Serious Inquiry

[Tony H.]

Hey guys,

I've got a serious question for you and I'll leave my email address in case you care not to answer here.

I've been having some work done on my house by some of the Amish kids that live near me. I'm good friends with a couple of them and trust them as "sportsmen." I want to give them a little "thank you" bonus by taking them trout fishing. They've never caught trout because, obviously, they don't travel much.

Anyway, I've never personally fished the Au Sable and that in itself is pretty sad given the fact that I love to fish for trout and I've lived in this state all my life. (I'm from southern Michigan). Anyway, we don't fly fish. I prefer a small ultra-light setup and in-line spinners. No reason other than I've got very little opportunity to fly fish near home so this is how I go about chasing trout.

I know most of the Au Sable system is "flies-only" but I was thinking about either hitting a section or two that's not restricted or fishing some of the tribs of the Au Sable that I'm sure hold trout.

Can anyone point me in a direction as far as tribs, sections and public camping areas. Please don't think I'm asking for specific runs or holes. Just something like "check out XXXX creek. There's a camping area XX miles south" or something like that.

I'm also a little concerned about the amount of canoe traffic. I've heard some horror stories and I'd really like to give these guys a good experience and find a few fish -- no need for wall-hangers.

I'd really appreciate any input. My email is thansen@battlecr.gannett.com

Thanks fellas.

[Linda G.]

Don't go this week, if you want peace and quiet. The canoe marathon is next weekend, and many of the racers are in town now getting ready, I was there last night.

I'd wait till August 1 or so, at least, then go only during the week. Drove by Shellhaven on the Manistee down the road Saturday about 11, have never seen as many cars, trucks and people there as I did then. Must have been a convention or something ;) You couldn't see the ground for half a mile. Probably just as many over the weekend on the AuSable.

Good fishing to be had in August-hopper and cricket fishing should be hot this year.

But go during the week.

;)

[Banditto]

Personally I think you are a month late. The good fishing is done, and I wouldn't want you to get skunked and go home disappointed. The next big hatch is the white fly hatch downstream of Mio (as far as I know). If you could hit that on the right night you would all see the splendor of the Ausable hatches.

[Linda G.]

probably mid-August...downstream of the Alcona Dam is good water for them, but that's a pretty popular hatch, again, I'd go on weekends.

Water will be pretty warm by then, too, I wouldn't look for many fish to feed during the day in the shallower waters, just in the evenings in the deeper holes.

[Ralph Smith]

I'd suggest fishing the area from McKinnley bridge down to 4001 above alcona pond. Good section for small boat or canoeing. Could be lots of canoe's or tuber's on weekends though, try early in morning. The park at lake is good to camp. If you stay in the East Primitive, its only $10.00 and you could get a waterfront lot! Could take a boat from lake all the way up river to area. Watch shallow's, but for most part not a problem for small boat. Good area for spinners, and if you want to really catch some trout. Get you some grasshoppers somewhere nearby in one of the fields and put them on a gold aberdeen hook with a couple splitshot and drag them behind you on way downstream ;) Last time I check, no restrictions in this area at all, but haven't fished it for couple years. The lake can be good fishing also for pike,walleye and smallies. Fished up there for last 35 years on and off. Great area!! There is a place in Mckinnley to put in, and go down all the way to lake right to your campsite, then take another vehicle back to the launch, or have someone drop you off. Its about 3 to 4 hour canoe trip (float time) but fishing could take as long as you'd like.