Late October Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - October 26, 2021

As October comes to an end, it almost feels like the end of September.

The past month was mild with overnight temps well above typical leaving the water temps at least 10 degrees warmer than normal. A second, late push of salmon never occurred as a lack of wind on Lake Michigan and a lack of rain and a swollen river seemed less inviting for them to come in. Some stragglers are still in local rivers like the Betsie and Manistee, but at this stage of their life, you might need a tetanus shot before handling one of these fish.

With the nicer weather and lack of river flow, steelhead numbers are less than what they should be for this time of year. Egg patterns and beads are still ideal, especially in the tail outs and seams below spawning gravel. Since water temps are in the mid-50s the fish will move to take a fly so it’s good to hold on tight as some times they pull pretty hard. Lighter line in the clear water provides an advantage over the thicker stuff but the fish definitely have the advantage.

With the salmon winding up their spawning, the steelhead are starting to look at food sources other than eggs; late October and November are a good time for those who like to swing a fly to do so. I suspect that this November’s fishing might be a little better with warmer water temps expected to hang around a little longer.

Good luck.

Ted

Fall Steelhead – Some good dates remain in the second half of November. Finish the season with some chrome.
2022– Booking next year’s fishing seasons through September. Don’t miss your favorite seasons and good dates!
Gift Certificates – Ask or give the gift of a lesson, half or full-day trip on the water.

betsie river, egg patterns, fall steelhead, fly fishing guide, lake michigan, manistee river, salmon, steelhead, tippy dam, traverse city

Mid April Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - April 11, 2021

It’s approaching mid-April, but it feels more like the first of May with the recent weather. One could argue that it felt more like the end of May with the recent 70-degree days.

Steelhead fishing has been challenging as we had not received much precipitation and more anglers show up at the river for a reduced number of fish. Fish have been spawning on the Manistee and Betsie and a lot have completed the task leaving empty gravel beds. With the clear water a lot of fish slip off the gravel and wait low-light hours and take refuge in the darker pockets and runs nearby making them ideal locations to target. Drop-backs (fish that are done spawning) can typically be found in the medium flowing runs as they drop back to the lake.

We are finally getting some rain now and are forecast to get more in the next couple days which should help bring in some fresh fish to prolong the run. Suckers have been in the water well over a week and historically another run of steelhead takes place after the suckers.

The fry bite has been good as has small (Size 8 and 10), realistic looking egg patterns. With the suckers spawning, yellowish sucker spawn patterns might be worth fishing. Green caddis and Ice Buggers, too have been successful the past week.

I have not been on the trout waters but have heard a few Hendricksons and BWO’s have been coming off, but not heavily nor consistent. With the water temps still in the mid- 50’s fish tend to prefer eating subsurface until the upper 50’s. It’s a good time to go fish a streamer but have a dry fly rigged and ready should surface activity take place.

Good luck.

Ted

Trout Fishing – May and June offer some of the best streamer and dry fly hatches of the year.
Learn to Fly Fish – Tailor a half-day trip to learning how to fly fish –
perfect for beginners or those looking to dial in a new technique.
Fall Steelhead – Some good dates remain in November and into December

egg patterns, guide service, spawning steelhead, steelhead fishing, steelhead fishing report michigan, steelhead flies, sucker spawn, tippy dam

Early April Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - April 2, 2021

With the start of April behind us, anglers are finding water levels on the Manistee and Betsie uncharacteristically low and clear for this time of year. The region hasn’t received any significant rain yet this year and the snow melt has been gone for over a month. Without the rivers rising and being stained, the steelhead migration has been more of trickle than a “run”.

The fall fish that wintered over and those that came throughout the winter have already performed their spawning and moved back to the lake. There are a lot of empty gravel beds which should help with wild fish reproduction rates – all of our rivers could stand a population increase. Fishing has been tough as we continue to experience more anglers and less fish. Sure helps make the case for catch and release for those that don’t practice it.

With the water being clear, lighter line and smaller flies have been working better than the bigger and bolder patterns. Eggs and beads in smaller sizes and natural color schemes (orange-ish) have been working better than others. The green caddis tied in size 8 and 10 have been working well and the fry bite is starting to take place as more juvenile salmon fry are swimming around clueless – the fry bite is one of the more aggressive takes while nymphing. Don’t forget your black stones and hex nymphs.

The long-term weather forecast is calling for more of the same – dry conditions and mild temps. With the water in the low 40’s it might be a good thing that we don’t have a big push of water as the steelhead run would likely be condensed to a short 5 day event. As it looks, it will be a long, slow trickle of fish, until any appreciable rain and runoff takes place.

Good luck.

Ted

Trout Fishing – May and June offer some of the best streamer and dry fly hatches of the year.
Learn to Fly Fish – Tailor a half-day trip to learning how to fly fish –
perfect for beginners or those looking to dial in a new technique.
Fall Steelhead – Some good dates remain in November and into December

betsie river, egg patterns, fonzi fry, fry pattern, green caddis, guide trips, hex pattern, manistee river, steelhead patterns, tippy dam

Mid-March Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - March 10, 2021

Longer days and mild temperatures have steelhead on most angler’s minds. Rivers like the Manistee and Betsie are still running cold – just under 40 degrees with fluctuations coming from cold overnights, sunshine, and any leftover snowmelt – it’s mostly gone (for now – the snowblower is still gassed up and the shovels are ready).

Water levels are low and on the clear side which hasn’t encouraged an abundance of fresh fish into the local systems but the holdovers from fall and the steelhead that have trickled in throughout the winter have shuffled around and are getting eager for things to warm-up just a little more to begin their spawning before returning to the lake.

With the river conditions being low and clear, anglers will find good fishing throughout the river system. Egg patterns and beads seem to be outperforming the nymphs; however, a caddis and black stone fly are always a good bet this time of year, especially with the sunshine and slight bump in water temps. Indicator and floats, and duck and chuck are your best approach as the water is still too cool for consistent action on a swung fly.

As the spring steelhead season gets underway, please keep in mind that MI-DNR was not able to collect fish for hatchery operations in 2020 leaving a year gap in supplemental stocking. Natural reproduction does occur so please practice catch and release to help the fisheries and anglers endure a lost year of stocking.

Good luck.

Ted

Trout Fishing – May and June offer some of the best streamer and dry fly hatches of the year.
Learn to Fly Fish – Tailor a half-day trip to learning how to fly fish –
perfect for beginners or those looking to dial in a new technique.
Fall Steelhead – Some good dates remain in November and into December.

betsie river steelhead fishing, fishing steelhead, manistee river steelhead, steelhead, steelhead caddis, steelhead fishing guide, tippy dam

Mid-November Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - November 10, 2020

The steelhead fishing remains off with what seems like fewer fish around than we are used to this time of year. Some days we find them, other days we struggle. While the weather has been comfortable (in the 60’s!?!) it has left rivers like the Big Manistee and Betsie running clear and low. One advantage of the nice weather is the water temps have increased a little (mid to upper 40s) which is closer to the lake Michigan temps which will help inspire more fish to move up the river. At least we are hoping that’s the case.

Fish have moved throughout the river systems and it’s thought that some have dropped back downstream and started to settle into holding water which includes in and around structure. It’s a good time to swing some flies over the structure on the two-hander, while drifting flies in the proven runs, holes, and buckets always provides you with a great chance at connecting with a nice fall steelhead. Eggs in pale and yellow (think Oregon Cheese hues) continue to be the primary interest of fish, but caddis pupa and hex nymphs are starting to interest the fish again. Swung flies in Olive/Copper and Tan/Copper have had some success.

Just a reminder that firearm deer season begins Nov. 15 and continues through Nov. 30; it might be a wise idea to wear some hunter’s orange while on the bank or in the boat.

Good luck.

Ted

Trout/Steelhead Combo – Late fall can offer a combined chance at both species on the lower Manistee.
Fall Steelhead – Some good dates are available in November – a great way to finish the fishing season.

betsie river, big manistee river, caddis, hex nymphs, swining flies, tippy dam

Posts tagged "tippy dam"

Late October Fishing Report

Mid April Fishing Report

Early April Fishing Report

Mid-March Fishing Report

Mid-November Fishing Report

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