Manistee River Steelhead Report

Manistee River Steelhead Report below Tippy Dam

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Manistee River

Manistee River Steelhead Report

Winter Steelhead fishing Below Tippy Dam

Manistee River Fishing Report: Early December Below Tippy Dam

As we move into late December, we’re wrapping up one of the most remarkable Fall steelhead seasons in recent memory. Now, we’ve transitioned into our Winter Fishing season, and the conditions are shaping up nicely. With a healthy steelhead population still in the river, any break in the weather offers a great opportunity to get out and fish.  Looks like this opportunity will present itself after Christmas, give us a call or send us email. 

Water Levels and Conditions

Water levels were unusually low throughout the Fall, but they’ve recently returned to more normal flow. This increase in water has opened up new fishing areas that were previously unproductive due to the low levels. With these improved conditions, December has the potential to be one of the best fishing months we’ve seen in years. If you’re heading out, make sure to dress appropriately for winter conditions.

Check out our [recommended winter clothing guide] for tips on staying warm and comfortable. Keeping your hands warm is key—investing in quality gear (this [electronic hand warmer] is a game-changer) will make your experience much more enjoyable.

Book Your Winter or Spring Trip

Our guides are available, and now is the time to seize this fantastic winter fishing opportunity. If you’re interested in booking a trip, feel free to email or text us to secure your date. Looking ahead to Spring, we recommend booking early this year. With such a strong fish population already present, it’s shaping up to be a great season you won’t want to miss.

Open Winter Steelhead Guide Dates

Steelhead Open Dates

Jon Ray – December – 24, 29,31

Ed McCoy – Dec 29-30

Winter Steelhead Fishing

As we transition from fall to winter fishing, adopting a slower, more methodical approach becomes essential. One of the biggest challenges ahead will be reading the water to identify that perfect speed. The last few weeks, I made a few adjustments to adapt to the changing conditions. With water temperatures now below 40 and staying in the 30’s for the next few months, switching to a loafer-style float proved to be a smart move. In slowerManistee River Steelhead Report water, I’ve always preferred using a thinner-style float for better precision.

Egg patterns remain the top choice, but as the temperatures drop, I’m incorporating some of my favorite cold-weather tactics. Rabbit strip hex nymphs and rubber-leg twitching bugs have been particularly effective in triggering bites. 

For the foreseeable future, the key to success will be slowing everything down and paying close attention to the details.

Steelhead Clothing

Stay Warm new Hoodie

Mangled Fly Hats & Beanies

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Booking a Trip

Manistee River below Tippy Dam is one of the best west side rivers in the state of Michigan.  Mangled Fly guides are available all winter fishing trips so give us a call soon to join in the fun at (231-631-5701) you can also shoot us an email.  Also it’s not too early to get your Spring Steelhead trips on the books. 

Jon Ray

cold weather fishing gear

Cold Weather Fishing Gear

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Cold Weather Fishing Gear
Cold Weather Fishing – New Updates Dec, 2024

Fall and Winter Steelhead Gear

One of the more difficult challenges we face in the Midwest during Steelhead season is staying warm. This leads to many questions when preparing for your fishing trip. What do I wear? What cold weather fishing gear do you bring on your trip? With over 30 years of fall/winter steelhead fishing under my belt, I thought I would share how I layer myself before each steelhead trip.

I live by the philosophy that if I get hot I can always take it off. I’ll also share a few bonus tips, tricks, and some new technology along the way. We found some new tech last year that we used with great success and I’ll share that as well.

Base Layer

Once I determine wether the day is going to be wet or dry and what the overall forecast is, I can make my base layer choices. I have two layering systems that I can choose from based on what the weather forecast might be for the day. If I believe it’s going to be wet I prefer my base layer to be a Merino Wool based material. Having tried almost every other type of layering fabric, wool is my go to choice for wet days. No matter how cold and wet I get, wool based materials still keep me warm. The majority of my favorite wool base layers I purchase have been from Patagonia and now Duckworth. Duckworth is a new company for me, but to say I’ve been impressed is an under statement . Make sure to check out the Mens Powder Hoody, you will not be disappointed.

One more quick tip here, no matter if it’s a wet or dry forecast, I will NEVER wear cotton based materials! Even on the unseasonable warm days I still go with a synthetic base layer on dry days. Synthetics are always my go to base layer, wether the forecast is wet or dry. I always start with some sort of wicking layer for my base. Some of my favorite wicking layers range from our hoodie less sun-shirts to any of the Simms fabrics.

To complete the base layer system I choose for the day, I may double up on my base layers depending upon the low and high temperatures for the day. It’s not uncommon for me to start with lightweight layers and then add a mid or expedition weight base layer before adding one of my favorite layers of all, the Puffy Jacket.

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Pere Marquette Fishing Report

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Pere Marquette Fishing Report

The Pere Marquette river never disappoints. We had a chance to float the river the day before Thanksgiving it was a beautiful day. After spending the fall on the Manistee River it was great to do a nice quiet float. 

 
The Pere Marquette Fishing Report are very low and gin clear. The good news is that we did find some great fish. Both the browns and steelhead gave us a battle. . With the river being so clear a stealthy approach is a must. It is best to stay as far off the runs as possible. Down sizing your presentation is a must right now. 
 
When float fishing using a small float, longer leader and smaller bead. This will help combat the low, clear water. This will also help as the water temps drop into the winter lows. 
Pere Marquette Trout Fishing
 

Lures and Swung Fly

 
The lure and swung fly game is a great bet. Get your offering as close to the lumber as possible and hold on. With the fall being very mild the water temps are still warm the steelhead are still willing to move to a bait. It is the best grab in steelhead fishing. Perch pattern with almost no flash has been working. Sculpin patterns and small bait fish streamers has got some looks. Lure fishing in the wood and deep runs has been key. Smaller dull baits, low flash and a slow retrieve has worked the best. 
 
As we get this temp drop and some white stuff on the ground the bite could change. As the water temps drop that will turn the bite on and off. The steelhead will slide deeper into the wood as the river temp cool off.   
 
Winter is a great time to get out and enjoy mother nature and with good numbers of fish in the system let go fishing!

 

Capt. Jeff Topp