Boardman River Salmon/Steelhead Fishing

So this is what it's going to look like on the Boardman in town now that the salmon run is done, I counted two people on Friday. The last harvest was 10-23-08 and the majority of the run has come and gone but there are still a few salmon around and the steelhead numbers will increase as fall progresses. The river also gets a late run (Nov-Dec) of coho salmon and a few lake run brown trout usually will come in too. On top of that there are always a few trout, bass, and carp hanging out in the river too. In other words, the crowds have gone but the fishing has not, pretty good combination I'd say.

Northern Michigan Flyfishing Report Oct 27th, 2008

Finally, we have received a significant rain which should provide more, fresh Steelhead in from the lake.

The past week’s fishing on the Big Manistee has been marginal with some days being better than others, but not where it should be this time of the year. So many seasons have been running late this year and it appears that the Steelhead are following suit. Look for November to offer some of our best angling. There are still some salmon in the river spawning and lots that have already come and gone leaving plenty of eggs to eat. Smaller, natural looking egg patterns are working best and the nymph bite should develop as time goes. Fishing near the dam? fish an egg and nymph combo with light line (fluorocarbon) as the water is clear. The good news is that the leaf-drop has reduced.

The Brown Trout are spawning on the Upper-Manistee where fishing is open year-round. Please leave all spawning fish alone to do their important mission of ensuring there are fish to catch in the future. The streamer bite should be strong with some fish on the pre and post spawn. Regardless, enjoy a nice solitary day on the water as most anglers are either chasing steelhead or at work.

Good Luck,

The Northern Angler

Northern Michigan Flyfishing Report Oct 21st, 2008

Steelhead fishing is still the primary target of those looking for hot fish, lots of jumps and a chance at holding one for a photo.

The warmer water temps in the low 50s has these fish hot-wired and they are simply difficult to get in the boat but they are nonetheless exhilarating. Fish on the Manistee have been mixed - “Super-Skippers” and adult fish climbing into the teen pound class. The best flies have been various eggs patterns in natural colors like Grapefruit, Oregon Cheese, Light Yellow and Light Orange combinations. Nymphs include caddis, hex and bugger variations. Water conditions are low and clear on all the local rivers and we are in need of rain to continue to bring more fish into the systems. The remaining Salmon are still trickling into the Manistee, Betsie and Platte rivers and each day and cast offers a surprise as to what might eat the fly. Hold on and have fun.

The Northern Angler

Northern Michigan Flyfishing Report Oct 17th, 2008

The recent bump in water levels should send a nice chum line of eggs into the lake and bring in the rest of the salmon and more fall steelhead. These eggs are the major staple of the steelhead's diet while salmon are rubbing gravel. As proof: not only are egg patterns working so well on fish, but fish are coughing up eggs that they have been eating. Other flies have been working include caddis, hex nymphs and black bugger variations. Coho numbers are down so far on the Manistee, Betsie and Platte Rivers, but there are fish in the system with some decent conditioned Chinook/King salmon among them. Angler numbers have receded a bit from the water and in their place are many leaves. The trees are just past peak and many of the trees have shed their leaves so be prepared to remove leaves from your flies often. It comes with the season.

Upper Manistee River - for those of you looking to get your trout on, the streamer bite should be pretty solid with the pending spawn season and ideal water conditions - complete with no crowds. Please leave all spawning browns alone as they are there to produce more fish for the future of our fishery.

Good luck and Tight Lines,

The Northern Angler

Boardman River Fish Update

Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day, give a man a new camera and a blog about fishing and he will bore the hell out of you for as long as you let him!
So the Boardman salmon run is still going, I was at the weir this morning and the totals so far are 2718 salmon (2700 Chinook and 18 Coho) and they have passed 10 steelhead. The next harvest is Thursday October 15th (tomorrow) at 8:30 am and the holding tanks are FULL, fish jumping all over, if you haven't been over there yet give it a look tomorrow. Kids especially get a kick out of it, some of those fish are bigger than the kids are! One of my previous posts has a link to a photo story done last year by the Record-Eagle on the salmon harvest, pretty interesting.
The photo by the way is from Sabin Dam, the upstream limit to year round fishing on the Boardman. Speaking of fishing, the salmon are still being caught on the Betsie, Boardman, and Manistee and the steelhead numbers are increasing daily. Early in the run these fish are HOT, they will tear you up, also some big browns are being caught on the Betsie below the dam. Fall colors are beautiful, fish are plentiful, things are good.
Kirk
The Northern Angler

Salmon in the Boardman River

So completely unrelated to the title, I love fall in Northern Michigan and I'm loving my new camera too! I was over at the weir on the Boardman yesterday to check in and see how the run was coming along. They were in the middle of a fish harvest at the time (which is always interesting to see) and my guess is the total harvest now stands at just over 3000 fish which is on the low side. I asked one of the workers if the run was late or on the low/small side and he said "both". The run is going to be down a bit this year and he didn't really know why, everything seemed to point to a good fall for the fish. He said that they will probably harvest two more times and drop the weir in about two weeks. He did point out that there is usually a late run that comes in after they lower the weir and then another small run of fish (mostly coho) in December. Add to that the steelhead that will be moving in and the river should continue to fish well right through the end of the year. Also, the mass of people usually move on when October is over so the chances of getting some river to yourself increase. So, the decent fishing opportunity will remain here in town for the next two months even if the main run of salmon is down a bit.

Northern Michigan Flyfishing Report Oct 9, 2008

Steelhead and Salmon fishing is definitely the name of the game right now. The Betsie and Manistee Rivers are still getting some new fish into the system including some Cohos. There are lots of salmon on gravel as well as in the holes around gravel. This week's rain was timely – we can only ask for more over the next couple of weeks to bring the remaining salmon in. The steelhead too will come with the rain. The steelhead numbers have been pretty good so far this fall on the Manistee and with the water temps in the high 50's – you have to do everything just to stay into them – this fish are strong and spastic to say the least.

The trout fishing continues on the Upper-Manistee with the pre-spawn brown trout looking to eat before they rub gravel. With the warmer day time temps we are in store for, the terrestrial bite should continue. You should have the river to yourself and have plenty of color around you as the leaves are changing.

Good luck and enjoy the great fall fishing.

Good Luck,

The Northern Angler

Northern Michigan Flyfishing Report Oct 1, 2008

Finally, northern Michigan has received the rain we need to kick-up the salmon run and bring in more steelhead.

This cool water and north winds will send up new fish into the rivers as well as move fish holding in the lower sections up to the gravel areas to get their spawning ritual on. The Betsie is continuing to fish well with a mix of fish on gravel and in holes and the very occasional steelhead hooked.

The Manistee’s run of salmon is progressing nicely; good numbers of salmon on gravel and in holes. A decent number of steelhead are being caught in the Manistee with more on the way thanks to this weather. A fresh steelhead hooked in warm water is simply the best fight Michigan anglers can experience.

The Platte River should be getting filled up with fresh silver fish – both Chinook and Coho salmon thanks also to this rain. For those looking for the urban angling experience in Traverse City, the Boardman river has lots of fish in it and still more near the mouth of the river at West Bay.

Trout fishing on the Upper Manistee is your best bet now that most rivers are closed. Streamers, terrestrials and BWOs should all be in your box for your best chance at success. After this rain and with our overcast conditions, streamer fishing should be awesome!

Good Luck,

The Northern Angler