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Posts tagged "pike"

Early May FIy Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - May 8, 2018

If feels like we skipped spring and went right to summer as temperatures approach 80 degrees.  Nature is catching up with the season as the fields on the way to the river have turned from brown to green and foliage is starting to become omnipresent in the woods. So is the fishing.

Trout fishing is starting to shape up although the river levels are a little high and stained – perfect for the Hendrickson mayflies that are sporadically emerging on the upper sections of the Manistee and AuSable Rivers. A few BWOs are around on the cloudy days and it won’t be long before tan caddis should be dancing on the surface.  Before the surface and bug activity takes place, now is the time to cast a streamer looking for those larger trout looking to eat big. With the stained water yellow, black, and olive streamer patterns are great first choices. With the water temps still in the mid-50s, slow the streamer presentation down and don’t hesitate to fish the inside bends.

Steelhead fishing is pretty much done. A few fresh fish moved in over the past week but they are getting in and getting out quick with the water temps being so warm.  While a bit cold, overall it was an exceptional spring steelhead run as it was spread out with a good number of fish throughout without any surge of fish. And the fish for the most part were a little bigger this year making for some really nice fish photos. Already looking forward to the fall run of steelhead that begins in October.

As water temps continue to climb look for the shallow, dark bottom lakes to see a little bluegill/panfish action to start any day now – this is a great way to get tuned up with your casting while having access to some really nice gills that usually too deep. Pike anglers should find similar lakes providing an opportunity to fish shallows for post-spawn fish.

Good luck.

Ted

Trout – Reliable hatches begin in May for surface activity. It’s also a great time to fish streamers for bigger trout.
Big Bugs – The big Bugs of June will be here before you know it…. Isos, Drakes and Hex – limited dates available.
Fall Steelhead –  Spring Steelhead is just finishing up but it’s time to get your Fall Dates reserved – Oct. thru Dec.

bluegill fishing, drakes, fall steelhead, hendrickson au sable, hendricksons, mayflies, pike, steelhead, streamer, tippy dam, trout fishing

Tough Choices

Posted by Ted Kraimer - May 16, 2012

This time of year there are so many species to choose from – it can be difficult to decide what to fish for and where.

Trout fishing continues to offer some good dry fly fishing as the mixed hatches are bringing fish up when temperatures stay mild in the evenings making for ideal hatch conditions. When fishing the Manistee, Boardman and AuSable, look  for sulphurs, mahoganies, caddis, yellow/golden stones (#10), black quills and March Browns – emergers, adults and spinners should be in your box ready to go. When cloudy or overcast, bugs are emerging in the afternoon and early evening with spinner falls collecting  closer to dusk and eventually falling when conditions are right – typically mild temperatures and light wind if any at all. With the smaller bugs, look closely for the small dimples of bigger fish rising – they can sometimes be hard to detect but worth the extra attention. Streamer fishing has been mixed with cloudy days being best as water levels are normal and clear. Successful streamer patterns include baitfish patterns (deceivers, brook trout, bunkers), brown zuddlers (think lamprey), peanuts and small, natural sculpins.

Fishing below Tippy Dam on the Manistee is nymphing real well with lots of carp in the river and trout eating eggs and the small nymphs being dislodged. Work the bubble lines with indicators and when you are looking to cast a streamer for bigger brown trout, white/baitfish patterns have been effective fished on sink-tips. With all of the small fish stocked in that section, look for the bigger fish to eat your larger streamers that imitate them. Wet fly fishing and swinging caddis dries offers great fishing for those looking to learn fly fishing in rivers.

The local lakes and ponds have seen an increase in bluegill activity as fish are moving in shallow on their beds – look for the numbers to build with the warmer weather and sunshine. Largemouth bass have moved into the shallows in greater numbers and are on nests, too doing their spawning thing.  North and Eastern shores seem to be fishing best as the sun sets in the west exposing itself the longest to these sections of water and warming it up. Top water flies like small poppers are working as are small streamers and medium sized nymphs. Keep a rod rigged for pike in the event one shows up or break up the day focusing on the toothy critters with bite tippet and big streamers.

With the sunny days we have been getting some warmer water on the flats of the Grand Traverse Baysimproving conditions for carp. Afternoons and even into the evenings are best which is when the water is warmest.  Cold nights and unfavorable wind directions can change things greatly from one day to the next, but with more consistent temps, wind and lots of sun – carp fishing should be going strong, soon. Until then, pick your days, times and places wisely.

Good Luck!

Ted

The Northern Angler will be hosting the Fly Fishing Film Tour at The Inside Out Gallery this Friday, May 18th.
Doors open at 6:00 with the film starting at 7:30. Call TNA for details and tickets – 231-933-4730

 – Book a Trip for the Upcoming Fishing Seasons –

May & June: Trout fishing with streamers and dries. Don’t forget the Big Bugs – Drakes, Isonychias and Hex in June.
June: Carp on Grand Traverse Bays – find out why this has become the favorite early Summer fishing of so many.
Booking for all 2012 Seasons – Some Fall Dates Remain Open

ausable, bass, bluegill, boardman river, carp, fishing report, fly fishing, grand traverse bay, hatches, manistee, pike, trout

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

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