As we get deeper into July we can look back and claim this year’s hex hatch as a strange one. It started much later than normal and when the bugs did come off, they came off quite heavily. With a string of cool evenings, some days there was both a spinner fall and emergence at odd times of the day complete with daylight. Now instead of fishing until the early hours in the a.m. we start our day early in the morning. I personally like taking the head lamp out of the gear bag and starting the day on the water.

With recent temps and the bright sun, the morning fishing seems to be best for the brook and brown trout as the upper Manistee can cool off overnight a few crucial degrees. Not a whole lot has been hatching as the Tricos – like most of the other bugs this year – are behind schedule. Some smaller Isonychias, Cahills, Bat Flies and Summer Olives can be found on the water with some fishing looking up. Have a few hex in your box, you know, just in case. Terrestrials are starting to get active on land which makes fishing “foam and rubber” attractor/terrestrial patterns a good approach. Click here to read more on trout fishing after the hex hatch.

Rivers are running a little higher for this time of year after some showers and thunderstorms which have left a slight stain to them.

Lake fishing continues for both bass and gills. Weed growth has really developed recently and has given us more structure to fish, especially the bigger bass that like to lurk. The occasional pike can surprise you and your light tippet when fishing weeds near drop offs, but it’s all fun even if it is short lived.

Good luck.

Ted

Trout– Match-the-Hatch fishing through June including the big bugs. Terrestrial & Tricos in July and August.
Fall Fishing – Salmon begins in September which leads to Steelhead in October and November.
2020 Fishing Season – We are booking dates through July 2020 – don’t miss the prime times.