Northern Michigan Fly Fishing Report

Early August Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - August 1, 2018

As August begins we find ourselves in familiar territory on the trout rivers. Terrestrials are becoming a bit more active in and around the bushes and grasses, Tricos dancing above and falling to the water mid-morning and wild brook trout outcompeting the browns for dry flies.

A mix of patterns are bringing fish to the surface with one common trait – they mostly have rubber legs and foam. Natural hoppers will bring up some fish at mid-day but it’s the smaller terrestrials that seem to catch the most fish before the sun gets too high. Fishing a trico behind a terrestrial is a great way to keep track of those miniature flies as they drift downstream.

With the cooler evenings the water temps on the upper Manistee and Boardman are still in good shape however the water clarity might be a little too clear as the fish are feeling vulnerable when the sun is out.

Bass fishing on the local lakes remains a lot of fun when working the weed beds and other structure. Poppers, divers, big terrestrials and small streamers are all worth tying on. And for veterans with light rods or beginners learning how to fly fish, the bluegill continue to play along and bend the rod making for a pleasant morning or evening on the water.

Good luck.

Ted

Trout – Trico Hatches and Terrestrial fishing has begun – it’s the perfect way to start the day on the river!
Stillwater- Bluegill and Bass fishing remains a favorite for beginners and experienced anglers through August.
Fall Steelhead – It’s Summer which means it’s time to think about getting your Fall dates. Oct. thru Dec.

Mid-July Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - July 16, 2018

With Mid-July comes mid-July fishing conditions. With the warmer weather and bright sun we are finding the best trout fishing to be in the morning or late evening when the sun isn’t so bright and the fish are out looking to eat. Mid-mornings are offering good hatches of Tricos and BWOs with fish looking for them. While the big fish aren’t out eating these small mayflies, we sometimes are surprised by some nice fish. It’s a great time to fish with your favorite 3 or 4 wt rod.

Beyond Tricos, look for Isonychias and Light Cahills to be the other flies on the water and more so in the evening. This time of year we move from matching the hatch to fishing terrestrials and attractor patterns with rubber legs. Cover the water – hit the banks, the wood, the cross-over currents and twitch those flies a little to conjure up a strike. Water temps on the upper Manistee and Boardman rivers remain in the mid to upper 60’s so get the fish in and back to the water quickly.

Bass and bluegill fishing on the local lakes continues to fish strong especially when fishing in the shallows near drop-offs. Bass are loving the poppers and deer hair divers above and around submerged and surface weeds. Fishing tends to be better in the low light hours but the bass aren’t as picky as the trout and often play nice all day long.

Good luck.

Ted

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Early July Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - July 2, 2018

The current heat wave leaves no doubt that July is here and limits our fishing opportunities. As water temperatures increase the trout become vulnerable to the stress of fishing and therefore we are limiting our fishing to the early and late hours of the day for their sake and ours.

The nocturnal hex hatch is still going on but has become spotty as we have already had close two weeks of bugs on the local rivers like the Manistee and Boardman. Spinner falls occur at dusk and the duns emerge throughout most nights. In all its been a good hex hatch however the fish have been a little more elusive and selective than normal.

Other bugs you can expect to find on the water this time of year include Isonychias, Light Cahills, Bat Flies and BWOs. A Hex emerger fished around the mud and muck might move some fish, otherwise it’s time to start using the foam and rubber attractor/terrestrial patterns that imitate little but suggest a lot. Twitching flies on the surface and below it might just get fish to play as they recover from eating too many big bugs the night before. To read more about fishing on the other side of the Hex Hatch – click here the read Fly Fishing for Trout After the Hex Hatch.

Carp are still around in the bay and can be found shallow spawning as well as post spawn and cruising. With the hex emergence taking place on the bays, having some weighted hex nymphs is a good choice. After last week’s full moon, tan/brown crayfish are a good bet, too. Some smallmouth bass are cruising the shallows, but the warmth of the water is keeping most of the smallmouth deeper than most flies can effectively be fished.

Lake fishing for bluegill and largemouth bass is fishing well. The gills are still in shallow after a second spawn and bass are lurking around weeds and drop offs. Most fish are coming to the surface for floating bugs but the bigger bass are coming on sub-surface patterns and divers. Fishing lakes either in the morning or evening keeps fishing light, simple and fun.

Good luck!

Ted

Trout – Terrestrials and Tricos are right around the corner – it’s the perfect way to start the day on the river.
Stillwater- Bluegill, Bass and Carp. With the best trout fishing in the evening, try fishing lakes during the day.
Fall Steelhead – With Summer just arriving, it’s time to think about getting your Fall dates – Oct. thru Dec.

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Late June Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - June 23, 2018

With summer Solstice occurring this past week it’s the time of year trout anglers stay out late and well after the sun goes down. The nocturnal Hex Hatch is off to a start on just about all local rivers in Northwest Michigan: The Au Sable, Boardman, Manistee, Pine, Platte, PM – it’s that time of year. As the “once a year angler” heads to the river, ardent anglers find there are more anglers to share the water with. And sharing is a good approach as is practicing the golden rule along with the golden rule of fly fishing – catch and release.

Before the big bugs come out you should find a smattering of other bugs on the water including Isonychias, little Yellow Sallies, BWOs, Golden Stones, Light Cahills, Bat Flies and maybe more. Hatches have been hard to predict this year and they have been almost as fickle as the fish that eat them but when the stars line up, it provides some pretty good fishing.

The fishing on the bay has been spotty – the carp are acting like carp making an appearance one day, gone the next. Water temps are ideal but the wrong winds can change that for a day or two factoring where to fish. Covering water is the best approach and hope for some sunlight to make seeing them easier. Bass continue to slip in and out of the shallows with some in post spawn and a prediction of a second round of spawning to occur shortly.

Lake fishing is good for those looking for bluegill and bass. Largemouth are mostly done protecting their beds and making up for some lost meals. The bigger gills seem to be around the drop offs and close to structure where dries work but a swum nymph can work better. Look for the lake fishing to remain good as more weed growth develops as summer proceeds. The smaller gills continue to be the ideal species for those who want to learn how to fish.

Good luck.

Ted

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Mid June Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - June 15, 2018

As we hit the mid-point of June it’s time to hit the trout rivers with a head-lamp for those late evening emergences and spinner falls. With the hot weather/temperatures forecast the big hex bugs should get going pretty soon. Until then, be armed with Isonychias, Brown Drakes, Stones – medium brown, golden and little yellow sally, Light Cahills, and the very last of the sulphurs. Consistent hatches have been hard to find this year but when we find them it offers up some good fishing with fish looking up. You can learn more about the other hatches that precede the Hex Hatch here.

With air temps rising, so do water temps – please play the fish fast and release them quickly for their survival. Remember, the MI-DNR doesn’t stock a majority of our rivers so do your part to help the fishery.

The bay fishing is hit or miss when it comes to the carp. Some days we find them and they are happy, other days we find them, and they aren’t happy. Then there are the days we don’t find them. Smallmouth bass have mostly come in to do their spawning, but some still can be found cruising the shallows. It’s best to hit the big water with an open mind – that is take whichever species presents itself. Carp are mostly in a pre-spawn mode unless you can find warm water that has remained warm for a few days – then they are in spawning mode.

The lake fishing for bluegills and bass remains strong. A lot of the bigger bluegills have left the shallows, but not all of them. With the moon cycle, they should be in again for a second round. Look for shallow water near drop offs for your best fishing. The bass fishing has been fun with smaller poppers and small streamers fished on floating lines.

Good luck.

Ted

Trout – The big Bugs of June will be here before you know it…. Isos, Drakes and Hex – limited dates available.
Stillwater- Bluegill, Bass and Carp. With the best trout fishing in the evening, try fishing lakes during the day.
Fall Steelhead – With Summer just arriving, it’s time to think about getting your Fall dates – Oct. thru Dec.

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