Posts tagged "boardman river"

Steelhead Season Continues as Trout Season Begins

Posted by Ted Kraimer - April 21, 2015

Fishing pretty much has remained the same – it’s been inconsistent. One day we find a bunch of fish, the next – a few, then fewer and back to a bunch again – you just don’t know. On both the Manistee and Betsie the steelhead have been coming and going pretty quickly. A few drop backs have been caught as the females head back to the lake after their deed is complete and those same, big, deep holes that have been holding them have also been holding some fresh fish waiting to hit the gravel. Fish are spawning on both river systems but not in the numbers we are used to.

Because of the lack or run-off this winter and little rain, look for more fish to show up through mid-May – especially after ideal conditions in which rain fall is key. I guess you could say the “run” has been spread out over a long period of time. Good flies recently have been clown rag eggs, mottled orange variation eggs, green caddis, steelhead buggers, and small black stones.

It’s finally here! This Saturday marks the annual Trout (Pike, Muskie, pre-Season Bass, too) season on rivers. Much of the water that we guide on is open all year round, but this date is significant to the small stream angler or those that follow tradition. The Upper Manistee and Boardman river levels are higher from summer levels but is lower than normal for this time of year. Some black stones have been on the water but good dry fly fishing is looking to begin closer and into May with sustained warmer temps – I saw snow today and more is in the forecast tomorrow – this tends to fluctuate water temperatures, bug emergences and the trout’s demeanor. Streamer fishing is a great approach right now with medium speed retrieves and flies with lots of action.

Good luck!

Ted

Spring Steelhead – Through mid-May on the Manistee including steelhead/trout combos. Few dates available.
Trout Season – Streamer & Dry Fly fishing is ideal throughout May on the Upper Manistee & AuSable Rivers.
September Salmon – Dates are limited for fishing the Betsie River in early Sept. and later on the Manistee.
2015 Fishing – It isn’t too early to get your fishing trips planned for the year. Booking all species/seasons.

au sable, Betsie, boardman, boardman river, manistee, steelhead, streamer fishing, trout opener, upper-manistee

Cool-Down and Warm-Up Coming

Posted by Ted Kraimer - August 14, 2014

A bit of a cold front came through the region slowing the fishing a bit, but providing continued cool water temps and a bit of rain that the rivers and fish both liked. You will still find the rivers in good shape and fishable including the Manistee and Boardman.

Hatches have been pretty much limited to Tricos in mid-morning – with late morning being the case after a cold night. Attractor patterns and terrestrials (hoppers, Foam and Rubber) are bringing some fish up to the surface and more often than not they are looking for that bug to be chugging, twitching and skittering rather than dead-drifted. Below the surface, look for medium sized streamers fished on either floating lines or small sink-tip lines to tease some fish into playing our game.

Bass and bluegill fishing on the lakes is still a good bet with water temperatures staying cool. Some days are better than others and I suspect the forecast over the next 10 days will provide some stable and warm conditions ideal for getting these fish back on the feed. Surface and subsurface flies are working – it’s just a matter of which or what they want any particular day.

With the recent rains, cool down and northerly winds, a few salmon have staged at the river mouths and even a few have slipped into the local rivers. The warmer weather in store should put a hold on the migration until later but there is no doubt fall is right around the corner – what happened to summer?

Good luck,

Ted

Tricos and Terrestrials for Trout – July and August fly fishing for trout on the Upper Manistee River
Salmon– Fresh fish can enter rivers as early as mid-August and offer great fishing through September.
Fall Steelhead– From the end of September through November – this is the time of year for Steelhead.

attractors, boardman river, fishing, fly-fishing guide, manistee, salmon, steelhead, traverse city, trout

August Fly Fishing in Traverse City

Posted by Ted Kraimer - August 1, 2013

Now that August is here, it is full-on terrestrial fishing for trout. Water temps are cooler than normal for this time of the year on the Manistee and Boardman River and the fish are happy. The clear water and bright skies are making it tougher than normal, but there are still some trout around to play our game; look for overcast and cloudy conditions to provide your best opportunities.

When not casting terrestrials – hoppers, ants, beetles and other attractors, the most consistent insect on the water is the Trico – small mayflies that typically hit the water in mid-morning. Look for little dimples and mostly smaller fish to be out eating but always be ready to coax a larger fish to the net on the light tippet that might surprise you. Since these flies are so small, try fishing them behind a larger dry fly to serve as an indicator. Small beaded or coned streamers fished on floating lines and some bead head nymphs have been working in the deeper slots and holes with shade and/or wood.

Smallmouth bass fishing on the lower Manistee fishing is good for those looking to fish streamers, crayfish and the occasional popper. While they aren’t as big as the fish in the bay, they are a lot of fun and will make you a better streamer angler for other species including trout.

Bass and Bluegill fishing remains solid on the smaller lakes and ponds around Traverse City. If you haven’t gotten in on the bass fishing this year, it has been one of the better years we have experienced. While the larger bluegill are pretty deep most of the day and migrating into the shallows in the evenings, the largemouth bass have been accessible to the fly angler through poppers, streamers and diving baitfish. Small gills are almost always in shallow and offer beginners and kids a great opportunity to learn the basics and have fun doing it.

Good luck,

Ted

Trout Fishing – Morning Trico s and fishing terrestrials is a great way to start a day in August
Bluegill & Bass – Fishing for both species is a great way to spend some time on the water over summer.
Fall Steelhead –Few dates remain for these chrome favorites – act quick. Late Sept. – Nov.

bass, boardman river, lower manistee, smallmouth bass, terrestrial fishing, traverse city, tricos, trout fishing

End of July Fly Fishing Report – Traverse City Region

Posted by Ted Kraimer - July 25, 2013

As much as we appreciate the cooler weather this past week, it takes a little while for the fish to get use to the change in water temps. Cooler water temps are good for the fish and after a day or two off relative consistent weather they are happy and playing our game again.

The hatches on the upper Manistee and Boardman have been quite limited lately with just a few bugs around including Isos, Cahills, Big Olives, and Tricos. Fishing a bead head nymph in runs has produced some fish as they aren’t looking up too much with the bright sun. A very small streamer fished on a floating line has been a good approach, too. When those two presentations don’t work, try small terrestrials and the big rubber leg and foam creations – hoppers, Chernobyl Ants and other large profile bugs that have a little motion in them. The rivers are pretty quiet and a morning spent on the river this time of year is not only a great way to stay cool, but have it to yourself while catching brown and brook trout

Fishing on the lakes and ponds has been good for those looking to cash in on bass on large swimming diver bass bugs and large poppers. Weed beds and lilly pads have been the ideal place to target these fish especially when they are adjacent to cover like wood and drop offs. Keep in mind leader size is important when casting those big wind resistant flies. Bluegill have been playing along too and closer to the shallow water since the big fish in the deeper water tend to eat them – small dries like hoppers, ants, spiders and beetles have been working on top with small baitfish streamers working bellow.

The Smallmouth Bass fishing on the Lower Manistee continues to fish well. Medium to large streamers with lots of flash fished on both floating lines and short sink-tips have been the ticket. Crayfish bounced along the bottom and twitched are always good around rocks especially with the big moon that is out right now. While they aren’t as big as the fish we catch in the bay, the river smallmouth fight hard, get us on the river and make us better fly anglers.

Good luck,

Ted

Trout Fishing – Evening hatches should transition to morning trico s and terrestrial fishing as July sets in.
Bluegill & Bass – Lake fishing for both species is a great way to spend some time on the water over summer.
Fall Steelhead – Its not too early to start thinking about fall’s best fishing fish. Late Sept. – Nov.

bass and bluegill fishing in lakes, boardman river, fly fishing, fly fishing report traverse city, guide trips, manistee, smallmouth bass in rivers, tricos, trout

Good Weather, Good Hatches, Good Fishing

Posted by Ted Kraimer - June 14, 2012

Thanks to some warm weather last week and with the forecast calling for more sun and high temps, the fishing improved and should remain. On the trout rivers there have been decent numbers of bugs of all types: mahoganies, bat flies, a sulphur or two, lots of BWOs on those cloudy days, little yellow stones, big yellow stones, a few brown drakes, isonychias and some hex. The AuSable has had the most prolific hatch of hex bugs lately where the big bugs on the Manistee and Boardman are just starting in a few places and by no means are they thick – think more of a trickle. Things should change over the next few days if the weatherman stays true to his word.

Carp fishing on the bay has changed, too with the fish going hard at their spawning task. Look for fish to be in shallow and they should be relatively easy to see as they are in big groups “smacking fin.” Look for the lead fish or any stragglers behind the group to eat a well presented fly as the latter tend to eat anything the group stirs up. Smallmouth fishing has slowed up a little but the careful eye should be able to find a fish or two cruising the flats looking to eat. Focus on all structure (rocks, boulders and logs) in the mean time if targeting smallmouth.

Bluegill fishing has tapered off a little as the gills have moved deep again requiring a little more strategy and skill than when they were up shallow doing their spawning thing. Each lake/pond is different as is each day so one never knows. Fishing deep with small nymphs and streamers can produce some great gills this time of year – be sure to hit the drop offs. The largemouth bass continue to eat and as weed growth increases, fish both top water and subsurface with streamers for some great post-spawn fishing.

Good luck!

Ted

Father’s Day is this Sunday – June 17. Don’t forget dad or let your own kids know that I can E-mail
Gift Certificates for lessons and trips just in time.

– 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, boardman river, brown drakes, carp, hex hatch, manistee river, smallmouth

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