Rogue River - Drifting

The steelhead action at the Rockford Dam is just about to heat up.  For those people who like to fish early before the main run, you have some room to fish using a number of techniques.  One of the ways you can present your offering to the steelhead is to drift.

In short - drifting is allowing your bait to enter the water above the run or hole, a spot in the river where the fish are or you believe them to be, and allowing it do drift through naturally.

This process is then repeated many times as you attempt to make the perfect presentation to the fish... or in many cases when fish are spawning - you invoke some defensive response to protecting their bed.

Rogue River - Rockford

Nick was enjoying time on the river, he is slowly learning the art of steelhead fishing.... ( learning to snag, pull, breakoff and tie a new setup on again! )

Actually if you are new to fishing for steelhead and you don't make contact with the bottom and feel the gravel, bumps and occasional snag - you are fishing too high and you probably are not getting many fish.

There are some exceptions to that, but most of the time you need your rig to be down just off the bottom to have much response from the fish.

Great Job Son!  You are learning.

Hung Nguyen - 3 Steelhead at St. Joe

On November 13, 2010 Hung Nguyen was fishing off the Pier at St. Joseph and caught 3 nice Steelhead by casting spoons. 

Headed to the River....

It's that wonderful time of the year, when Chrome is in the river!  We have a small group of people coming from central and lower Michigan to test out the Manistee River and surrounding areas.

More reports soon.
See you out there!

Fishing at Tippy Dam (north side)

For those people looking to be able to get easy access to fishing the Manistee River at Tippy Dam there is a north parking area and boat launch.  Many people also fish the south side of the dam but there is a steep bank and lots of steps winding down the hill.

The North side has been greatly improved over the years to include: fish cleaning station, Grills, benches, crushed rock pathway, stairs down to the riverside as well as a dock area with a wheelchair ramp.

Having traveled around many places, it is GREAT to see this area developed to allow special needs access.  There is still plenty of river that isn't developed between the Dock and the Saw Dust Hole for those who like a more remote feeling.

Overall this is one of the best locations for salmon & steelhead fishing when you consider all the options.

Tippy Dam - Temp, Flow & Heigh

Here are the current conditions for fishing Below Tippy Dam for March 14, 2010.

This information is pulled from USGS servers and you can also get updated information from the links on our home page www.hothuntingspots.com

Tight Lines....

More Wax Worm action

There was lots of fun for everyone, even with the smaller fish strikes were abundant.

Black Stone Fly...

A nice male taken on a Black Stone Fly.  This guy had the hot hand today with lots of hook ups and fish.

Wax worms drifting

Today many fish were spread out with the high water and they were feeding.

Brown Trout on the Manistee

It was great to see lots of people using the dock, which provides access for people with special access needs or parents who are concerned their children may drift away....

Lots of fish rolling on the slow water.  Best action was using a small hook & wax worm drifting with a bobber for the Browns.

Fish On....

The river was full of action today, lots of fish and Plenty of people bringing fish down around the bend with the river so fast it was hard to net before the boat launch.

Steelhead from Tippy Dam

Nice fish

Big Manistee River - Walleye

Today was a nice day fishing the river.  It is high and fast but for the last few days of Walleye season you have to love it.

Tippy Dam - Temp & Discharge (from USGS )

Here are the latest flow reports showing Temp and Discharge of the river.

LOCATION.--Lat 44°15 34, long 85°56 30 referenced to North American Datum of 1927, in NE ¼ SE ¼ sec.36, T.22 N., R.14 W., Manistee County, MI, Hydrologic Unit 04060103, on right bank 700 ft downstream from Tippy Dam, at public access site, 3.2 mi north of Wellston, and 5.0 mi southeast of Brethren

River Reports - Big Man at Rainbow Bend

Got a call from my "Desert Mike" and he reports that guys are doing very good on the river Plugging holes near rainbow bend and below.  The temp of the river is looking better each day and a little rain to boot.... this weekend should be great.

I am packed and ready to head north after work today and I will be sending a live report later this weekend.

Steel is in the River.... Tight Lines!

Big Man Updates

Got word from the river that fishing is picking up.  There are plenty of good fish in the river and working the holes with body baits or drifting spawn has been the key so far.

I am excited to be up there in person next weekend.  I will post more reports from the field.

Grand River - Grand Rapids

The Action in Grand Rapids is heating up and they are getting some fish downtown.  If you are in the area there are several good spots to check out including Rockford Dam, Grand River in General and Hysperia.

Good Luck and Tight Lines......

HHS Admin

River Conditions

The weather for fishing is peaking since Fall is on the way. It was very Beautiful as you can see the fog just over the river as it got daylight. Fish were swimming up river and it was very peaceful.

The Fishing was best in the early morning as the fish were not spooked and were moving up river freely. I have fished at night before and done very well but I always enjoy the view during the morning and daytime.

Even if you are not a big fisherman or fisherwoman, you will love the beauty of the Manistee river and surrounding area. These photos were taken at on Bear Creek.

Rain this week will trigger a big response from the fish and if you can get to the river you will not be disappointed.

Fish are beginning to work the gravel and the river is alive with the splashing sounds of 15 - 20 + pound fish moving across the shallow gravel.

Tight Lines...

Douglas

Bear Creek - Fish ON!

First off this weekend was GREAT! The water was very clear and low, combined with lots of fish in the holes.

I lost count of the number that I broken off.

Good Luck

Douglas

Salmon Dog

Well it was a great day on Bear Creek.

Plenty of fish in all the holes and everyone had action. I took a mid day break to give my dog Micah a chance to get into the water and cool off.

She is a young Lab and MUST go everywhere that I go or else she is heart broken.

She enjoyed the cool river water, but wasn't too sure about the moving water at first.

It didn't take long for her keen eyes to pick up the movement of fish and she was off to the races.

She had lots of fun as commader of the Gravel run while the Salmon drifted off to the holes and back again.

She wasn't very happy when she had stop playing as I prepared for the evening fishing time.

If you are planning to get out and fish... you should as they are in the river.

Douglas