Ausable update 3/31, 4/1

[WEEZER]

Well the saying goes something like "The worst day of fishing is still better than the best day at work" NOT TRUE!!!
Friday was alright the fishing pressure was light to moderate and there were active fish on the redds and behind. They were biting for about two hours until the sun came up. Between a buddy and myself we hooked 6 fish. He landed two and I got my butt kicked by the two I hooked! The one fish had me well into my backing in a matter of seconds, then I lost him when he swam into a log jam!! I covered a lot of water and we couldn't get the fish to bite.
Saturday was the worst day(Pressure wise) that I have ever seen on the Ausable. I hit the wwater a little before 6am andc I couldn't find a run, hole or gravel stretch anywhere that didn't have at least two people fishing them.. I obviously was a little upset so I headed off to other rivers... then I found out that my waders have a leak in the right boot!!!!
Anyway that was the first time I have fished the Ausable on a weekend so I guess I'm spoiled by the mid-week fishing pressure. I WON'T GO BACK THERE ON A WEEKEND EVER AGAIN DURING THE RUN!!!!I'D RATHER WORK!!!
Back on the water Tuesday,
~Rick
BTW yes I'm failing most of my classes!!!
Fishing isn't a matter of life or death... It's much more serious than that :)

[Steve]

WEEZER, you should have seen the Huron this weekend. Talk about combat fishing! Those fish were pounded over the head with every fly imaginable. There were some holes with 10 anglers in them. Its weeknights for me as well for the rest of the season.

[Erik]

Well I wish I could fish more on weekdays but the further into the season it gets the harder it is for me to get out during the week. Yah there was alot of folks out this past weekend but I pretty much expected it. We tried down river, away from the crowds, and as it turned out, also away from the fish. A friend I brought with me got his first one though! A fresh run female about 8 lbs. For him it was the best fishing he's seen! For me, it could have been better. Was still better than working though. Too bad no one will pay me to fish!!!! Oh well, see you guys on the river, I'm not giving up yet!

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Phish

[toto]

Weezer don't feel alone, it was like that here on the Platte and the Betsie. It looked more like salmon season than anything else. But I quess thats to be expected. I was fishing the Platte on Saturday late afternoon and saw plenty of tracks (people) but no one around, thought I had a chance; until some guy comes walking up stream making all kinds of splasing noise, I figured right then and there I was wasting my time. Went to Crystal Lake on Sunday, I know this should be on the northwest section of this forum, and hooked to feel pretty rainbows about 20" or so. Man these fish are pretty. Weezer if you want to join me sometime to give these a try let me know.<"><

[WEEZER]

Maybe I'm just having a bad week but I'm getting sick of the steelhead season. I'm usually pretty hyped up until mid May but as for now I can't wait to get the crowds off the river and do some serious trout fishing.
Ever feel this way? It's got me pretty upset since I dropped like 1000.00 in Equipment since May of last year.
I'm going to give it a go on Sunday (To my Little river). I hope everything goes smoothly!
One positive note: I haven't ran into many obvious snaggers this year! But the crowds have like tripled in the past two seasons.
Can't wait for the Hatch season!
~Rick

[kingfisher 11]

I have been sick of the weekend crowds also. The only way I will fish on the weekends in the rivers are if my son's begging gets to me. I have chose to take the boat out and run planers and downriggers and stay away from the crowd. The browns are almost as much fun, but more peacefull.
Weezer you are right about the runs, the main fish runs have not yet started. Most fish that are caught are winter hold overs. Some of my best fishing is late spring when I hook as many suckers as steelhead.
We still have not made a trip together yet!
If you want to try the boat trip I have everything, my buddy has been limiting out in Oscoda.

[This message has been edited by kingfisher 11 (edited 04-08-2000).]

[WEEZER]

Thanks for the offer Kingfisher, I don't really like fishing on the lake but with the way things are going, who Knows?
Anyway I'm going undercover for the rest of the steelhead run... I am heading to my backup locations and only during the week. This might be my last report 'til Mid May.
~Rick