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.