Posts tagged "traverse city fly fishing report"

August Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - August 9, 2020

With August here we usually think about the dog days of summer, but seeing how we have already had five weeks of them, the trend continues as does our current fishing conditions.

Trout anglers are finding the waters of the upper Manistee and Boardman in the low to mid-60s (depending on overnight temperatures) making for safe fishing. The Tricos have been reliable each morning, but some days they last longer than other days offering some fun match-the-hatch fishing for mostly smaller fish with the occasional bigger fish testing to make sure we are tying good knots in our 6 and 7x tippets.

Terrestrial fishing has been o.k. – it never seems to be great like most people think of when comparing it to out west or the reading they have done on the subject. Still, those larger patterns with rubber legs (“foam and rubber” hatch) will make for some surface/dry fly fishing with mostly smaller fish showing up, but like with the Tricos, we get caught off guard when that big one comes up and slowly eats the fly. In summary, it’s a good time to drop down to 3 and 4 wt rods, keep it simple and enjoy a morning float before the sun gets too high and the fish hide for the day.

Lake and pond fishing has been decent. With the heat came good weed growth and that’s the place to target the bass with those poppers and sliders. Lilly pads, docks, drop offs or places where all three come together makes for some good fishing. Bluegill/Panfish still come to the surface and entertain those learning how to fish as they develop their skills in a still water setting.

Good luck,

Ted

New to the Sport? Bass and Bluegill fishing is the perfect way to learn to fish after a quick casting lesson.
Tricos & Terrestrials – A great way to start a summer day. Float and Trout fish the Manistee in July and August.
Fall Steelhead – Some good dates are available in November – a great way to finish a fishing season.

Mid-July Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - July 16, 2018

With Mid-July comes mid-July fishing conditions. With the warmer weather and bright sun we are finding the best trout fishing to be in the morning or late evening when the sun isn’t so bright and the fish are out looking to eat. Mid-mornings are offering good hatches of Tricos and BWOs with fish looking for them. While the big fish aren’t out eating these small mayflies, we sometimes are surprised by some nice fish. It’s a great time to fish with your favorite 3 or 4 wt rod.

Beyond Tricos, look for Isonychias and Light Cahills to be the other flies on the water and more so in the evening. This time of year we move from matching the hatch to fishing terrestrials and attractor patterns with rubber legs. Cover the water – hit the banks, the wood, the cross-over currents and twitch those flies a little to conjure up a strike. Water temps on the upper Manistee and Boardman rivers remain in the mid to upper 60’s so get the fish in and back to the water quickly.

Bass and bluegill fishing on the local lakes continues to fish strong especially when fishing in the shallows near drop-offs. Bass are loving the poppers and deer hair divers above and around submerged and surface weeds. Fishing tends to be better in the low light hours but the bass aren’t as picky as the trout and often play nice all day long.

Good luck.

Ted

Trout – Trico Hatches and Terrestrial fishing has begun – it’s the perfect way to start the day on the river!
Stillwater- Bluegill and Bass fishing remains a favorite for beginners and experienced anglers through August.
Fall Steelhead – It’s Summer which means it’s time to think about getting your Fall dates. Oct. thru Dec.

bass fishing, bluegill fishing, boardman river fly fishing, fly fishing the upper manistee, isonychias, traverse city fly fishing report, trico hatches

August Fly Fishing Report – Traverse City Region

Posted by Ted Kraimer - August 6, 2017

We are now in August and what is referred to as the dog-days of summer. Although it’s been warm, we have had some cool weather, too leaving the water temperatures ideal. Last week’s rain has left the local rivers (Upper Manistee and Boardman) running a little higher than normal for this time of year and there is definitely a stain which is uncommon in August. Close to 4 inches of rain will do that. Anyways, there is still clarity and in fact it is welcome after some really clear conditions for most of July; now fish aren’t as spooky.

The best trout fishing seems to be mid-morning when the Tricos are on the water and brookies and browns are looking up. While not easy or necessarily the best way to catch the biggest trout, it is a lot of fun for those looking to put that lighter rod to work casting to rising fish. Before and after the hatch, cover some water with bigger terrestrial flies like grasshoppers and attractors like Chernobyls, Fuzzy Wuzzys, Turks and the alike. Smaller streamers fished on a floating line and swung and twitched have been working, too. Other insects on the water include flies, large BWOs (BFOs) and Cahills.

The bass fishing on the local lakes is still active and bluegill remain in shallow, just not the fat-slabs we had access too for 7 weeks this year. This remains a great way to spend some simple time on the water and/or is the perfect and ideal way to get someone into the sport while they develop the skills.

Good luck,

Ted

The Summer Newsletter just went out – click here to read and/or subscribe.

Trout, Tricos & Terrestrials – Through 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.

best trout fishing, boardman river, fishing report, traverse city fly fishing report, upper-manistee

May Days and Trout Fishing

Posted by Ted Kraimer - May 9, 2017

Trout fishing is the main theme right now as the next two months are some of the best for anglers looking to fish dry flies and streamers for brown and brook trout. All local rivers are pretty much experiencing ideal conditions and with that comes the emergence of various bugs.

On the upper Manistee, AuSable and Boardman rivers, look for the Hendricksons to continue to come off in the afternoons and their spinner falls to drop in the evenings. A few other mayflies including BWOs, Black Quills/Borchers Drake, and even a few Sulphurs/light Hendricksons are around to compliment the caddis that are a little more consistent these days. This is only the beginning of an emergence calendar that keeps us thinking about trout, dry flies and being on the water.

When nothing is happening on the surface, focus on fishing sub-surface with streamers. With the rivers having a slight stain to them right now, it’s a great time to cast a big fly on a sink-tip for those larger fish that haven’t totally gone nocturnal on us right now. After a mild winter, the fish are looking well fed and they don’t seem to be wanting to go on a diet right now.

Good streamers include baitfish patterns – especially in waters are stocked by the DNR. While Fin Clips do a good job of imitating stocked rainbows, there are other patterns that do a good job of imitating trout and other juvenile fish….Cheech Leech, Dirty Hippy, Brook Trout, mini D&Ds, Deceivers and more. And when those don’t work – or you are fishing non-stocked water – try sculpin patterns to imitate a prolific natural food source.

Bluegill are just starting to work their way up into the shallows of certain lakes and ponds. This week’s warmer weather should push them up from the depths and into water that is more conducive to fly anglers. This is a blast when you: need to fish closer to home, are introducing someone to the sport, or are simply looking for not overly technical fishing opportunities. Largemouth bass, too, are starting to get active where we can present small streamers on floating lines to them. But look out for aggressive pike that want to take your fly and keep it, too.

Good luck,

Ted

May Fishing – Trout, late steelhead, hatches, streamer fishing, bluegill on lakes – don’t overlook fishing in May.
Trout – The hatches of late May lead into June making for some of the year’s best dry fly fishing – don’t miss out.
2017 Fishing – Plan your year around your fishing – get your dates on the calendar, life will fit in around it.

ausable river, baitfish patterns, bluegill fishing, boardman river, borcher's drake, brook trout, fin clip fly pattern, fishing report, streamer fish, traverse city fly fishing report, trout fishing, upper manistee trout fishing

Trout Season Opener, Steelhead Continue

Posted by Ted Kraimer - April 28, 2014

Trout Opener has come and gone and besides some of the traditions that took place over the weekend – it just doesn’t feel like it. Cooler than normal weather has been lingering and combined with the long winter, things are still behind – including the steelhead run.

Steelhead continue to swim up local rivers and with the water temperatures in the mid to upper 40s, they are focused on getting in, spawning and returning to the big lake. Most area rivers like the lower Manistee below Tippy Dam, Boardman and Betsie have come down but are still full or have a slightly increased flow. Clarity has improved but the Manistee is still darker than normal. Few suckers have come in which is an indication that more steelhead should continue to provide opportunity for a while.

Egg flies in Oregon Cheese, Steelhead Orange and Light Roe have been producing as have green caddis and fry patterns. As clarity improves and temps increase look for the swing bite to offer two-handed anglers a chance to get their fish on.

The upper Manistee is looking good with just a slight stain to it making for decent streamer fishing which is good since little is hatching. If you are headed out with a dry fly rod be sure to have some small adult stones and BWO patterns with you as they have been around sporadically. With the water still cool, look for a slower retrieve on your streamer to perhaps get that fish to pounce. Flies with lead eyes that kind of have a jigging motion can really get fish to play this time of year.

Ice is just leaving or has recently left the local lakes and a nice sunny day can get some nice pike in shallow to warm up making them a fun target for those looking to throw a big fly for a big toothy critter.

Good luck,

Ted

The Spring 2014 Newsletter just went out – click here to read or subscribe.

Steelhead -While it is currently Spring Steelhead time, it’s also time to book your fall steelhead dates.
Trout – May is a great time for mayfly emergences and streamer fishing before June’s Drakes, Isonychias & Hex.
2014 Fishing – It’s not too early to start booking your 2014 dates – reserve you place in the boat today.

caddis, carp, fry, manistee, manistee river below tippy dam, traverse city fly fishing report