STREAM REPORTS......................

February 28, 2010


Orvis Streamside and

THE ORVIS MICHIGAN FLY FISHING SCHOOL

GENERAL TROUT SEASON IS CLOSED NOW. CHECK REGULATIONS TO BE SURE THAT THE WATER YOU ARE FISHING IS OPEN AS AN EXTENDED SEASON RIVER. BOARDMAN BELOW SABIN DAM IS OPEN. FLIES-ONLY WATER OF THE MANISTEE FROM M72 DOWNSTREAM TO CCC BRIDGE IS OPEN CATCH AND RELEASE ONLY.

SOME STEELHEAD HAVE MOVED UPSTREAM FROM FRANKFORT, MANISTEE AND TRAVERSE CITY INTO THE BOARDMAN, BETSIE AND MANISTEE. THE BETSIE HAS VERY FEW STEELHEAD. BOARDMAN IS MORE CONSISTANT FOR ABOUT AN HOUR EACH MORNING FOR NEW SKIPPERS AND SOME NICE RESIDENT BROWN TROUT. LOWER MANISTEE BELOW TIPPY HAS SOME WINTERED-OVER FISH THAT ARE PINK CHEEKED AND IN THE RUNS. BOTTOM BOUNCERS ARE FINDING SOME FISH FROM SUICIDE TO BELOW SAWDUST. CENTERPIN SPIN FISHERMEN ARE DOING OK WITH SPAWN AND WAXWORMS TOO. BETSIE IS STILL SLOW ABOVE HOMESTEAD DAM BUT HAS SOME FISH BELOW THE DAM IN THE DEEPER RUNS AND BENDS.

Moderate temps and warm afternoons this week. Some skippers coming in mornings. Most are in the 5-6 pound range. Fair resident brown trout fishing in town from weir to Park Street. Green caddis, small stonefly patterns and pheasant tails are working.

DON'T FORGET TO CHECK THE ALL NEW ORVIS STREAM REPORTS ON ORVIS.COM




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This is the same school as the original school in Manchester, Vermont. These all encompassing schools are taught by Orvis certified instructors. To book an Orvis Fly Fishing School at The Homestead call (800) 239-2074 ext. 456, or go to www.orvis.com/schools. Book your 2010 date now to get the best hatch dates.



Manistee, Betsie and Boardman Rivers Stream Report
The flies-only water above CCC continues to offer decent streamer action. The warmer overnight temps will allow the river to warm and move some fish to streamers this week. Temps are warm all week, so it should improve. Change color every 20 minutes to get best results. Then, stay with that color for at least 30 minutes. This past week found olive to work best with big bunny flies fooling a few BIG fish.

Look for feeders on tiny black stoneflies this week. Hemingway caddis black #16 is best.

BETSIE IS SLOW AND QUIET,... A FEW FRESH FISH. ONLY A HANDFUL OF FISH ABOVE HOMESTEAD DAM. WARMER NIGHT TIME TEMPS WILL HELP WARM THE RIVERS. WATER TEMPS MOVING TO THE MID AND UPPER 30'S.


Streamside Orvis is located at 223 E. Front Street in downtown Traverse City. Stop in and say hello.


RESERVE YOUR GUIDE DATES NOW —
Orvis Guides are available daily. To book a guide trip call (231) 933-9300.

Upper Manistee - Flies Only
Water levels are wadable and clear. Slow presentations and patience will produce some nice fish. Streamers and soft hackles will move some fish from the Airport to the Burned Cabin. Some anglers are had good success last week streamer fishing during the warmer temps. Soft hackles with schlappen, mallard, or pheasant fished slowly will fool a few nice fish.

Boardman River:
River is closed above Sabin Dam now until April 24, 2010. Daily there are still a few skippers coming in from West Bay. Bait and centerpin anglers are hooking fish on bobbers and bait, but the caddis pupa and pheasant tails will also move some fish in the 3-5 pound class. Best from Union Street Dam to Union Street Bridge for resident trout.

Hatches: Boardman and Upper Manistee Rivers
Bugs are note far off. Tiny black stoneflies are coming off the snow on these warm sunny days. Be ready in case you see some feeders. Caddis pupa and soft-hackles are working with slow presentations.

WARMER TEMPS THIS WEEK COULD MAKE FOR SOME VERY GOOD STREAMER FISHING ON THE FLIES-ONLY SECTION. UPPER 30'S WATER TEMPS WILL MOVE SOME FISH ON STREAMERS.

Fresh steelhead (3-5 pounders) have arrive this past week in the downtown holding water.

Trout Patterns:
Best streamer patterns have been bead-head buggers, conehead Zugglers, and Circus Peanuts.

Nymphing with two nymphs is working well. Small Princes #16 and flashback pheasant tails #18 are best combinations. Successful streamers include buggers, Circus Peanuts, in black, white and olive. Hard to beat a Zuggler in white, olive and black. On the other side of the spectrum, small buggers #8 and light spruce #6 are fooling fish.

Soft-hackles and a slow presentation offer something that the lethargic mid-winter dark browns and cold water prefer. Try a nice long presentation and slow pickup. Tandem nymphs with a small indicator will also bring a few to the net.

Forecast:
Watch for warmer temps this week with a little rain. Check in to find our current conditions. Then,... get out and hit the water. Check the weather box in the upper left hand corner of our web pages (www.streamsideorvis.com) to get the exact local weather, or call directly (231) 933-9300.