Finally back home to NE Michigan and the Au Sable River! Had a real good winter in Arkansas and been on the White River since the first week in January. Already been thru winter to spring in Arkansas and now get to do it again here in Michigan. When I got home a few days ago we were in a slow melt down moving toward Spring. Open areas were snow free but back in the woods, swamps and along the Au Sable there was heavy snow pack. Spring run off had just barely started which pre swamps melting is a great time to hunt for big Brown Trout throughout the Au Sable and its branches. But then came winter storm yesterday adding 7-9 inches to the area and has put the Au Sable back into a winter state but that wont last for long this time of year.
When you drop below all the dams/ponds on the Au Sable it really can real buffer quick weather change. Currently below Foote Dam is in great shape. Water levels are up from storm and running extremely clear (1700cfs) – ideal for fishing. Water have been on a steady rise and much warmer than normal for this time of year (37-38 degrees). Foote pond (above the dam) is still covered in ice and will be for a while. This is good thing keep lower river cool and no spawning from steelhead.
Currently there are some real nice fresh run steelhead in the lower river and some beautiful Atlantic Salmon! Steelhead are in the deep winter holes and most can’t be seen throughout the section for Foote Dam to the mouth at Lake Huron. There have been some good days down in lower around the town of Oscoda and pods of them having been moving up. Been some silver Atlantic Salmon around and some hold overs from last fall. These silver ones are looking for food and can be very aggressive.
I floated the lower river on Friday and minnow & sculpin patterns had some good success – Sparkle Minnow, Clouser, Peanut variations and mini Dungeon. Turning into my top producer is Tungsten Conehead Yummy #6 in White, Olive, Brown or Black. Can work for minnow or sculpin imitation and does get deep.
Here is some of our proven patterns: https://michigan-streamside.com/product-category/flies/atlantic-salmon-steelhead-streamers/
Bite on these is always changing have had good success with stripping the small streamers and lots of action. Then on some rolling these little streamer right on the bottom. For those that like two handed fly rods these guys are dream come true!
This one above crushed swung streamer a few feet below surface! Winston Two Handed 6wt with Airflo Scout Skagit head with a Flo tip 10′ T-10.
Along with Steelhead/Atlantics I will be doing a lot of fishing and guiding for Big Browns this spring. All of the Big Waters of the Au Sable are a little behind the upper river. Just takes a bit longer to warm up. Yesterday kind of put a deep freeze on the entire upper river but this wont last long. I look to later this week as a great time to get back out streamer fishing for Big Browns. If your interested in a early spring streamer trip just shoot me a email, call or text ([email protected] or 989-889-5374) and I can set up trip on what your looking for. Some of the spring trout trips we do need to really watch conditions and go when its right.
