It’s the high-season for trout fishing right now. With warmer temps and the calendar in the 3rd week of June, fly-fishers are hitting the water in increased numbers looking for big bugs and big fish.
Like much of the season so far on the upper Manistee, the bugs aren’t doing their part by showing up, and as a result neither are the fish. It’s not easy fishing right now, but each evening we are getting a couple of opportunities at some nice, but selective fish – you need to bring your “A-Game”.
There have been quite a few different bugs on the water, just not the density that leads to good fishing. Sulphurs, Great Mahoganies, Isonychias, Caddis, Medium Brown Stones, Pteronarcys, Cahills, and Brown Drakes all have been seen on the water so bring your loaded fly boxes and headlamps. Mosquitoes, black flies and horse flies have been more reliable each evening. There are indications that things in nature are fragmented with certain bugs showing up early and others late; the other night we saw fireflies (early) and heard tree frogs (late) – a combination I don’t ever recall witnessing before. However, the Whippoorwill’s call gave me confidence that some normalcy still exists on the trout stream.
The bass fishing on lakes has been good and some nice gills are still near the shallow drops offering some good surface activity. Weed growth is helping to concentrate the fish as it gives them cover with the high sun.
With the high water levels on the bay, carp fishing has been near impossible and there isn’t much to report there. That and customers, it seems, just want to spend the time on the trout stream to forget about life for a while.
Good Luck
Ted
Trout – The big bugs of June are beginning for an evening of match-the-hatch dry fly fishing.
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.
FATHER’S DAY – Its almost here! Quick and easy gift certificates can be emailed for last minute gift ideas.