Posts tagged "sulphurs"

Mid-May Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - May 19, 2024

At the mid-point of May it sure feels like we are at the end of May based on the weather and fishing conditions.

The hatches are progressing with the sulphurs winding down on the trout rivers. It seems the great mahoganies are increasing in density each year and this year is no different. There are some of the smaller mahoganies (paraleps.) intermixed and around, too. Caddis continue to flutter on the surface with some fish noticing, but the real star of the surface fluttering is a smaller than normal (#12) medium brown/yellow stonefly. I suspect more bugs will be a part of the conversation over the next couple of weeks as this keeps the gear bag filled with fly boxes to match-the-potpourri-hatch situation that comes with this time of year.

Streamer fishing has been almost a bust in the low, clear water. If you are fishing subsurface, choose and use your smaller patterns wisely (less than three inches (and closer to two)). Fishing a weighted streamer on a floating line isn’t a bad approach in these conditions as it’s stealthy and allows you to easily switch to fishing dries when the emergence/spinner fall takes place.

Lake fishing for bass and bluegill is in full swing. This is the best time of year for the big bluegill as they move shallow enough and become accessible for the fly angler. Largemouth are keeping it interesting, too, as they are both in pre-spawn and post spawn depending on the lake you are fishing. It seems, for me at least, the occasional pike encounter hasn’t been there this year.

Smallmouth bass fishing in the lakes, is happening, too. Typically liking deeper water much of the year, you can find the hard pulling smallies in shallow water or on the edges/drops eager to eat a slow dropping baitfish streamer pattern or even a popper.

Good luck.

Ted

Late May Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - May 30, 2023

As May comes to an end, it sure seems like we are in middle of summer with these hot days.
It’s been a while since we have had any significant rain leaving the trout rivers running low and clear. Thankfully evening temps have been cool which has kept the water temps in check, but they are creeping into the mid-60s on the Manistee, Au Sable and Boardman Rivers.

The bug hatches have been decent with sulphurs, mahoganies and caddis being the usual suspects. Clouds of spinners are forming in the evening but with rapidly falling temps as dusk settles in, they go off to the trees only to fall another day. Brown Drakes and Isonychias should be in your box as they can start showing up if they haven’t already on your favorite section of water.

Streamer fishing has been off with the lower, clear water so smaller streamers fished on lighter sink-tips or even floating lines have been fooling some fish. A lot of suckers are spawning in rivers so don’t hesitate fishing behind them for trout eating their eggs.

The lake fishing for smallmouth and largemouth bass has been really good. Surface activity with poppers has been working as the fish have moved in shallow. The bluegill fishing has been good too, just depends on which lake you are fishing. Sometimes smaller streamers for the bass are required on the bright days when the fish don’t want to look up and are fished with either intermediate tip and floating lines.

Good luck.

Ted

Trout – It’s Match-the-Hatch time on the trout rivers through June. Just a few dates to choose from.
Smallmouth Bass– Spend a half or full-day on the lower Manistee fishing smallies – June through Late August.
Fall Steelhead – November still has some dates available in 2023 – finish the fishing season strong.

bass fishing, bluegill fishing on the fly, fall steelhead, hatches, mahaganies, manistee river fly fishing, manistee river hatches, smallmouth, smallmouth bass fly fishing, sulphurs

Mid-May Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - May 17, 2023

Mid-May finds us headed to different waters in pursuit of different fish as this time of year offers choices to anglers.

May often means Mayflies but the cold nights have had an effect on the hatches. Once stable weather comes back, anglers can look for a mix of bugs on the upper Manistee and Au Sable rivers. March Browns, Mahoganies, Sulphurs, caddis, and the last of the Hendricksons should be in your fly box if headed out. For the next 6 weeks, a Borcher’s Drake should be with you as it’s just a great all-around imitator of so many bugs found in our rivers. Just as temps fluctuate, so do the times in which bugs can come off or fall as spinners. Water levels are low and running clear for this time of year so longer leaders and stealthy presentation helps with hooking up.

If streamer fishing between hatches, try smaller streamers with the lower water. Cover the water, work the wood and mix up the natural patterns to represent the baitfish and sculpins. If that doesn’t work, try some “twitch flies” that might just get the attention of the trout.

It appears that the Didymo/Rocksnot bloom that alarmingly was widespread on the upper Manistee in 2022 has pretty much disappeared. While that bodes well for fishing and the future of the river, it doesn’t mean anglers shouldn’t stop taking measures to prevent spreading the latent spores to other waters. If you have felt sole wading boots, now you have justification for buying a new pair of rubber soled boots as the felt harbors invasive species leading to transmission to other rivers.

Lake fishing is heating up but still can be a little moody with water temps fluctuating. Smallmouth bass are still in pre-spawn mode and are sitting in deeper water while a few Largemouth bass have gone shallow in lakes with dark bottoms and protected bays that help stabilize water temps. Regardless of where you are fishing, baitfish patterns tied in various densities/sink rates have been working. It’s also time to grab your favorite bluegill flies. When these fish come into the shallows, they are just a ton of fun on the fly rod – both on the surface and just below.

Good luck.

Ted

Trout – May’s streamer & dry fly fishing turns to the big bugs of June. Good dates to choose from.
Smallmouth Bass– Spend a half or full-day on the lower Manistee fishing smallies – June through Late August.
Fall Steelhead – Just a few prime steelhead dates remain available in 2023 – finish the fishing season strong.

baitfish patterns, bluegill fishing, borchers drakes, dry flies, guided fly fishing, hatches, manistee river hatches, march browns, sculpin, smallmouth bass fishing, streamer fishing, sulphurs, traverse city fishing, trout fishing

Mid-May Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - May 19, 2022

After two days of Spring it seemed like we went right to Summer with last week’s temperatures and weather.

Hatches are kind of jumbled on the trout streams (Manistee and Au Sable rivers), but if headed out, be sure to have Hendricksons and Caddis. Pack some Sulphurs and Mahoganies, too, because they will start showing up any day now if they haven’t already on your favorite section of the river. With the fluctuations in weather, there is no telling if there will be bugs and when – just remember warmer air temps are crucial for spinner fall. And for hatches/emergences, well, they have been showing up in late mornings as much as evenings so fish all day if you can.

Between hatches, fish some smaller streamers for fish looking to eat sub-surface. It’s also not a bad time to swing a wet fly, like a diving caddis. My car is covered with black caddis and green egg sacks from driving along the rivers.

Smallmouth bass are in a pre-spawn mode on the river systems and are eating. In waters where trout and smallmouth co-exist, there is no telling which species is going to bite your streamer next – it’s like a fishing grab-bag until you get the fish on the line and in sight (Hint: the bass fight harder).

Water levels are slightly low and relatively clear for this time of year but that should change with the forecast storms and weather to roll through tonight. Although we could use some rain, it’s been nice having these recent conditions.

Lake fishing has been decent for bluegill/panfish and the occasional largemouth as we come off a full-moon phase and water temps in lakes and ponds increase. The darker bottom lakes (or coves/bays within) tend to warm up quicker than other portions of the lake. This should continue to offer really good fishing for the next 4 or 5 weeks.

Good luck.

Ted

Match the Hatch – Late May and June offer dry fly anglers some of the best trout fishing of the year.
Learn to Fly Fish – Book a half-day trip with the idea of learning the basics in how to cast and fly fish.
Fall Steelhead – Although the Spring Season just ended, think fall steelhead good dates available in November.

bass fishing, bluegill fishing on the fly, caddis, fly fishing report, hendricksons, lake fishing traverse city, manistee river, smallmouth bass, sulphurs, swinging a wet fly

3rd Week of June Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - June 20, 2021

As June continues, so do the fluctuations in weather. Thankfully the water temps have remained “safe” for trout fishing on the upper Manistee staying below 70 degrees for over a week now.

Hex flies have begun on parts of the river as have the Isonychias and, some Brown Drakes are still around typically at dusk. Other flies on and above the water include medium brown stones, bat flies, the last of the Sulphurs and even a great mahogany or two.

The weather forecast is calling for a significant cold front which should interrupt the cycle of emergences for a bit until normal temps come back again later in the week. Fishing will be challenging for most as you can’t hide in the cover of darkness when fishing in daytime when bugs are likely to be on the water. As it has been the case all season, really good presentations are required to fool these wise, educated and pressured fish.

Bass and bluegill fishing remains good on the smaller lakes. The bass are in a post spawn mood and hanging in the structure looking to eat, while the bluegill have gone shallow again. Weed growth is where it should be for this time of year giving you a great place to target both your dries/poppers and slider/divers.

Good luck.

Ted

Trout Fishing – July and August is Terrestrial and Trico time! Start the day off casting to brook and brown trout
and get back to the family for lunch time – it’s a great way to start the day when in Northwest Michigan.
Learn to Fly Fish – Tailor a half-day trip to learning how to fly fish –perfect for beginners.
Fall Steelhead – Some good dates remain in November and into December.

bass, bass fishing, bluegill fishing, brown drakes, fishing, fly fishing guide, fly fishing report traverse city, hex flies, hex hatch, isonychias, manistee, streamer fishing, sulphurs

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