October is here and it’s starting to look and feel a little more like fall. Despite much warmer than normal temperatures, some leaves are starting to turn, the nights are a little cooler and some big fish are showing up in rivers.
The Betsie continues to receive some salmon, especially after favorable weather like wind and rain. Many of the fish are hitting the gravel and doing their annual spawning duties, but fresh fish are still making their way up stream. Look for fish to be running through the slots as they move towards gravel upstream. The darker holding and pocket water near worked-over gravel sections are holding staging fish, too.
The Manistee this past week has seen some of the first fish hit the spawning gravel in the upper sections and more fish stage. Water temps below Tippy Dam are about 10 degrees warmer than they should be for this time of year. Once the water temperature drops – along with some rain – the river is likely to get a big push of fish, until then it will likely be a reduced migration of fish. Word from the boats leaving out of Manistee is there are still a lot of adult fish in Lake Michigan. I think a few years of early runs have us impatiently waiting for the big push when they are just a little behind. Regardless, the number of fish this year is significantly greater than the last two years with more to come.
A lot of trout rivers and streams closed September 30th, but portions of others – like the Manistee and Au Sable – are still open to fishing. As the brookies are spawning and the browns are getting ready to do the same, the pre-spawn bite can be decent for those fishing streamers on smaller sink tips and even floating lines. Have some Blue Winged Olives and Caddis in your box just in case of an emergence. On the warmer days ahead it isn’t unusual to witness some flying ants and other terrestrial patterns on the water so make sure you have some in your fly box.
Good luck!
Ted
Available Dates in October: 19, 23 and 3oth.
Trout – Have the Upper Manistee to yourself fishing wets, dries/terrestrials and streamers.
Fall Steelhead – Starting in October, extending into December. Fall Color Tour includes Chrome!
Late Fall Trout – After gorging on salmon eggs, streamer fishing below Tippy Dam can be really good.