Posts tagged ‘Boardman River’
The longer days confirms that winter is progressing along, but it’s still winter. Fishing continues to be limited to steelhead and trout in some local rivers by those looking to shed cabin fever and bend the rod. When the sun pops out and gives off some solar heat and Vitamin D – it’s time to be on the water.
Steelhead Season. Photo by Surrealis_uk, Copyright 2006.
The significance of a slight temperature increase can make all the difference; look for late mornings and early afternoons to be best as the sun is its highest. While a blessing, the sun can be the curse when combined with the clear winter water; this is the time to make your best drag-free presentations with lighter tippets – preferably fluorocarbon. An indicator will not only help monitor your drift, but help you suspend your flies off the bottom to get a presentation to fish near and in structure. Eggs in paler colors combined with your standard assortment of nymphs: hexes, little black stones, larger black stones, and caddis in green, cream and “cased” are all effective this time of year.
There are steelhead throughout the Manistee river system and the closer you get to Tippy dam you will find them mixed with trout. Trout anglers fishing nymphs under an indicator are finding midge, bow nymphs and caddis to be preferred with an occasional steelhead rendering the 6x tippet useless. Fishing on the Betsie seems to be more a matter of the day as both hold-over and newer fish move throughout the system. Urban anglers in Traverse City are finding a fish here and there throughout the Boardman system but more skippers than adult fish. Regardless of the river, look for the slower and deeper water to be the home of chrome right now and make sure your first cast in each hole and run is spot-on and the same with your last – this time of year be sure to fish the water thoroughly since fish aren’t moving a whole lot to eat. Fish throughout the all rivers seem to be a mix of fall and early winter holdovers along with some brighter fish too.
The bright side is the days are getting longer and the calendar says that March and the spring steelhead run isn’t that far away!
Ted Kraimer is a professional guide and fly tier, owner of Current Works Guide Service, and field editor for True North Trout. His fishing reports will continue to appear in T|N|T and on his website.
NOTE: Ted is offering a great winter fishing special of five hours of guided fly fishing and lunch for only $250 — available through March 15th. Check it out.
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Historical postcard photo of Tippy Dam. Thanks to Don Harrison.
Last week’s rain and high water has come and gone, but not the stain or the fish that entered the local rivers.
The Manistee River continues to have a good number of fish in it from the lake to the dam with new fish continuing to enter as we have had a nice, wet fall. Typical of steelhead, once you think you have them figured out, they change not only where they are sitting but also what they are eating. Because of the stain, look for fish to respond to larger and brighter egg flies than what you would normally fish this time of year. The water close to the dam is still producing good numbers of healthy, robust brown trout on both nymphs and streamers. If targeting the trout, do so with a 6-weight, so you have a chance at landing a steelhead that very well could eat your fly. Hang on. Water temps are hanging on in the mid-40s and the forecast weather should keep things there for a little while.
The Betsie River has a nice color to it and fish are throughout the river. Fish have been coming on egg flies with Oregon Cheese being the most predictable color. Mix up your colors and be sure to fish two eggs as there are lots of ‘salmon berries’ floating down the river right now. There seems to be a better than normal number of resident brown trout in the river this fall – perhaps due to the cool summer. Regardless, they are a nice interruption between casts while fishing for steelhead.
The Platte River has a few steelhead in it and still a stray salmon or two. Cover lots of water, fish fast and enjoy this crystal clear water – take your fluorocarbon tippets and best presentation for success.
The Boardman River is open from the lake to Sabin Dam with some salmon scattered throughout and some silver steelhead in the mix. Most of the steelhead are skippers and look for the bigger adults to show up in larger numbers shortly.
The Upper Manistee River is all yours to discover right now with practically no fishing pressure. Its time to feed those big browns a meal now that they are in post-spawn mode and are looking to put on some weight before the pending winter. Big to medium sized streamers fished slowly and with some weighted eyes or a cone will give that presentation the wiggling and jiggling motion that they like to eat. If that doesn’t work, fish a baitfish pattern. Change your presentation and patterns until you lock onto what the fish want. Good luck!
Ted Kraimer is a professional guide and fly tier, owner of Current Works Guide Service, and field editor for True North Trout. His fishing reports will continue to appear in T|N|T and on his website.
Steelhead Season. Photo by Surrealis_uk, Copyright 2006.
With a good shot of rain last week the water levels are up combined with some warmer weather – the fish are responding accordingly.
The Big Manistee River is up and has some color to it, and is in fine shape for steelhead fishing. Water temps are stable in the upper 40’s and the warmer nights and rare appearance of the sun will only help keep things where they are at. Fish are eating lots of yarn right now – egg flies in various colors: clown, Oregon cheese, golden, and chartreuse. Fish are coming to bugs, too, including steelhead buggers, shrimp, hex and caddis. Look for stoneflies to get active soon and the fish to notice. With conditions what they are, those looking to swing flies should be out there now. There are still a fair number of leaves yet to drop, but the majority of them have come and gone. Trout fishing below the dam is good for those nymphing eggs and/or retrieving a streamer a little slower.
The Betsie has a few salmon left in it, but anglers will find silver silhouettes in the darker water near the remaining spawning salmon. A majority of the fish that are in are skippers, which is a sign of bigger things to come – the adults that fight hard, and then look for wood to rub your leader against. Lots of egg patterns should fill your fly box, if you are looking to cash in on some chrome.
Fish are eating lots of yarn right now – egg flies in various colors: clown, Oregon cheese, golden, and chartreuse.
The Platte still has some salmon in it, but mostly cohos. Steelhead, too are entering the river but are moving up through the water pretty quickly. First light is best in the lower end and look for fish to be moving through the system.
The Boardman in town still has some salmon it in all the way up Sabin Dam as the weir is open allowing fish to move up. A few steelhead are in the water too – cover lots of water to find those opportunistic fish.
The Upper Manistee should be fishing well, but I haven’t been out there to test that hypothesis. With the increase in water flow and the warmer weather, the last of the terrestrial fishing should be good. Casting streamers for both pre- and post-spawn browns should be your best bet to get that colored-up brown trout. You will also have the water to yourself. Enjoy.
Ted Kraimer is a professional guide and fly tier, owner of Current Works Guide Service, and field editor for True North Trout. His fishing reports will continue to appear in T|N|T and on his website.
TED’S UPDATE: Lots of rain on Friday has really increased our local river levels. You will find the waters high, stained, and at times sketchy. But you will also find that the warm rain will send even more fish up from the lake as well as redistribute fish already in the system. Look for secondary and soft seams to be holding fish as they are after for a reprieve from the big water but also looking to eat all the eggs getting washed down. Steelhead anglers should use flies a little larger and brighter until things clear-up, and don’t hesitate fishing some bigger stuff like leeches/buggers and the sort. Finally, a wet fall!
The Long View over Lake Michigan
Fishing continues to be good on local rivers as the crowds decrease and the salmon numbers fall. Anglers looking for steelhead will find them throughout the region but be prepared to catch a lot of fallen leaves between fish when it’s windy or raining. Water temps remain relatively stable but are falling as we approach November.
The Lower Manistee continues to fish well. Salmon numbers are dwindling, but there are still fish around, mostly on gravel doing their spawning thing. Look for the steelhead to be on the egg bite when fishing below the gravel beds in the darker deeper water and runs. With all of the leaves in the river, consider fishing a large, bright egg pattern with a smaller, more natural egg under it. Those fishing near the dam are finding the steelhead to be eating a mix of flies – eggs and some smaller nymphs including caddis and pheasant tails. Successful eggs patterns vary, but smaller patterns are better at “Matching the Hatch” with the water becoming clear. To read more about egg flies, how to choose and tie them – click here.
The Betsie still has salmon at all stages in the river system. Most fish are on gravel jockeying for position and fighting for their chance to spawn. Some better looking fish are still moving through as are some Cohos and a few Steelhead. Look for this week’s forecast rain to bring in more of all three species. Crowds are down and there is more water to fish for those looking for chrome. Eggs, eggs and eggs are your best bet for steelhead fishing, where eggs, egg sucking leeches, stones and caddis are fooling salmon.
The Platte, too, has salmon – both Chinook/Kings and Silvers/Cohos in the lower end. The low, clear water of this river demands a good presentation for your best success. Use your polarized glasses and look for fish tucked along bank edges for additional opportunities rather than the obvious fish and holes. The Boardman is giving up salmon too right here in town along with some skipper and a few adult Steelhead.
My attention lately has been on the chrome steelhead of the local rivers and not on the Upper Manistee in pursuit of the big brown trout. The fish should be spawning with some fish pre-spawn and some post spawn in the mix. This can be a great time to score that nocturnal loving trophy that is rarely seen in daylight as they are bulking up for a long, sedentary winter. Fish a variety of streamers and cover lots of water. The terrestrial bite this time of year can be great when a warmer night accompanies a mild day after.
Ted Kraimer is a professional guide and fly tier, owner of Current Works Guide Service, and field editor for True|North|Trout. His fishing reports will continue to appear in T|N|T and on his website.
Morning on the Pere Marquette
This sunny, warm and dry weather is scheduled to leave early next week and the salmon fishing should respond significantly. Lots of attention and time on the water by anglers has been spent on the local rivers in pursuit of salmon but the numbers are not where they should be for this time of year. Thankfully, the thermo cline in Lake Michigan is shallow and the fish are close to the mouth and are waiting for a bump in the river flow.
The Betsie, despite its early start this year has slowed down. There are fish to be caught and thankfully the recent change in wind direction has got some fish moving through the system. There are more fish on gravel but it’s early. Look for fish in runs and slots and with this high sun – in the wood. There haven’t been any magic patterns working – just mix them up and cycle through some of your favorites. Mine include: muddlers, large black stone fly nymphs, caddis, hex, sparrows and wooly buggers.
The lower Manistee is still in need of some rain to bring fresh recruits into the river. There are fish there, but after last week’s pending world record brown trout being caught down there the pressure has increased and has what salmon are in there hiding. With the high sun, look for fish to be amongst wood and in shady areas. The change in the weather forecasted is just what is needed.
The Boardman has some salmon in it below the weir and into the mouth of the bay – it’s not the most scenic, but close to home if you have a limited time schedule. Those looking to get out for trout only have two more weeks before the regular trout season ends and the Upper Boardman closes. Think terrestrials and wet flies and get away from some of the hard fished areas – it’s been a long season.
With the slow down in salmon, I have been able to spend some time floating clients on the Upper Manistee for trout. There aren’t many bugs around but a few white millers, BWOs and tricos are still coming off. An angler with a long cast to the seams and runs will find the terrestrial fishing pretty good right now. With the water clarity being so good/bad, stealth is as important as ever but prepare to be rewarded. If fishing in the evening, consider sticking around until dark and drag a mouse pattern for something of size.
Letting Go
With the passing of Labor Day, summer is unofficially over and so is the hot weather – at least that’s the way it is supposed to be. We have experienced a week of high-pressure, bright sun and virtually no clouds – just what you would expect in July and August – perhaps it’s just a little late. Most of the recent angler’s attention has been focused towards rivers with salmon runs and this year got an early start thanks to the cooler summer temps and rain. The recent weather (and lack of rain) has put things on hold, but look for things to really change big-time after we get some rain.
The Betsie with its cold water has had a good number of fish in it for a while and there is still a decent number of fish in the system. Time and place on the water is making the difference between hooking up and wondering where the fish are. The past weekend’s angling pressure took a toll on the fish that were patiently waiting, and now we are looking for fish inventories to build up again. Look for fish in holes, runs and around gravel – some fish are doing their shaking and wiggling. Flies that have been working well include large black stones, hare’s ears, muddler minnows, sparrows and tied in tandem with an egg fly.
The Lower Manistee also had a good number of fish in it early this year, but the heat wave has “The Run” on hold. There are still fish to be caught, but they have experienced lots of pressure and are a little stale. Look for fish near and in wood as well as those slow, deep sandy holes. As soon as the cool evenings return and an increase in water flow occurs look for things to get even better. This nice weather has got the smallmouth bass fishing ratcheted up a bit, but most anglers are looking for something a little heavier, stronger and longer this time of year.
The Boardman here in Traverse City has the weir down and fish are starting to collect below it. Pressure can be heavy at times, but if you are looking to get a fix and have a limited amount of time to do it – this might be the right place to bend the rod.
I haven’t spent as much time on the trout water lately, focusing instead on the salmon waters. This warm weather has increased the terrestrial activity – most notably with the grass hoppers and flying ants. On both the Upper Manistee and Boardman the flying ants have been hitting the water and the fish are looking to get a mouthful – they simply love the formic acid within – it’s like crack cocaine to a trout. Other bugs on the water include some caddis, white millers and the remaining Tricos.
Ted Kraimer is a professional guide and fly tier, owner of Current Works Guide Service, and field editor for True|North|Trout. His fishing reports will continue to appear in T|N|T and on his website.
It’s not much of a secret that the summer’s cool weather has kicked off the salmon run a bit early this year. So with the fish running bigger this year, it’s not much of a surprise that anglers are choosing to fish for big Kings rather than trout. To each their own, and thankfully we have a choice.
The Betsie River has fish passing through the system, migrating upriver until it is time to spawn. The fish are moving through channels, slots and hold in the deeper slower holes when the sun is out and has them sitting. I call it “sand-dancing” as they spin around not really sure of themselves or why they left deep, cold water for a small stream. Successful flies are no secret – the typical: caddis, buggers, pheasant tails, sparrows, muddlers and always tied tandem with an egg pattern.
The Lower Manistee has some fish in it and activity/response varies from day to day. The big bright sun keeps them stationary and often in wood so it’s important to focus on the first and last light for your best shot at big fish on big streamers. When the bite is off, consider fishing for smallmouth bass. While they don’t pull as hard as a salmon, they are a little more eager to eat the fly and are lots of fun on a six-weight. You might even get a chance to land a salmon on a ’six’ as a result; just make sure the rod’s warranty card is filled out! For both species, fire tiger and chartreuse-and-white baitfish patterns have been the most productive.
The Upper Manistee is in fine shape for the trout angler. Water levels are a little higher than normal for this time of year and temps are perfect. With this week’s sun, the terrestrial activity along the banks has improved. Hint: use terrestrials right now (grasshoppers, ants, beetles and the like), but wait until late morning as the sun warms things up. There has been limited bug activity, but look for BWOs, Lt. Cahills, and a few caddis. Now is also a good time to start fishing streamers again – start off a little smaller and mix it up until notice a preference on size, color and action.
The Boardman River continues to fish decent this summer because of the cool weather – proof that the fishery will be better in the future once the dams and their warm-water contributions are removed. Smaller terrestrials, wet flies/soft hackles and small bead head nymphs fished without an indicator are good choices and the last of the Tricos are falling to the water in the a.m., while some caddis are bouncing around in the evening.
Ted Kraimer is a professional guide and fly tier, owner of Current Works Guide Service, and field editor for True|North|Trout. His fishing reports will continue to appear in T|N|T and on his website.
Gearing Up
Note: My apologies for taking some extra time in getting this post online… Ted’s fishing report came to me on time, but I’m posting it from Wyoming and Montana, where I am out chasing Western trout. – JL
Despite a few days of hot weather, some cool rain has got river levels not only ideal and a little above where they typically are at this time of year, but the temperatures too are remaining cooler than normal for this time of the year.
The Upper Manistee looks good: a nice flow, temps in the mid-60s and with just a hint of color. Hatches are minimal, but look for: caddis, a few Isonycias, Light Cahills, BWOs, and Tricos. The weather has the Tricos a little messed up – look for bugs in the both the evening and mornings – mornings typically being the heavier hatch. Ants, grasshoppers and beetles are around and bringing some fish to the surface, as are foam and rubber leg creations.
The Lower Manistee is still offering good trout fishing. Caddis and BWO fished dry, soft hackles swung and tandem nymph rigs fished under an indicator are all catching fish. Smaller streamers will get some response from not only trout, but some smallmouth too. Because the temps continue to be below 70 degrees, the numbers of fish just aren’t there. The wind and rain has some salmon in the river but mostly lower in the system looking for well presented streamer fished deep and with some action.
The Boardman too is benefiting from the rain and cool weather. It’s really a terrestrial bite right now, but have some caddis flies in your box too. Matching the hatch isn’t much of a factor right now, but have some white flies/Ehphrons in your box as heavier evening hatches should kick off soon. Swinging emergers is a great strategy for this hatch before and during.
The Betsie river has salmon in the river with rain and sunlight impacting where you might find them one day and where the next. Remember — these fish are migratory and they are running on the bigger side this year. Hang on and have fun.
Ted Kraimer is a professional guide and fly tier, owner of Current Works Guide Service, and field editor for True|North|Trout. His fishing reports will continue to appear in T|N|T and on his website.
