Late December Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - December 22, 2023

Steelhead remain the target of anglers headed out this time of year and with the seasonal forecast calling for mild temperatures there should be windows of opportunity to get out and into some fish.

Steelhead numbers remain low after a slow fall season but are slowly building. If mild temps continue, fish should trickle in over the winter on the Manistee. Water levels remain low and have been remarkably clear. Any runoff/rain will change things and likely mix things up in the river so monitor those opportunities, especially if fishing smaller rivers like the Betsie. Or, simply look to get out when it’s going to be comfortable to get rid of any cabin fever that has set in.

As water temperatures settle into the 30s, look for fish to be in the slower water off to the side of the seams and if there is some structure and/or deep water – all the better to hold a winter steelhead.

Eggs are almost always fished on a nymph or drift rig and this time of year a nymph is usually fished with it. Those fishing a swung fly will still find some fish, just make sure the speed of the swing is going slow as fish get a little lethargic in these conditions.

All the best to you and yours this Holiday Season and great fishing throughout the New Year!

Ted

<< The end of the year Newsletter and recap on the years fishing just went out – click here to read or subscribe >>

Spring Steelhead – Most of the season is booked – get your dates for March and April while you can.
Trout Season – Late May into July offers the best match-the-hatch dry fly fishing of the year.
2024 Fishing – Get your dates secured to ensure your time on the water. Booking all seasons thru September.

betsie river, manistee river, nymph rig, steelhead, swung fly, traverse city fly fishing guide

Mid October Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - October 19, 2022

It seems like it has been an old fashion fall with cooler weather, frosts kicking the fall colors into bold expressions, and maybe a little too much rain in our rivers. After over 3 inches the past couple days our local rivers are running more than full, they are high and have some color to them. Lots of leaves, too.

The salmon are past peak and the fish that are in the river are finishing up their spawning on the Manistee. Steelhead have moved through most rivers systems and are taking advantage of the eggs that the salmon are contributing. Like the salmon, they are running large and with the warmer water temperatures, they have been more than a handful once hooked. With water temps about to drop below 50, they should be a little more user friendly but don’t expect much change – upper 40s doesn’t curb their enthusiasm too much.

Since the natural food source has been eggs, egg patterns and beads have been the most productive. When a lot of leaves in the water consider using larger and bolder colors to help them stick out. Nymphs like buggers and hex have taken some fish as has a swung fly or two. With the high water, you might have to go a little bigger and bolder with all patterns.

Because fish were not stocked by MI-DNR in the spring of 2021 we have lost a year class of fish – PLEASE practice catch and release to help us absorb the missing population in the years ahead.

Good luck.

Ted

Fall Steelhead – Finish the season with what started the season – Steelhead! A few dates available in November
2023 Fishing – Get your dates secured to ensure your time on the water. Booking all seasons thru September.
Gift Certificates – Quick and easy gifts of a half-day, full-day or casting lesson for friends or family.

egg patterns, fly fishing, fly fishing guide, high water in michigan, manistee, steelhead fishing, swung fly

Mid December Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - December 17, 2020

With mid-December here, so is the snow and cold, and it appears winter might have settled in for the season. Water temps on the local rivers (Manistee, Platte and Betsie) have steadily decreased into the mid-30s and has pretty much put the steelhead into a winter funk. There are fish around, but it seems fewer than normal as the second half of fall had a less than average number of fish to play with.

If cabin fever drives you out, focus on the deeper and slower water. Typically winter water would be the primary target when casting nymphs and egg/beads. Fishing under indicators and floats is your best bet in these conditions and those looking to get a tug on a swung fly – your window for success is rapidly closing with these diminishing water temps.

Consider getting a later start to the day and/or fishing after a rare sunny day which might help bump the water temp a degree or two to increase activity, if not make the fishing a little more comfortable.

Fishing reports will likely cease for a while after this one unless we get a prolonged warm-up. Thanks to all three of you that read these throughout the year.

Happy Holidays to you and yours and lets hope 2021 is a much better year for us all – both on and off the water.

Cheers.

Ted

Winter 2020 Newsletter just went out; click here to read.

2021 Fishing – Now booking for all seasons in the New Year. Get your dates and schedule life around fishing.
Gift Certificates – Give the gift of a Fishing Trip or Lesson – Half of Full Days available – they’re easy and fast.

manistee, steelhead, swung fly, winter fishing

Late November Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - November 21, 2019

The mild fall came to an abrupt stop last week with a cold front and significant snowfall dropping the water temperatures in the local rivers. Temps on the Manistee and Betsie are in the upper 30s after dropping about 8 degrees in 10 days. Now as it rains, the snow is sure to melt but add some cool water to the river, keeping the temps in the river pretty much the same, but still cooler than we steelhead anglers want or expect for this time of year.

With the increase in water, look for the fish in the river systems to kind of shuffle around a bit as things had gotten a little stale the past two weeks. The egg bite is starting to give way to some nymphs and even a swung pattern. The bump in water flow can help dislodge both old, pale eggs and nymphs from gravel sections inducing a natural chum line. There is no front runner as far as color, size or pattern – the same as it has oddly been all fall.

Steelhead can be just about anywhere in the river systems and the type of water they hold in as they start to transition into late fall/early winter patterns; deep holes, tail outs, slow moving runs and structure are all places to target whether you are drift fishing, fishing floats/indicators or wielding the two-hander.

Firearms deer season continues through November – a little blaze orange to your ensemble might protect you from an adrenaline fueled rifle shot while on the water.

Good luck.

Ted

Fall Steelhead – Good November and December dates remain open for these prized sport-fish.
2020 Fishing Season – We are booking dates through October of 2020 – don’t miss the prime times.
Gift Certificates – As we approach the holiday season, consider asking or giving the gift of time on the water.

betsie river steelhead, fishing, swung fly

Early November Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - November 7, 2018

The low clear water of October is behind us as November brings cooler and higher water.

Significant recent rains has the river levels up on the local rivers including the Manistee, Betsie, Boardman and others. And with it should be another push of steelhead. Water levels are going to get a bit stained but that can be a good thing.

As water temps settle into the mid to upper 40’s look for fish to be in all kinds of water. Fresh fish moving through the river will be in the soft seams ascending the river where a mix of fresh and hold-over fish will be in the holes. With a few salmon still around look for the dark water downstream of them as well as vacant gravel to funnel any eggs drifting downstream to steelhead looking for an easy meal.

Egg patterns are ideal but a nymph bite continues to get stronger with steelhead buggers, bigger stoneflies and caddis producing. This is the time of year to pull the two-handed rod out and over runs and fish near structure as fall fish are generally more focused on eating and will eat – sometimes even chase – a swung fly.

Trout are in a post-spawn mode and looking to eat streamers. Some days they will hunt the big tandem articulated streamer out of aggression, but smaller 3 to 4 – inch patterns seem to be more stable producers. Natural looking sculpin and baitfish patterns are a great place to start but if the water is stained or has lots of leaves in it, try fishing something with a little flash to help it stand out. With the cooler water, slow your presentation down a little bit and even consider using a lighter sink-tip line.

Good luck.

Ted

Fall Steelhead – Fall colors include chrome Steelhead until Winter gets here.
Fall Trout Combo – Target both steelhead and trout (streamers) on the lower Manistee
2019 Fishing – It isn’t too early to get next year’s fishing dates secured – booking through October

egg patterns, fall steelhead, manistee river, michigan steelhead fishing., steelhead fishing, streamer fishing, swung fly, tippy dam, trout, two-handed rod

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Posts tagged "swung fly"

Late December Fishing Report

Mid October Fishing Report

Mid December Fishing Report

Late November Fishing Report

Early November Fishing Report

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