Fishing Report 10/3/25

Boardman River

The Lower Boardman has seen a steady push of salmon over the past couple of weeks, with fresh fish still trickling in. Egg flies and beads in bright colors have been the most productive, especially during early mornings and late evenings. Warm temperatures and bright sunshine are making the midday bite challenging, but that should improve as the weather shifts.

We're hopeful for some much-needed rain, which would raise river levels and help bring in more fish. Now’s the time to do a little raindance—we could definitely use it!

Just a reminder: the Boardman above Beitner Bridge is now closed for the season. However, the water below the closure line remains open year-round and continues to fish well for resident trout. Keep an eye on the weather—when rain shows up in the forecast, consider grabbing your streamer box and taking a swing at one of the river’s larger browns. A little cloud cover can go a long way.

Manistee River

The Manistee continues to produce good fishing opportunities. King and coho salmon are running strong, with fresh fish still entering the system. Charter boats trolling near the river mouth are still picking up fish, a great sign that the run will continue well into October.

We’re starting to see the first signs of steelhead, although they’re still in low, scattered numbers. Most of the early arrivals are skippers, which is typical for this time of year. The adult fish should follow soon—hopefully with the next bump in water.

Upper Manistee

The Upper Manistee has been fishing well and offers a peaceful escape with stunning fall colors now starting to appear along the riverbanks. Brook trout are showing off their vibrant fall hues, and brown trout are feeding actively as they prepare for colder temperatures.

Thanks to chilly nights and warm afternoons, the best fishing has been midday into the afternoon. Terrestrial patterns like Chubby Chernobyls, Hippie Stompers, and Ant Acids have all been effective. Keep a close watch on the weather—cloudy, rainy days are prime time to break out the streamer box. Have a solid selection of flies in the 2-5 inch range ready to go.

Fall Guide Trips Available

We still have guide dates available in October and November for both trout and steelhead. If this fall turns out anything like last year, it’s going to be a season you won’t want to miss.