Northern Michigan Fly Fishing Report

Hex Season

Posted by Ted Kraimer - June 27, 2020

It’s that time of year where darkness brings out the big bugs, big fish and big crowds.

The rivers are in good shape with a little more water in them than normal (2 inches?) and a slight stain compared to the typical clear, low water found this time of year. Most of the local rivers in the region are experiencing hex bugs at night – both spinner falls and hatches. But in keeping in-step with the rest of our hatches this spring, they have been as fickle as the fish – sometimes being there, other times not. Having some stable weather in the forecast should help make more reliable hatches/spinner falls, but as I wrote a few weeks ago regarding bugs, I no longer predict hatches.

There haven’t been too many other bugs on the water but to be prepared, you will want some Isonychias, Brown Drakes, Bat Flies, Sulphurs and Med Brown Stoneflies in your box as these have been around, just not in heavy numbers.

There seems to be even more folks on the water than normal for this time of year. After the three months we have all gone through it’s seems the water is the place where people can get out and maybe forget about those past three months – can’t blame them for that. Most have a smile on their face, are pleasant with a nod and smile, and even some friendly words rather than the territorial grunt of a hunter-gatherer typically experienced this time of year. Let’s keep that attitude going forward to help make it a nice experience for everyone out there.

Lastly, water temps are increasing so when you hook into that fish, take advantage of that 6 wt rod and 1x tippet and get them in quick and back in the water. Sadly, most of the local trout rivers are not stocked by the DNR and these adult fish are responsible for future generations through natural reproduction and that can’t happen if the fish dies after a 20 second photo session.

Good luck.

Ted

New to the Sport? Bass and Bluegill fishing is the perfect way to learn to fish after a quick casting lesson.
Tricos & Terrestrials – A great way to start a summer day. Float and Trout fish the Manistee in July and August.
Fall Steelhead – Some good dates are available in November – a great way to finish a fishing season.

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Big Bugs and Trout Fishing

Posted by Ted Kraimer - June 18, 2020

It’s the high-season for trout fishing right now. With warmer temps and the calendar in the 3rd week of June, fly-fishers are hitting the water in increased numbers looking for big bugs and big fish.

Like much of the season so far on the upper Manistee, the bugs aren’t doing their part by showing up, and as a result neither are the fish. It’s not easy fishing right now, but each evening we are getting a couple of opportunities at some nice, but selective fish – you need to bring your “A-Game”.

There have been quite a few different bugs on the water, just not the density that leads to good fishing. Sulphurs, Great Mahoganies, Isonychias, Caddis, Medium Brown Stones, Pteronarcys, Cahills, and Brown Drakes all have been seen on the water so bring your loaded fly boxes and headlamps. Mosquitoes, black flies and horse flies have been more reliable each evening. There are indications that things in nature are fragmented with certain bugs showing up early and others late; the other night we saw fireflies (early) and heard tree frogs (late) – a combination I don’t ever recall witnessing before. However, the Whippoorwill’s call gave me confidence that some normalcy still exists on the trout stream.

The bass fishing on lakes has been good and some nice gills are still near the shallow drops offering some good surface activity. Weed growth is helping to concentrate the fish as it gives them cover with the high sun.

With the high water levels on the bay, carp fishing has been near impossible and there isn’t much to report there. That and customers, it seems, just want to spend the time on the trout stream to forget about life for a while.

Good Luck

Ted

Trout – The big bugs of June are beginning for an evening of match-the-hatch dry fly fishing.
New to the Sport? Bass and Bluegill fishing is the perfect way to learn to fish after a quick casting lesson.
Tricos & Terrestrials – A great way to start a summer day. Float and Trout fish the Manistee in July and August.
FATHER’S DAY – Its almost here! Quick and easy gift certificates can be emailed for last minute gift ideas.

Early June Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - June 7, 2020

Without recent significant rains, the local rivers have dropped to what I refer to as full – not high, not low. Water temps currently in the low 60s are likely to climb this week with some hot days in the forecast. Bug/hatches should intensify with that heat, but I no longer predict hatches – picking winning lottery numbers might be easier and if I was any good at that, well, I would no longer be typing fishing reports.

If headed to the river, there are a bunch of bugs you are likely to encounter: March Browns, Mahoganies, Little Yellow Sallies, Golden Stones, Isonychias, Grey Drakes and Sulphurs. Mosquitoes and Black Flies, too. More on the the bugs and hatches over the next couple of weeks can be read here.

Covering the water with smaller streamers and lighter sink-tips is a good way to cover some water when waiting for surface activity to begin and is a softer approach as the fish become more oriented to a diet on the surface rather than chasing the triple articulated, swimming rubber-legged adorned pattern the size of a 1980’s tube sock.

Bass and bluegill fishing has been really good on the local lakes and with the full-moon, there should be some bigger gills up shallow having another go at spawning.

Good luck/stay safe.

Ted

Trout – The big bugs of June are beginning for an evening of match-the-hatch dry fly fishing.
Tricos & Terrestrials – A great way to start a summer day. Float and Trout fish the Manistee in July and August.
Fall Steelhead – Some good dates in November remain available for these fall favorites.

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June Flyfishing Report and Covid

Posted by Ted Kraimer - June 1, 2020

June has arrived and usually the first of the big bugs on the river arrive with it. Isonychias should be in the fly box if you are headed out to the local rivers. Plenty of other bugs can be found on the water this time of year, too: March Browns, Sulphurs, Mahoganies and Black Caddis. Want to simplify your fly selection? Have Borcher’s Drakes and Robert’s Yellow Drakes in sizes 12, 14 and 16.

If headed to the local rivers, you will find them running high and stained from the recent rains and high water table – it’s not unusual for that to happen this time of year, just not welcomed. Some warmer, clear weather in the forecast should condense a lot of the hatches into the mornings and evenings but with all the rapid fluctuations in the weather, it’s anyone’s guess when the bugs will come off. Mosquitoes are a little more dependable so have some repellent with you.

Lake fishing for bluegill and bass is ideal right now. Both surface activity and small streamers/swimming nymphs are catching both species as they are in the shallow and most are in a post spawn mode. A couple of pike are around too, so don’t hesitate to cast a larger streamer along emerging weed beds and gradual drop offs.

Covid-19 continues to put a wrinkle in guiding – stay tuned for more info as we approach the current stay home order’s expiration, potential further easing, and associated safety guidelines. We are still booking trips and will perform them if we are able to do so, refunding deposits or rescheduling if not. Your understanding of the situation is appreciated – believe us: guides miss being on the water, our clients, and the income.

Good luck/Stay safe.

Ted

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Guide Operations Still Suspended

Posted by Ted Kraimer - May 9, 2020

With May upon us, we find ourselves still under the squeeze of Covid-19. Anglers can still fish on their own or with members of their household, but in compliance with Michigan’s Stay Home/Safe order, not with others unless 6ft of distance can be maintained.

I have been contacted by customers old and new about the easing of the Executive Order and the provisions specifically regarding guiding/charters and have decided to refrain from guiding through May 28, 2020 pending further guidelines from the State/CDC.

Subsection 2 of the MI-DNR response to Charter/Fishing Guide Operations states:

” Limit in-person interaction with clients and patrons to the maximum
extent possible, and barring any such interaction in which people
cannot maintain six feet of distance from one another.”

I interpret this as near impossible to maintain that social distancing during typical guide operations in the confines of a drift boat. And guiding fly fishers is more than just operating a boat – there is a lot of interaction at relative close proximity. Beyond the spacing between guide and angler(s), it’s difficult to demonstrate a technique, teach a cast, or land a fish while maintaining this distance, let alone having to disinfect any shared fishing equipment, the boat, rod, etc.

In consideration of maintaining the mandated distance, providing transportation to the river would be in violation. Getting the car and trailer spotted could prove difficult and would need disinfecting before it’s even backed-up to the boat ramp. And how would you, the client, get back to your car should you have driven separately to the put-in? Lunch or dinner, snacks and beverages would be eliminated. Frankly put, a guided day on the water would be far from a seamless process in an effort to comply with the law and staying healthy.

While I have personally complied with social distancing/staying home and limited my shopping, the nature of virus still allows folks to spread it without knowing that they themselves have it. If I am guiding, yesterday’s customer could unknowingly pass it on to me and I, in turn, could pass it onto you. Not only is this irresponsible of me, but it’s unfair to customers. It’s a risk that can be avoided.

It is my opinion that the DNR’s response was more aimed and intended at guiding/charter operations in larger power boats where keeping distance is easier to do. I am not the one enforcing the law, or calling out those that are interpreting it differently than me, but rather explaining my position and reasoning for “patiently” waiting for a safer approach to getting back on the water with you.

Until then, stay safe, hit the rivers, streams and lakes yourself and take in what the sport offers; now that we are forced to slow down a little, it offers a great opportunity to explore and appreciate our fisheries and natural resources.

Good luck.

Ted

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