The hennies are done for the year, but right now there’s a smorgasboard of bugs on the river. Sulphurs, lots of caddis, and stoneflies should be good choices. We may also see brown drakes by the weekend, and there are sporadic march browns.

Call for updates, as the flies are changing rapidly, and as the weather continues to get warmer.

It’s another trout opener, and, true to form, the weather is cold and windy. How many openers have we had in the last few years that have featured cold or wet weather?? Seems like it happens every year.

Despite the cold weather the fishing is good. Hendricksons are active through the Trophy Waters, as are BWOs. If the cold temps today keep the bugs away, stop in and try some of our new articulated sculpins and other colorful streamers.

Stop in for a cup of coffee, and have a great opener. And don’t forget, the river is open year round.

Just a reminder that the Trophy Waters section of the Au Sable is still open for fishing, per the new regulations that were put into effect this year. The weather’s nice, the water temperatures are great for trout, and the fish are active, so give it another shot. Fishing for trout amid the blazing fall colors is a great experience. Streamers are the best option.

White fly hatches have been sporadic for the last couple of weeks but are still coming off. Olives, isos, and various attractors are also working. We have a good selection of white fly and iso nymphs for the days when the fish aren’t hitting the surface, which seems to be a lot of days lately. Bigger streamers might be a good option this weekend with the rain we’re supposed to have.
Don’t forget that the Trophy Waters does not close at the end of this month, it’s now open all year round. There’s still a lot of good fishing in October.

Better news this week. The water temperatures have fallen below 70 degrees and it looks like they may stay there. White flies are active now throughout the Trophy Waters. Other good choices are terrestrials and, occasionally, isonychias. All in all, the best fishing report we can give you in quite a few weeks.

As of today the water temperatures are still too warm for productive fishing in the Trophy Waters, and dangerous because the fish will die when caught. However, the good news is that the forecast for the coming week is calling for cooler temperatures and some rain, which should combine to bring the water temperature back below 70 degrees. White flies have been spotted sporadically from Mio to 4001, but look for epherons to increase significantly over the next week which, combined with the lower temps, should improve the outlook dramatically. Check back for updates.

Yesterday’s rain was nice, but did little for the high water temperatures. The river at the Mio boat launch was 76 degrees this morning. There is just no reason to fish during these conditions. The trout will be hiding most of the day anyway, and if you are lucky enough to catch a few you will probably kill them. Best to wait until this heat wave subsides.
Try fishing the local lakes for bass, pike and walleye instead, and maybe check with us next week if the weather improves the outlook on the Trophy Waters.

We are urging extreme caution when fishing the Trophy Waters stretch due to water temperatures consistently above 70. With even hotter weather on the way, this will persist for awhile. Fish caught during these high temps will often die even when released quickly. The water does cool as you get farther away from the Mio Dam.
Best options now are terrestrials. The water is very clear, so something with a little color will help get the trouts’ attention and get them to the surface.
Hex are done, and isos are sporadic.

Attractors and stimulators may be the best choice this week. Try anything with a flash of bright color. Hex are pretty much done, although there could still be a sporadic hatch. Isos and cahills are still possible, but fading. We may be very close to terrestrial time.

Watch the water temperatures as they have pushed above 70 in the last few days. If you fish on these hot days, please be extremely careful with any fish, and release them gently. We want these fish to get bigger, not die in their first year in the stream!

The hex hatch is in full swing in the usual places on the Au Sable — between Parmalee and Whirlpool, Mio Pond, and downstream from the Trophy Waters between McKinley and the 4001 Bridge. I must have scraped a few dozen of them off my windows this morning. Who knows how long the hatch will last, but warmer termperatures may keep them around a few extra days.

Try Isos during the day, or stoneflies. Small olives between #18 and #22 will also get results.  Light cahills have also made their appearance.  These flies are whitish in color, but not like white millers — cahills have clear wings.