Posts tagged "hatches"

Full On Spring & Trout Fly Fishing in Northwest Michigan

Posted by Ted Kraimer - May 9, 2013

We have had some amazing weather the past 10 days here in the Traverse City area. Lots of sunlight and warm temperatures has made up for a long winter and has nature pretty much caught up and is where it should be for this time of year as the leaves are filling out trees, ground cover is greening and mayflies, stoneflies and caddis do their thing on the local trout streams and rivers in step with emergence schedules.

River conditions are ideal with a slight stain and good water levels – they are full, not high. Water temps are around 60 degrees on the upper Manistee, Boardman and AuSable and with that the bugs are varied and at times plentiful. Hendricksons have been the most prolific with scattered emergences and spinner falls at various times of the day but mostly at dusk since the evenings are staying relatively warm. Little black Caddis are plentiful – shake a streamside bush and watch what comes out of it. Early Brown Stoneflies, too, are dancing across the water with some fish taking notice. A variety of other bugs are coming off too, just sporadically and not in great numbers – look for that to change. This is the time of year to have a variety of bugs in your dry fly box because there is no telling what you might find the fish are keying in on. Sulphurs should be showing up any day as with Mahoganies and March Browns. Click here for a hatch chart.

Fishing streamers is ideal this time of year but the bite has been tough lately at least for me and my customers. As more people fish the streamer it seems the fish are getting smarter – little nuances to alter your presentation and even pattern can make a difference. The next 6 weeks are typically some of our best for streamer fishing and its a great way to cover the water between hatches. Having rods rigged with sink-tips and floating lines in the boat provides variety and gives you some good head-hunting opportunities.

The bluegill fishing is getting going on the shallower, dark bottom lakes as the fish move into shallow water. While dries will provide some action, very small streamers and decent sized nymphs will provide the best success. You will find the lakes and ponds extremely clear so the long cast is your best approach. Look for the bass fishing to improve in this pre-spawn period.

Some steelhead remain in the local rivers, but they are close to being done as the last of the spawning fish do their deed. The spring’s high water allowed for a lot of fish to come in and make it back to the lake safely which will not only help with future fish populations but bigger returning fish. It was a good spring season – thanks to all those who came out with me.

Lots going on right now on the water – get out and good luck.

Ted

Trout Fishing – May & June offer some or our best streamer fishing & great hatches!
Bluegill – Experience great fishing on the ponds and lakes in late mid-May and June
Hex Fishing – Some dates still available for the big bugs and big fish in mid-June
2013 Fishing Season – Now booking for all 2013 seasons – don’t miss out on this year’s fishing.

ausable, boardman, hatch chart, hatches, hendricksons, manistee, steelhead, streamer, trout fly fisiing in northwest michigan

Early June Fly Fishing – Lots Going On

Posted by Ted Kraimer - June 7, 2012

After last weekend’s rain, river levels are full and returning to normal levels. The Upper Manistee is in good shape, the Lower Manistee is still on the high side with an ideal stain, the Boardman is running full and the Au Sable is back to normal. The flush of water made for good streamer fishing and with the forecast heat, the dry fly fishing should ramp up after a cool period with very sporadic hatches.

Look for Isonychias to build in numbers as well as a mix of other bugs including: Brown Drakes, March Browns, the last of the Sulphurs, Yellow/Golden Stone Flies (#10), Bat Flies and Mahoganies. When the days are hot and temps stay warm into dark, look for the hatches to be condensed into a short window near dusk. In other words, bring your headlamp and walk back to the car in the dark after fishing until dark. Because of our mild winter, warm March and otherwise odd weather this Spring – the timing and predictability of hatches has been off. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to have a few hex and gray drake patterns in your box should this warm weather inspire a few bugs to show up early.

{A few years ago I wrote an article pertaining to trout fishing in the weeks leading up to the Hex hatch – you can read it by clicking here.}

Carp fishing on the bay has been very mixed as the fish haven’t been nearly as predictable as they normally are this time of year. With a few fish showing signs of spawning the past few days, look for this warm weather to ramp up fish numbers and spawning activity in the shallow flats. Plan to cover a lot of ground to find fish willing to play along and be armed with the usual patterns: hex nymphs, crayfish, Clouser minnows and b.h. black wooly buggers. While the carp fishing hasn’t been up to par, the smallmouth bass fishing has been solid with small minnow/baitfish patterns working well.

Bass and Bluegill fishing continues on the smaller lakes and with a lot of the spawning done, males protecting nests have brought aggressive behavior as well as from the females looking to eat, too. Look for deeper breaks and drop offs to produce the bigger bluegills/panfish. The popper fishing has improved however the small streamer and nymph/dry combo has been most effective mostly because it allows us to fish deeper water.

Good Luck,

Ted

– 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, bass, bat flies, boardman, brown drakes, fly fishing, grand traverse bay, hatches, hex, hex hatch, manistee, manistee river, smallmouth bass, streamer fishing

Another Week

Posted by Ted Kraimer - May 23, 2012

Not much has changed from last week’s report other than river clarity has become a major issue – the rivers are running very, very clear and there is virtually no rain in the forecast – stealth and lighter tippet/leader is pretty much a necessity.

The Manistee, AuSable and Boardman are all running low and clear making it easy for the fish to see bugs on the surface, when they are out. Dry fly fishing has been mixed with lots of bugs to chose from but often at odd times. Look for Sulphurs, March Browns, Mahoganies, and caddis to continue and with all this heat in the forecast – have some Brown Drakes in your box . These warmer evenings should make for consistent evening hatches and spinner falls.

Streamer fishing has been tough with water low and clear, but is still a good way to get some of the bigger fish to come out and play. Look for low light times of the day or the rare, cloudy day to provide the best opportunity for success. There hasn’t been a secret fly working better than another lately – mix them up and fish them closer and deeper to wood than normal – be prepared to lose some flies, but also have better luck.

The ponds and lakes are really warming up and so is the fishing. Bass and bluegill continue to build in numbers and provide good fishing for the fly angler. Small nymphs suspended under poppers or buoyant dry flies make for a great duo and a small weighted streamer cast on a long leader can provoke aggressiveness from even the most discerning bluegill. Bass are coming up and eating poppers from time to time while the streamer and nymph fishing seems to be more effective.

Grand Traverse Bay – east and west, are warming up with all of this sun and the carp and smallmouth have taken notice. Numbers of smallmouth bass have increased as they go into spawning mode and feed in the shallows while the carp are a little more selective on water temperature and can be fickle on when and where you can find them. Often when you find them there will be a lot of them. Pay real close attention to water temps affected by wind direction and overnight temperatures to select the best places to fish. Crayfish and hex nymphs are working on both species and additionally minnow patterns for the smallies.

Be safe this weekend, share the water and bring bug spray. Good luck!
Ted

– Upcoming Fishing Seasons –

May & June: Trout fishing with streamers and dries. Don’t forget the Big Bugs – Drakes, Isonychias and Hex in June.
June: Carp on Grand Traverse Bays – find out why this has become the favorite early Summer fishing of so many.
Booking for all 2012 Seasons – Some Fall Dates Remain Open

ausable, brown drakes, carp, fly fishing, grand traverse bay, hatches, manistee, smallmouth bass, streamer fishing

Tough Choices

Posted by Ted Kraimer - May 16, 2012

This time of year there are so many species to choose from – it can be difficult to decide what to fish for and where.

Trout fishing continues to offer some good dry fly fishing as the mixed hatches are bringing fish up when temperatures stay mild in the evenings making for ideal hatch conditions. When fishing the Manistee, Boardman and AuSable, look for sulphurs, mahoganies, caddis, yellow/golden stones (#10), black quills and March Browns – emergers, adults and spinners should be in your box ready to go. When cloudy or overcast, bugs are emerging in the afternoon and early evening with spinner falls collecting closer to dusk and eventually falling when conditions are right – typically mild temperatures and light wind if any at all. With the smaller bugs, look closely for the small dimples of bigger fish rising – they can sometimes be hard to detect but worth the extra attention. Streamer fishing has been mixed with cloudy days being best as water levels are normal and clear. Successful streamer patterns include baitfish patterns (deceivers, brook trout, bunkers), brown zuddlers (think lamprey), peanuts and small, natural sculpins.

Fishing below Tippy Dam on the Manistee is nymphing real well with lots of carp in the river and trout eating eggs and the small nymphs being dislodged. Work the bubble lines with indicators and when you are looking to cast a streamer for bigger brown trout, white/baitfish patterns have been effective fished on sink-tips. With all of the small fish stocked in that section, look for the bigger fish to eat your larger streamers that imitate them. Wet fly fishing and swinging caddis dries offers great fishing for those looking to learn fly fishing in rivers.

The local lakes and ponds have seen an increase in bluegill activity as fish are moving in shallow on their beds – look for the numbers to build with the warmer weather and sunshine. Largemouth bass have moved into the shallows in greater numbers and are on nests, too doing their spawning thing. North and Eastern shores seem to be fishing best as the sun sets in the west exposing itself the longest to these sections of water and warming it up. Top water flies like small poppers are working as are small streamers and medium sized nymphs. Keep a rod rigged for pike in the event one shows up or break up the day focusing on the toothy critters with bite tippet and big streamers.

With the sunny days we have been getting some warmer water on the flats of the Grand Traverse Baysimproving conditions for carp. Afternoons and even into the evenings are best which is when the water is warmest. Cold nights and unfavorable wind directions can change things greatly from one day to the next, but with more consistent temps, wind and lots of sun – carp fishing should be going strong, soon. Until then, pick your days, times and places wisely.

Good Luck!

Ted

The Northern Angler will be hosting the Fly Fishing Film Tour at The Inside Out Gallery this Friday, May 18th.
Doors open at 6:00 with the film starting at 7:30. Call TNA for details and tickets – 231-933-4730

– Book a Trip for the Upcoming Fishing Seasons –

ausable, bass, bluegill, boardman river, carp, fishing report, fly fishing, grand traverse bay, hatches, manistee, pike, trout

Upper Manistee River (above Tippy Dam)

Posted by Ted Kraimer - March 15, 2012

Upper Manistee River – Scenic Spring Creek

The upper Manistee River is where we do the majority of our trout fishing. Like a big spring creek, the waters of the “Mana” tend to run clear due to the sandy soil around it. With sections of gravel and riffles, sand bottoms and some silt beds the Hex nymphs call home; there are simply lots of different bugs that hatch on this river.

Majority of the fish in this section of water are Brown Trout and Brook Trout with the occasional Rainbow Trout. Ever seen a Tiger Trout? This is a natural occurring hybrid of a brook trout and brown as both spawn in the fall. These fish are rare but they do exist in the Upper-Manistee.

The flows of the Upper Manistee river are moderate and depth changes – common sense will tell you what side of the river to be on, possible places to cross and also what side will most likely to hold the fish.

Structure includes submerged logs, overhanging trees, deeper holes and combinations of them all. Just when you think there aren’t any fish in the river, you will either move a significant fish out of a holding lie or witness a hatch that suddenly turns the river into a jacuzzi with rising fish. Don’t ever give up, just try something different.

Where

The CCC bridge and the CCC Bridge campground are focal points of the fly fisherman who fishes the Manistee. The bridge is the lower boundary of the “Flies-Only” section of water with M-72 being the upper boundary. This water is open year round and has special regulations.

Much of my guiding and fishing takes place from M-72 downstream to the Rainbow Jim’s and I have been known to fish other sections when conditions are right.

Come float sections of water on the upper Manistee and experience the fishing the water around Yellow Trees, the Miracle-Mile, The Settlement, King Trout Ranch, Burnt Cabin (BKZ), CCC Bridge, Dutch John, and Smithville. The Upper Manistee offers anglers a variety of water and fishing conditions for all experience levels.

Brook Trout

Experience not only great fishing, but a river that is not over-developed or over-used. Because of it’s remoteness, canoe and kayak traffic is not a problem on these sections of river like they are on other areas or rivers in the region.

Located about 40 miles east of Traverse City and 25 west from Grayling.

See the map at the bottom of this page for directions.

Manistee River Hatches

The Hex

The best hatches on the river and the ones to fish are many. Starting in April, the early black stones get going, and beyond that it only gets better. From the end of April through mid-May Hendricksons are the first prolific mayflies to emerge and often are mixed in with Black Caddis (Mothers day Caddis). Next come the Sulphurs, Tan Caddis, March Browns, Black Quills / Borchers Drakes, Little Yellow Sallies, and Mahogany Duns – all in the month of May and into June.

Read about some of the great insects that hatch prior to the Hex Hatch »

The big bugs of June are what dry fishermen get excited about: Brown Drakes, Isonycias, and The Hex. Into July and August the Manistee experiences Tricos, Olive Caddis, Light Cahills, and more Isonycias.

Beyond these emerging aquatic insects anglers will want to pay close attention to the terrestrials: ants, flying ants, grasshoppers, beetles and more. Size does matter on these bugs – try to match what you see on the streamside vegetation or on the water and try larger and smaller if you aren’t having success. Throughout the year anglers can expect to see lots of Blue Winged Olives (BWOs) in sizes ranging from 16 to 22; these are a staple for just about any trout fisherman — and trout!

Obviously there are more types of bugs that come off on this river, but the above mentioned are the ones any fly angler and fly tier should be most concerned with.

For more information regarding our hatches, check out the Hatch Chart.

Streamer Fishing on the Manistee

Modern day streamer fishing for trophy sized trout was developed on this river by its pioneer Kelly Galloup, former owner and guide of the Troutsman fly shop once located in Traverse City. As a way to catch big fish on those bright days without a hatch or when trying to target big brown trout, streamer fishing gives anglers a great technique which has become not only popular here on the Manistee and other local rivers, but has caught on in popularity throughout the other regions of the country and trout rivers.

Beyond effective, this method also is exciting to watch a fish over twenty inches pounce on the fly before your eyes. Not to give the illusion that catching a fish is easy using streamer techniques, but any angler fishing this river will want to be prepared to cast some big flies (up to six inches long) to pull that lazy fish out of his lair when surface activity is null. Try fly patterns that imitate: sculpins, chestnut lampreys, smaller trout, chubs, and of course that generic fly that not only will move some water, but simply looks too good not to eat. Look to streamer fish all-year with the best times being April-June and September-November.

To learn more about streamer fishing, read Tips For Better Streamer Fishing »

Directions and Map

The CCC Bridge is located about 40 miles East of Traverse City, 20 miles South East of Kalkaska and 25 miles West of Grayling, Michigan. Anglers fishing the Au Sable River in Grayling often spend time also fishing the Manistee.

Map of the Upper Manistee River (above Tippy Dam)

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