Hendrickson's and Black Caddis
Manistee River fly fishing gets lots of attention from writers talking about streamers and big fish. It deserves it. However we all love the thrill of trout rising to dry flies. This time of year, as all of my dry fly orders are showing up, I begin to anticipate some the best times of the year to catch trout on dry flies, May and June.
Manistee River dry fly fishing for trout really heats up in May. Our first two hatches that move fish to the surface are the Black Caddis and the Hendricksens. Look for these bugs anytime in early May with action taking off when the water hits 45-50 degrees. When the bugs are on the surface and the water is warm enough you'll see surprising numbers of trout, including big fish up on top gorging themselves on the insects.
The
Black Caddis usually appears in mid afternoon with both adults and emergers being important. I often start with emergers as droppers on adults so my anglers can see the tiny emerger in the surface film. When the egg laying starts I use Jerry Regan's Black Caddis pattern almost exclusively. Jerry ties a beautiful bug with a green egg sack that floats like a cork. I think that the fish key on the egg sack so I use it more than a pattern without one.
The Hendricksen hatch maybe the most fun of all the Michigan bugs. First, it happens when you can see and it will bring big fish up. It earned the nickname, "the Gentleman's hatch" for good reason, it comes at nice times during the day. On the Au Sable, below Mio it is common to get a small emergence about 11:00 am followed by a larger one at 3:00pm, with the spinners falling at 6:00. Just enough time between activity to have a nice lunch, take a nap or do a little nymphing or streamer fishing.
Once again, I use a lot of Jerry Regan's patterns for this hatch. In fact I use more of Jerry's ties than any other to match our Michigan hatches when dry fly fishing the Manistee or Au Sable rivers. I use his Hennie spinners,
Black Caddis, Brown Drake, Isonychia, and Hex patterns. I also use a few of his secret patterns that will have to remain that way if I ever want to get in a boat with Jerry. Jerry is one of our foremost historians on the old time Michigan patterns, he ties them and he fishes them. You can see some of them pictured below. If you ever get a chance to meet Jerry or buy/fish any of his bugs, you are lucky, listen and learn. Contact me for info about how to get Jerry's patterns.
Manistee and AuSable river fly fishing is at it's peak in May and June. Come armed with great flies, an attention to detail and have a blast. If Hawkins Outfitters can help you learn more about these great hatches, let me know. Contact us via
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Hawk
The Life Cycle of the Hendrickson Mayfly
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