Upper Manistee River Trout Fishing
Manistee River Trout Report
Had a chance to venture out on the Upper Manistee River again this past week, with Mother Nature allowing us to still access most of the launches. We took advantage of the warm weather and lack of snow and spent the day chasing trout instead of steelhead on the lower Manistee. Water levels are good and with a slight stain to the water, it looked great for a day of streamer fishing. While winter streamer fishing is never about how many, it’s always a good day when you can catch a few fish, and see a few others. As was the case on this day.
Winter Trout Fishing
Winter Trout fishing when it’s in the upper 40’s and the sun is on your face and your having a few brown trout chasing is hard to beat. While I can pretty much sum up winter streamer fishing as the opportunity to catch brown trout in the 14-20″ range. I hardly ever see the little guys, and the same goes for the magnums. But nothing wrong with the trout in that range, in my mind. Streamer selection at this time of year I also think needs to be what I consider as medium to small sized. With some sort of weight added. Getting the fly down in the zone quickly, as trout don’t have the energy to climb up out of their zone. Also wood runs and deeper cuts had the best activity on this past trip. Looking for that same type of water speed as we have been finding most of our steelhead lately. Closer to the bank and out of the main seam. That harder to mend area, on the fair side of the bubble line. Slow water.
Guide Trips
With warm air in the immediate forecast trout fishing is still very much an option. Looks like some rain headed our way as well, some additional color to the stream could make it fish even better. Not that much snow can melt so water temperatures should bump up as well. Have a great Christmas and Happy New Year. Hope to update this page soon, but if not make sure to check out the Steelhead Report, and if your thinking of booking a trout trip for next year make sure to contact us soon. Prime dates always fill up fast.
Happy Holidays
Jon Ray
