Trout fishing has been good for those looking to test their skills with matching the hatch and presenting dry flies and emergers to selective fish. Lots of bugs right now on the Manistee, Boardman and AuSable Rivers and this time of year it’s a pretty good idea to have them all in your box because there is no telling what the fish will want from one day to the next.
Sulphurs, March Browns, Blue Winged Olives, Mahoganies, Light Hendricksons, Little Yellow Sally Stones, Medium brown stones and caddis are the usual suspects and having some brown drakes with you might not be a bad idea either – just in case. To learn more on the hatches this time of year, click here.
Evenings have been best for emergences and spinner falls but with cloudy conditions and cooling temps, things can happen earlier rather than later. Surface activity with bugs can be isolated from one bend to the next so move if you aren’t seeing much happening. Until bug activity occurs, cast a streamer – especially after the rain that we received today. Brown and copper or Olive and copper seem to have been working well, but each day is different so mix it up until you find their daily preference.
Bluegill and bass fishing on local lakes/ponds continues to offer some great fishing as the fish have moved into the shallows. While spiders, beetles and small poppers have been working on top, slowly swimming damsel nymphs and small leeches tend to catch some bigger, more selective fish.
Good luck,
Ted
Trout – The hatches of late May lead into June making for some of the year’s best dry fly fishing – don’t miss out.
Fall Steelhead – From late Sept. through November, these fish will bend your rod like no other – get your dates.
2017 Fishing – Plan your year around your fishing – get your dates on the calendar, life will fit in around it.