Posts tagged "trout"

Early May Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - May 10, 2025

Trout season is underway on the Manistee with a smattering of hatches that can be present at any time of the day. It’s been a while since we have had any rain and the rivers are running clear with levels ideal for both floating or the wading angler.

This time of year there can be a handful of different bugs on the water including caddis (Mother’s day caddis – right on time), Hendricksons, Black Quills, some #8 and 10 yellow stone flies, BWOs, and more. With the forecast ahead calling for some above normal temperatures, I wouldn’t hesitate having some Sulphurs and Mahoganies in your fly box, too. Another bug that is unpredictable this time of year (aren’t they all anymore?) but worth having is the March Brown – some days the fish key-in on this meaty bug if they are around.

The streamer fishing has been off a little again this spring with the lack of color to the water, but smaller streamers fished on floating lines or even intermediate tip lines is a good alternative the the bigger patterns and heavier lines.

Smallmouth bass are starting to move where we can target them with flies as they are going into their pre-spawn binge. These fish continue to impress anglers when they play along and bend the rod giving an alternative to the technical match-the-hatch trout fishing.

Some smaller, dark bottomed lakes have had some bluegill fishing begin and it will only get better in the days ahead with the full moon phase on a small lake near you. It’s always fun having them come to the surface but if they are reluctant, micro streamers and larger swimming nymphs work well.

Good luck.

Ted

Fall Steelhead – Spring season is all booked, but a few dates remain available for the Fall Steelhead.
Trout Fishing – May and June offer some of the best technical dry fly fishing as we chase bugs and browns.
Smallmouth Bass – Now through Mid-August, come fish this rod bending species as an alternative to trout.

fishing report traverse city, fly fishing, guide trips, hendricksons, match the hatch dry fly fishing, mothers day caddis, smallmouth bass, streamer fishing, traverse city fly fishing, trout, trout fishing northern michigan, upper manistee river

Late June Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - June 25, 2024

The warm weather of last week made for some hot and heavy hex fly action on local rivers that has tapered off due to cooler (not cool) temps and significant rainfall.

While water temperatures in rivers like the Manistee and Au Sable were reaching the high 60s and in some sections – into the 70’s, they have moderated as air temps and sunlight have eased. A significant rain on Saturday has left us with a lot of water in the rivers and most of them running high and remarkably stained. Levels have begun dropping however the clarity is taking a little longer to take affect.

In addition to the hex flies coming off at dark, look for Bat Flies in the evening hours as well as some Isonychias on the cloudy, cooler days. When surface activity isn’t happening, try going sub surface with some smaller streamers or twitch flies. A lot of the fish have been gorging themselves on one of the densest hex hatches we’ve experienced in recent history so they aren’t overly eager to chase down too much. Kind of like us after eating a big meal.

Smallmouth bass fishing on rivers is starting up again, but there, too, the water is stained (which isn’t a bad thing). Fishing smaller streamers on intermediate sink tips or slow sinking lines has been the approach, but with the recent molting of crayfish, fishing weighted crayfish patterns on a floating line near rocks has yielded some good fishing.

The lake fishing has been good for bigger bluegill and panfish as they finish up their second round of spawning. The largemouth bass offer a nice blend of what we are catching and it’s not uncommon for the bigger bass to eat the bluegill we hooked with the fly really putting a bend into the rod.

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.

au sable, bat fly, bluegill fishing, fishing report, fly fishing, fly fishing guide traverse city, hex hatch, manistee river, manistee river fly fishing, smallmouth bass fishing, streamer fishing, traverse city, trout

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

May Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - May 8, 2024

With May here, it’s time for the Mayflies on the local trout rivers.

This time of year can be a great time for the technical dry fly fisherman as there can be a variety of hatches ( and various stages of those hatches ) with fish keyed in on just what they want, served on a drag-free drift.

You can expect the Hendricksons which are winding down, but also mahogany duns, Sulphurs, March Browns, and some caddis. BWO’s always belong in your box, but they might get used more now than other times of the fishing season. For the next 6 weeks, it’s a good time to have an assortment of Borchers Drakes and Robert’s Yellow Drakes as they will get you through a lot of hatch situations.

Between hatches, cover the water with streamers. The Upper Manistee and Boardman are running at good levels – they are full, not high, and have a nice tint to it for good streamer fishing. Fishing from a boat with a sink-tip is the most effective, but if wading, shorter, less dense sink-tip lines with a weighted fly is an effective approach.
More on streamer fishing can be read here.

Some of the local lakes are just now starting to see some bluegill/panfish start to move into the shallows but a lot of them are hanging at the drop offs. A little bit more warm weather and some moon phase and it should be game on – especially the smaller lakes and ponds with a dark, silty bottom.

It’s still a good time to fish those lakes for the pike that are still milling around in the shallow water where we can easily get to them with a fly. Like most fish, they like structure to hide in before pouncing on prey.

Lastly, the smallmouth bass fishing is going on lakes and some on rivers. Baitfish patterns fished sub-surface either on floating lines or intermediate tip fly lines in those magic areas when structure and depth combine should be your target.

Good luck.

Ted

baitfish patterns, bass fishing, borchers drakes, fly fishing michigan, guide, hatches, hendricksons, smallmouth bass fly fishing, traverse city, trout

Mid-September Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - September 19, 2023

The summer weather is making a comeback as we officially transition to Fall this weekend.

Temps in the upper and 70s and approaching the 80s will give the trout rivers a last tickle of terrestrial activity for those looking to get out and get some dry fly fishing in for the year. The rivers (upper Manistee and Boardman) have mostly been untouched now that we are past Labor Day and well into September. In addition to the large foam and rubber leg attractor/terrestrial patterns, consider using some smaller terrestrials like ants and beetles.

Water temps are cool and sometimes when it is in the mid-50s it might be worth delaying your fishing until after the sun has come up and made it a little warmer. The brook trout have begun spawning and when you catch one you can’t help but notice those bold colors, especially on the males. And certain sections of rivers are showing some fall colors in the maples on the riverbank to really intensify the beauty of the river.

The larger and leery brown trout are starting to come out of cover after a long season of being targeted. They might grab a big terrestrial on top, but fishing smaller streamers (less than 3 inches) on intermediate sink tip lines is a great way to improve your chances and catching one.

The salmon are in the rivers pretty thick and are mostly in holding water waiting for conditions to be ideal before they hit the gravel sections to do their spawning. As usual, the rivers are busy with all types of anglers, sportsmen, poachers and others, so don’t expect to have the place to yourself. Once we get another change in the weather with the appropriate winds and some rain, look for another big push of fresh salmon to leave the lake and head up your favorite river.

Good luck,

Ted

Fall Steelhead – Just a few dates in November remain available – finish the fishing season strong.
Spring Steelhead – Most of the season is booked – get your dates for March and April while you can.
2024 Fishing – Get your dates secured to ensure your time on the water. Booking all seasons thru August.

Northern Michigan, salmon fishing, streamer fishing, trout, trout fishing

1 2 3 ›»