So much change in such a short timeframe. Let’s see: The flying ants are now a thing, and they’ll stay a thing through the first frosts of the season. On Tuesday they blanketed the rivers, from a size #16 to size #24. The fish we found were willing to eat the size 16. Thank goodness too, because the white flies were in short supply that evening below Mio dam. Streamers: The trout are just beginning to chase. The dry/dropper fishing has been superb and this evening, on a float with my parents, it was the dropper at dusk — rare that that technique works in the late afternoon — that did our best work. The fall Iso has been hatching and will continue to hatch into late September. Blind fish an Iso through dusk. There won’t be a lot of trout rising, but they’ll rise for yours.
This early fall fishing will extend until the first nights that are below freezing. It will include the last dark-of-the-moon that I’ll night fish this season. Some great afternoon dry fly blind fishing. Another month of tricos. Tiny afternoon BWOs. Great swinging of soft hackles. It will also include quite a bit of small streamer fishing:
A beautiful Holy Waters rainbow
And there’ll be plenty of solitude. With most of Michigan’s kids back in school, the river valley grows quieter. If you can break free, it’s a wonderful time to visit. A chill to the edges of the day, and happy trout through the late morning through the early evening.
Some keys to success: Stealth, fine tippets, long leaders, and a careful approach. I prefer broken/riffle water in the early fall. I also think this time of year rewards a very full fly box with lots of different options. Today fish were caught on nymphs, dries and streamers. No biggie, right? But each of those techniques required fine-tuning. It’s that extra six inches on the dropper. Fishing 6x instead of 5x. How you twitch the skunk. The angle of your approach to a pod of rising trout. It’s this kind of careful fishing that makes this time of year so special.
Used Rods! We got some great ones…
G. Loomis NRX 9′ 3 wt $400 (Tricos…but here and out west!)
Scott Radian 9′ 8 wt $600 (Carp, bass, steelhead…loves a floating line)
Scott Centric 9′ 5 wt $600 (Great all-around rod)
Sage method 9′ 6 wt $600 (Fall/spring streamers in the upper river)
Winston BIIX 9′ 7 wt $500 (Bass poppers and gurglers)
Winston Air 8’6″ 3 wt $600 (Trico machine)
River Cleanup, Sept 12, 10 am – 2 pm (or so)
On Saturday, September 12th, join a bunch of your fellow Au Sable River devotees in cleaning the river that you love. It’s a special tradition, and one that makes a measurable difference. The first few years this event required a gigantic dumpster. Now, what trash we do find is sorted and recycled. Never done it before? Great! We need you. Bring your waders and polarized sunglasses (to better spot the trash). Grab a poker stick or clasper (provided) and a trash bag (also provided). You and your cleanup team will hit the river and wade a “beat”. If we have enough volunteers, we can cover the vast majority of the popular sections of the Au Sable. This is how we keep the river special, and worth protecting. We do this every year because we have to. If we didn’t, the river would look awful. We meet at Gates Lodge at 9:45, gather in teams, rally, and depart. Most groups are back around noon or 1 pm for a regionally famous cookout! Yes, food and drink ARE provided. We need your help to make it happen. Wanna use your boat? Yeah, we need you too! Questions or to sign up: [email protected]. Click here for a list of wading beats.
THE CLASSES BELOW ARE FULL BUT WE WILL ADD A FEW PEOPLE TO THE WAITING LISTS OF EACH: [email protected]
Become a Better Angler — September Edition: We have two special classes on the weekend of September 19. See below. Sign up for one. Sign up for both. This is world-class instruction right here on the Au Sable.
Streamer Fishing with Alex Lafkas, September 19, 9 am – 1 pm
Alex says, “At one point in my life streamer fishing was grabbing my sink tip or a floating line and choosing my favorite color woolly bugger. Things have changed in the last 30 years through technical innovation and a deeper understanding of what makes brown trout tick. The focus of this class is to take a deep dive into the whys for each season that is presented throughout the calendar year to a streamer angler. Some times of year are more known for streamer fishing such as spring and fall but there are many other windows that occur each season. Understanding how to use different types of sink tips with varying sink rates also plays a large part in your success. I will cover fly line options and how I use each one for different situations based on fly choice and season to maximize your time on the water. “
We have offered this class previously, and it was very well-received. Includes lunch. Limited to six people. $200 per person.
Sign up at [email protected]
Fly Casting Master Class with Michael Mauri, September 20, 9 am – 12 pm
We are beyond pleased to offer this class with world-renowned guide and fly caster Michael Mauri. If you think you can cast, well, great…but Michael can help you cast faster, better, more accurately, and further. This three-hour session is best for intermediate to advanced casters who want to increase line speed and accuracy. If you’ve cut your teeth on Michigan fly fishing, it’s time learn from an expert on the saltwater flats. Bring your favorite rod and reel and line, and let’s get casting…better.
To reserve a spot, or ask a question: [email protected]. Session will be from 9 am – 12 pm. $200 per person.
