Mid-October Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - October 20, 2018

It definitely feels like Fall on and off the river. The recent winds have really put a lot of leaves into the river leaving a number of trees bare and anglers putting on an extra layer.

Cooler temperatures have dropped the water temps significantly the past week as they hover around 50 degrees. Between the lack of significant rainfall, drop in water temps and all of the leaves drifting through the river, the steelhead fishing has been more challenging than it had been, but yet there are fish around and still playing the game and every day is different.

The salmon are pretty much wrapping up their spawning run on the local rivers including the Manistee, Betsie, and Platte and those eggs are what the chrome steelhead are keying in on. Natural egg patterns and/or beads have been working well, however when the leaf-drop is heavy, jumping up in pattern size can help the fish see your fly. Target the holes behind remaining spawning salmon and the end of runs bellow gravel sections. Since there are fewer salmon (Chinook and Coho) right now and therefore fewer eggs, a nymph bite is beginning – caddis and steelhead buggers have been starting to produce. With less of an egg bite look for the swing-bite to start soon as the leaves are no longer fouling the presentation/flies.

Good luck.

Ted

Schedule changes have left a few dates available this fall: November 21, 23-27

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

betsie river, big manistee, caddis, egg patterns, manistee river, salmon, steelhead buggers, tippy dam

Early May FIy Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - May 8, 2018

If feels like we skipped spring and went right to summer as temperatures approach 80 degrees. Nature is catching up with the season as the fields on the way to the river have turned from brown to green and foliage is starting to become omnipresent in the woods. So is the fishing.

Trout fishing is starting to shape up although the river levels are a little high and stained – perfect for the Hendrickson mayflies that are sporadically emerging on the upper sections of the Manistee and AuSable Rivers. A few BWOs are around on the cloudy days and it won’t be long before tan caddis should be dancing on the surface. Before the surface and bug activity takes place, now is the time to cast a streamer looking for those larger trout looking to eat big. With the stained water yellow, black, and olive streamer patterns are great first choices. With the water temps still in the mid-50s, slow the streamer presentation down and don’t hesitate to fish the inside bends.

Steelhead fishing is pretty much done. A few fresh fish moved in over the past week but they are getting in and getting out quick with the water temps being so warm. While a bit cold, overall it was an exceptional spring steelhead run as it was spread out with a good number of fish throughout without any surge of fish. And the fish for the most part were a little bigger this year making for some really nice fish photos. Already looking forward to the fall run of steelhead that begins in October.

As water temps continue to climb look for the shallow, dark bottom lakes to see a little bluegill/panfish action to start any day now – this is a great way to get tuned up with your casting while having access to some really nice gills that usually too deep. Pike anglers should find similar lakes providing an opportunity to fish shallows for post-spawn fish.

Good luck.

Ted

Trout – Reliable hatches begin in May for surface activity. It’s also a great time to fish streamers for bigger trout.
Big Bugs – The big Bugs of June will be here before you know it…. Isos, Drakes and Hex – limited dates available.
Fall Steelhead – Spring Steelhead is just finishing up but it’s time to get your Fall Dates reserved – Oct. thru Dec.

bluegill fishing, drakes, fall steelhead, hendrickson au sable, hendricksons, mayflies, pike, steelhead, streamer, tippy dam, trout fishing

Early April Steelhead Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - April 8, 2018

Since the last report we have had some cold weather – especially low overnight temps – keeping the water temperature right around 40 degrees. While some snow fell, most of it is still on the ground so the water/river levels have not increased leaving us with unusually clear water conditions on the Manistee and Betsie Rivers. Without a surge of warm water to pull a bunch of fresh fish from Lake Michigan we are still working over a mixed bag of steelhead – some winter hold-overs and others that have trickled through the river system the past weeks.

Some fish are spawning but with the low and clear water you are likely to find those and pre-spawn fish in the pocket water near gravel sections. We are getting drop-back steelhead in the runs as they put on the feed bag before returning to the big water.

Effective flies have been mixed….. eggs patterns in Clown, orange and John 3:16 colors combinations. Nymphs too have been varied: green caddis, ice buggers and Hex Nymphs seemed to have worked best in the past week. With the clear water, you might have to drop tippet/leader size but know that the fish have been uncharacteristically feisty and strong-fighting with water temperatures as low as they are so drop down only when you need to.

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 and it’s also a great time for fishing streamers.
Learn How – Take a 1/2 day trip with the goal of learning how to fly fish or improve, customized to your interests.

betsie river steelhead fishing, egg patterns, flies, hex nymphs, manistee river fishing report, steelhead, steelhead nymphs, tippy dam

Late November Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - November 21, 2017

Its late fall fishing around here with mixed weather ranging from snow, to rain to even a little sun (we sure haven’t seen much of that for a while).

Steelhead remain the primary target for most anglers with the fish transitioning into hold-over water. Look for fish to be in holes and the slower tail-outs as the water temps continue to drop. Last week’s rain gave the levels a little bump but they are still in good shape as the water remains a little stained too on the Manistee and Betsie. Egg patterns and a nymph is a great one-two approach when drifting or fishing under an indicator. As temps hover around 40 our window for a good swing bite is starting to narrow.

Trout fishing below Tippy dam has been decent but with the stained water it’s hard to work the streamer efficiently around all the wood without donating a couple of flies. Baitfish and sculpin patterns have been best but like always, mix it up and fish it slower than you would in the spring as water temps are cooler.

With firearm deer season ending Nov. 30, consider wearing some orange while fishing for safety.

Good luck and have a nice Thanksgiving.

Ted

Fall Steelhead – As fall continues, so does our Steelhead season, into December or until the weather says no more.
Trout/Steelhead – The lower Manistee offers good streamer fishing for trout in late Fall for a combo of species.
Gift Certificates – With the Holiday Season near, give or ask for the gift of time on the water or a lesson.

betsie river, fall steelhead, manistee river steelhead fishing, sculpin patterns, streamer fishing, tippy dam

Mid-October Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - October 15, 2017

The weather continues to be a little warmer than usual for this time of year making for comfortable fishing most days and decent catching along the way.

We are well past peak salmon fishing on all local rivers as the fish are determined to get their spawning accomplished despite the warm water temps. The recent rain should drive up any last salmon holding in the lake/river mouths including the Betsie and Manistee but don’t expect too many fresh fish. Cohos continue to dominate on the Platte River and up by Tippy Dam where they are congregated.

Some steelhead have moved into the river systems and can be found close to any spawning salmon as their eggs serve as a natural chum line for the protein loving fish. Egg patterns that closely resemble natural eggs are your best bet especially in the clear water. Jump up a size and go to a brighter/bolder color in low-light or stained water and as the leaves drop into the water, fish even bigger egg patterns to stand out. The dark pockets, holes and runs directly downstream from spawning salmon are great places to target. With the water being so warm, hold on tight – they have been hard to land. Try to get them in as quick as possible and revive them to ensure survival in water temps in the upper 50s. You can read more about fishing egg patterns here.

Trout fishing has been tough with the clear water of the upper Manistee. Despite little angling pressure, these fish have been elusive as we approach the time of year that brown trout move to do their spawning. With the water temps being in the mid 50’s dry flies are pretty much done although you will want some small flying ant and BWO patterns just in case. Big wet flies, twitch flies and mid-sized streamers are a good approach this time of year and look for fish to be on the structure on inside bends as much as they are on the usual and likely places.

Good luck.

Ted

Fall Steelhead – October, November and into December, these fish will bend your rod like no other – experience it.
Trout/Steelhead – The lower Manistee offers good streamer fishing for trout in late Fall for a combo of species.

betsie fishing, coho, coho and steelhead, egg patterns, manistee river, Platte River, salmon fishing, steelhead on egg patterns, tippy dam, trout fishing streamers

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Posts tagged "tippy dam"

Mid-October Fly Fishing Report

Schedule changes have left a few dates available this fall: November 21, 23-27

Early May FIy Fishing Report

Early April Steelhead Fishing Report

Late November Fly Fishing Report

Mid-October Fly Fishing Report

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