Manistee river MI
 

In Sept. a buddy and I are heading up to MI for 3 days of fishing on the
upper part of the Manistee river.
We will be wading so we will be staying in smaller water.
We are planning to fish in the areas between Mancelona Rd. and M 72.
We have never been on this stream, any info anybody has would be greatly
appreciated.

Manistee river MI
 

"Goat" wrote in message
news:G11Gg.1753$0J6.409@trnddc02...
In Sept. a buddy and I are heading up to MI for 3 days of fishing on the
upper part of the Manistee river.
We will be wading so we will be staying in smaller water.
We are planning to fish in the areas between Mancelona Rd. and M 72.
We have never been on this stream, any info anybody has would be greatly
appreciated.

Great river, deceptive at times in terms of current and depth. Sandy bottom
and lots of sweepers. September should be a great time to fish it. Ants,
crickets, and a local favorite called a robert's yellow drake should do the
trick. Fish it early morning or in the evening with the big terrestials or
streamers for some of the big browns or in the day for the michigan
brookies. If you really want a cool experience go to the Fly Factory in
Grayling or Gates @ Stephan Bridge on the Ausable and hire a guide to take
you down that stretch in an Ausable boat.

Manistee river MI
 

On 8/20/06 1:33 PM, in article G11Gg.1753$0J6.409@trnddc02, "Goat"
wrote:

In Sept. a buddy and I are heading up to MI for 3 days of fishing on the
upper part of the Manistee river.
We will be wading so we will be staying in smaller water.
We are planning to fish in the areas between Mancelona Rd. and M 72.
We have never been on this stream, any info anybody has would be greatly
appreciated.

Paging Wayne Knight. Wayne Knight to the white courtesy phone please.

(oops, I see he's already gotten his two cents in. Wayne, we gonna try to
fish that region on the way south from the Yoop?)

Goat, I've only fished the upper Manistee *above* M 72, so I can't help you
too much, other than to say if you head further upstream from your intended
area, you won't be disappointed!

Bill

Manistee river MI
 

"Goat" wrote ...
In Sept. a buddy and I are heading up to MI for 3 days of fishing on the
upper part of the Manistee river.
We will be wading so we will be staying in smaller water.
We are planning to fish in the areas between Mancelona Rd. and M 72.
We have never been on this stream, any info anybody has would be greatly
appreciated.

I'm no expert, but have fished it a coupla times. The campground at CCC
Bridge is a great place to stay if you're OK with no electricity. It costs a
tenner a nite, IIRC, and you may be sharing it with a few hunters (I don't
know the hunting seasons), but the morning views on the small visible
stretch of river are wonderful.

Best luck I had was last fall. Did pretty well tossing a hopper to the shady
shore line.

Have fun,

Dan

Manistee river MI
 

On 8/21/06 8:12 AM, in article
, "Daniel-San"
Rot13 wrote:


"Goat" wrote ...
In Sept. a buddy and I are heading up to MI for 3 days of fishing on the
upper part of the Manistee river.
We will be wading so we will be staying in smaller water.
We are planning to fish in the areas between Mancelona Rd. and M 72.
We have never been on this stream, any info anybody has would be greatly
appreciated.

I'm no expert, but have fished it a coupla times. The campground at CCC
Bridge is a great place to stay if you're OK with no electricity. It costs a
tenner a nite, IIRC, and you may be sharing it with a few hunters (I don't
know the hunting seasons), but the morning views on the small visible
stretch of river are wonderful.

I was up there last mid-September and it was one of the bird seasons.
Grouse perhaps? I asked Rusty if I needed to wear an orange vest and he
said no. About half of his guests were toting guns, the other half rods.

Beautiful time to be up there.

Best luck I had was last fall. Did pretty well tossing a hopper to the shady
shore line.

Mmmmmm.

:-)

Bill

Manistee river MI
 

"William Claspy" wrote
"Daniel-San" wrote:


"Goat" wrote ...
In Sept. a buddy and I are heading up to MI for 3 days of fishing on the
upper part of the Manistee river.
We will be wading so we will be staying in smaller water.
We are planning to fish in the areas between Mancelona Rd. and M 72.
We have never been on this stream, any info anybody has would be greatly
appreciated.

I'm no expert, but have fished it a coupla times. The campground at CCC
Bridge is a great place to stay if you're OK with no electricity. It
costs a
tenner a nite, IIRC, and you may be sharing it with a few hunters (I
don't
know the hunting seasons), but the morning views on the small visible
stretch of river are wonderful.

I was up there last mid-September and it was one of the bird seasons.
Grouse perhaps? I asked Rusty if I needed to wear an orange vest and he
said no. About half of his guests were toting guns, the other half rods.

Beautiful time to be up there.

Sure is. Spent some time up there last Sept., Oct., and Nov. (being a
complete bum has its advantages). One of my favorite places within driving
distance (from Chicago). On one of those trips, we were awakened by distant
shotgun blasts. No one else was fishing -- we had the whole stretch of river
to ourselves.

Got up there this past April, too. Also a very nice time to visit. Gawdawful
cold, but nice.


Best luck I had was last fall. Did pretty well tossing a hopper to the
shady
shore line.

Mmmmmm.

:-)


This week will be my last shot at getting anywhere for a while. Many plans
for the year have fallen thru, as usual, for the usual reasons. I'm already
packed, and spousal permission has been attained, to get at least as far as
the PM for Thurs and Fri, if I feel like driving a bit further, it'll be CCC
Bridge.

(Fingers crossed that I actually make it)

Dan

Manistee river MI
 

Daniel-San (Rot13) wrote:

I'm no expert, but have fished it a coupla times. The campground at CCC
Bridge is a great place to stay if you're OK with no electricity. It costs a
tenner a nite, IIRC, and you may be sharing it with a few hunters (I don't
know the hunting seasons), but the morning views on the small visible
stretch of river are wonderful.

Within the Michigan season, consider camping at the campground on the
upper reaches of the Manistee or the Guides Rest campground on the
AuSable. CCC always seemed too crowded and too much of the teen age
mess unless you're into that. Camping at CCC makes sense in the
offseason since the water from CCC upstream to M-72 is special reg and
therefore open to fishing year round.

Manistee river MI
 

William Claspy wrote:


(oops, I see he's already gotten his two cents in. Wayne, we gonna try to
fish that region on the way south from the Yoop?)


If you're up to it and have time. I just had my Ausable boat refinished
if you're up to being the first passenger I take downstream.

Manistee river MI
 

"William Claspy"
Goat wrote:

In Sept. a buddy and I are heading up to MI for 3 days of fishing on the
upper part of the Manistee river.
We will be wading so we will be staying in smaller water.
We are planning to fish in the areas between Mancelona Rd. and M 72.
We have never been on this stream, any info anybody has would be greatly
appreciated.

Paging Wayne Knight. Wayne Knight to the white courtesy phone please.

(oops, I see he's already gotten his two cents in. Wayne, we gonna try to
fish that region on the way south from the Yoop?)

Goat, I've only fished the upper Manistee *above* M 72, so I can't help
you
too much, other than to say if you head further upstream from your
intended
area, you won't be disappointed!

Bill

That IS where we are going. Mancelona Rd. is several miles upstream from M
72. I really am not planning to go downstream from M 72.
I was thinking about spending some time on Goose Creek as well, and trying
the area around Deward. (Three days will not be enough)
This will be my first time on a "well known" stream. I am really looking for
a great, quiet time. We are NOT going to be there for the weekend, this was
planned to avoid any crowds.
I am not asking for your secrete spot, but if you know some spots with some
elbow room that is good enough.
When it comes right down to it I have never caught a native brook trout, and
if I just pull that off I be happy *(well I'll be happy either way but you
know what I mean)*
I am not looking for a trophy brown but I sure as hell won't refuse to cast
to the browns either. (not unless they are from Cleveland)

Chad

Manistee river MI
 

"Wayne Knight" wrote in message
. ..
"Goat" wrote in message
news:G11Gg.1753$0J6.409@trnddc02...
In Sept. a buddy and I are heading up to MI for 3 days of fishing on the
upper part of the Manistee river.
We will be wading so we will be staying in smaller water.
We are planning to fish in the areas between Mancelona Rd. and M 72.
We have never been on this stream, any info anybody has would be greatly
appreciated.

Great river, deceptive at times in terms of current and depth. Sandy
bottom and lots of sweepers. September should be a great time to fish it.
Ants, crickets, and a local favorite called a robert's yellow drake should
do the trick. Fish it early morning or in the evening with the big
terrestials or streamers for some of the big browns or in the day for the
michigan brookies. If you really want a cool experience go to the Fly
Factory in Grayling or Gates @ Stephan Bridge on the Ausable and hire a
guide to take you down that stretch in an Ausable boat.


Looked up the Roberts Yellow Drake, and will be tying up a few before I
leave.

Thanks for the info. This is a budget trip with a total budget of $150
dollars; gas, lodging, food. (Actually 300 because there is 2 of us but....)
So I will have to put the Fly Factory / Gates on hold for another time.
But thanks again.

Chad

Manistee river MI
 

"Wayne Knight" wrote...

Daniel-San (Rot13) wrote:

I'm no expert, but have fished it a coupla times. The campground at CCC
Bridge is a great place to stay if you're OK with no electricity. It
costs a
tenner a nite, IIRC, and you may be sharing it with a few hunters (I
don't
know the hunting seasons), but the morning views on the small visible
stretch of river are wonderful.

Within the Michigan season, consider camping at the campground on the
upper reaches of the Manistee or the Guides Rest campground on the
AuSable. CCC always seemed too crowded and too much of the teen age
mess unless you're into that. Camping at CCC makes sense in the
offseason since the water from CCC upstream to M-72 is special reg and
therefore open to fishing year round.


We were planning to stay either at...
Upper Manistee River State Forest Campground
or...
Goose Creek State Forest Trail Camp
It will be tent camping and nothing that plugs in.
and if I can roll out of the tent and catch a few
while my coffee is boiling that would be perfect.

Any input on either site?

Chad

Manistee river MI
 

"Goat" wrote in message
news:1JuGg.23885$uV.11692@trnddc08...

We were planning to stay either at...
Upper Manistee River State Forest Campground
or...
Goose Creek State Forest Trail Camp
It will be tent camping and nothing that plugs in.
and if I can roll out of the tent and catch a few
while my coffee is boiling that would be perfect.

Any input on either site?

The only one I am familiar with is the Upper Manistee Campground.

To address all of your comments and questions in one setting-

Don't let the famous water thing intimidate you. While all streams have
different characteristics, they can all be "attacked" by breaking the bigger
water into smaller parcels. In the Manistee you don't have much in the way
of boulders but lots of instream structure and many shaded undercut banks.
Cast to the edges of each and you should be fine. The area near the
aforementioned campgrounds is one of my favorite places to toss a humpy with
a two weight and watch those little brookie make like little sharks
attacking the thing. I've only been stumped there once and I've been going
to the area for 11 years now. I've not seen any big browns come out of that
area but that doesn't mean you won't have a shot at one.

Getting away from the crowds shouldn't be too hard, the Manistee does not
get the canoe traffic the Ausable gets and that will be after school has
started. Even during the hexagenia hatch which is the big fisherman
attractor event in late June, one can find elbow room on that river. There
are plenty of honey holes so you don't need mine but it's only a hole in the
wall downstream from the yellow trees.

I forget if you posted what days you were going but I'm going to be coming
back through there sept 16th or 17th.

Manistee river MI
 

On 8/21/06 10:54 PM, in article MluGg.21113$u1.3859@trnddc05, "Goat"
wrote:


"William Claspy"
Goat wrote:

In Sept. a buddy and I are heading up to MI for 3 days of fishing on the
upper part of the Manistee river.
We will be wading so we will be staying in smaller water.
We are planning to fish in the areas between Mancelona Rd. and M 72.
We have never been on this stream, any info anybody has would be greatly
appreciated.

Paging Wayne Knight. Wayne Knight to the white courtesy phone please.

(oops, I see he's already gotten his two cents in. Wayne, we gonna try to
fish that region on the way south from the Yoop?)

Goat, I've only fished the upper Manistee *above* M 72, so I can't help
you
too much, other than to say if you head further upstream from your
intended
area, you won't be disappointed!

Bill

That IS where we are going. Mancelona Rd. is several miles upstream from M
72. I really am not planning to go downstream from M 72.
I was thinking about spending some time on Goose Creek as well, and trying
the area around Deward. (Three days will not be enough)
This will be my first time on a "well known" stream. I am really looking for
a great, quiet time. We are NOT going to be there for the weekend, this was
planned to avoid any crowds.
I am not asking for your secrete spot, but if you know some spots with some
elbow room that is good enough.

I've fished that upper stretch all of once, so I can't say much, but will
point you to the Linsenman book and say that the man knows of what he
writes. Point yourself to the stretch between Deward and Cameron Bridge
Road. Brook trout a-go-go.

When it comes right down to it I have never caught a native brook trout, and
if I just pull that off I be happy *(well I'll be happy either way but you
know what I mean)*

Native brookies are pretty much all I've caught up there. The lunker browns
don't seem to appreciate my tactics.

I am not looking for a trophy brown but I sure as hell won't refuse to cast
to the browns either. (not unless they are from Cleveland)

Well, you hooked ME! :-)

Bill

Manistee river MI
 

On 8/21/06 11:52 PM, in article
, "Wayne Knight"
wrote:


I forget if you posted what days you were going but I'm going to be coming
back through there sept 16th or 17th.

I'd like to reserve a spot in the boat, if I may. That is, as long as I can
also drink your scotch and cast your 'boo, Sugar Daddy. :-)

Bill

Manistee river MI
 

William Claspy wrote...


"William Claspy"
Goat wrote:

In Sept....

[SNIP]

I've fished that upper stretch all of once, so I can't say much, but will
point you to the Linsenman book and say that the man knows of what he
writes. Point yourself to the stretch between Deward and Cameron Bridge
Road. Brook trout a-go-go.

Brook trout a-go-go is exactly what i am looking for. I will be there!

When it comes right down to it I have never caught a native brook trout,
and
if I just pull that off I be happy *(well I'll be happy either way but
you
know what I mean)*

Native brookies are pretty much all I've caught up there. The lunker
browns
don't seem to appreciate my tactics.

I've been having that problem for years.

I am not looking for a trophy brown but I sure as hell won't refuse to
cast
to the browns either. (not unless they are from Cleveland)

Well, you hooked ME! :-)

Bill

!!!WHO DEY!!!

Chad

Manistee river MI
 

Wayne Knight wrote ...

"Goat"
We were planning to stay either at...
Upper Manistee River State Forest Campground
or...
Goose Creek State Forest Trail Camp
It will be tent camping and nothing that plugs in.
and if I can roll out of the tent and catch a few
while my coffee is boiling that would be perfect.

Any input on either site?

The only one I am familiar with is the Upper Manistee Campground.

To address all of your comments and questions in one setting-

Don't let the famous water thing intimidate you. While all streams have
different characteristics, they can all be "attacked" by breaking the
bigger water into smaller parcels. In the Manistee you don't have much in
the way of boulders but lots of instream structure and many shaded
undercut banks. Cast to the edges of each and you should be fine. The area
near the aforementioned campgrounds is one of my favorite places to toss a
humpy with a two weight and watch those little brookie make like little
sharks attacking the thing. I've only been stumped there once and I've
been going to the area for 11 years now. I've not seen any big browns come
out of that area but that doesn't mean you won't have a shot at one.

Sounds great. If I catch nothing but brookies I will be happy. Nothing
againt
the big browns, it is just not what this particular trip is all about.

Getting away from the crowds shouldn't be too hard, the Manistee does not
get the canoe traffic the Ausable gets and that will be after school has
started. Even during the hexagenia hatch which is the big fisherman
attractor event in late June, one can find elbow room on that river. There
are plenty of honey holes so you don't need mine but it's only a hole in
the wall downstream from the yellow trees.

I forget if you posted what days you were going but I'm going to be coming
back through there sept 16th or 17th.

We will be up there the 11th, 12th, and 13th.
This was planned on purpose to be after school starts, after the big
hatches,
after the holiday, and not on a weekend. The main purpose of this trip is to
relax, hang out with a good friend, and hopefully get in some good fishing
while
doing it. Originally we were going to go up the 18th-20th but my buddy has
an
appointment with a river boat, some sort of 3 generation birthday thing his
mother
set up and will not tolerate his missing. So we moved it up a week.
Thanks again for all the info. I can't wait to get up there.

Chad

Manistee river MI
 

William Claspy wrote:

I'd like to reserve a spot in the boat, if I may. That is, as long as I can
also drink your scotch and cast your 'boo, Sugar Daddy. :-)


yes grasshopper