August 30, 2026
August is coming to an end but the summer-like weather continues.
A lack of significant rain has the local rivers like the upper Manistee and Boardman running very clear right now. That combined with a year of angling pressure and it’s apparent that the trout are getting wiser and warry. Although on the cloudy days, they seam to be a little more comfortable eating both on the surface and below.
The Tricos have finally pretty much ended (it could be a record Trico hatch this year – almost 10 weeks of them!) but there isn’t much emerging or ridding on the water right now. Terrestrials on the surface like grasshoppers and beetles are around and are best fished dead drift with some twitches. It’s the time of year when some flying ants can show up so have some in your fly box if you are lucky enough to witness this. Subsurface, try twitching some twitch flies like bead headed skunks.
The brookies are getting that bright color pop as they near their spawning time. And the big browns can key in on them so if fishing big streamers looking for big fish, consider patterns in brook trout color schemes.
Some Northwest winds moved and shifted some water temperatures and fish on Lake Michigan and some salmon have entered the local rivers which confirms that fall is around the corner.
Good luck.
Ted
Fall Steelhead – Finish the season with some chrome. Some November and December dates available.
Gift Certificates –Give the gift of time on the water. Half or Full-Day Trips and Casting Lessons available.
2027 Season – Now booking through August 2027. Be sure to get your dates and plan life around your fishing.