September Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - September 11, 2024

The 4th month of summer continues with some warm temperatures. The forecast calls for even more.

Water temperatures on the upper Manistee are in good shape with the cool nights and sometimes, they drop too low, and you need to wait until the sun warms it up a little for fish activity. The problem is, the water is about as clear as I have ever witnessed and, well, sunlight, clear water, and trout aren’t always a good combination in Michigan.

Hatches are mostly non-existent but you should have some blue winged olives, caddis (#14 tan), and brown/cinnamon flying ants (#14) for surface activity just in case. Terrestrial/attractors are always a good approach this time of year. Below surface, try the real small streamers fished on floating lines or intermediate tip lines. Fishing pressure has been light but after a long season of fishing to them, the trout are getting even wiser so adapt you approach and offerings.

The lake fishing for bass and bluegill has gone quiet and likely will remain that way until next spring.

Salmon have entered the local rivers, but with the warmer water in the bigger river systems, lack of rain in the region and warm weather, the fish are staggered as they prepare to move upstream to continue their lineage. As with salmon come salmon anglers – keep the peace and don’t take the fishing that serious as they are just fish.

Good luck.

Ted

Fall Steelhead – Finish the season with steelhead on the lower Manistee. Good dates in November remain.
2025 Fishing Season – It’s not too early to look ahead to the next year and get your dates planned and secured.

fishing guide traverse city, manistee river, salmon, terrestrial fishing, trout fishing, upper manistee river

End of December Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - December 21, 2021

The first day of winter kind of feels like it with below freezing temps and a threat of some snow in the forecast.

It’s mostly been a cold month with the exception of a few days as fish are settling into winter mode. Steelhead numbers increased on the Betsie and Manistee with the increase in water levels/flows from melting snow and rain. Water temps are in the upper 30’s so fish have mostly taken up residence in the slower and deeper water/holes, but not exclusively.

Steelhead tend to be pretty lethargic in these conditions so drag-free drifts are likely going to be rewarded more than other techniques. This should be the trend over the next couple of months unless we get a warm up or even just a couple days of sunshine to increase the water temps a few degrees which activates the fish again. A swung fly will still tease a fish into hammering something if so inclined to tease one up but even in warmer water conditions, this tends to be a less productive presentation but for some, more rewarding.

Good luck fishing if you’re getting away from the in-laws or taking advantage of some time off this Holiday season – for most this time of year it’s just about being on the water and having a chance.

Happy Holidays and all the best on and off the water in the New Year.

Ted

<<The Winter Newsletter just went out, click here to read>>

2022 Fishing – Booking all seasons and species for the New Year. It’s never too early to plan next years fishing.
Spring Steelhead – It’s not too early to think Spring! Get your dates secured for the first fishing of the year.
Gift Certificates – Ask or give the gift of a lesson, half or full-day trip on the water.

betsie river, fishing guide traverse city, fly fishing traverse city, guided fishing, manistee, steelhead, traverse city

Early June Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - June 3, 2021

With June starting, so do the big bugs.

Trout fishing has been the focus of most anglers recently. This time of year, folks tend to hit the river armed with a well-stocked box(s) of dry flies or get in the boat with visions of emergers, sailboat look-a-like duns and/or spinners on the water to imitate. Lots of different bugs can be bring trout to the surface this time of year which is why it is a favorite time to spend an evening on the water on the Manistee or other local rivers.

Sulphurs, Mohaganies, Yellow/brown stones, and Gray Drakes are of primary consideration. But beyond those (since aquatic bugs haven’t used logic or followed schedules the past 8 years), have Isonychias and Brown Drakes with your because you never know when they might start to emerge on the Manistee. (Some Brown Drakes have begun on the Au Sable system). The hatches have been light, if not sporadic with fluctuations in the weather and some cool nights, but one has to be prepared. Evenings are still the best bet under normal circumstances, so make sure your head lamp has fresh batteries.

More on early June hatches and fishing this time of year can be read here.

With the lack of any significant precipitation, the mosquitoes most nights have been non-existent. The lack of rain has also kept the river running low and clear for far too long. Stealth in your presentation is paramount and a good presentation is required – these fish are demanding. Streamer fishing has waned with the low water and increase in bug activity. With some significant warm weather in the forecast, likely the last few hours of the day should offer the best fishing in the foreseeable future, unless a cloudy day comes along.

The lake fishing has been good for those looking to cast to some fat and sassy bluegill. The bass have been playing along, too, depending on which lake you are fishing. The typical surface flies have been working but with the full moon behind us, we are getting into post spawn grumpy behavior.

Good luck

Ted

TEMPERATURE ALERT: With the hot weather and warm nights, monitor temperatures on trout rivers. Once the water hits 70 degrees, you should stay off the water to prevent mortality and help preserve the resource.

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.

au sable river, brown drakes, drakes, fishing guide traverse city, fly fishing guide, fly fishing report Michigan, isonychias, stoneflies, streamer fishing, sulphurs, trout fishing

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 "fishing guide traverse city"

September Fishing Report

End of December Fishing Report

Early June 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