There is a lot to choose from right now for those fly fishing the Traverse City / Northwest Michigan region. The rivers, lakes and Grand Traverse Bay offer anglers everything from graceful trout to the temperamental and brutish carp – from dry fly fishing rivers to bottom bouncing weighted patterns on the bay.
The trout fishing has been decent on the Upper Manistee and Boardman Rivers. There is a diverse collection of bugs on the water most days making for some of the fun match-the-hatch chess games and head-hunting.
There have been some prolific Sulphur spinner falls the past week as well as the last of the light Hendricksons, mahoganies, caddis, bwos, black quill/Borchers and a few stones – both little yellow sallies and medium browns. Look for more of the same bugs to emerge over the week and pay real close attention to what bug and what stage the fish are keying in on. Emergers and spinners – flies fished in the film, seem to be working best. The smaller flies can be tough to fish in the dusk light – look for smooth water and slight dimples and underwater bulges for your targets as the broken water can make it tough to find fish. The streamer bite has been up and down with the cloudy days being ideal, as usual. Water levels are good – the rivers are full, have great clarity and temps are hovering around 60 degrees.
Smallmouth bass have moved into the shallows in the bay – many of the large rocks that offer some shade hold some fish, but keep your eye out for cruisers on the flats. Crayfish and minnow imitations are standard patterns you should have in your box.
The pre-spawn carp have move in, but remain transient with the weather changes, fishing pressure and low water of the bay. Water temp is key and if we continue to get warm weather, mild nights and favorable winds, it will only improve. The shallow water of East Grand Traverse Bay is a great place to look for the “golden bone” right now.
Bluegill continue to be in the shallow water offering the fly angler great opportunities and some great fish. The fish took a bit of a beating over Memorial Day weekend with many of them taken home, but the strong survive and require additional stealth to catch them.
Good luck,
Ted
Trout Fishing – May & June offer some or our best streamer fishing & great hatches!
Bluegill – Experience great fishing on the ponds and lakes in mid-May and June
Father’s Day – Ask for or give a gift certificate to dad this Father’s Day – June 16 2013
Hex Fishing – Some ideal dates are still available for the big bugs and big fish in mid/late June
2013 Fishing Season – Now booking for all 2013 seasons – don’t miss out on this year’s fishing