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Posts tagged "trout opener"

Late April Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - April 23, 2019

As April begins to wind down it seems we are past the peak of the steelhead run on local rivers including the Manistee and Betsie. Last week’s rain brought the water levels up some along with a few fresh fish, but the majority of fish being caught are actively spawning as well as some drop-back/post spawn fish.

Water temps are in the mid-40s and are heavily stained, however there is still some visibility for fish to see your flies – especially if they are in the 40-inch window that they often need to be in to entice a fish to eat this time of year.

Natural egg colors and sizes have been working well and with the dirtier water, a little bigger and bolder pattern is starting to regain its effectiveness. Caddis and fry patterns have been the most effective nymph patterns for a while now.

Just a reminder that trout opener is this Saturday, April 27 – good luck as you hit the water again, practice traditions on and off the water with friends, and start off what looks like a promising trout season in 2019. With the recent warm weather you might want to have some hendricksons in your fly box just in case you need to cut your streamer off and tie on a dry.

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.

betsie river, fry patterns, manistee, manistee river steelhead fishing, Platte River, steelhead, tippy dam, trout opener

Steelhead Season Continues as Trout Season Begins

Posted by Ted Kraimer - April 21, 2015

Fishing pretty much has remained the same – it’s been inconsistent. One day we find a bunch of fish, the next –  a few, then fewer and back to a bunch again – you just don’t know. On both the Manistee and Betsie the steelhead have been coming and going pretty quickly. A few drop backs have been caught as the females head back to the lake after their deed is complete and those same, big, deep holes that have been holding them have also been holding some fresh fish waiting to hit the gravel. Fish are spawning on both river systems but not in the numbers we are used to.

Because of the lack or run-off this winter and little rain, look for more fish to show up through mid-May – especially after ideal conditions in which rain fall is key. I guess you could say the “run” has been spread out over a long period of time. Good flies recently have been clown rag eggs, mottled orange variation eggs, green caddis, steelhead buggers, and small black stones.

It’s finally here! This Saturday marks the annual Trout (Pike, Muskie, pre-Season Bass, too) season on rivers. Much of the water that we guide on is open all year round, but this date is significant to the small stream angler or those that follow tradition. The Upper Manistee and Boardman river levels are higher from summer levels but is lower than normal for this time of year. Some black stones have been on the water but good dry fly fishing is looking to begin closer and into May with sustained warmer temps – I saw snow today and more is in the forecast tomorrow – this tends to fluctuate water temperatures, bug emergences and the trout’s demeanor. Streamer fishing is a great approach right now with medium speed retrieves and flies with lots of action.

Good luck!

Ted

Spring Steelhead –  Through mid-May on the Manistee including steelhead/trout combos. Few dates available.
Trout Season – Streamer & Dry Fly fishing is ideal throughout May on the Upper Manistee & AuSable Rivers.
September Salmon – Dates are limited for fishing the Betsie River in early Sept. and later on the Manistee.
2015 Fishing – It isn’t too early to get your fishing trips planned for the year. Booking all species/seasons.

au sable, Betsie, boardman, boardman river, manistee, steelhead, streamer fishing, trout opener, upper-manistee

Trout Opener, Steelhead Fishing Continues

Posted by Ted Kraimer - April 25, 2013

This Saturday marks the opening season of trout fishing but I think it is safe to say that anglers won’t be seeing any Hendricksons emerging this year on the opener. Being spoiled by two mild winters the previous years, this year’s winter has held on longer than average and spring has been real slow to start. The good news is the forecast is calling for seasonal or at least greatly improved conditions to be the norm going forward. The ice scrapper will remain in the car for a few weeks longer just in case.

Because of the cool temps, water conditions are still cooler than normal and the steelhead continue to be the primary quarry and interest of anglers right now. The Manistee below Tippy dam is still high, but has dropped 1k cfs since last weekend and the clarity has improved slightly but are still far from ideal. Water temps have inched up towards 44 degrees. Some fresh chrome seems to trickle in but majority of the fish have been in the river for a little while. Look for fishing for drop back steelhead to improve as water clarity returns closer to normal. The successful flies have been mixed with smaller egg patterns in natural colors being best and the nymphs to include caddis, small stones and fry patterns.

Those of you looking to get out and trout fish this weekend should plan to fish low and slow with nymphs and streamers for your best luck. Conditions on local rivers are cool and high with a stain however they are improving with no forecast for significant rainfall. Smaller tributaries to rivers seem to be closer to normal than the bigger rivers. Be careful wading and know that better trout fishing conditions will be here soon. Those of you that are successful, please practice catch and release. Be sure to check any new fishing regulations that may have gone into effect on your favorite body of water.

Good luck,

Ted

The Spring newsletter just went out – click here to read and/or sign up for delivery.

Steelhead – Spring is already booked but it’s not too early to get your fall dates secured. Late Sept. – Nov.
Trout Fishing – May & June offer some or our best streamer fishing & great hatches – its closer than you think!
2013 Fishing Season – Now booking for all seasons in 2013 – Don’t miss your place in the boat.

fishing, fly fishing, steelhead, trout, trout opener

Trout Opener

Posted by Ted Kraimer - April 25, 2012

After getting a significant rainfall, the water level came up, but a push of steelhead did not. The Manistee rose nicely, but is already falling back down and not much has changed as far as conditions.  I guess I was optimistic and hopeful a bunch of  fish would come in or perhaps I was stubborn to accept that they wouldn’t.  While there are fish in the river many of them are stale and are doing their spawning with the few fresh fish that make their way upstream.  Fishing for drop backs is still happening for the more aggressive fish, but they seem to be waning in numbers as well.  To sum up the 2012 Spring steelhead run – it was definitely unprecedented and I’m pretty sure I won’t experience another early run like we had. At least, I hope not. Thanks to all of you that joined me and put in your time for much earned and memorable fish. In the meantime, fall steelhead are only 6 months away and there is a lot of other fishing to do between now and then.

Trout fishing continues to be decent on the upper Manistee with early hatches. The cooler weather of the past week or so has diminished bug densities but Hendricksons, BWOs, stones and caddis have been coming off with some fish feeding – look for some warmer temps to improve things. The much needed rainfall has pretty much come and gone and the river is still pretty clear.  Look to both the inside and outside of bends to be holding fish as fishing pressure has been light and the fish aren’t necessarily bunkered  in the deep wood.

Fishing below Tippy Dam on the Manistee for trout has been offering anglers an option when the steelhead aren’t playing along. Casting fry patterns and other small streamers with floating lines in the darker water  and around wood is working as are big streamers on sink tips in the deeper runs and holes. More and more caddis are building in the afternoons and the fish are just starting to look at them on the surface.

This weekend is “Trout Opener” – good luck, be safe and have fun.

Ted

hendrickson, manistee, opening day trout season, streamer, tippy dam, trout opener
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