Flyfishing The Manistee River In Michigan

It's been a week since my camping trip to the Manistee River in Michigan. Because of the warm weather the salmon had not really started their run in large numbers. We were able to land one nice 32 inch King and lost another after a long strong run. The weather was beautiful 70's during the day and mid 50's t night. I can tell you that large quantities of adult beverages were consumed that week.

We also saw a variety of wildlife, deer, bobcats, wild turkey and bald eagles. I had the opportunity to visit the town of Manistee and Lundford. I was particularly impressed with the flower lined main street of Lundsford and it's small town beauty. I can also testify to the great burgers at Michael's downtown.

If you ever have the opportunity to visit this beautiful part of the country I highly recommend it. The pictures are of myself fly fishing in the Little Manistee and myself, and two brother in laws Steve and Mike. There is also a group shot of myself with from left Mike, Gordon and Steve.

On My Way To The Manistee

The Manistee River in Michigan, runs approximately 232 miles through the northern Lower Peninsula, through the villages of Sharon, Smithville, Mesick, and enters Lake Michigan at Manistee. It is considered, like the nearby Au Sable River, to be one of the best trout fisheries east of the Rockies. The river rises in the sand hills in southeastern Antrim County, on the border with Otsego County, about six miles southeast of the town of Alba. These deep glacial sands provide it with a remarkably stable flow of clean cold water year round, making it a popular river for fishing as well as canoeing. Over the course of its length, it drops in elevation from around 1300 feet to 582 feet, with an average stream gradient of about 2.9 feet per mile.

I'll be fly fishing mostly for steelhead with my wifes brothers Mike, Steve and Gordon. This is my first trip to the area and targeting steelhead. If anyone has any tips please post them ASAP. My brothers in law are great guys and I'm looking forward the fishing, bullshiting, and drinking. But most of all I'm looking forward to getting away and just relaxing for a while.