November 30, 2009

Small Manistee BrownieWhere, oh, where do the browns go? I fully expected to hook up with some post-spawners in the Sturgeon, but that has not been the case. Normally, early to mid November is a good time to pick up some ravenous browns on streamers or nymphs. But, they have eluded me this year.

I even made a trip to the Manistee “flies only” water on November 7, but could only manage a single hook-up with this 12-inch specimen. He attacked my Crossdresser Fry with a whallop, but turned out to be a lot smaller than his appetite.

Oh well, there are always steelhead to be caught this time of year. So, out came the lead and nymphs, for some serious “bottom bouncing”. Fall rains came at a good time, too, allowing me to up the tippet strength to 8 pounds. The stain in the river was about perfect for the last two weeks. Although action has not been exactly “red hot”, it has certainly been consistent enough to make it worthwhile. Hex imitations have accounted for the majority of the hook ups.

One thing I can say for sure, is that the steelies are running larger than normal this year. Typically, Burt Lake steelhead can be expected to run from 19 to 23 or 24 inches in length. This year, size has certainly made up for the fewer numbers. So far, this fall, I haven’t caught a steelhead less than 23 inches, with a plump 27-inch female framing out the other end of the spectrum.