Mid-March Steelhead Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - March 17, 2016

Steelhead remain the primary target for anglers hitting the water right now. Really nice weather last week warmed the water temps up just a bit and that along with an increase in water volume moved some fish throughout the river systems. With water temps hovering around 40 degrees, the fall steelhead that wintered over and the fish that moved upstream throughout the winter have repositioned themselves upstream and are starting to stage in some of the deeper water/holes near spawning gravel waiting for ideal conditions to begin that process.

Some fresh steelhead from Lake Michigan have also moved upstream in both the Manistee and Betsie rivers – these fish can be scattered throughout the system as well as the water they are holding in. Look for seams/bubble lines for these migrating fish as well as traditional holding water like holes. With the volume of water, the fish are pulling pretty hard when hooked.

When the sun shines and the water warms up some, the little black stoneflies have become active making it an ideal fly pattern to tie on. Other flies that have been working lately include caddis, bold mixed-colored egg patterns and steely buggers.

Good luck,

Ted

The Spring Newsletter just went out – click here to read and/or sign up for delivery.

Spring Steelhead – Good dates for March Steelhead fishing are still available.
May Fishing – It’s not far away and it’s a great month for streamer and dry fly fishing for Trout.
2016 Dates – Now booking for the entire fishing season: trout, carp, bass, salmon and fall Steelhead.

betsie river, black stone fly, caddis, lake michigan, manistee fishing, spawning, steelhead, steely bugger

April Fools

Posted by Ted Kraimer - April 3, 2012

Now that April has arrived, I kind of feel like a fool – have the bulk of the steelhead already come or are there more fresh fish to come in the weeks ahead? Never accused of being overly optimistic but a realist, I am however thinking there are more fish to come.

Water levels are getting low and clarity is good with a slight stain. Temps remain right around 50 degrees so the lack of 80-degree days lately is helping to keep the water temp in this range. There still hasn’t been a surge of suckers or walleye in the Manistee River which serve as a gauge of where the steelhead run is at. Reports from the Betsie River is similar to the Manistee – that is, there are fish around, but they are skittish and some days fishing is better than others. Like last week’s report, what we need is a surge of water to bring more steelhead upstream and the weatherman isn’t predicting that to happen. He’s been wrong in the past.

Those looking to score fish are finding that sticking with the game plan, covering water and changing up flies is having success. Many of the fish are on gravel beds with the dark water near it (pockets and holes) holding fish – effective flies include a variety of smaller egg patterns in realistic colorations, stones, caddis and fry patterns. Drop back fish headed back the lake are in seams and runs primarily eating bigger nymphs like hex and buggers.

Good luck,

Ted

betsie river, egg patterns, manistee river, spawning, steelhead, tippy dam

Lots of Sunscreen

Posted by Ted Kraimer - March 20, 2012

Wearing the clothing typically worn in July is definitely strange for steelhead fishing, but it beats fishing in gloves and fleece jackets.

The water levels have come down a bit in the Manistee and more on the Betsie River with clarity improving however it’s still pretty stained. Water temps are in the mid to upper- 40’s which is rare for this time of year. With conditions right for spawning, the fish are working gravel while the fresh fish are staging near gravel waiting for their opportunity to progenerate future steelhead runs. A number of the fall and winter fish have already completed their mission and are dropping back with more fresh fish dribbling in.

There hasn’t been a “silver bullet” fly pattern lately, but flies to keep in your rotation include black stoneflies, hex nymphs with a little flash (crossdresser), caddis, fry/alevins, and lots of eggs in big, bright colorations in low light conditions and mid-sized, natural looking patterns when the sun is out.

Look for the streamer fishing on the upper water to be better than normal for this time of year for those looking to cast streamers for trout. This weather is promising to make for some great early season trout fishing with dry flies in April and anyone headed out there now will want some small black stonefly dries.

Have Fun!

Ted

crossdresser hex, egg patterns, spawning, steelhead fishing the Betsie River, steelhead fishing the manistee, streamer fishing for trout on the Manistee

Posts tagged "spawning"

Mid-March Steelhead Fishing Report

The Spring Newsletter just went out – click here to read and/or sign up for delivery.

April Fools

Lots of Sunscreen

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