Late May Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - May 30, 2023

As May comes to an end, it sure seems like we are in middle of summer with these hot days.
It’s been a while since we have had any significant rain leaving the trout rivers running low and clear. Thankfully evening temps have been cool which has kept the water temps in check, but they are creeping into the mid-60s on the Manistee, Au Sable and Boardman Rivers.

The bug hatches have been decent with sulphurs, mahoganies and caddis being the usual suspects. Clouds of spinners are forming in the evening but with rapidly falling temps as dusk settles in, they go off to the trees only to fall another day. Brown Drakes and Isonychias should be in your box as they can start showing up if they haven’t already on your favorite section of water.

Streamer fishing has been off with the lower, clear water so smaller streamers fished on lighter sink-tips or even floating lines have been fooling some fish. A lot of suckers are spawning in rivers so don’t hesitate fishing behind them for trout eating their eggs.

The lake fishing for smallmouth and largemouth bass has been really good. Surface activity with poppers has been working as the fish have moved in shallow. The bluegill fishing has been good too, just depends on which lake you are fishing. Sometimes smaller streamers for the bass are required on the bright days when the fish don’t want to look up and are fished with either intermediate tip and floating lines.

Good luck.

Ted

Trout – It’s Match-the-Hatch time on the trout rivers through June. Just a few dates to choose from.
Smallmouth Bass– Spend a half or full-day on the lower Manistee fishing smallies – June through Late August.
Fall Steelhead – November still has some dates available in 2023 – finish the fishing season strong.

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Mid-May Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - May 19, 2022

After two days of Spring it seemed like we went right to Summer with last week’s temperatures and weather.

Hatches are kind of jumbled on the trout streams (Manistee and Au Sable rivers), but if headed out, be sure to have Hendricksons and Caddis. Pack some Sulphurs and Mahoganies, too, because they will start showing up any day now if they haven’t already on your favorite section of the river. With the fluctuations in weather, there is no telling if there will be bugs and when – just remember warmer air temps are crucial for spinner fall. And for hatches/emergences, well, they have been showing up in late mornings as much as evenings so fish all day if you can.

Between hatches, fish some smaller streamers for fish looking to eat sub-surface. It’s also not a bad time to swing a wet fly, like a diving caddis. My car is covered with black caddis and green egg sacks from driving along the rivers.

Smallmouth bass are in a pre-spawn mode on the river systems and are eating. In waters where trout and smallmouth co-exist, there is no telling which species is going to bite your streamer next – it’s like a fishing grab-bag until you get the fish on the line and in sight (Hint: the bass fight harder).

Water levels are slightly low and relatively clear for this time of year but that should change with the forecast storms and weather to roll through tonight. Although we could use some rain, it’s been nice having these recent conditions.

Lake fishing has been decent for bluegill/panfish and the occasional largemouth as we come off a full-moon phase and water temps in lakes and ponds increase. The darker bottom lakes (or coves/bays within) tend to warm up quicker than other portions of the lake. This should continue to offer really good fishing for the next 4 or 5 weeks.

Good luck.

Ted

Match the Hatch – Late May and June offer dry fly anglers some of the best trout fishing of the year.
Learn to Fly Fish – Book a half-day trip with the idea of learning the basics in how to cast and fly fish.
Fall Steelhead – Although the Spring Season just ended, think fall steelhead good dates available in November.

bass fishing, bluegill fishing on the fly, caddis, fly fishing report, hendricksons, lake fishing traverse city, manistee river, smallmouth bass, sulphurs, swinging a wet fly

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

Early June Fly Fishing Report – Traverse City Region

Posted by Ted Kraimer - June 7, 2017

The trout fishing and matching-the-hatch has kept smiles on angler’s faces when they figure out what flies the fish want. This time of year on the upper Manistee, AuSable and Boardman River a lot of different bugs can be found on the water making for some technical dry fly fishing.

If headed to the river, be prepared to see: Sulphurs, little yellow sallies, medium brown stoneflies, Isonychias, the last of the light Hendricksons, caddis, Mahoganies, GSO/Basale, Gray Drakes and more. In addition to having precise imitations of the duns/adults, it’s a good idea to have a selection of Robert’s Yellow Drakes for duns and Borcher’s drakes for the spinner falls as they both do a great job of imitating many of these mayflies in those stages. Have some Brown Drakes, too. Check the batteries in the head-lamp and be prepared to fish up until dark as with the warmer weather the spinner falls have been going late into the evening. And definitely have some bug spray for the mosquitoes and ticks – it’s that time of year.

To learn more about the various bugs you are likely to see on the water over the next couple of weeks, read, “Trout Fishing Before the Hex Hatch.”

River conditions are close to ideal and already in the low to mid-60s but running a little too clear on those sunny days. The streamer fishing has slowed a little except when it’s overcast, then present your favorite array of streamers – as long as they are olive, baitfish, and/or brown.

The carp on the Grand Traverse Bay are just starting to expose themselves to the shallow waters but with the cooler spring, they just aren’t in shallow and eating much just yet. With a forecast of warmer weather look for the waters to warm further and provide some good but challenging angling for these mysterious fish. A few smallmouth bass have been in shallow on pre-spawn maneuvers so keep your eye out for these guys cruising as well as fishing any heavy structure that looks worthy of a cast.

Bluegill fishing continues to offer some really good fishing in the shallows and near breaks with protective males and hungry females coming to the fly. While top water spiders/terrestrials are a lot of fun, the swum nymph and very small streamer can produce some bigger fish. The largemouth bass fishing, too, has been good with a mix of presentations working.

It’s a great month to fish – don’t miss out.

Good luck,

Ted

Lost and Found: I found a fly rod and reel at 4 Mile Bend Access on the Upper Manistee June 9th. If you are the owner, contact me to identify the make and model and I will see to it that it gets returned.

Trout, Tricos & Terrestrials – Through July and August. A half-day trip on the river is a great way to start the day.
Fall Steelhead – From late Sept. through November, these fish will bend your rod like no other – get your dates.
2017 Fishing – Plan your year around your fishing – get your dates on the calendar, life will fit in around it.

bluegill fishing on the fly, borcher's drake, brown drakes, carp fishing grand traverse bay, fishing guide traverse city, hex hatch, manistee trout fishing, roberts yellow drake, smallmouth bass fishing, sulphur hatch

Posts tagged "bluegill fishing on the fly"

Late May Fishing Report

Mid-May Fly Fishing Report

Summer Fly Fishing Report

Early June Fly Fishing Report – Traverse City Region

Lost and Found: I found a fly rod and reel at 4 Mile Bend Access on the Upper Manistee June 9th. If you are the owner, contact me to identify the make and model and I will see to it that it gets returned.

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