Late June Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - June 28, 2022

As June winds down, the Hex Hatch winds up. It has been sporadic with the fluctuations in the weather for both the emergences and spinner falls so there is no telling when you will have good bugs on the local rivers including the upper Manistee. Water levels are low and clear since it has been a while since our last rain.

Water temperatures also have been fluctuating making fishing inconsistent and having us stay home or shift to bass fishing when they approach 70 degrees. Other bugs on the water include a few brown drakes, Isonychias, bat flies and medium brown stones so you will want more than a few hex patterns in your fly box. Of course, you’ll want your headlamp and bug spray too.

For some, this is the only time of year some folks get out and fish who might not have heard of new invasive species in our local waters which include Didymo, aka Rock Snot (Manistee) and New Zeeland Mud Snails (Boardman, Manistee, PM, Au Sable). Michigan Trout Unlimited has produced a guidebook to identification and decontamination that I strongly encourage you to familiarize yourself with and practice. Otherwise, these invasives will likely show up on other watersheds you fish (rivers and lakes) before you know it. It’s also upon anglers to spread the message to other anglers to get the word out. You can read the Guidebook here.

Largemouth bass and bluegill fishing in lakes continues to offer both new and experienced anglers a lot of opportunities to bend the rod and enjoy a non-technical day of fishing on the water. Dry flies, poppers, swimming nymphs and the occasional streamer near and around structure and drop offs has been the approach. Smallmouth bass fishing has slowed down in the lakes but has been getting better in the rivers for those that like to lazily fish a streamer and feel a fish pull much harder than any trout.

Good luck,

Ted

Learn to Fly Fish – Book a half-day trip with the idea of learning the basics in how to cast and fly fish.
Tricos and Terrestrials – Start your day on a cool river fishing for trout with dry flies from July into September.
Fall Steelhead – Although the Spring Season just ended, think fall steelhead. Good dates available in November.

bass fishing, brown drakes, casting lessons, fishing at night, hex hatch, invasive species, learn to fly fish, manistee, panfish, smallmouth bass

Mid August Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - August 19, 2021

After last week’s rains, the rivers have returned to normal levels and clarity.

Trout fishing is slowing down some due to all the food that washed downstream with the recent high water feeding the fish. And, well, it’s that time of year where the fish – it seems – are wore out after a long spring and summer of pressure.

If headed out, look for Tricos to be hitting the water mid-morning providing some match-the-hatch dry fly fishing for brook and brown trout. When fishing these small flies, sometimes it’s best to fish a two-fly rig – with a larger dry to serve as an indicator with a small Trico below it. It’s also a great time to use that 3 and 4 wt rod you might have.

Wet flies and small streamers (less than 3 inches) fished on a floating line can bend the rod some if the surface activity isn’t overly productive. Other terrestrials and attractors make this time of year fun on top for the dry fly angler looking to spend some time on the river with out all the demands and technical fly fishing.

Lake fishing continues to offer bluegill and bass, but it seems the best fishing is early, late or on a rare cloudy day. Nothing new here – target the structure including the drop-offs for where fish are hanging out.

Good luck.

Ted

Trout Fishing – August is Terrestrial and Trico time! Start the day off casting to brook and brown trout and get
back to the family for lunch time – it’s a great way to start the day when in Northwest Michigan.
Learn to Fly Fish – Tailor a half-day trip to learning how to fly fish –perfect for beginners.
Fall Steelhead – Some good dates remain in November and into December.

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Mid July Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - July 16, 2021

Mid-week rains have brought the seasonal rainfall almost up to it’s average annual amount making last month’s drought a memory and the river levels up, too.

The water is high for this time of year and a bit stained due to the tannin and silt but there is still enough transparency to fish. When wading, take each step with a little more caution that what you have earlier this summer. Water temps are still bouncing from the high 50s to mid-60s as overnight temps keep the water from getting too warm when the sun is out.

Hatches have been limited on the upper Manistee River and Boardman River with Tricos just starting to show up mid-mornings. The no-see-ums, too. It seems I go through more bug spray this time of year than any other time as the micro biters like to chew on you before the sun gets out. It’s still a time of year when the trout’s focus is transitioning from mayflies to terrestrials. With the high water, it’s a good time to get those smaller streamers out and work those softer edges targeting fish looking for what’s washing downstream. Twitch flies too (think old-school sized streamers often with rubber legs, fished with some twitches) are always a good bet this time of year.

Bass and bluegill fishing continues to offer the stillwater angler an option closer to home. It’s been a blast watching anglers new to the sport develop their skills with so much action as well as those with experience bend the rod even more. A few bigger fish can be found in the shallows in the lower light hours of morning, evening and even the rare cloudy day. Largemouth bass have been more shy than normal this year but they are still around, however seem a little wiser. Maybe we caught them last year and they haven’t forgotten the experience? Anyways, divers and sliders around lily pads have worked most days. Typically terrestrial patterns with rubber legs do a good job on the smaller panfish and occasional bass. Hard to beat a Turk’s Tarantula this time of year whether you are fishing trout, bass, or bluegill!

Good luck.

Ted

Trout Fishing – July and August is Terrestrial and Trico time! Start the day off casting to brook and brown trout
and get back to the family for lunch time – it’s a great way to start the day when in Northwest Michigan.
Learn to Fly Fish – Tailor a half-day trip to learning how to fly fish –perfect for beginners.
Fall Steelhead – Some good dates remain in November and into December.

bass, bass fishing, bluegill, boardman river, guided fishing trips traverse city, lake fishing, learn to fly fish, michigan, river levels, streamer fishing trout, terrestrials, trico fishing trout, trout fishing guide, upper manistee river

July 1 Report – Fly Fishing Traverse City

Posted by Ted Kraimer - July 1, 2016

With July upon us we are catching our breath from catching fish, lots of late nights and looking forward to what’s ahead.

On the Trout Rivers and streams, the Hex hatch has been one of the better ones of recent years due to a long period of stable weather that concentrated the hatch. On the Manistee we are on the other side of the peak with more bugs to emerge and spin, however they will be thinner in density due to cooler nights and simply because we have already had two-weeks of good emergence.

Other bugs on the water include Isonychias, Light Cahills, Bat Flies, Big Stones, Gray Drakes, Little Yellow Sally Stones and Olives. Evenings and mornings are the better times to be on the water with the water being low and clear. If its a cloudy day it should be even better. As we approach the other side of the Hex – the crescendo of mayfly fishing -there are other bugs and approaches to consider when hitting the water. Click here to read “Fishing after the Hex Hatch“.

The smallmouth bass and carp fishing on the bay are winding down. While there are still fish around, the bass are finishing up and moving deep again while the Carp are becoming even more unpredictable as we near the end of their typical migration to shallow water to feed and spawn. Consider traveling outside of the bay to find fish moving into shallow water. Don’t give up yet, but alter expectations a little.

The lake fishing for largemouth bass and bluegill on inland lakes is still good. With the weed growth bass are more predictable to target with top water flies and divers. While the big bluegill are pretty much in deep water now, the smaller gills continue to play along with the dry flies and provide a great way to introduce and teach someone to fly fish.

The smallmouth bass in the lower Manistee is getting better as the water is warming up. While these fish aren’t as large as those found in Grand Traverse Bay, they offer anglers the chance to cast streamers on sink-tips and diving flies on floating lines. Not ideal for beginners, but for those looking to improve their skills and catch some fish along the way.

Good luck,

Ted

July & August Trout – It’s that time of year to start your day on a river fishing wets, dry flies and terrestrials.
Learn to Fly Fish – This is a great time of year to learn how to fly fish. 1/2 day trips for beginners are perfect!
Salmon – Late August and September is when the Salmon start to migrate upstream – get ’em while you can.
2016 Dates – Now booking for the entire fishing season: trout, bass, salmon and fall Steelhead.

bass, bluegill, carp, grand traverse bay, hex, learn to fly fish, traverse city fly fishing, trout

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Posts tagged "learn to fly fish"

Late June Fly Fishing Report

Mid August Fishing Report

Mid July Fly Fishing Report

July 1 Report – Fly Fishing Traverse City

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