Late May Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - May 30, 2023

As May comes to an end, it sure seems like we are in middle of summer with these hot days.
It’s been a while since we have had any significant rain leaving the trout rivers running low and clear. Thankfully evening temps have been cool which has kept the water temps in check, but they are creeping into the mid-60s on the Manistee, Au Sable and Boardman Rivers.

The bug hatches have been decent with sulphurs, mahoganies and caddis being the usual suspects. Clouds of spinners are forming in the evening but with rapidly falling temps as dusk settles in, they go off to the trees only to fall another day. Brown Drakes and Isonychias should be in your box as they can start showing up if they haven’t already on your favorite section of water.

Streamer fishing has been off with the lower, clear water so smaller streamers fished on lighter sink-tips or even floating lines have been fooling some fish. A lot of suckers are spawning in rivers so don’t hesitate fishing behind them for trout eating their eggs.

The lake fishing for smallmouth and largemouth bass has been really good. Surface activity with poppers has been working as the fish have moved in shallow. The bluegill fishing has been good too, just depends on which lake you are fishing. Sometimes smaller streamers for the bass are required on the bright days when the fish don’t want to look up and are fished with either intermediate tip and floating lines.

Good luck.

Ted

Trout – It’s Match-the-Hatch time on the trout rivers through June. Just a few dates to choose from.
Smallmouth Bass– Spend a half or full-day on the lower Manistee fishing smallies – June through Late August.
Fall Steelhead – November still has some dates available in 2023 – finish the fishing season strong.

bass fishing, bluegill fishing on the fly, fall steelhead, hatches, mahaganies, manistee river fly fishing, manistee river hatches, smallmouth, smallmouth bass fly fishing, sulphurs

Tricos and Terrestrials for Trout

Posted by Ted Kraimer - July 30, 2014

Our cooler summer is keeping water temperatures nice and cool and the fish sassy. Ranging from the upper 50s to low 60s and with a good flow, the upper Manistee and Boardman look a little different for this time of year.

Mid-morning hatches of Tricos have been taking place but vary a little based on how long it takes for the air to warm up; some mornings it takes a little longer for those small bugs to hit the water and the fish to look up. There aren’t many other bugs on the water right now except for a light hodge-podge of mayflies – including Cahills, BWOs and Isonychias. More on <<Fishing After the Hex Hatch>>

With fewer bugs on the water and hatch to match, now is a good time to transition into the terrestrial fishing – that is hoppers, ants, beetles, cicadas and most patterns tied with foam and rubber legs. As the summer extends these land-loving bugs find themselves on the water and vulnerable to trout. Fish them dead-drift with the occasional twitch and if that doesn’t work, put a lot of twitch and motion in them (not necessarily drag) for some reaction. More on <<Terrestrial Fishing>>

Small streamers, too, are working when the surface activity isn’t taking place. Work the structure with weighted patterns on a floating line and see if you can’t tease some fish out of their bunkers.

The lake fishing remains good for largemouth bass and bluegill fishing. The bigger poppers and sliders have been fooling the larger bass where the small spiders, swimming nymphs and streamers are working for the bluegill/panfish. Weed growth and lily pads have been a great place to start as is structure near breaks in water depth. More on <<Largemouth Bass Fishing>>

Smallmouth fishing in the lower Manistee remains an option for those looking to fish streamers for these fun fish. While they aren’t as big as the fish in the Bay, these bass keep it visual and are often eager to please. This is not the ideal species for the beginner but for the angler who has the basic skills and looking for a fun way to further develop your skills.

Good luck.

Ted

Tricos and Terrestrials for Trout – July and August fly fishing for trout on the Upper Manistee River
Salmon– Fresh fish can enter rivers as early as mid-August and offer great fishing through September.
Fall Steelhead– From the end of September through November – this is the time of year for Steelhead.

bass fishing, boardman, fly fishing, fly-fishing guide, lakes, manistee, panfish, rivers, smallmouth, terrestrials, traverse city, tricos, trout

Good Weather, Good Hatches, Good Fishing

Posted by Ted Kraimer - June 14, 2012

Thanks to some warm weather last week and with the forecast calling for more sun and high temps, the fishing improved and should remain. On the trout rivers there have been decent numbers of bugs of all types: mahoganies, bat flies, a sulphur or two, lots of BWOs on those cloudy days, little yellow stones, big yellow stones, a few brown drakes, isonychias and some hex. The AuSable has had the most prolific hatch of hex bugs lately where the big bugs on the Manistee and Boardman are just starting in a few places and by no means are they thick – think more of a trickle. Things should change over the next few days if the weatherman stays true to his word.

Carp fishing on the bay has changed, too with the fish going hard at their spawning task. Look for fish to be in shallow and they should be relatively easy to see as they are in big groups “smacking fin.” Look for the lead fish or any stragglers behind the group to eat a well presented fly as the latter tend to eat anything the group stirs up. Smallmouth fishing has slowed up a little but the careful eye should be able to find a fish or two cruising the flats looking to eat. Focus on all structure (rocks, boulders and logs) in the mean time if targeting smallmouth.

Bluegill fishing has tapered off a little as the gills have moved deep again requiring a little more strategy and skill than when they were up shallow doing their spawning thing. Each lake/pond is different as is each day so one never knows. Fishing deep with small nymphs and streamers can produce some great gills this time of year – be sure to hit the drop offs. The largemouth bass continue to eat and as weed growth increases, fish both top water and subsurface with streamers for some great post-spawn fishing.

Good luck!

Ted

Father’s Day is this Sunday – June 17. Don’t forget dad or let your own kids know that I can E-mail
Gift Certificates for lessons and trips just in time.

– Upcoming Fishing Seasons –

Trout: Fishing with streamers and dries. Don’t forget the Big Bugs – Drakes, Isonychias and Hex.
Carp and Smallmouth Bass on Grand Traverse Bays – find out why this has become a favorite of many anglers.
Terrestrials & Trico hatches in the Months of July & August – start your mornings off on a cool, quiet trout stream.
Booking for all 2012 Seasons – Some Fall Salmon and Steelhead Dates Remain Open

ausable, boardman river, brown drakes, carp, hex hatch, manistee river, smallmouth

Posts tagged "smallmouth"

Late May Fishing Report

Tricos and Terrestrials for Trout

Good Weather, Good Hatches, Good Fishing

– Upcoming Fishing Seasons –

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