Posts tagged "fly fishing guide"

Late May Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - May 27, 2025

As May comes to an end, it seems the dry-fly fishing is just starting to fall into a groove.

The cool weather and wind last week seemed to keep the hatches unpredictable. With some stable weather forecast, evening hatches should be more regular with spinner falls typically occurring at dusk. Without the stagnant heat of the day and cool temps in the evenings, things could be good either early evening or even late mornings – nature dictates, I suppose.

The upper Manistee is running full and is clear – maybe a little too clear as it’s been a while since we have had any appreciable rainfall. The Boardman and Au Sable are also running clear so lighter tippet, longer leaders and a low-profile are suggested to fool these wary trout.

It’s that time of year when there are multiple bugs that can emerge and often do at the same time making for some good, but challenging match-the-hatch conditions. Black Quills, Great Mahoganies, Sulphurs and BWOs should be expected and having some March Browns, Little Yellow Sallies and Isonychias in the box isn’t a bad strategy in the event they show up, too. Bring the bug spray as the mosquitoes have been around and seem hungrier this year.

I’ve often written in these reports that this time of year a selection of Borcher’s Drakes and Robert’s Yellow Drakes in a number of sizes will get you through a lot of emergences. Add some rusty spinners and you’ll have a good kit to get you through a lot of what’s happening on the surface.

On the lakes, the bass have finished spawning and are still aggressive in the shallows but things are starting to slow down as they enter the post-spawn funk that comes this time of year. Bluegill, too have finished spawning but they are still in shallow looking to feed. Just off the drop they are really looking to feed so if they aren’t coming to the surface, fish a bead-head nymph or micro streamer.

Good Luck,

Ted

Trout Fishing – June offer’s some of the best technical dry fly fishing as we chase bugs and browns.
Fall Steelhead – After a strong Spring Season look to the Fall Season – just a few dates remain available.
Smallmouth Bass – Now through Mid-August, come fish this rod bending species as an alternative to trout.

au sable, bass fishing, boardman, borchers drake, fly fishing, fly fishing guide, fly fishing report, fly fishing traverse city, grayling michigan, learn how to fly fish, mayflies, sulphurs, trout fishing

Late August Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - August 22, 2024

The fishing in the region has avoided some of the typical slow-down that usually occurs this time of year thanks to some cooler nights and much needed rain.

The rivers like the Manistee and Boardman are moving along nicely with ideal temperatures and just a hint of color. Some days we need to wait until later in the morning to start fishing so the water temps rise above 60 and get the fish looking up and active. It also helps to wait until the dew burns off and gets winged bugs active. The long-term forecast says this should be the case for a few more days before we fall back into the August pattern of warm weather.

The Trico hatch this year has been a little more prolific than other years with decent number of fish selectively sipping them. The hatch has gone longer than normal but is winding down. The terrestrials are becoming more noticeable on the banks and therefore falling in the river from time to time which has some bigger brown trout looking to take advantage of that. It’s also that time of year you want to make sure you have some flying ants as they often start showing up this time of year and can be a favorite of both the brown trout and brookies.

Smallmouth fishing in the lower Manistee is also slowing down as it usually does this time of year when the first salmon start moving upstream. I suspect they no longer feel like the predator when fish 6 times their size share the same water. Maybe that’s karma for the smallies after a summer of eating baitfish?

Good luck.

Ted

Late Summer Trout – When the kids go back to school hit the river and have it all to yourself.
Learn To Fly Fish – 1/2 Day trips are perfect for beginners! Learn how to cast before hitting the water to fish.
Fall Steelhead – Finish the fishing season with steelhead on the lower Manistee. Good dates in November remain.

fly fishing guide, learn to fly fish, salmon, steelhead, terrestrials, traverse city fly fishing, trico, trout fishing

Mid July Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - July 13, 2024

Trout fishing on the local rivers continues but with a more casual approach as we aren’t matching hatches in low light to finicky fish. Instead head to the river with a mix of general dry flies that imitate mayflies since they have been eating them regularly for the past 10 weeks. Beyond fishing those natural dry flies, tie on attractors and some terrestrials.

Larger flying ants have been more noticeable lately than any other, but the deer fly and beetle imitations have been fooling fish reliably. Look for Tricos to start emerging and falling in the mid-mornings any day now. It’s also a great time to fish a swung wet fly as is a “micro streamer” – those subsurface flies that look more like a nymph, but fished with twitches and strips.

The smallmouth bass fishing on the lower Manistee has been varied – some days they play our game, other days it seems like they take their ball and go home. The softer streamer approach is the most productive most days fished on clear sink-tip lines. The popper and dry fly fishing hasn’t been as productive but I suspect with the dog-days of summer coming, that should change as it usually does this time of year.

Bass and bluegill fishing on the local lakes continues to be our favorite venue for those trying / learning to fly fish with all their eagerness to come to the fly and provide action as the skills are developing. Those more experienced can fish a streamer or diving bug near the weed beds and drop offs for those bigger largemouth bass.

Good luck!

Ted

Trout, Tricos & Terrestrials – July & August offer fun dry fly fishing on the upper Manistee river.
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.

bass and bluegill fishing, fly fishing guide, fly fishing traverse city, guide trip, manistee river, manistee river guide, smallmouth bass fly fishing, streamer fishing, terrestrial fishing, upper manistee fly fishing

Early October Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - October 7, 2023

Summer-like weather has come to an end after a few extra weeks of it which continued well into October.

The local rivers have been really low from a lack of rain, however today’s rain along with the rain in the forecast should really help get the local rivers into shape and get the fish moving. I am not sure I have ever seen the rivers this low at this time of year. Water temperatures, also, should get into seasonal form and drop into the 50s.

Salmon are all over the place in the local rivers (Manistee, Betsie, Platte). Because of the date/time of year and the warm water, the fish are pretty dark and busy doing their spawning ritual. It seems that there are a few more salmon around this year than in recent years which is a good thing. The more salmon in Lake Michigan usually means less pressure on the steelhead from the lake anglers which helps to bolster steelhead population. And more salmon in the river means more scent and eggs to coax steelhead upstream. A few steelhead have been moving up the river but mostly the juvenile skippers on their first return up the river.

Trout fishing was extended for those looking to fish some terrestrials thanks to the warm weather but now it’s time to pull out that 6 or 7 wt rod, sink tip lines and box full of streamers. It’s pre-spawn for the brown trout on most rivers and the fish can have an attitude and chase down a fly. Because our trout population is meager and mostly dependent on natural reproduction, please leave any visible spawning brown trout alone to help ensure a future fishery. Some rivers closed on October 1 so make sure your favorite section of water is still open before fishing it.

Regardless of where you are fishing or for what, you’ll find the trees well decorated in fall colors making for a great backdrop as you fish and wind down the season.

Good luck.

Ted

Fall Steelhead – Just a few dates in November remain available – finish the fishing season strong.
Spring Steelhead – Most of the season is booked – get your dates for March and April while you can.
2024 Fishing – Get your dates secured to ensure your time on the water. Booking all seasons thru August.

Betsie river fly fishing, caddis, egg patterns, fall steelhead, fly fishing guide, lake michigan, manistee river, Platte River, salmon fishing, salmon fly patterns, steelhead, tippy dam, traverse city, trout fishing, trout fishing with streamers

Late June Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - June 20, 2023

As Summer (solstice) takes place on the 21st, June starts to end and the night fishing really begins.

Angler’s are looking for the nocturnal Hex Mayflies on the local trout rivers and some (Au Sable) have already begun and it’s about to begin on others (Manistee) if they haven’t already. Headlamps, bug spray, patience and strong tippet are standard issue supplies for the matter. But before nightfall, look for Isonychias, the last (I really mean it this time) Brown Drakes, and Bat Flies to provide some surface activity.

Smallmouth bass fishing is starting up again on the lower Manistee for those using smaller baitfish streamers. The largemouth bass and bluegill are keeping anglers busy with tight lines on the local lakes as weeds develop along drop offs and some bigger gills can still be found shallow.

In this bright, warm weather, mornings and evenings are best for the trout and lake fishing. As long as the cool nights continue to drop water temps, we should be o.k. fishing the rivers without temps getting above 68 degrees which is the threshold angler’s should recognize as too warm for fishing trout.

Good luck.

Ted

Trout – July and August is time for Ticos and Terrestrials on the Upper Manistee – an ideal half-day on the river.
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.

ausable, bass fishing, brown drakes, fly fishing guide, hex flies. isonychias, iso fly pattern, manistee river, smallmouth bass, trout fishing

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