As October winds down, the river levels are on the way up. Recent rains have been significant and anglers will find the rivers like the Betsie and Manistee high and rising. Unlike Spring when high water events last a while, the rivers should drain out by later next week, providing we don’t experience additional showers.

Salmon are pretty much done, although there are some rough looking ones either doing the last of their spawning or waiting to become biomass. With all their eggs in the river combined with the high water, a natural chum line moving downstream should encourage more steelhead to enter the river system.

When water is high like this, look for those bubble lines and seams and fish the softer side as the current isn’t as strong and the fish like to move up in the slower moving water. Water temps are in the high 40’s so the fish are still eager to eat and eager to get away once hooked.

Egg patterns and beads are the leading choice right now with natural colors and sizes being recent producers but with the high water and excess leaf drop, look for bigger and bolder patterns to paly a role in your decision.

Please release all steelhead – today’s 5-pound fish becomes next year’s 8 to 10-pound fish, etc. They don’t taste very good and your manliness isn’t validated by the number of fish you parade around the parking lot or place in the smoker.

Good luck.

Ted

Trout/Steelhead Combo – Late fall can offer a combined chance at both species on the lower Manistee.
Fall Steelhead –  Some good dates are available in November – a great way to finish the fishing season.