September Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - September 11, 2024

The 4th month of summer continues with some warm temperatures. The forecast calls for even more.

Water temperatures on the upper Manistee are in good shape with the cool nights and sometimes, they drop too low, and you need to wait until the sun warms it up a little for fish activity. The problem is, the water is about as clear as I have ever witnessed and, well, sunlight, clear water, and trout aren’t always a good combination in Michigan.

Hatches are mostly non-existent but you should have some blue winged olives, caddis (#14 tan), and brown/cinnamon flying ants (#14) for surface activity just in case. Terrestrial/attractors are always a good approach this time of year. Below surface, try the real small streamers fished on floating lines or intermediate tip lines. Fishing pressure has been light but after a long season of fishing to them, the trout are getting even wiser so adapt you approach and offerings.

The lake fishing for bass and bluegill has gone quiet and likely will remain that way until next spring.

Salmon have entered the local rivers, but with the warmer water in the bigger river systems, lack of rain in the region and warm weather, the fish are staggered as they prepare to move upstream to continue their lineage. As with salmon come salmon anglers – keep the peace and don’t take the fishing that serious as they are just fish.

Good luck.

Ted

Fall Steelhead – Finish the season with steelhead on the lower Manistee. Good dates in November remain.
2025 Fishing Season – It’s not too early to look ahead to the next year and get your dates planned and secured.

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Early September Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - September 5, 2023

With September here and the weather forecast to turn to seasonal weather this week, it might be time to give a nod to the long summer season and everything the fish provided. And since most fisheries were getting tired, the change in weather and angling pressure should help to improve fishing.

The clear water of the local trout streams has been challenging the last few weeks. Thankfully the water levels stayed fine, and temps stayed nice and cool, but the fish seemed to get weary – especially without any bugs on the surface drawing them out from their cover.

Terrestrial fishing has been spotty on the upper Manistee river – some nice brown trout have come to our foam and rubber flies, but the next day you might think there isn’t a fish in the river. Twitch flies lost some of their effectiveness, too, but with the coming cooler nights, shorter days and fewer people on the water trends should reverse. The brook trout’s colors are getting vibrant as they start to think about spawning which typically takes place later this month. It’s a pretty nice time of year to be on the trout waters.

Salmon have entered most of the rivers in the region but the recent near record setting heat has put a pause on a fresh run of fish and the fish already in the systems have gotten a little stale. The salmon fishing, too, will improve with the change in weather, especially some favorable winds on the lake and some precipitation.

Good luck.

Ted

Fall Steelhead – November still has some dates available in 2023 – finish the fishing season strong.
2024 Fishing – Get your dates secured to ensure your time on the water. Booking all seasons thru August.
Gift Certificates – Quick and easy gifts of a half or full-day guide trip or casting lesson for friends or family.

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Mid August Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - August 19, 2021

After last week’s rains, the rivers have returned to normal levels and clarity.

Trout fishing is slowing down some due to all the food that washed downstream with the recent high water feeding the fish. And, well, it’s that time of year where the fish – it seems – are wore out after a long spring and summer of pressure.

If headed out, look for Tricos to be hitting the water mid-morning providing some match-the-hatch dry fly fishing for brook and brown trout. When fishing these small flies, sometimes it’s best to fish a two-fly rig – with a larger dry to serve as an indicator with a small Trico below it. It’s also a great time to use that 3 and 4 wt rod you might have.

Wet flies and small streamers (less than 3 inches) fished on a floating line can bend the rod some if the surface activity isn’t overly productive. Other terrestrials and attractors make this time of year fun on top for the dry fly angler looking to spend some time on the river with out all the demands and technical fly fishing.

Lake fishing continues to offer bluegill and bass, but it seems the best fishing is early, late or on a rare cloudy day. Nothing new here – target the structure including the drop-offs for where fish are hanging out.

Good luck.

Ted

Trout Fishing – 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.

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Mid July Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - July 16, 2021

Mid-week rains have brought the seasonal rainfall almost up to it’s average annual amount making last month’s drought a memory and the river levels up, too.

The water is high for this time of year and a bit stained due to the tannin and silt but there is still enough transparency to fish. When wading, take each step with a little more caution that what you have earlier this summer. Water temps are still bouncing from the high 50s to mid-60s as overnight temps keep the water from getting too warm when the sun is out.

Hatches have been limited on the upper Manistee River and Boardman River with Tricos just starting to show up mid-mornings. The no-see-ums, too. It seems I go through more bug spray this time of year than any other time as the micro biters like to chew on you before the sun gets out. It’s still a time of year when the trout’s focus is transitioning from mayflies to terrestrials. With the high water, it’s a good time to get those smaller streamers out and work those softer edges targeting fish looking for what’s washing downstream. Twitch flies too (think old-school sized streamers often with rubber legs, fished with some twitches) are always a good bet this time of year.

Bass and bluegill fishing continues to offer the stillwater angler an option closer to home. It’s been a blast watching anglers new to the sport develop their skills with so much action as well as those with experience bend the rod even more. A few bigger fish can be found in the shallows in the lower light hours of morning, evening and even the rare cloudy day. Largemouth bass have been more shy than normal this year but they are still around, however seem a little wiser. Maybe we caught them last year and they haven’t forgotten the experience? Anyways, divers and sliders around lily pads have worked most days. Typically terrestrial patterns with rubber legs do a good job on the smaller panfish and occasional bass. Hard to beat a Turk’s Tarantula this time of year whether you are fishing trout, bass, or bluegill!

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.

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August Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - August 9, 2020

With August here we usually think about the dog days of summer, but seeing how we have already had five weeks of them, the trend continues as does our current fishing conditions.

Trout anglers are finding the waters of the upper Manistee and Boardman in the low to mid-60s (depending on overnight temperatures) making for safe fishing. The Tricos have been reliable each morning, but some days they last longer than other days offering some fun match-the-hatch fishing for mostly smaller fish with the occasional bigger fish testing to make sure we are tying good knots in our 6 and 7x tippets.

Terrestrial fishing has been o.k. – it never seems to be great like most people think of when comparing it to out west or the reading they have done on the subject. Still, those larger patterns with rubber legs (“foam and rubber” hatch) will make for some surface/dry fly fishing with mostly smaller fish showing up, but like with the Tricos, we get caught off guard when that big one comes up and slowly eats the fly. In summary, it’s a good time to drop down to 3 and 4 wt rods, keep it simple and enjoy a morning float before the sun gets too high and the fish hide for the day.

Lake and pond fishing has been decent. With the heat came good weed growth and that’s the place to target the bass with those poppers and sliders. Lilly pads, docks, drop offs or places where all three come together makes for some good fishing. Bluegill/Panfish still come to the surface and entertain those learning how to fish as they develop their skills in a still water setting.

Good luck,

Ted

New to the Sport? Bass and Bluegill fishing is the perfect way to learn to fish after a quick casting lesson.
Tricos & Terrestrials – A great way to start a summer day. Float and Trout fish the Manistee in July and August.
Fall Steelhead – Some good dates are available in November – a great way to finish a fishing season.

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Posts tagged "upper manistee river"

September Fishing Report

Early September Fly Fishing Report

Mid August Fishing Report

Mid July Fly Fishing Report

August Fly Fishing Report

Ted Kraimer • Current Works, LLC • PO Box 333 • Traverse City, Michigan 49685 • (231) 883-8156