trout fishing streamers Archives - Current Works Guide Service

With a week of October behind us it’s looking and feeling like fall.

Trees have started to turn color and so have the salmon. There are still a number of salmon in the local rivers – Betsie, Manistee, Platte, but its safe to say we are past the stage of bright, fresh fish. Most of the fish are either on gravel or near it doing their spawning ritual. Fresh fish will continue to trickle into watersheds as fall advances but I’m thinking we are past the peak of the run.

As the salmon migrate upstream to spawn, so do some early fall steelhead looking to eat as many of their eggs as possible. Realistic egg patterns and beads are fished effectively directly below spawning fish or in the runs downstream. With the moderate water temperatures, the steelhead have been difficult to land as they are zig-zagging up and downstream when they aren’t jumping. There is no mistaking when a steelhead is on vs. a salmon.

More on tying and fishing egg patterns can be read here.

More on rigging for steelhead/salmon here.

Trout fishing continues to offer alternatives for anglers wanting the upper rivers to themselves. Small streamers are taking some nice fish pre-spawn browns when fished on floating lines and small sink-tips. With the warm up in the forecast this week, I think another round of terrestrials and terrestrial fishing might present itself so make sure you have a box of both small and large terrestrials for what could be the last of our dry fly fishing of the year.

Good luck.

Ted

Fall Steelhead – Fall colors include chrome Steelhead from Early October into December
Fall Trout – Fish the upper Manistee or combine steelhead and trout on the lower Manistee
2019 Fishing – It isn’t too early to get next year’s fishing dates secured – booking through September

beads, Betsie, egg patterns, manistee river, Platte River, salmon, steelhead fishing, trout fishing streamers

The weather continues to be a little warmer than usual for this time of year making for comfortable fishing most days and decent catching along the way.

We are well past peak salmon fishing on all local rivers as the fish are determined to get their spawning accomplished despite the warm water temps. The recent rain should drive up any last salmon holding in the lake/river mouths including the Betsie and Manistee but don’t expect too many fresh fish. Cohos continue to dominate on the Platte River and up by Tippy Dam where they are congregated.

Some steelhead have moved into the river systems and can be found close to any spawning salmon as their eggs serve as a natural chum line for the protein loving fish. Egg patterns that closely resemble natural eggs are your best bet especially in the clear water. Jump up a size and go to a brighter/bolder color in low-light or stained water and as the leaves drop into the water, fish even bigger egg patterns to stand out. The dark pockets, holes and runs directly downstream from spawning salmon are great places to target. With the water being so warm, hold on tight – they have been hard to land. Try to get them in as quick as possible and revive them to ensure survival in water temps in the upper 50s. You can read more about fishing egg patterns here.

Trout fishing has been tough with the clear water of the upper Manistee. Despite little angling pressure, these fish have been elusive as we approach the time of year that brown trout move to do their spawning. With the water temps being in the mid 50’s dry flies are pretty much done although you will want some small flying ant and BWO patterns just in case. Big wet flies, twitch flies and mid-sized streamers are a good approach this time of year and look for fish to be on the structure on inside bends as much as they are on the usual and likely places.

Good luck.

Ted

Fall Steelhead – October, November and into December, these fish will bend your rod like no other – experience it.
Trout/Steelhead – The lower Manistee offers good streamer fishing for trout in late Fall for a combo of species.

betsie fishing, coho, coho and steelhead, egg patterns, manistee river, Platte River, salmon fishing, steelhead on egg patterns, tippy dam, trout fishing streamers

Posts tagged "trout fishing streamers"

Early October Fishing Report

Mid-October Fly Fishing Report

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