April 11th
Prayers for good health to you and your families and may you all have a Safe and Blessed 2024 Spring Steelhead season!!!! It is all about the Steelhead from now thru April with the occasional Brown Trout trip or Spring Chukar hunt out at Thundering Aspens. Well we have been out getting after it everyday and for the most part things have been pretty good, we may have a few less fish than normal but we are making it happen. The weather is still playing games with us and is effecting the bite some days but that is something you have to deal with this time of the year. It is looking a little more normal for this time of the year for the next 10 days with more steady weather patterns so come on up and let’s catch some Steelhead!!! The fishing has been ok this past week on the Manistee river and the Steelhead are here but have been a little grumpy some days, it’s time for some new ones. The river temps have been dropping a bit the flows are about normal for this time of the year but both will probably be on the rise with the we are getting today and tomorrow. The water has a bit of a stain to it but all in all the Manistee river is good to go. There is a good number of Steelhead in the system with most of them holding in the holes and runs near their spawning gravel but not much sign of any spawning going on yet. We have been fishing the Manistee River from top to bottom and it seems like there are about the same number of Steelhead no matter what section we fish so covering a lot of waters has been Key!!! We have been mainly float fishing with natural and brighter colored 10-12mm beads in the deeper slower winter stuff but some days finding the Steelhead in a variety of different water. We have also been bottom bouncing a bit with Fly and Spinning gear using beads, egg flies and nymphs. The days are getting longer so the Spring Steelhead migration is in full swing we should have some new fish showing up everyday, especially on any water event. If your not into chasing Steelhead the Brown Trout fishing has been good on the Manistee River depending on where you go, Streamers, nymphs and beads will all help the fly angler bring some fish to hand and jerk baits and spinners will help the gear guys and gals. The Pere Marquette River is fishing good for Steelhead and there and some Brown Trout a being caught as well. The Trout fishing on the Upper Manistee river has been fair as well with both Fly or Spinning gear so choose your poison. It’s time to get out and enjoy what we have been given!!! We are taking bookings for 2024 Spring Steelhead and Summer Trout trips at this time so keep us in mind when you are making your fishing plans. We are also offering Spring Chukar hunts out at Thundering Aspens from April 1st thru May 10th, what better way to spend a Spring day than Steelhead or Trout fishing in the morning and chasing birds around in the afternoon. The enclosures are on our boats the heaters are running and we still have a days available in March and April so don’t miss out on the Spring Steelhead action. We are Thankful to be doing what we Love and we will be at it everyday keeping up on what’s going on so if you have a date or dates in mind and would like to get out for a full or half day on the Big Manistee River, Pere Marquette River or Upper Manistee please give us a shout. Real quick I would like to put out a Big Thank You to all of you that fished with us in 2023 and looking forward to seeing you in 2024!!! Thank You Very Much and God Bless!!!!!!! Stay safe and healthy!!!! If you would like to view more pictures check us out on Facebook @ Premier Angling Guide Service. Tight Lines & High Fives!!!
Manistee River Below Tippy Dam
The flows below Tippy Dam are 1680 cfs and the water temps are in the 43-44 degrees. For the wade fisherman, the fishing above and below the coffer and down stream to the bottom of Suicide Bend has been fair for Steelhead and Brown Trout. Load your vest with all the tricks, Streamers, beads and various nymphs for the fly angler. Crank baits and spinners for the spin fisherman for Brown Trout. Spawn, beads, nymphs will help the Steelhead anglers get it done. Think about the future of our fishery guys if you don’t need them then put them back. Help protect the resource!! Have fun and be safe, Bent rods and tight lines!!!
To check flows and water temps on our local rivers, please click on the USGS links below:
Manistee River below Tippy Dam
Manistee River below Hodenpyle Dam
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