End of December Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - December 21, 2021

The first day of winter kind of feels like it with below freezing temps and a threat of some snow in the forecast.

It’s mostly been a cold month with the exception of a few days as fish are settling into winter mode. Steelhead numbers increased on the Betsie and Manistee with the increase in water levels/flows from melting snow and rain. Water temps are in the upper 30’s so fish have mostly taken up residence in the slower and deeper water/holes, but not exclusively.

Steelhead tend to be pretty lethargic in these conditions so drag-free drifts are likely going to be rewarded more than other techniques. This should be the trend over the next couple of months unless we get a warm up or even just a couple days of sunshine to increase the water temps a few degrees which activates the fish again. A swung fly will still tease a fish into hammering something if so inclined to tease one up but even in warmer water conditions, this tends to be a less productive presentation but for some, more rewarding.

Good luck fishing if you’re getting away from the in-laws or taking advantage of some time off this Holiday season – for most this time of year it’s just about being on the water and having a chance.

Happy Holidays and all the best on and off the water in the New Year.

Ted

<<The Winter Newsletter just went out, click here to read>>

2022 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.

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

Early October Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - October 9, 2021

Being well into October, we continue to experience some really nice weather. The long underwear has stayed in the dresser drawer so far this fall and that’s unusual, even on mild Autumn days. But it is fall and some cooler over nights are in the forecast which is likely to drop the water temps (hovering in the upper 50’s and even low 60’s some days) and get us closer to where we should be. The upper Manistee has come back down after a lot of rain last week and is kind of ideal for streamer and terrestrial fishing if in pursuit of solitude and trout.

The big fish continue to move into the local rivers that have a salmon run and more are expected to come once wind directions and water temps in both the lakes and rivers become a little more seasonal (cooler). Salmon are throughout rivers like the Betsie, Manistee and Platte and are spawning hard in the gravel sections. Crowds have been just as bad as recent years so be sure to make some friends along the way because we are all out there trying to have a good time and fish. A steelhead or two have been found sitting in the runs below those spawning king and coho salmon and taking advantage of the egg drop/protein drip.

This time of year reminds me of the problem with October – it’s only 4 weeks long. Sure wish we had 6 weeks of it for all it offers the outdoors person. Regardless of what you fish for or where, it’s close to peak as far as colors – enjoy the pursuit!

Good luck.

Ted

Fall Steelhead – Some good dates remain in the second half of November. Finish the season with some chrome.
2022– Booking next year’s fishing seasons through September. Don’t miss your favorite seasons and good dates!
Gift Certificates – Ask or give the gift of a lesson, half or full-day trip on the water.

fishing guides, manistee, rivers fishing, salmon

Early August Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - August 9, 2021

UPDATE August 11: Two heavy rainfalls in the region the past two days have increased river flows significantly. Anglers will find the rivers high, moving fast, and dirty. To monitor your favorite river, use these sites:

Upper Manistee/M72 Upper Manistee Near CCC Lower Manistee/Tippy Boardman Platte
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River conditions on the Manistee and Boardman are pretty much in step with the season – running slightly clear and low making mornings and cloudy days the best approach to fishing this time of year.

Hatches on the river are pretty much limited to Tricos in the evenings and Trico spinner falls in the a.m. Some days these last for a while giving you multiple targets to cast to, other days it is short lived with a brief window of spinners falling and feeding fish. The occasional Isonychia is coming off, more likely in the evening and they are getting smaller in size (#12 & 14) as the summer continues.

When bugs aren’t around, it’s time to cast “Foam and Rubber” – attractors and terrestrial patterns which have rubber legs. Somedays they want big patterns dead-drifted, other days twitched, or sometimes it’s a smaller pattern that looks more natural. Good brook trout and decent brown trout are coming up but the bigger fish – it seems – have mostly gone on summer vacation which is normal; look for them to start showing up again when school starts, water temps cool, and fishing pressure drops.

Lake fishing, too, has slowed with more bluegill playing along than the bigger bass. If looking for the bass, go sub surface with small streamers fished slow on either an intermediate line or small sink-tip.

Smallmouth bass fishing on rivers has been a good option for those looking to cast a larger fly on sink-tips, slow sinking lines, and the occasional floating line with a dry fly for fish that tend to pull pretty hard.

Good luck,

Ted

Trout Fishing – July and August is Terrestrial and Trico time! Start the day off casting to brook and brown trout
and get back to the family for lunch time – it’s a great way to start the day when in Northwest Michigan.
Learn to Fly Fish – Tailor a half-day trip to learning how to fly fish –perfect for beginners.
Fall Steelhead – Some good dates remain in November and into December.

fly fishing guide, fly fishing report, manistee, manistee river fly fishing, michigan fly fishing, smallmouth bass on streamers, terrestrial fishing, trico fishing

Late June Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - June 29, 2021

As July winds down, so does the Hex Hatch. The hot weather of mid-June got the bugs going early this year and relatively steady if not predictable, then the weather changes came. With the cool downs, I suspect hatches will continue through the upcoming nights, just not heavily, and spinner falls will be similar – sporadic and light. Then again, there is no telling.

Northern Michigan finally got the rain it so desperately needed and not too much of it like downstate. The local rivers (upper Manistee and Boardman) did come up, but not terribly, nor are they considered high. A little stain entered the river, too, as the increase in flow pulled some of the silt off the banks and pushed it down river. Water temps range from upper 50s in the a.m. to mid-60’s most evenings.

The cloudy weather has made for better trout fishing in daylight hours and some of the weather has encouraged some Isonychias to emerge; it’s been good to see these bugs show up again after a few years of sparse emergences. A smattering of other bugs are around including medium yellow/brown stoneflies (mattress thrashers) BWOs, Little Yellow Sallies, and Bat Flies. Because the hatches have been so sporadic this year, having your early June dry fly boxes in your vest would be prudent because you never know when an outlier might make an appearance. Some smaller streamers fished on a floating line can yield some nice brown and brook trout this time of year, too.

Bass and bluegill fishing remains strong on the area lakes. The largemouth bass are becoming more aggressive in their post spawn phase and the bluegill continue to feed both sub-surface and below. Weed beds near drop-offs and structure should be where you focus your casts.

Good luck.

Ted

bass fishing, bat fly, boardman river, brown trout, fishing traverse city, fly fishing guide service, hex hatch, isonychias, manistee, manistee river

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Posts tagged "manistee"

End of December Fishing Report

Late November Fishing Report

Early October Fishing Report

Early August Fly Fishing Report

Late June Fly Fishing Report

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