Mid-December “Fall” Steelhead Fishing

Posted by Ted Kraimer - December 15, 2015

The warm Fall season continues, even though we should be thinking Winter which is scheduled to start next week. Real unseasonable weather has been around for a few weeks as there is no snow on the ground, water temps are still around 40 degrees, and the air temps have been comfortable – especially when you consider it’s the middle of December.

With the warm temps came a lot of warm rain over the weekend. The rivers are running really high and there is significant color to them. Thankfully it was a warm rain and it should inspire more fresh fish to move upstream keeping a nice inventory of steelhead in the river over the winter. Look for the fish already in the system to be scattered throughout the lower and upper sections but also sliding into the inside and shallower seams in the cover of high water – this is a pretty unusual scenario for this time of year. Time to use big egg flies and attractor patterns – an approach similar to early Spring Steelhead fishing.

As the water drops, the trout fishing should turn on again with mid-sized streamers and attention paid to inside bends and softer water near structure rather than the deep and fast runs. If it weren’t for the high water, we would be experiencing some really good fishing – as it drops, it should fish well.

Good luck and Happy Holidays!

Ted

The December/Winter Newsletter just went out – click here to read or subscribe.

Trout – Brown trout fishing into late December can be some of the best streamer fishing of the year.
Steelhead – Look for fishing to continue through December and through a mild winter on the Manistee River.
Gift Certificates – With the holidays just around the corner consider giving or asking for some time on the water.

high water, river flow, steelhead fishing, streamer fishing, tippy dam, trout fishing

Mid November Trout and Steelhead Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - November 11, 2015

The lack of rain and seasonal weather has frankly left the river with a lack of fish. The Manistee is running low and clear with less than normal steelhead numbers throughout the river system. It appears that the other local rivers are experiencing similar conditions as we wait for wind and rain. The unseasonable weather we have had the past two-plus months has had an impact on the fish migration and the fish that are in the system quickly get wise to our intentions. The past few days we finally had some cold nights and some rain is forecast a few times over the next 10 days which should only help send more fish upstream while improving conditions. Water temps have slipped into the upper 40s which is great and the forecast of a mild winter should only help make late fall fishing good.

Trout fishing has been good thanks to the lack of cold weather. Streamer fishing on the Manistee – above and below Tippy dam – has been a great approach with overcast days being much better. The clear water and bright sun has been a bad combo as the fish tend to hide in those conditions. Various streamers have been working with white/gray baitfish (think stocked 4-5 inch skamania steelhead) patterns tending to out produce the other colors. Mix up colors and as the water temps dip, mix up your retrieve.

Firearms deer season begins Sunday Nov. 15 – if you head out to the river, wear some bright orange for safety.

Good luck.

Ted

Late Trout – Brown trout fishing into late December can be some of the best streamer fishing of the year.
Fall Steelhead – Look for the good fishing in Nov. & into December for steelhead on the Manistee after some rain.
Gift Certificates – With the holidays just around the corner consider giving or asking for some time on the water.

dear season, manistee, skamania steelhead, steelhead, streamer fishing, tippy dam, trout fishing

Late October Trout and Steelhead Fishing

Posted by Ted Kraimer - October 21, 2015

Even though some white stuff fell from the sky over the weekend, the warm weather trend started right up again, but not without some much needed rain and winds. The salmon fishing on the Manistee peaked last week, however there are some fresh fish still moving in – more should come throughout the month since the run has been so prolonged. We have kind of been spoiled that last few years with runs of fish being more condensed and “on schedule” with the calendar.

Just as more salmon came in, more steelhead entered the Manistee, however numbers are still lower than what they should be for this time of year. Look for the water to be very clear requiring fluorocarbon leaders and realistic egg patterns when fishing around spawning salmon. The nymph bite has improved the past week with caddis and steelhead buggers working. Fishing should only improve as long as conditions – more precipitation and NNW winds – improve. The “leaf bite” has been relentless as peak colors are taking place in the river corridor right now and making their way to the water.

The trout fishing on the upper Manistee is mixed. There are a number of spawning brown trout doing their all too important duty right now to ensure future fish for that section of water that relies on natural reproduction – please leave them alone rather than target them. Not all browns are spawning – some are still in pre-spawn mode and are eating streamers – brook trout color patterns are working well when fished on either light sink-tips or floating lines. With the recent warm up, the last of the terrestrials are around the water – its a good time to fish beetles, bees/yellow jackets and other mid-sized rubber legged patterns on top providing there aren’t too many leaves and pine needles on the surface.

Good luck.

Ted

Late Trout – Brown trout fishing into late December can be some of the best streamer fishing of the year.
Salmon/Steelhead Combo – Late September & early October offers a mixed bag of both species with fall colors.
Fall Steelhead – October, November & into December is the time for steelhead on the Manistee.

brook trout, manistee, salmon, spawning brown trout, steelhead, streamer fishing, trout

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

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