Summer Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - July 29, 2019

As August comes around, we find that the seasons are becoming a bit more aligned with where they should be for this time of year.

Trout fishing has eased up with less hatches to match, but with fish still looking to come up to eat a dry fly. The Tricos are like most mayflies this season and are running late and are just now beginning to emerge which should make for a few weeks of good August fishing.

Isonychias, Cahills, Great BWOs, and Little Yellow Sallies can be seen on the water when not fishing with terrestrial patterns like ants and hopper-ish looking flies that are always important this time of year. Some days they want movement, other’s they want dead-drift. On the overcast days, look for fish to be anywhere there is a darker bottom indicating depth/structure/current. Small streamers fished on a floating line is a nice addition to the presentation this time of year as they are twitched through likely seams.

Water levels are fine for the wading angler. They are a little higher than normal for this time of year due to rains but by no means are they considered high. Clarity is fine, too. Water temps fluctuate daily this time of year on the Boardman and Upper Manistee so factor that into your plans as fishing late in the day after a few hot days can be slow and stressful to the fish.

Lake and pond fishing for bass and bluegill remain great options for those who have spent enough time chasing trout and trying to please them. Some bigger gills are still in the shallows in part because of the late start to the season spared them from anglers keeping a lot of them. Bass fishing on top with poppers, deer hair bugs and sliders is a lot of fun this time of year when they come from the weeds or depths to chomp on your fly.

Good luck.

Ted

Trout– Terrestrial & Trico fishing for Brooks and Browns through August and into September.
Salmon – The Kings of September are running big this year – a limited number of dates available.
Fall Steelhead – October through December – a fall favorite for many. A few ideal dates remain open.
2020 Fishing Season – We are booking dates through August of2020 – don’t miss the prime times.

bass bugs, bass fishing, bluegill fishing on the fly, glen arbor, glen lake, isonychias, manistee, terrestrial fishing, tricos, trout fishing, water temps

Late July Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - July 20, 2019

As we get deeper into July we can look back and claim this year’s hex hatch as a strange one. It started much later than normal and when the bugs did come off, they came off quite heavily. With a string of cool evenings, some days there was both a spinner fall and emergence at odd times of the day complete with daylight. Now instead of fishing until the early hours in the a.m. we start our day early in the morning. I personally like taking the head lamp out of the gear bag and starting the day on the water.

With recent temps and the bright sun, the morning fishing seems to be best for the brook and brown trout as the upper Manistee can cool off overnight a few crucial degrees. Not a whole lot has been hatching as the Tricos – like most of the other bugs this year – are behind schedule. Some smaller Isonychias, Cahills, Bat Flies and Summer Olives can be found on the water with some fishing looking up. Have a few hex in your box, you know, just in case. Terrestrials are starting to get active on land which makes fishing “foam and rubber” attractor/terrestrial patterns a good approach. Click here to read more on trout fishing after the hex hatch.

Rivers are running a little higher for this time of year after some showers and thunderstorms which have left a slight stain to them.

Lake fishing continues for both bass and gills. Weed growth has really developed recently and has given us more structure to fish, especially the bigger bass that like to lurk. The occasional pike can surprise you and your light tippet when fishing weeds near drop offs, but it’s all fun even if it is short lived.

Good luck.

Ted

Trout– Match-the-Hatch fishing through June including the big bugs. Terrestrial & Tricos in July and August.
Fall Fishing – Salmon begins in September which leads to Steelhead in October and November.
2020 Fishing Season – We are booking dates through July 2020 – don’t miss the prime times.

2020 fishing seasons, bass fishing, fly-fishing guide, hex, terrestrials, traverse city fishing guide, tricos, trout fishing

Mid-May Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - May 19, 2019

The middle of May finds most anglers on the trout rivers looking for bugs and rising trout.

While some days there are good hatches (Hendricksons and Black Caddis) on the upper Manistee and AuSable, finding days when both bugs and rising fish are present has been maddening. With water temps in the upper 50’s I’d say a couple degrees should help make for more consistent dry fly fishing. As the days get longer, it’s time to take your fly box with Sulphurs and Mahoganies along with your headlamp as hatches begin to go later into the day.

River conditions have been decent but the days when the sun it out, the water is too clear, and the fish do a great job of hiding; overcast days have made for noticeably better fishing. When fish are hiding, it’s time to take your flies to them and fishing streamers with sink-tips is one of the approaches to do that. There hasn’t been a leading pattern/color/shape that has been producing more than another so be sure to mix it up to find any daily preference. Sclupins and chestnut lampreys are always good to start with.

Lake anglers are finding that the smaller lakes that tend to warm quicker have a few bluegill moving into the shallows along with some bass. After the long winter/cool spring, water temps are still cool and things are a few days behind. Largemouth bass are around, too, but are mostly preoccupied with their upcoming spawning ritual.

While there haven’t been any mosquitoes, look for that to change any day so take some repellent with you.

Good luck!

Ted

Trout– Match-the-Hatch fishing through June including the big bugs. Terrestrial & Tricos in July and August.
Father’s Day – Get dad on the water this year with a gift certificate for either a half and full-day trip.
Fall Fishing – Salmon begins in September which leads to Steelhead in October and November.

bass fishing, boardman river, chestnut lamprey, mahaoganies, match the hatch, sculpin, Streamer fishing for trout, sulphurs

Mid-August Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - August 15, 2018

The long and hot summer remains with us making for some challenging trout fishing conditions on the local rivers. The water is low and clear and the fish are pretty well aware of what we are trying to do after fishing them hard for a few months. The best fishing tends to be whenever it isn’t too bright out – mornings, evenings and the rare, cloudy day.

Hatches of Tricos are winding down but continue to offer some match-the-hatch dry fly opportunities mid-morning followed up by some terrestrial fishing throughout the day. Small streamers fished on floating lines as well as “twitch flies” are working too when fished subsurface.

Lake fishing remains good for bluegill as beginners learn how to fly fish and are ideal for those with experience looking to catch some largemouth bass. Weed growth – including lily pads – are fully grown and when fished near drops the fishing can be a lot of fun. Poppers, divers, sliders – all top water and just sub-surface presentations brings back memories of dog-days of summer and fishing lakes as a kid.

Good luck,

Ted

Trout – Trico Hatches and Terrestrial fishing continues – 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.

bass fishing, streamers, traverse city, tricos, trout

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.

bass fishing, bluegill fly fishing, manistee river, terrestrial fishing, traverse city, traverse city fly fishing guides., tricos, trout fishing

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Posts tagged "bass fishing"

Summer Fly Fishing Report

Late July Fly Fishing Report

Mid-May Fishing Report

Mid-August Fly Fishing Report

Early August Fishing Report

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