River Report – August 21, 2019

The Old Au Sable Fly Shop Fishing Report

This has been the finest August I can remember – cool nights and warm days. Michigan has the best weather in the country right now.  And fishing is, well, really pretty good for late Summer.  Water temperatures and flows are solid, so daytime angling is alright.  Tricos and olives are hatching every morning with young trout taking notice and we’re picking up some fish throughout the rest of the daylight hours.

You should be able to put a dozen fish in the boat if you’re skilled and then maybe hang up with a big one after dark on a frog or mouse pattern. That’s about all we can ask for from our rivers even on the average days of May.  The trout are smaller now and we’re not hatch match fishing after dark, but it’s still a fun day on the water.  Best of all, there’s almost no other anglers here now.

The South Branch is the best of fishing on the Au Sable system, but the North Branch is showing meddle on the best trico mornings. The Manistee is running cold and clear and the fish are looking.  You’ll need the longest cast you can muster to hook up there.  Twenty feet isn’t going to cut it.

You can always mouse. Night fishing is simply the best way to put a rod bending fish in the boat.

Start thinking about our late Fall Streamer Days. This year we’ll host our annual event November 1st, 2nd, and 3rd.  It’s a great time with fine folks and includes lodging, a couple of meals per day, and two days streamer fishing that will have you pitching flies to big trout until your arm falls off.  The weekend is full of good times, good food, and fat trout.

Book a guide trip this Fall. Trips start at $300, and there’s nothing quite like spawning colored brook trout in a backdrop of changing leaves.

The Old Au Sable Fly Shop is offering some great specials on gear on our unbelievable Labor Day weekend sale, so swing by and pick something up that you want and, just maybe, might need. All of the Fall and winter clothing is in stock now.  It’s beautiful stuff.

If nothing else, you need to stop by and see how I re-arranged the shop. It’s been a slow Summer for us and boredom got me moving the furniture.  I’m loving it.

Hope to see you soon!

Andy

Leave a Comment