Posts tagged "traverse city"

Early August Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - August 1, 2018

As August begins we find ourselves in familiar territory on the trout rivers. Terrestrials are becoming a bit more active in and around the bushes and grasses, Tricos dancing above and falling to the water mid-morning and wild brook trout outcompeting the browns for dry flies.

A mix of patterns are bringing fish to the surface with one common trait – they mostly have rubber legs and foam. Natural hoppers will bring up some fish at mid-day but it’s the smaller terrestrials that seem to catch the most fish before the sun gets too high. Fishing a trico behind a terrestrial is a great way to keep track of those miniature flies as they drift downstream.

With the cooler evenings the water temps on the upper Manistee and Boardman are still in good shape however the water clarity might be a little too clear as the fish are feeling vulnerable when the sun is out.

Bass fishing on the local lakes remains a lot of fun when working the weed beds and other structure. Poppers, divers, big terrestrials and small streamers are all worth tying on. And for veterans with light rods or beginners learning how to fly fish, the bluegill continue to play along and bend the rod making for a pleasant morning or evening on the water.

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.

Late June – Hex Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - June 24, 2016

The Hex bugs have taken the main stage for fly anglers right now as consistent and warm weather has made for good emergences and spinner falls on all the local rivers including the Au Sable, Manistee and Boardman Rivers. These nocturnal bugs get the attention of fish in that last half-hour of light and into the night, but they also have the attention of a lot of anglers – be prepared for a few more people fishing your favorite section of water.

Other bugs on the water have been sparse except when skies are cloudy or overcast. Have some isonychias, brown drakes, gray drakes, bat flies, little yellow sally stones, medium brown/yellow stones, light cahills, along with your hex fly patterns. Terrestrial/attractor fishing has been bringing some fish up to the surface while small streamers fished on a floating line working sub-surface for when fishing with a little more sunlight out. Check the batteries in your headlamp, make sure you have some bug spray and take a nap throughout the day – it’s time to fish a second-shift schedule.

Not in to night fishing or looking for something to do in the day? Carp and smallmouth bass fishing on the bay has been good. Some carp are starting to spawn but majority of them are in a pre-spawn mode and tend to eat better. This sight fishing pushes angler’s abilities and mettle but when the line comes tight after a good cast and presentation, it’s worth it. Hex nymphs, crayfish, leeches have been ideal for carp while the same and small baitfish and goby patterns have been working for the smallmouth bass.

Lakes are still fishing well for bluegill and bass. These affable fish are still a great way to spend some time on the water and/or teach and introduce someone to the sport of fly fishing. With more weed growth (think lily pads) target drop offs and other structure/transitions. Bigger bass are eating the bigger flies like divers and swimming frogs. Gills/sunnies/panfish continue to eat the surface flies – predominately smaller terrestrial patterns – they have a weak spot for rubber legs.

Good luck,

Ted

Carp and Bass – Look for these guys on the flats of Grand Traverse Bay through the month of June.
Big Bugs – The month of June is the month of Big Bugs – Isonychias, Brown Drakes and Hex – dates available.
Salmon – Late August and September is when the King Salmon start to migrate upstream – get ’em while you can.
2016 Dates – Now booking for the entire fishing season: trout, carp, bass, salmon and fall Steelhead.

au sable river, bluegill, boardman river, carp fishing, carp on the fly, hex fishing, isonychia, manistee flies only. traverse city fishing report, smallmouth bass fishing, traverse bay carp fishing, traverse city, trout ffly fishing

Early November Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - November 3, 2015

We finally received a decent amount of rain and ideal winds late last week and with it came some much needed color to the water including some chrome. A few new steelhead moved through the system and are scattered throughout the Manistee as well a few in the Betsie River. It had been a while since the weather cooperated so it was good to see things go as planned, albeit late.

The forecast is calling for some odd weather – this week which should make the fishing comfortable which isn’t always the case in November. 70 degrees? It looks like the run will be very prolonged as fall progresses and water temperatures remain higher than normal. As it has been all season, the steelhead have been hard to land with the water temps hovering in the low 50’s so hang on tight.

Successful fly patterns have been varied, always with an egg pattern (orange and chartreuse variations), and sometimes two when fishing near the last of the salmon spawning on gravel. With a nymph bite starting to come on strong – caddis, buggers and big black stones have been fished well in conjunction with an egg pattern, also – especially when fishing the larger runs and deeper holes. With less eggs in the water this year due to low salmon numbers, look for the swing and streamer bite to be a little stronger, earlier this year.

Good luck!

Ted

Late Trout – Brown trout fishing into late December can be some of the best streamer fishing of the year.
Fall Steelhead – Look for the good fishing continuing in Nov. & into December for steelhead on the Manistee.
Gift Certificates – With the holidays just around the corner consider giving or asking for some time on the water.

Betsie, Betsie river salmon fishing, caddis, egg pattern, fly fishing, fly patterns, manistee, steelhead, traverse city

August Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - August 5, 2015

With August here the trout fishing continues to be more of the same – Tricos and terrestrials. The upper Manistee received an inch of rain with the weekend’s storm but the river is in good shape – it has a slight stain to it and the level is ideal for this time of year. Fishing on the Boardman in the upper stretches is best in mid-mornings and evenings when kayaks, canoes and tubes are less likely to be out.

The cool nights are keeping the water temperatures in the low 60’s and as the sun warms up the air mid-mornings look for the Tricos to gather in good numbers before falling to the water. If you are struggling to see your small fly pattern consider tying it to a larger dry fly as a dropper to serve as an indicator. Most of the fish playing along are brook trout and some small browns with some bigger fish thrown in the mix from time to time – a perfect time for your lighter rods.

The terrestrial fishing is getting better with the smaller bugs (beetles & ants) being more consistent but the larger patterns increase your probability for the larger fish. Fishing mouse patterns well into the dark is producing some bigger browns for those who prefer to fish the dark side of things. Other bugs to have in your fly box include: Light Cahills, Tan Caddis, Blue Wing Olives and smaller Isonychias.

Bass fishing on the lakes continues to be fun when targeting the structure of lily pads and drop-offs with poppers. Bluegill remain active but mostly the smaller ones, providing great fun for those learning the sport with plenty of opportunity to set the hook and bring in fish. Every once in a while your hooked bluegill becomes live bait for big bass that seem intent on removing the fish from your hook for you – hold on tight.

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.

bass, bluegill, boardman, terrestrials, traverse city, tricos, trout, upper-manistee

Trout, Hex Hatch, Bass and more…

Posted by Ted Kraimer - July 2, 2015

Trout fishing continues to be inconsistent with hatches/bugs thanks to fluctuations in the weather. Cloudy days have offered good fishing but those days have been limited where the sunny days have the fish under cover.

Water levels on the upper Manistee are ideal despite over an inch of rain the other night and it’s temperatures are fluctuating as well thanks to cool nights – last night it was in the upper 50’s. These water and air temperature conditions have made it difficult to find the hex hatch but they are scattered throughout the river system all the way to its headwaters – some nights they are there, others they aren’t. A smattering of other bugs have been in the air and on the water which include: Isos, Blue Winged Olives, Mahoganies, Grey Drakes, one or two Brown Drakes, Little Yellow Sallies, Lt. Cahills and some size 12 brown stones.

The Au Sable has had more consistent hatches on the mainstream and South Branch. The Boardman, too, has been more consistent with hex bugs but has been crowded. This time of year seems to bring out the “annual angler” on all local rivers making the rivers a bit crowded so be courteous and respectful to help ensure everyone can enjoy the resource.

Carp fishing has been tough. With the sporadic weather changes, cold winter, deeper water, and shifting winds – they simply have been difficult to find and feed this year. The same can be said for the smallmouth bass on the flats. With some good amounts of sunshine we should find the shallow flats warming up and inviting to fish, but frankly – I have no idea where we are in relation to the spawn. Stay tuned, we are just stubborn enough not to give up just yet.

Bass fishing on lakes continues to fish well with added weed growth and good water temperatures. The bluegill continue to eat dry flies – especially on days where the wind isn’t blowing. As the water warms up and lily pads become more dense, it’s time for poppers and fun surface activity.

Good luck and have a happy and safe 4th of July.

Ted

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

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, blue winged olives, carp fishing on the fly, fishing report, hex hatch, manistee, traverse city

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