Posts tagged "streamer fishing"

Steelhead Season Continues as Trout Season Begins

Posted by Ted Kraimer - April 21, 2015

Fishing pretty much has remained the same – it’s been inconsistent. One day we find a bunch of fish, the next – a few, then fewer and back to a bunch again – you just don’t know. On both the Manistee and Betsie the steelhead have been coming and going pretty quickly. A few drop backs have been caught as the females head back to the lake after their deed is complete and those same, big, deep holes that have been holding them have also been holding some fresh fish waiting to hit the gravel. Fish are spawning on both river systems but not in the numbers we are used to.

Because of the lack or run-off this winter and little rain, look for more fish to show up through mid-May – especially after ideal conditions in which rain fall is key. I guess you could say the “run” has been spread out over a long period of time. Good flies recently have been clown rag eggs, mottled orange variation eggs, green caddis, steelhead buggers, and small black stones.

It’s finally here! This Saturday marks the annual Trout (Pike, Muskie, pre-Season Bass, too) season on rivers. Much of the water that we guide on is open all year round, but this date is significant to the small stream angler or those that follow tradition. The Upper Manistee and Boardman river levels are higher from summer levels but is lower than normal for this time of year. Some black stones have been on the water but good dry fly fishing is looking to begin closer and into May with sustained warmer temps – I saw snow today and more is in the forecast tomorrow – this tends to fluctuate water temperatures, bug emergences and the trout’s demeanor. Streamer fishing is a great approach right now with medium speed retrieves and flies with lots of action.

Good luck!

Ted

Spring Steelhead – Through mid-May on the Manistee including steelhead/trout combos. Few dates available.
Trout Season – Streamer & Dry Fly fishing is ideal throughout May on the Upper Manistee & AuSable Rivers.
September Salmon – Dates are limited for fishing the Betsie River in early Sept. and later on the Manistee.
2015 Fishing – It isn’t too early to get your fishing trips planned for the year. Booking all species/seasons.

au sable, Betsie, boardman, boardman river, manistee, steelhead, streamer fishing, trout opener, upper-manistee

Mid-December Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - December 12, 2014

It’s mid-December and it feels kind of like mid-November should have. Air temps have increased a little and are forecast to remain that way until early next week. Anglers looking to fish for steelhead are finding fish in the local rivers including the Betsie and Manistee. It sounds as if all rivers have some fish in them as they begin to winter over. Water levels are in good shape for this time of year after rain, snowmelt and a water table that is filled. This is a good time of year to fish with an eye on the forecast.

With the water temperatures in the mid-30s choosing a day with a little sunshine and/or mild overnight temps can have a difference – steelhead and trout do not like significant drops in water temperatures (2-4 degrees). As the fish pretty much get into their lethargic mode look for them in the deeper holes and just off the side into the slower current. Fishing a float/indicator with an egg and nymph combo is one of the best ways to get a drag-free drift to fish residing in that water. Those looking to swing flies are finding that some fish will still play the game – especially when fishing above wooden structure where some fish have taken up residence. As the water continues to drop, look for the window of successful opportunity to get even smaller.

Trout fishing remains strong on the Manistee as fish are eating the streamer knowing that winter is a head of them. Rather than fish the big, heavy sink-tip lines, use some shorter sink-tips to allow you to fish the streamer a little slower in the cold water. When you see a fish come behind the fly be sure to activate it with some shorter strips giving life to the pattern but keeping it an easy target for the brown and rainbow trout.

Good luck.

Ted

The Winter Newsletter just went out – Click here to read and/or subscribe for delivery.

Trout – Streamer fishing on the Manistee into winter an be hot when temps gets cold.
Fall Steelhead– This big fish will continue to offer us a chance until the weather keeps us indoors.
Gift Certificates – Give or ask for a gift certificate; trips or lessons available. Quick & easy holiday shopping
2015 Fishing – It isn’t too early to get your dates booked for next year – now booking for all seasons.

betise river, indicator fishing, manistee river, michigan, steelhead, streamer fishing, traverse city, trout streamer fishing, winter steelhead

Things are Warming Up

Posted by Ted Kraimer - May 19, 2014

Trout fishing has made some strides over the past week, but things are still a little behind. As the trees are just starting to grow leaves, we are seeing a few more bugs on the water and some fish eating them.

The Upper Manistee, Au Sable and Boardman all have had decent hatches of Hendricksons recently, it’s just a matter of finding some rising fish to make it that much better. The rising has been sporadic with some fish playing along but with warmer weather forecast, water temps will warm and we should have more surface activity from the fish as well as increased density and a variety of bugs. Hendricksons should continue and look for sulphurs and black quills to start any day as some hatches overlap. It’s always good to have some BWO in your box as well as black caddis/mother’s day caddis. It wouldn’t hurt to have some mahoganies in your box, too. A good pattern to have to represent a number of flies this time of year is the Borcher’s Drake and Emerger.

Between hatches, fish streamers for trout- olive and copper, yellow, and black have been best for me lately. Check out George Daniel’s “Streamer Envy” article in the June-July edition of Fly Fisherman magazine for a good perspective on streamer fishing.

Steelhead are winding down but are still sprinkled throughout the area’s rivers. I suspect this week’s warm weather will really push them along in their spring ritual and eventually back the big lake. The Manistee , Boardman and Betsie all have fish in them – it’s just a matter of finding them. Drop-back fish are fun to target this time of year as they sit in the bigger, deeper water putting their feed bag on – perfect for the two-handed/spey caster.

The lakes and ponds are just starting to fish as the panfish and bluegills move from the deeper water into the shallows. Look for the shallow water with dark bottoms and even cool marshes or creeks dumping warmer water into them to offer the better early season fishing. This can be a ton of fun with a few bass thrown into the mix, too. Pike are still in the shallows and offer the big fly caster an opportunity before they start to move deep again.

The Bays are well behind schedule thanks to the long winter and subsequent cold water. The bass and carp aren’t much of an option right now, but for you die-hard carp anglers, look for a few days and nights of consecutive warm weather a some sunshine and you might just find a couple of cruisers in the shallows. You’ll want your waders as the water is still very cold.

Good Luck!

Ted

Hatches and Big Bugs – Few dates remain in June for the big bugs – Isos, Drakes and the Hex.
Steelhead and Salmon – While Spring is late getting here, it’s not too early to reserve your Fall Dates.

ausable, Betsie, boardman, borcher's drake, hendricksins, manistee, mayflies, mothers day caddis, steelhead fishing, streamer fishing, sulphers, tippy dam, upper-manistee

Spring Fishing Slowly Gets Here

Posted by Ted Kraimer - May 13, 2014

The last few days have felt very spring-like with warmer temperatures, numerous rain showers and even a few mayflies. With rivers running full, trout anglers will find the streamer fishing to be ideal with slightly stained water and a tendency for the fish to be out feeding on all the food drifting downstream. Trout can be in feeding lanes where a streamer can either entice or elicit one of those big brown trout to play – a worm/night crawler/lamprey looking pattern will do the former where a big articulated pattern designed to draw out a predatory response will do the latter. It can take a lot of casts between fish, but often the fish can be substantial when casting the big rods and the big flies. Patterns tied in either yellow or black are a good place to start.

Some Hendricksons have been coming off on the Manistee with some fish coming up to eat as the water temperatures increase. Bug density and surface activity will increase in the weeks ahead and look for a lot of the other bugs to overlap as emergence schedules condense as the late start to Spring rights itself. Other bugs to be prepared for right now include black caddis, blue wing olives and black quills. Check out the Borcher’s Emerger if you haven’t already – it’s a good pattern that represents a number of different bugs when tied in various sizes.

Steelhead continue to come into local rivers, but we are well past peak as fish trickle in and leave fast with water temps in the 50s. Smaller rivers like the Platte, Boardman and Betsie have fewer fish in them while the big Manistee with a heavier flow of water has been a little more consistent. The steelhead are mostly on the spawning gravel and the drop-back fish are resting in the bigger holes and runs eating big before heading back to the lake. These drop-back fish are ideal for the two-handed caster looking to swing into fish.

The trout in the Manistee below Tippy are still close to the dam and the spawning steelhead taking advantage of their eggs as food. Look for the streamer fishing down there to pick up over the next week as fewer steelhead are around and the big sturgeon have them feeling uncomfortable in the gravel sections where they are spawning.

Lake fishing for bluegill and panfish is on the cusp of starting. Some local lakes with shallow depths and dark bottoms have just begun but most of the fishing is behind since it wasn’t that long ago that they were still covered with ice. Look for this fishing to kick off over the next week also.

Good luck,

Ted

Trout – May is a great time for mayfly emergences and streamer fishing before June’s Drakes, Isonychias & Hex.
Hatches and Big Bugs – Few dates remain in June for the big bugs – Isos, Drakes and the Hex.
Steelhead and Salmon – While Spring is late getting here, it’s not too early to reserve your Fall Dates.

Betsie, bluegill, boardman, borchers emerger, hendricksons, manistee river, platte, steelhead, streamer fishing, trout

Memorial Day Weekend Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - May 23, 2013

Up and down weather this week has provided everything from hot and humid to cool and rainy. While the dry, warm days provided good hatches on the Manistee and Boardman Rivers, the other days were ideal for the streamer angler fishing below the surface and covering water looking for trout.

The potpourri of bugs lately have included: Hendricksons, March Browns, Mahoganies, Black Quills, and a few Sulphurs. Inconsistent weather has broken the mold of evening-exclusive spinner falls and they can be found at all times of the day including late mornings – one just never knows so it’s good to be prepared and be flexible. Look for the warmer weather to return this weekend and for the bug emergence to become a little more reliable and stable. If heading out, you will find that the most prolific hatch lately has been the mosquitoes; be sure to take some bug spray – not having any isn’t an option right now. To read more about the various mayflies that emerge over the next month, click here.

Streamer fishing has been decent as the water conditions are ideal with a slight stain, overcast skies and good temps. With chestnut lampreys active right now and the rain washing worms downstream, streamer patterns resembling such are catching some fish. Other successful patterns are those with lots of movement and orange/brown color schemes looking like crayfish and/or juvenile brook trout – at least that seems to have been a recent preference. As always, mix it up, donate flies to deep structure and keep moving for that rewarding brown or rainbow trout.

The Bluegill/Panfish have moved into shallow water on most of the local lakes and are making for some great fishing. Targeting the “bull-gills” on light rods is a blast. Fish have been taking both dries and nymphs with dries being best when the water is calm. Fish small nymphs by swimming them or try a real small streamer slowly striped.

Some carp have been moving closer inshore from the Grand Traverse bay’s depths but they are far from where they should be in regards to numbers and ideal depths. These weather changes – I think, negatively affect carp more than any other fish we fish for. Smallmouth bass, too, are starting to move towards shallow water to do their spring spawning ritual. The fly fishing in the bays surrounding Traverse City will only get better over the next month.

Have a safe and happy Memorial Day. Good luck.

Ted

Trout Fishing – May & June offer some or our best streamer fishing & great hatches!
Bluegill – Experience great fishing on the ponds and lakes in mid-May and June
Father’s Day – Ask for or give a gift certificate to dad this Father’s Day – June 16 2013
Hex Fishing – Some ideal dates are still available for the big bugs and big fish in mid/late June
2013 Fishing Season – Now booking for all 2013 seasons – don’t miss out on this year’s fishing

bluegill fishing, carp fishing, chestnut lamprey, fishing, fly fishing, hendrickson, manistee, report, streamer fishing, sulphurs, traverse city

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