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Posts tagged "bass"

Seductive Streamer Fishing

Posted by Ted Kraimer - December 9, 2012

Seductive Streamer Fishing Brown Trout Success IThe days of casting a large streamer to the bank and stripping it back aggressively with fish attacking in territorial response are diminishing.  Sure, fish still move into the shallows of low light and stained water, and even play our game some days. But years of angler conditioning has some of the larger fish a little smarter, or laying a little deeper, and often in more structure.

Always adaptive, we now fish with heavier lines and have developed even larger flies — heavily weighted and often accessorized like a Dallas Trophy Wife. While effective, this extension of trophy streamer fishing often goes beyond some anglers’ abilities and/or preference to fish. Considering there are more days when conditions include clear water and plenty of daylight, it pays to have an alternative approach — “Seductive Streamer Fishing.”

Tournament Bass Fishing and Trout Fly Fishers

There seems to be a dichotomy between the fly fisher and bass angler, but yet, the two have so much in common. The fly angler can learn a lot from the guys in the glitter boats, since they often have more at stake when fishing in large-purse tournaments and gathering sponsorships. They simply can’t afford not to catch fish.

Seductive Streamer Fishing - Bass Angler Crossover

Chris Sausman, sales rep for Shimano & G. Loomis,
applies his bass fishing skills to fly fishing trout.

If you have watched fishing shows on TV you have seen where large, flashy spinner baits (think big streamers) catch aggressive and often big fish. But if you have watched enough programs, specifically tournament coverage, it’s the plastic bait presentation (worms, tubes, grubs,  salamanders, etc.) that seems to be the bread-winner time and time again. Why? When conditions change or when fishing pressured water, having a kinder, gentler presentation is effective, especially when fish aren’t aggressively feeding.

How often do you get to the river after a cold-front moves in, when an east wind is present, water temperatures have dropped, or  when “sterile ditch syndrome”  sets in — when the fish are simply in an ornery mood, and you aren’t even sure there are any fish? Adapt your streamer presentation to get fish to eat despite these conditions.

Seductive  Presentation

Seductive Streamer - Target Rich

Pull fish from cover with subtle but seductive retrieves.

If you have ever watched a runway model move down the platform, you know they aren’t running, but rather walking and “working-it,” often seductively to garner attention and a desired reaction. The angler’s finesse of a twitch, the drop of the presentation, the erratic flutter and motion of plastics tends to seduce fish to eat, even when not in a feeding mood. Why?  Because it looks natural and is easy to pounce on without having to chase it.

This is where seductively presenting a streamer, slowly, thoroughly and with a lot of movement and action in and around structure or other likely holding water brings fish to the net – even when the heavy-handed approach of big flies can comes up short.

Presentation and Fly Tips For Seductive Streamer Fishing

Seductive Streamer Fishing - Lighter Lines II

Use lighter density & shorter sink-tips or floating lines.

Use lighter Line. Presenting these flies on lighter, shorter sink-tips helps keep they fly from going immediately to the bottom and allows you to dance, twitch and otherwise flutter the fly. Readjust and fish specific portions of the water rather than trying to cover as much water as possible.

Get jiggy with it.  When fishing shallower and/or log-infested water, I often fish a floating line with a bead-headed fly and longer leader (9-plus ft.). When accompanied by thoughtful mending of the line, this keeps the presentation vertical — moving up and down the water column (like a jig), as opposed to streaking across the river (fast moving spinner bait). The floating line option is also a great approach for anglers wading and switching back and forth between dry flies and streamers. Just remember to tie your streamer on with a little stronger tippet as the structure and size of the fish typically demand it.

Seductive Streamer - Flies with Weight

Fish flies of various weights and sizes
with lots of movement.

Work it. Often the flies fished on lighter sink-tips and floating lines are visible, so you can watch your fly and manipulate it by mends, rod-hops and short-strips. Work the fly as needed and pay attention to how the fish react. When you find something that works, continue that approach, and if a fish is following the fly but not eating, try small variances in your retrieve/strip to elicit the strike. This isn’t much different from the saltwater angler presenting to fish on the flats — “check” often results in “check-mate,” but it takes two to play that game. You want to be the one with the upper hand.

Don’t forget the middle. Depth and structure can be found in the center of the river, so be sure to swim a fly broadside and dance it through these overlooked  areas. Not only does the center of the river hold fish, but most anglers are programmed to only cast to the banks, leaving many of these fish unpressured and uneducated.

Seductive Streamer - Fish The Middle

This fish was caught in the middle of the river.

Go Slow in cold water. As water temperatures cool in the fall and remain cold throughout winter, fish are often lethargic and almost hibernating state. The slow moving fly that stays in their zone longer and looks inviting tends to be more successful than the quickly stripped streamer.  If you are going to serve them up something big to eat, make it easy for them.

Fish natural to flashy. Flies for this type of streamer fishing can vary from realistic patterns of a natural food sources, to suggestive patterns of multiple food sources, or to something bright and attractive that aggravates the fish. My go-to strategy is usually to imitate the natural food source first. Then, if not overly successful, go to something a little more provocative. lethargic and almost hibernating state. The slow moving fly that stays in their zone longer and looks inviting tends to be more successful than the quickly stripped streamer.  If you are going to serve them up something big to eat, make it easy for them.

Seductive Streamer - Motion Enhanced Streamer

Weighted flies with materials like rubber legs
or marabou help provide a lot of action.

Use flies with lots of action. Using a fly that incorporates materials with inherit action and motion is key.  Rubber legs, marabou, flashabou, soft hackle, bunny-bou strips, schlappen, wispy synthetics and countless other appropriate materials make fly tying limitless in design possibilities. Consider taking your favorite big-ass trophy streamer and down-sizing it. A well-stocked fly shop should offer non-tiers a variety of streamers to fit your needs.

Use weight.  Seek out the weighted patterns that incorporate cones, beads or dumbbell eyes. The jigging motion created by weight combined with the current’s force on action-packed materials is deadly. Having a few flies with tungsten weights incorporated can really help to get a fly down if necessary.

Seductive Streamer Brown Trout Success II

Add worm weights.  Take a page out of the bass fisherman’s playbook – add seductive lift and drop motion to the retrieve by using sinkers designed for fishing plastics. Slide on the line and let the sinker either rest above the fly (put a small plastic bead between it and the knot), or peg it to the line with a toothpick above the fly for even more action. The larger the weight, the more difficult the casting — seek the lighter 1/32 and 1/16 oz sizes.

Lighten up. You can still use the larger rods associated with streamer fishing, but the smaller flies don’t require power. The need to be more responsive and deliberate with the presentation often is easier with a lighter rod – 5 and 6 weights are ideal.

Change it up. Some days big streamers fished on heavy lines is really effective, but suddenly it can stop working. After your rotation of favorite patterns fails to turn the good fishing back on, adjust your tackle and implement the seductive streamer technique. You might find the fish are still on the bite, just not as aggressive as they were earlier.

Seductive Streamer Fishing Stillwater

Use these techniques for more fish than trout.

Fish stillwater. Use this approach when fishing stillwater – for more than just trout or even bass. Fish are fish, and the versatile, adaptive and observant angler is usually successful. Adding significant action near structure can result in takes for the same reason the plastics angler catches bass  — it stays close and looks tempting.

With streamer fishing really becoming more commonplace the past 10 years, it seems the fish have taken note of those big flies and have become less participatory. When faced with clear conditions and/or cold water, alter your approach. Adjust your tackle and target specific waters to work fish out of structure when they aren’t aggressively feeding. Slowly and seductively moving your fly in likely fish holding water can mean the difference between possibly catching an aggressive fish or just catching fish.

More tips for streamer fishing »

bass, current works guide service, fly fishing, fly pattern, manistee, presenting a streamer, streamer fishing, traverse city fly fishing guide, trophy streamer fishing, trout

Largemouth Bass on the Fly

Posted by Ted Kraimer - August 17, 2012

Largemouth Bass - Fish 3By the time July and August have arrived in northern Michigan, fly anglers have had months to fish for trout and other cold-water species. As the weather and water temperatures increase, it’s a great time to fly fish for largemouth bass in the local lakes.

While the Traverse City area does not have the huge bass found in the managed ponds of southern states, or as you might see on a Saturday morning bass fishing TV show, we do have good population  — some over the 5-pound mark.

Being a versatile angler (fishing slowly retrieved nymphs, streamers on a sink-tip or casting bulky poppers) will not increase the odds of finding what the fish are in the mood for, but it will make you a better fly angler regardless of the species you pursue in the future — it’s a great way to improve while having fun.

Structure

Largemouth Bass - Structure

Target Weed Beds, Wood & Drop-Offs

Structure is a great place to start looking for bass, as it is for just about any species of fish. The increased weed growth, swim platforms and docks found on most lake edges are a great place to start.

Large mats of lily pads and other aquatic weeds are a good place to focus.  When the weeds are close or adjacent to drop-offs, another form of structure, it’s that much more likely you will find the bigger, more predatory bass. This cover not only provides safety from larger predators (osprey, eagles, loons, pike, anglers), it more importantly serves as a place where they can eat smaller fish, insects and other food sources.  In low light, look for fish to become a little more bold, moving into shallower water and flats to eat minnow and other baitfish.

Flies for Largemouth Bass

Largemouth Bass - Flies

Poppers and Chuggers = Surface Fun

Some like it on top, others like it down low. Both the bass and the bass angler have preferences, and it’s up to the angler to either figure out what the fish are in the mood for or how they, as anglers, want to fish that particular day. Personally, there is nothing better than chugging a popper near lily pads only to have it inhaled by a bass.

But like most fishing, bass may want a different presentation, and the versatile angler equipped with various fly styles will be able to adapt to the fish’s preference. Sliders and diving flies fished on either a floating line or clear sink-tip are a nice mix as long, slow strips swims the fly from the surface, down and back up covering more of the water column.

Classic streamers like weighted wooly buggers slowly retrieved do a great job of imitating leeches, and have taken their fair share of fish. So have larger, streamer patterns that look like natural baitfish stripped along the weed bed and/or drop off.

The big popper with rubber legs on the surface, Sneaky Pete’s, frogs, crawfish, small poppers, dragon and damsel flies (both nymph and adult) an assortment of streamers all deserve a place in your fly box.

Equipment

Largemouth Bass - Close up

Casting Bulky Flies Requires the Right Equipment

The versatile angler will have both a floating and a sink-tip line to meet the demands of the fish. Specialty tapers for bass exist, but I have found some other lines that I feel perform better: Scientific Angler’s Magnum and Titan tapers and Rio’s Outbound fly lines are a joy to cast.

Reels don’t necessarily need to have the most advanced drag system, as the bass aren’t like a steelhead and we are not protecting light tippets  — reels simply serve as line holders.

Leaders are more important than most anglers recognize — the tapper and stiffness of a leader trying to carry and turn over a large, wind-resistant fly is crucial; while we aren’t catching 12-pound bass, we often need that much stiffness and mass to cast the fly well and to muscle fish in and out of weed beds. Look for tapered leaders formulated for bass or even saltwater species.

Rod size varies, but most will find  6- and 7-weight rods, 9-feet in length, are ideal. Some anglers choose to have some fun with the smaller rods for a “ultra-light” approach, where the serious big-fly and heavy-cover angler might opt for the power and efficiency of an 8-weight. Manufacturers like Sage, Redington and Scott have developed rods specifically for warm-water fishing with unique lengths and tapers you might consider if you really get into this type of fishing. Just remember, the best rod is the rod you cast best.

Timing

Largemouth Bass - Sunset

Morning, Noon or Night - Catch Largemouth Anytime

Some times are better to fish for bass than others, but anytime you can get out and fish is a good time. One of the advantages to fishing largemouth is that they are typically accessible and eager to eat at all times of the day.

Some days the best surface fishing is twilight — the time when the sun has gone over the tree line. Other days, after a cool front has moved through, the sun brings them out and gets them active. Often early mornings are good, too, for the same reason as twilight. During the summer, the daytime temperature forecast is usually what helps me and my customers  decide when is best to fish — after all — it’s about getting on the water to fish, having some fun and catching.

Seasonally the bass move from the deep water into shallower, more “fly-angler-friendly” depths in May and can be caught through September.  To me, anytime you can catch fish is a good time, but when the trout fishing has slowed or you are looking to mix it up, give bass on a fly rod a chance.

Spending my formative angling years using spinning rod chasing bass, I see July and August as time to reconnect with those early fishing memories of northern Michigan lakes using a fly rod – try it yourself if you haven’t yet.

bass, fishing, fly fishing, fly rod, largemouth bass fishing, traverse city

August Trout, Bluegill, Small and Largemouth Bass

Posted by Ted Kraimer - August 5, 2012

With some cooler weather and intermittent rains, trout fishing conditions have improved and so has fishing. The upper-Manistee continues to fish well in the low-light of mornings with decent trico hatches. When no bugs are present, the foam and rubber leg terrestrial and attractor patterns like Chernobyl Ants and Grasshoppers have been catching fish. Beetles have been fishing better lately as have small flying ants. Dropper nymph rigs have been taking some fish in the deeper slots and holes. Focus on shade and structure. The Boardman has been running warm but early mornings on this local river are giving up some fish on the same flies listed above.

Largemouth bass and bluegill remain fun targets on local lakes for those looking to fish at all times of the day. More frogs, it seems, are around  and the bigger bass are taking note. Lily pads, weed beds  and other heavy cover/structure are great places to target with frog patterns and other poppers, sliders and divers.  Bluegill are pretty much throughout the lakes  with the bigger fish found deep where nymphs and small streamers like damsels and leeches are working when sunk on a long leader and slowly striped back.

Smallmouth bass fishing on the lower Manistee remains an option for those willing to cast streamers on sink-tips. Baitfish patterns have been working best and look for the crayfish bite to increase.  In low-light and shadows, try poppers for surface action, but look for the sub-surface presentation to be most effective. A few salmon have slipped into the river so should your baitfish streamer get slammed – hold on tight to that 6 or 7 weight rod.

Good luck,

Ted

Trout: Terrestrials & Trico hatches in  August – start your mornings off on a cool, quiet trout stream.
Salmon: The end of August begins our salmon season extending through September. Limited dates available.
Steelhead: The end of September means it’s time to focus on fall steelhead – extending though November
Booking for all 2012 Seasons and through June 2013 – reserve your place in the boat

bass, boardman, fly fishing the manistee river, grasshoppers, largemouth bass, salmon, smallmouth bass, terrestrial fishing, trout

Early June Fly Fishing – Lots Going On

Posted by Ted Kraimer - June 7, 2012

After last weekend’s rain, river levels are full and returning to normal levels.  The Upper  Manistee is in good shape, the Lower Manistee is still on the high side with an ideal stain, the Boardman is running full and the Au Sable is back to normal. The flush of water made for good streamer fishing and with the forecast heat, the dry fly fishing should ramp up after a cool period with very sporadic hatches.

Look for Isonychias to build in numbers as well as a mix of other bugs including: Brown Drakes, March Browns, the last of the Sulphurs, Yellow/Golden Stone Flies (#10), Bat Flies and Mahoganies. When the days are hot and temps stay warm into dark, look for the hatches to be condensed into a short window  near dusk.  In other words, bring your headlamp and walk back to the car in the dark after fishing until dark. Because of our mild winter, warm March and otherwise odd weather this Spring – the timing and predictability of hatches has been off. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to have a few hex and gray drake patterns in your box should this warm weather inspire a few bugs to show up early.

{A few years ago I wrote an article pertaining to trout fishing in the weeks leading up to the Hex hatch – you can read it by clicking here.}

Carp fishing on the bay has been very mixed as the fish haven’t been nearly as predictable as they normally are this time of year. With a few fish showing signs of spawning the past few days, look for this warm weather to ramp up fish numbers and spawning activity in the shallow flats. Plan to cover a lot of ground to find fish willing to play along and be armed with the usual patterns: hex nymphs, crayfish, Clouser minnows and b.h. black wooly buggers. While the carp fishing hasn’t been up to par, the smallmouth bass fishing has been solid with small minnow/baitfish patterns working well.

Bass and Bluegill fishing  continues on the smaller lakes  and with a lot of the spawning done, males protecting nests have brought aggressive behavior  as well as from the females looking to eat, too. Look for deeper breaks and drop offs to produce the bigger bluegills/panfish. The popper fishing has improved however the small streamer and nymph/dry combo has been most effective mostly because it allows us to fish deeper water.

Good Luck,

Ted

– Upcoming Fishing Seasons –

 Trout: Fishing with streamers and dries. Don’t forget the Big Bugs – Drakes, Isonychias and Hex.
Carp and Smallmouth Bass on Grand Traverse Bays – find out why this has become a favorite of many anglers.
Terrestrials & Trico hatches in the Months of July & August – start your mornings off on a cool, quiet trout stream.
Booking for all 2012 Seasons – Some Fall Salmon and Steelhead Dates Remain Open

ausable, bass, bat flies, boardman, brown drakes, fly fishing, grand traverse bay, hatches, hex, hex hatch, manistee, manistee river, smallmouth bass, streamer fishing

Weather – Ups and Downs

Posted by Ted Kraimer - May 31, 2012

Addendum
After over 40 hours of rain spanning Friday into Sunday the region received significant rainfall. Anglers will find local rivers running high and stained for a while. Be careful wading and for up to date river conditions you can click on the USGS Michigan Streamflow Conditions

The weather has had its ups and downs the past week and as a result the fishing has followed suit.  While last week’s heat had condensed the hatches and dry fly fishing into the final 15 minute of each day and into dark , the cooler weather this week has slowed things down. The good news is we got some much needed rain in our rivers and water temperatures have stopped warming rapidly.

While the dry fly fishing had been decent on the Upper Manistee, AuSable and Boardman Rivers, the bug’s emergence and spinner falls have become difficult to peg. Brown Drakes, Sulphurs, March Browns, Mahoganies and stone flies have been  on and hovering over the water but the past few days not so many.  Typically the evenings are a good time for spinner falls and emergences, however with the cold front upon us, look for late mornings and mid-afternoons to be a time for sporadic hatches. As the more seasonable temps return, look for typical emergence/spinner fall behavior to return and the trout to take notice. The good news is this weather and the rain we received improves streamer fishing conditions.

Fishing below Tippy Dam on the Manistee has been off a little due to the carp in the river spawning. Targeting the trout with nymph rigs downstream of the carp has paid off but it still isn’t what it should be as the fish are keyed in on a heavy supply of eggs. Streamer fishing  the first couple of miles downstream of the dam is a good way to cover water and find those larger, more aggressive fish.  The crayfish have molted recently are soft-shelled making them a good pattern to have along with your other favorite streamer patterns fished on sink-tips.

The Carp and Smallmouth fishing has been mixed with Smallmouth Bass offering the more consistent fishing. With the heavy winds, changing temperatures and storm fronts, the carp are more than ornery and aren’t on their predictable schedule of time and place like they were in last week’s heat. A lot of moving around and careful attention by anglers is necessary to get a shot or two at the “Golden Bones” of West and East Grand Traverse Bay. While looking for carp, keep an eye out for the smaller, but still fun smallmouth bass cruising around.

Lake and Pond fishing continues to offer good fishing for the bluegill and bass angler. Also affected by the fluctuations in weather some days have simply been better than others with these species. The surface fishing hasn’t been as good  as normal so consider swimming nymphs and small streamers sub-surface for improved results.

Good Luck,

Ted

– Upcoming Fishing Seasons –

 Trout: Fishing with streamers and dries. Don’t forget the Big Bugs – Drakes, Isonychias and Hex.
Carp and Smallmouth Bass on Grand Traverse Bays – find out why this has become a favorite of many anglers.
Terrestrials & Trico hatches in the Months of July & August – start your mornings off on a cool, quiet trout stream.
Booking for all 2012 Seasons – Some Fall Salmon and Steelhead Dates Remain Open

 

ausable, bass, boardman, brown drakes, carp, golden bones, grand traverse bay, manistee, trout fishing
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