Mid-Novemebr Northern Michigan Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - November 14, 2014

Old man winter came in with force and a little early as our friends from Canada sent us a powerful cold front that should be with us for a while. Just how long is unknown.

Steelhead fishing has improved after a pretty dismal couple of weeks. Not sure if that’s because there are less people fishing in this weather or if the nice bump in water levels over the weekend encouraged some fresh fish to move into the rivers (Manistee and Betsie). For those willing to fish in below freezing weather look for fish in that transitional water – long tail outs and start to probe those deeper holes with water temperatures taking a plunge…. temps are right around 40 degrees. Nymph and egg combos are a good place to start or for those looking to swing a big streamer/spey fly – now is a good time to fish olive/copper and brown/copper patterns.

Streamer fishing for trout has been good for those looking to fish sink-tips and streamers. Both big and small fish are actively eating before winter and you never know when the big fish will come out and try to eat the small fish on your line….. kind of like those stories or experiences common with walleye/pike fishing. With the water temps dropping, fish some smaller patterns on lighter sink-tips and really put some action in the fly. Click here to read more on how to fish streamer s seductively.

Keep in mind that firearm deer season opens Saturday Nov. 15 through Nov. 30th – Wear some blaze orange for safety.

Good luck and stay warm.

Ted

Trout – Streamer fishing on the Manistee through Fall can be hot when temps gets cold.
Fall Steelhead– Now through November – this is the time of year for our famed Steelhead.
2015 Fishing – It isn’t too early to get your dates booked for next year – now booking for all seasons.

November Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - November 7, 2014

There hasn’t been much of a change in fishing the past week – one day we do good, then it is tough again for a few. The bottom line – in my opinion – is that fishing has been inconsistent and tougher than it should be for this time of year and basically has been all fall. The number of Steelhead in the rivers seems to be pretty stable with a few fresh fish trickling into the Manistee but less fish than what should be in the rivers. Water temps remain in the 40’s so when hooked-up you know it as they are still sassy and are a handful to land. Reports on the other rivers in the region including the Betsie seem to be about the same.

The weather forecast is calling for cooler weather and a little of the white stuff which should contribute to lower water temps which ultimately should start getting those fish to move from the shallow water to the slower, deeper water – at least in theory. My advice would be to cover as much water as possible fishing a combo of an egg and a nymph. Then again I’m scratching my head trying to figure out what the fish really want and where.

The streamer bite on the trout rivers has improved as the browns are done spawning and looking to eat before winter sets in. Rather than cast the really big articulated patterns, consider casting some mid-sized patterns (3-5 inches long) like the Autumn Offender or Brook Trout on smaller sink-tips as the fish seem to be out of the deep holes with the lack of pressure and their desire to eat.

Good luck.

Ted

Trout – Streamer fishing on the Manistee through Fall can be hot when temps gets cold.
Fall Steelhead– Now through November – this is the time of year for our famed Steelhead.
2015 Fishing – It isn’t too early to get your dates booked for next year – now booking for all seasons.

Betsie, fall fishing, manistee, steelhead, streamer, trout

Fall Weather = Fall Steelhead

Posted by Ted Kraimer - October 31, 2014

With a day like today (high north winds, snow and rain) we can’t help but think that it is fall and the fall steelhead should get their act in order and show up in a little more force since they have been trickling in the past 6 weeks. Then again, all bets are off this 2014 fishing season as very little has been predictable throughout the year.

Fishing the past week has been up and down but overall still a bit slower than what it should be for this time of year. When we are finding fish they have been hot and a handful as the water temps on the Manistee are hovering in the high 40s. The fish that are playing along seemed to prefer egg patterns however the nymph bite is starting to improve a little bit with caddis and steelhead buggers out performing other nymphs tried. As far as egg colors…… mix it up but focus on the orange or Oregon cheese shades/colors.

Good luck,

Ted

Trout – Try streamer fishing on the upper Manistee and below Tippy Dam through Fall.
Fall Steelhead– From now through November – this is the time of year for our famed Steelhead.
2015 Fishing – It isn’t too early to get your dates booked for next year – now booking for all seasons.

egg patterns, fall steelhead, manistee, nymph, streamer, tippy dam, weather

Late October Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - October 23, 2014

Not much has changed in the past week in regards to fishing. The fall steelhead have been inconsistent and hard-earned as their numbers aren’t what they typically are for this time of year. The decent days keep us motivated and coming back as these fish test our determination but when they do play nice, it is awesome and is a testament to why we choose to fish for them.

The Manistee has dropped to closer to normal levels and the water has cleared up quite a bit with just a slight stain thanks to a week without rain. And, the sun came back out making it comfortable once the morning frost melts while increasing the water temperature which is just about 50 degrees.

There are very few salmon around right now and as a result the egg bite is starting to give way to a bug-bite – caddis, steelhead buggers, pheasant tails and even a swung fly. With water temps as warm as they are, this can be a good time to get out and fish a big sink-tip and a big fly on a two-handed rod.

Trout fishing is reportedly good on the open waters of the Upper Manistee and AuSable rivers – look for the post-spawn behavior to be one that likes to pounce on a streamer. If you come across spawning browns, please leave them alone to do their job of creating a sustainable fishery.

Good luck.

Ted

Trout – With fall here have the Upper Manistee River and its trout all to yourself.
Fall Steelhead– From now through November – this is the time of year for Steelhead.
2015 Fishing – It isn’t too early to get your dates booked for next year – now booking for all seasons.

Mid-October Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - October 16, 2014

It’s the middle of October – fall colors are at peak but the salmon are past peak. The salmon are dwindling in numbers on local rivers like the Manistee and Betsie; it doesn’t appear that another push is coming. Sure, some may continue to trickle in but look for a lot of empty gravel and some carcasses wrapped around logs – it’s pretty much over. What they did leave behind are lots of eggs that are drifting downstream and the steelhead have been taking advantage of.

Steelhead numbers are also down so far this fall making it tougher than normal. But ever optimistic is the steelhead angler and with our recent downpour of rain this week (I may have burned out my bildge pump this month) more fish should start to migrate upstream. Water levels are up a bit and slightly stained on the Betsie and Manistee while the lower Manistee is stained pretty good with various tributaries contributing their silt and tannins.

Egg patterns in natural and pale colors have been working – golden, sockeye, apricot, grapefruit and Oregon Cheese have been working. The nymph bite hasn’t been too strong but as the egg drop diminishes, look for that to change. More on egg patterns- click here.

Good luck,

Ted

Open dates through Mid-November: November 11 and 13

Trout – With fall here have the Upper Manistee River and its trout all to yourself.
Fall Steelhead– From now through November – this is the time of year for Steelhead.
2015 Fishing – It isn’t too early to get your dates booked for next year – now booking for all seasons.

Betsie, egg patterns, lower manistee, manistee, oregon cheese, salmon, steelhead