We finally received some rain to knock down the dust and pollen while helping things finish greening up after an early start to the process. The rivers are still low and running clearer than normal for this time of year but that’s been the story since late February. Water temps are stable in the mid-50s […]

It seems that this year’s April showers were replaced by April flowers as vegetation and gardens are 3 weeks ahead. We still haven’t had any significant rains and the rivers look like it – low and clear. The steelhead have thinned out without many fresh fish showing up. Those that do seem to hit the […]

It’s approaching mid-April but it feels more like the first of May with the recent weather. One could argue that it felt more like the end of May with the recent 70-degree days. Steelhead fishing has been challenging as we had not received much precipitation and more anglers show up at the river for a […]

With the start of April behind us anglers are finding water levels on the Manistee and Betsie uncharacteristically low and clear for this time of year. The region hasn’t received any significant rain yet this year and the snow melt has been gone for over a month. Without the rivers rising and being stained the […]

Spring officially has started which typically means cold nights and the promise of warmer days. And Spring Steelhead. The local rivers – Manistee and Betsie – have been providing some fish but with the lack of rain/run-off it’s been a case of earned fish rather than easy fishing. Yes easy steelhead fishing does occur from […]

Longer days and mild temperatures have steelhead on most angler’s minds. Rivers like the Manistee and Betsie are still running cold – just under 40 degrees with fluctuations coming from cold overnights sunshine and any leftover snowmelt – it’s mostly gone (for now – the snowblower is still gassed up and the shovels are ready). […]

With mid-December here so is the snow and cold and it appears winter might have settled in for the season. Water temps on the local rivers (Manistee Platte and Betsie) have steadily decreased into the mid-30s and has pretty much put the steelhead into a winter funk. There are fish around but it seems fewer […]

As we enter December anglers will find steelhead throughout local river systems (Manistee and Betsie) and pretty well spread throughout them. Water temps are hovering around 40 degrees but after some cold nights the smaller rivers tend to drop temps until any sunshine that day might warm them up. Since the rivers aren’t very busy […]

Steelhead fishing continues as the water temps remain in the mid to lower 40s on the Manistee and Betsie Rivers. Usually by now they are cooler so the milder temps of Nov. has been welcomed. Fish continue to be fickle spread-out and doing a pretty good job of making us work for them each day. […]

The steelhead fishing remains off with what seems like fewer fish around than we are used to this time of year. Some days we find them other days we struggle. While the weather has been comfortable (in the 60’s!?!) it has left rivers like the Big Manistee and Betsie running clear and low.  One advantage […]

November is here and as I type so is the snow. Last week’s high water has pretty much dropped to normal levels leaving local rivers like the Betsie and Manistee running just a little above average re: fall levels/flows with a slight tinge to it and in the mid-40s – kind of ideal if not […]

As October winds down the river levels are on the way up. Recent rains have been significant and anglers will find the rivers like the Betsie and Manistee high and rising. Unlike Spring when high water events last a while the rivers should drain out by later next week providing we don’t experience additional showers. […]

With the colors at peak anglers are finding that the peak of the salmon run is behind us. A few fresh fish are slipping through the river systems (Betsie Platte Bear Creek Manistee) but the majority of the fish have been there a while and look like it. Crowds are still at unprecedented levels as […]

A lack of significant rain this month has local rivers running lower and clearer than normal and prolonging the salmon run. The upper Manistee river provided visibility like I had never seen before – it was a unique opportunity to see the water in greater detail as far as structure but also the number of […]

With August coming to an end it is apparent that the Trico hatch on the local trout rivers has also come to an end. This time of year typically is a transition time where fish start focusing on subsurface presentations and streamer patterns but it’s still summer-like and the fish are still looking up and […]

Thanks to all who have reached out to let me know that you’ve had issues the website recently. It looks like the last update to WordPress mangled a few things on the backend. Things may not look quite the same as my Chief Technology Officer (Jeanne) tries to fix it. However all the usual content […]

June has arrived and usually the first of the big bugs on the river arrive with it. Isonychias should be in the fly box if you are headed out to the local rivers. Plenty of other bugs can be found on the water this time of year too: March Browns Sulphurs Mahoganies and Black Caddis. […]

Without recent significant rains the local rivers have dropped to what I refer to as full – not high not low. Water temps currently in the low 60s are likely to climb this week with some hot days in the forecast. Bug/hatches should intensify with that heat but I no longer predict hatches – picking […]

It’s the high-season for trout fishing right now. With warmer temps and the calendar in the 3rd week of June fly-fishers are hitting the water in increased numbers looking for big bugs and big fish. Like much of the season so far on the upper Manistee the bugs aren’t doing their part by showing up […]

It’s that time of year where darkness brings out the big bugs big fish and big crowds. The rivers are in good shape with a little more water in them than normal (2 inches?) and a slight stain compared to the typical clear low water found this time of year. Most of the local rivers […]