Winter is finally coming to Northern Michigan. Still a great time to float the Au Sable and just a beautiful winter setting. Got to avoid storms this time of year and sounds like we go one coming for Christmas weekend. Hopefully we get some good snow as the river could use some moisture. The following week heading toward New Year forecast is 40’s and rain – now there is the time to fish!
Still some fresh run Atlantic Salmon in the lower river but numbers are getting small. The good thing is these fish now are looking to eat! Minnow, leeches and sculpin patterns are top producers. Steelhead keep trickling in and some water would great improve this fishing. Hopefully its coming!
Chista and Scott yesterday and we found both Atlantics and Steelhead!
If you avoid the bitter cold periods this time of year can be a very good for those that like to strip streamers and hunt for Brown Trout. The upper Au Sable and its branches are such a peaceful place in winter months for a nice float trip. We hit the South Branch a few days ago and had good numbers Browns were chasing our streamers. Lot of smaller patterns this time of year and love my buggers. Lead eyes and lots of variations of the woolly buggers in natural, olive, tan, brown and black. Finally fished the Echo Streamer X fly rod and loved it. With an Airflo Streamer Max 200 grain fly line it was an ideal setup. The guides handled cold weather very well and limited icing.
