Manistee River Steelhead

Manistee River Steelhead Report below Tippy Dam

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Manistee River

smallmouth bass below tippy dam

Trout/Bass fishing Below Tippy Dam

The Manistee River fishing report below Tippy Dam for the early part of May has us switching gears and targeting Trout and Smallmouth Bass. The trout have been actively pursuing small streamers and Black Caddis. The Smallmouth Bass pre-spawn run continues to offer anglers a fly/lure friendly day on the water.  May is always a fun and exciting month of fishing in Northern Michigan.  With the Michigan Trout Opener on the Upper Manistee and the Grand Traverse Bay Smallmouth fishing firing up, we find ourselves with a new focus and some warmer weather. 

Trout

Currently the Manistee River below Tippy Dam  Water Levels  are up a bit as some recent rains have blessed us with another water bump.  Flows on the Manistee River are currently 2050 cfs with water temps hovering around 57.  Trout are beginning to chase small streamers and take advantage of the abundant Black Caddis hatches that have started to pick up this week.  Swinging soft hackles this time of year and fishing small salmon parr imitations can be a fun way to spend the day.  The “Big Man” can offer an enjoyable experience for anglers of all skill levels, but its broad expanse offers a great setting for both beginning and intermediate anglers alike to dial in their casting and angling skills. 

Smallmouth Bass and Pike

 

Jon and I have both noted how we have switched programs to the Smallmouth Bass earlier this year than during previous seasons.  Jon has been busy exploring the river and many  Inland Lakes for a couple weeks now and I have joined in on the fun when I could.  The conditions the last few weeks have been perfect for Smallmouth Bass entering their pre-spawn phase.  The pre-spawn Bass are pretty receptive to throwing some of the largest swim flies of the season and can offer some epic visual eats.  So far the overall size of the fish and numbers in general have been very good.  

Northern Pike have been showing up more in our catch this week as well with the warming water temps.  Typically this time of year we like to run fine wire on our Swimbaits so we can fish any water type without prejudice.  The tax man is always lurking and if you don’t want to lose your favorite fly or lure wire up and fish without fear.  This time of year Smallmouth Bass are a great option for catching fish when we are facing tougher conditions on the trout streams impacting the bite.  Of course this can work both ways, so I went into more detail on how we adjust in this latest blog post.

Salmon Fry

The river is currently loaded with Salmon Fry.  We are seeing small bait balls just about everywhere in the slower edges of the river.  This is a great way to introduce someone to streamer fishing for trout or bass.  Fishing small streamer patterns on light sink tips is a fun way to dial in some critical angling skills.  Brown trout, Smallmouth Bass, Pike, and drop-back Steelhead are all utilizing this food resource.  Now is a great time of the year to get out learn, practice, and enjoy the water as the warmer weather adds a green landscape over the next week or so.

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 starting to fill up their Summer Opening’s 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 Fall Steelhead trips on the books.

We have a new sticker available in the shop, this sticker is pretty cool so make sure to get yours today.  We also have some new additions to the shop this year.  Hand tied Night Leaders for those of you that like mousing for brown trout.  We also put together a Night Fishing Assortment that saves you a few $$’s and comes with an easy box to store them in.

Ed 

Upper Manistee Trout Fishing

Upper Manistee River Trout Fishing

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Manistee River Trout Report

The Upper Manistee River Trout Fishing report for the last week of April has us through the opening weekend of Trout fishing in Michigan.  With the trout opener this past weekend, we are officially entering our trout season on the Upper Manistee River.  With a very mild winter and an early spring, the hatches are moving right along. 

Water conditions before the rains Saturday night had the river at or just below average flows and mostly clear in the upper sections.  The water temperatures have ranged anywhere from the upper 40’s to the mid 50’s. Water temps have been dependent upon ambient temperature and the amount of sunlight we are getting.  Saturday night we received our first big Thunderstorms of the season and a soaking rain so I would guess the river will come up the next couple of days. 

Open Trout Dates - Ed McCoy - May: 7-9, 12, 21,22 - June: 22,25,29,30

 

Upper Manistee River Trout Fishing

Upper Manistee Trout Fishing

Streamer Fishing

The Streamer bite has been decent on the Upper Manistee River Trout Fishing despite the mostly sunny skies over opening weekend.  We weren’t setting the world on fire, but honestly it was the only applicable approach with the strong winds we experienced on the trout opener.  Smaller streamers and long casts gave us plenty of chances at some quality fish.  Grinding through the slow periods and keeping the faith has been the key to success.

The best streamers have been primarily small baitfish and leech patterns.  The fish have seen a lot of presentations at this point so I’m always looking for something different to throw at them this time of year.  Best colors have been White, Black, Tan, and Yellow recently, but you need to play with color and size as it can change frequently.  

Warmer cloudy days have been the best, but this time of year you just go when you can.  Water temps were creeping into the mid 50’s this weekend so you can grip it and rip it now if that’s your thing.   Weighted flies are typically more productive for us with colder conditions, but the swim flies are starting to get the fish motivated to come take a look.  

Upcoming Hatch Season

 

The Trout Opener is typically a peak time to fish the Hendrickson Hatch on the Upper Manistee River Trout Fishing. However, this year it feels like the Hendrickson hatch is nearing its end.  The numbers of hatching mayflies were pretty light and the numbers of Black Caddis were surprisingly strong.  So far this hatch season is following the same pattern we experienced with our steelhead run.  Our winters are becoming milder and our seasons are shifting forward.

The recent warmer days and sunshine are currently turning our thoughts towards the Upper Manistee River Trout Fishing.  With that being said our fishing has been decent and our hatch timing is ahead of what we would consider normal.  Chasing the hatches on the Upper Manistee River Trout Fishing is something we look forward to every year.  Recently we have been seeing BWO’s, Hendrickson’s, Black Caddis, and various stones including a couple of Mattress Thrashers.  It won’t be long before the Light Hendrickson’s/Sulphurs start hatching.  

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).

New Shop Items

Have a few new Items in the Shop, besides the Stickers, we have Night Fishing Leaders,  a new Assortment of Night Flies that is perfect for the wade angler, and coming soon the ultimate boat anglers Night Fishing Assortment (coming soon).

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Trout Guide Trips 

We have limited openings available during the peak hatch season, so make sure to book your dates now!  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 Trout Season.   Also make sure to follow along on our social pages and our online fishing report page . for more updates. 

 

Tight Lines,

Ed

pere marquette winter fishing

Pere Marquette Fishing Report

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Pere Marquette Fishing Report

pere marquette winter fishing

The steelhead fishing on the Pere Marquette has picked up over the last few days. The steelhead have been transitioning from the deep winter water to some quicker pre spawn water. With the water temp in the 40s the steelhead have began sniffing around the gravel. Look for moving/biting fish in dark water below riffles and bubble lines in the deeper water.

Float fishing has been the best method for getting bite. Right now beads have been the goto. With the water staring to warm up the insects will start to hatch. Better have the nymph box on board. Stone fly, hex and caddis nymphs will get bites.

As the water continues to warm the drop back fishing should start picking up. What a great time to catch a steelhead on a streamer or lure! Nothing better than a rip the rod out of your hands kinda take!

Brown Trout

The brown trout have moved into the holding lies behind the spawning gravel. The feed bag is on. The eggs from the spawning steelhead is a great meal for the trout after winter. The spawn moves the trout out of there normal holding lies and into the buffet line. Now is the time. Get out and enjoy mother nature!

pere marquette winter fishing