Manistee River Report – Below Tippy Dam

July 8th, 2020

With river temps hovering at 70 degrees on the Upper Manistee and no end in sight to this heat wave, it is becoming unethical to chase trout.  Fighting a large trout in this weather depletes their energy too much and with less oxygen available many will die.  Therefore, we have switched to chasing Smallmouth bass, aka Green Trout, below Tippy Dam.  This is a great species for the dog days of summer as they are eager to eat and, pound for pound, are arguably the hardest fighting freshwater fish on a flyrod.

Streamers are the name of the game here in water that is 3-5′ deep with wood.  Use a 7 wt rod loaded with a sink tip such as the SA Cold 25 in 250 grains.  Ginger Lapdancers, Tuti Fruiti Clousers and other flies imitating baitfish and crayfish are the ticket.  Flies in olive, crayfish orange and yellows can all work.  Bright colors and flash sometimes are irresistible to these carnivores!

We have days open! If you are interested give Cherie a call at 231-228-7135.  Also, Fall is filling fast so call and get your name in the books in October and/or November.

Tight lines,

Chris Butz

Smallmouth on the river