With the cool weather of late Atlantic Salmon and Coho numbers just keep building the lower Au Sable River. Even a few Steelhead around and fair amount of spawning Kings. Things have changed in Lake Huron now a days and growing some wonderful fish! River conditions right now – very low and clear with temps in mid to upper 50’s and dropping steady. With the lack of rain in Northern Michigan i would think better get used to lower for this Fall. Atlantic Salmon like the shallow water with a bit of structure so not much of issue with them. The low water has changed our methods are times. Swinging streamers is ideal to that fly well in front of boat without spooking fish. Both the Atlantics and Coho have been eating streamers well. Small streamers 2-4″ and they love white and minnow imitations. Steelhead showing up and look for them right now to be sitting below spawning Kings. Best has been with swung streamers or with small egg patterns. Here is a beautiful silver Atlantic and Coho from yesterday’s float. Had the trifecta on salmon landed yesterday – Atlantic, Coho and Kings!
This beautiful Atlantic Salmon below ate a size #10 October Caddis. Atlantics love logs and sure dont mind shallow water if some structure. Dry flies and surface patterns can work in certain areas of the river. Afternoon olive hatch does seem to have some looking up if bugs are heavy. Floating shad patterns and skating Bombers, Mice, Floating Shad and Wogs all can sure get there attention!
