Posts tagged "terrestrial fishing"

Early September Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - September 7, 2016

With Labor Day behind us, it still feels like summer with the warm temperatures. While the days are shorter, trout fishing on the upper Manistee and Boardman during the lower light hours of the day seem to be best and when it is overcast -fishing is pretty consistent throughout the day.

The terrestrial bite has been decent all year and it remains that way. Flying ants have been around recently and since they are like crack cocaine to trout – have some in your fly box. Be sure to have some grasshoppers and general terrestrial attractors like Chernobyl Ants, Tar Babies, Fuzzy Wuzzys and Neversinks – the “foam and rubber” season remains. Have some smaller streamers to fish on floating lines for some subsurface action and once things start to noticeably cool down, have the streamer rod ready. The brook trout are getting brilliant with color as they are in their pre-spawn stage and a little feisty. Browns will get that way later in September as they prepare to spawn in October.

Salmon have entered local rivers with promising numbers of fish considering conditions haven’t been ideal the past three weeks. The Betsie has some fish in it as does the lower Manistee below Tippy Dam but we are still in summer like conditions and the number of fish around reflects that. The treatment of the Manistee last week with lampricide has seemed to work its way through the system and the fish bite has returned after a few days of being in a stupor. With more rain in the forecast and cooler weather ahead, look for conditions and fish numbers to increase steadily along the northwest coast and tributaries.

Bass and bluegill fishing remains pretty good on local lakes and ponds with the water temperatures dropping a little. Bigger fish are moving back in to the shallows and are eating the fly pretty good. Interested in learning how to fly fish? This is still a great way to learn the fundamentals and bend the rod.

Good luck,

Ted

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Late Summer Trout – Have the river to yourself fishing wets, dries, terrestrials and streamers.
Salmon – A few dates remain for Salmon fishing on the Betsie River throughout September.
Fall Steelhead – Starting in October, extending into December. Fall Color Tour includes Chrome!

Betsie, boardman, brook trout, fishing, manistee, salmon, salmon fishing tippy dam, steelhead, streamer fishing, terrestrial fishing

Still some summer fly fishing to be had

Posted by Ted Kraimer - August 25, 2015

The recent cold front has a lot of anglers thinking about the fall fishing but we still have some summer fishing left – the calendar and forecast confirms this.

Water conditions for local trout rivers are in fine shape with temps around 60 on the upper Manistee and Boardman rivers making wet-wading, well, tricky or uncomfortable when in waist deep water. The recent rains haven’t effected levels too much but rather freshened them up so to speak. With the over-cast conditions fish have been out and on the prowl making for improved streamer fishing conditions when not casting surface flies. Try fishing smaller weighted streamers on floating lines and/or short sink-tips.

Very few bugs have been on the water other than Tricos in mid-mornings when temps are normal which is what we should have later this week and next. On the windy days don’t look for the Tricos to be on the water as the wind keeps them from landing however, these windy conditions make for better terrestrial fishing as hoppers and other land-based insects find themselves on the water. It’s the time of year for “foam and rubber” terrestrial and attractor patterns. Some days the fish want movement in those flies, other days dead drift with an occasional twitch so mix it up.

Bass and bluegill fishing is still going strong on the local lakes but the bigger bass are getting wise to our program of poppers and diving bugs. Like the trout fishing, the cloudy days seem to be better and the best fishing has been near structure including weeds, fallen trees and drop-offs.

The winds of the past few days have mixed up the water on Lake Michigan and some salmon have moved closer to shore with just a few making it up the tributaries as we approach September. Salmon reports on the big lake have been mixed so there aren’t many predictions on what the fall run of fish will be like on local rivers, but we should have a better idea in mid-September.

Good luck.

Ted

Summer Trout Fishing – Terrestrial and Trico fishing through August on the Manistee.
Smallmouth Bass – Streamer fishing on the lower Manistee is a great way to spend a summer day.
Fall Steelhead – Late September through November is the time for sassy steelhead on the Lower Manistee.

betsie river, boardman, fishing the manistee, salmon, streamers, terrestrial fishing, trout

Trout, Terrestrials, and Tricos

Posted by Ted Kraimer - July 21, 2015

Trout fishing has been decent lately with more fish looking up in the daytime hours now that hatches aren’t prolific and fish need to keep their eyes open for their food.

Fishing on the Manistee and Boardman has been seeing some terrestrials on and in the water – this is a good time to fish beetles, ants, small grass hoppers and other attractor flies – especially those with rubber legs forming an “X”. Look for the smaller patterns to be a little more effective right now as the natural insects are mostly small. <More on fishing terrestrials>

It wouldn’t be a bad idea to have some Light Cahills, BWOs and Isonychias in your fly box as these tend to trickle-hatch for a few more weeks. If headed out in the a.m. – you will want Tricos as they have been around once the air warms up but they are more effective fished before sun is heavy on the water – these should continue through much of August. For those unwilling to separate from their headlamps and fishing in the dark, mouse and other surface patterns have had mixed success. < More on fishing after the Hex Hatch >

Water clarity is a little too clear and water temps have been climbing, but they have been falling too, with the cool nights which can have an effect on how the river is fishing. Cloudy and overcast days have been best, but we just haven’t had too many of those lately. This is a great time of year to get out early and fish until noon.

Bass and bluegill fishing on lakes has slowed a little and are best fished in the mornings or evenings as a lot of the fish are in deeper water during the day which is difficult to fish effectively with fly fishing equipment. In the low-light hours, they move into the shallows to feed. Diving frogs and mid-size poppers have been best for the bass with small spiders, terrestrials and nymphs working on the bluegill.

Good luck

Ted

Summer Trout Fishing – Terrestrial and Trico fishing in July and August on the Manistee.
Smallmouth Bass – Streamer fishing on the lower Manistee is a great way to spend a summer day.
Fall Steelhead – Late September through November is the time for sassy steelhead on the Lower Manistee.

bass fishing, boardman river, light cahills, manistee river, mouse patterns, terrestrial fishing, ticos, trout fishing traverse city

August Fly Fishing in Traverse City

Posted by Ted Kraimer - August 1, 2013

Now that August is here, it is full-on terrestrial fishing for trout. Water temps are cooler than normal for this time of the year on the Manistee and Boardman River and the fish are happy. The clear water and bright skies are making it tougher than normal, but there are still some trout around to play our game; look for overcast and cloudy conditions to provide your best opportunities.

When not casting terrestrials – hoppers, ants, beetles and other attractors, the most consistent insect on the water is the Trico – small mayflies that typically hit the water in mid-morning. Look for little dimples and mostly smaller fish to be out eating but always be ready to coax a larger fish to the net on the light tippet that might surprise you. Since these flies are so small, try fishing them behind a larger dry fly to serve as an indicator. Small beaded or coned streamers fished on floating lines and some bead head nymphs have been working in the deeper slots and holes with shade and/or wood.

Smallmouth bass fishing on the lower Manistee fishing is good for those looking to fish streamers, crayfish and the occasional popper. While they aren’t as big as the fish in the bay, they are a lot of fun and will make you a better streamer angler for other species including trout.

Bass and Bluegill fishing remains solid on the smaller lakes and ponds around Traverse City. If you haven’t gotten in on the bass fishing this year, it has been one of the better years we have experienced. While the larger bluegill are pretty deep most of the day and migrating into the shallows in the evenings, the largemouth bass have been accessible to the fly angler through poppers, streamers and diving baitfish. Small gills are almost always in shallow and offer beginners and kids a great opportunity to learn the basics and have fun doing it.

Good luck,

Ted

Trout Fishing – Morning Trico s and fishing terrestrials is a great way to start a day in August
Bluegill & Bass – Fishing for both species is a great way to spend some time on the water over summer.
Fall Steelhead –Few dates remain for these chrome favorites – act quick. Late Sept. – Nov.

bass, boardman river, lower manistee, smallmouth bass, terrestrial fishing, traverse city, tricos, trout fishing

Not Enough – Rain or Salmon

Posted by Ted Kraimer - September 10, 2012

We received some rain however it wasn’t enough to really make a difference in the number of salmon in local rivers. Simply put: things are slow on the Betsie river and the Manistee isn’t much better. Summer weather remains problematic for changing things and the lack of significant amounts of rain and continuing drought is keeping our salmon migration on hold. When we do get a heavy rain, look for fish to swim upstream in biblical proportions. Until then, cover lots of water and look for cloudy days to be better as the few fish in the river systems are hiding in the wood when its sunny and the water clear.

Trout fishing is o.k. right now on the upper Manistee with terrestrial fishing remaining one’s best bet as the summer conditions are making for happy grasshoppers. All things rubber -legged and attractor-like should receive priority in your fly choice. Streamer fishing has been o.k. on those rare days when the clouds are out and when fishing streamers in the low water conditions, fish your smaller patterns for your best success. Few natural bugs are on the water including: beetles, some flying ants, BWOs and small Isonychias.

Good luck,

Ted

The latest newsletter recently went out – click here to read and/or sign up for delivery

Salmon: Salmon fishing season extends through September. Limited dates available.
Steelhead: The end of September means it’s time to focus on fall steelhead through November.
Fall Trout: Fish the Upper Manistee throughout fall or Lower Manistee in late October and through November.
Booking for all 2013 Seasons and through August – reserve your place in the boat.

betsie river, manistee river, salmon, terrestrial fishing, trout

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