Posts tagged "trout"

Trout Fishing After the Hex Hatch

Posted by Jeanne Kraimer - March 16, 2012

Keep Fishing After the Hex Hatch

[Author’s Note: Last year I wrote an article on “Fishing Before the Hex,” which was intended to give the reader a better insight to the various bugs that emerge in the weeks prior to the hex hatch. This article covers what an angler can expect to find on the water the months following the hex hatch.]

The Hex hatch is what gets not only the larger fish out of their bunkers, but also what brings out more anglers in pursuit of carnivorous fish eating recklessly. When the big bugs are gone, so are the crowds but plenty of fishing opportunities exist. Here is what you can expect to see on the local trout rivers in July and August, where to find them and tips on how to fish them:

Isonychias

Ted's CDC Isonychia Spinner

Latin Name: Isonychia bicolor & Isonychia salderi
Common Name: Iso, White Glove Howdy, Slate Drake
Hook Size: #10-14

Isonychias continue to earn their appreciation amongst anglers as bug populations/densities on certain rivers not only continue to build, but also the time window of when they hatch seems to get larger. The big numbers of Iso’s typically occur in the middle of June, but bugs can be seen through mid-August in the evenings. Don’t expect to find them thick enough to cover the water,but because of their size, it doesn’t take many for the fish to notice them. When they aren’t on the water, a dry fly angler will appreciate the response a well presented Isonychia receives. When you flip your calendar from June to July, leave the Isonychias in your fly box.

Tip: Take your nice Iso pattern and bend the shank sideways making it look like a dead cripple.

Tricos

Rene Harrop's Para Trico

Latin Name: Tricorythodes
Common Name: Trico
Hook Size: #18-24

These are some of the smallest bugs Northern Michigan anglers will find in big numbers with fish actually feeding on them. Just after the nocturnal hex when an angler finds himself staying up late, the trico angler is an early riser – from first light to about noon. The cool evenings and lack of sun will delay the hatch until mid-morning, but when they come off, they typically do in decent numbers.

This mayfly is not known to get the big fish of northern Michigan rising in the bright sun, but the Tricos do however get smaller fish to key in on them and it’s a lot of fun with a lighter rod. Pay close attention to the rises – they are often small dimples in the water as opposed to slurps and even the rare but large fish that comes to snack will leave the smallest evidence on the surface. Look for Tricos to start in early July and extending mostly through August.

Tip: Since they are small, fish them as a trailer behind a larger dry fly that will act as a strike indicator.

Grey Drakes

Ted's Gray Drake Spinner

Latin Name: Siphlonurus
Common Name: Gray Drake
Hook Size: #12-14

Grey Drakes are smaller than their brown and green brothers and really like sections of rivers with gravel, often building in heavy numbers as adults to mate. Target adult spinners and the fish feeding on them in the slick water below the riffles where they hover above to do their mating dance.

These bugs start in mid-June and can extend to mid-July. An easy way to confirm a Gray Drake is to catch one and inspect the eyes – if they are outlined on the bottom with white lines – it’s them. This is the closest mayfly that matches an Adams dry fly pattern.

Tip: Bring your headlamp as you can have action into the dark hours.

Light Cahills

Extended Body Light Cahill Comparadun

Latin Name: Stenomena canadense
Common Name: Cahill (Kay-hill)
Hook Size: #12-14

Light Cahills are one of those bugs that are around for months, but rarely are found in large numbers. My experience with these meaty, cream colored flies suggests they are not a favorite of fish – they will eat other bugs on the water leaving the Cahills. Because of their numbers and their lengthy hatch period, I’m sure to have some in the box whether they are the only bug on the water and/or if the fish do key in on them.

Tip: Have them in your box but make sure fish are taking them – not another insect- before fishing them.

Blue Wing Olives

Gallpup's BWO Cripple

Latin Name:Pseudocloeon
Common Name: BWOs, Baetis, Olives
Hook Size: #18-22

The name Blue Wing Olive and Baetis includes a number of different bugs that are widespread throughout the U.S. and northern Michigan. From winter hatches below tail-waters, to their reputation of emerging only on cool, cloudy and slightly rainy days, anglers in July and August will want some “olives” in their box regardless of whether it’s raining or not. Blue Wing Olives in size 18 – 22 are a good call, and a pattern like Galloup’s BWO cripple is a great choice when fish lock in on them.

Tip: Just like an Adams should be carried in your box at all times, always have a selection of BWOs too.

Ephorons

Ted's Ephoron Emerger

Latin Name: Ephoron Leukon
Common Name: Ephorons, White Flies
Hook Size: #12

Typically hatching in the last hour or two before dark, the Ephoron will emerge heavily and fast, looking similar to snow flurries. This bug makes the transition from nymph to adult to spinner within a few hours before falling spent to the water so you will want all stages of the fly with you. Certain sections of certain rivers experience these in mid-August through September when water temperatures can be high; if it’s too high, forgo fishing as even catch-and-release practices result in a high mortality rate.

Tip: Have an emerger tied on and be prepared for a flurry of action because when the bugs come they come off the water fast. After things slow down, tie on a spinner pattern and wait for the bugs to return. It can all happen quickly so be prepared.

Terrestrials

Terrestrials encompass all sorts of bugs that play a role to the fly fisher. Insects like grasshoppers, ants and beetles are just the most common examples of these so you’ll want a box of them in all sorts of sizes, shapes and colors. I have written an additional article specifically on terrestrial fishing — Read “Terrestrials and Terrestrial Fishing” here »

Hoppers

Variation of Charlie Boy Hopper

This is the most popular insect in this category of bugs, as they should be. When the wind blows them out of overhanging grass and trees or out of the air as they fly, trout often crush them wherever you find the two. Once the mid-morning sun has burned off the dew, fish hoppers on the sunny days through the evening when the wind is at its highest. Hopper fishing is a fun way to fish from late June through mid-September; target the banks with your casts with a plop, then skitter, drag and move them on the water.

Tip: Each day is different on what presentation the fish prefer, but know that hoppers don’t feel at home when on water and they move like it – fish your flies similarly.

Ants

Ted's Flying Ant

These are always around, but usually not in numbers. However what really makes trout go nuts are flying ants – of all sizes. Any angler who has experienced a flying ant hatch has experienced some of their best fishing. Flying ants are the “crack-cocaine” to trout – once they have one, they will do anything to have more of them – even if that means moving into shallow water in bright sun to feed on them.

Tip: Have some flying ants in your box or you might miss out on the best surface activity you will experience in years. Really – it can be an angler’s nirvana.

Beetles

Peacock and Hair Beetle

Beetles are popular with the anglers who relish terrestrial fishing. Small in size and dark in color, they can be hard to track on the water. Fish them to risers that are keyed in on beetles, or fish them as a trailer to a larger fly that works as an indicator.

The size fish these small flies ((#14-20) can convince to eat can be shocking – use light tippet and a good presentation to convince them to eat along with a soft tip rod and smooth playing of the fish to get the fish to hand.

Tip: If you see fish rising but can’t tell what they are taking, look closely for any beetles that might be drifting by but are hard to see.

Foam and Rubber Hatch

Foam Body and Rubber Legs

Big flies like Chernobyl Ants tied with multiple colors of foam and active rubber legs and other natural and synthetic materials do a good job of imitating nothing, but suggest, rather, hoppers, cicadas, and stoneflies performing as a general attractor that looks like a mouthful of protein. These big bugs have a sizable silhouette, and often are enough of a temptation to pull fish out from hiding in the low water and high sun.

Tip: Fish them with and without activity, often in the middle of the river over scattered, submerged timber/structure.

Mice

Deer Hair Mouse Pattern

While it isn’t considered a hatch so to speak, big flies that look like mice imitate the naturals that hurriedly cross the river. Yes, mice do swim, and those nocturnal browns that lie in shallow water will eat the scrambling fur balls as it comes down and across the river. Right at dark and before that cold dewfall hits on the darkest nights are the best conditions for those armed with a stout leader and hook covered in hair and fur. This is also a good way to fish during the hex after the last of the bugs have emerged or floated by for the night. Glow-in-the dark fly lines and a 6 or 7 wt. rod make it easy to cast these flies and land the fish that eat them.

Cast close to the bank and inside of bends and swim that fly down and across to form a wake.

Tip: Set the hook when you feel the fish, NOT when you hear it.

The Other Hex

Recurvata Hex Spinner

Speaking of the last of the hex, the hatches experienced the last few years have been spread out thanks to inconsistent weather. Some bugs – not necessarily in thick numbers, will continue to emerger for a while into mid-July and adult spinners will often be seen on the water before dark, which can make for some great and exciting fishing. In addition to the Hexagenia limbata we are most familiar with, the Hexagenia recurvata is a smaller, darker version of the large mayfly which typically starts a few weeks after the more popular bug is done. Another mayfly that is difficult to predict but can hatch in July and into August is the Golden Drake (Potamanthus) which is similar to a hex, but larger and are more cream colored. Both of these bugs typically hatch in the late afternoon and evening and can bring up fish of all sizes.

Tip: Keep some hex flies with you from mid-June into August. As odd as it may seem, float a natural looking hex pattern in the evening or early morning well after the crowds are gone and watch what happens – you might be pleasantly surprised.

Presentation and Equipment

Having the right fly in your box is only part of the equation that is going to make your time on the water memorable. Remember: presentation trumps fly selection.

Spinner Fall

By understanding where and when the bugs are likely to emerge or fall as adults will greatly improve your chances at hitting the summer bugs. Further, imitating them with the right action can be the difference between hooking up and casting.

When the hex hatch is “over” don’t put your rods away – the next couple of months can still serve up some good fishing. If none of the bugs mentioned above are emerging or falling and if blind fishing the patterns doesn’t work, tie on Royal Coachmans, Stimulators, Patriots and other attractors to break-up the dog-days of summer – it’s a great way to fish while wet-wading your favorite stream or river staying cool and catching fish with flies that suggest rather than imitate.

Don’t abandon the streamer program at this time of year – after a rain, a meaty streamer intruding the space of a trout will trigger that predatory response. As always, practice catch and release while you have the river mostly to yourself after the busy hex season has passed.

To learn more about the various bugs, where and how to fish them, book a trip by calling 231.883.8156 or e-mailing Ted@Current-Works.com.

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Fishing Egg Patterns

Posted by Jeanne Kraimer - March 16, 2012

Box of Eggs in Various Color Combinations

Matching the Hatch is often associated with trout fishing, but not necessarily with Steelhead fishing. Imitating the specific natural insects fish key in on is important to the success of the trout angler however this same approach should be used by steelhead anglers looking to imitate their prey’s primary food source – eggs.

Egg flies have been used for decades not only because they are easy to tie or inexpensive to buy, but more importantly because they are effective. With increased angling pressure, water conditions, as well as factors only known by the steelhead themselves, they often become selective on size and color. This article’s goal is to provide you with a better understanding of what egg to use and when. Of course it’s not guaranteed, but put others’ experience in your corner to optimize your steelhead fishing and hopefully a well-earned steelhead into your net.

Matching the Hatch

Regardless of when you fish steelhead and what egg you are trying to imitate, know that the eggs themselves change. After being in the water – free drifting or trapped in a selected gravel bed – eggs become less colorful, a bit translucent and eventually opaque. Depending on the timing of your fishing trip in relation to the “egg drop”, color plays a large factor and there are two ways to determine what is ideal:

1. Experience. Fishing and having certain successes or failures can help you define color combos for particular times. Keeping notes in a journal can help keep track of what can easily be forgotten between seasons and a few beers.

2. When fishing rivers that have a respectable trout population, use their selectiveness as an indication of the right color and size. Catching trout? Proceed. Not catching tout? Change your egg pattern.

When fishing for steelhead in the fall directly behind spawning salmon – color and size becomes more important and is where “matching the hatch” is key. In this case, the eggs are often fresh, having a more realistic color to them.

Want to know what a real salmon egg looks like? Look on the ground at access sites or near fish cleaning stations to match your egg patterns – its not that much different than catching a mayfly out of the air and matching it to a fly in your box when trout fishing. The same holds true in the spring when imitating natural steelhead eggs.

Fall Steelhead

There are many theories as to “Why do steelhead enter our rivers in the fall?”, but there is no clear, general accepted theory. Some think curious steelhead follow the salmon as they run up the river to spawn, others hypothesize that they are genetically programmed to enter rivers at that time of year. While these might be partially or absolutely correct, I prescribe to the theory that fall weather and wind conditions bring steelhead close to river mouths, and the scent of pheromones and millions of salmon eggs drifting down the river triggers them to follow a gravy train of protein. This is why the water downstream of the salmon tend to be best for anglers looking for steelhead and having a box filled with egg flies will keep you prepared.

Rag Egg – Clown Color

With this in mind, I like fishing for fall steelhead, the majority of the time with two egg flies; one larger, brighter pattern as an attractor and a second, smaller, more realistic pattern imitating what is coming down the river. Often the top positioned fly is a multicolored pattern like a Clown or two-colored Rag Egg if not a Nuke Egg. I saw my first clown egg while fishing steelhead in Alaska in the mid-1990s and thought it was a joke – it was about the size of a quarter and included more colors than a small package of Crayola crayons. But with time, understanding, and some luck, I have learned that this multi-color configuration and approach can be significant to my success fishing for steelhead right here in Michigan. It’s a good idea to run this egg pattern in a large size when the water is full of leaves
when a smaller pattern could easily be lost in all of the
drifting debris.

Nuke Egg

Most anyone fishing steelhead in Michigan recognizes the Nuke Egg as an effective pattern that is an improvement over the original GloBug. The Nuke can be tied as an attractor or natural imitator depending on size and color. One of its key attributes is the veil or shroud of yarn that covers the nucleus of the pattern giving it a natural, transparent look when wet. The advantage of the Nuke Egg is its exacting nature to imitate the natural eggs drifting down the river. Some of these color combinations include: Egg over Sockeye, Pink Lady over Shrimp Pink, Apricot Supreme over Steelhead Orange, Salmon Egg over Chartreuse or Nuke Egg everyone’s favorite – spring or fall: Oregon Cheese over Steelhead Orange. Worthy attractor colors are Chartreuse over Flame, or Flame over Cerise.

Sucker Spawn

Steelhead in the Great Lakes perform their annual spawning each year during the spring. The largest numbers of fish are in the river sometime in March and April depending on water levels and temperatures. During this time period, the river is also used by walleyes, resident rainbow trout, suckers and carp (typically in that order with steelhead spawning the same time as rainbow trout) as their spawning area. As a result, millions of eggs drift down the river becoming a significant food source for all fish in the river, notably steelhead. The successful angler is often fishing with an egg pattern best imitating the natural egg – its color and shape in addition to how it relates to water conditions.

Spring Steelhead

Spring water conditions are often found to have a stain or be quite high and dirty. When this is the case, I have found patterns larger than naturals to be the most effective. Egg patterns like Rags, Nukes and Glo Bugs tied in various colors and almost as big as a dime, I think, do a better job of grabbing a fish’s attention rather than imitate the food source. But those times of the spring when the absence of rains and thaws leave the water with good clarity, size and color becomes significant. Patterns like sucker spawn in pale yellow imitate that of both suckers and walleye, where the natural characteristics of Nuke Eggs and Glo Bugs in various colors and hues can be identical to those of natural steelhead eggs drifting down the river.

A well stocked fly box for trout fishing is important to success and it’s no different for steelhead. Learn your favorite river, the spawning times of the various species, and what works in particular conditions and key in on what steelhead are eating. Having egg patterns in various sizes, colors and shapes and learning when to use them and why can be the difference between catching steelhead on a consistent basis and catching a steelhead.

Learn how to tie 4 different egg patterns – go to the Fly Tying page and select the pattern you want to tie.

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Goblin

Posted by Jeanne Kraimer - March 15, 2012

The Goblin – A Sculpin and Goby Streamer Pattern

The Goblin is a pattern that does a good job of imitating two important food sources to fish in the Great Lakes region: the Goby and Sculpin. This large profile fly provides a great silhouette as well as action and with its inverted hook, it’s ideal when fishing either on the lake or river bottom and when fished around structure. The two-tone color perspective makes is very realistic and the barring of the rabbit helps create that illusion of food.

When fishing in Grand Traverse Bay and Lake Michigan, I find the Goblin works very well on smallmouth bass since there is a dense population of goby; carp have been known to eat it too. With it’s weighted eyes and saturated rabbit strip it sinks fairly well and is paired with a floating line and long leader. Once it sinks, strip it fast, but with very short pops with the rod tip and watch for the fish to take. Strip sets common with saltwater fishing is a great way to make sure the fish is hooked. Sculpins make up a key component of a trout’s diet. The Goblin can be fished “trophy-style” – that is, with a large sink-tip, typically from a boat and striped through the deep holes near and around structure before recasting.

Smallmouth Bass

Another way to fish this pattern effectively is by wading with a smaller sink-tip line and fished slowly near all the structure that is likely to hold fish – primarily, the secondary structure that many of the “trophy” anglers skip. These slots, tail-outs and inside bends often provide that fish who is not hiding, but rather feeding. Rather than taking the approach of getting a territorial response from the fish, this softer approach is more like matching the natural food source and presents a pattern that wanders near a fish looking to eat. This pattern has also caught steelhead when fished with both a floating line or swung on a two-handed rod.

The fly isn’t easy to tie, but it’s not difficult either. The stacking of two colors of sculpin wool can be tricky, and if you don’t get it right the first time, cut off the wool and try again. Reminiscent of the Mad Pup, this pattern’s head is different by being trimmed short and broad to not only give the better profile, but create a more realistic swimming motion.

Goblin Recipe

Hook:           Daiichi 2451 #4
Thread:         Uni-6/0 Camel and Flymaster+ Tan
Tail:              Black Barred Rabbit Strip Gold Variant
Collar:           Rooster Saddle – Natural Brown
Fins:             Hen Saddle – Speckled Brown
Head:           Sculpin Wool – Cream and Sculpin Olive
Eyes:            Dumbbell – Red, Extra Small or Small

Tying Instructions

Step 1. Insert hook into vise, wrap base layer and dub a small body from some rabbit strip.

Step 2. Take a piece of rabbit strip and trim off the end to a tapered point.

Step 3. Poke the rabbit strip with the hook so the end of the other end of the rabbit
strip is at the end of the dubbed under body which is the tie down point.

Step 4. Tie in the collar feather and wrap a few times and tie off. Trim the fibers on the
top of the fly. This feather helps support the pectoral fins that will be tied later.

Step 5. Tie a small patch of rabbit hair on top to cover up the collar.

Step 6. Tie in hen saddles to represent the pectoral fins on each side
of the body as shown. Tie one at a time and then whip finish.

Step 7. Change your thread to the heavier and stronger Fly Master+ and tie the thread in just
behind the hook eye and tie in the dumbbell eyes with figure-8 wraps.

Step 8. Position the thread between the fly body and the lead eyes. Tie in a small clump of sculpin
wool by cinching down in middle of the hair like you would stacking deer hair.

Step 9. Rotate the vise or re position the hook in the jaws and repeat the previous step with the cream wool.

Step 10. Advance the thread to between the hook eye and dumbbell
eyes and tie in the second clump of dark wool.

Step 11. Tie in the second clump of light colored wool on the underside . Tie off and whip finish.

Step 12. It’s time to trim the wool. Work in a two-dimension approach by trimming
the top and the bottom of the head first. Once you get the profile you are looking
for, rotate the vise and trim from the top view to get the desired profile.

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Beaded Alevin

Posted by Jeanne Kraimer - March 15, 2012

Beaded Alevin

Wherever natural reproduction takes place, juvenile fish call home. After months lying in oxygenated gravel, the fertilized eggs start to evolve into a fish which become a food source to larger fish. This stage, referred to as an “Alevin,” retains its egg as the length and shape of the fish develops.

With its big eyes and bright egg sack, larger fish take advantage of the alevin’s unwary disposition and protein value – we as anglers take note and also take advantage.

Anglers fishing waters that host spawning salmon in the fall and steelhead in the spring should consider this fly a staple from mid-February and into April. Not only does the alevin work well for steelhead, but trout too find them easy prey.

Natural Alevin

Other species naturally reproducing go through a similar process, and by tweaking coloration you should find this pattern is effective long after the steelhead, walleye and suckers are done spawning. Some fish eat their own, and mixed species don’t pass up a chance to eat others making this an effective pattern that goes beyond just the early months of the year.

Presentation can vary with the alevin pattern.I often fish as a dropper on a nymphing rig for steelhead. As the pattern comes off the bottom and sweeps up and downstream, I strip some line in before recasting. By doing so, the pattern looks like a natural alevin darting along and the takes –with no slack in the line- can’t be mistaken.

Immature Salmon

When targeting trout, I like to fish these slightly down and across with twitches created by popping my rod tip on either a slow sink-tip line, sinking leader or floating line if the water is shallow enough. At the end of the drift, let the fly hang down like you would a wet-fly before stripping it back and recasting. Smallmouth bass also like this pattern so be sure to tie one below a larger streamer or even a popper for a top and bottom presentation.

The alevin pattern itself is easy to tie and doesn’t require exotic or expensive materials. The translucent nature of the bead not only adds realism, but also weight and a little wobble when facing directly against the current. Put a bunch of these in your fly box and match a different kind of hatch for a number of species.

Beaded Alevin Recipe

Hook:          Daiichi 2450 #8
Thread:       Uni 6/0 – Gray
Bead:          Plastic 4mm – orange/pink
Wire:          Silver Ultrawire – SM or BR
Body:         Senyo’s Laser Yarn Silver Minnow Belly
Wing: Light Olive Ice Dub
Topping:      Peacock Ice Dub
Eyes:           3-D Molded – Silver 5/32

Tying Instructions:

Step 1. Slide plastic bead over hook and then place in vise

Step 2. Wrap thread from behind eye to form a base layer.

Step 3. Slide a piece of wire through bead and tie down between the hook eye and bead.
Bring the wire over-top of the bead and tie down – this holds it in place.

Step 4. Dub some of the body just in front of the bead.

Step 5. Take the same dubbing and align the fibers by hand so that you have
a long dubbing/body material. Tie in ahead of the dubbed body.

Step 6. Align some wing material similar to step 5. Tie in on
top so that it is about the same length as the body material.

Step 7. Repeat a third time with the Peacock Ice Dub and tie off. Apply water-based
head cement (regular head cement typically melts the Ice Dub).

Step 8. Install the eyes by placing a drop of Platinum Bond Super Fabric Textile adhesive using
your bodkin. Once applied,use a cleaned off bodkin to pick an eye off its backing sheet and set.
The placement of this eye as demonstrated in the photo is between the bead and hook eye and
slightly elevated and helps sandwich the body/wing material and create the desired profile.

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Upper Manistee River (above Tippy Dam)

Posted by Ted Kraimer - March 15, 2012

Upper Manistee River – Scenic Spring Creek

The upper Manistee River is where we do the majority of our trout fishing. Like a big spring creek, the waters of the “Mana” tend to run clear due to the sandy soil around it. With sections of gravel and riffles, sand bottoms and some silt beds the Hex nymphs call home; there are simply lots of different bugs that hatch on this river.

Majority of the fish in this section of water are Brown Trout and Brook Trout with the occasional Rainbow Trout. Ever seen a Tiger Trout? This is a natural occurring hybrid of a brook trout and brown as both spawn in the fall. These fish are rare but they do exist in the Upper-Manistee.

The flows of the Upper Manistee river are moderate and depth changes – common sense will tell you what side of the river to be on, possible places to cross and also what side will most likely to hold the fish.

Structure includes submerged logs, overhanging trees, deeper holes and combinations of them all. Just when you think there aren’t any fish in the river, you will either move a significant fish out of a holding lie or witness a hatch that suddenly turns the river into a jacuzzi with rising fish. Don’t ever give up, just try something different.

Where

The CCC bridge and the CCC Bridge campground are focal points of the fly fisherman who fishes the Manistee. The bridge is the lower boundary of the “Flies-Only” section of water with M-72 being the upper boundary. This water is open year round and has special regulations.

Much of my guiding and fishing takes place from M-72 downstream to the Rainbow Jim’s and I have been known to fish other sections when conditions are right.

Come float sections of water on the upper Manistee and experience the fishing the water around Yellow Trees, the Miracle-Mile, The Settlement, King Trout Ranch, Burnt Cabin (BKZ), CCC Bridge, Dutch John, and Smithville. The Upper Manistee offers anglers a variety of water and fishing conditions for all experience levels.

Brook Trout

Experience not only great fishing, but a river that is not over-developed or over-used. Because of it’s remoteness, canoe and kayak traffic is not a problem on these sections of river like they are on other areas or rivers in the region.

Located about 40 miles east of Traverse City and 25 west from Grayling.

See the map at the bottom of this page for directions.

Manistee River Hatches

The Hex

The best hatches on the river and the ones to fish are many. Starting in April, the early black stones get going, and beyond that it only gets better. From the end of April through mid-May Hendricksons are the first prolific mayflies to emerge and often are mixed in with Black Caddis (Mothers day Caddis). Next come the Sulphurs, Tan Caddis, March Browns, Black Quills / Borchers Drakes, Little Yellow Sallies, and Mahogany Duns – all in the month of May and into June.

Read about some of the great insects that hatch prior to the Hex Hatch »

The big bugs of June are what dry fishermen get excited about: Brown Drakes, Isonycias, and The Hex. Into July and August the Manistee experiences Tricos, Olive Caddis, Light Cahills, and more Isonycias.

Beyond these emerging aquatic insects anglers will want to pay close attention to the terrestrials: ants, flying ants, grasshoppers, beetles and more. Size does matter on these bugs – try to match what you see on the streamside vegetation or on the water and try larger and smaller if you aren’t having success. Throughout the year anglers can expect to see lots of Blue Winged Olives (BWOs) in sizes ranging from 16 to 22; these are a staple for just about any trout fisherman — and trout!

Obviously there are more types of bugs that come off on this river, but the above mentioned are the ones any fly angler and fly tier should be most concerned with.

For more information regarding our hatches, check out the Hatch Chart.

Streamer Fishing on the Manistee

Modern day streamer fishing for trophy sized trout was developed on this river by its pioneer Kelly Galloup, former owner and guide of the Troutsman fly shop once located in Traverse City. As a way to catch big fish on those bright days without a hatch or when trying to target big brown trout, streamer fishing gives anglers a great technique which has become not only popular here on the Manistee and other local rivers, but has caught on in popularity throughout the other regions of the country and trout rivers.

Beyond effective, this method also is exciting to watch a fish over twenty inches pounce on the fly before your eyes. Not to give the illusion that catching a fish is easy using streamer techniques, but any angler fishing this river will want to be prepared to cast some big flies (up to six inches long) to pull that lazy fish out of his lair when surface activity is null. Try fly patterns that imitate: sculpins, chestnut lampreys, smaller trout, chubs, and of course that generic fly that not only will move some water, but simply looks too good not to eat. Look to streamer fish all-year with the best times being April-June and September-November.

To learn more about streamer fishing, read Tips For Better Streamer Fishing »

Directions and Map

The CCC Bridge is located about 40 miles East of Traverse City, 20 miles South East of Kalkaska and 25 miles West of Grayling, Michigan. Anglers fishing the Au Sable River in Grayling often spend time also fishing the Manistee.

Map of the Upper Manistee River (above Tippy Dam)

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