod strung-up with a dry in the boat as you cover the water with a streamer is great approach. May trout fishing often occurs during “Bankers Hours” – from late morning until early evening – which further appeals to anglers.

Additional Articles:

Tips for Better Streamer Presentations                                      Dry Fly Fishing Do’s

Panfish/Bluegills

May Fly Fishing - Bluegill on the Fly

Nice Bluegill/Panfish caught on a small streamer

As the sun gets even higher, the days longer and warmer, so do the waters on the many local ponds and lakes.  Mid-month, panfish (Bluegill) typically leave the depths and come in shallow to spawn providing a lot of fun for fly anglers. Ever catch a bluegill the size of your hand on a 3 or 4 wt. rod? You won’t forget it when you do. And you won’t forget it if a big bass or pike eats your bluegill as you bring it in. Rarely will you land both, but you will have a great fish story to tell!

Like most fishing – a versatile angler who can fish for bluegill on top with dries and subsurface with nymphs and small streamers will be the productive angler. Being visual, fishing on top is always fun but you can create your own luck and being able to swim a small nymph slowly near structure  increases your luck as this usually gets you that larger fish. Big bluegills are smart and are trophies in their own right making them not only fun to target, but worthy of bragging about.

More on Fly Fishing for Bluegill/Panfish

Carp and Smallmouth Bass

May Fly Fishing - Carp Fishing Grand Traverse Bay

Carp fishing Grand Traverse Bay

May’s winds blow the warm surface water of Grand Traverse Bay into the shallows bringing the first of the carp and smallmouth into the flats to eat or sometimes just sun themselves. With carp steadily becoming more popular with fly fishers, the angler who finds the pre-spawn fish before others does well – especially because they aren’t preoccupied with spawning. It can be tricky, as water temps are influenced by wind direction, sunlight and night-time temperatures, but knowing when and where to go will make the difference between finding fish and not. Being able to cast and manipulate a fly and watch them eat brings a saltwater-like fishing experience closer to home.

More on fly fishing for Carp

carp and smallmouth bass, dry fly fishing, fly fish northern michigan, Manistee below Tippy Dam, panfish/bluegills, steelhead, steelhead and trout, streamer presentations, trout, upper Manistee and AuSable

Cold and Snow – It’s Winter Fishing

Posted by Ted Kraimer - December 17, 2013

Not much has changed in the region except things are a little whiter and colder than the last fishing report. Winter came fast and it came hard this year with temperatures far below freezing putting anglers into winter mode and having us hope for a break in the weather. There is no denying it – it’s winter fishing.

Thanks to a great fall there are good numbers of steelhead in the Manistee and Betsie rivers when cabin fever gets us to the river or a warm-up takes place. Look for fish on the inside of the bubble lines/seams and in some deeper buckets and holes. This is a great time to fish under an indicator or float to keep your flies above the wood structure fish are hanging around.  This method also assists in a drag-free drift and detection of light takes.  Nothing new as far as fly strategy this time of year: an egg  fished in tandem with a realistic nymph like a caddis, pheasant tail, hex, or hare’s ear. The water is clear so fluorocarbon or lighter mono is going to give you an advantage – the fish aren’t fighting as strongly in this cold water so you can get away with it.

Getting to the river can be a little tricky with the roads – just make sure you have some extra clothes with you in case you take a stumble – that gaudy holiday sweater with a snowflake on it might just be useful after all.

Happy holidays and good luck!

Ted

The Winter Newsletter just went out – click here to read and/or sign up for future delivery

Steelhead -With plenty of fish in local rivers it should be a good Winter.  Got your Spring Steelhead dates?
Gift Certificates – Ask for or give a Gift Certificate for guide trip or lesson – Make them Happy Holidays!
2014 Fishing – It’s not too early to start booking your 2014 dates – reserve you place in the boat today.

bestise fly fishing, caddis, indicator, manistee, steelhead, steelhead fishing, winter fishing, winter steelheading

As Temps and Snow Fall Steelhead Conintue

Posted by Ted Kraimer - November 25, 2013

It appears that Winter has come in fast and hard dropping both air and water temperatures not to mention some of the white stuff. Back a week ago when it was still Fall, we received significant rainfall in the region increasing water levels and the number of fish in local rivers like the Manistee, Betsie and Boardman. While the water was high and dirty, it has come down and once/if more seasonal weather comes back anglers will find plenty of fish around to play with throughout the winter.  Right now the challenge can be getting to the river rather than catching the fish.

As the water continues to drop in levels and temps, look for steelhead to be sitting in those soft pockets and the tail-outs of the deeper holes. Drag free drifts using indicators and floats with egg and nymph combo on the business end would be a good place to start. Those who enjoy the two-hand approach to swinging flies will find fish still looking to eat, but that window where fish will chase a fly down is getting pretty narrow as water temps creep into the upper 30’s.

Good luck, stay warm and keep an extra change of clothes just in case.

Ted

Steelhead -With plenty of fish in local rivers it should be a good Winter.  Got your Spring Steelhead dates?
Gift Certificates – Ask for or give a Gift Certificate for guide trip or lesson – Make them Happy Holidays!
2014 Fishing – It’s not too early to start booking your 2014 dates – reserve you place in the boat today.

manistee, steelhead, swinging flies

Mid-November Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - November 14, 2013

After a change in the weather the past week it appears that mother nature has made up for the mild fall we experienced in the beginning. After some snow, rain, temperatures below freezing and lots of wind, it appears most anglers are looking to pick their days based on the weather.  Traffic on the water is down with plenty of steelhead around to play with. With the dropping water temps, fish are starting to act a little lethargic when hooked, but not all of them. Look for the steelhead to start to move into the transitional water between the quick runs and the soft side of the seam and some of the larger holes.  A little sunlight can make a big difference as it warms up the water a degree or two and can help trigger more activity.

Eggs continue to be the primary diet of fish as the millions of salmon eggs continue to drift down stream even though the salmon are pretty much gone.  Pale colored egg patterns like nuke and rags seem to be working best: egg/steelhead orange, Oregon cheese/burnt orange, tetra yellow/light roe have been good color combos lately.  Smaller natural nymphs are starting to have their effect on both steelhead and trout in waters like the Manistee below Tippy Dam – caddis, pheasant tails, and scuds are great candidates.  Olive and copper streamers have been the effective pattern colors when swinging flies.  Look for the streamer bite for trout on the Manistee to get going as the fish drop back into their lies after a fall of having their noses close to the spawning salmon.

More fresh fish continue to move up the Betsie and Manistee rivers thanks to the rains which have provided fish throughout the river systems. Water is slightly stained and running a little higher than normal for this time of year but is generally in good shape. Be prepared to fish a few ways – drift fishing, indicator fishing over structure and even swinging a fly on a sink-tip.

Friday Nov. 15 th is opening day of firearm deer season. Be careful and respectful of hunters and wear a some blaze orange to be safe while fishing. The season extends through Nov. 30th.

Good luck.

Ted

 

Steelhead -Fall fishing continues through winter and it’s not too early to book your Spring 2014 Steelhead dates.
Trout – Late fall trout fishing can be some of the best streamer and nymph fishing now that the salmon are gone.
2014 Fishing – It’s not too early to start booking your 2014 dates – reserve you place in the boat today.

betsie river steelhead, fly fishing report, manistee, nymphs egg patterns. swinging flies, steelhead, tippy dam, traverse city

Rain, Steelhead and Fall

Posted by Ted Kraimer - November 7, 2013

The past week has been a wet one in the northwestern part of Michigan with significant rainfalls shuffling fish around and bringing in new ones.  Water levels were coming down nicely before we received another batch of rain raising the levels and adding some stain to rivers but also bringing in some new fish as well.

As water temps continue to drop into the mid-40’s on the Manistee the fish have become a little more lethargic when hooked and the fish are starting to transition into some deeper and slower runs. But don’t overlook the water that has been fishing well the past month as the steelhead can be anywhere.  While majority of the fish have been eating egg patterns – often big, bright ones in the dirty water, the nymphs and streamers have been working on fish, too. As the water gets cooler look for alternative presentations to add to your approach – indicators, swung flies and picking small buckets apart for a fish here, and a fish there.

Good luck,

Ted

Steelhead -Fall fishing continues through winter and it’s not too early to book your Spring 2014 Steelhead dates.
Trout – Late fall trout fishing can be some of the best streamer and nymph fishing once the salmon leave.
2014 Fishing – It’s not too early to start booking your 2014 dates – reserve you place in the boat today.

fishing, fishing report, fly fishing, manistee, rain, steelhead
«‹2122232425›»

Steelhead Articles & Flies

Swing Leech - Rabbit Strip Leech

Rabbit Strip Leech Fly Pattern

Egg - Real Salmon Eggs

Fishing Egg Patterns

Spey Lines

Keeping Spey Fishing Simple

May Fly Fishing - Streamer Fishing Michigan

May Days – A Month of Fly Fishing

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

© 2024 Current Works, LLC — All rights reserved
  • Home
  • Guide Trips & Pricing
  • Fishing Report
  • Fish & Seasons
  • Rivers & Hatches
  • Fly Tying
  • Articles
  • Gallery
  • About
  • Sitemap