Fishing Report – July 18, 2014

 

The Muskegon River

The Muskegon river near Newaygo, MI is running above average flows at this time and a little cooler than we’re accustomed to for mid July.

Trout fishing is still viable,  with most fish being taken subsurface either by nymph fishing with floating line and indicator or swinging wet flies with sinking lines or sink tips.  Limited hatch activity as of late has trout focusing below the surface, although some are still falling to dry flies here and there.

Smallmouth bass fishing is picking up and will only improve as we break the 70 degree water temperature mark.

Present water temperature is in the 67-69 degree range.

 

Pere Marquette River

The Pere Marquette river near Baldwin, MI is running above average flows at this time due to recent rains that came through NW Michigan.

Trout fishing has been limited to either streamer fishing when water conditions require, or tossing large foam hopper and terrestrial type patterns when visibility allows.  The Hex hatch went into stall mode with cold weather the past near 2 weeks, those who got in on it should feel fortunate, because “prime” conditions  didn’t last long.  As warmer air temperatures return, terrestrial fishing will pick up.

Present water temperature in the low 60’s.

Grand River

The Grand river near Grand Rapids, MI is running above average flows at this time, but will be coming down in the rain-less days ahead.

The Grand has not given up much for fishing so far this summer due to consistent rains that have come through west Michigan and continued east towards Lansing, close to the headwaters of the Grand.  As a result, the whole watershed has been getting rained on and has yet to clear for any extended time.

Once things settle down, Smallmouth bass, Pike and Walleye fishing will pick up.

Present water temperature in the low 70’s

Manistee River

The Manistee river near Tippy Dam/Wellston, MI is running above average flows at this time due to the same rains that brought the Pere Marquette river up in recent days.  That said, it manages rains better than the smaller rivers and is still providing good trout fishing below Tippy dam.

A combination of  Midges, BWO’s and Caddis are coming off early and late in the day, providing for some dry fly fishing to resident Rainbow and Brown trout.  Daytime swinging of soft hackle patterns is bringing fish to net as well.  Smallmouth bass fishing will improve as water temperatures increase.

Present water temperature in the mid to upper 60’s.

The Manistee river above Tippy dam is running above average flows as well, but still producing some nice trout.  It’s a hodge-podge of activity in the upper water right now, with some Hex’s to be found here and there, along with Isonychia’s and Cahill’s.  Foamy hopper-terrestrial patterns will get fish to look up on the right day as well.

Water temperature in the mid 60’s in the upper river.

White River

The White river near Hesperia, MI is running above average flows now,  but will likely drop in the days ahead with no rain in the forecast.

The White has had some sporadic Caddis activity that were bringing some trout to the surface, but this was several days ago and spotty rains and colder temperatures in recent days has likely altered that a bit.

Wet fly fishing and stripping streamers are the best bet for the White right now, as it’s starting to come up in water temperature and shut down most cold water species activity.

Present water temperature in the mid to upper 60’s.

Flat River

The Flat river near Lowell, MI is running above average flows now, but it too should be dropping in the days ahead as the tributaries to the Flat purge themselves of recent rain water.

Smallmouth bass are the fish of choice on the Flat once summer arrives and will provide for some good, lower water wade fishing options for anglers of west and central Michigan.   If we DO see the Hex’s popping on the Flat yet this summer, it will provide for some unique dry fly fishing for the Smallmouth, who don’t pass up that free meal each summer night it comes along !

Most common fly fishing for Flat smally’s is with a 5-6 weight rod, with either floating line or floating line and a short sink tip.

Present water temperature around the 70 degree mark.