Early July Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - July 8, 2021

See-saw weather continues into July making just about every day different from the previous one. From hot to cool, sunny to rainy, the weather patterns have been mixed. Despite a number of rains, the local rivers are in good shape in regards to height and color. The thirsty ground absorbed a lot of the run-off keeping the rivers fishable.

The Upper Manistee has been fishing o.k. Like the weather, it has been different from one day to the next. Bugs/hatches have mostly been non-existent save for some Isonychias, Light Cahills and some remaining Hex. A few stones have been around as well, but mostly the two months of match-the-hatch dry fly fishing is behind us leaving the options for patterns to a select handful of dries. It’s nice to have room in my gear bag again. In addition to patterns imitating the bugs noted above, it’s time to think about transitioning into terrestrials and “twitch” flies.

To learn more about fishing the trout rivers this time of year, check out “Fishing After the Hex Hatch”.

On local lakes the largemouth bass fishing has picked up whereas the bigger bluegill/panfish have slipped back into deep water. They likely will be back up for another spawn soon. Nothing new here – fish the structure (weeds, docks, fallen in trees, drop-offs, etc.) for your best success. While top water is the most fun, something fished sub-surface on an intermediate line can fool those particular bass that are wary of fly patterns that float.

Good luck.

Ted

Trout Fishing – July and August is Terrestrial and Trico time! Start the day off casting to brook and brown trout
and get back to the family for lunch time – it’s a great way to start the day when in Northwest Michigan.
Learn to Fly Fish – Tailor a half-day trip to learning how to fly fish –perfect for beginners.
Fall Steelhead – Some good dates remain in November and into December.

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Late June Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - June 29, 2021

As July winds down, so does the Hex Hatch. The hot weather of mid-June got the bugs going early this year and relatively steady if not predictable, then the weather changes came. With the cool downs, I suspect hatches will continue through the upcoming nights, just not heavily, and spinner falls will be similar – sporadic and light. Then again, there is no telling.

Northern Michigan finally got the rain it so desperately needed and not too much of it like downstate. The local rivers (upper Manistee and Boardman) did come up, but not terribly, nor are they considered high. A little stain entered the river, too, as the increase in flow pulled some of the silt off the banks and pushed it down river. Water temps range from upper 50s in the a.m. to mid-60’s most evenings.

The cloudy weather has made for better trout fishing in daylight hours and some of the weather has encouraged some Isonychias to emerge; it’s been good to see these bugs show up again after a few years of sparse emergences. A smattering of other bugs are around including medium yellow/brown stoneflies (mattress thrashers) BWOs, Little Yellow Sallies, and Bat Flies. Because the hatches have been so sporadic this year, having your early June dry fly boxes in your vest would be prudent because you never know when an outlier might make an appearance. Some smaller streamers fished on a floating line can yield some nice brown and brook trout this time of year, too.

Bass and bluegill fishing remains strong on the area lakes. The largemouth bass are becoming more aggressive in their post spawn phase and the bluegill continue to feed both sub-surface and below. Weed beds near drop-offs and structure should be where you focus your casts.

Good luck.

Ted

Trout Fishing – July and August is Terrestrial and Trico time! Start the day off casting to brook and brown trout
and get back to the family for lunch time – it’s a great way to start the day when in Northwest Michigan.
Learn to Fly Fish – Tailor a half-day trip to learning how to fly fish –perfect for beginners.
Fall Steelhead – Some good dates remain in November and into December.

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3rd Week of June Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - June 20, 2021

As June continues, so do the fluctuations in weather. Thankfully the water temps have remained “safe” for trout fishing on the upper Manistee staying below 70 degrees for over a week now.

Hex flies have begun on parts of the river as have the Isonychias and, some Brown Drakes are still around typically at dusk. Other flies on and above the water include medium brown stones, bat flies, the last of the Sulphurs and even a great mahogany or two.

The weather forecast is calling for a significant cold front which should interrupt the cycle of emergences for a bit until normal temps come back again later in the week. Fishing will be challenging for most as you can’t hide in the cover of darkness when fishing in daytime when bugs are likely to be on the water. As it has been the case all season, really good presentations are required to fool these wise, educated and pressured fish.

Bass and bluegill fishing remains good on the smaller lakes. The bass are in a post spawn mood and hanging in the structure looking to eat, while the bluegill have gone shallow again. Weed growth is where it should be for this time of year giving you a great place to target both your dries/poppers and slider/divers.

Good luck.

Ted

Trout Fishing – July and August is Terrestrial and Trico time! Start the day off casting to brook and brown trout
and get back to the family for lunch time – it’s a great way to start the day when in Northwest Michigan.
Learn to Fly Fish – Tailor a half-day trip to learning how to fly fish –perfect for beginners.
Fall Steelhead – Some good dates remain in November and into December.

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Late July Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - July 23, 2020

We find ourselves in the middle of summer headed to the trout rivers in the mornings for the best fishing for brook and brown trout. Water temps remain cool in the 60’s as their spring fed nature allows them cool off in the evenings after a hot day. Recent rains have the river in good shape with a little stain to them but at levels a little higher than normal for this time of year but by no means are they high.

Mid-mornings are presenting Trico spinner falls and have fish selectively feeding – it’s time for 6x or 7x tippet and a pair of cheaters to tie on the #20 fly. Being so small, consider tying them to another fly to serve as an indicator to help track it. Smaller Isonychias / rusty spinner patterns have been good too, both in the evening and morning.

If you aren’t into the small flies then start to fish terrestrials – and think a little smaller than the big grasshoppers mostly associated with terrestrial fishing and this time of year. A mix of wet flies and twitch flies can also bring some fish to hand if you the surface bite isn’t happening.

Largemouth bass fishing has been pretty good on the smaller lakes when focusing on the structure of drop-offs and weed beds. Of course docks are always a good place to lay a cast up against. The bigger panfish have moved deep but the smaller ones are still shallow helping to bend the rod for those learning how to fly fish. A third round of spawning will bring those bigger gills back to the surface for one more crack at the slabs.

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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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

bass fishing, bluegill, fly fishing, isonychias, manistee river

Posts tagged "bass fishing"

Early July Fly Fishing Report

Late June Fly Fishing Report

3rd Week of June Fly Fishing Report

Late July Fly Fishing Report

June Flyfishing Report and Covid

Ted Kraimer • Current Works, LLC • PO Box 333 • Traverse City, Michigan 49685 • (231) 883-8156