Northern Michigan Fly Fishing Report Sept 24, 2008

The salmon fishing continues to be pretty good with conditions and fish numbers varying from day-to-day. Water levels have dropped once and again, we need another shot of rain to bring more fish in. The Betsie river still has surges of fish and timing and location is key. Lots of fish have hit the gravel and there are still some fresher fish in the dark, deeper runs and holes. The Manistee river is off to a slower start than normal, but there are fish on gravel near Tippy Dam and a decent number of fish in the lower river. Regardless of where you are fishing, know that a cool shot of rain will only make things better. Since this is big fish/big ego season, remember to get along with your neighbor and enjoy the experience.

Trout fishing is going well although with clear water conditions. This warmer spell has increased water temps a little to make it prime. The terrestrial bite continues and streamers used in the low-light can produce some of the larger fish. The leaves are just starting to turn and this is a great time to fish the river and have it pretty much to yourself.

Good luck.

The Northern Angler

Are the Salmon in the Boardman River Yet?

I have received a number of calls and questions in the shop lately wondering if the salmon are in yet so I thought I'd answer that with a picture that I took this afternoon (Sunday Sept 21) at the weir on the Boardman river. As you can see, the answer is a big yes! The fish started to show up about two weeks ago but the run is really just picking up steam. They have done one harvest already at the weir but only took about 500 fish, the total harvest last year was in the neighborhood of 7000 and the year before 10,000 so there are many more fish on the way. If you have never seen the collection and harvesting operation on the Boardman, it is really quite interesting, definitely worth a look. Here is a link to an article that The Traverse City Record Eagle did last year on the salmon weir. If you want to fish for the salmon, it is important to know that the river is closed to fishing from the North Union Street bridge to the bridge at 31. So it is OK to fish at the mouth of the river and from North Union Street to the weir. One last restriction, no fishing within 300 feet of he weir (it is posted). If you forget, it's a pretty safe bet that if nobody is fishing where you are, then it is closed. I intend to post a short piece on some of the how to on catching the salmon soon but for now call or stop in for the latest.

Northern Michigan Flyfishing Report Sept 17, 2008

Salmon fishing is going very strong after the rain this past weekend. New fish have moved into the river and the fish that have been in for a while are hitting the gravel. Great fighting fish with a few extra pounds on them this year are making for some great battles. The standard flies have seemed to be working: eggs, caddis, hex nymphs, pheasant tails, buggers, muddlers and sparrows. Try throwing a streamer in front of both aggressive males near beds and to pods of holding fish in the big slow holes. The streamer bite should continue for a few weeks for those of you that want to feel that rod get pulled out of your hand. The Manistee will continue to build in numbers as the water temps. decrease. Like much of the year, things are running a week or so late this year and it appears that Salmon fishing is on par with that trend. Hearing a report or two of a steelhead being in caught by salmon anglers, so it won’t be but a few weeks before we can target them specifically.

Trout fishing is still a great time on the water and you can have it yourself if you are not into the big fish thing, i.e. salmon and steelhead. The river is all yours and the fish have rested from the pressure of anglers. Look for streamer fishing to be pretty good on the pre-spawn bite and on the warmer days after cool nights look for the big rubber leg and foam creations to bring up fish. Fall can also bring on some technical BWO fishing on the right day so make sure you have some in your fly box.

Good Luck!

Northern Michigan Fly Fishing Report Sept 9, 2008

Last week’s rain has got the salmon run progressing. The cooler air temps and good winds has more fish staging at the river mouths while the rain last week moved all the fish that were already staging in the lower river and lake. Typical fall flies include Sparrows, Hex, Pheasant Tails, and Hare’s Ears all accompanied by an egg pattern. Fishing should only get better over the next couple of weeks and once some real eggs start drifting down the river the Steelhead should start moving into the water as well (October 1).

Trout fishing on the Upper-Manistee river is serene- no one else fishing, decent water levels and temps and some fish coming to the fly – both streamers and dries. Like the rest of the season, work hard to find out what it is they are in the mood for and then mix it up when your success slows down. The streamer bite should continue to build as we approach the fall spawning season and the fish look to put a few pounds on before they rub gravel.

Good luck!

Think Outside the Trout

Note: I originally wrote this for northern Michigan but much of the article is applicable to anywhere in the country that people flyfish.

Quick Man-on-the-Street quiz: When I say “fly fishing” what is the first image that comes to mind? The majority of answers surely include something along the lines of trout fishing in a river or stream, right? That perception does define some fly fishing and it is certainly a big part of our northern Michigan tradition. Trout Unlimited was founded in Grayling 50 years ago, the brook trout is our state fish, the world famous Adams fly was created for fishing the Boardman River, and we have over a dozen blue ribbon trout streams in northern Michigan. However, with regard to fly fishing, it’s time to think outside the trout.

Am I saying to forget trout fishing? Absolutely not! To do so would be missing out on one of life’s great pleasures. But by restricting your fly fishing to trout, you are only eating a small piece of the pie. I often tell people that are unfamiliar with the fishing in our area that we may not have the very best of anything, we have very good everything. Whatever you want to fish for, it’s here: trout, bass, pike, salmon, steelhead, carp (yes carp), bluegill, and more. They are all fair game for a fly-rodder. The only real limitation to fly fishing is depth, but if it swims in less than 20 feet of water, than it can be caught on a fly. Not only do we have lots of fish but you can fish any type of water: lakes, rivers, ponds, the bays, tiny creeks, or Lake Michigan. Just try to drive 10 minutes in any direction up here without running into some body of water! Apparently I am not the only one that sees it that way. In their February 2008 issue Field and Stream Magazine ranked Traverse City #3 on their list of best fishing towns in America! They described Traverse City as “A Freshwater Wonderland” and their choice was largely based on the diverse fishing opportunities that the area has.

Fly fishing for other species will extend your season and never leave you wondering where to fish because the river is “off” today. Open up to fly fishing for bass and carp and all of the sudden those dreaded trips downstate can become fly fishing destination trips. Seriously, have you ever fished the hex hatch for smallmouth bass on the Huron River (it can be awesome), muskies on Lake St. Clair, or smallmouth on the Grand River? Great fun!

Many people have wanted to try fly fishing for years but are intimidated by what they perceive as a very difficult sport. It can get a little complicated at times, but lake fishing is the perfect place to start, and it’s fun too. How about getting the kids or grandkids into fly fishing? Trying to fool a selectively feeding trout in a river with a tiny fly and a perfect presentation probably won’t stick as well as bluegill caught on every other cast in the boat with an occasional 14” bass surprise. Many of us started out that way and have forgotten how much fun it can be.

Alright, so you’ve decided to broaden your horizons and try to eat the whole pie. Good news, you do not need to go out and buy all sorts of species-specific fly rods and reels (although I know someone that could help if you’d like to do that). With a 5 weight and an 8 weight rod, you can effectively cover everything that swims in Michigan. Again, I don’t want to come across negatively on trout fishing, I love it (as most fly fishers do), but you are cheating yourself if you don’t sample all that fly fishing has to offer!

Kirk Novak
The Northern Angler

Northern Michigan Fly Fishing Report Sep 2, 2008

It feels more like Hex time than it does Salmon time, although the weather is set to change dramatically tomorrow, hopefully that includes some rain. Unseasonable weather and the lack of rain have stalled our salmon fishing for the most part, but there are fish in the rivers – just not the numbers we are use to this time of year. And with early runs, fish travel in pods so your luck can change dramatically by going around the bend and finding 6-12 chrome fish. With some rain in the forecast, look for things to really change for the better and extending well into October.

Trout fishing is fairly decent right now after the roller-coaster water temps. Low water levels demand longer, stealthy presentations with dry flies. Patterns that have been working include the foam/rubber leg things, medium sized hoppers, ants and beetles. The streamer fishing has improved lately with smaller patterns doing the best. Rain will definitely help the streamer fishing situation. Of course cloudy/overcast days are best, but they don’t seem to be around much lately. The upper Manistee River is all yours now that we are past Labor Day and that the Salmon have entered the river. Look for the bite to only get better with water cooling and the fall spawn approaching.

Dates still available for September and October Trout, Steelhead and Salmon fishing – contact us for availability.

Good luck!

The Northern Angler

Fly Fishing With Kids

I was out in the yard with my 6 (almost 7) year old the other day with his fly rod and we were casting a bit (in between teasing the cat with the line, great fun by the way) and I was happy to see that he was really starting to cast a pretty good loop. He was also taking some of my gentle suggestions on how to do it and it got me to thinking again about the question of when should/can kids start fly fishing, so I thought I would share an article that I had written earlier this year on the topic.

Being around fly fishermen a lot, a very common question that I hear is “How old should my child be before he or she can flyfish?” Well, the quick answer is that it depends, as every child is different, but I think the real answer is that it’s never too soon to introduce it to them. 13 years old, 10 years, 6, 3? Sure, but the key is that I said introduce it to them, not necessarily take them “fishing”. Every fly fisher knows that patience is the key to success and teaching kids will often put your patience to the test.
When working with kids and fly fishing it is very important to go with the flow and not impose your expectations on the child’s experience. If they want to look at birds, then look at birds. If they want to throw rocks, then throw rocks. Just keep it fun so they want to come out again. Eventually it sticks and a new master angler is born!
In preparing this article, I decided to interview an expert: my 6 year old son, Michael. We went to the river a few times last year in my first real attempt at getting him into fly fishing. The interview consisted of one question, “What was your favorite part of fishing in the river this year?” Here were his responses: “Umm, catching that baby rainbow and OOOH when we saw the frogs…and the bugs on the water! Oh, and when we looked under the rocks and saw those bugs, and wearing my waders felt kinda neat” (at which point my 3 year old, Ryan, chimed in, “And I liked when we saw the crayfish!”). Michael continued, “Yeah, that was cool, and oh yeah, I liked catching fish.” The actual fishing portions of the trips were between about 2 minutes and 10 minutes, but he can’t wait to “go fishing” again this year. Had I continued to push more of my idea of fishing (actually using the rod) instead of his idea of fishing (wearing waders and exploring the river), both of us would have enjoyed it less. Kids love the experience, the fish are just a bonus (hmmmm, maybe these kids are onto something…).
So how do you get started? Equipment is not too complicated, a 7 or 8 foot, 4 or 5 weight rod is a good start. Anything longer than that is hard to wield and if the rod is too short it makes it harder to get the line off the water and to roll cast. Waders are available from a number of companies in kids’ sizes. A hat and sunglasses are a must for protection from the sun, but more importantly they are protection from errant casts. A few bigger bushy dry flies (easy to see) and you’re off! Spring for some polarized glasses and the kids will be amazed by the “magic glasses” that let them see underwater so well!
Books: A Kids Guide to Flyfishing: It’s More than Catching Fish by (8 year old) Tyler Befus and Fly Fishing with Trout-tail by K.H. Lucas are good ones for the kids to read. Both talk about equipment and emphasize the experience.
Trout Unlimited co-sponsors the First Cast Program in the summers. During the program kids cast rods, tie flies, look at bugs, and more. It’s a great option for formal instruction.
Where to go: Any lake with bluegill is a great place to start (eager fish, no current, lots of options), and fly selection is as simple as a couple of foam spiders or poppers. When it’s time to hit the river try the North Branch of the AuSable or the Platte River. They are shallow, clear, easy to wade, and lots of eager (smaller) fish should keep you busy.
Good luck, have fun, and watch out for flying rocks!

Kirk Novak, The Northern Angler