December Steelhead and Trout Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - December 13, 2012

With Winter pretty much set in, it’s time to fish like it. Steelhead numbers remain decent in the Manistee river but few fish are in the Betsie. Water levels and clarity are in step with the season – that is low and clear and it’s the stealthy angler who will have the odds in their favor in these conditions. As the steelhead are tucked away in the deep and slow holes be sure to target that water and on those rare days when the sun is out, look for fish to be in tail-outs actually sunning themselves. You will also find some fish near bubble lines close to slow moving water and in and around wood making suspended flies under floats/indicators ideal. Swung flies on heavy sink-tips work well in these conditions, too, as water temperatures hover around 40 degrees; look for an undulating spey or streamer pattern to peel some fish from the wood.

The trout fishing below Tippy Dam is picking up now that they are not solely eating eggs in various stages – look for midge, scudsow bug and small mayfly/bwo patterns to accommodate an egg pattern on your tandem nymph rig. Slow sinking streamers with lots of action make for some good streamer fishing this time of year for some of the bigger fish looking to put the feed bag on before Winter really sets in hard – just remember to move the fly slower this time of year as water temps remain cold.

Happy Holidays and Good Luck!

Ted

— The Winter/Holiday newsletter just went out – click here to read and/or subscribe —

Winter Special: Take advantage of warm-ups this winter! 5 hours of fishing and lunch – $250
Gift Certificates: Ask for or give the gift of a guide trip or casting lesson. It’s a quick and easy gift! Click here.
Spring Steelhead: Mid-March isn’t that far away – get your dates secured and reserve your place in the boat.
– – Currently Booking for all 2013 Seasons – –

betsie river fishing, indicators, manistee river, river, spey, streamers, swung flies, trout, winter steelhead

Fall To Winter Steelhead & Trout Fishing

Posted by Ted Kraimer - November 26, 2012

It didn’t take long for mother nature and conditions to go from a lingering fall right into winter mode. Temperatures have become more seasonable and so has the water temps slowing fish down a bit. It has been a while since we have received any significant precipitation so most of the steelhead in local river systems have been there a while and have been settling into their cold-water behaviors and lies. Water clarity is a little too good right now coupled with the low water levels so a little lighter line/tippet highly recommended.

Look for fish to be near wood structure in the slower moving water just and often just on the inside of a bubble line. As water temps drop these fish become a little more lethargic but they are still eating, albeit often selectively. Fishing with floats and suspending flies through bubble lines (fly pinning) is an effective method from now until spring as it helps with the drag-free drift and keeps your flies out of the wood. The swing bite for those looking to cast two-handed rods remains decent as this method can encourage some fish out of the wood to eat something big and flashy; target the soft water on the inside off the bubble line just like the nymph and egg angler and let the fly hang-down a little longer as this time of year the fish seem to get curious about big streamer/spey flies dangling in the current.

Trout fishing remains a viable option for those looking to catch some browns and bows. Streamer fishing in some of the bigger water this time of year requires a lot of casts but often with big rewards when you hit. Fishing below Tippy Dam offers both streamer and nymph fishing as there is a higher concentration of trout in the first couple of miles of downstream of the dam. Small, natural looking (pale and/or translucent) eggs are a great pattern to fish in tandem with either a scud/sow bug or bwo nymph under an indicator. While it appears that our warm summer had an effect on the trout population in this water, there are still plenty of fish to target.

Firearm deer season ends 11/30/12 so wearing a little blaze orange isn’t a bad call as hunters tend to get anxious to fill unused tags the last few days of the season.

Good Luck.

Ted

Late Fall Steelhead: Target angler’s favorite sport-fish through December – Stay active this Holiday Season.
Late Season Trout: Fish the Upper or Lower Manistee and have the river to yourself. Nymph & Streamer fishing.
Gift Certificates: Ask for or give the gift of a guide trip or casting lesson. It’s a quick and easy gift! Click here.
Booking for all 2013 Seasons and through September – reserve your place in the boat.

current works, fall steelhead, fly-fishing guide, manistee, manistee river, steelhead, ted kraimer, traverse city, upper-manistee

Steelhead Fishing Report – Mid-November

Posted by Ted Kraimer - November 14, 2012

Not much has changed with conditions on the Manistee over the past week. The water is still low and clear because it’s been a while since we received any significant amounts of rain. Same with fresh pushes of fish. The fish in the system are spread out and becoming weary with a few new fish trickling in. With water temps dropping fast (lower 40’s) due to more seasonal weather we have been receiving, the steelhead are starting to transition into to slower seams and pools. Multiple approaches are working including big streamers swung on sink-tips to pull fish out of structure to eat something big. Fishing under indicators/floats, too, are allowing presentations in water that would otherwise result in snags if drift fishing. Cover lots of water, fish thoroughly and enjoy the solitude on the river – most people are in the woods right now leaving the rivers less pressured. With Firearm Deer season extending from Nov. 15 – 30, a little hunter’s orange will go a long way for safety while you fish.

Good luck,

Ted

Fall Steelhead: It’s time to target angler’s favorite sport-fish through November and into December.
Fall Trout: Fish the Upper Manistee throughout fall or Lower Manistee through November.
Booking for all 2013 Seasons and through September – reserve your place in the boat.

current works, fall steelhead, fly fishing, manistee, manistee river, s, steelhead, ted kraimer, traverse city

Steelhead & Trout Fishing Report – Nov. 8 2012

Posted by Ted Kraimer - November 8, 2012

Steelhead continue to be the target of most anglers these days on the Manistee, however the targets are moving around and getting smart. The lack of any recent rainfall has kept any fresh pushes of fish from moving in from the lake and the fish in the system are spread out from Tippy dam to Lake Michigan.

With the low, clear water, fish are scattered and can be found in various types of water with more recently fish moving to and near wood structure. The runs, slots and holes are still a great place to target but look for fish in the secondary lies to provide opportunity as well. Float fishing/Fly pinning is a good way to keep your flies off of the bottom and keep your drift natural. With water temps in the mid-40s, now is a great time to carve the active fish away from wood and grabbing a swung fly. For more on rigging and the methods used for steelhead, click here.

Look for fresh fish to continue to trickle in until we receive rain when a larger push should migrate. Trout fishing with streamers is a good bet for anglers looking to catch post-spawn browns on the upper and lower Manistee with a few nice brookies also eating after their fall activities.

Good Luck,

Ted

Fall Steelhead: It’s time to target angler’s favorite sport-fish through November and into December.
Fall Trout: Fish the Upper Manistee throughout fall or Lower Manistee through November.
Booking for all 2013 Seasons and through September – reserve your place in the boat.

current works, fall steelhead, fly-fishing guide, manistee, manistee river, michigan, steelhead, ted kraimer, traverse city, upper-manistee

November Steelhead

Posted by Ted Kraimer - November 1, 2012

With a flip of the calendar, it seems, that the weather is more in step with the times. While the overnight temps haven’t really dipped below the freezing mark the recent wind has made it feel cooler than it really is – water temps haven’t dropped much (upper 40s) and the steelhead are still acting like October steelhead – hot and strong.

The steelhead continue to run into the Manistee and can be found from Tippy dam to the lake. Just a few salmon – both king/chinook and Silver/coho, remain in the river and the egg bite continues to be the primary choice. The deep water – slots, seams and holes below spawning areas are producing fish and those looking to swing larger flies are finding success when fishing two-handed rods in shallow bubble lines and tail-outs. As the number of eggs in the river start to diminish, the trout are starting to look for other food sources making streamer fishing an alternative – hold onto that rod tight as you ever know when a steelhead might surprise you.

Good luck,

Ted

Fall Steelhead: It’s time to target angler’s favorite sport-fish through November and into December.
Fall Trout: Fish the Upper Manistee throughout fall or Lower Manistee through November.
Booking for all 2013 Seasons and through September – reserve your place in the boat.