Posts tagged "trout fishing"

Early March Steelhead Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - March 4, 2024

The mild winter continues with some back-and-forth weather, but we are experiencing more warmer days than cold ones especially for the beginning of March. The snow we received this winter slowly melted into the ground replenishing the water table rather than creating a high-water situation to prematurely kick the run off. Without a snowpack the steelhead run will be dependent on rainfall (or, more snow and its ensuing melt – keep your shovels on the porch as winter isn’t over).

The Manistee and Betsie are approaching 40 degrees which seems to be the threshold to spur activity. There are fish in both systems and they seem to be spread throughout. Some spawning by fall fish that wintered over and were pressured for months has already taken place; with the light run of fall fish there should be plenty of fresh fish to come up. The pre-spawn fish that have trickled upstream this winter are staged near gravel sections waiting for conditions to be just right.

The little black stoneflies have been out most days when the sun warms things up and with the clear water, the fish are noticing the smaller nymph patterns. Other nymphs to try are caddis and hex nymphs. Egg and bead rigs work too with smaller, more natural looking patterns working better than the big, bold varieties which usually work better in low light and low visibility conditions.

Good luck.

Ted

Spring Steelhead – A few dates remain available in March and April if you want to get out.
Trout Season – Mid-May into July offers some of 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, egg patterns, guided fly fishing, hex nymphs, manistee river, steelhead fishing, steelhead fly fishing, trout fishing

Early October Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - October 7, 2023

Summer-like weather has come to an end after a few extra weeks of it which continued well into October.

The local rivers have been really low from a lack of rain, however today’s rain along with the rain in the forecast should really help get the local rivers into shape and get the fish moving. I am not sure I have ever seen the rivers this low at this time of year. Water temperatures, also, should get into seasonal form and drop into the 50s.

Salmon are all over the place in the local rivers (Manistee, Betsie, Platte). Because of the date/time of year and the warm water, the fish are pretty dark and busy doing their spawning ritual. It seems that there are a few more salmon around this year than in recent years which is a good thing. The more salmon in Lake Michigan usually means less pressure on the steelhead from the lake anglers which helps to bolster steelhead population. And more salmon in the river means more scent and eggs to coax steelhead upstream. A few steelhead have been moving up the river but mostly the juvenile skippers on their first return up the river.

Trout fishing was extended for those looking to fish some terrestrials thanks to the warm weather but now it’s time to pull out that 6 or 7 wt rod, sink tip lines and box full of streamers. It’s pre-spawn for the brown trout on most rivers and the fish can have an attitude and chase down a fly. Because our trout population is meager and mostly dependent on natural reproduction, please leave any visible spawning brown trout alone to help ensure a future fishery. Some rivers closed on October 1 so make sure your favorite section of water is still open before fishing it.

Regardless of where you are fishing or for what, you’ll find the trees well decorated in fall colors making for a great backdrop as you fish and wind down the season.

Good luck.

Ted

Fall Steelhead – Just a few dates in November remain available – finish the fishing season strong.
Spring Steelhead – Most of the season is booked – get your dates for March and April while you can.
2024 Fishing – Get your dates secured to ensure your time on the water. Booking all seasons thru August.

Betsie river fly fishing, caddis, egg patterns, fall steelhead, fly fishing guide, lake michigan, manistee river, Platte River, salmon fishing, salmon fly patterns, steelhead, tippy dam, traverse city, trout fishing, trout fishing with streamers

Mid-September Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - September 19, 2023

The summer weather is making a comeback as we officially transition to Fall this weekend.

Temps in the upper and 70s and approaching the 80s will give the trout rivers a last tickle of terrestrial activity for those looking to get out and get some dry fly fishing in for the year. The rivers (upper Manistee and Boardman) have mostly been untouched now that we are past Labor Day and well into September. In addition to the large foam and rubber leg attractor/terrestrial patterns, consider using some smaller terrestrials like ants and beetles.

Water temps are cool and sometimes when it is in the mid-50s it might be worth delaying your fishing until after the sun has come up and made it a little warmer. The brook trout have begun spawning and when you catch one you can’t help but notice those bold colors, especially on the males. And certain sections of rivers are showing some fall colors in the maples on the riverbank to really intensify the beauty of the river.

The larger and leery brown trout are starting to come out of cover after a long season of being targeted. They might grab a big terrestrial on top, but fishing smaller streamers (less than 3 inches) on intermediate sink tip lines is a great way to improve your chances and catching one.

The salmon are in the rivers pretty thick and are mostly in holding water waiting for conditions to be ideal before they hit the gravel sections to do their spawning. As usual, the rivers are busy with all types of anglers, sportsmen, poachers and others, so don’t expect to have the place to yourself. Once we get another change in the weather with the appropriate winds and some rain, look for another big push of fresh salmon to leave the lake and head up your favorite river.

Good luck,

Ted

Northern Michigan, salmon fishing, streamer fishing, trout, trout fishing

Early September Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - September 5, 2023

With September here and the weather forecast to turn to seasonal weather this week, it might be time to give a nod to the long summer season and everything the fish provided. And since most fisheries were getting tired, the change in weather and angling pressure should help to improve fishing.

The clear water of the local trout streams has been challenging the last few weeks. Thankfully the water levels stayed fine, and temps stayed nice and cool, but the fish seemed to get weary – especially without any bugs on the surface drawing them out from their cover.

Terrestrial fishing has been spotty on the upper Manistee river – some nice brown trout have come to our foam and rubber flies, but the next day you might think there isn’t a fish in the river. Twitch flies lost some of their effectiveness, too, but with the coming cooler nights, shorter days and fewer people on the water trends should reverse. The brook trout’s colors are getting vibrant as they start to think about spawning which typically takes place later this month. It’s a pretty nice time of year to be on the trout waters.

Salmon have entered most of the rivers in the region but the recent near record setting heat has put a pause on a fresh run of fish and the fish already in the systems have gotten a little stale. The salmon fishing, too, will improve with the change in weather, especially some favorable winds on the lake and some precipitation.

Good luck.

Ted

Fall Steelhead – November still has some dates available in 2023 – finish the fishing season strong.
2024 Fishing – Get your dates secured to ensure your time on the water. Booking all seasons thru August.
Gift Certificates – Quick and easy gifts of a half or full-day guide trip or casting lesson for friends or family.

brook trout, guided fishing traverse city, salmon fishing, terrestrial fishing, trout fishing, upper manistee river

Mid-August Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - August 16, 2023

Mid-August finds us with tired fishing conditions. It’s been a long season and most species have been pressured for months now and are playing coy if not selective. But it’s still fun.

The trout rivers are about as clear as I have seen them in any summer prior. The lack of rain this year has kept visibility too good and on rivers like the upper Manistee, their spring fed nature has kept a minimal flow throughout and the cool nights have kept temps ideal through most of summer.

Tricos are still on the water most days mid-morning and terrestrials are bringing fish to the surface when not. Kind of a blast with a lighter weight rod and targets feeding on the surface. Smaller streamers and twitch flies fished on floating lines have been good at getting some suspect and reluctant fish to come out.

Smallmouth bass fishing on the Manistee has been tougher than normal this summer. Some days they make it easy to figure out what they want, other days you change a dozen patterns and figure it out. Or just happen to be there when they want to start eating. Smaller streamers (primarily baitfish imitations) have been working when fished on slow sink or intermediate-tip lines. The popper and terrestrial bite has been hard to come by, but yellow or black poppers seem to be the ones they prefer when they are looking up.

The largemouth bass in the lakes have gone deep and aren’t showing up much in the water for the fly rod angler, except for those low-light hours. Look for lily pads near drop offs to offer the best fishing. Bluegill fishing remains good for those learning the sport but they aren’t the big “gills” that we find in shallow in May and June.

Good luck,

Ted

Trout – Tricos and Terrestrials on the Upper Manistee a great way to spend a half-day on the river.
Smallmouth Bass– Spend a half or full-day on the lower Manistee fishing smallies – through Late August.
Fall Steelhead – November still has some dates available in 2023 – finish the fishing season strong.

float trip, fly fishing michigan, largemouth bass fishing, smaller streamers, smallmouth bass, terrestrial fishing, trico fishing, trout fishing, upper manistee

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