Posts tagged ‘Platte River’
The Au Sable in Winter, Photo Copyright 2009 by Nina Asunto
The days are getting shorter, a little cooler, and the fishing remains good for both steelhead and trout. Remember last year at this time when we already had two weeks of solid snow?
The Big Manistee is running at good levels with water temps hanging in the low 40s – odd for this time of year. It’s running relatively clear and there are some new steelhead that are coming into the river but not huge numbers of fresh recruits to join the fish already in the system. Look for the bite to come on both nymphs and eggs. On the gray, overcast days look for the brighter egg patterns to work with pale color when the sun is out. Nymphs that have been working include some of the old standbys: black stones, caddis and hex. This is also a good time to swing flies with that two-handed rod.
The trout fishing below Tippy Dam continues to be a pleasant surprise this fall with lots of fish coming to streamers and nymphs fished under an indicator. The bigger fish have been coming on streamers, but not exclusively. Baitfish patterns like T&A Bunkers, Mummy Chubs and C&F Baitfish have been working well but daily color preferences can make the difference. The biggest common denominator has been white. Nymphs include small, natural pale eggs, scuds and BWO/pheasant tails.
The Upper Manistee is offering up some good fishing, too, now that the browns are done with their annual spawning ritual. This time of year, with water temperatures being cool, fish a shorter sink-tip and retrieve it a little slower than normal. Lately, I have found that fish are following streamers and are eating them when the retrieve is paused longer than normal – something that is usually a no-no when streamer fishing. Make sure your pattern has movement when paused. Mix it up and identify what the fish want – we do spoil them.
The Betsie and Platte both have some steelhead in them but what would really improve things is some more rain. With the Firearm Deer Season beyond us, we can get rid of that blaze orange hat and take advantage of stealthy approaches to our favorite runs and holes. Look for the fish to be in the deeper, slower holes and slots since the temperatures continuing to drop.
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.
Ed. Note: Check out the latest fly tying article on Ted’s website — he has a nice piece on tying and fishing the “Fin Clip,” which is a great pattern for imitating those little stocker rainbows that the DNR drops in many of our rivers each year. It’s a cool tie and is indicative of a style of fly that can be used to successfully fish the shorelines of the big lakes as well.
Years ago when I was living in the Mount Pleasant area I often fished the Chippewa River for smallies, and in that case the hatchery truck would hit the river near the end of May. The DNR stocked the Chippewa with trout, though I never found trout anywhere in the upper system with the exception of some cold spring-fed feeders way up in the system. I heard that steelhead were occasionally caught in the upper waters, but most of those trout became food for the resident bass and, lower in the system, walleye and pike. In any event, fishing patterns that mimic those stockers can really work out well.
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The Nuke Egg ... bring it on.
The past week has been really nice weather wise extending the “comfort” season well into November. Daytime temperatures and sunshine have made being on the water a r4eally nice way to spend your day while in pursuit of trout and steelhead. No doubt this recent weather is making up for a cool and wet October that brought steelhead into the river to catch today. Looking at the forecast we have more in store so get out there yourself!
The Big Manistee is fishing well from the dam to the lake with some days being better than others. Since we haven’t had any rain in over a week, their aren’t many new fish in the upper river, but there are good numbers of fish but have seen some flies and spawn bags the past couple of weeks so bring your better presentations. Fish the slots, smaller holes and runs and mix up your patterns right now. Some day’s it‘s strictly an egg bite but other days a nymph is what they are looking for. Oregon Cheese, “Grapefruit” and Light Yellow/Cream egg patterns are doing a good job of imitating the natural eggs floating down the river.
Once the sun gets up and a little too bright, consider trading your 8-weight steelhead rod in for a 6-weight and go trout fishing. The streamer bite below Tippy Dam is very strong right now with lots of fish coming to the streamer. The bite itself isn’t overly aggressive so be sure to maintain a tight line with your slower retrieval and set on those soft tugs. Mid-sized streamers in olive and black have been real good but bring your streamer selection and be prepared to mix it up before finding their daily preference. Being a tail water, there are some decent bugs coming out in the afternoon so for you technical dry fly guys, grab your box of midges and have fun.
The Betsie continues to have a decent run of fish this fall. Cover lots of water, fish thoroughly and make your first presentations count as the water is getting lower and clearer. A little rain during this warm up would really be great sending more fish up and give us some color to the water. Egg patterns continue to take majority of the fish, but smaller nymphs like hare’s ears and small hex nymphs have been taking fish.
Sunday the 15th marks the opening of the 15 day Firearms Deer Season – wear some hunter’s orange while on the water to be safe. Good luck in the woods and get back to the water soon.
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.
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.
After a very pleasant September with blue skies and no rain, October has been the opposite: rain, wind, more rain and then wind gusts. Think of September as the Ying and October as the Yang – we are getting fall weather and some of the best fall rains and water levels in years which should make for an excellent Fall Steelhead season. With the water levels coming up and the winds blowing hard on the lake, conditions are ideal.
The Betsie still has salmon moving through it with the higher, dirtier water. Fresh fish are moving through the river and dark ones are on and near gravel throughout the system. A few steelhead have been caught by the salmon angler but more Coho/Silvers are in the system than the lake run rainbows. Egg-sucking leeches, Stone Flies, Hexes, Steelhead Buggers, Caddis and eggs in chartreuse, Oregon cheese and clown patterns have been working — run one egg high and a nymph below it.
The Manistee has salmon throughout the system from the dam down to the mouth. The largest concentration of fish and anglers is below the Tippy Dam as it is the furthest upstream limit spawning fish can get to and it is surrounded by ideal spawning gravel. A good number of steelhead are in the upper river in the darker holes and runs behind the spawning salmon and are looking to eat the eggs and nymphs getting dislodged from the active salmon. For the steelhead, try realistic looking egg patterns – nukes in chart/pink (grapefruit), Oregon cheese, golden, and pinks. These same colors should work well for the salmon if you are focusing on them. Try using smaller nymphs like pheasant tails and caddis for the steelhead with larger buggers, stones and sparrows for the salmon. The lower river has a mix of adult and skipper steelhead moving though but not really holding. With all of the leaves getting washed into the river and the higher, dirtier water, try patterns that are a little bigger and brighter than normal.
The Platte River is going strong thanks to the change in weather. There are lots of Kings in the river and a good number of Cohos. Because of its proximity to Lake Michigan, conditions and fish numbers can change within hours and usually for the better. Another nice attribute of the Platte is its stability of water levels – it rarely gets too high or dirty where it hurts fishing – no clouds and sun is the Platte angler’s enemy. The typical flies mentioned above are working with the addition of Muddler Minnows, buggers and smaller baitfish patterns like Cross Dressers. Remember that the Platte has a hook gape restriction of 3/8” so be careful what size fly you have in your box while on the river.
The trout fishing on the Upper Manistee has been O.K. With the rain and water levels coming up and the aggressiveness of the alpha brown trout, the pre-spawn bite should be strong over the next couple of weeks. This is a great time to go streamer fishing – adjust your retrieve based on water temps and the response you are getting from the fish; some days they like it ripped through the water, other days slowly jigged. Please leave spawning browns alone – this is a natural reproducing river!
Good Luck getting out and hooking up – this is truly one of the best times of the year to fish – so many species and rivers – Northern Michigan really is a Sportsman’s Paradise.
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.
