Manistee River

The warm weather the past seven weeks should make this year’s opener one of the best in years. Water temps are in the 50’s and the fish are out of their post hibernation-funk and eating streamers and some dry flies. The insect activity has been sporadic thanks to the cooler nights of late, but look for black stones, Hendricksons, black caddis, black quills/borcher’s drakes on the Upper Manistee. The Boardman – running cooler – has had some “henies” coming off too, but not many fish eating them. This time of year, insect activity is best when the temps are warmest so look for sun, light winds and mild overnight temperatures – the rest of the time, fish streamers and nymphs.

If you are heading out this weekend, have a box of big streamers to tie onto your sink-tip line if you are looking to score the bigger, more aggressive fish. Be around gravel and riffle areas on your favorite section of water for the best Hendrickson activity; the nymphs call that water home and the spinners come back to it when depositing their eggs. Fish a nymph and or wets – down and across, or, when you see some surface activity or an emergence tie a wet or a nymph behind a dead-drift emerger. The fish haven’t seen much activity for a while on the closed sections so use some stealth when fishing to keep fish happy.

Steelhead fishing is still going, but is winding down. Since it has been such a strange spring for steelhead, who knows what will happen – especially after our next rain. Some fresh fish are still trickling up the Manistee, Betsie, Boardman and Platte Rivers, but in small numbers while drop-back females are slipping back to the big lake. Many people are willing to subject themselves to the cold weather of winter steelhead for a chance at a few fish, but it amazes me that more people don’t pursue drop-back and the remaining fresh running fish this time of year in the warmer weather. With the warmer water, it’s the best acrobats and fighting fish of the year. Lots of Oregon Cheese eggs patterns, larger hex nymphs and steelhead buggers have been working in the deeper water with the small, pale colored eggs, small stones and caddis around gravel. With water temps in the mid 50’s it’s not necessarily a bad time to swing some flies looking for non-spawning fish to eat your bigger presentation of streamers and spey flies.

Often out of the lime-light for fly fisherman are all of the lakes in the Lower Peninsula and the other seasons that share the same opener: Pike, Musky, Walleye and catch and immediate release Bass fishing starts this Saturday, too. See the MI-DNRE for specifics on regulations.

Good luck this weekend and be sure to be considerate to other anglers you encounter on the water – we made it through another winter and opener is another confirmation that spring is here!

Steelhead are in the local rivers, but not in the numbers associated with the first of April. Fish are slipping up the Manistee and Betsie thanks to the recent full-moon, but a good rain will really kick things off again.  Anglers looking to make lots of good casts are hooking up and are rewarded for their perseverance. The fish we have been getting are a mixed bag: some new ones that are chrome and hot, to spawning fish to drop backs.

I don’t have a “hot” must have pattern right now, but the usual suspects are producing fish as the flies are switched-up throughout the day. Lots of small black stones have been popping off in the afternoon so be sure to have those in your fly box for sure. I am always running a tandem rig: one egg and one nymph.  Water levels are stable in the low 40’s and I expect that to increase with the forecast. With these temps, anglers are finding more than steelhead as the walleye and suckers have started to come in, but not in big numbers – I suspect they too are waiting for that rain we need.

Trout fishing on the upper-Manistee has been decent for those with a sink-tip and streamers. Fish are throughout the water from skinny tail-outs to the deep, lumber infested holes.  Good motion in the fly and diligence not to pull the fly away from the fish are key as there are lots of chasers and the retrieve needs to be a little slower than when fishing in May.

With April 1^st , waters like the upper Platte are open to anglers – check your regulations for more information. It’s also time to buy your new 2010 fishing license.

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.

The good number of fish throughout the Manistee River this winter has taken this high-water as a cue move up and “crash the dam”. Some fish are starting to stage around gravel as water temps are just into the low 40s and a fish landed last week appeared to be spawned out. Fresh fish are moving throughout the river system, but with its volume and lack of clarity – it’s been tough fishing the last few days as there aren’t too many fish settled in their traditional holes or travelling up their typical runs thanks to the increase of water and dirt. Sometimes after a big rain my expectations get a little lofty and I want to repeat those double-digit days; while it’s not easy right now, there are still fish are being caught and they are being scrappy, pulling hard, thrashing and even jumping a bit – that’s why we fish them, right?

The Betsie River, too, had a push of water and a decent push of fish. Dirty, as always, watch your step and look for the holes and slots to hold some steelhead as they rest on their way as the move up stream. The Platte got a few fish to run through the lower river and its clear water reputation holds true – especially in this high sun we have been getting. The Boardman has some fish throughout the system for those of you who can only get out for a few hours and need to fish close to home.  You’ll find them from Sabin Dam to the mouth at the bay.

With the water being off color, the patterns that have been working are some of the tried and true… steelhead buggers, bigger stones, leeches, and yarn – egg patterns in a myriad of colors: Clown, Orange, Pinks and Chart. in Glo Bug, Rag and Krystal Egg styles.

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.

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.

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 15^th 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.