Manistee River Steelhead Report

Manistee River Steelhead Report below Tippy Dam

/2 Comments/in , , , , /by

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 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.

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 – 13, 17,18,20-24, 28-31

Jeff Topp – Dec 16,18-20,22, 23, 26

Ed McCoy – Dec 15-17,19,23,28-30

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. This week, I made a few adjustments to adapt to the changing conditions. With water temperatures dipping below 40°F for the first time, switching to a loafer-style float proved to be a smart move. In slower 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

12

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

/in , /by
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.

Read more

Pere Marquette Fishing Report

/3 Comments/in , , , /by

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

 

 

 

 

Upper Manistee Trout Fishing

Upper Manistee River Trout Fishing

/5 Comments/in , , , /by

Manistee River Trout Report

Upper Manistee Trout Fishing

The Upper Manistee River Trout Fishing report for the third week of October has our fish starting to spawn.  As water temps continue to cool the spawning activity will accelerate.  With some unseasonably warm weather still hanging around the fishing has been for our entire season.  We have had a few rainy days, but we could use inches upon inches at this point.  

Streamer fishing has been good on the cloudy days and you have to grind in the sun.  Make sure to keep a dry fly rod on deck as there have been some BWOs on the cooler cloudy days.  Look for the streamer fishing to pick up after the fall spawn is completed.  Some timely rains, a bump in flow, and some cooler weather could provide some excellent post spawn opportunities on streamers.   

Water conditions currently are very low and clear as we haven’t had much rain over the past few months.  The river has been dropping and clearing  with the current warm weather and lack of rain.  The water temperatures have been warmer but mostly stable with temps ranging 48-55.  The forecast shows another warming period heading our way for next week

Streamer Fishing

The Streamer bite on the Upper Manistee River has been decent to good in the low light.  Cooler Mornings have been the best for us.  Smaller streamers have been getting the most attention, but you have to play the game of “lighting dictates color”.  Black has been good for us during the low light periods.  Tan and olive based combinations have been better during the brighter sunny conditions.   Play with size and color throughout the day and from one day to the next.  Grinding through the slow periods and keeping the faith is still key for success.

With the current water conditions you will need a couple of different setups to fish effectively.  You will need to consider the water type, depth, and retrieval speed you are fishing and match the proper line to the situation.  In deeper sections you can still get away with a 200-250 grain line, but as temps drop you will need to slow down your presentation.  I would consider carrying a floating line and/or an intermediate line as well.  This will allow you to fish slower and maintain your flies in the strike zone longer.  

Cooler, cloudy days are always the best streamer days, but the current heat has made it challenging at times.  This time of year I look for cold fronts with rain to provide a bump in flows to offer anglers the best streamer fishing opportunities.  With all the recent heat our water temps have been pretty stable, but the clarity and sun have been the biggest limiting factor.  As we head into late October the forecast remains unseasonably warm which means the spawning period will likely get stretched out until some cooler weather sets in. 

Didymo

Upper Manistee Trout Fishing

Didymo on the Upper Manistee continues to be a problem with a high level of concern.  I would consider the whole Upper Manistee River System to be contaminated with this Diatom. There was new Didymo growth above CCC bridge and it has been documented as far upstream as Yellow Trees Landing.  The Didymo mats in sections below CCC are still breaking down and to my knowledge there isn’t any blooming like we saw in the 2022 season.  Didymo is considered a very resilient invasive species so you need to educate yourself on safe cleaning techniques.  River Users will need to clean their gear or anything that touches the water.  Didymo can easily be spread between watersheds and can be detrimental to our trout streams.

I would consider the ENTIRE RIVER TO BE CONTAMINATED and treat it as such. Clean, Drain, Dry your gear before entering another Body of Water.  Currently, there are no effective methods to eradicate didymo once it is established in a river.  To prevent spreading Didymo and other aquatic invasive species to new locations, it is critical for users to thoroughly Clean, Drain and Dry waders, equipment, and boats upon leaving a waterway.

  • Clean by removing mud and debris from all surfaces.
  • Use a 10% Solution of Dishwashing Soap with hot water for 10 minutes (Example 1 gallon of water is 12.8 oz of Dawn Soap). Then it must dry for 48 hours (mandatory if your fishing different water systems).

Trout Guide Trips 

We have very limited openings available during the peak hatch season, so make sure to book your dates now for 2025!  If you’re looking to book a Trout Guide Trip you can reach us at 231-631-5701 (leave a message) or shoot us an email.  We are excited for the upcoming Fall Trout Season.   Also make sure to follow along on our social pages and our online fishing report page  for more updates. 

 

Tight Lines,

Ed

Northern Michigan Smallmouth Bass

Northern Michigan Smallmouth Bass

/in , , , /by

Smallmouth Bass

Northern Michigan Smallmouth Bass

Smallmouth bass fishing on Grand Traverse Bay was a blast this summer. I have had the opportunity to learn a lot about the deep water behaviors.  Which has been great.    Something that I really struggled with last year.  But with more time on the water comes more learning and it’s translating to success.  Water temps still remain in the area I have been working in the upper 60’s to low 70’s.  We had a solid North wind last week that mixed up the water, dropping it a few degrees.

A good population of 3-4 pound smallmouth are hunting and looking for food.  This past few weeks it started to shift to baitfish presentations.  Some of the same tactics we use in the Spring time to search for them are starting to work again as Fall Smallmouth season at our doorstep.

Smallmouth Tactics for Fall

 

Bait fish balls are start to really form out deep, Smallmouth will work almost like wolf packs and target these bait balls.  This pattern will continue as we continue go into Fall.  Swim baits, umbrella rigs, and drop shot will play best as bass stay deep.

But some good signs of smallmouth coming back to shallow haunts have started to occur.  We found nice size fish in the 3-4 pound range hunting some of the top rock piles.  We caught fish this week on underspins with boot tail style swimbaits.  If this trend continues the fly rods will be coming back out.  With some of our favorite swimbait style flies tied on.  The new style game changers in shad had worked well earlier in the year and can’t wait to expand on the techniques that will trigger a few more bites.

 

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.  We are booking next summer already as prime pre-spawn and post-spawn spots are open.

Jon Ray

Mousing for Trout

Match the Hatch with Ed McCoy

/in /by

Ed McCoy Podcast

Since Jim Bashline wrote the Bible on night fishing in 1973: “Night Fishing for Trout”, our passion for stalking big Truttasaurus browns at night on big mayfly hatches like drakes, Hexes, Isonychia and big stoneflies has become an obsession! Add in the whole new mousing craze, you now have fly fishing in the night a state of art much different than just feeling the tug and hearing creepy things that go “ bump in the night” . With Infrared night vision head lamps, and glo- in- the dark lines and fly materials, we have perfected the passion to the next level. Our Night Stalker guest is a trained fisheries biologist and guide who rows in the night in search of sounds foretelling a big, night monster Truttasaurus brown on the hunt for flesh and blood- don’t miss this one!

Fly Fishing the Manistee River

Trout and Steelhead on the Manistee River Podcast

/in , , , , /by

The Wadeoutthere Fly Fishing Podcast

I had the opportunity to give my opinions on a few different topics ranging from Steelhead to Trout and everything in between on the Wade Out There Podcast.  If you looking for a fly fishing podcast to listen to give this one a try.

I go into some of my thoughts on what fish see.  How I use colors, sun, and water clarity to crack the daily code of catching a few fish.

 

Conditions Matter

Conditions Matter

/in , , /by

Conditions Matter

Every spring we enter a transitional period between our annual spring steelhead run and our peak dry fly fishing for trout. In some years this period can be long and drawn out while others transition rapidly. This period is often overlooked and regarded as “hard fishing” as weather conditions can change rapidly and behave differently from year to year. However, if you use a conditions based decision making process to plan your outings, you can eliminate some of the frustrations often associated with transitional fishing. After all, you’re only as good as the conditions you’re fishing in. As a guide, dealing with changing conditions is a daily consideration and I am constantly looking for the best conditions based approach for my anglers.

April and early May can often be characterized by inconsistent weather patterns, but the angling opportunities available at this time are unique and often overlooked. Two of my personal favorites are 1) streamer fishing for trout while searching for the first hatches of the season and 2) the pre-spawn smallmouth bass fishing. Both of these angling opportunities offer different types of fishing, but more importantly they require different conditions for success. Having multiple opportunities to choose from allows us to cater to a conditions based approach to what, when, and where, we will fish on any given day. This is just one example of two overlapping fishing scenarios that have independent factors determining the outcome.

Trout Opener

The annual trout opener is always met with great anticipation, but more often than not we find ourselves fishing during a cold front during this weekend. Negative conditions will often make fishing tough, but understanding your target species and how it will respond to these changes is really what we should consider under these circumstances. Another scenario we often experience under stable conditions are weather patterns that impact the effectiveness of certain techniques making the fishing less productive. Understanding how certain weather parameters affect the behavior of the fish we target is important, but how do these same conditions also impact the food resources available to the fish during these same times?

One of the most common examples of this that I often have to consider is; how does a bright sunny day impact the trout fishing during early spring? Understanding that under low water conditions and bright sunny skies the streamer fishing for trout will often be tough. Another consideration I will make here is understanding how these same conditions will impact my dry fly fishing for trout. I know that under bright skies and colder conditions my hatching Hendrickson’s will be low in density. Even under bright skies and warmer conditions the Hendrickson’s tend to be lower in number, but more importantly the bugs have an easier time leaving the waters surface making them less visible to the trout. When these early hatches of insects are not drifting long distances on the waters surface, trout will often not key in on the surface to feed.

Smallmouth Bass

Under these same conditions smallmouth bass may be far more active and provide a much better alternative species to fish for especially on the bright sunny days. Cold fronts will often push bass into deeper and slower water, but I still feel that they will be more receptive and less neutral than trout under these same conditions. On the flip side, if conditions are calling for heavy cloud cover and moderate temperatures, I know the trout will be more receptive to streamers and the hatching Hendrickson’s will typically last longer and drift further on the waters surface. Not everything in nature is black and white, but if you consider the fishing conditions that are presented to you, often you will find your success improves even in the face of adversity.

Over my guiding career I have seen a lot of changes, weather patterns today are definitely less predictable and the timing of our seasons feels different as well. Being adaptable in my approach and considering the conditions I’m presented on a daily basis has definitely led to more success over time. I have always been passionate about the spring fishing for trout, but often it has been met with frustration as day to day conditions didn’t provide the opportunities I was looking for. Having a backup plan for those situations is a far less stressful strategy and it will often prevent you from getting stuck in a rut. So when planning your next trip consider choosing your target species based upon the fishing conditions you are presented, it may provide everyone with a better overall angling experience.

Ed McCoy

Best Time to fish Grand Traverse Bay for Smallmouth Bass

Grand Traverse Bay Smallmouth Bass Fishing

/in , , /by

Grand Traverse Bay

"Fishing

Throughout the year, the changing seasons play a significant role in smallmouth bass fishing.  Seasonal change affects both the behavior of the fish and the strategies employed by anglers. In particular, the optimal month for Grand Traverse Bay smallmouth bass fishing can vary depending on the season. Spring often boasts a period of heightened activity as smallmouth bass feed aggressively coming out of winter. As the waters warm up in late spring to early summer, smallmouth bass move shallower for the spawn. Therefore, anglers may find the months of May and June to be particularly ideal for targeting smallmouth bass.

Summer

During the summer fishing for Grand Traverse Bay smallmouth bass can be an exciting and rewarding experience for anglers of all skill levels. With the warming temps Smallmouth in Grand Traverse Bay will tend to go deeper than they do in the Spring.  However, this doesn’t mean they are too deep for topwater offerings, especially if you’re willing to get up early.  Fishing smallmouth bass on topwater is truely an exciting approach to fishing the Grand Traverse Bay.

When targeting Grand Traverse Bay smallmouth bass in the summer it is important to focus on areas with structure.  Rock structures such as rocky points, ledges, and rock piles, are all areas where these fish like to feed.  Goby and Crayfish patterns are a key food source for smallmouth bass.  The key to success here is to find the preferred bait which usually means you will find the smallmouth bass.  One thing about smallmouth bass that translates well universally is no food = no smallmouth bass.  These guys love to eat and will be found very close to their food source.

Goby

Invasive Gobies provide plenty of food for Smallmouth Bass

Fall Fishing

Fall is a prime season for smallmouth bass fishing in Northern Michigan. The Fall is particularly renowned for its abundance of trophy-sized smallmouth bass. As the temperatures begin to cool, these elusive and aggressive fish become more active.  They can often be found moving into shallow waters in search of food to prepare for the upcoming winter. The crisp autumn air and vibrant colors of the changing leaves provide a picturesque backdrop for anglers seeking the thrill of battling these hard-fighting Grand Traverse Bay smallmouth bass.

Whether casting along rocky shorelines with Umbrella rigs, targeting submerged structure with swimbaits, or working shallow flats with the fly rod, the opportunities for landing a trophy smallmouth are plentiful during the Fall in Northern Michigan. With the combination of ideal weather conditions and the smallmouth’s voracious feeding habits before Winter, Fall smallmouth bass fishing offers anglers an unparalleled experience on the water.

With more anglers focused on King Salmon and Steelhead fishing many of the best inland lakes and Grand Traverse Bay can be barren of other anglers.

Fishing Techniques

Fishing methods for smallmouth bass can range from using gurgle bugs on a fly rod to drop-shotting deep rock piles off a point. While we primarily enjoy using a fly rod with various patterns such as Goby, Crayfish, and Topwater flies, we also recognize the importance of having a spinning rod as a backup.  Windy conditions and the need to approach larger fish in clear water from a distance are conditions that at times are better managed with spin tackle.

In the clear waters of Grand Traverse Bay, smallmouth bass may not always be approachable with a fly rod thus prompting the need for spinning gear. Grand Traverse Bay is known for regularly yielding smallmouth bass weighing in excess of six pounds. These larger bass are old and wise and often require long casts to catch.  Additionally, many anglers appreciate the exhilarating challenge of catching and fighting a smallmouth bass on light spinning gear.

Conclusion

Want to experience the thrill of smallmouth fishing in the pristine waters of Grand Traverse Bay where the breathtaking natural beauty meets unparalleled angling opportunities. Northern Michigan is home to some of the finest smallmouth bass fishing in the country.  This picturesque bay offers the perfect setting for both seasoned anglers and beginners looking to hone their angling skills. Grand Traverse Bay promises a fishing experience like no other!  So come and immerse yourself in the tranquility of Grand Traverse Bay, feel the excitement of each bite, and savor the joy of reeling in a prized smallmouth bass.

Chestnut Lamprey

Chestnut Lamprey

/in , , , /by
Chestnut Lamprey
Chestnut Lamprey attached to a Brown Trout

Chestnut Lamprey

The Chestnut Lamprey, Ichthyomyzon castaneus, is a Native Species commonly found in Lakes and Rivers throughout the Great Lakes region. They are considered to be an indicator species and their presence in a body of water has been closely associated with healthy clean water. There is, however, one negative component to their presence in a watershed and that is the negative impact they can have on fish populations during their parasitic phase.

The chestnut Lamprey has two primary life stages to complete its life cycle. The first life stage is the larval phase, commonly referred to as ammocoetes, in which the larval form is primarily a filter feeding organism. The larva will live in the fine and silty bottom sediments in slower backwater pools for an average of 5-7 years. When the larva reach 4-6 years of age they go through a metamorphosis and develop teeth and a sucking mouth disk characterized by the adult parasitic phase of their life cycle.

The metamorphic phase appears to take place from October through the end of January as the ammocoetes enter the second life stage as parasitic adults. As the water begins to warm up in April the larva exit their burrows and enter the parasitic feeding phase of their life cycle. The Chestnut Lamprey tends to be more active at night and during low light periods. Peak feeding periods for the adults range from May through July with some adults holding over until the following spring to spawn. The adult chestnut lamprey will continue to feed until the peak spawning season occurs from June to July. After spawning the adults will die and the cycle is repeated. (Hall, 1963)

Manistee River

In Michigan, most of our trout streams have an established population of Chestnut Lamprey, but, the Manistee River has been mentioned as having a highly abundant population in the upper portions of the watershed, especially from County Road 612 to Sharon Road. As the water temperature reaches 50 F degrees the adults begin to feed. (Hall, 1963) This temperature change coincides nicely with the obvious annual appearance of Chestnut Lamprey on the trout we catch throughout the first half of our trout season. Most of the trout in our streams will react to streamer patterns tied with a long and “leechy” appearance and lots of undulating movement in the materials.

Matching the Hatch

Chestnut Lamprey will range in size from 4-5” early in their adult development and will attain lengths of +7” at maturity. It’s not a coincidence that as the lamprey continue to become more active that the streamer fishing becomes more consistent for us, especially on the Manistee River. The trout are not only actively feeding at this time, but they are also combating the presence of an “alien intruder” that will parasitize them if they let their guard down! It is not uncommon to see some pretty exciting visuals while fishing “leechy” patterns at this time of year. Some fish will recklessly chase them out of their territory and oftentimes will strike with violent takes.

Take this information for what it is worth, but having an understanding of the natural phenomenon that occurs during this time of the year can only help you. Fly selection, fly movement, and presentation are all critical components to angling success and having one more arrow in the quiver can only be a positive. The Chestnut Lamprey life cycle is really just an example of one more hatch that you should pay close attention to as we move closer to the opening day of trout season here in Michigan.

Hall, J. 1963. An ecological study of the chestnut lamprey, Ichthyomyzon castaneus, in the Manistee River, Michigan. Ann Arbor, MI: University of Michigan.