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June is here!!! Hard to believe, but it’s true. The weather has been slowing down the hatches and dry fly fishing in general. It has been very sporadic to say the least. There are bugs hatching, but nothing like it should be at this point in June. It will hopefully “pop” in the near future? We are seeing grey drakes, yellow sallies, big stones, a few Iso’s and still a few sulphurs. The banks are coming alive with ants, spiders and damsels just to name a few.
The river is very low and clear! We really need some rain and a bunch of it would not hurt my feelings. In these conditions, fishing tight to the structure, close to the bank/wood and over submerged lumber has been paying off. It’s been tougher fishing given the conditions…low & clear water gives the fish a long time to look at your offering and they can see it coming at them from a long way (drifting sloooowwww).
I have been doing well on attractor patterns during the afternoons and switching to bigger rubber legged bugs in the evenings. Wet flies & twitch bugs have been fun and effective also. The hatches have been very light most evenings where I have been fishing. We had a couple “decent” nights, but nothing like it should be right now. It should just keep building and gaining momentum. It seems like we are a little behind the “typical” hatch schedule, but that can change?
After-dark waking flies has been productive in the low water. We did well a couple nights last week and will continue the hunt throughout the summer. The moon is getting big and will be full in a few nights. The new moon phase will occur during the hex hatch later this month…perfect timing! We should start to see some hexes in a week or two…hopefully? But, who knows? We will be out there looking for them, scouting and fishing! We still have plenty of guide dates available this summer and for the hex hatch…give us a call to book a trip and/or lodging…231-745-3529.
We have some great summertime trout fishing remaining this summer! June is prime time for Michigan’s trout streams. There are so many opportunities and options! Don’t let the conditions discourage you! If the water is up…go streamer fishing! If it’s too cold for a hatch…try attractors and/or go mousing. Can’t fish the evening hatch….try banging the banks with bigger dries (you might be surprised what jumps out of the river to grab your fly!!!). Not getting any bites…try going sub-surface with nymphs, swinging soft hackles or small streamers. Or better yet…not getting any bites; enjoy sitting on the bank of a trout stream and watching the water. You have options…try making the most of them and enjoying being on the river. I am excited for what’s coming up and I would love to show you why!
Good luck out there! Be safe and have fun while you are on the river.
Later-
John Karakashian
