The fish over the past week has offered inconsistent fishing – not only because of so many species we have fished for, but also the fish’s cooperation. One day it’s good, the next day not. Things aren’t making sense as far as why things are “on” one day and not the next, but we keep on fishing and take what comes.
The Manistee’s hatches have been inconsistent and often sporadic over the past week. Lots of bugs can be seen on any given evening or throughout the day even – some days they are plentiful other days sparse. Look for sulphurs, mahoganies, little yellow sallies, BWOs, Isonychias and Brown Drakes with the best concentrations typically in the last hour or so of light. Water conditions are ideal – the Manistee and Boardman are at good levels but the clear water has made the streamer fishing tough. While it only takes one cast to make it a great day, there are a lot of casts with the streamer before that happens. But it’s worth it when it does.
As we wait for the hex hatch to start soon, the variety of bugs preceding the hatch can offer fun but technical dry fly fishing – read more about the bugs here.
The Carp, too, have been up and down. I think the lack of sustained warm weather and therefore water temps have kept the fish from really coming into the shallows and offering fly anglers great shots. Some days they can be found in good numbers but just not interested, other days small numbers of fish can be fished to with success. Just get out and fish and cover ground. Wind direction is crucial as is overnight air temps when determining when/where to go. The smallmouth bass on the Grand Traverse Bays have been good with a mix of spawning and post spawn fish.
The lake fishing remains a great choice for those looking for easy going, still water fishing. There are some local lakes with fish in shallow protecting nests and willing to eat a fly where other lakes are better in the evening as the fish migrate from the deeper water to the shallows to feed. Largemouth bass have been active eating sliders and some mid-sized streamers.
Good luck,
Ted
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