| The
AuSable River
THE MAINSTREAM
This section of the AuSable contains some of the most intense
fly hatches in the state. There are literally dozens of different flies that hatch on any given night and these hatches last throughout the entire season. The
Holy Water, which begins at Burtons Landing and ends at Wakely
Bridge is known to hold huge numbers of trout and gives anglers
a strong sense of history. There will always be activity in this water during the summer months. From Wakely Bridge to Conners
Flat Boat Launch the Mainstream meats up with the South Branch
and widens significantly. It is in this water that some of the
largest trout live. If you find yourself in this section in Late
June make sure to stay on the river after dark. From mid to late
June the HEX hatch brings huge trout to the surface at night.
From Conners Flat to McMasters Bridge the water flow speeds up
and gives the angler an opportunity to fish ripples that hold
aggressively feeding trout.
THE MAINSTREAM (MIO TO MCKINLEY)
From Mio downstream to McKinley Bridge the AuSable River will
remind an angler of some Western rivers. The river is wide and
deep and provides an opportunity for exellent nymph and streamer
fishing. This water holds a large number of rainbow trout. There
are also several thick hatches that occur in this area. One of
the most instense hatches occurs in mid to late August. This is
the Ephron hatch. When these flies come off it
is like getting caught in a snow storm.
THE SOUTH BRANCH
The South Branch of the Au Sable River in Michigan, is one of
the finest trout streams in the country. Mired in rich fly fishing
lore and history, anglers are taken back in time, following this
meandering river through a pristine wilderness as it flows from
its headwaters towards the mainstream of the Au Sable. From Chase
Bridge in Roscommon to above Smith Bridge there is a special place
in the annals of fly fishing. The Mason Tract. A section of undeveloped
land that was conveyed to the State of Michigan in 1955 by the
late George W. Mason in a perpetual trust to insure it remains
undeveloped. It includes 1500 acres bordering the stream and an
additional 1330 acres acquired from the U.S. Forest Service in
1957 that extended it's borders. This special tract is also known
as the Mason Retreat.
From Smith Bridge to the confluence where the South Branch joins
the mainstream is a favorite of mine. This float will be six to
eight hours and provides endless angling adventure. I am bias
due to the fact that the largest brown trout I have ever caught
was taken in the lower end of the South Branch. A 24" brown
that we released. I had a replica made that sits on the mantle
at Sprouting Pines lodge.
THE NORTH BRANCH The North Branch of the Ausable is located predominately
in the northeastern part of Crawford County. This beautiful river
flows south from the northern border of the county to join with
the Mainstream near McMasters Bridge. Brown and brook trout are
the resident species. Access is abundant north of Lovells, but
harder to find south of this little town. Wading is fairly easy,
except for the logs, of course, and the canoe traffic is minimal
to nonexistent. The North Branch has excellent hatches and most
of the river flowing through Crawford County has flies only. |
