Fishing Report 9/12/25
Northern Angler Fly Shop Fishing Report September 12, 2025
While last weeks rains and cooler temperatures really pushed the salmon in the local rivers, the summer like temperatures of this week have the fish in a bit of a funk. They seem a bit stale after such a strong beginning of the week. Monday was one of the best early season days I have had in recent memories. Later in the week it felt as though they were on to our tricks. Bring on the cooler temperatures and some rain and the fish jacked up again! Trout fishing has really improved with the warmer weather and the fish are back up to looking up for terrestrials and the mayflies of fall. This will be a great weekend to get out and find some trout! Cooler water temperatures should get them going and the weather will be ideal for early fall terrestrials and small streamers.
The days are warm, but the nights have the chill of autumn and it is always a great time of year. Something inside of me sites and I cannot wait to be out on the water in October and November chasing shiny objects. Someone once said, “beware of shiny objects” and I did not necessarily heed the warning on more than one case. It is shaping up to be a great fall and the river temperatures are already below what they were at this time last year and the flows are still up over last September, but we could definitely use more rain.
Boardman River Report
The Boardman River has dropped and cleared up this week and did fish decently through the week. Most action was on small streamers and nymphs but there were reports of small foam terrestrials getting fish up with a skittering motion. Take in the early fall colors and give yourself a few hours on this gem of stream before it closes to fishing above Beitner Road on September 27.
The lover Boardman has a good number of salmon in below the weir. Always something cool to see when you are downtown!
The DNR has installed the weir below front street and soon the raceways will be filled with water and the salmon egg collection will begin.
Upper Manistee River Report
On the Upper Manistee this week, there was good streamer fishing early on with the higher dirty water to a better terrestrial and dry fly bite later in the week as the water dropped and cleared a bit. Streamer fishing should continue to work this coming week and getting better with any precipitation. There is nothing quite like catching a brook trout in their pre spawn colors with the hint of October on the leaves.
Enjoy some peace and solitude and do some trout fishing this fall!
Lower Manistee River Report- Below Tippy Dam
The Big Manistee came up to e really nice fall level over the weekend and through Tuesday after the rains last week. The fish were fired up on Saturday and Monday, but not so much on Sunday and Tuesday… go figure. Migratory fish are super moody. Rain and cooler temperatures are welcome, but in the meantime we will enjoy the nice weather this week and hope for a few cooperative fish! The fall prospects of good migratory fishing are really look ing great in the big river for the fall. I have my fingers crossed.
Betsie River
Fish are scattered throughout the system on the Betsie River and the fishing has been good, but just like everywhere else, some rain and cooler temps are welcome to keep things rolling right along. Look for the next rain to spark things back up on the Betsie.
Always interesting to hear the stories in the shop of the Betsie River shenanigans. Even if a quarter of them are true it is a circus to behold. The big fish of fall can really bring out some strange behavior in anglers
The Platte River
The Platte River has a good coho run going this fall. As of Sept. 10 they had just passed 4015 adult coho making it a total of 6342 adult and 977 jacks or juvenile coho passed so fat this fall. The Platte is a good river to fly fish on with a floatng line and swinging flies in the fall.