Mid-May Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - May 19, 2022

After two days of Spring it seemed like we went right to Summer with last week’s temperatures and weather.

Hatches are kind of jumbled on the trout streams (Manistee and Au Sable rivers), but if headed out, be sure to have Hendricksons and Caddis. Pack some Sulphurs and Mahoganies, too, because they will start showing up any day now if they haven’t already on your favorite section of the river. With the fluctuations in weather, there is no telling if there will be bugs and when – just remember warmer air temps are crucial for spinner fall. And for hatches/emergences, well, they have been showing up in late mornings as much as evenings so fish all day if you can.

Between hatches, fish some smaller streamers for fish looking to eat sub-surface. It’s also not a bad time to swing a wet fly, like a diving caddis. My car is covered with black caddis and green egg sacks from driving along the rivers.

Smallmouth bass are in a pre-spawn mode on the river systems and are eating. In waters where trout and smallmouth co-exist, there is no telling which species is going to bite your streamer next – it’s like a fishing grab-bag until you get the fish on the line and in sight (Hint: the bass fight harder).

Water levels are slightly low and relatively clear for this time of year but that should change with the forecast storms and weather to roll through tonight. Although we could use some rain, it’s been nice having these recent conditions.

Lake fishing has been decent for bluegill/panfish and the occasional largemouth as we come off a full-moon phase and water temps in lakes and ponds increase. The darker bottom lakes (or coves/bays within) tend to warm up quicker than other portions of the lake. This should continue to offer really good fishing for the next 4 or 5 weeks.

Good luck.

Ted

Match the Hatch – Late May and June offer dry fly anglers some of the best trout fishing of the year.
Learn to Fly Fish – Book a half-day trip with the idea of learning the basics in how to cast and fly fish.
Fall Steelhead – Although the Spring Season just ended, think fall steelhead good dates available in November.

bass fishing, bluegill fishing on the fly, caddis, fly fishing report, hendricksons, lake fishing traverse city, manistee river, smallmouth bass, sulphurs, swinging a wet fly

Early May Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - May 6, 2022

It feels like May. And Spring. Finally.

Its time to transition from steelhead to trout and take advantage of the streamer fishing and hatches of Mayflies on the local rivers like the upper Manistee, Au Sable and Boardman. The rivers are running full but are clear with temps mostly in the mid to upper 50s and the forecast weather should steady the temps some providing we don’t have those cold overnights.

Look for small Stoneflies, Hendricksons, and caddis on the surface and always have some Blue Winged Olives in your box. Bright days help with warming the water temps which will ultimately help the fishing on the days that are overcast.

This is a great time of the year to have a rod rigged with a sink-tip and streamer and another with a dry fly when some surface action begins. Late afternoons and early evenings get cool this time of year and the promise of spinner falls typically is just that – so be on the water at the warmer times of the day for both hatches and spinner falls. With the clear water, smaller streamers are a better choice than the triple articulated and highly accessorized patterns the length of a tube sock.

The late arrival of spring has prolonged the steelhead run in most rivers with a few fish around for those that just didn’t get enough this year. It was a solid run of fish this year and already I am looking forward to the fall run.

Good luck.

Ted

caddis, fishing guide, fly pattern, hendricksons, traverse city fly fishing guide. steelhead

Late April Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - April 24, 2022

Finally, some warm weather is helping us forget about the cold spring we have had so far. With temps in the 70s this weekend the water temperatures should climb a little and get things to where they should be for this time of year.

Steelhead fishing is winding down on local rivers (Manistee, Betsie and Platte) with most fish hitting the gravel fast and getting back to the lake. Drop-back fish and a few fresh ones that are a little late to the game can be found in the runs and holes while most anglers focus on the shallow water. Smaller egg patterns and beads in natural colors have been best while fry and caddis are taking a respectable number of fish, too. With practically no suckers in the river yet, I suspect we will have a trickle of steelhead for a bit longer.

Water temps on the upper Manistee reached mid-50s this weekend and some of the first Hendricksons have shown up. Not many, but some. Water temps usually need to be in the upper 50s before the surface activity goes to the next level and one can expect to cast to a rising fish. In the meantime, cover the water with streamers. The next 4 to 5 weeks is a great time to have a dry fly rod rigged in the boat while you cover the water with subsurface patterns. When a hatch or rising fish presents itself, switch rods/presentations.

Good luck.

Ted

May Days – The month that offers so much variety for a number of species. <<More info>>
Match the Hatch – Late May and June offer dry fly anglers some of the best trout fishing of the year.
Fall Steelhead – Some good dates remain available in October, November and into December.

betsie fishing, caddis, dry fly fishing, eggs, hendricksons, manistee river, steelhead, streamer fishing, tippy dam

Mid May Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - May 13, 2021

The past couple of weeks have had some cold overnight temperatures dropping water temps which in turn made for sporadic bug emergences and negatively affected the fishing.

Water temps had dropped on local rivers including the Manistee, AuSable and Boardman into the 40s. Already two days of sunshine is helping those temps stay in the mid-50s with more sun and normal night time temps forecast ahead which should help stabilize temps, improve emergences, and make for better trout fishing. Trout hate drops in water temps, especially when under 60 degrees so time of day and sunshine can make a difference on when to likely experience a hatch.

Already we are seeing the last of the dark Hendricksons (mostly spinners that didn’t freeze), light Hendricksons, caddis, and brown stones. Look for more bugs to show up including Sulphurs, black quills, Mahoganies, and more. This time of year can offer some really good dry fly fishing, but it’s technical fishing with clear water and educated fish – bring your A-game and a lot of different mayfly imitations including an assortment of Borcher’s Drakes.

The clear water is making streamer fishing a little tougher, too. Between hatches/emergences, fish the smaller patterns low and slow and cycle the colors until you find one that works for the day’s conditions. And the fish’s preference.

Lake fishing hasn’t been on fire but like the trout rivers, this warm weather will get those fish into the shallows any day if they haven’t already.

Good luck.

Ted

Trout Fishing – May and June offer some of the best streamer and dry fly hatches of the year.
Learn to Fly Fish – Tailor a half-day trip to learning how to fly fish –
perfect for beginners or those looking to dial in a new technique.
Fall Steelhead – Some good dates remain in November and into December

au sable, Black Quill, caddis, fly fishingreport, hendricksons, manistee river, sulphurs, traverse city fly fishing

Late April Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - April 21, 2021

It seems that this year’s April showers were replaced by April flowers as vegetation and gardens are 3 weeks ahead. We still haven’t had any significant rains and the rivers look like it – low and clear.

The steelhead have thinned out without many fresh fish showing up. Those that do seem to hit the gravel, spawn and leave, quickly. Still, enough time put into fishing runs and the dark water near spawning gravel will find you fish. It just hasn’t been the season we usually experience but it’s been stable, just fewer banner days than what usually comes with a season. I suspect fish will continue to trickle in over the next couple of weeks on the Manistee, but the majority of the spring fish have come and are already gone.

Trout opener is this weekend and it appears that the cold weather my be behind us by then and warmer days ahead might produce ideal conditions for some hatches and surface activity. Hendricksons, BWOs and black caddis should be in your box. When there aren’t any bugs around, go sub-surface with some streamers. The water is still cool (low 50s) so a little slower retrieve might be more suitable than the hard, quick rip and strip. As always, mix it up to see what they are in the mood for that particular day.

Good luck.

Ted

Trout Fishing – May and June offer some of the best streamer and dry fly hatches of the year.
Learn to Fly Fish – Tailor a half-day trip to learning how to fly fish –
perfect for beginners or those looking to dial in a new technique.
Fall Steelhead – Some good dates remain in November and into December

bwos michigan, guided fly fishing manistee river, hatches, hendricksons, steelhead fishing, upper manistee

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Posts tagged "hendricksons"

Mid-May Fly Fishing Report

Early May Fishing Report

Late April Fishing Report

Mid May Fishing Report

Late April Fishing Report

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