Fishing Report 5/17/24

The middle of May has produced productive fishing on all fronts.  From smaller lakes bluegill and bass to trout on the local cold water streams.  It is the time of year to get out and enjoy the flowering trees, the happy birds and rising fish!  The local rivers are in great shape and hatches are rolling right along at a pretty quick pace. It seems like we are a week or so early in some cases and be prepared to think about evening spinner falls with some great daytime fishing as well.

The Key West trip was amazing and all that I could have dreamed of in a saltwater trip.  Will, from Sage and I were blessed with great weather and fished with a super guide, Bill Houze.  Over 20 years ago or more, I read “Marquesa: A Time and Place with Fish”  by Jeffrey Cardenas and I had always dreamed of someday fishing there.  We fished there on the first day and had tarpon rolling and feeding all around us in the still morning air.  Will and I each landed our first tarpon and after that we jumped and played with several more each.  The eats were amazing and the sheer power and incredible jumps from a 90-140 lb tarpon is truly something to behold as a fly angler.  It was magical, as was the entire fishing experience.  Key West is a relaxing place with great live music pouring out of the myriads of watering holes.  I cannot wait to go back!

On Saturday June 8 we are hosting our annual Cheese Cup!  Be sure to get signed up as this is always a great event to support Suicide Prevention and Awareness programs for our local Child and Family Services Center.  We do this in honor of our good friend Alex Hawke that lost his battle to depression in 2017.  This is our eighth year to host the event and with your support and the support of our sponsors we have raised over $70,000.  If you would like to make a donation, please make checks payable to Child and Family Services and in the memo please put “Cheese Cup.”  If you are interested in sponsoring, we are always happy to answer any questions and appreciate your support.


Manistee River Report

Upper Manistee River Trout Report- Dry fly fishing with caddis, stoneflies, sulphurs and mahoganies has been producing fish. You can also target fish with smaller streamers and nymphs, but when the dry fly action is happening, why do anything else??!

Be sure to stay a little later on warm evenings and look for spinner falls!

 

Boardman River Report

The Boardman/Ottaway River has been fishing consistently this spring and it is nice to see the didymo mats breaking down and clearing out.  Smaller streamers and nymphs continue to draw the most consistent attention from the fish, but if you do see fish rising, get after them with dries.  Sulphurs will be starting up and look for caddis action to be consistent over the next few weeks.

Fish on this river love a moving fly!  Twitch your bugs, streamers a bit to get the fish jazzed up!


Local Lakes Report

No real big change from last week’s report.  Area lakes have the bluegill in pre-spawn mode. Bass are moving to the shallows and more bedding activity has been noticed, with the males moving into the shallow, spawning areas. Streamer patterns worked slowly and with a deliberate strip and pause have been most productive. Fishing drop offs and shorelines have been productive.  Smaller lakes should see panfish working towards the shallow flats for spawning.  Popper action has been good for bass this week.