Early October Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - October 1, 2022

It’s October and it feels like it – cool nights, mild days and some color staring in the trees.

Most anglers are focused on the salmon in local rivers as it’s been a good year with decent numbers and big fish. The run has been mixed with some fish having been in the river a while and are occupying spawning gravel while others are staged waiting for a change in conditions to really trigger their spawning activity. Colder rivers (Betsie) get fish going sooner where the warmer rivers (Manistee) take a little longer to get things going in full. Regardless, it’s that time of year and you won’t be alone on whichever river you decide to fish.

Trout fishing in September on the upper Manistee was kind of a dud. Typically, it’s that time of year where pre-spawn brookies and browns are taking advantage of little pressure and roam around putting on some weight before spawning eating both dries/terrestrials and smaller streamers. It was slim-pickin’s with few fish looking to play the game or witnessed swimming away after being spooked in the clear water. Not sure what the future holds for the water between M72 and M66 but one has to be an optimist because lately reality has been giving us a swift kick in the ass up there.

Just a reminder that certain rivers closed on September 30 while other rivers and/or sections rivers remain open. With most folks spending time chasing salmon and steelhead, hunting or watching football, you should find the trout rivers pretty much unfished in the fall.

Good luck.

Ted

Fall Steelhead – Finish the season with what started the season – Steelhead! Good dates available in November
2023 Fishing – Get your dates secured to ensure your time on the water. Booking all seasons thru September.
Gift Certificates – Quick and easy gifts of a half-day, full-day or casting lesson for friends or family.

betsie river, fall fishing, manistee river, october, salmon, steelhead, stream fishing, trout fishing, upper manistee

Late November Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - November 26, 2021

The fall steelhead season continues to be challenging and inconsistent.

The mild weather of fall impacted how many fish came into the river and now that late fall temperatures, snow, and dropping water temps are prominent, the steelhead spigot on local rivers like the Manistee and Betsie just got turned a little further in the wrong direction.

There are still fish around, however low water and dropping water temps simply are not ideal for steelhead fishing. One day we can get into them pretty good, then we struggle for a few days. Its in part what motivates us as steelhead anglers, but in recent weeks we have been running on increased faith and optimism rather than by success. It also makes the reward that much greater when the rod bends and fish make it to the net. Sometimes I think we have been spoiled by our good steelhead fishing in the past and take the fish for granted which serves as a reminder that each fish should be earned and appreciated.

With current conditions, just about all methods and approaches are equal – duck and chuck/drift fishing, indicator/float fishing and swinging a streamer on a spey rod. As temps continue to drop, look for the slower water and inside of seams and within wood to hold the fish.

Good luck.

Ted

2021 Fishing – Booking all seasons and species for the New Year. It’s never too early to plan next years fishing.
Spring Steelhead – It’s not too early to think Spring! Get your dates secured for the first fishing of the year.
Gift Certificates – Ask or give the gift of a lesson, half or full-day trip on the water.

fall fishing, low water conditions, manistee, Manistee below Tippy Dam, northern michigan steelhead fishing report, steelhead

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

Posts tagged "fall fishing"

Early October Fishing Report

Late November Fishing Report

November Fly Fishing Report

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