Posts tagged "trout fishing traverse city"

Early July Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - July 8, 2021

See-saw weather continues into July making just about every day different from the previous one. From hot to cool, sunny to rainy, the weather patterns have been mixed. Despite a number of rains, the local rivers are in good shape in regards to height and color. The thirsty ground absorbed a lot of the run-off keeping the rivers fishable.

The Upper Manistee has been fishing o.k. Like the weather, it has been different from one day to the next. Bugs/hatches have mostly been non-existent save for some Isonychias, Light Cahills and some remaining Hex. A few stones have been around as well, but mostly the two months of match-the-hatch dry fly fishing is behind us leaving the options for patterns to a select handful of dries. It’s nice to have room in my gear bag again. In addition to patterns imitating the bugs noted above, it’s time to think about transitioning into terrestrials and “twitch” flies.

To learn more about fishing the trout rivers this time of year, check out “Fishing After the Hex Hatch”.

On local lakes the largemouth bass fishing has picked up whereas the bigger bluegill/panfish have slipped back into deep water. They likely will be back up for another spawn soon. Nothing new here – fish the structure (weeds, docks, fallen in trees, drop-offs, etc.) for your best success. While top water is the most fun, something fished sub-surface on an intermediate line can fool those particular bass that are wary of fly patterns that float.

Good luck.

Ted

Trout Fishing – July and August is Terrestrial and Trico time! Start the day off casting to brook and brown trout
and get back to the family for lunch time – it’s a great way to start the day when in Northwest Michigan.
Learn to Fly Fish – Tailor a half-day trip to learning how to fly fish –perfect for beginners.
Fall Steelhead – Some good dates remain in November and into December.

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Early May Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - May 3, 2021

We finally received some rain to knock down the dust and pollen while helping things finish greening up after an early start to the process. The rivers are still low and running clearer than normal for this time of year, but that’s been the story since late February. Water temps are stable in the mid-50s on the upper Manistee where this time of year we like to hit the water armed with a dry fly rod rigged in the event of an emergence while we cover water with streamers.

With the back-and-forth weather, the hatches have been sporadic. A warm day or two (anyone seen the sun lately?) can make a difference and get those water temps into the upper 50s which is ideal for the bugs and fish to be more active. If headed to your favorite trout water – be it on the Manistee, Boardman or Au Sable, make sure you have Hendricksons, small Black Caddis, BWO’s and Black Quills.

Mix up your streamer patterns – size, color, what they are representing (baitfish, sculpin, accessorized triple articulated pattern you saw on-line) as the fish have seen a lot of streamers with more people hitting the water again this year and the mild March and April.

Folks looking to try something different might look to fishing a lake for smallmouth and even some pike. Just mix it up and think subsurface for your best results. It’s still a little early for the bluegill but after a hot day or two of sunshine the shallow, dark bottoms of bays and coves should have the fish in shallow doing a little pre-spawn feed. The month of May offers some unique angling opportunities and variety – learn more here.

Good luck.

Ted

Trout Fishing – May and June offer some of the best streamer and dry fly hatches of the year.
Learn to Fly Fish – Tailor a half-day trip to learning how to fly fish –
perfect for beginners or those looking to dial in a new technique.
Fall Steelhead – Some good dates remain in November and into December

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September Salmon and Trout Fishing

Posted by Ted Kraimer - September 9, 2019

With September well underway, anglers are finding salmon in a number of the local rivers. These fish are migratory and with the inconsistent weather (think shifting winds) the run has been truncated and some days are better than others as these fish work their way upstream.

The Betsie has been really busy as this natural reproducing fishery gets started before most others – thankfully a recent increase in DNR patrolling is just starting to have its effect and keeping some “anglers” away. Or maybe fishing in the dark hours. They are fish, not status symbols, folks, and yes they are big, but respect the resource and try to show a hint of sportsmanship including courtesy when on the water. And pick up your trash.

With salmon drawing a lot of attention, the trout rivers have pretty much been abandoned. September is a nice time to be on the water as summer and terrestrial fishing winds down. Brook trout are starting to show the most vibrant colors as they approach spawning. Fishing wets and small streamers for the bigger brown trout are regaining their effectiveness as the fishing pressure has been light for a few weeks. Always have some small brown flying ants this time of year as when they show up on the water, fish go nuts for them. Also have some BWO’s as you never know when you might have some match the hatch fishing.

Good luck.

Ted

Salmon/September – No salmon or trout dates are available this September, sorry.
Fall Steelhead – Good November and December dates remain open for these prized sport-fish.
2020 Fishing Season – We are booking dates through September of 2020 – don’t miss the prime times.

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Mid-August Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - August 20, 2019

Not a whole lot has changed since the last fishing report.

A long period of virtually no rain has the rivers running low and clear which tends to be the case for this time of year. Cool nights have kept the water temps on the upper Manistee and Boardman rivers in the low 60’s making them ideal for the brown and brook trout that reside in them.

Some mid-morning trico hatches have been providing decent surface activity making it suitable for the 4 wt. rod. It seems that the bug density is starting to wane but it’s hard to say as the season and its hatches are still a bit fragmented (I saw a hex last week, mid-morning). A few caddis are starting to show up but it is pretty much full-on terrestrial season on the local rivers – grass hoppers, ants, beetles and foam bodied/rubber legged patterns – that have been teasing the fish. Attractors and Isonychia patterns are worth tying on as well when not fishing sub-surface with some twitch flies.

The bass and bluegill fishing remains decent for those looking to either learn the sport or experienced anglers bringing a largemouth to the surface to crush a popper or slider. With the warmer weather, weed growth has continued and makes it a great place to target both species. Lakes with drop offs have been out fishing the shallow waters because of water temps. With the big moon in the sky right now, look for some of those overachieving gills in the shallows spawning one last time but also eager to eat your fly.

Good luck.

Ted

Salmon/September – No salmon or trout dates are available this September, sorry.
Trout– Terrestrial & Trico fishing for Brooks and Browns through August and into September.
Fall Steelhead – October through December – a fall favorite for many. A few dates remain open.
2020 Fishing Season – We are booking dates through August of 2020 – don’t miss the prime times.

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Mid-August Fly Fishing Report Traverse City Region

Posted by Ted Kraimer - August 17, 2017

As we hit the August mid-way point, the fishing does too. After a long summer, the fish are starting to get wise to what we are trying to do and have been getting good at discriminating our presentations and angling attempts. In other words – they are getting wise, smart and elusive.

The Trico hatch on the upper Manistee and Boardman rivers is winding down after five weeks of relatively consistent match-the-hatch dry fly fishing for mostly smaller fish, but some nice surprises along the way, too. The water clarity has been commensurate with this time of year creating limited chances on the trout – one or two presentations before they get wise to our intentions and stop rising.

The terrestrial and attractor bite has slowed a bit too but is still a good way to cover the water and get some fish to rise to the surface. Smaller hoppers, obscene foam and rubber patters and smaller ants and beetle patterns have all been working most days. Smaller streamer patterns fished on floating lines and less aggressively than the heavy-handed streamer approach have taken some nice fish, too.

The largemouth bass and bluegill fishing remains decent for those looking for some still water fishing and it’s a great way to start or end the day in when the sun isn’t so bright. The typical water and smaller patterns (think rubber legs and X) have been working on the smaller fish while mid-sized poppers and divers have been taken some nice bass along weed lines and structure. Diving/swimming frogs are a favorite of mine (and the bass) and are a lot of fun to fish. If you are using a lighter weight rod, consider using a large Turk’s Tarantula to get a similar diving action without the wind resistance.

Good luck.

Ted

Salmon/Steelhead Combo – Late Sept. through early October offers a chance at both species on the Manistee.
Fall Steelhead – October, November and into December, these fish will bend your rod like no other – experience it.
Trout/Steelhead – The lower Manistee offers some great streamer fishing for trout in late Fall as another option.

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