Manistee River Steelhead Report

Manistee River Steelhead Report below Tippy Dam

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Manistee River

Manistee River Steelhead Report

Spring Steelhead Report Below Tippy Dam

The Spring Steelhead Fishing Report for Below Tippy Dam fishing has been fair to good depending upon the weather and water levels.  Current Water conditions are high and heavily stained from the recent rains and snow melt. With higher water and dropping temps the bite cooled off a bit, but it should pick back up with the warmer days coming our way. Water levels have  been slowly dropping and clearing and today’s conditions are 2920 cfs and 38.1 F.

The river received a decent push of fish in the high water a week ago, but the fish have slowed down a bit in the big temp drop early this week.  It looks like the forecast moving forward is for some warmer conditions so this should increase their overall activity levels. Some of the fall and winter fish have been actively spawning in the high water despite the colder temps. As we warmup closer to 40 degree water we should see the majority of our spring fish start to push into our streams. Fishing for steelhead is typically best in the falling water.

Spring Steelhead Fishing

The Spring Steelhead Run so far this year has been pretty good until the big Melt.  High cold water always makes the bite inconsistent at times. There is still quite a bit of snow remaining from our recent storms, but most of the snow from this winter has already moved through the system. As we continue to warm-up we should see our water temps start to climb a little faster.  Spring is here, unfortunately we have still had a few days to remind us of winter’s grasp. 

In the high water the slower pocket water was our best producer.  The faster runs did provide shots at fresher fish on the move.  As of late you have had to work for the bites, I haven’t had too many fish bite on the first or second cast this week.  Gridding out your runs and fishing methodically close to far has been the best approach.  As the water levels drop this week I expect to see the fish start to spread out into their traditional spring areas.

Right now there hasn’t been much insect activity in the colder temps, but the midges have been popping when the sun breaks through the clouds.  I expect to see the Stone fly activity to really pick up this week as well.  Green Caddis are always a good choice in falling water, I would tie some bigger versions until the water clears up.  The Salmon smolt bite should also take off soon. I haven’t seen many in the slow pools around the boat ramps yet, but they have to be close based on time of year.

Spring Steelhead Fly Patterns

So far the best flies have been eggs/beads in Chartreuse, bright orange, and some in-between blended shades of orange and yellow such as the old grapefruit.  On the first high water peak we were having to really upsize our presentations to get the bite, but the last few days smaller presentations in 10mm and size 8-10 egg flies have been best.  Brighter has still been better even in the high sun. This will change as the water continues to drop and clear and fishing pressure increases.  So far the nicest days have been the busiest, but that will soon change as everyone has some cabin fever to cure.   

Right now the best fly patterns for Steelhead have been eggs, eggs, and more eggs. Mixing up the colors and sizes in the high water to find Manistee River Steelhead Reportsomething they can see has been the key to success right now. As the water begins to fall and clear look for the stonefly and smolt bite to take off, but I would also make sure you have plenty of green caddis and hex nymph variants.  Jig style nymphs under a float can fish well in the clearing water on those high angling pressure days.

The spring swing bite is always challenging in the high cold water. Typically the best swing conditions begin at the end of the peak spawning period in mid to late April. Water temps and water conditions are typically better at that time of the year.  As the fish wrap up their spawning activities they tend to act more like fall fish in search of food again and are much more aggressive. If the swing is your thing I would tie some bigger flashy flies until things clear up, right now the biggest challenge is presenting your offering where the fish can see it.

Booking a Trip

The Manistee River below Tippy Dam is one of the best west side rivers in the state of Michigan.  We specialize in Steelhead and Trout fishing on this section of the Manistee River Watershed.  Now is a great time to book your Spring Fishing adventure as well, with Steelhead, Trout, and Pre-Spawn Smallmouth on the agenda.

If catching a Great Lakes Steelhead in on your wish list give us a call to join in the fun at (231-631-5701), you can also shoot us an email.  We are currently booking Spring Steelhead, Pre-Spawn Smallmouth Bass, and a few remain peak Trout Dates for Michigan Dry Fly Fishing. 

Ed McCoy

Pere Marquette Spring Fishing

Pere Marquette Fishing Report

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Pere Marquette Fishing Report

Pere Marquette Trout Fishing

What a crazy week of weather. It seems like Mother Nature needed to get it all out of her system—hopefully she did.

On the bright side, the cold temperatures and the snow/ice storm should slow the spawn down and extend our steelhead season. Water temps dropped from the mid-40s to the mid-30s last week. River levels rose with the rain ahead of the snow and ice, and then—did we ever get snow and ice. With frozen ground and colder temps, the river is now dropping slowly. As levels continue to fall and water temperatures gradually creep back up, the next couple of weeks should fish well. With a mix of winter holdover fish and a slow trickle of spring-run steelhead, this could shape up to be a great spring steelhead season.

Our go-to method for targeting steelhead this time of year is float fishing. With water temps still in the winter range, steelhead are holding in softer, slower water, and the float is the best way to cover those lanes effectively. Beads have been the top producer. With the water high and dirty, 10mm–14mm beads in bright colors have been working well. That will change as the river warms, but it’ll be a bit before we see a real shift. There’s not much insect activity yet—we’re still waiting on that first spring stonefly to signal that spring is truly here.

Brown Trout

Pere Marquette Brown Trout Fishing

Brown trout fishing has been hit-or-miss. Between the weather and the stained water, trout have been tucked into some hard-to-reach spots—especially log jams. If your timing is right and they’re willing to bite, you can do well. Most trout have been eating beads. Nymphs haven’t been very consistent, though we’ve had the occasional fish chase a streamer. Minnow patterns have also been getting a few looks.

The river is high and stained, so if you’re walking and wading, please be careful. Over the last few days we’ve also seen some new logs show up in the river, which could make wading more challenging than usual.

We still have a few open spring dates available—if you want to float the PM, let us know!

Captain Jeff

 

 

Pere Marquette Water Levels at Scottville, MI

USGS Water-data graph for site 06025500

Hooks for Steelhead

Top Steelhead Hooks

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Hooks for Steelhead

Top picks for steelhead hooks, talk about a sticky topic! I’m sure this is going to open a can of worms, but I wanted to address this topic as it gets a lot of attention amongst our guide staff. Every day, no matter what we are fishing, every rig we tie starts with a hook. It doesn’t matter if we are tying up a batch of streamers for steelhead, or if we are twisting up a bead rig for Alaska or Northern Michigan. The hook is usually the first item we start with.

Hook choices have consequences! Personally, I know I will never run a B10S hook again for trout. I’m fine using it for smallmouth bass, but I don’t have a scientific reason for it. Basically it’s the same reasoning I use when putting my right sock on first followed by my left. The same holds true with our favorite hooks for steelhead. It’s not really about scientific findings, but more about having confidence.

In order to shed some light on choosing the best hooks for steelhead, I have included a list of hooks preferred by Mangle Fly Guides below. This list of hooks has been proven over time and is Guide approved. For the purpose of this discussion, we chose hooks you can use for both swing and egg fly presentations. My hope is this list will help you decide which hooks to use this winter to prep your spring steelhead box.

Streamer Hooks

Streamer fishing for steelhead is not easy and you typically must capitalize upon fewer opportunities. You need a hook that is strong enough to land the Big Boyz, but light enough for your fly to move properly. The following is a Guide recommended list of streamer hooks for steelhead.

  • Owner Mosquito – is our number one choice for steelhead swing flies. This hook is a top choice personally and for Ed McCoy and Steve Pels as well. Most importantly, this hook has proven to be strong enough to handle the biggest Manistee River steelhead. Another advantage with this hook is the light wire, allowing me to pull a high percentage of my flies back from the log jams on 16# fluorocarbon. I like this hook in size 1 for most of my steelhead streamer patterns.
  • Gamakatsu Finesse Wide Gap – this is another one of Ed McCoy’s go to hooks. Ed runs this hook in size 1/0 and 1. He likes the big gap and very positive hook up ratio on fish that eat the fly from behind. This is a great hook later in the season to capture those fish that are nipping at the tail.
  • Daiichi 2557 – This hook has a super sticky point and will not bend out on hot fish. It has an oversized eye and makes passing trailer wire through the hook eye very easy. As is the case with most of our swing flies, we use wire or braid to attach the hook to our shanks. Steve likes this hook from size 1 to 4.
hooks for steelhead

Fall Steelhead on the Swing

Streamers for Steelhead

Bonus Streamer Hook

The bonus streamer hook is a “baby treble” and I was scared of what might happen upon hooking up. Baby trebles in size 10 or 8 work really well and more or less pin the steelhead upon contact. This is one of my late season hooks that might ruffle a few feathers. I only run this particular hook when temps are dropping from 40 degrees into the 30’s. I prefer this hook for days when one bite is likely all we will see on the swing. When you’re searching for one bite and only getting lethargic tugs or pulls, this hook can save the day. Try this treble hook on your next cold front fishing trip.

  • VMC 9650 – I use this hook in size 10 and size 8. It’s super sharp and strong enough to land most steelhead. An added advantage to these light wire hooks is you will get all of your flies back from the many log jams along the Manistee River. Another bonus with this hook is the oversized eye makes passing wire or braid through them a breeze. One point of caution regarding this hook. I would not recommend using these treble hooks in October or during heavy spring run off, it will not hold. If the steelhead is super charged up it will bend them right out. Please understand, when you hook up with this hook you have to take your foot off the gas. You can’t pull as hard as you normally do with the bigger heavy wire swing hooks.

Egg Hooks

The meat and potatoes fishing in the Great Lakes area is with egg patterns. It’s not uncommon for me to fill the tackle box with 1000’s of egg hooks in my preseason orders. Having tried a slew of egg hooks over the years, here is where we stand currently on the best of the best.

  • Gamakatsu Bead Hook-  Gamakatsu released this hook in 2024, we first started playing with it in the fall of 2025.  Now by Spring of 2026 it has replaced many of my previous Bead Hooks.  I have made an adjustment in my thinking when it comes to Bead hooks.  I want the strongest, lightest wire hooks I can find.  Without a doubt this hook by Gamakatsu fits the bill. Made from Gamakatsu’s Tournament Grade Wire (TGW), the Bead Hook features a thinner, stronger, and sharper wire that easily penetrates the hard jaw plates of Great Lakes Steelhead and Salmon. Its Nano Alpha Coating offers superior corrosion protection, ensuring the hook’s longevity and also provides a super slick finish for improved penetration. This hook reminds me TWG hook we use for Drop Shoting for Smallmouth Bass.
  • Raven Specialist – Especially the size 6 option for size 10mm or 8mm sized beads.  The benefits of this hook are the smaller diameter gauge metal, along with the micro barb make for better penetration and great hook up ratio. This is the perfect all-purpose hook. It is considered the most dependable Steelhead hook on the market with its great hooking and holding power. One of our favorites when you have to down size during early spring steelhead.
  • Owner SSW – when it comes to fishing beads and egg patterns, no one on our staff has more experience than Jeff Topp. Having guided in Alaska for over 22 years, when Jeff recommends a hook I listen. For bead fishing he likes the size 4 hook with 10mm beads and the size 6 hook with 6mm to 8mm beads. The number one reason he likes this hook is the wire. This hook has a very strong thin wire making hook penetration better for Alaskan Rainbow Trout and Manistee River Steelhead. This razor sharp hook serves him well from size 6 to size 1 depending upon the bead size he is fishing.

Closing Thoughts

With so many hook options available at your local shops to choose from it can get confusing. I know this is just a sampling of choices, but the idea here is to help you make educated hook selections. Over the last few years we have been tying fewer yarn eggs, but the same hooks we use for fishing beads also work really well when tying big rag style yarn flies. For instance, the red Owner SSW listed above is one of my favorites to tie oversized egg patterns on for Spring Steelhead.

Treble hooks in the fly fishing world are nothing new, but I personally had no experience with them back in the day. Ten plus years ago, when I first ran treble hooks, I was very nervous and pessimistic to be honest. What would happen to the steelhead? How torn up would the mouth of my prized fish become? Would my fly just get tangled up in all the treble hook points? Experience has played a big part in answering some of these concerns. For example, the bigger hooks listed above actually do more damage than the VMC treble hooks.

This current list of hook choices is what we prefer for most of our fishing situations. I’m sure over time I will edit this list as new hooks are forged and some of the old standby’s are no longer available. Please feel free to add your favorite hooks in the comment section below and thanks again for checking out the blog.

Jon Ray

Manistee River Steelhead Report

Spring Steelhead has started

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Spring Steelhead in February

For those of you that have followed Mangled Fly for a while you know how much we have loved February Spring Steelhead.

Well this week the ice broke free in many locations on the Manistee River and we have been slowly getting the boats out and enjoying the strong fishing opportunities.  We will update the main Manistee River report page in the coming days but just wanted to share this short video clip from a guide trip this week with Jeff Topp.  Contact us for open dates for Spring Steelhead as the fishing is solid right now.

Winter Steelhead

February 1st Manistee River Boat Ramp Report

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Tippy Dam to Rainbow Bend

Take a virtual tour of the Manistee River boat ramps with our short video clip showcasing the scenic route from Tippy Dam to Rainbow Bend. With almost 100″ of snow this season, parts of the river are completely iced over.  If your starting to plan your trip today you better be ready for the conditions.

We hope to get out this week fishing and will update the Tippy Dam Report page.

February steelhead fishing

Spring Steelhead

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Spring Steelhead Fishing on the Big Manistee River

Spring Steelhead

As winter starts to fade away and the days get longer, many anglers in Michigan begin to turn their attention to spring steelhead fishing. One of the premier destinations for chasing these elusive fish is the Big Manistee River below Tippy Dam. This stretch of river is known for its large runs of steelhead, making it a popular spot for fly-fishing enthusiasts looking to test their skills against these powerful fish.

Early Spring

February and March are prime months for targeting steelhead on the Big Manistee River. As the temperatures start to warm up, the steelhead become more active and begin their journey upstream to spawn. This is when anglers have the best chance of hooking into these chrome beauties.

When fly-fishing for steelhead on the Big Manistee River, it’s important to have the right gear and tactics. A 9-10 foot fly rod in the 7-8 weight range is ideal for handling these strong fish. A variety of fly patterns can be effective, including egg patterns, nymphs, and streamers. It’s also important to have a selection of sinking tips to get your flies down to where the fish are holding.

Swinging Flies

One of the key techniques for success when fly-fishing for steelhead on the Big Manistee River is to swing your flies through likely holding spots. Look for deep pools, runs, and riffles where steelhead are likely to be holding. Cast your fly upstream and let it swing through the current, keeping a close eye on your line for any subtle takes.

Another effective technique is to nymph fish with an indicator. This involves using a weighted fly or nymph and suspending it below a strike indicator. This allows you to fish your fly at various depths and cover more water effectively.

The Big Manistee River below Tippy Dam can see a fair amount of angling pressure during the spring steelhead run, so it’s important to be respectful of other anglers and practice good river etiquette. Be sure to give other anglers plenty of space and avoid crowding in on their fishing spots.

Overall, spring steelhead fishing on the Big Manistee River below Tippy Dam is an exciting and rewarding experience for fly-fishing enthusiasts. With the right gear, tactics, and a bit of patience, anglers have the opportunity to hook into some truly impressive steelhead during the months of February and March. So grab your fly rod and hit the water for an unforgettable steelhead fishing adventure on the Big Manistee River.

Upper Manistee River trout fishing report

Upper Manistee River Trout Fishing

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Manistee River Trout Report

Upper Manistee River trout fishing report

The Upper Manistee River Trout Fishing report for mid-October has us transitioning into the fall spawn. Fall is in the air, you could feel it this past week during the cool down. As we enter late October, we will see most of our Brown and Brook Trout enter the spawning period.  Streamer fishing this past week was pretty productive for us as most of the fish appear to be prespawn and still actively feeding. Despite the low water and bright sunny conditions we had decent activity as water temps dropped into the low 50s.

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Northern Michigan Smallmouth Bass

Northern Michigan Smallmouth Bass

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Northern Michigan Smallmouth Bass

Northern Michigan Smallmouth Bass

Capt Owen of Clear Water Angling

Smallmouth bass fishing season in Northern Michigan for Mangled Fly guides is in its last few weeks, as we transition towards the Big Manistee and Fall Steelhead  But by no means does this indicate that the fishing is slowing down, I highly recommend reaching out to Owen at Clear Water Angling if you have the smallmouth itch this fall.  As fall is a prime time to hunt some of the biggest fish of the season, as they put on the feed bag before winter.

Baitfish

One of the key indicators of the fall transition is when you find big Baitfish concentrations.  Baitfish are grouping up in huge baitfish balls, and predator fish take advantage.  Yesterday on Grand Traverse Bay when we found the bait we found not all smallmouth, but Cisco and even a King Salmon feeding on the baitfish.

Northern Michigan Smallmouth BassWhile Grand Travese bay is still in the upper 60’s for tempature as of mid September, which has kept most of the Smallmouth out deep, it is only a matter of time before Baitfish and Smallmouth go shallow.

When they go shallow throwing A-rigs, or jig and a minnow type outfitters will serve you real well, currently with them hanging on the deeper edges drop shot is the name of the game.

Fishing Drop Shot

Fishing with a drop shot rig for smallmouth bass during the summer months has beeen highly effective for a number of reasons. Smallmouth bass tend to be more active and aggressive during the warmer months, making them more likely to strike at a bait presented in a drop shot rig. The drop shot rig allows for precise presentation of the bait at different depths, which is crucial when targeting smallmouth bass in the late summer as they may be holding at varying depths depending on water temperature and oxygen levels.

Additionally, the drop shot rig is a finesse technique that allows for a subtle and natural presentation of the bait, which can be particularly enticing to wary smallmouth bass in clear water conditions. This can be especially beneficial during the summer when bass may be more selective in their feeding habits. Overall, fishing with a drop shot rig for smallmouth bass during the summer months can increase your chances of success and help you catch more fish.

Some of my favorite late summer finesse baits to fish on a drop shot are Baby Z Too (Arkansa Shiner)  KVD Dream Shot (KVD Magic) , and Roboworm 4.5″ (Aarons Magic)

Northern Michigan Smallmouth BassFirst 6 pound Smallmouth
Northern Michigan Smallmouth Bass
Northern Michigan Smallmouth Bass
Northern Michigan Smallmouth Bass
Northern Michigan Smallmouth Bass

Booking a Smallmouth Trip

Interested in booking a Smallmouth Bass Trip or going for Lake Trout on light tackle, drop us a message via email, or text/call us directly 231-631-5701.

Jon Ray

Mousing for Brown Trout

Mousing for Trout with Ed McCoy

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Mousing for Trout

In this video, the Northern Angler crew interview Ed McCoy and take a deep dive into mousing for big trout. For years, Ed has dedicated his summer months Night Fishing down the Manistee River in the dark finding fish to chase mouse and frog patterns. He shares what he has learned so you can try it for yourself.

2024 Fall Fishing Review

2024 Fall Fishing Review Video

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New YouTube Video

Have you checked out the new YouTube Video?  Ed, Jeff, and I sat down with Brian Pitser from the Northern Angler to discuss our thoughts about the 2024 Fall Fishing.  This is a new format that we tried and I’m open to any thoughts you have or comments.  So please drop us an email positive or negative on what your thoughts are.

With still a few weeks left before the Spring Steelhead season, we would like to kick out some more content before the season ramps up again.  Thank you for watching.

Jon Ray