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

Early April Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - April 2, 2021

With the start of April behind us, anglers are finding water levels on the Manistee and Betsie uncharacteristically low and clear for this time of year. The region hasn’t received any significant rain yet this year and the snow melt has been gone for over a month. Without the rivers rising and being stained, the steelhead migration has been more of trickle than a “run”.

The fall fish that wintered over and those that came throughout the winter have already performed their spawning and moved back to the lake. There are a lot of empty gravel beds which should help with wild fish reproduction rates – all of our rivers could stand a population increase. Fishing has been tough as we continue to experience more anglers and less fish. Sure helps make the case for catch and release for those that don’t practice it.

With the water being clear, lighter line and smaller flies have been working better than the bigger and bolder patterns. Eggs and beads in smaller sizes and natural color schemes (orange-ish) have been working better than others. The green caddis tied in size 8 and 10 have been working well and the fry bite is starting to take place as more juvenile salmon fry are swimming around clueless – the fry bite is one of the more aggressive takes while nymphing. Don’t forget your black stones and hex nymphs.

The long-term weather forecast is calling for more of the same – dry conditions and mild temps. With the water in the low 40’s it might be a good thing that we don’t have a big push of water as the steelhead run would likely be condensed to a short 5 day event. As it looks, it will be a long, slow trickle of fish, until any appreciable rain and runoff takes place.

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

betsie river, egg patterns, fonzi fry, fry pattern, green caddis, guide trips, hex pattern, manistee river, steelhead patterns, tippy dam

Early December Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - December 2, 2020

As we enter December, anglers will find steelhead throughout local river systems (Manistee and Betsie) and pretty well spread throughout them. Water temps are hovering around 40 degrees, but after some cold nights, the smaller rivers tend to drop temps until any sunshine that day might warm them up. Since the rivers aren’t very busy, sometimes it’s a good idea to get a later start and let both the air and water temps increase some. If there is one thing all species of fish don’t like, it’s a rapid drop in temps when things are already cool.

Not much has changed – it’s time to cover the water with your favorite method – drift fishing, indicators or swinging flies on sink-tips. Look for the fish to have moved into water a little slower than they have been as they begin to adjust to the colder temps and maybe consider taking up residence near some structure for the winter. A mix of fish are being caught – fresh chrome ones and some with a little color to them, especially the males. Bubble lines are still worth targeting, especially on the soft side of the current.

Eggs and beads are still working well, with caddis, hex and the occasional big stone fly working when tied below an egg. Swung flies in tan/brown with copper and olive and copper seem to have been more successful than other combinations.

There’s still some good weather and fishing to be had so don’t put your gear away just yet.

Ted

Fall Steelhead – Take advantage of the mild late Fall weather – it’s a great way to finish the fishing season.
Gift Certificates – Give the gift of a Fishing Trip or Lesson – Half of Full Days available – they’re easy and fast.

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Late October Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - October 23, 2020

As October winds down, the river levels are on the way up. Recent rains have been significant and anglers will find the rivers like the Betsie and Manistee high and rising. Unlike Spring when high water events last a while, the rivers should drain out by later next week, providing we don’t experience additional showers.

Salmon are pretty much done, although there are some rough looking ones either doing the last of their spawning or waiting to become biomass. With all their eggs in the river combined with the high water, a natural chum line moving downstream should encourage more steelhead to enter the river system.

When water is high like this, look for those bubble lines and seams and fish the softer side as the current isn’t as strong and the fish like to move up in the slower moving water. Water temps are in the high 40’s so the fish are still eager to eat and eager to get away once hooked.

Egg patterns and beads are the leading choice right now with natural colors and sizes being recent producers but with the high water and excess leaf drop, look for bigger and bolder patterns to paly a role in your decision.

Please release all steelhead – today’s 5-pound fish becomes next year’s 8 to 10-pound fish, etc. They don’t taste very good and your manliness isn’t validated by the number of fish you parade around the parking lot or place in the smoker.

Good luck.

Ted

Trout/Steelhead Combo – Late fall can offer a combined chance at both species on the lower Manistee.
Fall Steelhead – Some good dates are available in November – a great way to finish the fishing season.

betsie river, egg patterns, fishing guide, manistee river, michigan fly fishing, salmon fishing, steelhead, steelhead bead

Mid July Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - July 12, 2020

The recent deep heat the region experienced for the last 10 days has finally let up, at least for now. I am happy to report that some cooler evenings and cloud cover has helped the local rivers drop into the low to mid-60’s making trout fishing an option again. I don’t ever recall such hot weather for such a long time. Looks like warm weather is in the forecast, however the cooler overnight temps will allow the spring fed nature of the Upper Manistee and Boardman Rivers to remain cool enough to fish.

With the majority of our hatches beyond us, we find ourselves in the typical transition period of early July where fish are digesting the hex mayflies they have loaded into their guts the past three weeks (feeling like many of us do after the holiday season) as we wait for Tricos to start any day. As typical for this time of year, the morning is the ideal time to take advantage of shadows and fish looking up. Smaller terrestrials, wets and twitch flies are a good approach as we get deeper into summer.

More on fishing post Hex Hatch can be read here.

Unless you are “mouser”, it’s time to put away the head lamp, reduce half of the fly boxes in your gear bag and simply fish. River levels and temps are ideal for wet wading if not fishing from a boat

Bass and bluegill fishing has slowed down some with the heat, but like the trout fishing, lake temps will cool off a little with the cooler temps and some wind. Some big gills are still coming to the surface in their second post-spawn phase. Bass have been bass hiding in the weeds and slurping sliders, divers and the occasional popper.

Good luck and thank you to the sportsman that held off on fishing during the recent hot weather to help the fish population.

Ted

New to the Sport? Bass and Bluegill fishing is the perfect way to learn to fish after a quick casting lesson.
Tricos & Terrestrials – A great way to start a summer day. Float and Trout fish the Manistee in July and August.
Fall Steelhead – Some good dates are available in November – a great way to finish a fishing season.

boardman river, fly fishing guide traverse city, hatches, hex, manistee river, river fishing, terrestrial fishing, traverse city fly fishing, tricos

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Posts tagged "manistee river"

Mid May Fishing Report

Early April Fishing Report

Early December Fishing Report

Late October Fishing Report

Mid July Fishing Report

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