Copyright 2009 James Marsh
Fly Fishing The Little Manistee River,
Michigan
This beautiful little stream starts from springs near
Luther and flows for about forty miles to Lake Michigan.
In its headwaters, the stream is relatively small with lots
of streamside trees and brush. It almost never floods,
rarely freezes and never is affected by a drought. The
trout are mostly brook trout with a few brown trout. The
stream gradually increases in size the farther
downstream you travel. At Irons it is about twenty-five to
thirty feet wide. The trout are mostly browns in this area.
From Irons downstream to Lake Michigan, a distance of
about twenty miles, you will find brook, brown and
rainbow trout. This is also the section of the stream that
is famous for its steelhead fishing. The river is much
wider, ranging from about fifty to seventy feet wide.
Salmon also migrate up into this area to spawn.
This river has a gravel and sand bottom. Some areas
have some silt and a good population of burrowing
mayflies. The entire stream is mostly smooth flowing
water with a few moderate runs and riffles. There are
lots of deadfalls in the river, undercut banks and deep
holes for the trout and steelhead to hide.
The steelhead are all wild fish in the Little Manistee
River. Their eggs are used by hatcheries to stock other
streams.
Seasons:
The season varies for trout, salmon and steelhead.
Spring:
There is a spring run of steelhead in April. Spring also
provides the best dry fly fishing for trout because of the
many hatches.
Summer:
Salmon enter the river in July and early August. Trout
fishing is good during the evening drake hatches and in
the cool spring water.
Fall:
Early fall is great for brown trout fishing. It is also the
time the steelhead come back into the river.
Winter:
November and December is the best time for steelhead.
Fly Fishing Guide to the Little Manistee River
Fly fishing the Little Manistee River is very diverse and
varied. (Click Here To Continue)
Michigan
This beautiful little stream starts from springs near
Luther and flows for about forty miles to Lake Michigan.
In its headwaters, the stream is relatively small with lots
of streamside trees and brush. It almost never floods,
rarely freezes and never is affected by a drought. The
trout are mostly brook trout with a few brown trout. The
stream gradually increases in size the farther
downstream you travel. At Irons it is about twenty-five to
thirty feet wide. The trout are mostly browns in this area.
From Irons downstream to Lake Michigan, a distance of
about twenty miles, you will find brook, brown and
rainbow trout. This is also the section of the stream that
is famous for its steelhead fishing. The river is much
wider, ranging from about fifty to seventy feet wide.
Salmon also migrate up into this area to spawn.
This river has a gravel and sand bottom. Some areas
have some silt and a good population of burrowing
mayflies. The entire stream is mostly smooth flowing
water with a few moderate runs and riffles. There are
lots of deadfalls in the river, undercut banks and deep
holes for the trout and steelhead to hide.
The steelhead are all wild fish in the Little Manistee
River. Their eggs are used by hatcheries to stock other
streams.
Seasons:
The season varies for trout, salmon and steelhead.
Spring:
There is a spring run of steelhead in April. Spring also
provides the best dry fly fishing for trout because of the
many hatches.
Summer:
Salmon enter the river in July and early August. Trout
fishing is good during the evening drake hatches and in
the cool spring water.
Fall:
Early fall is great for brown trout fishing. It is also the
time the steelhead come back into the river.
Winter:
November and December is the best time for steelhead.
Fly Fishing Guide to the Little Manistee River
Fly fishing the Little Manistee River is very diverse and
varied. (Click Here To Continue)
| Type of Stream Freestone Species Brown Trout Brook Trout Rainbow Trout Steelhead Salmon (Wild trout and wild steelhead) Size Small to Medium Location Western Michigan Nearest Towns Irons Season Varies according to species. See current regulations. Special Regulations Yes, Spencer Bridge to Johnson's Bridge fly fishing only - Most of it is private property. Access: Fair to Good Non-Resident License State of Michigan Weather National Weather Service Link Hatch Chart Perfect Fly Hatch Chart Fly Fishing Guide Hatches and Flies Fly Fishing Gear |
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Little Manistee River,
Michigan
Michigan
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| Options For Selecting Flies: 1. Email us with the dates you will be fishing this stream and we will send you a list of our fly suggestions. Please allow up to 24 hours for a response. 2. Call us 800-594-4726 and we will help you decide which flies you need. 3. Call or email us with a budget for flies and we will select them and get them to you in time for your trip. Shipping is free in the U. S. Orders over $50 are shipped Priority Mail. |