TK's Oct. 17, 2012 Fishing Report

With Rain Comes Steelhead

Posted by Ted Kraimer - October 17, 2012

Significant rainfalls over the weekend really raised the water levels on local rivers bringing in more fresh fish under the cover of stained waters. Estimates on the total rainfall amount are approximately 3 inches and the Lower Manistee came up about 18 inches and has already “crested” and has fallen a bit since.  The water below Tippy dam will be clearest as tributaries further downstream continue to contribute a stain. The weather forecast is calling for more so stay tuned and check out the flows on your favorite river (click here for the USGS water data website).

Water temps are still in the 50s and the steelhead are far from friendly when hooked – hold on tight.  I have come to the conclusion that if bonefish could jump they would be called fall steelhead. Eggs are the primary food source right now for steelhead as the spawning salmon are creating a chum line. The salmon numbers are starting to decline but there are still plenty of fish around with steelhead nearby taking advantage of the protein drip. With the stained water bigger egg flies have been working better than the small, actual sized flies and when the leaves get in the river, bigger, bolder patterns help stand out. As the water clears up look for the nymph bite to improve and if the eggs aren’t working, try the typical patters – hex, buggers, caddis and stones.

Good luck,

Ted

Fall Steelhead & Trout – Early November Available Dates: 1, 6, & 7

Fall Steelhead: It’s time to target angler’s favorite sport-fish now through November.
Fall Trout:  Fish the Upper Manistee  throughout fall or Lower Manistee in late October and through November.
Booking for all 2013 Seasons and through September – reserve your place in the boat.

TK's Sept. 4, 2012 Northern Michigan Fishing Report

September Salmon

Posted by Ted Kraimer - September 4, 2012

After 3 weeks of virtually no rain, we finally received some.  While it should help with the migration of salmon in our rivers, more rain is needed and it looks like there might be some relief in the forecast. A shift of strong northerly winds and lower air temps will help too, but never underestimate the will -power of fish to move up stream.

The Betsie is still plagued by low water levels and the fish are having a difficult time getting over the shallow river mouth at Betsie Lake. Look for strong westerly winds to back water up and allow easier migration to all the fish staging there. Some fish are in the river but they are not at their typical levels for this time of year – lots of casts and fishing lots of water is key. The Manistee has fish in the lower sections, too, and will benefit from improved conditions of rain fall, temps and wind direction.

Trout fishing continues on the upper Manistee for those looking for solitude and smaller fish.  The hatches are very light right now making it ideal for the hopper/terrestrial/ Rubber legged pattern angler to cover water and elicit a strike. The water is running nice and cool, however it is very clear right now. Some rain to stain the water would make for decent streamer conditions and chose cloudy days over bright ones for the best action no matter how you fish. Have small Isonychias, BWOs, Cahills and flying ants in your box for any natural bugs that might emerge.

Good luck,

Ted

TK's August 27, 2012 Fly Fishing Report

Summer Continues, Fall Approaching

Posted by Ted Kraimer - August 27, 2012

As kids prepare to return to school, salmon have their annual fall migration in mind as they  return to rivers. Numbers of fish are light due to the return of warm weather and the lack of rain with some fish in the Manistee and Betsie Rivers. Look for things to really change after a significant rainfall as good numbers of fish are staged at river mouths. Early season king salmon offer some exciting streamer fishing for those willing to put in the time casting large streamers with heavy sink-tips. As the days continue to get shorter, the fish will build in numbers and nymph fishing becomes our go-to method.
Trout fishing has been o.k. the past week with the fish feeling better with the cooler water temps. It has been a long season and the fish are getting smarter, naturally, so think about mixing up your approach and presentation. Small streamers fished on floating line is a good alternative to try. Terrestrial fishing has slowed but some good fish are still coming up from time to time to eat that rubber-legged hopper pattern or attractor. Very few bugs have been on the water however you will want some isonychias, cleons/bwos, flying ants, beetles and Lt. Cahills in your fly box.
The bass fishing in lakes remains good. Both top-water and sub-surface presentations have been working;  I usually start off with top-water. Swimming frog/baitfish patterns do a good job of fishing both the surface and subsurface. With the warm-up, look for fish to concentrate near weed beds and drop-offs.
Good Luck,
Ted

TK's Northern Michigan Fly Fishing Report July 24, 2012

Summer Time

Posted by Ted Kraimer - July 24, 2012

Fishing has been decent despite the warm weather and thankfully the cooler evenings help water temps stay where they need to be on the Upper-Manistee. With a little rain in the forecast things will be that much better as the water is starting to approach the typical low levels of summer and is running very clear. The best fishing has been in the mornings before that sun gets up too high – when it does, things slow down.
Look for the tricos to continue in the morning hours with smaller fish keying in on them and a few bigger fish sipping these small mayflies, but look close. Some Isonychias, light cahills, and bwos are popping off also  and this is the time of year that a few creamy/yellow hex patterns might serve you well should a few potamanthus come off in the day time. Terrestrials (hoppers, ants, beetles) and attractors with foam and rubber legs are a good bet during day light. The typical attractors like Stimulators, Patriots and Wulffs are also worth a try this time of year. Streamer fishing has been slow with the conditions.
Bass and Panfish on the lakes is still providing a lot of fun for those looking to fish the still-water/local lakes.  The largemouth have been predatory and are eating frog patterns, swimming baitfish and sometimes the bluegill we catch on smaller poppers and spiders.  Both species are a lot of fun to fish for whether you are looking to learn, just spend some quality time on the water or target some big bass on the surface with poppers and sliders.
The smallmouth bass fishing in the lower Manistee has been good as the water temps have made for optimum conditions. Mostly a streamer bite, these smaller bass are keying in on crayfish again as well as smaller baitfish. Short sink-tips and floating lines make for a good presentation either on top or sub-surface.
Good luck fishing,
Ted

Terrestrials & Trico hatches in the Months of July & August – start your mornings off on a cool, quiet trout stream.
Salmon: The end of August begins our salmon season extending through September. Limited dates available.
Steelhead: The end of September means it’s time to focus on fall steelhead – extending though November
Booking for all 2012 Seasons and through June 2013 – reserve your place in the boat

TK's Northern Michigan Fly Fishing Report July 14, 2012

The Dog Days Continue

Posted by Ted Kraimer - July 14, 2012

We had some cooler evenings lately which has helped water temps cool off and the fishing improved. The long-term forecast is calling for some rain which is needed as the Manistee and Boardman Rivers are running low and clear which is the norm for this time of year.

Trout fishing with hoppers and other terrestrials are a good bet right now and each day the fish prefer something different – some days lots of motion on the flies while other days, dead-drift presentations are better – mix it up and change flies often. Tricos have been hatching in the morning and the trout are keying in on them. Since these flies are small consider tying them on the back of a larger fly to serve as a indicator. Streamer fishing has been slow with the clear water but should improve after some rain – consider using some smaller patterns this time of the year.

Bass and Bluegill continue to be as close to a sure-thing for those looking to do some fly fishing. Local lakes have been fishing well  as these fish seem to thrive in the warm weather.  Poppers, spiders and sliders have been active on the surface while swimming baitfish and mid-sized streamer patterns have been working well sub-surface. Target the drop-offs and weed beds as these types of structure are key when the sun is out.

Smallmouth bass fishing on the lower river is mixed but more fish have moved into the lower Manistee and are preferring streamers over other types of flies lately.  JJ Specials, crayfish, and baitfish patterns fished on sink-tips have been the most reliable.

Good Luck,

Ted

Terrestrials & Trico hatches in the Months of July & August – start your mornings off on a cool, quiet trout stream.
Salmon: The end of August begins our salmon season extending through September. Limited dates available.
Steelhead: The end of September means it’s time to focus on fall steelhead – extending though November
Booking for all 2012 Seasons and through June 2013 – reserve your place in the boat

TK's July 6, 2012 Northern Michigan Fly Fishing Report

Dog Days of Summer

Posted by Ted Kraimer - July 6, 2012

The recent heat wave across the nation didn’t spare us or the fishing. With a number of days in the 90′s and not much rain, the trout fishing has slowed as the water is clear, warm and the fish are aware of our intentions.
The best bet has been fishing terrestrials – grasshoppers, beetles, ants and “foam and rubber” attractors.  There have been a few bugs trickling on the Manistee and Boardman rivers including Isonychias, caddis,  Gray Drakes (Boardman), BWOs and Light Cahills. Look for your bugs to be better in the evening as the sun goes down and temps moderate. The low-light hours of the morning is always a nice way to start the day  off and a few Tricos have started emerging mid-morning with smaller fish rising to them.
The lakes have warmed up too and the bass and bluegill have been playing along nicely. Weed growth has been good and the shade the weeds provide near structure have made for good fishing on both surface and sub-surface fly patterns. It is time to use poppers, sliders, swimming frogs, etc. on stout leaders – they are required when casting these big, wind-resistant patterns. Catch some bass on a local lake close to town if you need to get away for a few hours.
River fishing for smallmouth bass has also heated up with this weather and its providing plenty of opportunities for those looking to fish streamers and some surface patterns. The lower Manistee is the place for smallies and with the water temps so high, please focus on the smallmouth rather than trout.
Good luck and stay cool.
Ted

Terrestrials & Trico hatches in the Months of July & August – start your mornings off on a cool, quiet trout stream.
Salmon: The end of August begins our salmon season extending through September. Limited dates available.
Steelhead: The end of September means it’s time to focus on fall steelhead – extending though November
Booking for all 2012 Seasons and through June 2013 – reserve your place in the boat

TK's June 27, 2012 Fly Fishing Report

Transition Trout – Hello Terrestrials & River Smallies, Goodbye Carp

Posted by Ted Kraimer - June 27, 2012

Trout fishing continues now that the hex hatch is mostly over. There are still some sporadic bugs on certain sections of rivers, but look for them to be light in numbers and unpredictable but worthy of being in every anglers fly box over the next couple of weeks should the odd ball spinner fall occur. This time of year can offer rare daylight spinner falls in the evening where you will be amazed at what is out and eating.
Water levels are low and clear on the Manistee,  Boardman and other area rivers which is normal for this time of year. With the sun out, fishing has been slower during the day so target shade sections of the river or fish either mornings or evening for your best luck. There are still bugs on the Manistee and Boardman: Isonychias, BWO,  Cahills and Gray Drakes (Boardman River) and they are starting to realize they better eat smaller bugs because the big hex bugs/porterhouse cuts of  the night are pretty much done. Some of the terrestrial and attractor patterns have been working the past week and will only grow in popularity as terrestrial season builds and continues through August.
{A few years ago I wrote an article on Trout Fishing After the Hex Hatch – Click here to read.}
Smallmouth bass are becoming more active in the lower Manistee with the recent heat and this too should continue to build as summer continues to set in with its warm conditions. Small baitfish patterns and crayfish fished on a sink-tip is best and play around with some top-water sliders and poppers for some surface activity. These fish don’t tend to be as large as the smallies found in the bay but they are a lot of fun to chase and reinforce streamer fishing skills making anglers better trout anglers along the way.
The Carp in the bays are pretty much done.  You might still find a fish or two cruising but finding good numbers of fish to target is unlikely. If heading out, cover lots of water and don’t be afraid of looking of looking outside of the bays and in Lake Michigan itself for fish – especially a little deeper than normal. Wind direction and overnight temps help dictate where to look, but with all of the boating and swiming activity that is likely to take place over the next week, look for mornings to be your best bet. This year wasn’t our best carp fishing year and I think like a lot of things the strange weather events of the year is partially responsible.
Local lakes and ponds are fishing well for bass and bluegill/panfish. With the weed growth look  for the fish to be in the shade and eager to eat your fly. Drop-offs, docks, boat hoists, and other forms of structure are places to target and as the sun goes down or on cloudy days, look for fish to be a little more venturous  cruising for food. Spiders and small poppers for the gills with bigger poppers and sliders for the bass.  Try baitfish patterns fished deeper with a sink-tip when looking to target the bigger trout.
Safe travels and good luck,
Ted

Terrestrials & Trico hatches in the Months of July & August – start your mornings off on a cool, quiet trout stream.
Salmon: The end of August begins our salmon season extending through September. Limited dates available.
Steelhead: The end of September means it’s time to focus on fall steelhead – extending though November
Booking for all 2012 Seasons and through June 2013 – reserve your place in the boat