Hex are here
Hex flies have finally made their long awaited appearance on the river. Most of them are concentrated on the lower Au Sable downstream from McKinley Bridge, on Mio Pond, and on the South Branch and parts of the upper mainstream. With the hot weather we're getting expect the hatch to last longer this year than it did last year. We have a good selection of hex flies this year, so stop in for a sample.
Hex Update
There have been a few hex sightings in the lower Au Sable and a few on Mio Pond, but for the most part the big hatch has not happened yet. It could happen any day, though. Call the shop for more timely updates or check this site.
Brown Drakes
It's now officially my favorite time of year when it comes to bug hatches. Both brown drakes and isonychias have made their appearance on the river, and the fish are happily feeding on them. The drakes will be most active in the evening, as will the isos. Duns and spinners will get the best results, but it will be worth trying the emergers earlier in the day as well.
Another good fly to use right now is the Roberts Yellow Drake. It's not exactly a brown drake or iso, but it seems to get good results during these hatches.
The river is in good shape right now with decent water levels and good temperatures for trout, and the canoeing pressure on Saturdays has not peaked yet. If you're thinking about fishing the Au Sable or taking a guided trip, there isn't a better time than right now.
