It is the middle of October, and the tree colors look like it as we are in peak color season, although they aren’t as vivid as most years due to the warm fall we have had.
The lack of cool weather, rain, and wind has also keep the chrome (steelhead) color from entering the rivers in the numbers we expect for this time of year. While there are still lots of salmon in rivers like the Betsie and Manistee, the steelhead numbers have been slightly down. Having record high water temps and levels that are as low as I have seen in all the years are significant factors to the delay of the run. That, and well, there seems to be more people fishing these days sharing the number of fish. The forecast looks promising with some much needed rain and more seasonable weather ahead.
With all the salmon in the river spawning, the primary food of the steelhead has been eggs. Smaller egg patterns (#8 and 10) and beads (8mm) have been working when fishing close the salmon with the larger egg patterns (#6) and beads (10mm) performing better in the runs. With some rain and wind coming the amount of leaves in the river will increase making the larger patterns/beads easier for the fish to see.
Good luck.
Ted
Trout Fishing – Have the river to yourself with school starting and football keeping people off the trout rivers.
Fall Steelhead – Finish the fishing season with our favorite species to chase. Dates remain available in late Nov.
Spring Steelhead –The season will be here before you know it – get your dates secured Mid-March thru April