Posts tagged "traverse city fly fishing"

Mid November Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - November 11, 2024

The unseasonably mild fall weather continues to make for comfortable fishing.

While we have had some rain in the past, the river levels have only experienced moderate increases in levels before dropping back to the low-levels we have had for months. Still, the steelhead have been showing up as they move upstream from the Lake Michigan.

Smaller rivers like the Betsie got a nice push of fish with last week’s rain, while the Manistee has maintained a respectable number of fish all fall. Water temps remain a bit warmer than normal for this time of year and the fish continue to be a little more spirited once hooked. With the clear water, we have been using lighter line to fool fish.

Egg patterns are still the first choice of anglers and fish, with nymph patterns building in effectiveness as the natural salmon eggs in the river diminish a bit. Shades of yellow and pale orange rag eggs and beads have been working in smaller sizes (#8 and 8mm). Steelhead buggers, Hex, and mid-sized stoneflies are fooling fish, too.

With the warmer water, the steelhead are more apt to eat a swung fly fished on sink-tips, typically with a spey rod on the larger rivers. Leeches and baitfish patterns in black, olive or tan – all with copper flash – have been working. If you’ve had an interest in trying this method, conditions have made this an ideal year to learn.

Good luck.

Ted

Fall Steelhead – Take advantage of the mild fall and warm water! Good dates in November remain.
2025 Fishing Season – It’s not too early to look ahead to next year and get your dates planned and secured.
Gift Certificates – Available for Half or Full Day Guide Trips or a Casting Lesson making perfect gifts for anglers.

baitfish patterns, Betsie, casting lessons, fall steelhead, fly fishing, manistee river, spey rods, steelhead, steelhead fishing, traverse city fly fishing

Late August Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - August 22, 2024

The fishing in the region has avoided some of the typical slow-down that usually occurs this time of year thanks to some cooler nights and much needed rain.

The rivers like the Manistee and Boardman are moving along nicely with ideal temperatures and just a hint of color. Some days we need to wait until later in the morning to start fishing so the water temps rise above 60 and get the fish looking up and active. It also helps to wait until the dew burns off and gets winged bugs active. The long-term forecast says this should be the case for a few more days before we fall back into the August pattern of warm weather.

The Trico hatch this year has been a little more prolific than other years with decent number of fish selectively sipping them. The hatch has gone longer than normal but is winding down. The terrestrials are becoming more noticeable on the banks and therefore falling in the river from time to time which has some bigger brown trout looking to take advantage of that. It’s also that time of year you want to make sure you have some flying ants as they often start showing up this time of year and can be a favorite of both the brown trout and brookies.

Smallmouth fishing in the lower Manistee is also slowing down as it usually does this time of year when the first salmon start moving upstream. I suspect they no longer feel like the predator when fish 6 times their size share the same water. Maybe that’s karma for the smallies after a summer of eating baitfish?

Good luck.

Ted

Late Summer Trout – When the kids go back to school hit the river and have it all to yourself.
Learn To Fly Fish – 1/2 Day trips are perfect for beginners! Learn how to cast before hitting the water to fish.
Fall Steelhead – Finish the fishing season with steelhead on the lower Manistee. Good dates in November remain.

fly fishing guide, learn to fly fish, salmon, steelhead, terrestrials, traverse city fly fishing, trico, trout fishing

Early August Fly Fishing

Posted by Ted Kraimer - August 1, 2024

July ended with some hot weather and it appears the start of August will continue with more of the same.

With this heat, the water temperatures in the trout rivers are getting too warm at mid-day and through the evening making for dangerous conditions for the fish. Until water temperatures drop (thanks to cooler night-time air temps) fish the early mornings for best conditions. Once the water temperature gets to 68 degrees, put the fly rod down or change species to target.

The Trico hatch has been taking place in the mornings. Clouds of spinners are falling to the water mid-morning on cooler days but when it’s warm to start the day, look for the bugs to be on the water closer to 8 a.m. With the lack of rain, the water is clear and the fish are spooky so make sure that 6 and 7 x tippet is fresh and you are light with your hook set.

Terrestrials and attractors are working most days and the small (less than 2 inch) “streamers” twitched rapidly are picking up some fish. Soft hackles swung in riffles keep fishing light and fun if you are looking to pick up some fish while keeping the technical aspects of dry fly fishing mostly out of the process.

Smallmouth bass fishing in the lower Manistee has been decent for those looking to cast some streamers for fish that mostly play by the rules. Smaller baitfish patterns seem to be out-fishing attractors and poppers, but we still have them in the box just in case.

Bass and bluegill fishing continues to be decent in the small lakes. With more weed growth, target the edges and lower light times of the day; cloudy days are best. Fishing big poppers for largemouth is always fun and seems perfect for August fishing when we get back to basics and enjoy the time on the water.

Good luck.

Ted

Trout, Tricos & Terrestrials – July & August offer fun dry fly fishing on the upper Manistee river.
Smallmouth Bass – Fish the lower Manistee with streamers & poppers this summer for fish that can pull.
Learn To Fly Fish – 1/2 Day trips are perfect for beginners! Learn how to cast before hitting the water to fish.

guided fishing, manistee trout fishing, smallmouth bass fishing, steelhead fishing, traverse city fly fishing, tricos, trout fishing

Early July Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - July 2, 2024

The Hex flies have mostly finished a really heavy hatch period this year on the local rivers including the Manistee. This steady stream of bugs has left the trout fat and happy and like many of us after Thanksgiving dinner – second guessing that last serving.

The rivers are in good shape: height, clarity and temperature are all where they should be. After a significant hatch, the fish usually sulk for a little bit and wait for digestion to take place, but they’ve been known to eat a hex fly as a few late bloomers either hatch or spinners fall. Isonychias on the cloudy days can make for some fun fishing, but mostly it’s time to think about attractors, wets and small streamers as most of our hatches are over. It also means you can take some fly boxes out of the gear bag/vest since there isn’t as much match-the-hatch fishing going on.

You can read more about fishing following the Hex Hatch here.

The really good lake fishing for bluegill/panfish has slowed some with the fish going deep again after another round of spawning. Look for them in the drops near weeds and other structure. The largemouth bass fishing is ramping up as they are starting to look up at diving bugs, poppers and attractors that get their attention. Small streamers, too, fished on a floating line can also bring some fish to the net.

The smallmouth bass fishing in rivers continues to offer some good streamer fishing for those looking to change gears from the evening and night trout fishing we seemed to have been doing for the past 6 weeks. Once temperatures warm back up, I suspect the surface/popper bite might begin.

Good luck.

Ted

bass fishing, fishing report, hex hatch, learn to fly fish, smallmouth bass fly fishing, traverse city fly fishing, trout fishing, trout fly fishing

Mid-June Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - June 18, 2024

The recent and ongoing hot weather has only accelerated our fishing and seasons.

With the lack of rain and high temperatures, our trout fishing is experiencing warp speed hatch cycles. It seems that most hatches condensed and have taken place with the exception of the annual Hex hatch which started last week – a good week early and remains going strong. These nocturnal bugs bring out the big fish and more anglers so be sure to share the water. With the forecast, I don’t suspect they will go very long as the hatches have been relatively dense with all the sunshine and heat.

As water temperatures increase and get above 68 degrees, the fish get lethargic and playing any hooked trout as temps near 70 can be very lethal. While a fish may swim away, they may end up dead soon after due to the lactic build up from the experience. Take the night off when water temps are high – it is what sportsman do. We need these fish to survive for future generations and since MI DNR continues to manage our cold water fisheries so poorly we need to do our part.

<< You can monitor local river temps through these links:
Upper Manistee near CCC Bridge and various Great Lakes basin tributaries >>

Alternatives this time of year include fishing lakes for bass and bluegill. Weed growth, too, has accelerated and have created some good weed lines and structure for fish as water temps increase. Add a depth change to the equation and you have a formula for some good fishing. Surface activity remains strong especially in the mornings and evenings. Small streamers for sub-surface presentations and bigger fish seems to be the advantage.

Smallmouth bass in rivers is an increasingly popular species to chase when summer comes around. Fishing streamers and/or poppers in daylight seems to be the antithesis of technical match the hatch trout fishing, however, you still need some experience to make the most of this fishery. Watching these fish eat your fly, then pull on your 6 or 7 wt. makes folks wonder why they haven’t done this before.

Good luck & stay cool.

Ted

brown trout, fly fishing, fly fishing report, hex hatch, learn to fly fish, manistee river, smallmouth bass, traverse city fly fishing, trout

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