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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Heat Wave – NO TROUT FISHING

Posted by Ted Kraimer - July 1, 2020

Northern Michigan is experiencing unusually high temperatures without cool nights resulting in water temps well into the 70s. While this not only makes the fishing tough as the trout become lethargic, any hooked fish is pretty much assured mortality after bringing them to the net. As a result, trout fishing trips are being suspended until water temps drop. The forecast does not look good but time will tell – it’s northern Michigan and we have a reputation of inaccurate forecasts.

If you are fishing on your own, please consider giving the fish and the fishery a chance by staying off the water – the future of our fisheries depend on it. So many of our trout rivers are not stocked and depend on mature adults to spawn tomorrow’s class of fish and they can’t do it if they are dead.

Other options for fishing include lake fishing in the mornings or evening for bass and bluegill which is also a great fishery for those beginners and those learning/getting better. Bass fishing with a big popper/sliders thrown by better casters to the edge of the lily pads can get some of those bigger fish to play.

Not only is July here, but so it seems is the heat of summer.

Good luck.

Ted

New to the Sport? Bass and Bluegill fishing is the perfect way to learn to fish after a quick casting lesson.
Tricos & Terrestrials – A great way to start a summer day. Float and Trout fish the Manistee in July and August.
Fall Steelhead – Some good dates are available in November – a great way to finish a fishing season.

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March Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - March 4, 2020

As we flip the calendar to March it’s apparent that the days have become longer, temps a little warmer, and the sun is making an appearance a little more often. Was it me or did it seem like the sun went south for the winter this year?

Much of the snow pack has diminished thanks to the recent sunshine and a continued gradual melt would be ideal as we start up our spring steelhead season. Last fall and early winter’s rain saturated the ground and filled the swamps so high water is just a weather event away.

River conditions on both the Manistee and Betsie are in good shape – clarity is fine and water temps are in the mid to upper 30’s depending on the day. A bit of sunshine can give the water a slight bump in temperature and help trigger the fish from their winter funk. Fish are mixed right now with some fall holdovers taking up residence in the deeper, slow water with some fresh fish trickling through the river systems and moving up the soft seams.

Like the fall, there hasn’t been any one pattern working better than another. With the clarity, consider using brighter eggs, but not bold, and the size should be a little larger (#6) than you would think to encourage fish to move a little to eat. Realistic nymphs like hex, caddis and black stones are all popular and proven winners this time of year whether you are fishing them below a float/indicator or bouncing them along the bottom.

Good luck.

Ted

Spring Steelhead – Only a few days in mid-March remain open for the spring season.
Trout – May and June aren’t far away and offer ideal conditions for both streamer and dry fly fishing.
Fall Steelhead – Some good dates in Oct. and Nov. remain available but they are starting to become limited.

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December Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - December 10, 2019

While we are officially still in Fall, there is no denying that we are in Winter once we step outside or even look out the window. And the fish know it, too.

Fishing has become tough the past couple weeks with water temps in the mid 30’s. If it is steelhead you are after, look for them to be in the darker, deeper holes/water just off the side of the main current seams.

Fish can be found in the Manistee and Betsie river systems, they are just spread out and it seems that their numbers are a little thin considering the number of fish encountered this past fall. Perhaps sore-mouthing them educated and encouraged them to head back to the lake; angler’s placing fish on a rope or in a cooler definitely had an impact, too. With river temperatures less than the lake temperatures, I’m thinking that new fish migrating upstream will be minimal until the days start getting longer again. I’ve been wrong before, though.

Just as the steelhead fishing slowed, the trout fishing also requires persistence. Those fishing streamers might be better served fishing the inside bends and soft water structure for brown trout looking to have their Christmas feast. Mid-sized streamers seem to be more effective after a few years of triple-tandem articulated, keel-shanked,and over accessorized rattling streamer patterns fished big and heavy. Try fishing those smaller streamers slowly either on a small sink-tip or floating line if the pattern has some weight.

Good luck, enjoy the solitude out there and Happy Holidays!

Ted

The Winter Newsletter just went out –
click here to read and/or subscribe.

2020 Fishing Season – We are booking dates through October of 2020 – don’t miss the prime times.
Gift Certificates – As we approach the holiday season, consider asking or giving the gift of time on the water.

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Big Bug Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - June 20, 2019

Water levels on the local rivers are falling back into shape. While they are a higher than normal for this time of year, they are fishable and have a little stain to them – almost ideal. Water temperatures are still cool due to cool nights and a lack or significant warmth and sunshine the past month which is delaying some of the hatches.

Bugs have been fickle on the Manistee with the best hatches above M-72 as that water has fallen into shape sooner than the lower sections. Look for the last of the sulphurs, Isonychias, little mahoganies, gray drakes, brown drakes, yellow cahills, and some little yellow and medium brown stoneflies. No sign of hex on the Manistee but there are rumors of some on parts of the Au Sable river system.

Its that time of year that the riverbanks are active with more anglers wearing headlamps. Bring bug spray to keep the mosquitoes and ticks away, respect private property and share the resource.

Lake and pond fishing has another round of bigger bluegill in the shallow water with the week’s full-moon. These are a great species to target with a light rod and offer both experienced anglers and beginners the opportunity to bend the rod and just have fun. Some bass are around the shallow water, too, as they come out of the post-spawn funk and are a little more eager to eat both on the surface and below.

Stop your rod tip high.

Ted

Trout– Match-the-Hatch fishing through June including the big bugs. Terrestrial & Tricos in July and August.
Fall Fishing – Salmon begins in September which leads to Steelhead in October and November.

bluegills fishing, brown drakes, grayling fishing, isonychias, manistee river hex, michigan fly fishing trips, traverse city fly fishing, trout, trout fly fishing

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Posts tagged "trout"

Early May Fishing Report

Heat Wave – NO TROUT FISHING

March Fishing Report

December Fishing Report

The Winter Newsletter just went out –
click here to read and/or subscribe.

Big Bug Fly Fishing Report

Ted Kraimer • Current Works, LLC • PO Box 333 • Traverse City, Michigan 49685 • (231) 883-8156

The Winter Newsletter just went out – click here to read and/or subscribe.

The Winter Newsletter just went out –
click here to read and/or subscribe.