The big holiday weekend

[Erik]

What a difference this year compared to last year. Got up this morning was walking the dog I could see my breath. Checked the stream flow guides and the big manistee river is running at only 66 degres below tippy this morning. Last year this time it was in the mid 70s.
Anyway should be a good holiday weekend. Hope everyone is able to get out and enjoy it.
Stay safe everybody and lets all have a great time!

[quest32a]

Too bad you aren't going to be able to make it up North this year Erik. I have a feeling that there are more than a few big uglies around with the higher water this year. The cooler temps should keep things going pretty good around here..... wouldn't hurt for the wind to switch direction either:D

[Splitshot]

All the rivers are much cooler this year. If it keeps up, it means that rivers like the Big Manistee and the Big Muskegon will be very good next year and trout fishing should stay good later than normal.

Very good observation.

[salmon_slayer06]

http://steelheadsite.com/content/flow_data.php

Thats where I get my flow data and river temps. Good site might I add.

[Erik]

Slayer, quite a few sites will link you to the USGS site. You can go straight to the site on your own if you want. Thats what I do.
This is the MI tribs page.

http://waterdata.usgs.gov/mi/nwis/current/?type=flow

[riverman]

The higher colder water this year is making for some outstanding fishing. I floated a couple sections of rivers last Tues and Wed searching for some scams. Three dropbacks in great shape were all I found in one section, but the trout made fishing for them difficult!!!! Another section produced one skam, a very large bow that wrapped the line:sad: and a trout bite that lasted all day (5.30am to 4pm) even with the morning starting cold, heavy rains, and a front passing. Slow and on the bottom was the ticket, even for the bows in the faster water. I also am thinking next year could be a banner year for quality. I was looking for some uglies in the key spots but the dirty water made that a little hard. Riverman