Posts tagged "manistee river"

Early August Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - August 1, 2018

As August begins we find ourselves in familiar territory on the trout rivers. Terrestrials are becoming a bit more active in and around the bushes and grasses, Tricos dancing above and falling to the water mid-morning and wild brook trout outcompeting the browns for dry flies.

A mix of patterns are bringing fish to the surface with one common trait – they mostly have rubber legs and foam. Natural hoppers will bring up some fish at mid-day but it’s the smaller terrestrials that seem to catch the most fish before the sun gets too high. Fishing a trico behind a terrestrial is a great way to keep track of those miniature flies as they drift downstream.

With the cooler evenings the water temps on the upper Manistee and Boardman are still in good shape however the water clarity might be a little too clear as the fish are feeling vulnerable when the sun is out.

Bass fishing on the local lakes remains a lot of fun when working the weed beds and other structure. Poppers, divers, big terrestrials and small streamers are all worth tying on. And for veterans with light rods or beginners learning how to fly fish, the bluegill continue to play along and bend the rod making for a pleasant morning or evening on the water.

Good luck.

Ted

Trout – Trico Hatches and Terrestrial fishing has begun – it’s the perfect way to start the day on the river!
Stillwater- Bluegill and Bass fishing remains a favorite for beginners and experienced anglers through August.
Fall Steelhead – It’s Summer which means it’s time to think about getting your Fall dates. Oct. thru Dec.

Early June Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - June 5, 2018

Fishing the Traverse City region in early June offers plenty of choices. Most fly fishers are going after trout since this time of year offers some technical dry fly fishing. Rivers like the Manistee, Boardman and Au Sable continue to produce a smorgasbord of flies on the water including: Gray Drakes, Great and Little Mahoganies, Sulphurs, Little Yellow Sally Stones, Medium Brown Stones, Brown Drakes, Isonychias and Caddis. Any given day you can see a few different kinds of bugs, other days only one type but you should head out to the water with a loaded fly box and a headlamp with fresh batteries because a lot of times the spinner fall is taking place at dusk. Bring some bug spray, too.

Streamers and twitch flies on smaller sink tips have been working during the day to bring a fish out of the wood and onto the hook. This time of year, lightening up your streamer approach can be a good thing as the fish like a different presentation after six weeks of heavy streamer pressure.

The current cold-front has brought the water temperatures down in the river which is good – last week’s heat warmed them up a little too much, too quick. Levels and clarity are about perfect if there is such a thing. As always, handle the trout quickly and get them back in – most of these rivers rely on natural reproduction so even the small ones are important to tomorrow’s quality of fishing.

The inland lakes continue to produce good bluegill fishing as well as large and smallmouth bass fishing. The smallmouth are typically deeper and weighted flies and/or clear sink-tip lines will help you get to fish near those slight drop-offs. The largemouth and bluegill are in the shallow water and are mostly done spawning but are in a post-spawn mood.

With all the wind and cool temps, the fishing on the bay is still in its infancy for the carp and smallmouth but there are still some opportunities for those willing to put in the time and cover some water. Sustained weather (and warmth) will help make for some better fishing that is sure to come as June progresses.

If you are into the warm-water fishing, this weekend The Northern Angler is hosting there 2^nd Annual Cheese Cup Warm-water fishing tournament. This is a fun, fundraising event for the Third Level Crisis Center in honor of Alex “Cheese” Hawke who lost his battle with depression. The format is easy going and focuses on the warm-water species including bass, carp, pike, and bluegill. The after party is one you won’t want to miss. More detail’s here.

Good luck.

Ted

Trout – The big Bugs of June will be here before you know it…. Isos, Drakes and Hex – limited dates available.
Stillwater- Bluegill, Bass and Carp. With the best trout fishing in the evening, try fishing lakes during the day.
Fall Steelhead – With Summer just arriving, it’s time to think about getting your Fall dates – Oct. thru Dec.

Baordman river, bluegill fishing, brown drakes, carp fishing, cheese cup fly fishing tournament, guided fly fishing, isonychias, manistee river, smallmouth bass fishing, traverse city fly fishing, trout fishing, twitch flies

Mid-April Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - April 16, 2018

It’s hard to believe that it’s the middle of April when looking at the snow, freezing rain and ice. Old man winter is being a little ornery and just won’t leave and allow what we expect weather wise this time of year. Late last week – before the winter storm – brought some expected April showers and we sure needed a boost in river flows as the Betsie and Manistee were running exceptionally low and clear.

The increased water has the rivers looking completely different – they are higher and dirty but still fishable. With the snow pack, I am guessing that the high and dirty will be around for a few weeks. Since we have been dealing with low water we still had not received a big push of steelhead on the Manistee and I suspect with the cooler water we should get a decent run of fish spread out over the next couple of weeks. I would expect to see the last of the steelhead move through on the Betsie over the next week or so. The Platte should fish good, too, with the extra flow of water.

Last week’s effective flies no longer apply with the new water conditions. Fill your fly box with big and bold egg patterns and nymphs that have a large profile including – steelhead/ice buggers, egg sucking leeches and sparkle stones.

Fish are a mixed bag right now – fresh fish, spawning fish, and drop back/post spawn fish. Fishing the holes around the gravel and migratory slots should be your best bet in targeting fish in the stained water.

Good luck.

Ted

Steelhead & Trout Combo – The first two weeks in May can offer steelhead in the morning and trout after noon.
Trout – Reliable hatches begin in May for surface activity. It’s also a great time to fish streamers for bigger trout.
Learn How – Take a 1/2 day trip with the goal of learning how to fly fish or improve, customized to your interests.

betsie river, fishing tippy dam, ice buggers, manistee river, steelhead, steelhead and trout, steelhead fishing tippy dam, stone

Mid-October Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - October 15, 2017

The weather continues to be a little warmer than usual for this time of year making for comfortable fishing most days and decent catching along the way.

We are well past peak salmon fishing on all local rivers as the fish are determined to get their spawning accomplished despite the warm water temps. The recent rain should drive up any last salmon holding in the lake/river mouths including the Betsie and Manistee but don’t expect too many fresh fish. Cohos continue to dominate on the Platte River and up by Tippy Dam where they are congregated.

Some steelhead have moved into the river systems and can be found close to any spawning salmon as their eggs serve as a natural chum line for the protein loving fish. Egg patterns that closely resemble natural eggs are your best bet especially in the clear water. Jump up a size and go to a brighter/bolder color in low-light or stained water and as the leaves drop into the water, fish even bigger egg patterns to stand out. The dark pockets, holes and runs directly downstream from spawning salmon are great places to target. With the water being so warm, hold on tight – they have been hard to land. Try to get them in as quick as possible and revive them to ensure survival in water temps in the upper 50s. You can read more about fishing egg patterns here.

Trout fishing has been tough with the clear water of the upper Manistee. Despite little angling pressure, these fish have been elusive as we approach the time of year that brown trout move to do their spawning. With the water temps being in the mid 50’s dry flies are pretty much done although you will want some small flying ant and BWO patterns just in case. Big wet flies, twitch flies and mid-sized streamers are a good approach this time of year and look for fish to be on the structure on inside bends as much as they are on the usual and likely places.

Good luck.

Ted

Fall Steelhead – October, November and into December, these fish will bend your rod like no other – experience it.
Trout/Steelhead – The lower Manistee offers good streamer fishing for trout in late Fall for a combo of species.

betsie fishing, coho, coho and steelhead, egg patterns, manistee river, Platte River, salmon fishing, steelhead on egg patterns, tippy dam, trout fishing streamers

Mid-August Fly Fishing Report Traverse City Region

Posted by Ted Kraimer - August 17, 2017

As we hit the August mid-way point, the fishing does too. After a long summer, the fish are starting to get wise to what we are trying to do and have been getting good at discriminating our presentations and angling attempts. In other words – they are getting wise, smart and elusive.

The Trico hatch on the upper Manistee and Boardman rivers is winding down after five weeks of relatively consistent match-the-hatch dry fly fishing for mostly smaller fish, but some nice surprises along the way, too. The water clarity has been commensurate with this time of year creating limited chances on the trout – one or two presentations before they get wise to our intentions and stop rising.

The terrestrial and attractor bite has slowed a bit too but is still a good way to cover the water and get some fish to rise to the surface. Smaller hoppers, obscene foam and rubber patters and smaller ants and beetle patterns have all been working most days. Smaller streamer patterns fished on floating lines and less aggressively than the heavy-handed streamer approach have taken some nice fish, too.

The largemouth bass and bluegill fishing remains decent for those looking for some still water fishing and it’s a great way to start or end the day in when the sun isn’t so bright. The typical water and smaller patterns (think rubber legs and X) have been working on the smaller fish while mid-sized poppers and divers have been taken some nice bass along weed lines and structure. Diving/swimming frogs are a favorite of mine (and the bass) and are a lot of fun to fish. If you are using a lighter weight rod, consider using a large Turk’s Tarantula to get a similar diving action without the wind resistance.

Good luck.

Ted

Salmon/Steelhead Combo – Late Sept. through early October offers a chance at both species on the Manistee.
Fall Steelhead – October, November and into December, these fish will bend your rod like no other – experience it.
Trout/Steelhead – The lower Manistee offers some great streamer fishing for trout in late Fall as another option.

bass fishing, boardman river, fly fishing report traverse city, manistee river, salmon, steelhead, streamer fishing, terrestrial fishing, trico, trout fishing, trout fishing traverse city

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