Northern Michigan Fly Fishing Report May 29th

While we were in dire need of rain, we got a lot all at once; our rivers are running high after two days of a cool rain – some places received over 2 inches. Thankfully it was a soft rain and the sandy soil was thirsty so it isn’t as bad as it normally would be. Levels are up a bit on the Upper Manistee and will probably continue to rise some more, but it is still fishable. The Lower Manistee is up too and it's clarity is good, but look for that to change over the weekend as the run-off from the Pine River works its way through the system. The Boardman is up but should be close to normal by the end of the weekend barring significant additional rainfall.

While this rain might put a kybosh on the hatches, don’t count them out totally. Before the rain the sulphur numbers were building nicely. Along with these prolific bugs, it’s been pretty much more of the same: the last of the Hendricksons, Black Quills, Caddis, Mahoganies, March Browns, medium Brown Stones and a few Yellow Sallies. With the water up, look for the streamer fishing to improve now that there is some color to the water.

To learn more about our great dry fly fishing in June, read, "Fishing Before the Hex Hatch" by our head guide, Ted Kraimer.

Fortunately, if you don’t like the river conditions right now, we have other fishing options. The carp have been on the flats of Grand Traverse Bay. Having a high sun and fishing afternoons will be the key to having good success since we are forecasted to have cooler days in the forecast with highs in the 60s. Wind direction and the night’s temperature are the key to success. A few smallmouth bass are around too doing a little pre-spawn feeding. If you haven’t pursued carp this could be a great opportunity to try it - guide dates available.

Lake and pond fishing is really good right now for those looking to catch bass, bluegill and pike. The bluegill are mostly on beds and are eating poppers and spiders, but the nymphs are working too when fished as a dropper from something on top.

If you are heading up North this weekend, please note that The Northern Angler has moved. Our new address is 803 W. Front Street. Call if you need directions 231-9323-4730

Good luck!

The Northern Angler

Cleaning Fly Rod Handles

I get a number of fly rods in the shop that people want me to look over and a lot that I sell for people on Ebay. If there is one thing that will improve the appeal of a used fly rod more than anything else, it's a clean cork handle. Not only does it look much better but it works better too. A clean cork grip is easier to hold and nicer to fish with. I thought I'd share a quick trick that I have figured out for cleaning cork rod grips that works on everything from a bit dirty to absolutely grimy grips and it will make them look new. I have heard and tried a number of things and many of you may know or have a method that works for you but this is quick, easy, and works wonders. It's very simple really, the best thing that I have found is the Scotch-Brite heavy duty dishwand replacement heads and just about any liquid hand dishsoap. I wet the cork then rub on a generous amount of dishsoap, then wet the sponge down and start scrubbing. Lots of soap, lots of water. The Scotch-Brite is abrasive enough to get the hardest dirt off but has yet to damage any cork grip that I have tried it on and that's quite a few. I have used it on newer high end fly rods down to 50 year old garage sale specials and expensive bamboo fly rods too, the results are always very good! One exception or area to be careful with is if there is already a large chunk missing or the cork rubs/flakes away in your hand. So the next time I disappear to the back of the shop with a ratty old fly rod only to return 2 minutes later with a new looking fly rod, that's it (who says a magician never reveals his secrets). Just remember to mark the one sponge for "dishes" and the other for "rod grips" please.

Now go scrub, fish, repeat!
The Northern Angler

Urban Warfare DVD - Fly Fishing for Carp

That's right, it has come to this...carp fish porn! "Urban Warfare - In Pursuit of the Poor Man's Bonefish" by Barry Reynolds (Pike on the Fly) is exactly that, a DVD dedicated to flyfishing for carp. Actually, they often get a bad rap but fly fishing for carp can be fun, challenging, and offer a different perspective for most fly fishers. Barry's DVD is not really much of a "how to" for carp on the fly but rather a fun video that is filmed in and around Denver. It is really meant to be (and succeeds at being) an eye opening look at how much fishing opportunity is right in front of us. Carp can be found in ponds, rivers, lakes, ditches, you name it and they are big, strong, fast fish that will give you quite a pull on the fly rod. Additionally, the DVD discusses how, despite their "trash fish" perception, the fish can be very selective and technically challenging to catch.
I found the DVD very interesting and fun to watch, much like Barry's earlier video Pike on the Fly. The format and feel are very similar, they have lots of great footage of takes, fights, and really big fish. The opening dramatic music was maybe a bit much but the rest of the music throughout the DVD was good and it fit well (a lot of guitar and "rough" sound) with the fish and the surroundings. The locations were far from scenic, many times you see the expressway in the background or hear a train, but that is exactly the point, you can travel two minutes from home and be flyfishing for 25 pound fish. The "how to" was basically limited to Barry sharing his two favorite carp flies (the Whitlock's Near Nuff Crayfish and the swimming carp nymph) but the video makes no attempt to sell itself as an instructional video. I have watched it a few times already and watching him try to fit 30+ pound carp in the net or watching a carp swim over and suck up the fly in clear water just doesn't get old, it's fun to watch!
I don't know if this DVD will instanly convert everyone over to fly fishing for carp but it certainly will open some eyes of those that haven't tried it and will confirm to others why they do it. A very worthwhile view!

Kirk Novak
The Northern Angler

Northern Michigan Fly Fishing Report May 20th, 2009

Summer-Like Weather in May

Water temperatures on the local rivers and the bay are increasing thanks to a big bright sun and warmer nights. On the Upper-Manistee, water levels are good but we are in need of some rain to add some color to the water –it is simply a little too clear right now as the fish are hiding in their bunkers when its bright. When it is sunny (and the forecast calls for more of it) look to have your best success in the mornings and evenings. These times of day, both, have bug activity – mostly spinners in the morning and emergers, duns and spinners in the evening providing the air temperatures don’t bottom out. The Boardman River too is warming up nicely and with it comes more bugs and some fish looking to cash in. Streamers are always a good bet when you don’t have bug activity, but don’t forget about nymphs either. There are still a few steelhead in the Boardman from Sabin Dam to the mouth.

Hatches/Flies:

Hendrickson duns and spinners, Black Quills/Borchers, Mahoganies, Black Caddis (#14 and #18), a few Sulphurs, March Browns, Tiny Stones, #10 Stones and more. Yes, one must have a loaded fly box this time of year to be prepared for what the fish might have a taste for.

Fishing below Tippy Dam on the Manistee for trout continues to be a good bet for both beginners and experienced anglers alike. The trout are still keying in on steelhead and salmon fry /smolt patterns sub-surface and the caddis numbers continue to increase providing some dry fly action. Soft-hackles are deadly on this river presented either as a dropper or on a wet-fly swing. Like Nymphing? Get your indicator out and pick apart those seams.

Bluegill and bass fishing is great this time of year. Look for the gills to be on their beds in the smaller, shallower (warmer) lakes right now. Like trout, big bluegill are hard to find so please practice catch and release when you find some. Bass are still mostly eating medium sized streamers as they are preparing for the spawn.

Carp fishing is still in the early stages and water temperature is more crucial than ever. The afternoons on warm, sunny days are your best bet and look for water that is relatively calm. These fish are pre-spawn and typically found in smaller numbers but respond eagerly to well presented flies. Small crayfish, clousers, gobies and buggers are ideal – remember to use fluorocarbon since there is practically no algae in the water right now. The smallmouth are still out deep but look for them to get shallow by mid-June.

If you are heading up North this weekend for Memorial Day, please note that The Northern Angler has moved. Our new address is 803 W. Front Street. Call if you need directions 231-9323-4730

Good luck!

The Northern Angler

Rainy's CF Baitfish - The New Woolly Bugger?

OK, so maybe that's a stretch, but we all know that the woolly bugger has been used to catch just about everything in just about every type of water, it is without a doubt, the most versatile fly in the box. A relative newcomer to the scene, the CF Baitfish from Rainy's has to be considered one of the most versatile baitfish patterns out there. Outside of catching panfish or small trout like on a woolly bugger the CF Baitfish is proving its ability to catch just about anything, anytime, anywhere! Large trout, bass, steelhead on the swing, and early season salmon have all fallen to the CF (CF stands for Craft Fur). It has become a "go to" pike pattern. Fishing the Great Lakes surf and river mouths with the CF Baitfish is very effective for lake trout, browns, and steelhead. In the salt, it will catch just about anything that eats little fish (which of course, is just about everything). One of the keys to its effectiveness is the soft, easy moving craft fur body, it's very lifelike. Another attractive feature is that there is a ultra fine flash material mixed in with the craft fur that gives the fly just enough sparkle. Although it it super soft, it still maintains a nice fishy profile in the water. Being synthetic, it doesn't suck up and hold a ton of water either so it is easy to cast all day long. Another great aspect of the fly is the fact that it is tied in so many different colors, so whatever the species or water conditions, the CF Baitfish comes in a color that will work. Some color options include: rainbow trout, chartruse/white, gray/white, perch, olive/white, and more. At The Northern Angler, we stock more colors than anyone that I've found (yet), check 'em out!

Thanks,
The Northern Angler

State of Michigan Proposed New Trout Regs

The state has proposed changes to the existing trout regulations. The document can be found here at this link: http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10364-214282--,00.html

Public comments will be taken until June 12th. I am not going to throw my two cents in on the blog except to say that you are not allowed to bitch about the regs and the job that the DNR is doing if you don't send in your comments to the state. Much like election time, it is important to make your voice heard.

Thanks,
The Northern Angler

Northern Michigan Fly Fishing Report May 13, 2009

This time of year anglers in Northern Michigan have lots of different species to chase with a fly rod. Trout fishing on the Upper Manistee and Boardman Rivers are experiencing some good caddis and mayfly activity and as water temps continue to warm-up the fish are keying in on them. Look for Hendricksons, Black Drakes/Borchers, Black Caddis, March Browns and BWOs. Some of the larger #8 tanish/brown stoneflies with a yellow collar are around too. With the cool nights, spinner falls should occur earlier in the evening and even late morning, but as cloud cover comes, the heat should stay in and provide both good hatches and spinner falls – be there.

Streamer fishing continues to not only provide activity but some nice fish when the bugs aren’t popping. Water clarity is a little too good and another little shot of rain which is forecast should only help things. Streamer fishing bellow Tippy Dam on the lower Manistee River continues to be a good bet for those looking to catch some nice trout as they are looking to fill their bellies with something other than eggs since most of the Steelhead are gone. These fish are simply gluttons.

There are still some steelhead around on the Manistee, but everything is pretty dark and predominately on gravel. The Betsie River still has some fish in it as does the Boardman in Traverse City up to the Sabin Dam. Fishing pressure is similar to winter fishing – light, however this time of year you don’t need to worry about frostbite or iced-over boat ramps – things are rather comfortable.

Those fishing local lakes and ponds are finding good bluegill activity in water less than 5 feet deep and the early bass season is proving some fish to play along – mostly on medium sized streamers/baitfish patterns. Pike? This is the best time of the year – look for dark bottoms as these fish are looking to warm-up and eat some food after their spawn. Some carp have been seen in the shallows of the bay, but it takes a few days of stable weather and a bright sun to get them out of the depths – things will only get better as the bay warms up.

Northern Michigan FlyFishing Report May 4th, 2009

It looks like spring and with it comes some of the year’s best trout fishing. Currently the Upper Manistee is giving us a decent Hendrickson hatch most afternoons and sometimes unto the evenings. The spinner falls haven’t been too heavy with the cool evenings – look for a warm cloudy day for heavier bugs. Also hatching are some black caddis and the last of the little black stones. Blue Wing Olives continue to be out there, but are more noticeable on the cloudy, rainy days. Look for the Hendricksons to really start up this week on the Boardman.

Water conditions are pretty good – they are up a little but have fallen nicely since last week’s rain – they are about normal for this time of year. Clarity is good, but it’s not too clear making ideal fishing conditions. Streamer fishing has been good lately but with no particular pattern or color working more than another; each day the trout have a different appetite so be sure to not only mix up your fly patterns, but also your presentation.

Steelhead fishing continues on the Manistee and the other local rivers. Some more fresh fish came in with last week’s rain, but they are coming in, doing their deal and heading back to the big water. Fish are on and around gravel and the larger holes are holding some drop-back fish looking to eat and gain energy before their journey back downstream. This is a great time of year to fish below Tippy Dam for steelhead and trout – streamers can bring some great trout to the net as they are looking to continue eating after their steady diet of eggs the past 6 weeks; drop backs have been known to eat a streamer too.

Pike fishing on local lakes and ponds has paid off as well as those looking for some pre-spawn, catch and release bass. Look for shallower, darker bottom lakes to be your best bet. The bluegill have been very active in the shallows of a local pond near you. Look for some carp to start venturing into the shallows in the late afternoons of multiple sunny days in a row. It’s such a great time of the year to fish – so many choices and almost not enough time.

Good Luck

The Northern Angler