Posts tagged "trout fishing"

Late June Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - June 20, 2023

As Summer (solstice) takes place on the 21st, June starts to end and the night fishing really begins.

Angler’s are looking for the nocturnal Hex Mayflies on the local trout rivers and some (Au Sable) have already begun and it’s about to begin on others (Manistee) if they haven’t already. Headlamps, bug spray, patience and strong tippet are standard issue supplies for the matter. But before nightfall, look for Isonychias, the last (I really mean it this time) Brown Drakes, and Bat Flies to provide some surface activity.

Smallmouth bass fishing is starting up again on the lower Manistee for those using smaller baitfish streamers. The largemouth bass and bluegill are keeping anglers busy with tight lines on the local lakes as weeds develop along drop offs and some bigger gills can still be found shallow.

In this bright, warm weather, mornings and evenings are best for the trout and lake fishing. As long as the cool nights continue to drop water temps, we should be o.k. fishing the rivers without temps getting above 68 degrees which is the threshold angler’s should recognize as too warm for fishing trout.

Good luck.

Ted

Trout – July and August is time for Ticos and Terrestrials on the Upper Manistee – an ideal half-day on the river.
Smallmouth Bass– Spend a half or full-day on the lower Manistee fishing smallies – June through Late August.
Fall Steelhead – November still has some dates available in 2023 – finish the fishing season strong.

ausable, bass fishing, brown drakes, fly fishing guide, hex flies. isonychias, iso fly pattern, manistee river, smallmouth bass, trout fishing

Mid-May Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - May 17, 2023

Mid-May finds us headed to different waters in pursuit of different fish as this time of year offers choices to anglers.

May often means Mayflies but the cold nights have had an effect on the hatches. Once stable weather comes back, anglers can look for a mix of bugs on the upper Manistee and Au Sable rivers. March Browns, Mahoganies, Sulphurs, caddis, and the last of the Hendricksons should be in your fly box if headed out. For the next 6 weeks, a Borcher’s Drake should be with you as it’s just a great all-around imitator of so many bugs found in our rivers. Just as temps fluctuate, so do the times in which bugs can come off or fall as spinners. Water levels are low and running clear for this time of year so longer leaders and stealthy presentation helps with hooking up.

If streamer fishing between hatches, try smaller streamers with the lower water. Cover the water, work the wood and mix up the natural patterns to represent the baitfish and sculpins. If that doesn’t work, try some “twitch flies” that might just get the attention of the trout.

It appears that the Didymo/Rocksnot bloom that alarmingly was widespread on the upper Manistee in 2022 has pretty much disappeared. While that bodes well for fishing and the future of the river, it doesn’t mean anglers shouldn’t stop taking measures to prevent spreading the latent spores to other waters. If you have felt sole wading boots, now you have justification for buying a new pair of rubber soled boots as the felt harbors invasive species leading to transmission to other rivers.

Lake fishing is heating up but still can be a little moody with water temps fluctuating. Smallmouth bass are still in pre-spawn mode and are sitting in deeper water while a few Largemouth bass have gone shallow in lakes with dark bottoms and protected bays that help stabilize water temps. Regardless of where you are fishing, baitfish patterns tied in various densities/sink rates have been working. It’s also time to grab your favorite bluegill flies. When these fish come into the shallows, they are just a ton of fun on the fly rod – both on the surface and just below.

Good luck.

Ted

Trout – May’s streamer & dry fly fishing turns to the big bugs of June. Good dates to choose from.
Smallmouth Bass– Spend a half or full-day on the lower Manistee fishing smallies – June through Late August.
Fall Steelhead – Just a few prime steelhead dates remain available in 2023 – finish the fishing season strong.

baitfish patterns, bluegill fishing, borchers drakes, dry flies, guided fly fishing, hatches, manistee river hatches, march browns, sculpin, smallmouth bass fishing, streamer fishing, sulphurs, traverse city fishing, trout fishing

Late April Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - April 23, 2023

As we approach the end of April, it appears that spring steelhead season is also winding down.

It has been a strange spring with back-and-forth weather, following a relatively mild winter. It appeared that a lot of fish spawned much earlier this year than normal which is good as they were able to get the job done to make up for a year of fish not stocked (2021). We are still kind of waiting for another push of fish, but that might be wishful thinking.

The rivers are still in good shape with a little stain to them. Sunny days are making it hard, but there are spawning fish, drop-backs heading back and a few fresh fish trickling in. Smaller natural egg patterns and fry patterns have been working best. Most of the walleye have left the Manistee and just a few suckers have come in. It sure seems that the sucker population has been diminishing over the past decade which could indicate ecosystem issues (not to mention that trout feed heavily in sucker fry).

Trout fishing is just starting in its infancy. A few bugs have been witnessed on the upper Manistee and AuSable, but it is still early and the forecast indicates that not much will change in the week ahead including the opener (April 29). With the lack of bugs, head to the water with your streamer box but have a box of dries that include BWO and Hendricksons just in case.

Good luck.

Ted

2023 Fishing – Get your dates secured to ensure your time on the water. Booking all seasons.
Trout – May’s streamer & dry fly fishing turns to the big bugs of June. Good dates to choose from.
Fall Steelhead – Just a few prime steelhead dates remain available in 2023 – finish the fishing season strong.

au sable, egg patterns, manistee fishing, opening weekend, steelhead season, streamer fishing trout, trout fishing

“Winter” Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - February 15, 2023

It sure has been a see-saw winter with plenty of ups and downs, dramatic shifts in weather and, well, not much snow on the ground. The past week we had an unusual string few of sunny days and that really knocked out any snow that was lingering. Don’t worry, more is in the forecast.

A lot of the snowmelt has gone into the unfrozen ground which helps keep the rivers in check. It also refills a water table to assist with maintaining cooler temps later in the year when we focus on trout. But with recent rains the water levels should bump up and create some movement of steelhead in the local rivers like the Manistee and Betsie.

After months of being poked, pushed, pressured, and thankfully released, the steelhead that entered in the fall and have been around since, like to move when we get these hints of spring-like weather. Look for them to stage near spawning gravel so when ideal conditions occur (water above 40 degrees) they can get down to business and back to the lake. The longer days, too, help let fish in the lake know they should think about getting closer to river mouths and get ready for a swim.

Water temperatures are still in the mid 30’s so the slow, drag-free drift is the most effective approach. But rather than focus only on deep holes, look for tail-outs on the softer side of bubble lines to give up some fish, too, as they shuffle and ascend river systems.

This time of year a tandem rig of a nymph and egg is a staple. Look for the first of the little black stoneflies crawling around or fluttering on the water on those days that the sun helps warm things up. Hex nymphs and caddis are perennial favorites, too. Egg color and size are dictated by water clarity and sunlight – dirty water, a little bigger and bolder, clearer water – the opposite.

Good luck.

Ted

2023 Fishing – Get your dates secured to ensure your time on the water. Booking all seasons.
Trout – May’s streamer & dry fly fishing turns to the big bugs of June. Good dates to choose from.
Fall Steelhead – Just a few prime steelhead dates remain available in 2023 – finish the fishing season strong.

betsie river, black stoneflies, caddis patterns for steelhead, fishing guide manistee, fishing report, hex nymph for steelhead, manistee river steelhead, spring steelhead fishing, traverse city fly fishing, trout fishing, winter steelhead fishing

Early October Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - October 1, 2022

It’s October and it feels like it – cool nights, mild days and some color staring in the trees.

Most anglers are focused on the salmon in local rivers as it’s been a good year with decent numbers and big fish. The run has been mixed with some fish having been in the river a while and are occupying spawning gravel while others are staged waiting for a change in conditions to really trigger their spawning activity. Colder rivers (Betsie) get fish going sooner where the warmer rivers (Manistee) take a little longer to get things going in full. Regardless, it’s that time of year and you won’t be alone on whichever river you decide to fish.

Trout fishing in September on the upper Manistee was kind of a dud. Typically, it’s that time of year where pre-spawn brookies and browns are taking advantage of little pressure and roam around putting on some weight before spawning eating both dries/terrestrials and smaller streamers. It was slim-pickin’s with few fish looking to play the game or witnessed swimming away after being spooked in the clear water. Not sure what the future holds for the water between M72 and M66 but one has to be an optimist because lately reality has been giving us a swift kick in the ass up there.

Just a reminder that certain rivers closed on September 30 while other rivers and/or sections rivers remain open. With most folks spending time chasing salmon and steelhead, hunting or watching football, you should find the trout rivers pretty much unfished in the fall.

Good luck.

Ted

Fall Steelhead – Finish the season with what started the season – Steelhead! Good dates available in November
2023 Fishing – Get your dates secured to ensure your time on the water. Booking all seasons thru September.
Gift Certificates – Quick and easy gifts of a half-day, full-day or casting lesson for friends or family.

betsie river, fall fishing, manistee river, october, salmon, steelhead, stream fishing, trout fishing, upper manistee

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