October Fly Fishing in Northern Michigan

Posted by Ted Kraimer - October 3, 2013

With the flip of the calendar, a look at the fall color in the trees and chrome in the water- the only thing wrong is we only have four weeks to enjoy what the month has to offer.

October Fly Fishing in Northern Michigan is one of my favorite months to fish. Cool mornings, clear days and big fish. Steelhead fishing has picked up a little on the Manistee as they take full advantage of the salmon eggs drifting downstream. There are still good numbers of King Salmon in the Betsie and Manistee Rivers with the majority of the fish on gravel doing their thing. Steelhead take note and residence in the holes, pocket water and slots below them taking advantage of the “protein drip”. Egg patterns have been the most effective patterns lately with a few nymph patterns also proving worthy – caddis, pop’s buggers, and pheasant tails. The water is still clear demanding light leaders and the steelhead have been hard to land with water temps being as warm as they are – the fish are spastic to say the least.

Even though trout season has closed on a number of rivers throughout the state, certain sections of certain rivers like the Manistee remain open. Brook trout fishing remains solid and the brown trout are becoming a little more responsive to our antics now that they are getting closer to their spawning season and angling pressure has dropped off. The streamer bite has picked up a bit – still smaller patterns with the clear water vs. the really big stuff and on top: BWOs and terrestrials like ants and beetles and the occasional smaller Isonychias.

Good luck

Ted

Steelhead -A few fall steelhead dates remain and it’s not too early to book your Spring 2014 Steelhead dates.
Trout – Late fall trout fishing can be some of the best streamer and nymph fishing once the salmon leave.
2014 Fishing – It’s not too early to start booking your 2014 dates – reserve you place in the boat today.

betsie river, brook trout, egg flies, egg patterns, king salmon, manistee, october steelhead fishing, trout, upper-manistee

Yo-Yo Weather. Winter Steelhead Fishing Report 1/31/13

Posted by Ted Kraimer - January 31, 2013

Not much has changed since the last report as we continue to experience lots of swings in the weather – from mild to distinct winter and then back again. This week’s 50 degree warm up came with a lot of rain and the river levels came up significantly. You will find the local rivers stained with increased turbidity as water temps hover in the mid-30s. Any shelf ice that developed the week before is long gone.

Look for this increase of water to simply “reset” everything. Some new, fresh steelhead should move into the rivers joining the winter steelhead already spread throughout the Lake Michigan tributaries. With the size and volume of the Manistee the recent rain and snow melt provided a bigger flux of water and is likely to significantly shuffle the fish around throughout the system. With water temps being as cold as they are, don’t expect fish to migrate or move as fast as they would if the water were warmer but rather seek out the deeper, slower holes well on the inside of the fast moving water where some fish will take advantage of the stained water and slide into the shallows to avoid the moving water.

Big, bright egg flies and nymphs like sparkle stones, leeches, big bright caddis and large hex nymphs with “triggers” tied in them would be a good approach to finding what the fish are in the mood for. With fish hanging around wood in the shallows, a big streamer swung can be effective. Then again, with the long-term forecast calling for a spell of cold weather, you might find that tying flies and filling up your fly boxes might be a better alternative; with the first of the salmon’s offspring starting to develop alevins and fry patterns should prove effective – tie some up.

Good luck,

Ted

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 – –

alevin pattern, egg flies, fly tying, fry pattern, hex nymph, manistee, steelhead

It’s October – Steelhead and Salmon Fishing

Posted by Ted Kraimer - October 3, 2012

The month has changed and so has the color of the leaves – it’s fall’s best fishing. The weather has been more than pleasant lately but the much needed rain never came however the forecast for some precipitation is promising. Actually Sunday’s forecast is threatening a rain and snow mix – its officially fall.

On the Manistee there are lots of salmon in various stages – from holding in deep pools to gravel and more fresh fish moving upstream as the calendar advances. More steelhead have been showing up and with the water temp in the upper-50’s they are hard to hold onto once hooked. With all the salmon spawning, the egg bite for skipper and adult steelhead has been good in the water near beds with nymphs like buggers and hex working in the runs targeting migrating fish. For more on fishing eggs for steelhead click here.

This time of year offers a nice mix of fish – from Chinook/King and Coho/Silver salmon, steelhead and even a rare lake run brown or two. As water and air temps cool and more water flows through our already clear waters, look for fishing to only improve, not that it isn’t good now.

Good luck,

Ted

October is the month for Steelhead! Available dates: 16, 18, 30, 31

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

egg flies, egg patterns, fall steelhead, flies, lower manistee, manistee, salmon, steelhead

Posts tagged "egg flies"

October Fly Fishing in Northern Michigan

Yo-Yo Weather. Winter Steelhead Fishing Report 1/31/13

It’s October – Steelhead and Salmon Fishing

October is the month for Steelhead! Available dates: 16, 18, 30, 31

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