Sunday fishing on the Ausable

[riverboy]

Fellow Steelheaders

Good evening it has been a long day and the reason Im still up is because Im waiting for spawn juice to drain. Two buddys and I started our day at 4 am this morning. After picking everyone up, getting gas, travel time, and one last stop at welllman's. We were finally fishing one of our favorite holes by 6:30. Forgot about the time change so it was still a little dark but just perfect. My buddy from work Dave was the first one to put his rod to work a beautiful 10lb female. once again radiant colors like the fish we had caught on good friday. We contuined to fish in the howling wind and blinding snow. But the only thing we were catching was a possible cold. We packed up and headed for breakfeast. Hit the killer coffee and omleates at Desi's and then off fishing again. We got to another one of our favorite early season holes and low and behold nobody there. Man does anyone fish the ausable anymore? YA I know just wait another week. Ill tell ya now thats when Im done steelhead fishing! Anyways Dave had caught another beautiful 7 lb steelie more silvery looking a little fresher. All I was getting was snags. Finally after 2 years of trying Brent Hooked into his first steelhead a spectacular 6 lbs hen. The fish gave him a nice fight. I was extermley happy for Brent! About time! So the pressure was on, everyone had a fish except for me after an hour or so I was cold, frustrated, hungry, tired, and ready to go because I had to be home by 5. Finallly after a long day of everyone bragging and razing me a ravishing 8 lb hen took my bait. This was the hardest fish I ever had to land. For one reason I had to land it because my buddys would harrass me something fierce if I lost it and second she would not give up! I must have fought the fish for over 10 or 15 minutes. Im not sure really how long but it seemed like a life time. So need less to say I was late getting home, smelled like fish and had to be at the funereal home a half hour ago. Oh well the person at the funereal home isnt going anywhere. I know I know bad joke OH well I had to say it. Well genltemen I got to finish up curing these spawn eggs.
In Summary; good friends, good food, good coffee,......... Oh wait this isnt good friday just a good Sunday!

Scott

[stelmon]

Thanks riverboy for the report. MIght be hitting the au sable in 3 weeks. Have a choice between au sable or PM. Once again thanks

[The Whale]

Nice post, good fish, good times,.....what more can there be ???

Any pics ?


Whale :cool:

[riverboy]

ya we got some pictures. I have to take them in today to get developed. I be sure to post them! Itll probably be a couple of days though. I have to get them scanned, I dont have one so ill have to use my buddys! Do photo stores put them on a cd for ya? If so how much do they charge?

Scott

[BowDad]

Sounds like you had a great day! I tried my luck on Easter Sunday and couldn't buy a bite. I will be passing through Oscoda on my way home from the cottage early next Sunday morning. Was thinking of fishing the surf but would like to try the river. Care to give me any tips? PM me if you would like.

Thanks!!!:)

[riverboy]

Bowdad

I also got skunk on easter sunday I know how you feel, but what a difference a week makes. As for tips we have been most succesful drifting wax worms using 2 or 3 on a size 10 hook. I did however catch mine on a floater steelhead dime size spawn bag. also a corky was used on dave's fish. As for areas to try well.........
I would concentrate on the big holes for now but any day those fish could move out of those holes and on to the gravel beds. I think maybe a week or so for that to happen, depending on the weather of course. I think wellman's still sells a pretty good map of the river system. The map does a good job of naming holes and runs! I found it to be very helpful years ago. I never fish the surf for steelies I always fish the river. So Im not much help there.
Im sorry but Id rather not name specific holes because I dont want to upset my friends who occasionally read this site. I also dont want a crowd there next time I go! I would check out the senic overlook first just to see if the fish are on the gravel. I refuse to fish there, just to many people. If so fish there our find some other gravel. If the fish arent on the beds then off to the holes. I hope to have helped you and I hope I dont sound selfish or greedy on not naming specific holes. If I can help any other way feel free to ask!

Scott

[BowDad]

Thanks for the quick reply. I understand your reluctance to name specific holes. I have a copy of the map and I'll give it another try next weekend. Wish me luck! :)