Posts tagged ‘Steelhead’
I never thought I would say this: I think a return of some cooler weather with some rain or snow is needed, or at least clouds and rain with mild air temperatures.
The weather the past week or so has been great; however, the high pressure system combined with clear water and high sun has made the fishing tougher than one might think. Our lack of snowfall is having its effect on water levels, and there has been very little run-off to warm-up the water and reduce clarity. But help is on the way – or at least it is forecast — some rain and snow should really make for some great fishing in the weeks to come.
The indicator fishing for both steelhead and trout is an angler’s best friend; it helps to monitor a drag-free drift and also suspend flies above the sheltering timber. The slower and deeper water is best, but with more people out enjoying this weather, the smaller in-between spots should be fished too. Pale egg patterns have been working lately, but look for that to change as the water comes up and gets a little dirty. Small black stones are coming off the local rivers and with the increase in solar temps – more nymphs are moving around the bottom. Have your favorite hex and caddis larvae patterns in your box.
Trout fishing has been tough at high sun, but when the sun is low or covered up, it’s significantly better. Nymph fishing is your best bet, but some of the bigger fish are looking to eat a streamer. Still, the clear water is making presentations of both techniques demanding. Lighter lines, drag-free and slower retrieves.
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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Now that we flipped the calendar to March, it’s time to make sure your fishing gear is ready to go. More than symbolic, March is proof that winter is almost behind us and better weather and good fishing is just before us. The recent warm-up and sunny days are more than welcomed providing comfortable fishing conditions and increased water temperatures.
Steelhead anglers will find the Manistee and Betsie both have some fish in it. Be prepared to move around and fish not only the big, deep holes but the smaller slots and depressions too as we are sharing the water with more people now that the weather has warmed up. With the clear skies at night comes the cold so look for the late morning and afternoon bite to be a little stronger as the sun has its way with water temperatures. Lots of small black stones are crawling around and with the clear water conditions, be sure to knot one to some lighter tippet/leader for your best chance at hooking up. Other patterns to use include caddis, alevins and smaller egg patterns in lighter shades and spectrums. Mix it up if you aren’t finding success – try hex and bigger stonefly nymphs as they are becoming a little more active with the warming sun.
The trout bite below Tippy Dam is fair with the occasional steelhead surprising the angler fishing with a 5 weight rod. Small stones, eggs, zebra midges and BWO nymphs have been working when fished below an indicator. If you are looking to streamer fish, retrieve your fly slowly – these fish are still partially hibernating.
The Upper Manistee above CCC Bridge is running cool and clear. Streamer fishing is your best bet and rather than using sinking lines, try shorter sink-tips and strip slowly to keep your fly down while keeping your line from hanging up and use patterns that have lots of motion: rabbit strips and marabou are an angler’s friend. Look for fish to be anywhere – from the deeper holes (tail-outs) to mid depth runs with sunshine – they often can be found sunning themselves. The water is still cold, so temper your expectations a bit and enjoy the solitude.
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.
Also Ted will be teaching a fly tying class this Saturday, March 6 th at The Northern Angler in Traverse City. The theme will be flies for Pike, Musky and Bass, but with slight variation as you can use these same patterns for salmon, steelhead and trout. Class time is 10-Noon. Cost is $25 Call TNA @ 231-933-4730 to register.
The Cabelas Bears
About a month ago in Pennsylvania, a groundhog poked his head out of a hole and the experts proclaimed another six weeks of the same weather. While that has been mostly true, we have been experiencing a welcomed increase in sunshine and it feels good. In keeping with the prediction, the fishing, too, has remained pretty consistent with some days being a better than others regarding the fish activity.
Steelhead remain the primary target and the slight increases in water temp at mid-day can be the difference between fishing and catching. Sun helps with that and it hasn’t been getting awfully frigid-cold at night, stabilizing water temps rather than dropping more. Actually, we have been seeing a slight increase on the week long average which might mean that March really is only a few days away.
Still, water levels on the Manistee and Betsie are low and it’s clear. As it’s been true all winter, fish with stealth, lighter tippets and make numerous presentations to find those fish to play along with. Then again, this advice holds true almost the entire year, but it’s more imperative now with the winter like conditions.
Flies: pale egg combos, small black stones, Alevins, hex nymphs and the bigger stones are good places to begin with fly selection.
A few trout below Tippy dam are eating the same flies suggested above for steelhead, but the trout angler would be better served tying on the midge pupa patterns like zebra midges and WD-40s for a nymph bite. Streamer fishing should be more of a traditional down and across with slight strips and bumps since we still have some cold water.
It won’t be long now before the steelhead fishing kicks-in with trout to overlap in April. The lack of snowfall might have an affect, but we can still get hit with some big snow so don’t put that shovel away just yet.
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.
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.
Carl T. Johnson Hunting and Fishing Center in Cadillac Announces Winter and Spring Programs
The Carl T. Johnson Hunting and Fishing Center in Cadillac has announced its winter and spring schedule of programs. The center is located next to Mitchell State Park on M-115 in Cadillac, and is one of 10 Department of Natural Resources visitor centers around the state.
The Hunting and Fishing Center in Cadillac
There is no fee for the programs. Please note that some of the program dates have changed from the schedule previously announced on Jan. 6. The programs include:
Feb. 6, How to Geocache and Use Your Handheld GPS Unit. From noon to 2 p.m., this program will introduce participants to the activity of geocaching and provide the basics on how to use a handheld GPS unit.
Feb. 13, Guided Ice Fishing Program. This program will be from noon to 3 p.m., and participants should meet at the center at noon. Tackle, bait, an auger and shanty will be provided.
Feb. 20, Black Bears of Michigan. This presentation will be held from noon to 2 p.m. Following the presentation, the video “Walking With Bears” will be shown.
Feb. 27, Dog Sled Rides. From noon to 1:30 p.m. and 2 to 3 p.m., dog sled rides will be available for children only. Parents must sign up their child during the event at the center.
March 6, Steelhead Fishing Workshop. Mike Willsey will offer this workshop to teach the basics of steelhead fishing from noon to 2 p.m. at the center.
March 13, Dog Sled Rides. The final dog sled rides of the winter season will be held from noon to 1:30 p.m. and from 2 to 3 p.m. This event is for children only, and parents must sign up their children at the center the day of the event.
March 20, Guided Ice Fishing Program. This program will be from noon to 3 p.m., with participants meeting at the center at noon. Tackle, bait, an auger and shanty will be provided.
March 27, Geocache Workshop and Applications. This program will be offered from noon to 2 p.m. and is designed to introduce participants to the activity of geocaching, along with learning the basics of how to use a handheld GPS Unit.
April 3, Laser Shot Shooting Simulations. This program will be offered from noon to 3 p.m. at the center.
April 10, Home Study Hunter Safety Class. Pre-registration is required for this class, which will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. To register, call 231-775-1321.
April 17, Wild Turkeys of Michigan. This program will be offered from noon to 2 p.m. at the center.
April 24, Family Range Day. The center’s archery and pellet gun ranges will be open from noon to 3 p.m.
The center will be closed on Easter Sunday, April 4.
Mitchell State Park is located on M-115 in Cadillac. For more information about these events, call the visitor center at 231-779-1321. For information about the park, accessibility, or persons needing accommodations, contact the park supervisor at 231-775-7911 (TTY/TDD711 Michigan Relay Center for the hearing impaired) or visit www.michigan.gov/mitchell. Camping reservations can be made on-line at www.midnrreservations.com, or by calling the Department of Natural Resources central reservation system at 800-447-2757.
All motor vehicles entering a state park or recreation area must display a Motor Vehicle Permit, available for purchase at the entrance. Cost is $24 for resident annual and $6 for resident daily. A non-resident annual is $29 and a non-resident daily is $8. Please note that a permit is not required to visit the Carl T. Johnson Hunting and Fishing Center.
"Fire and Ice," Photo copyright 2010 by Julie Falk.
The January “Thaw” was much needed for both the fish population and the anglers themselves. It’s always nice having a little reprieve from the arctic winter to not only make fishing comfortable, but to let us know that spring steelhead season really isn’t that far away. It’s also nice to have a little trigger of water enter the watershed to entice a few fish into the river and redistribute some of the fish already in the system.
The Big Manistee River with its stable flows and deeper runs is as good of a bet as any river right now. Look for fish in the slower, deeper water with a mix of trout and both fresh and holdover winter steelhead. Hint: you will find fish in the same water that you find early king’s staging in. The Betsie River, too, has given up some fish lately, but like the Big M. – look for the deeper holes and pockets to be your best bet.
Temperature is clutch in winter Steelheading and as such, look for late morning and early afternoons to be a little better with the minimal bump or at least stabilization of water temps. Solar activity (yes, there is such thing as sunshine in Northern Michigan this time of year) can be just enough to produce a bite, but with sun and clear water it is even more crucial to use your best drift, lighter tippet, and a bit of stealth.
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 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.
