Posts tagged "steelhead"

Mid-October Michigan Steelhead Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - October 17, 2013

With fall colors at their peak there are a number of salmon around on local rivers, but we have past the peak of the run. The Betsie still has some fish moving in as does the Manistee, but mostly the fish are concentrated to spawning gravel and the dark pocket water and holes nearby and looking shabby.

With the salmon come lots of salmon eggs that the steelhead have been focusing on. The wet October has kept good numbers of steelhead moving through systems and they have been testing equipment and angler’s abilities – they have been tough to hold onto. Like the salmon this season, the steelhead seem to be running a little larger than we normally experience.

Egg patterns are the primary fly of choice for those looking to feed a steelhead what they have been eating. Natural looking patterns in colors like Golden Nugget, Sockeye and Light Roe have been most effective but mix it up until you find the fish’s preference and the conditions. When fishing tail-outs, steelhead buggers and caddis have been working as well. With the wet forecast, more steelhead should continue to trickle into the rivers.

Available Fall Steelhead dates available through Mid-Nov: Nov. 5, 6, 8, 12

Steelhead -A few fall steelhead dates remain 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.

Betsie, egg patterns, michigan steelhead fly fishing report. manistee river, salmon, steelhead

It’s officially Fall and Time for Fall Fly Fishing Northern Michigan

Posted by Ted Kraimer - September 25, 2013

Now that the equinox has passed and we are fast approaching October the weather feels a little nicer than normal. Salmon fishing is taking precedent on local rivers like the Betsie and Manistee with good numbers of King/Chinook Salmon in both of them. Last week’s rain moved some fish around and they are scattered throughout the river systems; a north wind and some rain would drive even more fish into the systems including steelhead. There are a few steelies fish around but numbers are still pretty low.

The salmon have turned a little darker as a lot of fish have begun their spawning activity in the gravel sections of the rivers. The water’s clarity is a little too clear right now and lighter mono and fluorocarbon tippets are a must with the bright skies. With natural eggs in the system drifting down the fish are taking note and eating realistic size and colors. Click here to read more on egg patterns and fishing them for steelhead and salmon.

Trout fishing has been up and down on the upper Manistee as it too is running very clear. Cloudy days are better (as usual) but a mix of sun and clouds is best as it warms the water a bit and gets the brook and brown trout looking at food. Smaller terrestrials like ants and beetles have been working as have other patterns like Fat Alberts and other foam and rubber leg creations. It seems like the fish aren’t interested in eating the big terrestrial and attractor imitations lately – after all, it’s been a long trout season. fall colors on the Upper Manistee are just getting going and if you haven’t fished up there this time of year, you should – the Brook Trout are beyond vibrant. Please note that some rivers and certain sections are closed to fishing beginning October 1.

Good luck.

Ted

The Fall 2013 Newsletter just went out – click here to read and/or subscribe

Steelhead -Just a few fall steelhead dates remain 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.

Betsie, egg patterns, fly fishing northern michigan, king salmon, manistee river, salmon, steelhead, steelies

Salmon Continue to Migrate

Posted by Ted Kraimer - September 17, 2013

It’s really starting to feel like September with cool weather in the a.m. and warm weather in the afternoon – lots of clothing layers are being shed throughout the day.

Salmon continue to be the primary target of anglers fishing in the region. Most area rivers like the Betsie and Manistee have decent numbers of fish in them. Remember, these fish are migratory and they can be in a particular section one day and have moved on the next. It has been a long season already and it should be interesting to see how long fish continue to move from Lake Michigan upstream.

The king/chinook salmon continue to sit in holes staging for their spawning ritual that has actually begun for some; a few fish have hit the gravel and started mating. Effective flies have been the usual suspects – various nymphs like hex, caddis, pheasant tails, stones and even some smaller leeches. Egg patterns, too, have taken fish recently but no real favorite color has out-performed – as always with salmon, mix up the colors and patterns until you find one that works.

Trout fishing is decent – some dry fly fishing has brought some fish to the surface as the warmer daytime temps increase the water just a bit. Terrestrials and terrestrial patterns have been working but so have some generic attractors and even the classic Adams. If heading out, be sure to have some BWOs as this time of year can offer some good match-the-hatch opportunities. Streamer fishing is starting to get better but it’s the smaller patterns fished on a small sink-tip that seem to be moving the most fish. The water on the Upper Manistee is extremely clear so wade carefully and cast a ways away – the fish are weary after a long summer.

Good luck,

Ted

– Sorry, at this time all salmon dates are booked. Be sure to act early next year to reserve your dates –

The Fall 2013 Newsletter just went out – click here to read and/or subscribe

Steelhead -Just a few fall steelhead dates remain 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.

Betsie, fishing, fly fishing, manistee, salmon, steelhead

Full On Spring & Trout Fly Fishing in Northwest Michigan

Posted by Ted Kraimer - May 9, 2013

We have had some amazing weather the past 10 days here in the Traverse City area. Lots of sunlight and warm temperatures has made up for a long winter and has nature pretty much caught up and is where it should be for this time of year as the leaves are filling out trees, ground cover is greening and mayflies, stoneflies and caddis do their thing on the local trout streams and rivers in step with emergence schedules.

River conditions are ideal with a slight stain and good water levels – they are full, not high. Water temps are around 60 degrees on the upper Manistee, Boardman and AuSable and with that the bugs are varied and at times plentiful. Hendricksons have been the most prolific with scattered emergences and spinner falls at various times of the day but mostly at dusk since the evenings are staying relatively warm. Little black Caddis are plentiful – shake a streamside bush and watch what comes out of it. Early Brown Stoneflies, too, are dancing across the water with some fish taking notice. A variety of other bugs are coming off too, just sporadically and not in great numbers – look for that to change. This is the time of year to have a variety of bugs in your dry fly box because there is no telling what you might find the fish are keying in on. Sulphurs should be showing up any day as with Mahoganies and March Browns. Click here for a hatch chart.

Fishing streamers is ideal this time of year but the bite has been tough lately at least for me and my customers. As more people fish the streamer it seems the fish are getting smarter – little nuances to alter your presentation and even pattern can make a difference. The next 6 weeks are typically some of our best for streamer fishing and its a great way to cover the water between hatches. Having rods rigged with sink-tips and floating lines in the boat provides variety and gives you some good head-hunting opportunities.

The bluegill fishing is getting going on the shallower, dark bottom lakes as the fish move into shallow water. While dries will provide some action, very small streamers and decent sized nymphs will provide the best success. You will find the lakes and ponds extremely clear so the long cast is your best approach. Look for the bass fishing to improve in this pre-spawn period.

Some steelhead remain in the local rivers, but they are close to being done as the last of the spawning fish do their deed. The spring’s high water allowed for a lot of fish to come in and make it back to the lake safely which will not only help with future fish populations but bigger returning fish. It was a good spring season – thanks to all those who came out with me.

Lots going on right now on the water – get out and good luck.

Ted

Trout Fishing – May & June offer some or our best streamer fishing & great hatches!
Bluegill – Experience great fishing on the ponds and lakes in late mid-May and June
Hex Fishing – Some dates still available for the big bugs and big fish in mid-June
2013 Fishing Season – Now booking for all 2013 seasons – don’t miss out on this year’s fishing.

ausable, boardman, hatch chart, hatches, hendricksons, manistee, steelhead, streamer, trout fly fisiing in northwest michigan

Trout Opener, Steelhead Fishing Continues

Posted by Ted Kraimer - April 25, 2013

This Saturday marks the opening season of trout fishing but I think it is safe to say that anglers won’t be seeing any Hendricksons emerging this year on the opener. Being spoiled by two mild winters the previous years, this year’s winter has held on longer than average and spring has been real slow to start. The good news is the forecast is calling for seasonal or at least greatly improved conditions to be the norm going forward. The ice scrapper will remain in the car for a few weeks longer just in case.

Because of the cool temps, water conditions are still cooler than normal and the steelhead continue to be the primary quarry and interest of anglers right now. The Manistee below Tippy dam is still high, but has dropped 1k cfs since last weekend and the clarity has improved slightly but are still far from ideal. Water temps have inched up towards 44 degrees. Some fresh chrome seems to trickle in but majority of the fish have been in the river for a little while. Look for fishing for drop back steelhead to improve as water clarity returns closer to normal. The successful flies have been mixed with smaller egg patterns in natural colors being best and the nymphs to include caddis, small stones and fry patterns.

Those of you looking to get out and trout fish this weekend should plan to fish low and slow with nymphs and streamers for your best luck. Conditions on local rivers are cool and high with a stain however they are improving with no forecast for significant rainfall. Smaller tributaries to rivers seem to be closer to normal than the bigger rivers. Be careful wading and know that better trout fishing conditions will be here soon. Those of you that are successful, please practice catch and release. Be sure to check any new fishing regulations that may have gone into effect on your favorite body of water.

Good luck,

Ted

The Spring newsletter just went out – click here to read and/or sign up for delivery.

Steelhead – Spring is already booked but it’s not too early to get your fall dates secured. Late Sept. – Nov.
Trout Fishing – May & June offer some or our best streamer fishing & great hatches – its closer than you think!
2013 Fishing Season – Now booking for all seasons in 2013 – Don’t miss your place in the boat.

fishing, fly fishing, steelhead, trout, trout opener

«‹22 23 24 25 26 ›»