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Posts tagged "fly fishing gift certificates"

June Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - June 11, 2024

River conditions in the region are ideal with temps cooled and their levels filled. There is a little stain to the river to offer the fish some comfort and anglers some stealth.

The recent rains and cooler weather has corrected the advanced mayfly emergences on the rivers to a schedule that’s closer to what is should be for this time of year. If headed to the Manistee river, you can expect to see Gray Drakes, Brown Drakes, Isonychias, Little Yellow Sallies, Yellow Cahills, BWOs and medium yellow/brown stoneflies. After a few years of low-density hatches, it appears that certain mayflies are rebounding – specifically the brown drakes and Isos.

With the stained water and a cloudy day, smaller streamers fished through riffles and runs are producing some fish between emergences and any surface activity.

With the forecast of warmer days and sunshine, pack that headlamp because it’s likely going to be the last couple of hours of the day that gives you match-the-hatch fishing as bugs either emerger or the adult spinners fall – either way, it’s time for some tactical presentations for some memorable fish.

You can read more on  fishing before the hex hatch and the bugs you are likely to see, here.

Bass and bluegill on the local lakes are back to eating flies on the surface but most of the really big gills are staying deep until late or early in the day. There is something about low light conditions that all species really like….

Good luck.

Ted

Gift Certificates – It’s not too late to get dad a gift certificate for Father’s Day – half/full day trips or lessons.
Smallmouth Bass – Fish the lower Manistee with streamers & poppers this summer for fish that can pull.
Learn To Fly Fish – 1/2 Day trips are perfect for beginners! Learn how to cast before hitting the water to fish.
Trout, Tricos & Terrestrials – July & August offer fun dry fly fishing on the upper Manistee river.

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Late November Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - November 25, 2022

As November comes to an end along with the Fall season, we find river and fishing conditions to be about what you’d expect for this time of year.

Water levels are running on the low and clear side of things which makes stealthy presentations a little more crucial. The unprecedented warm water temps we experienced this Fall have dropped significantly in the past week thanks to a snowstorm and cold temps; look for the thermometer to read around 40 degrees. When the water gets colder, the steelhead tend to shift and seek the slower water on the other (slower) side of the bubble line. Most of the snow is gone and stable temperatures are in the forecast so fishing should remain decent as we head into December.

Egg patterns continue to be an effective approach but egg and nymph combos become more common as the fish get off that egg bite with fewer salmon eggs drifting down river systems like the Manistee and Betsie. Steelhead buggers and medium sized black/brown stoneflies are always good choices this time of year.

Fish numbers have been o.k. the past few weeks. After the strong start to the season, we have had to work a little harder to bend the rod. This is the time of year that all three ways to present flies will work – duck and chuck, indicator/float, and swinging. And fish have been easier to land as the cooler temps take some of the near uncontrollable rambunctiousness out of them.

Good luck,

Ted

Fall Steelhead – Finish the season with what started the season – Steelhead! A few dates in late Nov. are open.
2023 Fishing –  Get your dates secured to ensure your time on the water. Booking all seasons thru September.
Gift Certificates – Quick and easy gifts of a half-day, full-day or casting lesson for friends or family.

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Mid-December Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - December 11, 2016

Our extended fall and fall weather came to an abrupt end as winter and the white stuff that comes along with it has hit the region. Colder temps has us thinking more about fishing right now rather than doing it but look for breaks in the weather above freezing for an opportunity to get out on the water and fish for both trout and steelhead.

The steelhead fishing early last week was still good with small, realistic egg patterns working best when fished in deeper runs and tail outs. Cover all the water but work your way over to the slower, inside part of the likely holding water, too, as fish move further out of the way of current seams as water temperatures continue to drop.  Both the Betsie and Manistee has fish in it to inspire you to get on the water and away from the Holiday parties.

Trout fishing has been decent for those looking to strip mid-sized streamers and target the soft water with structure. While the upper Manistee has been worth fishing this late fall, the lower water below Tippy Dam is where some of the best fishing occurs this time of year. Water temps are around 40, so slow that strip down and fish with either short sink-tips or even floating lines with patterns that have weighted eyes or cones incorporated.

Good luck and Happy Holidays.

Ted

The Winter Newsletter just went out – click here to read if you haven’t subscribed.

Winter Steelhead – Look for breaks in the forecast to get a half-day on the water.
Early Winter Trout – After gorging on salmon eggs, streamer fishing below Tippy Dam can be outstanding.
Gift Certificates – With the holidays upon us, ask for or give the gift of a guided fishing trip –  Half or Full-Days.

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Late November Trout and Steelhead Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - November 19, 2016

Autumn like weather has made for some comfortable steelhead fishing the past month. But while the lack of rain made it comfortable, we sure could use some to bring in more fish as the steelhead in the Manistee system are acting coy. Smaller rivers like the Betsie and others in northwest Michigan are in dire need of some precipitation to bring in some fish – it’s been slim-pickings this fall on the smaller tributaries for steelhead.

Water temps on the Manistee are still in the mid to upper 40’s which is warmer than normal for this time of year. With the lack of rain the water clarity almost too clear but the snow and rain should help change that. Lighter line is making the difference between hooking up and not and with the steelhead a bit larger than average this fall there’s a smaller margin for error; lighter line can be a curse as they are feisty this fall and at times, they just don’t play nice at all.

Late fall with warmer water temps are ideal for the steelhead angler looking to swing a fly on a two-handed rod and remains good for those bouncing the bottom with nymph and egg combos. As fish start to move towards wood, it can be a good time to seek the bubble lines around wood and other structure. The bite has transitioned from a total egg bite with more interest in nymphs – specifically hex nymphs and steelhead/ice buggers.

Trout anglers are finding the browns below Tippy Dam looking to fill the void of eggs now that the salmon are gone. Streamer fishing can be good covering mixed water with mid-sized streamers including natural Clouser Minnows, natural sculpin and goby patterns and olive and copper streamers – as always, mix it up.  This can be a good time of the year to pursue both trout and steelhead in the same day.

Good luck.

Ted

Fall Steelhead – Warmer than normal water and air temps will keep us chasing chrome fish for a while yet.
Late Fall Trout – After gorging on salmon eggs, streamer fishing below Tippy Dam can be outstanding.
Gift Certificates – With the holidays upon us, ask for or give the gift of a guided fishing trip –  Half or Full-Days.

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Fish & Seasons

Fall Steelhead Manistee River

Steelhead

Trout Fishing Manistee River near Traverse City Michigan

Trout

King Salmon Fly Fishing - Betsie River Near Traverse City

Salmon

Carp Fishing West Grand Traverse Bay

Golden Bones / Carp

Fly fishing for smallmouth bass Manistee River and Northern Michigan Lakes

Smallmouth Bass

Bluegill, Panfish and Bass Fly Fishing on Local Lakes Near Traverse City

Bluegill / Panfish / Bass

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

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