Unavoidable late-season fishing.

[limpy]

I usually hit the PM or Manistee or White for a week-or-two from Labor Day to the end of September, but this year I am not going to be able to go until October 6. Don't get me wrong, I would go if there were NO fish in the river (just kidding) but I was wondering if anyone else fishes this late and if there are generally still any fish left that aren't belly-up or covered in crud.
Thanks for any responses.
Limpy

[speyday]

You may want to give serious consideration to fishing the MO.....a late running river that usually starts up around then with bright fish; and not as crowded as the others most times.

Just a thought........otherwise, the PM will have all sorts of fish; some old; but also NEW fish. Everyone tends to think that no new fish enter the system after September. Not true. Try and stay in the lower river to intercept the bright ones.

[ee3]

Lets hope so ...I'll be on the water that day with a group from out of state (CA.-TX.) and the Guides from BBT...NO FISH NO PAY!!!! (Thats ok isnt it steve?)

[Jay Z]

Hit the Fly water last year in the first week of October. Found Very little people but found alot of nice fish in the holes. Lots of oldy moldys lying around the beds as well as in the holes but there was plenty of good ones.

[Steeldrifter]

I agree with what was already said, first couple weeks of Oct. still has good fishing for fresh fish along with some old ones, plus not as many people with hunting and such gearing up, and the chance at a steelie!

SD

[buttonfly]

I don't know how experienced your out-of-town group is, but on the first weekend of October last year I took my 10 year old daughter for a float of the flies only section. To say she had a blast would be an understatement. After the first couple of stops, she was sure to tell EVERY fisherman we met that she had hooked more fish than her dad!

Seriously though, the fish we saw / hooked / landed were about 70% moldy oldies, 20% accepable, and 10% fresh.

[bob421110]

we generally fish the lower river ( PM )the first couple of weeks in october. depending on the weather and season, you can sometimes find decent fish up to the last part of the month. :) my friends and family know that in order to get a hold of me in october they know they will almost always find me at the river fishing! theres not alot of poeple, but we've found that the fishing is almost always better since most of the good spots are just waiting to be fished. good luck and happy fishing! :D

[jmacroley]

Speyday is right on recommending the Muskegon. If you have never fished it, I would recommend a guide. It is very big water and is an incredible fishery. But don't forget to bring your trout rod! By living within 30 minutes from Croton Dam (the Mo), and 40 minutes from the PM, not to mention it only takes me an hour to get to the Upper Manistee, I am blessed with sections of trout water that are open all year long.

The Flys Only section of the PM is gorgeous in the fall and early October, and if you walk in around Claybanks, a favorite area of mine, you are going to get into some nice trout and very few fishermen, and probably a fair share of salmon. Fall is my favorite time to fish...unless I begin to think about standing in the PM above Green Cottage in December or January...or floating with mcflyfisher the last weekend in April...or... :cool:

[BrianF]

I have had some of my favorite trips after September on the PM. The Mo will have more and fresher fish due to the fact that its run starts later after the PM. Dont forget that you have the possibility of landing salmon and steelhead as well as trout on the PM in October!