The mild winter continues with some back-and-forth weather, but we are experiencing more warmer days than cold ones especially for the beginning of March. The snow we received this winter slowly melted into the ground replenishing the water table rather than creating a high-water situation to prematurely kick the run off. Without a snowpack the steelhead run will be dependent on rainfall (or, more snow and its ensuing melt – keep your shovels on the porch as winter isn’t over).
The Manistee and Betsie are approaching 40 degrees which seems to be the threshold to spur activity. There are fish in both systems and they seem to be spread throughout. Some spawning by fall fish that wintered over and were pressured for months has already taken place; with the light run of fall fish there should be plenty of fresh fish to come up. The pre-spawn fish that have trickled upstream this winter are staged near gravel sections waiting for conditions to be just right.
The little black stoneflies have been out most days when the sun warms things up and with the clear water, the fish are noticing the smaller nymph patterns. Other nymphs to try are caddis and hex nymphs. Egg and bead rigs work too with smaller, more natural looking patterns working better than the big, bold varieties which usually work better in low light and low visibility conditions.
Good luck.
Ted
Spring Steelhead – A few dates remain available in March and April if you want to get out.
Trout Season – Mid-May into July offers some of the best match-the-hatch dry fly fishing of the year.
2024 Fishing – Get your dates secured to ensure your time on the water. Booking all seasons thru September.