how bad is it?

[caulfield]

Just how bad is the fishing on the Au Sable on the weekend of the canoe race?

[Beaglernr]

Keep in mind, the racers start at like Midnight on the mainstream. Northbranch, southbranch are not part of the race and as long as you do not try to fish below Mio in the day you should have a good river to fish. Just keep in mind there will be plenty of people in town and around for the race.

I am headed AuSable way this weekend myself, looking forward to some quality river time, last report I saw on hatches was Bluewing olives, Isonyica, Liight Cahils, hoppers and ants.

[MioMuddler]

I believe the racers start at 9:00 pm at Grayling. They arrive around 12:00am at Mio and 2:00am at Comins Flats. These are just estimates but there shouldn't be a problem fishing below Mio during the evening. I wouldn't stay out too late near Grayling though.

[Zofchak]

If you have never seen the race I would say skip the fishing friday night and follow the festivities for a while. :D After all the river is usually kind of slow this time of year. Just remember that there will most likely be alot of people all over the river system this weekend. I've done the canoe race thing (watching) and there are always lots of people on the river both before and after the race.

[caulfield]

so the race starts at midnight on friday? so i could fish the holy waters until then on friday night? after that the canoes, racers that is, will be gone and the river will be clear of canoe racers?

[caulfield]

how about campgrounds? are they all pretty much filled up with people there for the race?

[Zofchak]

The actual race starts at 9 pm not midnight, but they do run sprints out of grayling for several hours before the main race. I don't think they go very far downstream. The campground that I stayed at the last two years(in mio) is always filled that weekend. I would assume many of the campgrounds will be all booked.

[Ralph Smith]

check my post under "serious inquirey" below. The campground i mentioned doesn't take reservations, its first come first serve. The rarely fill totally. Might not get site on water, but lots of other sites, and nice size lots.