Northern Michigan Fly Fishing Report

Late September Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - September 29, 2024

With Fall officially starting last week and September coming to an end, it still kind of feels like summer with temperatures in the 80s. I guess, the summer of 2024 continues.

With salmon being a migratory species looking to get upstream to spawn, they have a biological clock that sometimes can’t wait for conditions to be perfect before they run upstream. The water is warm and the lack of any significant rain the past 7 weeks has rivers running low and clear.

There has been a steady trickle of fish in rivers like the Manistee and Betsie with many of the slower moving pools and holes holding pre-spawn fish as they look for water temperatures to drop before hitting the spawning gravel in earnest. Some spawning has taken place as has the migration of salmon fisherman and all that comes with it.

There is a mix of size classes – some small and some that are big. Seems that when you find big fish, they are just that – well over 20 lbs and become a real slug fest on the end of the line.

With the extension of this warm weather, trout fishing has continued to be decent for this time of year. Terrestrial fishing is still bringing fish to the surface but as heat stressed tress drop their leaves early and pine needs fall to the water’s surface on breezy days, it can be difficult for the trout to see a dry fly with all the debris on the water.

It’s a great time to fish a small to mid-sized streamer on either a floating line or clear sink-tip line for pre-spawn browns and even the aggressive brook trout that are all marked up with vibrant colors. With the trees changing colors and most anglers occupied elsewhere, you’ll pretty much have the river to yourself.

Keep in mind that a lot of the smaller trout rivers and streams in the region close to fishing on October 1.

Good luck.

Ted

Fall Steelhead – Finish the season with steelhead on the lower Manistee. Good dates in November remain.
2025 Fishing Season – It’s not too early to look ahead to the next year and get your dates planned and secured.

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September Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - September 11, 2024

The 4th month of summer continues with some warm temperatures. The forecast calls for even more.

Water temperatures on the upper Manistee are in good shape with the cool nights and sometimes, they drop too low, and you need to wait until the sun warms it up a little for fish activity. The problem is, the water is about as clear as I have ever witnessed and, well, sunlight, clear water, and trout aren’t always a good combination in Michigan.

Hatches are mostly non-existent but you should have some blue winged olives, caddis (#14 tan), and brown/cinnamon flying ants (#14) for surface activity just in case. Terrestrial/attractors are always a good approach this time of year. Below surface, try the real small streamers fished on floating lines or intermediate tip lines. Fishing pressure has been light but after a long season of fishing to them, the trout are getting even wiser so adapt you approach and offerings.

The lake fishing for bass and bluegill has gone quiet and likely will remain that way until next spring.

Salmon have entered the local rivers, but with the warmer water in the bigger river systems, lack of rain in the region and warm weather, the fish are staggered as they prepare to move upstream to continue their lineage. As with salmon come salmon anglers – keep the peace and don’t take the fishing that serious as they are just fish.

Good luck.

Ted

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Late August Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - August 22, 2024

The fishing in the region has avoided some of the typical slow-down that usually occurs this time of year thanks to some cooler nights and much needed rain.

The rivers like the Manistee and Boardman are moving along nicely with ideal temperatures and just a hint of color. Some days we need to wait until later in the morning to start fishing so the water temps rise above 60 and get the fish looking up and active. It also helps to wait until the dew burns off and gets winged bugs active. The long-term forecast says this should be the case for a few more days before we fall back into the August pattern of warm weather.

The Trico hatch this year has been a little more prolific than other years with decent number of fish selectively sipping them. The hatch has gone longer than normal but is winding down. The terrestrials are becoming more noticeable on the banks and therefore falling in the river from time to time which has some bigger brown trout looking to take advantage of that. It’s also that time of year you want to make sure you have some flying ants as they often start showing up this time of year and can be a favorite of both the brown trout and brookies.

Smallmouth fishing in the lower Manistee is also slowing down as it usually does this time of year when the first salmon start moving upstream. I suspect they no longer feel like the predator when fish 6 times their size share the same water. Maybe that’s karma for the smallies after a summer of eating baitfish?

Good luck.

Ted

Late Summer Trout – When the kids go back to school hit the river and have it all to yourself.
Learn To Fly Fish – 1/2 Day trips are perfect for beginners! Learn how to cast before hitting the water to fish.
Fall Steelhead – Finish the fishing season with steelhead on the lower Manistee. Good dates in November remain.

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Early August Fly Fishing

Posted by Ted Kraimer - August 1, 2024

July ended with some hot weather and it appears the start of August will continue with more of the same.

With this heat, the water temperatures in the trout rivers are getting too warm at mid-day and through the evening making for dangerous conditions for the fish. Until water temperatures drop (thanks to cooler night-time air temps) fish the early mornings for best conditions. Once the water temperature gets to 68 degrees, put the fly rod down or change species to target.

The Trico hatch has been taking place in the mornings. Clouds of spinners are falling to the water mid-morning on cooler days but when it’s warm to start the day, look for the bugs to be on the water closer to 8 a.m. With the lack of rain, the water is clear and the fish are spooky so make sure that 6 and 7 x tippet is fresh and you are light with your hook set.

Terrestrials and attractors are working most days and the small (less than 2 inch) “streamers” twitched rapidly are picking up some fish. Soft hackles swung in riffles keep fishing light and fun if you are looking to pick up some fish while keeping the technical aspects of dry fly fishing mostly out of the process.

Smallmouth bass fishing in the lower Manistee has been decent for those looking to cast some streamers for fish that mostly play by the rules. Smaller baitfish patterns seem to be out-fishing attractors and poppers, but we still have them in the box just in case.

Bass and bluegill fishing continues to be decent in the small lakes. With more weed growth, target the edges and lower light times of the day; cloudy days are best. Fishing big poppers for largemouth is always fun and seems perfect for August fishing when we get back to basics and enjoy the time on the water.

Good luck.

Ted

Trout, Tricos & Terrestrials – July & August offer fun dry fly fishing on the upper Manistee river.
Smallmouth Bass – Fish the lower Manistee with streamers & poppers this summer for fish that can pull.
Learn To Fly Fish – 1/2 Day trips are perfect for beginners! Learn how to cast before hitting the water to fish.

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Late July Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - July 21, 2024

Late July fishing finds us headed to the upper Manistee river in the mornings looking for hatches and spinner falls of Tricos for some trout. When those little flies aren’t on the water, we are using the larger, attractor/suggestive/imitative terrestrial patterns often tied with foam and rubber legs – its what I call the “Foam and Rubber” hatch.

Most of the larger, leery (and smart) brown trout have retired to the dark water and wood piles and don’t show up too often, but we are surprised from time to time – especially the overcast days. A mix of brook and brown trout keep it fun with surface activity and smaller streamers or twitch flies turn some good fish when the surface feeding is on pause.

Smallmouth bass fishing in the rivers is hitting its stride with the streamer bite being the best approach. Somedays we need to fish with a heavy sink tip but most days it’s fishing a clear intermediate sink-tip with baitfish and crayfish patterns. The bright attractor streamers seem to have lost their appeal to the fish but keep them in your box – smallmouth bass like trout and steelhead can be moody and change their preference without notice.

The smaller lakes and ponds continue to offer beginners an opportunity to learn how to fly fish with lots of action in an ideal skill building environment. Know someone that wants to get into the sport? This is a great way to introduce them.

Good luck,

Ted

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