Posts tagged "trout"

Not Enough – Rain or Salmon

Posted by Ted Kraimer - September 10, 2012

We received some rain however it wasn’t enough to really make a difference in the number of salmon in local rivers. Simply put: things are slow on the Betsie river and the Manistee isn’t much better. Summer weather remains problematic for changing things and the lack of significant amounts of rain and continuing drought is keeping our salmon migration on hold. When we do get a heavy rain, look for fish to swim upstream in biblical proportions. Until then, cover lots of water and look for cloudy days to be better as the few fish in the river systems are hiding in the wood when its sunny and the water clear.

Trout fishing is o.k. right now on the upper Manistee with terrestrial fishing remaining one’s best bet as the summer conditions are making for happy grasshoppers. All things rubber -legged and attractor-like should receive priority in your fly choice. Streamer fishing has been o.k. on those rare days when the clouds are out and when fishing streamers in the low water conditions, fish your smaller patterns for your best success. Few natural bugs are on the water including: beetles, some flying ants, BWOs and small Isonychias.

Good luck,

Ted

The latest newsletter recently went out – click here to read and/or sign up for delivery

Salmon: Salmon fishing season extends through September. Limited dates available.
Steelhead: The end of September means it’s time to focus on fall steelhead through November.
Fall Trout: Fish the Upper Manistee throughout fall or Lower Manistee in late October and through November.
Booking for all 2013 Seasons and through August – reserve your place in the boat.

betsie river, manistee river, salmon, terrestrial fishing, trout

Summer Continues, Fall Approaching

Posted by Ted Kraimer - August 27, 2012

As kids prepare to return to school, salmon have their annual fall migration in mind as they return to rivers. Numbers of fish are light due to the return of warm weather and the lack of rain with some fish in the Manistee and Betsie Rivers. Look for things to really change after a significant rainfall as good numbers of fish are staged at river mouths. Early season king salmon offer some exciting streamer fishing for those willing to put in the time casting large streamers with heavy sink-tips. As the days continue to get shorter, the fish will build in numbers and nymph fishing becomes our go-to method.

Trout fishing has been o.k. the past week with the fish feeling better with the cooler water temps. It has been a long season and the fish are getting smarter, naturally, so think about mixing up your approach and presentation. Small streamers fished on floating line is a good alternative to try. Terrestrial fishing has slowed but some good fish are still coming up from time to time to eat that rubber-legged hopper pattern or attractor. Very few bugs have been on the water however you will want some isonychias, cleons/bwos, flying ants, beetles and Lt. Cahills in your fly box.

The bass fishing in lakes remains good. Both top-water and sub-surface presentations have been working; I usually start off with top-water. Swimming frog/baitfish patterns do a good job of fishing both the surface and subsurface. With the warm-up, look for fish to concentrate near weed beds and drop-offs.

Good Luck,

Ted

The latest newsletter just went out – click here to read and/or sign up for delivery

Salmon: Salmon season extends through September. Limited dates available.
Steelhead: The end of September means it’s time to focus on fall steelhead through November.
Fall Trout: Fish the Upper Manistee throughout fall or Lower Manistee in late October and through November.
Booking for all 2013 Seasons and through August – reserve your place in the boat.

Betsie, isonychias, manistee, salmon, trout

Cooler Days, Cooler Nights and Cooler Fishing

Posted by Ted Kraimer - August 16, 2012

After a long, warm summer, some cooler weather has settled over the region and changed the fishing up a bit.

Some recent rain has improved the streamer fishing for trout on the Upper Manistee. Water levels are still low and clear so adjust and use a smaller streamer pattern than what is often used in the high, dirty water in the spring and early summer. Dry fly action has improved since the last report and cold-front with the fish looking up for terrestrials: hoppers, beetles and flying ants. If the pattern has foam and rubber legs, use them and try putting a lot of action into the fly to conjure up a rise. The morning Trico hatch is winding down but you will still want some of those flies with you if you are heading to the river in the mornings. BWO’s, Cahills and Isonychias have been about the only thing hatching and by no means are they prolific, but the fish do notice them more some days than others.

Last week’s winds brought some cooler water near shore and with that comes salmon. Some fish have trickled into the Manistee and Betsie Rivers with more to come in September as their spawning urge kicks-in, the nights get cooler and the days get shorter. Early King salmon can provide some of the best streamer fishing we can experience in Michigan but this –like “trophy trout” streamer fishing is a quality thing, not a quantity thing. Of course there are exceptions to the rule. Look for fish to be in the lower sections of rivers “holed-up” wondering what to do now that they are in shallow water and not crashing bait.

Lake fishing continues to offer good fishing for those looking to get their still-water and bass fix. Largemouth bass continue to eat both surface and sub-surface flies and on the cloudy days, they seem to be in shallower and feeding more aggressively. Smaller poppers have been working better than the big, loud ones and the edges of lily pads are a great place to start. Bluegill and panfish are still eager to come to the fly on the surface for someone looking to catch a bunch of fish on top. The bigger gills have gone deep and are hard to get with fly gear – look for them to move in shallow in low-light conditions as the water’s cool.

Smallmouth bass are still an option for those looking to fish rivers. The Manistee has been fishing best with baitfish patterns fished on a light sink-tip being the best fly lately. Half-and-halfs, murdich’s minnows, whistlers and circus peanuts in white are worth having in your box.

Good Luck,

Ted

The latest newsletter just went out – click here to read and/or sign up for delivery

Trout: Terrestrials & Trico hatches in August – start your mornings off on a cool, quiet trout stream.
Salmon: The end of August begins our salmon season extending through September. Limited dates available.
Steelhead: The end of September means it’s time to focus on fall steelhead – extending though November
Booking for all 2012 Seasons and through June 2013 – reserve your place in the boat

bass fishing, betsie river, salmon, smallmouth bass, streamers, terrestrials, trout, upper manistee river

August Trout, Bluegill, Small and Largemouth Bass

Posted by Ted Kraimer - August 5, 2012

With some cooler weather and intermittent rains, trout fishing conditions have improved and so has fishing. The upper-Manistee continues to fish well in the low-light of mornings with decent trico hatches. When no bugs are present, the foam and rubber leg terrestrial and attractor patterns like Chernobyl Ants and Grasshoppers have been catching fish. Beetles have been fishing better lately as have small flying ants. Dropper nymph rigs have been taking some fish in the deeper slots and holes. Focus on shade and structure. The Boardman has been running warm but early mornings on this local river are giving up some fish on the same flies listed above.

Largemouth bass and bluegill remain fun targets on local lakes for those looking to fish at all times of the day. More frogs, it seems, are around and the bigger bass are taking note. Lily pads, weed beds and other heavy cover/structure are great places to target with frog patterns and other poppers, sliders and divers. Bluegill are pretty much throughout the lakes with the bigger fish found deep where nymphs and small streamers like damsels and leeches are working when sunk on a long leader and slowly striped back.

Smallmouth bass fishing on the lower Manistee remains an option for those willing to cast streamers on sink-tips. Baitfish patterns have been working best and look for the crayfish bite to increase. In low-light and shadows, try poppers for surface action, but look for the sub-surface presentation to be most effective. A few salmon have slipped into the river so should your baitfish streamer get slammed – hold on tight to that 6 or 7 weight rod.

Good luck,

Ted

bass, boardman, fly fishing the manistee river, grasshoppers, largemouth bass, salmon, smallmouth bass, terrestrial fishing, trout

Transition Trout – Hello Terrestrials & River Smallies, Goodbye Carp

Posted by Ted Kraimer - June 27, 2012

Trout fishing continues now that the hex hatch is mostly over. There are still some sporadic bugs on certain sections of rivers, but look for them to be light in numbers and unpredictable but worthy of being in every anglers fly box over the next couple of weeks should the odd ball spinner fall occur. This time of year can offer rare daylight spinner falls in the evening where you will be amazed at what is out and eating.

Water levels are low and clear on the Manistee, Boardman and other area rivers which is normal for this time of year. With the sun out, fishing has been slower during the day so target shade sections of the river or fish either mornings or evening for your best luck. There are still bugs on the Manistee and Boardman: Isonychias, BWO, Cahills and Gray Drakes (Boardman River) and they are starting to realize they better eat smaller bugs because the big hex bugs/porterhouse cuts of the night are pretty much done. Some of the terrestrial and attractor patterns have been working the past week and will only grow in popularity as terrestrial season builds and continues through August.

{A few years ago I wrote an article on Trout Fishing After the Hex Hatch – Click here to read.}

Smallmouth bass are becoming more active in the lower Manistee with the recent heat and this too should continue to build as summer continues to set in with its warm conditions. Small baitfish patterns and crayfish fished on a sink-tip is best and play around with some top-water sliders and poppers for some surface activity. These fish don’t tend to be as large as the smallies found in the bay but they are a lot of fun to chase and reinforce streamer fishing skills making anglers better trout anglers along the way.

The Carp in the bays are pretty much done. You might still find a fish or two cruising but finding good numbers of fish to target is unlikely. If heading out, cover lots of water and don’t be afraid of looking of looking outside of the bays and in Lake Michigan itself for fish – especially a little deeper than normal. Wind direction and overnight temps help dictate where to look, but with all of the boating and swiming activity that is likely to take place over the next week, look for mornings to be your best bet. This year wasn’t our best carp fishing year and I think like a lot of things the strange weather events of the year is partially responsible.

Local lakes and ponds are fishing well for bass and bluegill/panfish. With the weed growth look for the fish to be in the shade and eager to eat your fly. Drop-offs, docks, boat hoists, and other forms of structure are places to target and as the sun goes down or on cloudy days, look for fish to be a little more venturous cruising for food. Spiders and small poppers for the gills with bigger poppers and sliders for the bass. Try baitfish patterns fished deeper with a sink-tip when looking to target the bigger trout.

Safe travels and good luck,

Ted

Terrestrials & Trico hatches in the Months of July & August – start your mornings off on a cool, quiet trout stream.
Salmon: The end of August begins our salmon season extending through September. Limited dates available.
Steelhead: The end of September means it’s time to focus on fall steelhead – extending though November
Booking for all 2012 Seasons and through June 2013 – reserve your place in the boat

bluegill fishing, carp, fly fishing, manistee river, smallmouth bass, terrestrial, trout

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