Posts tagged "smallmouth bass"

Early July Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - July 9, 2019

July is here, the big hex bugs finally showed up – albeit about 10 days late – and they are still around some on the local rivers. The nocturnal hex are showing up at strange times due to the cool evenings so look for spinner falls to occur just about any time in the day. Water levels, temps and clarity are pretty much what you’d expect for this time of year – mid 60s, clear, and average flows allowing for wading in they typical sections.

In addition to the hex, have some Bat Flies, Isonychias, Stones – Golden and Medium Brown, Cahills and some caddis. Smaller streamers fished on light sink-tips or floating lines can be a good way to cover some water but a lot of the fish are still looking up and are only interested in those mayflies that are like floating porterhouse steaks to them.

Lake fishing remains good for those looking for bluegill and bass action on the local lakes and ponds. Target the weed growth near drop-offs as well as any other structure that might hold fish.

Smallmouth and Carp fishing continues on Grand Traverse Bay. The Carp are spawning in the northern sections where the water is cool and there are still some cruisers on the flats in the shallow ends.

Good luck.

Ted

Trout– Match-the-Hatch fishing through June including the big bugs. Terrestrial & Tricos in July and August.
Fall Fishing – Salmon begins in September which leads to Steelhead in October and November.

bluegill fishing, grand traverse bay fishing, hex, smallmouth bass, stoneflies, traverse city

Late June Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - June 27, 2019

As June winds down, we seem to be waiting for more mayfly hatches to ramp up.

Fishing the past week has been tough on the local rivers which have warmed up into the mid 60’s. Hatch densities and fish looking up for bugs has been less than what we have come to expect for this time of year with just a light trickle of bugs emerging and riding the surface. On the days when the stars are aligned and some cloud cover/overcast days coincide with some hatch activity, fishing is far much better.

The Hex Hatch on the Manistee has been off – a few bugs have been witnessed but really no significant emergence has taken place yet. The rivers are busy this time of year with people anticipating the big mayfly and the big fish that eat them, so be sure to share the river.

Isonychias, Brown Drakes, Little Yellow Sally Stones, Medium Brown Stones, Golden Stones, Cahills and an errant Sulphur have been on the water, but again not in impressive densities. Not sure if all the high water we have had the past 6 weeks have pushed bugs around affecting the hatch cycles and densities or if we are just experiencing one of those years where mother nature does what she wants and doesn’t necessarily follow a script.

Bass and bluegill fishing on certain lakes has been decent especially when the sun is high making the trout fishing difficult. The water on the Grand Traverse Bays are warming up and the carp and smallmouth fishing is improving the further north you go as the water becomes more comfortable for them. It will be a busy week-plus out there with the 4th of July Holiday so look for early mornings to be your best fishing on the bays.

Good luck.

Ted

grand traverse bay, hex hatch, isonychias, manistee fly fishing report, manistee river hex, smallmouth bass

July Fly Fishing Traverse City/Northwest Michigan

Posted by Ted Kraimer - July 7, 2017

July is here and fishing seasons are mostly caught up and in check after some cooler weather and more rain.

Trout fishing remains good for those looking to spend mornings or evenings on the water. The low-light hours and overcast days have offered significantly better fishing than when the sun is bright. Despite the rains, water levels and clarity are pretty much normal for this time of year on the Upper Manistee and Boardman Rivers.

The Hex hatch has is mostly over with but the truncated emergence and inconsistent weather will ensure there will be bugs around for a little longer, they will just be really hard to predict. Other mayflies seen around the water include Isonychias, Bat Flies, Yellow Sally Stones, but also some terrestrials including large flying ants, deer flies and beetles.

The bay is still offering some shots at carp on the flats as there is a mix of pre-spawn and spawning fish. While it can be frustrating trying to catch them while they are preoccupied, target the lead fish and the trailers as those are usually the ones most likely to eat the fly. Hex nymphs and crayfish patterns are your best bet with the emergence and full moon’s affect on crayfish.

Lake and pond fishing remains good on the local lakes with some gills/sunfish making a second round in the shallow water. Weed growth is catching up offering more cover for the larger bass as they sit in the shade ready to ambush your diving/slider fly pattern or eat the bluegill on the end of your line.

Good luck.

Ted

Lost and Found: I found a fly rod and reel at 4 Mile Bend Access on the Upper Manistee June 9th. If you are the owner, contact me to identify the make and model and I will see to it that it gets returned.

Trout, Tricos & Terrestrials – Through July and August. A half-day trip on the river is a great way to start the day.
Fall Steelhead – From late Sept. through November, these fish will bend your rod like no other – get your dates.
2017 Fishing – Plan your year around your fishing – get your dates on the calendar, life will fit in around it.

bass, carp, grand traverse bay, guides, hex hatch, smallmouth bass, steelhead, terrestrial fishing, traverse city fly fishing, upper manistee river

Late June Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - June 27, 2017

The recent cool-down and rains have had an effect on all of our fishing – some of it for the better, some not.

While this time of year is considered the “High-Holy Days” of trout fishing with the Hex emergence, the bugs have been fickle. Once they started to get going, the moderate weather turned them off again. Look for bugs to come off and spinners to fall sporadically but better when the sun is out warming up their muck banks and evening temps don’t drop too fast. Last year’s 12 days of solid, warm weather and ensuing consistent hatch spoiled us.

The upside to the higher and cooler water (upper 50’s) is that daytime fishing has been better than usual for this time of year. Dries (Isos, BWO, Bat Flies, Little Yellow Sally Stones, Golden Stones), attractors and twitch flies all have been working as have hex emergers fished along hex beds for fish looking for the mayfly that resembles a floating porterhouse. Mid-sized streamers fished on floating lines and short sink-tips too have had an impact when covering the water waiting for an emergence. It can be a busy time of year on the water as the once a year angler makes his way to the river so give others some space and share the water to help make it fun for everyone.

The lake fishing continues to provide a lot of good surface action on some nice bluegill as they enter a second spawning period in the shallows. The bass, too, are lurking around and are getting aggressive with some larger flies but also the bluegill that you are trying to bring in. Weed growth is a little behind this year so targeting fish has been easier as there are less weeds for them to hide in.

Carp fishing continues, not so much catching. With all the changes in weather – cool nights, winds, etc., the carp have been more elusive than we would prefer. The smallmouth bass however are still cruising some of the flats that have the cooler water offering some action as we look for he carp. It’s a good time to have a fly tied on that both species like for when either species presents themselves: crayfish and swimming hex are good bets as the hex are starting to emerge on East Bay.

Good luck,

Ted

Lost and Found: I found a fly rod and reel at 4 Mile Bend Access on the Upper Manistee June 9th. If you are the owner, contact me to identify the make and model and I will see to it that it gets returned.

bass fishing, carp fishing, crayfish, fly fishing traverse city, golden stones, hex hatch, isos, smallmouth bass, streamers

Late July Fly Fishing Report – Traverse City / Northern Michigan

Posted by Ted Kraimer - July 26, 2016

As July comes to an end, the Trico and Terrestrial fishing for trout is going strong on the Manistee and Boardman rivers. The small Tricos have been keeping the trout active in most mid-mornings as both duns and spinners are on the water’s surface. While most of the fish taking notice are small brookies and browns, some bigger fish have surprised us. Consider fishing a smaller terrestrial fly pattern as an indicator with some 6x tied to the bend and a small trico pattern on the other end. This is a great time to use that 3 or 4 weight rod sitting in your rod closet.

Terrestrial fishing has been improving with the better fishing on cloudy or overcast days. Twitch, pop and skitter “foam and rubber” patterns to elicit somebody to come up to the surface. Mix up the pattern, size and color to see if there is a daily preference. This is also a good time of the year to fish small 2-3″ streamers on floating lines.

Bass fishing on lakes and ponds remains good for those who can cast a big popper or slider. The lily pads located near drops offer a great place for your flies as you wait for their ambush. Too often anglers rush the retrieve – try waiting at least 15 seconds after the cast before putting any action in the fly.

Bluegill fishing has been fishing better than usual for this time of year. Some bigger gills have been playing along with the smaller gills which are perfect for anglers looking to learn how to fish. Sometimes the bass eat the bluegill on your line, too, so hold on to that rod

Smallmouth bass fishing in the lower Manistee River is decent for those looking to cast streamers on both sink-tips and floating lines. Crayfish patterns around rocky edges/drops are always a safe bet as are baitfish patterns. In slack water, try fishing a popper lightly twitched. While not for a beginner, this fishing is a fun way to spend a summer day and work on skills while catching fish.

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 through the entire fishing season: trout, bass, salmon and fall Steelhead.

bass fishing, bluegill, boardman river, brook trout, manistee river, smallmouth bass, terrestrials, traverse city fly fishing, tricos

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