Fishing Report 4/26/22
OPENER IS JUST DAYS AWAY!
It feels like spring has had trouble getting going this year with the prolonged cold weather and plenty of weather to test our wills. I'll finally take out my snow stakes this weekend and welcome spring in the right way: with a fly rod in my hand.
Unfortunately, we've been seeing more and more invasive species spread throughout Northern Michigan watersheds. In the video below, learn what to look for and how you can help protect the wild places you love.
UPPER MANISTEE
Of course a good portion of the Upper Manistee stays open year-round these days but that doesn't mean fishing stays consistent. These fish can be so temperature sensitive so need to be flexible as an angler if you're hoping for a successful opening weekend.
HERE IS THE UPPER MANISTEE GAUGE
If you're taking dry flies, make sure you have stoneflies, blue wing olives, black caddis, and of course Hendricksons.
Here are some of our favorites:
- Black Stone (12-16)
- Black Elk Hair Caddis (16)
- Alex's Half & Half Hendrickson (12-14)
- Alex's Para Ribbed Hendrickson (12-14)
- Rusty Spinner (12-14)
- Egg Sack Spinner (12-14)
If you're taking streamers, the water clarity is ideal with a nice stain to the water. Here's whats in our boxes this time of year:
- Galloup's Laser Legal (olive & white)
- Sculpzilla (tan, olive)
- Catch's 4x4 (brown & yellow)
- Michigan Wet Skunks (black & white)
LOWER MANISTEE
Steelhead continue to be caught daily but this is the time of year that we strongly urge anglers to be mindful of where they are fishing and avoid spawning gravel. Targeting fish in the runs and holes below gravel will be your best bet as fish will be moving back down towards the lake soon. The same patterns you've relied on will work well as there are still an abundance of eggs in the system. Be sure to mix in some stoneflies, salmon fry, and leech patterns as these fish should be willing to chase as water temps continue to warm.
HERE IS THE LOWER MANISTEE GAUGE
BOARDMAN
The Boardman tends to warm on a slower timeframe than some of our other Northern Michigan rivers. This pays off later in the year but for now don't expect to see much in terms of early hatches if you're headed upstream of Beitner Road on opening weekend. Nymphs and streamers should be your mainstays until things really get going.
Nymphs to have:
- Pat's Rubber Legs (6-10)
- Prince Nymph (8-12)
- Frenchie (10-14)
- Copper John (10-14) copper, red, green
- Walt's Worm (10-12)
- Squirmy Worms (10-12) red, pink, lavender
Streamers to have:
- Galloup's Laser Legal (olive & white)
- Sparkle Minnow (copper, olive, yellow)
- Sculpzilla (olive, tan)
- Bennet's Lunch Money (olive/white)
- Michigan Wet Skunks (black & white)
BETSIE
Like many of our rivers, the Betsie still has fish to be caught but it can be challenging this time of year for wade anglers to find fish away from gravel. Again, do your best to avoid spawning fish and target runs and holes below gravel.