Late July Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - July 20, 2019

As we get deeper into July we can look back and claim this year’s hex hatch as a strange one. It started much later than normal and when the bugs did come off, they came off quite heavily. With a string of cool evenings, some days there was both a spinner fall and emergence at odd times of the day complete with daylight. Now instead of fishing until the early hours in the a.m. we start our day early in the morning. I personally like taking the head lamp out of the gear bag and starting the day on the water.

With recent temps and the bright sun, the morning fishing seems to be best for the brook and brown trout as the upper Manistee can cool off overnight a few crucial degrees. Not a whole lot has been hatching as the Tricos – like most of the other bugs this year – are behind schedule. Some smaller Isonychias, Cahills, Bat Flies and Summer Olives can be found on the water with some fishing looking up. Have a few hex in your box, you know, just in case. Terrestrials are starting to get active on land which makes fishing “foam and rubber” attractor/terrestrial patterns a good approach. Click here to read more on trout fishing after the hex hatch.

Rivers are running a little higher for this time of year after some showers and thunderstorms which have left a slight stain to them.

Lake fishing continues for both bass and gills. Weed growth has really developed recently and has given us more structure to fish, especially the bigger bass that like to lurk. The occasional pike can surprise you and your light tippet when fishing weeds near drop offs, but it’s all fun even if it is short lived.

Good luck.

Ted

Trout– Match-the-Hatch fishing through June including the big bugs. Terrestrial & Tricos in July and August.
Fall Fishing – Salmon begins in September which leads to Steelhead in October and November.
2020 Fishing Season – We are booking dates through July 2020 – don’t miss the prime times.

2020 fishing seasons, bass fishing, fly-fishing guide, hex, terrestrials, traverse city fishing guide, tricos, trout fishing

Mid-August Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - August 15, 2018

The long and hot summer remains with us making for some challenging trout fishing conditions on the local rivers. The water is low and clear and the fish are pretty well aware of what we are trying to do after fishing them hard for a few months. The best fishing tends to be whenever it isn’t too bright out – mornings, evenings and the rare, cloudy day.

Hatches of Tricos are winding down but continue to offer some match-the-hatch dry fly opportunities mid-morning followed up by some terrestrial fishing throughout the day. Small streamers fished on floating lines as well as “twitch flies” are working too when fished subsurface.

Lake fishing remains good for bluegill as beginners learn how to fly fish and are ideal for those with experience looking to catch some largemouth bass. Weed growth – including lily pads – are fully grown and when fished near drops the fishing can be a lot of fun. Poppers, divers, sliders – all top water and just sub-surface presentations brings back memories of dog-days of summer and fishing lakes as a kid.

Good luck,

Ted

Trout – Trico Hatches and Terrestrial fishing continues – 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, streamers, traverse city, tricos, trout

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.

bass fishing, bluegill fly fishing, manistee river, terrestrial fishing, traverse city, traverse city fly fishing guides., tricos, trout fishing

Late June Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - June 23, 2018

With summer Solstice occurring this past week it’s the time of year trout anglers stay out late and well after the sun goes down. The nocturnal Hex Hatch is off to a start on just about all local rivers in Northwest Michigan: The Au Sable, Boardman, Manistee, Pine, Platte, PM – it’s that time of year. As the “once a year angler” heads to the river, ardent anglers find there are more anglers to share the water with. And sharing is a good approach as is practicing the golden rule along with the golden rule of fly fishing – catch and release.

Before the big bugs come out you should find a smattering of other bugs on the water including Isonychias, little Yellow Sallies, BWOs, Golden Stones, Light Cahills, Bat Flies and maybe more. Hatches have been hard to predict this year and they have been almost as fickle as the fish that eat them but when the stars line up, it provides some pretty good fishing.

The fishing on the bay has been spotty – the carp are acting like carp making an appearance one day, gone the next. Water temps are ideal but the wrong winds can change that for a day or two factoring where to fish. Covering water is the best approach and hope for some sunlight to make seeing them easier. Bass continue to slip in and out of the shallows with some in post spawn and a prediction of a second round of spawning to occur shortly.

Lake fishing is good for those looking for bluegill and bass. Largemouth are mostly done protecting their beds and making up for some lost meals. The bigger gills seem to be around the drop offs and close to structure where dries work but a swum nymph can work better. Look for the lake fishing to remain good as more weed growth develops as summer proceeds. The smaller gills continue to be the ideal species for those who want to learn how to fish.

Good luck.

Ted

Trout – Terrestrials and Tricos are right around the corner – it’s the perfect way to start the day on the river.
Stillwater- Bluegill, Bass and Carp. With the best trout fishing in the evening, try fishing lakes during the day.
Fall Steelhead – With Summer just arriving, it’s time to think about getting your Fall dates – Oct. thru Dec.

bass on the fly, bluegill fly fishing, carp fishing, fishing, fly fishing traverse city, fly fishing trips, hex hatch, isonychias, tricos

August Fly Fishing Report – Traverse City

Posted by Ted Kraimer - August 11, 2016

The dog days of summer are upon us and the heat has mostly been keeping our fishing to the low light hours of morning and evening.

Trout fishing has been decent for brook and brown trout on the upper Manistee and Boardman Rivers. The Trico mayfly hatch has been very reliable for about a month now but it appears they are winding down – look for these size 18 and 20 flies to be around in the morning anywhere from 8 until 10:30.

Despite the warm days the water temperatures have remained in the mid-60s. Even though we have experienced a significant lack of rain, the river levels surprisingly are in good shape.

One advantage of our dry conditions has been the presence of terrestrials on the water – that is ants, beetles, grasshoppers and even cicadas. Attractor patterns that suggest large terrestrials – foam and rubber-legged patterns – have been bringing some nice fish to the surface and very small streamers fished on floating lines around submerged wood has produced too. August isn’t necessarily a time to catch the big trophy trout, however it’s a great time to lighten your rod up and have some fun with the fish that do want to play. And those big fish will surprise you from time to time and show themselves – even on your line testing your 3 and 4 weight rod’s ability.

Bass fishing has been good on the lakes but the better times are before noon and after 5. Focus on weed beds/lily pads and play with some poppers – it’s fun when the largemouth sip a popper only to have the next one crush it. The bluegill fishing that had been really good has is now good but like the bass, fish the gills/panfish when the sun isn’t the highest.

Bass fishing on the lower Manistee has been a little tougher than it should be. Not sure if it is the heat or clear water, but they haven’t been playing nice. With a full-moon around the corner look for crayfish to become an important part of their diet so focusing on rocks piles and edges with a crayfish pattern as a place to target.

Good luck,

Ted

August Trout – Start your day on the river fishing wets, dry flies and terrestrials.
Learn to Fly Fish – This is a great time of year to learn how to fly fish. 1/2 day trips for beginners are perfect!
Salmon – Late August and September is when fish start to migrate. Good reports coming from Lake Michigan.
2016 Dates – Now booking through the entire fishing season: trout, bass, salmon and fall Steelhead.

bass fishing, boardman river, grasshopper fishing, mansitee, salmon, terrestrials, tricos

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Posts tagged "tricos"

Late July Fly Fishing Report

Mid-August Fly Fishing Report

Early August Fishing Report

Late June Fly Fishing Report

August Fly Fishing Report – Traverse City

Ted Kraimer • Current Works, LLC • PO Box 333 • Traverse City, Michigan 49685 • (231) 883-8156