2013 Northern Michigan Fishing, Stream Reports
Not much has
changed in the region except things are a little whiter and colder than the
last fishing report. Winter came fast and it came hard this year with
temperatures far below freezing putting anglers into winter mode and having us
hope for a break in the weather. There is no denying it – it’s winter fishing.
Thanks to a
great fall there are good numbers of steelhead in the Manistee and Betsie
rivers when cabin fever gets us to the river or a warm-up takes place. Look for
fish on the inside of the bubble lines/seams and in some deeper buckets and
holes. This is a great time to fish under an indicator or float to keep your
flies above the wood structure fish are hanging around. This method also
assists in a drag-free drift and detection of light takes. Nothing new as far
as fly strategy this time of year: an egg fished in tandem with a realistic
nymph like a caddis, pheasant tail, hex, or hare’s ear. The water is clear so
fluorocarbon or lighter mono is going to give you an advantage – the fish
aren’t fighting as strongly in this cold water so you can get away with it.
Getting to
the river can be a little tricky with the roads – just make sure you have some
extra clothes with you in case you take a stumble – that gaudy holiday sweater
with a snowflake on it might just be useful after all.
Happy
holidays and good luck!
Ted
It appears
that Winter has come in fast and hard dropping both air and water temperatures
not to mention some of the white stuff. Back a week ago when it was still Fall,
we received significant rainfall in the region increasing water levels and the
number of fish in local rivers like the Manistee, Betsie and Boardman. While
the water was high and dirty, it has come down and once/if more seasonal
weather comes back anglers will find plenty of fish around to play with
throughout the winter. Right now the challenge can be getting to the river
rather than catching the fish.
As the water
continues to drop in levels and temps, look for steelhead to be sitting in
those soft pockets and the tail-outs of the deeper holes. Drag free drifts
using indicators and floats with egg and nymph combo on the business end would
be a good place to start. Those who enjoy the two-hand approach to swinging
flies will find fish still looking to eat, but that window where fish will
chase a fly down is getting pretty narrow as water temps creep into the upper
30′s.
Good luck,
stay warm and keep an extra change of clothes just in case.
Ted
After a
change in the weather the past week it appears that mother nature has made up
for the mild fall we experienced in the beginning. After some snow, rain,
temperatures below freezing and lots of wind, it appears most anglers are
looking to pick their days based on the weather. Traffic on the water is down
with plenty of steelhead around to play with. With the dropping water temps,
fish are starting to act a little lethargic when hooked, but not all of them.
Look for the steelhead to start to move into the transitional water between the
quick runs and the soft side of the seam and some of the larger holes. A little
sunlight can make a big difference as it warms up the water a degree or two and
can help trigger more activity.
Eggs continue to be the primary diet of fish as the millions of salmon
eggs continue to drift down stream even though the salmon are pretty much gone.
Pale colored egg patterns like nuke and rags seem to be
working best: egg/steelhead orange, Oregon cheese/burnt orange, tetra
yellow/light roe have been good color combos lately. Smaller natural nymphs are
starting to have their effect on both steelhead and trout in waters like the
Manistee below Tippy Dam – caddis, pheasant tails, and scuds are great
candidates. Olive and copper streamers have been the effective pattern colors
when swinging flies. Look for the streamer bite for trout on the Manistee to
get going as the fish drop back into their lies after a fall of having their
noses close to the spawning salmon.
More fresh
fish continue to move up the Betsie and Manistee rivers thanks to the rains
which have provided fish throughout the river systems. Water is slightly
stained and running a little higher than normal for this time of year but is
generally in good shape. Be prepared to fish a few ways – drift fishing,
indicator fishing over structure and even swinging a fly on a sink-tip.
Friday Nov.
15 th is opening day of firearm deer season. Be careful and respectful of
hunters and wear a some blaze orange to be safe while fishing. The season
extends through Nov. 30th.
Good luck.
Ted
The past week
has been a wet one in the northwestern part of Michigan with significant
rainfalls shuffling fish around and bringing in new ones. Water levels were
coming down nicely before we received another batch of rain raising the levels
and adding some stain to rivers but also bringing in some new fish as well.
As water
temps continue to drop into the mid-40′s on the Manistee the fish have become a
little more lethargic when hooked and the fish are starting to transition into
some deeper and slower runs. But don’t overlook the water that has been fishing
well the past month as the steelhead can be anywhere. While majority of the
fish have been eating egg patterns – often big, bright ones in the dirty water,
the nymphs and streamers have been working on fish, too. As the water gets
cooler look for alternative presentations to add to your approach – indicators,
swung flies and picking small buckets apart for a fish here, and a fish there.
Good luck,
Ted
The fall
steelhead fishing on the Manistee has been inconsistent lately – doing well for
a few days in a row and then experiencing a slow one. When its on, its on! Lots
of weather systems have been through northern Michigan over the past week and
even some snow fell between the rain showers which may have had something to do
with the fish’s attitude. The recent rains brought the water up and should
continue to bring fresh fish from the lake – there are fish from the dam to the
lake. The report on the Betsie River is that there are some steelhead scattered
throughout the river and a few scraggly salmon on gravel making the dark water
behind them a great place to start fishing for the chrome ones. After the
significant rainfall at the end of last week, most of the Betsie is running
dark – be careful wading.
When fishing below Tippy dam, natural eggs and small, natural nymphs
like pheasant tails and baetis are working on the pressured steelhead and brown
trout. In the lower sections bigger, brighter egg patterns fished in tandem
with larger nymphs and small streamers have been the ticket lately – it seems
that the “bugger bite” has improved significantly since the last report. Each
day is different and this is only a reference as to what has been working for
us. To read the Top Five Steelhead Flies article, click here.
With the
water temps hovering around 50 degrees and fresh fish around, this is a great
time to swing a big fly for steelhead. Olives and tan/brown patterns with lots
of gold and copper flash would be a great place to start and always have a
black pattern on deck and ready to go.
Good luck,
Ted
After a long
six weeks of great weather, things have changed with lower temperatures, fewer
leaves on trees and even some snowflakes in the air but the steelhead remain
willing to test our abilities and tackle.
Steelhead
fishing on the Manistee took a little dip the past week but things have started
to improve again. With just a few salmon around spawning, the fish aren’t as
concentrated in easy to identify water and as we go through this transitional
period – which is typical this time of year, it’s time to alter the plan of
attack, focus on different water and presentations. Now we have to work a
little for the fish.
Eggs continue to be the primary diet and focus of steelhead with the
millions of eggs drifting downstream. Egg pattern colors range from
egg/cream/light yellow to Sockeye and Apricot Supreme. Look for Oregon Cheese
and Chartreuse variations to become more popular in the near future. “Bugs” –
patterns like hex nymphs, steelhead buggers and caddis seem to be increasing in
effectiveness in the tail outs and lower sections of rivers where the eggs
aren’t so concentrated. When there is a heavy flow of leaves in the water, look
for bugs with sparkle and egg patterns that are big and bright ( clowns) to bring some attention to themselves making it easier
for fish to recognize them from all the debris.
Water
conditions are ideal – clarity, level and temperature. Temps are hovering in
the low-50′s and I suspect the recent and forecast weather might get that to
drop below the 40 degree mark slowing the fish down a bit when hooked. The
steelhead this year are running big and have been hard to handle and bring to the
net, however no one is complaining.
Good luck,
Ted
With another
week of mild weather its hard to believe that it is mid-October. Since we
haven’t had a frost yet in the region the fall colors aren’t as brilliant as
usual, but the fishing has been making up for it.
After last week’s rain, river levels came up and have since dropped
while leaving the water with a slight stain – which is a good thing with all
the bright sunshine we have been experiencing. The spawning salmon continue to
populate the gravel sections of local rivers, most notably the Betsie and
Manistee. Below Tippy dam there are countless numbers of salmon on gravel
spawning with others right behind them in pocket water and still some fresher
staging fish in the bigger, deeper holes waiting for their time to come. Look
for steelhead to be in the dark water right behind spawning fish and the egg
collecting runs below spawning areas. With water temperatures near 60 degrees
the fish tend to jump out of the water a bit and make it hard to bring them to
hand. Majority of the steelhead have been coming from egg patterns with smaller, natural color’s being
best. Mix it up throughout the day as sunlight and angling pressure changes.
I haven’t
been on the trout waters nor have I heard reports of people fishing the
Upper-Manistee, but I imagine the terrestrial fishing on the surface is going
strong considering the mild temperatures. The brook trout can be amazing this
time of year and we are getting closer to when the browns spawn and sometimes –
given the right weather conditions, the streamer fishing can be outstanding.
Good luck,
Ted
Steelhead -A few fall steelhead dates remain and it’s not too early to book your
Spring 2014 Steelhead dates.
With the flip
of the calendar, a look at the fall color in the trees and chrome in the water-
the only thing wrong is we only have four weeks to enjoy what the month has to
offer.
October Fly Fishing in Northern Michigan is one of my favorite months
to fish. Cool mornings, clear days and big fish. Steelhead fishing has picked
up a little on the Manistee as they take full advantage of the salmon eggs
drifting downstream. There are still good numbers of King Salmon in the Betsie
and Manistee Rivers with the majority of the fish on gravel doing their thing.
Steelhead take note and residence in the holes, pocket water and slots below
them taking advantage of the “protein drip”. Egg
patterns have been the most effective patterns lately with a few nymph patterns
also proving worthy – caddis, pop’s buggers, and pheasant tails. The water is
still clear demanding light leaders and the steelhead have been hard to land
with water temps being as warm as they are – the fish are spastic to say the
least.
Even though trout season has closed on a number of rivers throughout
the state, certain sections of certain rivers like the Manistee remain open.
Brook trout fishing remains solid and the brown trout are becoming a little
more responsive to our antics now that they are getting closer to their
spawning season and angling pressure has dropped off. The streamer bite has
picked up a bit – still smaller patterns with the clear water vs. the really
big stuff and on top: BWOs and terrestrials like ants and beetles and the
occasional smaller Isonychias.
Good luck
Ted
Now that the
equinox has passed and we are fast approaching October the weather feels a
little nicer than normal. Salmon fishing is taking precedent on local rivers
like the Betsie and Manistee with good numbers of King/Chinook Salmon in both
of them. Last week’s rain moved some fish around and they are scattered
throughout the river systems; a north wind and some rain would drive even more
fish into the systems including steelhead. There are a few steelies fish around
but numbers are still pretty low.
The salmon have turned a little darker as a lot of fish have begun
their spawning activity in the gravel sections of the rivers. The water’s
clarity is a little too clear right now and lighter mono and fluorocarbon
tippets are a must with the bright skies. With natural eggs in the system
drifting down the fish are taking note and eating realistic size and colors.
Click here to read more
on egg patterns and fishing them for steelhead and salmon.
Trout fishing
has been up and down on the upper Manistee as it too is running very clear.
Cloudy days are better (as usual) but a mix of sun and clouds is best as it
warms the water a bit and gets the brook and brown trout looking at food.
Smaller terrestrials like ants and beetles have been working as have other
patterns like Fat Alberts and other foam and rubber leg creations. It seems
like the fish aren’t interested in eating the big terrestrial and attractor imitations
lately – after all, it’s been a long trout season. fall colors on the Upper
Manistee are just getting going and if you haven’t fished up there this time of
year, you should – the Brook Trout are beyond vibrant. Please note that some
rivers and certain sections are closed to fishing beginning October 1.
Good luck.
Ted
It still
feels like summer with the warm weather but temps more fall-like are forecast
for later in the week.
Salmon fly
fishing has taken most of the notice of anglers lately as the runs in the
Betsie and Manistee Rivers have been good this year. Those of you that have
been out know that the fish are running a few pounds bigger on average and have
been tough to land. Being salmon, some days they respond to flies well, other
days not so. Mix up your patterns, your presentation and even a slight angle
change to the run/hole which can make the difference.
There hasn’t been a predominate or favorite fly pattern lately, just
the usual nymph patterns like caddis, stones, hex fished in tandem with an egg
pattern. Floating lines with indicators have been coming in handy when fishing
the insides of runs where staging salmon often sit, but most of the time
clients have been using the duck and chuck method with success. (Read more
about rigging for salmon here.)
The trout
fishing remains decent for those fishing terrestrials and small streamer
patterns on rivers like the upper Manistee and Boardman rivers. Water levels
are decent for this time of year and clarity is a little too good after a long
season, but have the river to yourself while you catch brown and brook trout.
Good luck,
Ted
Now that
Labor Day is behind us, the kids are in school and the salmon are in the
rivers, it’s time to look forward to a long fall season of fly fishing.
While
summer-like temps are usual throughout September, the cool summer brought the
salmon closer to river mouths and into rivers much earlier this year. The
Betsie, Mansitee, Bear and Pere Marquette all have fish in them and should
throughout mid-October. The salmon – so far, have been on average a few pounds
bigger than years past but the past week we have started to see some smaller
fish swimming with the big ones. The big ones – while fresh, were hard to hold
onto! We are a ways from spawning so look for fish to be in the deeper holes
and eating nymphs and eggs and the occasional streamer fished on a sink-tip.
Being salmon, some days they just don’t want to eat anything – mix up your fly
patterns and put in your casts – it only takes a fish or two to make it a great
day – more than that, even better.
There has
been no shortage of anglers with this year’s early start and with the big fish
come less than desirable anglers and their methods used to “catch” the salmon –
program your cell phones with the DNR’s RAP Hot line (Report All Poaching) and
report any violators you see: 1-800-292-7800. It only takes the word of a few
tickets issued to curb some of the activity so your call can make a difference.
The warm
weather over the past few weeks has warmed the trout waters but they will start
to drop again with the cool down and cooler evenings. The Manistee and Boardman
are running very clear right now but still have trout fishing going on.
Terrestrials like hoppers, flying ants and beetles are a good bet as are some
attractors. Sub-surface, try your bead head nymphs in the runs and slots and a
small streamer twitched will keep you in the game. Look for the brook trout to
get feistier as their spawning season approaches later this month and their
colors become even more vibrant. You should have the trout rivers pretty much
to yourself so enjoy the solitude and some technical fishing – there has been a
decent BWO hatch on the upper Manistee in the early evenings and some remaining
trico spinner falls in late morning.
Good luck,
Ted
It appears
that Summer has started again with warmer temperatures and plenty of sunlight.
These
conditions have been good for the trout fishing on the Manistee and Boardman as
terrestrials thrive in these conditions. Hoppers, ants, beetles and foam and
rubber leg attractors are the ticket for those fishing on top. Windy conditions
can make it difficult to cast, but blow some bugs in and the fish are waiting.
Very little is hatching: Tricos in the mid-mornings with smaller trout rising
to them making for fun “target practice”. Have a few small Isonychias in your
box as well as #14 tan caddis and #18 BWOs. Smaller streamers fished in the
little runs and cuts around wood have been producing some fish also and days
that are mixed with sun and clouds have tended to be better.
The cooler weather made for good water temps at the river mouths and
some salmon moved up the area rivers. With the warmer weather the fish aren’t
as eager to come upstream, but the ones that did over the previous weeks are
scattered throughout the river systems. Egg flies, small
streamers and classic nymphs like sparrows, stones and buggers have been
producing. A good N.W. wind and some rain would really get fish moving upstream
again.
Bass and
bluegill are still eating the fly on local lakes. The bigger gills are harder
to come by but there are plenty of small ones to keep you busy and the bigger
bass have been eating the larger flies – both on top and bottom. The warm
weather will improve things further for those looking to fish the weed lines,
beds and structure for largemouth bass.
Good luck,
Ted
Trout fishing
has been consistent these past weeks as water temps have been much cooler than normal
for this time of year due to the mild air temperatures. The Trico hatch has
been going a little later in the morning on the upper Manistee River once the
sun gets higher and warms things up a bit, however the water is very clear and
too much sun is a good thing. Not much else is on emerging on the Manistee and
Boardman but attractors are working well for the brook trout and smaller browns
where the larger terrestrials and foam and rubber patterns are bringing up some
bigger fish. With the weather forecast calling for warmer conditions, look for
the terrestrial fishing to get even better.
Bass and
Bluegill on ponds and lakes has slowed a little with the cooler weather, but
fish continue to play the game and eat flies – poppers, sliders, diving
baitfish and baitfish streamers. The warmer weather should bring things back to
where they should be for this time of year. Bluegill and panfish are taking
smaller dry flies – small terrestrials like beetles, ants and small hoppers are
great places to start. Smaller streamers fished just below the surface have
been working, too.
The cool
weather and water has brought some salmon closer to the river mouths and some
fish have slipped up some of the local rivers but they are still low in
numbers. It appears the fall run of salmon should be a good one this year.
Good luck,
Ted
Posted by Brian Pitser -
August 9, 2013
Trout fishing
has been pretty consistent in the morning hours with dries, and terrestrials.
Early morning Trico hatches are still going strong with some nice fish looking
up, but be prepared to make some long, accurate casts and solid presentations.
I was out yesterday and the fishing seemed to pick up with terrestrials as the
afternoon approached. There are tricos, some caddis, bwo's popping up
throughout the morning. The last hour before dark has been productive in the
last week for some nice browns twitching bigger, rubber legged attractor
patterns or running isos. Water temps are really good for this time of year and
the fish are not stressed out due to heat on both the Boardman River and Upper
Manistee.
The lower
Manistee has a few kings starting to show up for early morning streamer or
crankbait action. The smallmouth seem to be a bit scared because the kings have started
showing up in better numbers. The Betsie has a trickle of fish starting to make
their way upstream as well. A few more kings are being caught "in the
hole" at the mouth of the Boardman River, but nothing even close to
thinking about hitting the river. It appears the that we should have a great
fall with the water levels and temperatures being really good for the fish and
the early run salmon.
Local lakes
and ponds have really been super productive in the evenings for bass and
bluegill on poppers, terrestrial patterns and streamers. This is a ton of fun
and is so overlooked by most fly anglers. Find a small lake and work around the
edges in the evening for some great action. Fishing for bass and bluegill is a
great way to work on your casting and introduce new people and kids to fly
fishing.
Fall dates
are booking up very quickly, so if you are looking for dates, call soon and
reserve your dates for September and October.
Get out and
fish,
Brian
As much as we
appreciate the cooler weather this past week, it takes a little while for the
fish to get use to the change in water temps. Cooler water temps are good for
the fish and after a day or two off relative consistent weather they are happy
and playing our game again.
The hatches
on the upper Manistee and Boardman have been quite limited lately with just a
few bugs around including Isos, Cahills, Big Olives, and Tricos. Fishing a bead
head nymph in runs has produced some fish as they aren’t looking up too much
with the bright sun. A very small streamer fished on a floating line has been a
good approach, too. When those two presentations don’t work, try the big rubber
leg and foam creations – hoppers, Chernobyl Ants and other large profile bugs
that have a little motion in them. The rivers are pretty quiet and a morning
spent on the river this time of year is not only a great way to stay cool, but
have it to yourself while catching brown and brook trout
Fishing on
the lakes and ponds has been good for those looking to cash in on bass on large
swimming flies and large poppers. Weed beds and lilly pads have been the ideal
place to target these fish especially when they are adjacent to cover like wood
and drop offs. Keep in mind leader size is important when casting those big
wind resistant flies. Bluegill have been playing along too and closer to the
shallow water since the big fish in the deeper water tend to eat them – small
dries like hoppers, ants, spiders and beetles have been working on top with
small baitfish streamers working bellow.
The
Smallmouth Bass fishing on the Lower Manistee continues to improve. Medium to
large streamers with lots of flash fished on both floating lines and short
sink-tips have been the ticket. Crayfish bounced along the bottom and twitched
are always good around rocks especially with the big moon that is out right
now. While they aren’t as big as the fish we catch in the bay, the river
smallmouth fight hard, get us on the river and make us better fly anglers.
Good luck,
Ted
Some hot
weather has been with us all week making the mornings and evenings the best
time to be on the water – river or lake. The lack of cloud cover has really
made a difference on the trout rivers making the low light periods the best
time to fish. It also happens to be cooler making it more comfortable. The
forecast is calling for a return of cooler temps over the weekend and I doubt
anyone will complain.
The Manistee
and Boardman have a few bugs on them including Isonychias, Light Cahills, BWOs
(#16), and some Tricos. Look for Trico numbers to build over the next month
providing a lot of rising fish – albeit smaller ones, making for some fun
fishing with lighter rods. The Tricos are typically found in the mornings while
the other bugs listed tend to be present in the evenings. The terrestrial
program is taking shape and bringing up a few nice fish – hoppers, ants,
beetles, and those attractor patterns that suggest big, awkward things
twitching on the water and easy to eat – have all been producing.
Lake fishing for largemouth bass and bluegill continues to offer some
great fishing. Some big bass are just off of the drop offs near weed beds
looking to eat sliders, swimming divers, and the realistic streamers that look
like perch and bluegill. During high sun, go to the lilly pads with a weedless
popper and/or frog imitation and watch what comes out from underneath to eat.
Bluegill/panfish are in the shallower water staying away from the bass on the
drop offs and have been a lot of fun for those casting small dries, poppers and
spiders.
The lower
Manistee is improving for smallmouth bass as water temps further increase. The
most consistent fishing has come from casting mid-sized streamers and crayfish
patterns but diving sliders and poppers are producing fish on top in the slower
water often on the inside bends, typically around weeds.
Good luck,
Ted
The late
start and odd month of bugs and weather of June is spilling over in to July and
we are still experiencing some bugs on the water and match-the-hatch dry fly
fishing. The Upper Manistee and Boardman both have some Hex bugs coming off on
them but the section of river and even bend makes the difference of whether
there are bugs or not. Being the holiday weekend the rivers are seeing lots of
use by canoes, tubes and kayaks making the morning and evening the best times
to fish.
The recent
cooler evenings have dropped water temps below the 70 degree mark on the
Manistee and the Boardman has been running much cooler this year now that Brown
Bridge Pond is gone. Other bugs that can be found on the water include Little
Yellow Sally Stones, Isonychias, Brown Drakes, Light Cahills, BWO/Drunellas,
Gray Drakes (Boardman). Bead Head nymphs fished in riffles and tail outs can be
a good way to cover water when wading this time of year.
Carp and
smallmouth bass are still around in the flats of Grand Traverse Bay but the
smallmouth bass tend to be smaller this time of year as the big fish have
slipped into the deeper water. The carp are still doing their thing but have
been hard to find some days – crayfish and hex nymphs are ideal flies to have
tied on. Plan to cover a lot of water and look for fish where boat traffic and
pressure is low. This time of year the mornings can make for some great carp fishing.
Bass fishing
on local lakes is getting better with the warm water and their tendency to
hammer sliders and mid-sized poppers. With good weed growth look for the fish
in the middle of lilly pads, off of breaks/weed beds and other forms of
structure. Bluegill continue to be in both shallows and along the edge of weeds
and drop offs.
Good luck,
Ted
It took a
while but some big hex flies can be found on local rivers. The hatches have
been sporadic and very isolated – each bend in the river is different so if you
don’t have success in one place, go around the next bend and see if there are
bugs and fish. Then again, it is the time of the year where the “Annual Angler”
makes his pilgrimage to the river so you might not have the ability to cover
water. Duns and Spinners have been the mix and most nights the duration – at
least on the Manistee, has been relatively short. Fish fast.
While waiting for the hex bugs, the Isonychia fishing has
been pretty solid sometimes providing the best shot at fish as there is still
some light out and good fish eating them. Fishing a hex emerger is a good way
to spend an afternoon as is swinging an oversized hex nymph near the muddy
banks to kill some time before the hatch. In addition to hex and Isos, have
some Brown Drakes, Little Yellow Sallies, Sulphurs and Bat Fly patterns in your
fly box.
Please
practice catch and release and with the water being so warm (70 degrees) – get
the fish to net quickly and revive them a long time before letting go. The
Upper Manistee, Boardman and parts of the AuSable are not stocked with trout so
the fish’s survival is paramount to future fishing.
Carp fishing
on Grand Traverse Bay continues with a lot of fish in post-spawn mode and in
shallow eating the hex and drakes in the silt beds. Spawning fish are still
around, but each day is different which makes this fishing so fascination and
frustrating at the same time. The heat and sunshine of the week has really
warmed things up and is pushing this season closer to the end. The smallmouth
bass can be found from time to time in the shallows but they have mostly moved out
into deeper water. Fish that are still around have gotten pretty wise to the
fly angler but a well presented fly (crayfish and hex) for cruising fish and
around rocks should find you a fish or two.
The lakes are
still fishing good for bluegill and largemouth bass are becoming more active
especially on sliders and poppers – a fun way to spend some time on the water.
Work the lilly pads, weed beds and drop offs for your best chances.
Good luck,
Ted
The fish over
the past week has offered inconsistent fishing – not only because of so many
species we have fished for, but also the fish’s cooperation. One day it’s good,
the next day not. Things aren’t making sense as far as why things are “on” one
day and not the next, but we keep on fishing and take what comes.
The
Manistee’s hatches have been inconsistent and often sporadic over the past
week. Lots of bugs can be seen on any given evening or throughout the day even
– some days they are plentiful other days sparse. Look for sulphurs,
mahoganies, little yellow sallies, BWOs, Isonychias and Brown Drakes with the
best concentrations typically in the last hour or so of light. Water conditions
are ideal – the Manistee and Boardman are at good levels but the clear water
has made the streamer fishing tough. While it only takes one cast to make it a
great day, there are a lot of casts with the streamer before that happens. But
it’s worth it when it does.
The Carp,
too, have been up and down. I think the lack of sustained warm weather and
therefore water temps have kept the fish from really coming into the shallows
and offering fly anglers great shots. Some days they can be found in good
numbers but just not interested, other days small numbers of fish can be fished
to with success. Just get out and fish and cover ground. Wind direction is
crucial as is overnight air temps when determining when/where to go. The
smallmouth bass on the Grand Traverse Bays have been good with a mix of
spawning and post spawn fish.
The lake
fishing remains a great choice for those looking for easy going, still water
fishing. There are some local lakes with fish in shallow protecting nests and
willing to eat a fly where other lakes are better in the evening as the fish
migrate from the deeper water to the shallows to feed. Largemouth bass have
been active eating sliders and some mid-sized streamers.
Good luck,
Ted
Some cooler
temps have made fishing comfortable and sometimes cool, but fishing has mostly
been good for the variety of species anglers can chase this time of year in the
Traverse City region.
The trout streams are looking good and fishing decent thanks to some
good dry fly hatches. The cooler weather- it seems is creating emergences and
spinner falls a little earlier in the evening to help see what is going on.
Small bugs and fish dimpling the surface in low light can be frustrating so the
early emergence is a treat. There are a number of bugs that can be found on the
water – Sulphurs, Mahoganies, March Browns, Little Yellow Sallies, Med-Brown
(Mattress Thrashers) Stones, BWOs, and a few others. A Borcher’s Drake seems
to do a pretty good job right now of imitating a lot of the spinners and a
number of the duns on the water whereas the Robert’s Yellow Drake in 14-16 is
starting to take a number of fish on top. Look for brown drakes to pop on the
Manistee and Boardman any day now. The rivers are full, have good clarity and
the fish have been chunky from all the subsurface feeding they have been doing
making for some inconsistent streamer fishing. Remember, you are only one cast
away from making a slow day a great day so keep at it. It’s a great time of the
year to dry fly fish the Manistee and Boardman.
Carp fishing
has been up and down because of the weather – cold nights, strong winds from
different directions each day and the lack of a hot sun are all contributing factors.
One day they are in shallow, the next they are not. Some days they eat, some
days they don’t. In other words, they are acting like carp which helps add to
the challenge of carp fishing on the flats. The smallmouth bass on Grand
Traverse Bay tend to be a little more stable near rocks guarding beds in
shallow water, but it seems that in the popular areas, they have seen a lot of
flies. Mix it up and fish off less pressured waters if you can.
The lakes and
ponds have been fishing well – some lakes have had a lot of shallow water
bluegill fishing with some fish being done with the spawn and others just
getting going. The deep “kettle lakes” are examples of the latter. Top water
flies/poppers/spiders and small nymphs swum subsurface have been working. Largemouth
bass are in the shallows too and are eating both flies on top and below – swim
a diver for the best of both worlds.
Please
practice catch and release.
Good luck,
Ted
There is a
lot to choose from right now for those fly fishing the Traverse City /
Northwest Michigan region. The rivers, lakes and Grand Traverse Bay offer
anglers everything from graceful trout to the temperamental and brutish carp –
from dry fly fishing rivers to bottom bouncing weighted patterns on the bay.
The trout fishing has been decent on the Upper Manistee and Boardman
Rivers. There is a diverse collection of bugs on the water most days making for
some of the fun match-the-hatch chess games and head-hunting.
There have been some prolific Sulphur spinner falls the past week as well as the last of the light Hendricksons, mahoganies, caddis, bwos, black quill/Borchers and a few stones – both little yellow sallies and medium browns. Look for more of the same bugs to emerge over the week and pay real close attention to what bug and what stage the fish are keying in on. Emergers and spinners – flies fished in the film, seem to be working best. The smaller flies can be tough to fish in the dusk light – look for smooth water and slight dimples and underwater bulges for your targets as the broken water can make it tough to find fish. The streamer bite has been up and down with the cloudy days being ideal, as usual. Water levels are good – the rivers are full, have great clarity and temps are hovering around 60 degrees.
There have been some prolific Sulphur spinner falls the past week as well as the last of the light Hendricksons, mahoganies, caddis, bwos, black quill/Borchers and a few stones – both little yellow sallies and medium browns. Look for more of the same bugs to emerge over the week and pay real close attention to what bug and what stage the fish are keying in on. Emergers and spinners – flies fished in the film, seem to be working best. The smaller flies can be tough to fish in the dusk light – look for smooth water and slight dimples and underwater bulges for your targets as the broken water can make it tough to find fish. The streamer bite has been up and down with the cloudy days being ideal, as usual. Water levels are good – the rivers are full, have great clarity and temps are hovering around 60 degrees.
Smallmouth bass have moved into the shallows in the bay – many of the
large rocks that offer some shade hold some fish, but keep your eye out for
cruisers on the flats. Crayfish and minnow imitations are standard patterns you should have in
your box.
The pre-spawn
carp have move in, but remain transient with the weather changes, fishing
pressure and low water of the bay. Water temp is key and if we continue to get
warm weather, mild nights and favorable winds, it will only improve. The
shallow water of East Grand Traverse Bay is a great place to look for the
“golden bone” right now.
Bluegill
continue to be in the shallow water offering the fly angler great opportunities
and some great fish. The fish took a bit of a beating over Memorial Day weekend
with many of them taken home, but the strong survive and require additional
stealth to catch them.
Good luck,
Ted
Up and down
weather this week has provided everything from hot and humid to cool and rainy.
While the dry, warm days provided good hatches on the Manistee and Boardman
Rivers, the other days were ideal for the streamer angler fishing below the
surface and covering water looking for trout.
The potpourri of bugs lately have included: Hendricksons, March Browns,
Mahoganies, Black Quills, and a few Sulphurs. Inconsistent weather has broken
the mold of evening-exclusive spinner falls and they can be found at all times
of the day including late mornings – one just never knows so it’s good to be
prepared and be flexible. Look for the warmer weather to return this weekend
and for the bug emergence to become a little more reliable and stable. If
heading out, you will find that the most prolific hatch lately has been the
mosquitoes; be sure to take some bug spray – not having any isn’t an option
right now. To read more about the various mayflies that emerge over the next
month, click here.
Streamer fishing has been decent as the water conditions are ideal with
a slight stain, overcast skies and good temps. With chestnut lampreys active right now and the rain washing
worms downstream, streamer patterns resembling such are catching some fish.
Other successful patterns are those with lots of movement and orange/brown
color schemes looking like crayfish and/or juvenile brook trout – at least that
seems to have been a recent preference. As always, mix it up, donate flies to
deep structure and keep moving for that rewarding brown or rainbow trout.
The
Bluegill/Panfish have moved into shallow water on most of the local lakes and
are making for some great fishing. Targeting the “bull-gills” on light rods is
a blast. Fish have been taking both dries and nymphs with dries being best when
the water is calm. Fish small nymphs by swimming them or try a real small
streamer slowly striped.
Some carp
have been moving closer inshore from the Grand Traverse bay’s depths but they
are far from where they should be in regards to numbers and ideal depths. These
weather changes – I think, negatively affect carp more than any other fish we
fish for. Smallmouth bass, too, are starting to move towards shallow water to
do their spring spawning ritual. The fly fishing in the bays surrounding
Traverse City will only get better over the next month.
Have a safe
and happy Memorial Day. Good luck.
Ted
No comments:
Post a Comment