Posts tagged "trout fishing"

June Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - June 11, 2025

We are in the thick of trout fishing on the local rivers. This is the time of year where we can have various hatches (or none) and some decent streamer fishing when the fish aren’t looking up.

The weather has been fluctuating a lot and has been a tad cooler than normal, but the forecast promises of some warmer weather ahead. When stable temperatures keep water temps stable, hatches become more predictable and fly fishing – it seems – is at its best with feeding fish on the surface.

If headed out, Brown Drakes, Isonychias, Yellow/brown Stones, Sulphurs and Mahoganies belong in your box. If those don’t work, don’t be afraid to cast the mid-summer attractor foam and rubber creations to get their attention. You can read more on the hatches that occur this time of year in this article.

Subsurface – the smaller streamers and twitch flies have catching some nice fish when fished with the quick twitch and pause presentation. Baitfish and sculpins patterns (smaller than 3 inches) are doing a good job with the clear water we have been experiencing the past month.

The lake fishing for bluegill and bass has turned the page on most small lakes with the spawning cycle behind them and the fish coming out of the post-spawn funk. With the full moon the bluegill/panfish have moved shallow for a second round of spawning and those fishing smallmouth in both lakes and rivers should be using crayfish patterns in a light tan color as they tend to molt in this moon phase making them attractive to smallmouth bass (and trout).

Good luck.

Ted

Father’s Day – Get dad the gift of getting on the water! Gift Certificates available.
Trout Fishing – June offer’s some of the best technical dry fly fishing as we chase bugs and browns.
Fall Steelhead – After a strong Spring Season look to the Fall Season – just a few dates remain available.
Smallmouth Bass – Now through Mid-August, come fish this rod bending species as an alternative to trout.

Late May Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - May 27, 2025

As May comes to an end, it seems the dry-fly fishing is just starting to fall into a groove.

The cool weather and wind last week seemed to keep the hatches unpredictable. With some stable weather forecast, evening hatches should be more regular with spinner falls typically occurring at dusk. Without the stagnant heat of the day and cool temps in the evenings, things could be good either early evening or even late mornings – nature dictates, I suppose.

The upper Manistee is running full and is clear – maybe a little too clear as it’s been a while since we have had any appreciable rainfall. The Boardman and Au Sable are also running clear so lighter tippet, longer leaders and a low-profile are suggested to fool these wary trout.

It’s that time of year when there are multiple bugs that can emerge and often do at the same time making for some good, but challenging match-the-hatch conditions. Black Quills, Great Mahoganies, Sulphurs and BWOs should be expected and having some March Browns, Little Yellow Sallies and Isonychias in the box isn’t a bad strategy in the event they show up, too. Bring the bug spray as the mosquitoes have been around and seem hungrier this year.

I’ve often written in these reports that this time of year a selection of Borcher’s Drakes and Robert’s Yellow Drakes in a number of sizes will get you through a lot of emergences. Add some rusty spinners and you’ll have a good kit to get you through a lot of what’s happening on the surface.

On the lakes, the bass have finished spawning and are still aggressive in the shallows but things are starting to slow down as they enter the post-spawn funk that comes this time of year. Bluegill, too have finished spawning but they are still in shallow looking to feed. Just off the drop they are really looking to feed so if they aren’t coming to the surface, fish a bead-head nymph or micro streamer.

Good Luck,

Ted

Trout Fishing – June offer’s some of the best technical dry fly fishing as we chase bugs and browns.
Fall Steelhead – After a strong Spring Season look to the Fall Season – just a few dates remain available.
Smallmouth Bass – Now through Mid-August, come fish this rod bending species as an alternative to trout.

au sable, bass fishing, boardman, borchers drake, fly fishing, fly fishing guide, fly fishing report, fly fishing traverse city, grayling michigan, learn how to fly fish, mayflies, sulphurs, trout fishing

September Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - September 11, 2024

The 4th month of summer continues with some warm temperatures. The forecast calls for even more.

Water temperatures on the upper Manistee are in good shape with the cool nights and sometimes, they drop too low, and you need to wait until the sun warms it up a little for fish activity. The problem is, the water is about as clear as I have ever witnessed and, well, sunlight, clear water, and trout aren’t always a good combination in Michigan.

Hatches are mostly non-existent but you should have some blue winged olives, caddis (#14 tan), and brown/cinnamon flying ants (#14) for surface activity just in case. Terrestrial/attractors are always a good approach this time of year. Below surface, try the real small streamers fished on floating lines or intermediate tip lines. Fishing pressure has been light but after a long season of fishing to them, the trout are getting even wiser so adapt you approach and offerings.

The lake fishing for bass and bluegill has gone quiet and likely will remain that way until next spring.

Salmon have entered the local rivers, but with the warmer water in the bigger river systems, lack of rain in the region and warm weather, the fish are staggered as they prepare to move upstream to continue their lineage. As with salmon come salmon anglers – keep the peace and don’t take the fishing that serious as they are just fish.

Good luck.

Ted

Fall Steelhead – Finish the season with steelhead on the lower Manistee. Good dates in November remain.
2025 Fishing Season – It’s not too early to look ahead to the next year and get your dates planned and secured.

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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.

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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.

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