Mid March Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - March 13, 2024

Significant rains after the last fishing report brought the Manistee and Betsie River levels up quite a bit and added some color which encouraged steelhead to migrate upstream. Since then, the water levels have fallen pretty much back to normal levels for this time of year. Clarity has improved, too, offering a little color and stain which is the opposite of what we were dealing with all winter.

With the water temperatures in the low 40s, some spawning activity has taken place. Look for fish in the pocket water and holes near spawning gravel and in the soft-seamed runs where fish moving upstream prefer to swim/migrate.

The bright, sunny days made fishing a little difficult so look for shaded runs when out in those conditions in the future.

The effective fly patterns have been varied – steelhead buggers are the leading nymph with stoneflies a second. Smaller eggs (#8 rags/nukes and 8 mm beads) in natural tones/colorations have been the best producers. This time of year we always run at least one egg pattern, if not two.

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.

“Winter” Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - February 15, 2023

It sure has been a see-saw winter with plenty of ups and downs, dramatic shifts in weather and, well, not much snow on the ground. The past week we had an unusual string few of sunny days and that really knocked out any snow that was lingering. Don’t worry, more is in the forecast.

A lot of the snowmelt has gone into the unfrozen ground which helps keep the rivers in check. It also refills a water table to assist with maintaining cooler temps later in the year when we focus on trout. But with recent rains the water levels should bump up and create some movement of steelhead in the local rivers like the Manistee and Betsie.

After months of being poked, pushed, pressured, and thankfully released, the steelhead that entered in the fall and have been around since, like to move when we get these hints of spring-like weather. Look for them to stage near spawning gravel so when ideal conditions occur (water above 40 degrees) they can get down to business and back to the lake. The longer days, too, help let fish in the lake know they should think about getting closer to river mouths and get ready for a swim.

Water temperatures are still in the mid 30’s so the slow, drag-free drift is the most effective approach. But rather than focus only on deep holes, look for tail-outs on the softer side of bubble lines to give up some fish, too, as they shuffle and ascend river systems.

This time of year a tandem rig of a nymph and egg is a staple. Look for the first of the little black stoneflies crawling around or fluttering on the water on those days that the sun helps warm things up. Hex nymphs and caddis are perennial favorites, too. Egg color and size are dictated by water clarity and sunlight – dirty water, a little bigger and bolder, clearer water – the opposite.

Good luck.

Ted

2023 Fishing – Get your dates secured to ensure your time on the water. Booking all seasons.
Trout – May’s streamer & dry fly fishing turns to the big bugs of June. Good dates to choose from.
Fall Steelhead – Just a few prime steelhead dates remain available in 2023 – finish the fishing season strong.

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Mid-March Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - March 10, 2021

Longer days and mild temperatures have steelhead on most angler’s minds. Rivers like the Manistee and Betsie are still running cold – just under 40 degrees with fluctuations coming from cold overnights, sunshine, and any leftover snowmelt – it’s mostly gone (for now – the snowblower is still gassed up and the shovels are ready).

Water levels are low and on the clear side which hasn’t encouraged an abundance of fresh fish into the local systems but the holdovers from fall and the steelhead that have trickled in throughout the winter have shuffled around and are getting eager for things to warm-up just a little more to begin their spawning before returning to the lake.

With the river conditions being low and clear, anglers will find good fishing throughout the river system. Egg patterns and beads seem to be outperforming the nymphs; however, a caddis and black stone fly are always a good bet this time of year, especially with the sunshine and slight bump in water temps. Indicator and floats, and duck and chuck are your best approach as the water is still too cool for consistent action on a swung fly.

As the spring steelhead season gets underway, please keep in mind that MI-DNR was not able to collect fish for hatchery operations in 2020 leaving a year gap in supplemental stocking. Natural reproduction does occur so please practice catch and release to help the fisheries and anglers endure a lost year of stocking.

Good luck.

Ted

Trout Fishing – May and June offer some of the best streamer and dry fly hatches of the year.
Learn to Fly Fish – Tailor a half-day trip to learning how to fly fish –
perfect for beginners or those looking to dial in a new technique.
Fall Steelhead – Some good dates remain in November and into December.

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Mid-March Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - March 13, 2020

Most of the snow is gone (except for north facing slopes) and much of that runoff has found it’s way to the river systems. Water levels are up on area rivers and they have some stain to them. The Manistee below Tippy Dam is running 3,200 cfs and the Betsie, too, is running full. The increase in water levels and recent big moon will help encourage more steelhead from the lake to migrate up stream, but with water temperatures in the upper 30’s, the run shouldn’t progress too quickly. As always, use caution if wading.

There is already a mix of steelhead in the rivers – fall hold-overs, winter fish and fresh chromers. With the higher water look for fish taking shelter in the deeper holes and moving fish to be near the soft seams. It’s a great time to fish your bigger egg patterns in bold colors as well as nymphs that have a significant silhouette in the darker water. A little flash might not be a bad plan either.

Fishing under indicators/floats and drift fishing with duck and chuck rigs are the primary presentations right now. Click here to read more on how to rig your equipment for steelhead.

Good luck!

Ted

Spring Steelhead – A few prime days in March remain open if your looking for fish and some fresh air.
Trout – May and June aren’t far away and offer ideal conditions for both streamer and dry fly fishing.
Fall Steelhead – Some good dates in Oct. and Nov. remain available but they are starting to become limited.

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March Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - March 4, 2020

As we flip the calendar to March it’s apparent that the days have become longer, temps a little warmer, and the sun is making an appearance a little more often. Was it me or did it seem like the sun went south for the winter this year?

Much of the snow pack has diminished thanks to the recent sunshine and a continued gradual melt would be ideal as we start up our spring steelhead season. Last fall and early winter’s rain saturated the ground and filled the swamps so high water is just a weather event away.

River conditions on both the Manistee and Betsie are in good shape – clarity is fine and water temps are in the mid to upper 30’s depending on the day. A bit of sunshine can give the water a slight bump in temperature and help trigger the fish from their winter funk. Fish are mixed right now with some fall holdovers taking up residence in the deeper, slow water with some fresh fish trickling through the river systems and moving up the soft seams.

Like the fall, there hasn’t been any one pattern working better than another. With the clarity, consider using brighter eggs, but not bold, and the size should be a little larger (#6) than you would think to encourage fish to move a little to eat. Realistic nymphs like hex, caddis and black stones are all popular and proven winners this time of year whether you are fishing them below a float/indicator or bouncing them along the bottom.

Good luck.

Ted

Spring Steelhead – Only a few days in mid-March remain open for the spring season.
Trout – May and June aren’t far away and offer ideal conditions for both streamer and dry fly fishing.
Fall Steelhead – Some good dates in Oct. and Nov. remain available but they are starting to become limited.

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Posts tagged "manistee river steelhead"

Mid March Fishing Report

“Winter” Fishing Report

Mid-March Fishing Report

Mid-March Fly Fishing Report

March Fishing Report

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