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Posts tagged "streamer fishing"

Mid – September Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - September 12, 2022

Nearing the mid-point of September, it feels like the seasons are thinking about transitioning. September can be a continuation of summer or the end of the summer – just depends on the day. With the weather changes comes changes in fishing.

Trout anglers will find that they have the rivers to themselves. Hatches are relatively non-existent but this time of year you should always have a selection of BWOs, flying ant patterns and small Isonychias as they can show up. Like May, this time of year you should hit the water with the ability and willingness to fish both the surface and below.

Larger terrestrial patterns continue to bring some fish to the surface but on days when fish aren’t looking up or there is too much debris (leaves and pine needles) floating on the surface, go subsurface with some smaller streamers. It’s been a long season of the trout being pressured by anglers, but with fewer people on the water lately, they are starting to move out from their bunkers where can present some flies to them once again.

Salmon have moved into the usual rivers in decent numbers but as salmon do, they can be in a funk; weather and conditions can make the difference with bright and sunny – tough, overcast – ideal. With the abundance of baitfish in Lake Michigan, the fish are running a bit larger this year so hold on when you hook up.

The bass and bluegill fishing is winding down as it typically does this time of year. It seems they go fairly deep this time of year proving a little difficult with the fly rod, but somedays they will be along the drop offs and other structure willing to eat on the surface and more so, bellow.

Good luck,

Ted

 

Fall Steelhead – Finish the season with what started the season – Steelhead! Good dates available in November
2023 Fishing –  Get your dates secured to ensure your time on the water. Booking all seasons thru September.
Gift Certificates – Quick and easy gifts of a half-day, full-day or casting lesson for friends or family.

betsie river, learn how to fly fish, manistee river, salmon, salmon fishing, steelhead, streamer fishing, trout fishing

Late April Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - April 24, 2022

Finally, some warm weather is helping us forget about the cold spring we have had so far. With temps in the 70s this weekend the water temperatures should climb a little and get things to where they should be for this time of year.

Steelhead fishing is winding down on local rivers (Manistee, Betsie and Platte) with most fish hitting the gravel fast and getting back to the lake. Drop-back fish and a few fresh ones that are a little late to the game can be found in the runs and holes while most anglers focus on the shallow water. Smaller egg patterns and beads in natural colors have been best while fry and caddis are taking a respectable number of fish, too. With practically no suckers in the river yet, I suspect we will have a trickle of steelhead for a bit longer.

Water temps on the upper Manistee reached mid-50s this weekend and some of the first Hendricksons have shown up. Not many, but some. Water temps usually need to be in the upper 50s before the surface activity goes to the next level and one can expect to cast to a rising fish. In the meantime, cover the water with streamers. The next 4 to 5 weeks is a great time to have a dry fly rod rigged in the boat while you cover the water with subsurface patterns. When a hatch or rising fish presents itself, switch rods/presentations.

Good luck.

Ted

May Days – The month that offers so much variety for a number of species. <<More info>>
Match the Hatch  – Late May and June offer dry fly anglers some of the best trout fishing of the year.
Fall Steelhead – Some good dates remain available in October, November and into December.

betsie fishing, caddis, dry fly fishing, eggs, hendricksons, manistee river, steelhead, streamer fishing, tippy dam

Late September Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - September 25, 2021

With September winding down it seems fishing is ramping up.

The trout streams have been pretty quiet with few anglers fishing and the fish have responded by slipping out from their protective log jams and are out where you can get a fly to them. With the water clear (upper 50s temp), you can see the fish, but usually after you have spooked them. Cast down and across with smaller streamers and twitch and strip rather then rip and strip for your best success. With some days forecast to be in the 70s, keep a box of terrestrials with you in case the fish start looking up again. Fall colors on the upper Manistee are starting to pop making it a great way to spend an early fall day in solitude.

<<Click here to read an article on how to move your streamer a little slower>>

Salmon fishing picked up this week with a change in the weather and some favorable winds to mix up the water and draw some fish closer inshore and up the rivers. All the local NW Michigan rivers have fish in them and a few are starting to scratch the gravel as they begin the spawning ritual.

Good luck.

Ted

Fall Steelhead – Some good dates remain in November and into December. Finish the season with some chrome.
2022– Booking next year’s fishing seasons through September. Don’t miss your favorite seasons and good dates!
Gift Certificates – Ask or give the gift of a lesson, half or full-day trip on the water.

manistee river, salmon, salmon fishing, steelhead fishing, streamer fishing, terrestrials, upper manistee

3rd Week of June Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - June 20, 2021

As June continues, so do the fluctuations in weather. Thankfully the water temps have remained “safe” for trout fishing on the upper Manistee staying below 70 degrees for over a week now.

Hex flies have begun on parts of the river as have the Isonychias and, some Brown Drakes are still around typically at dusk. Other flies on and above the water include medium brown stones, bat flies, the last of the Sulphurs and even a great mahogany or two.

The weather forecast is calling for a significant cold front which should interrupt the cycle of emergences for a bit until normal temps come back again later in the week. Fishing will be challenging for most as you can’t hide in the cover of darkness when fishing in daytime when bugs are likely to be on the water. As it has been the case all season, really good presentations are required to fool these wise, educated and pressured fish.

Bass and bluegill fishing remains good on the smaller lakes. The bass are in a post spawn mood and hanging in the structure looking to eat, while the bluegill have gone shallow again. Weed growth is where it should be for this time of year giving you a great place to target both your dries/poppers and slider/divers.

Good luck.

Ted

Trout Fishing – July and August is Terrestrial and Trico time! Start the day off casting to brook and brown trout
and get back to the family for lunch time – it’s a great way to start the day when in Northwest Michigan.
Learn to Fly Fish – Tailor a half-day trip to learning how to fly fish –perfect for beginners.
Fall Steelhead – Some good dates remain in November and into December.

bass, bass fishing, bluegill fishing, brown drakes, fishing, fly fishing guide, fly fishing report traverse city, hex flies, hex hatch, isonychias, manistee, streamer fishing, sulphurs

Early June Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - June 3, 2021

With June starting, so do the big bugs.

Trout fishing has been the focus of most anglers recently. This time of year, folks tend to hit the river armed with a well-stocked box(s) of dry flies or get in the boat with visions of emergers, sailboat look-a-like duns and/or spinners on the water to imitate. Lots of different bugs can be bring trout to the surface this time of year which is why it is a favorite time to spend an evening on the water on the Manistee or other local rivers.

Sulphurs, Mohaganies, Yellow/brown stones, and Gray Drakes are of primary consideration. But beyond those (since aquatic bugs haven’t used logic or followed schedules the past 8 years), have Isonychias and Brown Drakes with your because you never know when they might start to emerge on the Manistee. (Some Brown Drakes have begun on the Au Sable system). The hatches have been light, if not sporadic with fluctuations in the weather and some cool nights, but one has to be prepared. Evenings are still the best bet under normal circumstances, so make sure your head lamp has fresh batteries.

More on early June hatches and fishing this time of year can be read here.

With the lack of any significant precipitation, the mosquitoes most nights have been non-existent. The lack of rain has also kept the river running low and clear for far too long. Stealth in your presentation is paramount and a good presentation is required – these fish are demanding. Streamer fishing has waned with the low water and increase in bug activity. With some significant warm weather in the forecast, likely the last few hours of the day should offer the best fishing in the foreseeable future, unless a cloudy day comes along.

The lake fishing has been good for those looking to cast to some fat and sassy bluegill. The bass have been playing along, too, depending on which lake you are fishing. The typical surface flies have been working but with the full moon behind us, we are getting into post spawn grumpy behavior.

Good luck

Ted

TEMPERATURE ALERT: With the hot weather and warm nights, monitor temperatures on trout rivers. Once the water hits 70 degrees, you should stay off the water to prevent mortality and help preserve the resource.

Trout Fishing – July and August is Terrestrial and Trico time! Start the day off casting to brook and brown trout
and get back to the family for lunch time – it’s a great way to start the day when in Northwest Michigan.
Learn to Fly Fish – Tailor a half-day trip to learning how to fly fish –perfect for beginners.
Fall Steelhead – Some good dates remain in November and into December.

au sable river, brown drakes, drakes, fishing guide traverse city, fly fishing guide, fly fishing report Michigan, isonychias, stoneflies, streamer fishing, sulphurs, trout fishing
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