Not much change from last week in terms of flies on the water. Sulphurs are the dominant bug. Look for Brown Drakes to start very, very soon.

Water levels and temperatures are good on the Trophy Waters. You can’t ask for better conditions.

Like last week, there is a mix of bugs now on the water. Sulphurs appeared several days ago and should be the dominant fly, but there are also a few light Hennies, olives, and mahoganies.
Stoneflies are also a good choice, and we have a limited selection of mattress thrasher stoneflies tied by local guide Dennis Davis. I can’t keep these in stock, so get them while you can.
River conditions are perfect, with normal water levels and cool temperatures.

Hendricksons are still coming off in decent quantities, but will be diminishing very soon. Olives and stoneflies continue to get results. Sulphurs have begun to appear in small numbers and should take off within a week or so.

Took a trip down the Trophy Waters with local guide Dennis Davis yesterday, and I’ve never seen so many white caddis in my life. They reminded me of clouds of shedding cottonwood trees. The fish weren’t interested, though, and we figured out too late that they were probably gorging themselves on the caddis nymphs. Anyway, they weren’t rising much. Still, it was a beautiful day and we got to try a lot of different flies! Speaking of which, we have a lot of new flies in, some tied by Dennis and a lot of others tied by expert Michigan fly tier Paul Younggren, who produces most of our popular local patterns. We’re really proud of the improving quality of our flies, and we’ve kept our prices level with last year, so come in and check out our wide selection.

Water levels are back to normal, so head north and hit the river. We’ll be here….

The dry fly of choice for now is still hennies, with olives and stones running second. The water levels are up again after last week’s rains, and with this weekend’s cooler temperatures streamers will be a good choice for the next few days.

We just stocked some excellent new streamer patterns tied by Dennis Davis, a local guide, so come in and check them out. They’re tried and true patterns that Dennis has been getting great results with lately — brightly colored rabbit strip streamers, special zoo cougars, and some great articulated streamers. Dennis’s streamers don’t have any fancy names — they just work.

The water level on the Trophy Waters is still a little high, but has receded closer to normal levels. Fishing should improve this week as the temperatures start to rise.

The Hendrickson hatch is in full swing. Nymphs and lighter colored streamers should also get good results.

Be cautious when wading due to the higher water flows.

Welcome back for another great season. I, for one, am happy to see the official end of winter. Seemed like this one was never going to end. Just ten days ago we were plowing a foot of snow out of our driveway, but today it’s sixty degrees. Better days are ahead!

The trout opener for this year was pretty well washed out by the high waters and winds. It looks like the weather should stabilize over the next week, so look for more favorable conditions for next weekend. For flies, Hendricksons have started, and stoneflies should get good results, as will olives around a #18. With these conditions streamers may be the best choice, so stop in and check out some of our new selections.

A lot of you have been asking about the new regulations for the Trophy Waters. This year, finally, the new regs have gone into effect, and here they are:

* The Trophy Waters, from the Mio power lines to the McKinley Bridge, are now open all year.
* It’s still flies and artificial lures only.
* The possession season is the last Saturday in April to September 30 for brook trout and brown trout, although rainbow trout can be taken year round.
* Minimum size limits: brook trout 7 inches, rainbow trout 10 inches, brown trout 18 inches.
* Daily possession limit: still two trout, but only one trout can be 18 inches or more.

That’s it. These new regs are a welcome change, and should help increase the number of trophy size fish in the big water.

We’ll keep you updated on conditions and bugs, so check back often.

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.

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.

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.

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.