Posts tagged "fishing report"

Trout, Hex Hatch, Bass and more…

Posted by Ted Kraimer - July 2, 2015

Trout fishing continues to be inconsistent with hatches/bugs thanks to fluctuations in the weather. Cloudy days have offered good fishing but those days have been limited where the sunny days have the fish under cover.

Water levels on the upper Manistee are ideal despite over an inch of rain the other night and it’s temperatures are fluctuating as well thanks to cool nights – last night it was in the upper 50’s. These water and air temperature conditions have made it difficult to find the hex hatch but they are scattered throughout the river system all the way to its headwaters – some nights they are there, others they aren’t. A smattering of other bugs have been in the air and on the water which include: Isos, Blue Winged Olives, Mahoganies, Grey Drakes, one or two Brown Drakes, Little Yellow Sallies, Lt. Cahills and some size 12 brown stones.

The Au Sable has had more consistent hatches on the mainstream and South Branch. The Boardman, too, has been more consistent with hex bugs but has been crowded. This time of year seems to bring out the “annual angler” on all local rivers making the rivers a bit crowded so be courteous and respectful to help ensure everyone can enjoy the resource.

Carp fishing has been tough. With the sporadic weather changes, cold winter, deeper water, and shifting winds – they simply have been difficult to find and feed this year. The same can be said for the smallmouth bass on the flats. With some good amounts of sunshine we should find the shallow flats warming up and inviting to fish, but frankly – I have no idea where we are in relation to the spawn. Stay tuned, we are just stubborn enough not to give up just yet.

Bass fishing on lakes continues to fish well with added weed growth and good water temperatures. The bluegill continue to eat dry flies – especially on days where the wind isn’t blowing. As the water warms up and lily pads become more dense, it’s time for poppers and fun surface activity.

Good luck and have a happy and safe 4th of July.

Ted

The Summer Newsletter just went out – click here to read and/or subscribe

Summer Trout Fishing – Terrestrial and Trico fishing in July and August on the Manistee.
Smallmouth Bass – Streamer fishing on the lower Manistee is a great way to spend a summer day.
Fall Steelhead – Late September through November is the time for sassy steelhead on the Lower Manistee.

bass fishing, blue winged olives, carp fishing on the fly, fishing report, hex hatch, manistee, traverse city

Fly Hatches and Trout Fishing Improving

Posted by Ted Kraimer - June 23, 2015

A week with little rain fall has left the local rivers in good shape. Clarity is ideal with a little stain, while temps are in the mid-60s and water levels are not too high and not too low. Hatch activity has been varied and inconsistent but has improved since my last report with more fish looking up. Look for Isonychias to be your best bet for the big bugs in the evening and up to dark. You will want some brown drakes and hex patterns also because you never know when the bigger bugs will be out in numbers right at dark. Some sections of most rivers – Au Sable, Manistee, Boardman has had limited hex activity but we are on the early side of things. Other flies you can expect to find on the water include Bat Flies, the last of the Sulphurs, Gray Drakes, Little Yellow Sally Stones, Lt. Cahills and Mahoganies. To read more about hatches preceding the Hex Hatch, click here.

Carp fishing on the bay has been inconsistent as well with all of the weather changes. Like the hex emergence for trout, good carp fishing really relies on a few days of warm sunshine to warm up the water up. The cold water of the bay moving in and out with varying wind directions has made it challenging for those targeting both carp and smallmouth bass. Smaller crayfish patterns are working for both species as are minnow patterns for those specifically fishing for bass.

Fishing on the lakes and ponds for bass remains solid as the fish are in post-spawn mode and have the feed bag on. Streamers fished on intermediate lines have been most productive for the larger bass when the top water and divers aren’t working. It also might find you a pike along the way which tend to bite the fly off but leave you with a good story. Bluegill continue to bend the rod but mostly the smaller ones which still make for a great learning experience for beginners or someone looking to spend a few hours on the water with a fly rod in their hand.

Good luck.

Ted

The Summer Newsletter just went out – click here to read and/or subscribe

ausable, carp, fishing guide, fishing report, hex, hex hatch, isonychia, manistee, river, smallmouth bass, traverse city, trout

Late March/Early Spring Steelhead Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - March 24, 2015

It’s officially Spring! The first of the Cranes have migrated back to the river banks while the colder nights confirm that we are still in the very early part of the season. Steelhead fishing has been a little slower than normal for this time of year since the number of fall fish that wintered over was lighter than normal and significant ice cover on the rivers this winter kept fresh steelhead migration to a minimum.

We have had a little increase in water flow as some warmer days reduced the snow pack and contributed to the river – clarity and levels are ideal right now. Water temps are in the high 30s and just barely nudging into the 40s on the Manistee and Betsie Rivers. Cold nights are making for slow starts to the day but the sun helps warm up the water and angler alike – it feels good to be on the water again.

Look for fish to be holding out in winter water – that is, the bigger, deeper holes as fish wait for water temps to increase and to begin their spawning. As more fresh fish move into rivers, look for them to share a lot of the same water as well as the transitional runs on the days when fish seem to be moving. An increase in water volume and warmer temps will really trigger a surge in migration as fish are near pier heads/river mouths waiting to move. Lately the better fly patterns have been Hex Nymphs, egg patterns in shades of orange and Stonefly Nymphs.

Good Luck.

Ted

The Spring Newsletter just went out – click here to read and/or subscribe.

Spring Steelhead – From mid-March through early May on the Manistee and Betsie. Few dates available.
September Salmon – Dates are limited for fishing the Betsie River in early Sept. and later on the Manistee.
2015 Fishing – It isn’t too early to get your fishing trips planned for the year. Booking all species/seasons.

fishing report, fly fishing, hex nymph, manistee river, steelhead

Fly Fishing Traverse City for Trout, Carp, Bass & Bluegill

Posted by Ted Kraimer - June 10, 2014

Trout fishing has been improving now that water temps are where they should be for this time of year and the various mayflies, stoneflies and caddis flies seem to be closer to being on schedule after a slow start to the season. The rivers are in good shape – they aren’t too high, or too low. Clarity is beginning to become an issue with the high sun and lots of it.

On the Upper-Manistee a handful of bugs can be found – typically in the last hour or two of light offering some technical but rewarding dry fly fishing: sulphurs, grey drakes, little yellow stones, caddis, great mahoganies, little mahoganies, medium brown stones and a few isonychias. This menagerie of bugs will keep you working through your fly box as each day – and even at times of day – they often have a distinct preference on which one they want to eat. Spinners have been collecting in the evening and falling to the water providing the most consistent flow of bugs – dark brown or rusty spinners in a variety of sizes from 12 – 16 are a must in your box right now and are a good place to start when tying on your first fly.

To learn more on the dry fishing over the next couple of weeks read “Trout Fishing Before the Hex Hatch.”

Pond and lake fishing for bluegill/panfish has been really good now that the fish have moved up into the shallows. Look for water near breaks and cover the structure – that is docks, fallen in trees, weed lines, etc. Some pike and bass will play along too, so either target those bigger fish with larger rods and flies or hold on when they eat the bluegill you are trying to land. Surface flies have been the most fun and productive, but the small streamer and nymph have been most effective on the larger panfish.

Carp and smallmouth bass fishing is still sputtering in Grand Traverse Bay as water temps are much lower than normal for this time of year. One day they are around and eating, the next day not to be found. Weather is crucial as the sun warms the water up and wind direction blows warm or cold water into the shallows – the fish like the warmer water. Some crayfish are moving around and work better on cruising fish as they are easy to see by moving fish, however the smaller: crayfish, swimming hex nymphs, black b.h. buggers do better when the fish are nosing around in the shallows and focused on eating. Smallies are still cruising the flats but have largely remained pretty elusive so far this year for the wading angler.

Good luck,

Ted

The Summer 2014 Newsletter just went out – click here to read and/or subscribe.

Hatches and Big Bugs – Few dates remain in June for the big bugs – Isos, Drakes and the Hex.
Terestrials, Tricos and Trout – July and August fly fishing for trout on the Upper Manistee River.
Steelhead and Salmon – While Spring is late getting here, it’s not too early to reserve your Fall Dates.

bluegill, caddisflies, carp, fishing report, fly fishing traverse city, grand traverse bay, isonychias, manistee, rusty spinners, stoneflies, sulphurs, traverse city

Big Water, Big Flies, Big Fish.

Posted by Ted Kraimer - April 14, 2014

Warmer weather and some significant rainfalls the past few days have combined with record winter snowfalls created very high water conditions for the region’s rivers. They are pretty much unsafe to wade right now and boating requires prudent measures – use your best judgment if heading out.

While the water came up and has pretty much no visibility, fresh fish have moved upstream. The Manistee below Tippy Dam is running over 6,000 CFS (it’s typically about 2,300 CFS this time of year) and is in the low 40’s as the fish start to hit the gravel for their spawning ritual. A positive aspect of the high water is a greater rate of natural reproduction due to less angling harassment providing more future steelhead for us all. Please practice catch and release if you make it out and the fish to the net.

The flies that had been working last week (caddis, stones, and BTS/fry) are lost in the stained water conditions found today. Now is time for big and bright egg patterns, leeches with some bright flashabou, and some of the classic steelhead fly fishing patterns from yesterday tied with estaz, pearl chenille, krystal flash and the like. Having knowledge of where the fish like to be this time of year is going to be the key to success when combined with a little luck. We have been getting away with heavy leaders and heavy rods as both are necessary since we are fighting both the fish and high water.

To monitor the conditions on your river, check out the stream flow data website of the USGS.

Good luck and be careful.

Ted

The Spring 2014 Newsletter just went out – click here to read or subscribe.

Steelhead -While it is currently Spring Steelhead time, it’s also time to book your fall steelhead dates.
Trout – May is a great time for mayfly emergences and streamer fishing before June’s Drakes, Isonychias & Hex.
2014 Fishing – It’s not too early to start booking your 2014 dates – reserve you place in the boat today.

caddis, fishing guide, fishing report, high water, manistee, manistee river, steelhead fishing, stone flies, tippy dam

1 2 3 4 5