Posts tagged "brown drakes"

Early June Fly Fishing – Lots Going On

Posted by Ted Kraimer - June 7, 2012

After last weekend’s rain, river levels are full and returning to normal levels. The Upper Manistee is in good shape, the Lower Manistee is still on the high side with an ideal stain, the Boardman is running full and the Au Sable is back to normal. The flush of water made for good streamer fishing and with the forecast heat, the dry fly fishing should ramp up after a cool period with very sporadic hatches.

Look for Isonychias to build in numbers as well as a mix of other bugs including: Brown Drakes, March Browns, the last of the Sulphurs, Yellow/Golden Stone Flies (#10), Bat Flies and Mahoganies. When the days are hot and temps stay warm into dark, look for the hatches to be condensed into a short window near dusk. In other words, bring your headlamp and walk back to the car in the dark after fishing until dark. Because of our mild winter, warm March and otherwise odd weather this Spring – the timing and predictability of hatches has been off. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to have a few hex and gray drake patterns in your box should this warm weather inspire a few bugs to show up early.

{A few years ago I wrote an article pertaining to trout fishing in the weeks leading up to the Hex hatch – you can read it by clicking here.}

Carp fishing on the bay has been very mixed as the fish haven’t been nearly as predictable as they normally are this time of year. With a few fish showing signs of spawning the past few days, look for this warm weather to ramp up fish numbers and spawning activity in the shallow flats. Plan to cover a lot of ground to find fish willing to play along and be armed with the usual patterns: hex nymphs, crayfish, Clouser minnows and b.h. black wooly buggers. While the carp fishing hasn’t been up to par, the smallmouth bass fishing has been solid with small minnow/baitfish patterns working well.

Bass and Bluegill fishing continues on the smaller lakes and with a lot of the spawning done, males protecting nests have brought aggressive behavior as well as from the females looking to eat, too. Look for deeper breaks and drop offs to produce the bigger bluegills/panfish. The popper fishing has improved however the small streamer and nymph/dry combo has been most effective mostly because it allows us to fish deeper water.

Good Luck,

Ted

– Upcoming Fishing Seasons –

Trout: Fishing with streamers and dries. Don’t forget the Big Bugs – Drakes, Isonychias and Hex.
Carp and Smallmouth Bass on Grand Traverse Bays – find out why this has become a favorite of many anglers.
Terrestrials & Trico hatches in the Months of July & August – start your mornings off on a cool, quiet trout stream.
Booking for all 2012 Seasons – Some Fall Salmon and Steelhead Dates Remain Open

ausable, bass, bat flies, boardman, brown drakes, fly fishing, grand traverse bay, hatches, hex, hex hatch, manistee, manistee river, smallmouth bass, streamer fishing

Weather – Ups and Downs

Posted by Ted Kraimer - May 31, 2012

Addendum
After over 40 hours of rain spanning Friday into Sunday the region received significant rainfall. Anglers will find local rivers running high and stained for a while. Be careful wading and for up to date river conditions you can click on the USGS Michigan Streamflow Conditions

The weather has had its ups and downs the past week and as a result the fishing has followed suit. While last week’s heat had condensed the hatches and dry fly fishing into the final 15 minute of each day and into dark , the cooler weather this week has slowed things down. The good news is we got some much needed rain in our rivers and water temperatures have stopped warming rapidly.

While the dry fly fishing had been decent on the Upper Manistee, AuSable and Boardman Rivers, the bug’s emergence and spinner falls have become difficult to peg. Brown Drakes, Sulphurs, March Browns, Mahoganies and stone flies have been on and hovering over the water but the past few days not so many. Typically the evenings are a good time for spinner falls and emergences, however with the cold front upon us, look for late mornings and mid-afternoons to be a time for sporadic hatches. As the more seasonable temps return, look for typical emergence/spinner fall behavior to return and the trout to take notice. The good news is this weather and the rain we received improves streamer fishing conditions.

Fishing below Tippy Dam on the Manistee has been off a little due to the carp in the river spawning. Targeting the trout with nymph rigs downstream of the carp has paid off but it still isn’t what it should be as the fish are keyed in on a heavy supply of eggs. Streamer fishing the first couple of miles downstream of the dam is a good way to cover water and find those larger, more aggressive fish. The crayfish have molted recently are soft-shelled making them a good pattern to have along with your other favorite streamer patterns fished on sink-tips.

The Carp and Smallmouth fishing has been mixed with Smallmouth Bass offering the more consistent fishing. With the heavy winds, changing temperatures and storm fronts, the carp are more than ornery and aren’t on their predictable schedule of time and place like they were in last week’s heat. A lot of moving around and careful attention by anglers is necessary to get a shot or two at the “Golden Bones” of West and East Grand Traverse Bay. While looking for carp, keep an eye out for the smaller, but still fun smallmouth bass cruising around.

Lake and Pond fishing continues to offer good fishing for the bluegill and bass angler. Also affected by the fluctuations in weather some days have simply been better than others with these species. The surface fishing hasn’t been as good as normal so consider swimming nymphs and small streamers sub-surface for improved results.

Good Luck,

Ted

– Upcoming Fishing Seasons –

ausable, bass, boardman, brown drakes, carp, golden bones, grand traverse bay, manistee, trout fishing

Another Week

Posted by Ted Kraimer - May 23, 2012

Not much has changed from last week’s report other than river clarity has become a major issue – the rivers are running very, very clear and there is virtually no rain in the forecast – stealth and lighter tippet/leader is pretty much a necessity.

The Manistee, AuSable and Boardman are all running low and clear making it easy for the fish to see bugs on the surface, when they are out. Dry fly fishing has been mixed with lots of bugs to chose from but often at odd times. Look for Sulphurs, March Browns, Mahoganies, and caddis to continue and with all this heat in the forecast – have some Brown Drakes in your box . These warmer evenings should make for consistent evening hatches and spinner falls.

Streamer fishing has been tough with water low and clear, but is still a good way to get some of the bigger fish to come out and play. Look for low light times of the day or the rare, cloudy day to provide the best opportunity for success. There hasn’t been a secret fly working better than another lately – mix them up and fish them closer and deeper to wood than normal – be prepared to lose some flies, but also have better luck.

The ponds and lakes are really warming up and so is the fishing. Bass and bluegill continue to build in numbers and provide good fishing for the fly angler. Small nymphs suspended under poppers or buoyant dry flies make for a great duo and a small weighted streamer cast on a long leader can provoke aggressiveness from even the most discerning bluegill. Bass are coming up and eating poppers from time to time while the streamer and nymph fishing seems to be more effective.

Grand Traverse Bay – east and west, are warming up with all of this sun and the carp and smallmouth have taken notice. Numbers of smallmouth bass have increased as they go into spawning mode and feed in the shallows while the carp are a little more selective on water temperature and can be fickle on when and where you can find them. Often when you find them there will be a lot of them. Pay real close attention to water temps affected by wind direction and overnight temperatures to select the best places to fish. Crayfish and hex nymphs are working on both species and additionally minnow patterns for the smallies.

Be safe this weekend, share the water and bring bug spray. Good luck!
Ted

– Upcoming Fishing Seasons –

May & June: Trout fishing with streamers and dries. Don’t forget the Big Bugs – Drakes, Isonychias and Hex in June.
June: Carp on Grand Traverse Bays – find out why this has become the favorite early Summer fishing of so many.
Booking for all 2012 Seasons – Some Fall Dates Remain Open

ausable, brown drakes, carp, fly fishing, grand traverse bay, hatches, manistee, smallmouth bass, streamer fishing

The Boardman River

Posted by Jeanne Kraimer - March 12, 2012

The Boardman River is a gem when one considers its proximity to Traverse City. Starting as two rivers, the North and South Branches near the villages of Kalkaska and South Boardman, they merge and become one, flow north and eventually drain into West Grand Traverse Bay. The river generally runs clear and cooler, resulting in insect hatches that can be delayed behind its neighboring rivers.

Beginning in 2012 and ending in late 2018 a total of three hydroelectric dams were removed on the Boardman River watershed after some controversy and a lot of work in an effort to return the river to it’s natural riverbed.

Brown Bridge dam – the furthest upstream – was the first to be removed, followed by Boardman Dam (Cass Road traveled over the dam) and lastly, Sabin Dam. A small dam and fish ladder are in place in downtown Traverse City while the future of a proposed FishPass system works through the process of design, approval and implementation.

For the nostalgic history buff or interested angler, one of the most popular dry fly pattern used – The Adams, was originally developed by guide Len Halladay for angler Charles Adams who fished the Boardman River.

Upper Section

Brook Trout

The upper section includes both the North and South Branches of the Boardman and where they come together, the “Forks” and downstream to Brown Bridge Pond. This is the smaller water of the Boardman which experiences fair to good hatches. Ranch Rudolph is located in this section of river and there are a number of places to access the river including some State of Michigan campgrounds: The Forks, Sheck’s Place, Trail Camp and Brown Bridge Road. The river averages 25 feet in width and flows quickly over a gravel bottom. Not good with a roll cast? You will be soon as there are bank-side and overhanging trees in much of the upper section of river. Don’t look for real large fish in this section, but fun fish nonetheless. Fish slow and thoroughly and you might be rewarded with something a little bigger than and handful of brook trout – larger fish do exist in this water.

Middle Section

Boardman River - Fly Fishing For Brown Trout

Fishing Close to Traverse City

When Brown Bridge Dam was removed, so was Brown Bridge pond – the impoundment upstream from the dam. It’s been fascinating to witness this old lake bed become a river again as the water moves quickly through a valley of vegetation. Quick moving and relatively shallow water is lined with easy to read structure all the way to the former dam site. With additional time, the Boardman’s wild fish population should redistribute throughout what is essentially new river.

Below the former Brown Bridge dam’s location anglers will find the quick and swift water continues with the addition of some deeper holes along its gravely bottom. Hatches of Hendricksons, Sulphurs, Brown Drakes and Grey Drakes can offer the fly angler some great fishing for brookies and brown trout close to town. Public access is relatively limited to a few bridge crossings and Schumsky’s access.

Just below the Beitner Road crossing is some of the fastest and deepest water in the river and requires even more care when wading. In short order the river meets the former impoundments of Boardman and Sabin dam which have also been returned to their natural river bottom and offers great looking water with lots of potential.

The water in these sections are still in transformation as of early 2019 and it will take another couple of years for the banks to completely stabilize, the planting of vegetation to take root and spread, structure added and ultimately the fish to occupy it. While the fish are still learning the water, anglers will be doing the same because this water resembles nothing like it had for the past 70 plus years.

By removing the dams, the average high temperatures have already dropped significantly making for better fish survival in the warmer months of the year which will only help the non-stocked waters offer fly fishers an opportunity at brown and brook trout.

Lower Section

The water below Boardman Lake – specifically downstream of Union Street Dam located in Traverse City is considered the lower section. At this time, migratory fish are not passed above this dam as decisions on policy and a potential FishPass barrier and sorting system proposed for this location are made.

While considered “Urban Fishing,” steelhead anglers catch fish throughout the fall, winter and spring — often on their lunch break or just after work. In the warmer months, anglers can find Smallmouth, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Pike, Carp, Walleye and who knows what else swimming in it. Not a bad place to cast a line when in town with a limited schedule.

In late August as Salmon begin to move upstream, a weir is placed just below Front St. and is used for egg collection and processing. The fish congregate below the dam as do anglers making it a bit of a spectacle. Watching the fish jump up the fish ladder can be entertaining as is watching the fish processing – if in town this time of year, stop by and have a look.

Anglers can be found in the surf — where the mouth of the Boardman meets the bay — swinging flies or casting baitfish patterns which can bring a Steelhead, Salmon, Lake Trout, Cisco, or Smallmouth Bass to hand.

Boardman River Hatches

Boardman River - Fly Fishing and Matching the Hatch

Hendrickson

There are a number of insects that can be found on the various sections of the Boardman River, and the times of the hatch can depend on which section as the dams and the waters above and below them are affected. The most noteworthy of insects include Hendricksons, Tan Caddis, Sulphurs, Brown Drakes, Grey Drakes and The Hex.

The summer months can offer some good terrestrial fishing due to the overhanging vegetation along the river. When nothing seems to be working on top, try swinging soft-hackles, smaller streamers that imitate small fish or, when all else fails, go with a big streamer on a sink-tip.

Check out the Hatch Chart for specific bug emergence information.

Map & Directions

The Boardman is located in Traverse City and starts 20 miles east near the villages of Kalkaska and South Boardman. Most of the river is Grand Traverse County.

Map of Traverse City and the lower Boardman River. Click to interact and scroll south for additional mapping.

broadman, brook trout, brown bridge pond, brown drakes, brown trout, county, couties, dam removal, fly fishing, fly-fishing guide traverse city, flyfishing, grand traverese, grey drakes, hatches, hex hatch, kalkaska, ranch rudolph, river, sabin dam, salmon, shecks campground, south boardman, steelhead, sulphurs, surf, ted kraimer, the forks, traverse city, trout, trout fishing the boardman river

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