As a result of being unable to guide or fish out of a motorized boat due to COVID-19 pandemic, I have not been on the Big Manistee River since April 8th when I had my son out for a few hours. The colder weather that we have been having has the river temps in the mid-40s.
I would look for fish to be holding near spawning gravel or up on the gravel spawning. Using 8mm and 10mm beads should be good this time of year. I would try chartruse or brighter orange to start; but if that does not work, then try more of a natural orange. Lemon Roe, Atomic Yellow, Super UV Orange, and Atomic Orange are some of my favorites this time of year.
Stone flies, fry pattern, caddis, and wolleybuggers should all be working right now to if that is how you like to fish.
Hopefully we can get back out on the water before the steelhead are gone; but if not, then there will be some good trout fishing coming up.