April Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - April 9, 2022

The local rivers are all running high with recent rains. The good news is we have a few days without any rain (or snow) in the forecast.

Higher water has meant dirty water. A flood gate was lifted on Tippy Dam yesterday which always frees up mud and algae while increasing the flow. The ice on the pond has melted so we should see the water temps break the 40-degree mark soon, especially with a forecast of air temps in the 50s. The Betsie almost always has a stain to it which only increases as the flow also increases.

Some steelhead have begun their spawning while others are headed up to do it. Look for fish to be just about anywhere in the river – softer seams for migrating fish, deeper holes and pocket water near spawning gravel for those waiting to get on it.

Proven flies have mostly been larger rag eggs and bead rigs in brighter colors including clown, pink, combos with cerise, and chartreuse.

Crowded conditions continue to be norm which isn’t anything new when it comes to Steelhead fishing in April. Smile and recognize that the next angler is only trying to do what you are.

Good luck.

Ted

May Days – The month that offers so much variety for a number of species. <<More info>>
Match the Hatch – Late May and June offer dry fly anglers some of the best trout fishing of the year.
Fall Steelhead – Some good dates remain available in October, November and into December.

Fall Steelhead

Posted by Ted Kraimer - November 4, 2019

November greeted us with full-on fall weather – a mix of snow and rain and some wind making for classic fall steelhead weather.

Water temps have settled into the lower to mid 40’s on the lower Manistee below Tippy Dam and Betsie Rivers which are running higher than normal for this time of year, but they aren’t considered high. Clarity is mostly ideal except for the lower ends of rivers which collect run off and tributaries which affects visibility. There are good numbers of steelhead in the river however they are spread out throughout the systems – you have fresh fish moving up stream, others that have taken position behind the last of the spawning salmon and those that have been in the system a while and after being caught have become weary and are sitting in the wood/structure.

Egg patterns remain the most effective flies right now along with some beads in natural and yellowish colors. No two days have been the same so mix up size and color to find what they are looking for each day. The nymph bite is starting to pick up with caddis and steelhead buggers continuing to prove effective. The swing bite is also ideal right now for those capable of working a two-handed rod and presenting big streamers with lots of flash on sink-tip lines.

The forecast weather should help stabilize the fishing as the past week was inconsistent with the abrupt changes in weather. Going forward, it appears to be more of the same so dress accordingly, think fondly about seeing the sun shine all summer, and keep your flies where the fish should be.

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.

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Mid-April Steelhead Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - April 15, 2019

Steelhead fishing continues on the local rivers, however the fishing has slowed recently with heavy angling pressure, a majority of the fish hitting spawn mode, and a lot of fish already having completed their annual task.

Water temps are in the mid-40s and bright days with lots of sunshine like today really help increase temps further. Clarity is good but that is likely to change with the rain that is forecast over the week; when that happens look for another push of fresh fish to move through the Betsie and Manistee river below Tippy Dam.

Productive flies have been mixed with green caddis, fry and smaller natural egg patterns being the front runners. Buggers and egg sucking leeches are picking up their fair share of fish as are some hex patterns.

Fish harvest continues to be more prevalent this year than years past – please conserve your catch and keep to ensure a future, sustainable fishery. Steelhead can return year after year but only if they stay off the rope and avoid the filet knife.

Good luck.

Ted

Trout – May and June offers some of the best trout fishing of the year matching the hatch and fishing streamers.
Fall Steelhead– It’s not too early to look ahead to fall run of these fish. Hard fighting and a beautiful time of year.
Booking 2019 – Reserve your date(s) and schedule life around fishing rather than trying to fit fishing into life.

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Spring / Mid-March Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - March 21, 2019

With the first day of Spring, we are reminded that it’s a transition into the new season, not the flip of a switch. Since last week’s report a lot of snow has melted which brought the river levels up and added some color to it. The water temps are still in the low to mid 30’s and with the amount of snow still around in places I don’t see temperatures getting too high, too soon and that’s a good thins as it will make for a nice prolonged run of spring steelhead.

The fish are mixed with fresh ones moving upstream as well as older fish sitting in the deeper water and waiting for the water to warm up so they can get one with spawning activities. Cover the water and structure – with the increase in flow, daylight and fish, comes the increase in the number of anglers which all have the tendency to push fish into secondary water/holding spots.

Not much new on which fly patterns to tie on – big and bold egg patterns, green caddis, stoneflies, hex nymphs and alevins are perennial favorites.

Good luck.

Ted

The Spring 2019 Newsletter just went out – click here to read or subscribe.

Spring Steelhead – Now through April. Start the fishing seasons with some chrome! Some dates still available.
Trout – May and June offers some of the best trout fishing of the year matching the hatch and fishing streamers.
Booking 2019 – Reserve your date(s) and schedule life around fishing rather than trying to fit fishing into life.

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Late April Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - April 23, 2018

Boy what a difference a week makes. While last week had us thinking we were stuck in winter, the past few days have us thinking spring. Sunny skies and warmer temperatures has the water warming up just a bit after all that run-off from the snow increased water levels but kept the temp near 40 degrees on the Manistee below Tippy Dam with smaller rivers like the Betsie warming up into the mid-40s.

Water levels are ideal and have a nice stain to them making black flies stick out a little bit in the conditions. With stoneflies flying around it’s a good time to pull those out of the fly box again and tie them on. Caddis and fry patterns have taken some fish also. Egg patterns that have been working include smaller clown patterns and natural looking patterns like nuke eggs.

With the warmer water on the smaller rivers increasing so did a nice number of fish. The Manistee didn’t get as many fresh fish but there are still pre-spawn, spawning and post spawn fish around to play the game. Focus on migratory slots and the pocket water near spawning gravel for your best fishing.

This Saturday is the official start of Trout season throughout the state – for those headed out for “Opener” to keep with traditions, good luck and think streamers more than dry flies until the water warms up a bit more. With the warmer weather some of the smaller rivers could reach the critical low 50’s in time to trigger some Hendricksons but I would guess we are a good 10 days behind.

Good luck!

Ted

Steelhead & Trout Combo – The first two weeks in May can offer steelhead in the morning and trout after noon.
Trout – Reliable hatches begin in May for surface activity. It’s also a great time to fish streamers for bigger trout.
Learn How – Take a 1/2 day trip with the goal of learning how to fly fish or improve, customized to your interests.

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Posts tagged "tippy dam steelhead fishing"

April Fishing Report

Fall Steelhead

Mid-April Steelhead Fishing Report

Late April Fly Fishing Report

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