Trophy Waters Blog

Current Conditions

stevepriestap — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 22:12:27 +0000

Rain and cool temperatures have cooled off the water considerably — 65 degrees this morning. White flies have petered out. Best bets are nymphs, terrestrials, and streamers.

Water temperature and fly update

stevepriestap — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 16:31:59 +0000

The water temperature below Mio Dam this morning is 66, which is a big improvement. Cooler nights have helped. That could creep back above 70 over the next few days of hot weather, but it looks like a cooling trend toward the end of this week will keep the water where we need it for the foreseeable future.

Contrary to some reports, white flies are still hatching below Mio, although the hatch will probably peter out over the next week to ten days. Orange rubberleg attractors, tarantulas, and ants for daytime action, and mouse patterns and white flies in the evenings are getting good results. We also have a good selection of nymphs and streamers that are working — just stop in for suggestions.

Update for August 20

stevepriestap — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 14:36:38 +0000

The white fly hatch remains the best evening choice. These flies should start coming off around dusk every night. Other options are slate wing olives, hoppers, ants, and other terrestrials.

The water temperatures have finally dropped below seventy degrees, and cooler days ahead should keep it that way.

We have several white fly options at the shop, so stop in and we’ll fix you up.

They’re Here

stevepriestap — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 19:08:39 +0000

White Flies have made their arrival. The Au Sable near McKinley Bridge was covered with them last night, and cooler temperatures should liven up the fish. Expect the next few weeks to be productive as fish look for this prolific hatch.

Fishing Update for August 1

stevepriestap — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 17:04:50 +0000

It’s been a slow month of fishing on the Trophy Waters, with water temperatures consistently above 70 degrees and no dominant hatches. The temperature this morning at Mio Dam was 71. The best time to fish is still morning and evening, but recent rains and cooler temperatures should help things considerably as we move into August.

We are very close to seeing the beginnings of the Epheron hatch, better known as White Flies. Look for them by next weekend. This is one of the longest and most productive hatches we see all year, and the Trophy Waters is possibly the best place in Michigan to fish it. In the meantime, fishing with various terrestrials, slate wing olives, nymphs, and smaller streamers will produce fish.

Call the shop for daily updates.

July 5 Update

stevepriestap — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 18:11:28 +0000

The water temperature below Mio Dam today is 72 degrees, so be very careful releasing fish, if you must fish at all.

Best dry choices continue to be light cahills, isos, hoppers, and ants.

It looks like the hex hatch is pretty well done for the year, at least on the Au Sable. We haven’t heard about any significant sightings for at least a week.

River Update for June 27

stevepriestap — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 15:44:00 +0000

The water temperatures below Mio Dam have returned to safe levels with the recent rain. The water level is up a bit today, but not to unsafe wading or drifting levels.

Lots of people are asking about the Hex hatch. The answer is, who knows? I’m getting reports of sporadic hatches on the Upper Au Sable and downstream of McKinley Bridge to 4001, but nothing very predictable. Our guess is the Hex are petering out and will be mostly gone in the next week or so.

Other good choices are still isos, #12 and #14 Light Cahills, BWOs in #18, stoneflies, rubberleg hoppers like the black and yellow skunks, Dave’s Hoppers, and Tarantulas, and of course several different attractors like Adams and Borchers. In other words, a smorgasboard, and if one fly doesn’t work throw another one on.

For streamers, try an olive Matuka sculpin, a Little Rainbow Trout, or a ghost.

June 18 Update

stevepriestap — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 13:15:27 +0000

Although the water levels below Mio have come down, the water is still higher than normal, so be very careful when wading or operating drift boats.

Hex and Isos are still the dominant flies, along with olives and various stoneflies. There are reports of light cahills, which would be an early appearance by these whitish bugs.

We also have some new streamer patterns, so stop in and take a look.

Hex

stevepriestap — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 16:24:38 +0000

It’s that time of year again. Hex flies have appeared in their usual places throughout the Au Sable, although they are sparse on the Trophy Waters until you get past McKinley Bridge. They should stay abundant over the next week or so. Call for updates.

Isos are still plentiful and should stay that way for awhile, and are the best choice right now for the Trophy Waters.

Weekend Update

stevepriestap — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 20:05:38 +0000

Brown Drakes are pretty much done, although there may still be a few here and there. The dominant fly will now be the Isonychia, which should be appearing anytime. Blue Wing Olives should also get results. We have some new streamer patterns that are good choices on these overcast days, so stop in and check them out.

The water temperatures have returned to a safe level below Mio, and should stay that way through the weekend. As always, treat the fish carefully.

The start of the Hex hatch is probably very close, and there have already been scattered reports of Hex on the upper Au Sable. Keep your eyes and ears open.