The Northern Angler's Blog

Think Outside The Trout – Other Great Fly Fishing Opportunities

thenorthernangler — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 16:26:28 +0000

Quick Man-on-the-Street quiz: When I say “fly fishing” what is the first image that comes to mind? The majority of answers surely include something along the lines of trout fishing in a river or stream, right? That perception does define some fly fishing and it is certainly a big part of our northern Michigan tradition. Trout Unlimited was founded in Grayling 50 years ago, the brook trout is our state fish, the world famous Adams fly was created for fishing the Boardman River, and we have over a dozen blue ribbon trout streams in northern Michigan. However, with regard to fly fishing, it’s time to think outside the trout.

Am I saying to forget trout fishing? Absolutely not! To do so would be missing out on one of life’s great pleasures. But by restricting your fly fishing to trout, you are only eating a small piece of the pie. I often tell people that are unfamiliar with the fishing in our area that we may not have the very best of anything, but we have very good everything. Whatever you want to fish for, it’s here: trout, bass, pike, salmon, steelhead, carp (yes carp), bluegill, and more. They are all fair game for a fly-rodder. The only real limitation to fly fishing is depth, but if it swims in less than 20 feet of water, than it can be caught on a fly. Not only do we have lots of fish but you can fish any type of water: lakes, rivers, ponds, the bays, tiny creeks, or Lake Michigan. Just try to drive 10 minutes in any direction up here without running into some body of water! Apparently I am not the only one that sees it that way. In their February 2008 issue Field and Stream Magazine ranked Traverse City #3 on their list of best fishing towns in America! They described Traverse City as “A Freshwater Wonderland” and their choice was largely based on the diverse fishing opportunities that the area has.

Fly fishing for other species will extend your season and never leave you wondering where to fish because the river is “off” today. Open up to fly fishing for bass and carp and all of the sudden those dreaded trips downstate can become fly fishing destination trips. Seriously, have you ever fished the hex hatch for smallmouth bass on the Huron River (it can be awesome), muskies on Lake St. Clair, or smallmouth on the Grand River? Great fun!

Many people have wanted to try fly fishing for years but are intimidated by what they perceive as a very difficult sport. It can get a little complicated at times, but lake fishing is the perfect place to start, and it’s fun too. How about getting the kids or grandkids into fly fishing? Trying to fool a selectively feeding trout in a river with a tiny fly and a perfect presentation probably won’t stick as well as bluegill caught on every other cast in the boat with an occasional 14” bass surprise. Many of us started out that way and have forgotten how much fun it can be.

Alright, so you’ve decided to broaden your horizons and try to eat the whole pie. Good news, you do not need to go out and buy all sorts of species-specific fly rods and reels (although I know someone that could help if you’d like to do that). With a 5 weight and an 8 weight rod, you can effectively cover everything that swims in Michigan. Again, I don’t want to come across negatively on trout fishing, I love it (as most fly fishers do), but you are cheating yourself if you don’t sample all that fly fishing has to offer!

Kirk Novak

The Northern Angler

Northern Michigan Fly Fishing Update Sept 2, 2008

thenorthernangler — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 16:03:52 +0000

It feels more like Hex time than it does Salmon time, although the weather is set to change dramatically tomorrow, hopefully that includes some rain. Unseasonable weather and the lack of rain have stalled our salmon fishing for the most part, but there are fish in the rivers – just not the numbers we are use to this time of year. And with early runs, fish travel in pods so your luck can change dramatically by going around the bend and finding 6-12 chrome fish. With some rain in the forecast, look for things to really change for the better and extending well into October.

Trout fishing is fairly decent right now after the roller-coaster water temps. Low water levels demand longer, stealthy presentations with dry flies. Patterns that have been working include the foam/rubber leg things, medium sized hoppers, ants and beetles. The streamer fishing has improved lately with smaller patterns doing the best. Rain will definitely help the streamer fishing situation. Of course cloudy/overcast days are best, but they don’t seem to be around much lately. The upper Manistee River is all yours now that we are past Labor Day and that the Salmon have entered the river. Look for the bite to only get better with water cooling and the fall spawn approaching.

Dates still available for September and October Trout, Steelhead and Salmon fishing – contact us for availability.

Good luck!

The Northern Angler

Kids and flyfishing

thenorthernangler — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 17:19:26 +0000

I was out in the yard with my 6 (almost 7) year old the other day with his fly rod and we were casting a bit (in between teasing the cat with the line, great fun by the way) and I was happy to see that he was really starting to cast a pretty good loop. He was also taking some of my gentle suggestions on how to do it and it got me to thinking again about the question of when should/can kids start fly fishing, so I thought I would share an article that I had written earlier this year on the topic.

Being around fly fishermen a lot, a very common question that I hear is “How old should my child be before he or she can flyfish?” Well, the quick answer is that it depends, as every child is different, but I think the real answer is that it’s never too soon to introduce it to them. 13 years old, 10 years, 6, 3? Sure, but the key is that I said introduce it to them, not necessarily take them “fishing”. Every fly fisher knows that patience is the key to success and teaching kids will often put your patience to the test.
When working with kids and fly fishing it is very important to go with the flow and not impose your expectations on the child’s experience. If they want to look at birds, then look at birds. If they want to throw rocks, then throw rocks. Just keep it fun so they want to come out again. Eventually it sticks and a new master angler is born!
In preparing this article, I decided to interview an expert: my 6 year old son, Michael. We went to the river a few times last year in my first real attempt at getting him into fly fishing. The interview consisted of one question, “What was your favorite part of fishing in the river this year?” Here were his responses: “Umm, catching that baby rainbow and OOOH when we saw the frogs…and the bugs on the water! Oh, and when we looked under the rocks and saw those bugs, and wearing my waders felt kinda neat” (at which point my 3 year old, Ryan, chimed in, “And I liked when we saw the crayfish!”). Michael continued, “Yeah, that was cool, and oh yeah, I liked catching fish.” The actual fishing portions of the trips were between about 2 minutes and 10 minutes, but he can’t wait to “go fishing” again this year. Had I continued to push more of my idea of fishing (actually using the rod) instead of his idea of fishing (wearing waders and exploring the river), both of us would have enjoyed it less. Kids love the experience, the fish are just a bonus (hmmmm, maybe these kids are onto something…).
So how do you get started? Equipment is not too complicated, a 7 or 8 foot, 4 or 5 weight rod is a good start. Anything longer than that is hard to wield and if the rod is too short it makes it harder to get the line off the water and to roll cast. Waders are available from a number of companies in kids’ sizes. A hat and sunglasses are a must for protection from the sun, but more importantly they are protection from errant casts. A few bigger bushy dry flies (easy to see) and you’re off! Spring for some polarized glasses and the kids will be amazed by the “magic glasses” that let them see underwater so well!
Books: A Kids Guide to Flyfishing: It’s More than Catching Fish by (8 year old) Tyler Befus and Fly Fishing with Trout-tail by K.H. Lucas are good ones for the kids to read. Both talk about equipment and emphasize the experience.
Trout Unlimited co-sponsors the First Cast Program in the summers. During the program kids cast rods, tie flies, look at bugs, and more. It’s a great option for formal instruction.
Where to go: Any lake with bluegill is a great place to start (eager fish, no current, lots of options), and fly selection is as simple as a couple of foam spiders or poppers. When it’s time to hit the river try the North Branch of the AuSable or the Platte River. They are shallow, clear, easy to wade, and lots of eager (smaller) fish should keep you busy.
Good luck, have fun, and watch out for flying rocks!

Kirk Novak, The Northern Angler

Northern Michigan Fly Fishing Report Aug 24th, 2008

thenorthernangler — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 15:11:49 +0000

Trout are still coming up and eating all things terrestrial and the Tricos are bringing some fish up in the a.m. hours. Some success has been had in the evenings on small bugs like Griffith’s Gnats and BWOs. Our low and clear water conditions have us using lighter tippets to fool the fish. Other bugs/patterns that have brought fish up are: Isonycias, Yellow Sally Stones, Caddis and Stimulators. The bead-head on the back of the fly has worked as well as a smaller dry fly tied to a bigger dry. Streamer fishing has been marginal, but on the right day (low light and/or after rain) it can bring fish to the boat. The hopper fishing at mid-day on the Boardman has been really good at times – use smaller hoppers.

The recent rain was welcomed because not only are the rivers low, but it really will start bringing in more Salmon from Lake Michigan. There are numbers of fish in both the Manistee and Betsie Rivers and they will be here until mid-October. The first runs are some of the best as the fish are silver, fresh and really strong. Streamer fishing for these is fun- big rods, big flies and big sink-tips and the powerful takes is why we do it. Nymphing with and without indicators the early salmon holes are producing some fish.

Smallmouth bass has slowed down thanks to the cooler water and perhaps the presence of the Salmon in their water has them bashful. Have heard a word about some carp still in the bay but have not explored to check on the validity of the report.

We still have some good guide dates available over the next two months if you want in on the big fish of Northern Michigan – contact us for availability.

Good Luck,

The Northern Angler

Northern Michigan Fishing Report Aug 15th

thenorthernangler — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 13:47:15 +0000

Trout fishing on the Upper Manistee and Boardman rivers for trout is sporadic. Some days it’s good, others it isn’t. Water levels are a bit cooler thanks to some cool evenings however water levels are low due to a lack of rain. Terrestrials/Hopper patterns are working best when during the daylight hours when you aren’t matching a hatch. Look for Tricos, BWOs, Lt. Cahills, Little Yellow Sallies and Caddis. When fishing past dark, throw the mouse and drum up a nocturnal brown putting the feed bag on. The moon is starting to get big again and this can be a factor when the sky is clear. Streamer fishing is decent on the days when it’s cloudy, but we haven’t had too many of those days lately. Smaller streamer patterns seem to be working slightly better than the really big ones, but be prepared to mix it up.

Smallmouth bass fishing on the lower Manistee is still a great bet right now with fish eating baitfish and crayfish patterns. The top water fishing for smallies just hasn’t happened – yet. Be prepared to mix the streamers up to find the winning pattern and you will know it when you do.

They’re back. Yes, salmon are in the rivers and thanks to the cooler North winds on Lake Michigan, fish are both close to the pier heads and some have entered the river. The next few weeks should be a great time to throw the big streamers for fresh, lively, silver king salmon. Nymphing on the Betsie should be going strong by the first week in September. With rain, things will only get better providing fish well into October on both the Betsie and Manistee rivers.

There are still some good dates available for guide trips, but they are booking fast. Contact us for availability.

Good Luck!

The Northern Angler

Northern Michigan Fishing Report Aug 9th, 2008

thenorthernangler — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 14:42:01 +0000

Hopper and terrestrial fishing continues to be the best approach on the Upper-Manistee and Boardman Rivers. This is a large category of flies that include patterns that look like hoppers themselves and others that are foamy and have rubber legs twitching and suggest a bug that is alive. Mix it up and enjoy having the river pretty much to yourself. The mornings are offering decent Trico hatches with mostly smaller fish looking up for them – buts it’s still fun to visibly fish for them and it’s a great way to learn about drag-free presentations.

The Smallmouth bass are fishing well on the Lower Manistee. Mostly a streamer bite – olive and copper have been best. These fish always impress me at how well they fight for their size. Waiting for them to eat hoppers reliably on top any day now.

There are more salmon seen in the lower river right now, but not what I would consider fishable numbers. In a few more weeks conditions should be prime for those of you that want to spend a half-day casting streamers for these fresh, silver kings.

Guide dates are available for August either streamer fishing or the more traditional nymphing methods that work into October. Fall steelhead is getting booked up. Contact us for availability.

Good luck!

The Northern Angler

Northern Michigan Fly Fishing Report: July 29, 2008

thenorthernangler — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 00:41:04 +0000

Trout fishing on the upper Manistee river continues with the best success being early mornings, evenings, cloudy days and past dark on mouse patterns now that the moon is small again. Those throwing the big rubber-legged foam flies/Chernobyl’s, Grass Hpper patterns, Stimulators, and misc. Terrestrials are doing best on top, with streamers fished with lots of action down under. Look for some bugs on top including Lt. Cahills, Isonycias, BWOs, and Little Yellow Sallies, however, the hatch will be sporadic. In the mornings look for Tricos coming off and fish looking for them.

Smallmouth Bass are really going on the lower Manistee River with both streamers and poppers. Every day is different and finding out what they prefer from day to day is not
only fun, but worth it because when you crack the code, you can have a lot of fish to play along.

Carp are still around, but are pretty tough to find fishable numbers of. This past year was one of our best in recent years with favorable conditions, a long season and good memories. Already looking forward to next year.

Bass on the local lakes and ponds are still chasing diving hair-bugs and poppers when fished around weed beds and drop offs. The gills are coming from the drops in the evening and can be caught on dries and droppers.

Good luck!

The Northern Angler