September Salmon and Trout Fly Fishing

Posted by Ted Kraimer - September 1, 2018

With September here, so are the salmon. Heavy rains and favorable winds the past week has kicked off the migration of salmon in rivers. While there are fish around, anglers will find other anglers as well as higher water and some new logs, branches and trees in your favorite bend. Water clarity is decent on the bigger rivers but smaller rivers like the Betsie it is limited. With more rain in the forecast fish should continue to move throughout river systems. Its a good time to use big egg patterns and darker nymphs and leeches as moving fish ascend the river focusing on tail outs and other migratory seams.

Trout fishing on the upper Manistee has been fishing a little better than normal for this time of year. Water temps are ideal and a little bump in the river flow combined with the overcast weather has made for some better fishing both on the surface and below. Small to mid-sized streamers and twitch flies are working and the big terrestrial/attractor patterns are bringing some fish to the surface. On the other side of Labor Day you can pretty much have most trout rivers to yourselves as school starts up and anglers chase migratory fish.

Bass fishing continues to be fun on the local lakes when casting poppers and divers. The smaller bluegill/panfish continue to come to the surface for those learning how to fly fish. As temps decrease through the month look for low-light hours to offer good bass fishing, bigger bluegill and the toothy species to move into the shallows again.

Good luck.

Ted

Fall Steelhead – Fall colors include chrome Steelhead from Early October into December
Fall Trout – Fish the upper Manistee or combine steelhead and trout on the lower Manistee
2019 Fishing – It isn’t too early to get next year’s fishing dates secured – booking through September

Betsie, coho, fly fishing, manistee river, Platte River, salmon, salmon fishing, steelhead, Streamer fishing for trout, trout fishing

Early November Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - November 1, 2017

After a week of high water, levels are starting to return to normal and clarity is reasonable on local rivers, however they are still stained. At first glance it seems that the water is real dirty but it has a significant amount of transparency to it where large and bold flies are no longer our top choice. More natural sized egg patterns seemed to be preferred by the steelhead, especially if you are fishing near vacant spawning gravel. A few coho and the occasional king/chinook are still around and the water directly below them is always worthy of some casts.

A number of fish moved through the Manistee and Betsie river systems and provided some good fishing some days and other days decent fishing. With water temps slowly dropping but still ideal, the fish are a handful once hooked. Fish are starting to settle into holes and around some wood – especially those fish that have been hooked or pressured; indicators and swung flies are reasonable presentations right now as the egg drop and corresponding egg bite starts to decline.

Good luck

Ted

Fall Steelhead – October, November and into December, these fish will bend your rod like no other – experience it.
Trout/Steelhead – The lower Manistee offers good streamer fishing for trout in late Fall for a combo of species.

Betsie, coho, egg drop, egg patterns, indicators, manistee, salmon egg, steelhead fishing, swung flies

Mid-October Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - October 15, 2017

The weather continues to be a little warmer than usual for this time of year making for comfortable fishing most days and decent catching along the way.

We are well past peak salmon fishing on all local rivers as the fish are determined to get their spawning accomplished despite the warm water temps. The recent rain should drive up any last salmon holding in the lake/river mouths including the Betsie and Manistee but don’t expect too many fresh fish. Cohos continue to dominate on the Platte River and up by Tippy Dam where they are congregated.

Some steelhead have moved into the river systems and can be found close to any spawning salmon as their eggs serve as a natural chum line for the protein loving fish. Egg patterns that closely resemble natural eggs are your best bet especially in the clear water. Jump up a size and go to a brighter/bolder color in low-light or stained water and as the leaves drop into the water, fish even bigger egg patterns to stand out. The dark pockets, holes and runs directly downstream from spawning salmon are great places to target. With the water being so warm, hold on tight – they have been hard to land. Try to get them in as quick as possible and revive them to ensure survival in water temps in the upper 50s. You can read more about fishing egg patterns here.

Trout fishing has been tough with the clear water of the upper Manistee. Despite little angling pressure, these fish have been elusive as we approach the time of year that brown trout move to do their spawning. With the water temps being in the mid 50’s dry flies are pretty much done although you will want some small flying ant and BWO patterns just in case. Big wet flies, twitch flies and mid-sized streamers are a good approach this time of year and look for fish to be on the structure on inside bends as much as they are on the usual and likely places.

Good luck.

Ted

betsie fishing, coho, coho and steelhead, egg patterns, manistee river, Platte River, salmon fishing, steelhead on egg patterns, tippy dam, trout fishing streamers

October and Fall Fishing

Posted by Ted Kraimer - October 1, 2017

It’s October which undeniably means fall is here with cooler mornings and often sunny afternoons – it’s a great time to be on the water.

Those looking to fish salmon are still finding fish moving through river systems. The nice weather of September disrupted the flow of fresh fish but with some recent north winds and some rain some fresh fish have moved into local rivers.

The Betsie still has king/Chinook salmon in it and some fresh ones migrating up but the peak and bulk of the fish have moved through. Look for the river to receive spurts of fish throughout the month with most of the fish either intent on reaching spawning gravel or actively on spawning gravel. The Platte River continues to experience near record number of Cohos and that is likely to continue for a little longer.

The Manistee has salmon spread throughout it with more Cohos than Kings. Water levels are a little lower than ideal and clarity is making for some tougher conditions when the sun is out. Majority of the fish are on spawning gravel and the nearby holding water just below Tippy dam.

Trout fishing has been tough on the Upper Manistee river with the clear water. Brook trout tend to be a little more active than the browns but each day is different and sometimes only browns want to play the game. If you head to the river be prepared to fish a number of ways – terrestrials on top (ants, beetles and attractors (Skunks)) with the occasional BWO to match the hatch, and mid-sized to small streamers fished below the surface. When the winds drop lots of tree detritus on the surface go with something subsurface that might stick out and get noticed. It’s still pre-spawn mode with the browns while the brookies are bold and bright in color and doing some spawning. Just a reminder, many of the trout streams and rivers are closed to fishing beginning Sept. 30th – check the DNR regulations for what water remains open (much of the Manistee and AuSable).

Good luck,

Ted

Salmon/Steelhead Combo – Early October offers a chance at both species on the Manistee.
Fall Steelhead – October, November and into December, these fish will bend your rod like no other – experience it.
Trout/Steelhead – The lower Manistee offers some great streamer fishing for trout in late Fall as another option.

betsie river, chinook salmon, coho, fly fishing, manistee, Platte River, salmon fishing, streamers, tippy dam, trout fishing, upper manistee river

Late September Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - September 20, 2017

While it’s late September it feels like the dog days of summer. The cool weather we had for a while earlier this month had us thinking that it was going to be an early fall with all the fish that showed up in local rivers. But the past 10 days of bright sun, no rain the unseasonable temps have us reaching for more sun block than we do the landing net.

Salmon fishing has been tougher than it was earlier in the run. Most of the fish that were in the Betsie have progressed further upstream and have hit the gravel to do their spawning ritual. A few fresh fish are still trickling throughout but are not holding so much in the holes as their biological clock is ticking. The Platte River is still getting a near record return of Coho salmon and the anglers have taken note. The Big Manistee has salmon spread throughout it with what seems like more Coho than Chinook salmon. The water is clear and running warm but it doesn’t have as much weed /vegetation growth offering a few more runs and holes to fish this time of year. Streamer fishing for the Cohos can be a blast – they like to eat both a swung and/or stripped fly.

The trout fishing continues to be decent for those looking for solitude on the upper Manistee. The water is running clear but with the sun set a little lower in the sky and a lack of pressure, there are some fish still coming out in the sunlight to eat both dries and smaller streamers. The brook trout are spectacular as the leaves on the bank side trees start to turn. The Boardman too has offered some decent fishing for those presenting terrestrials. Just a reminder – many trout rivers close on Sept. 30 so get your time in on them before we give them a rest. (Note: Most of the Upper Manistee remains open all year.)

Good luck

Ted

Betsie, betsie river, brook trout, coho, flies, platte river coho, salmon, steelhead, streamer, terrestrial fishing, tippy dam, upper manistee trout fishing

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Posts tagged "coho"

September Salmon and Trout Fly Fishing

Early November Fishing Report

Mid-October Fly Fishing Report

October and Fall Fishing

Late September Fly Fishing Report

Ted Kraimer • Current Works, LLC • PO Box 333 • Traverse City, Michigan 49685 • (231) 883-8156