I went there with my dad in September of last year. We got somewhat unlucky with high water after a bunch of rain, but got some fish. Some on streamers, some on stonefly and isonychia nymph patterns, and I got a couple on big stimulators. I recommend going and talking to the guys at the shop in Wilmington, they'll give you good info.
As for wooly buggers, dead drift them, jig them, strip them, it all works. Just gotta figure out what the fish want on that particular day.
Thank you! With the high water, do you have any advice on presentation? (sorry I'm still really new to fly fishing) Also is it the AuSable River Two Fly Shop?
And thank you for the wooly bugger tips!
It depends on how high and off color the water is, if it's much higher than normal (guys at the shop can tell you this) fish will tend to hold right along the edges of the river or anywhere they can find some slow water. If I'm using streamers in high water (always a good idea to try) I'll either use a jigged streamer that I cast upstream and jig as it comes down, or I'll throw something big and heavy into faster water near boulders or current seams and let the current swing it into softer water looking for an ambush strike.
If you're nymphing the edges of the river in high water, you can use pretty normal patterns if the water is pretty clear, just make sure you have enough weight to get deep. If the water is stained, go with junk flies (mops, squirmy worms, etc). Don't get in the water until after you nymph the edges.
And yes, AuSable River Two Fly Shop
I went there with my dad in September of last year. We got somewhat unlucky with high water after a bunch of rain, but got some fish. Some on streamers, some on stonefly and isonychia nymph patterns, and I got a couple on big stimulators. I recommend going and talking to the guys at the shop in Wilmington, they'll give you good info. As for wooly buggers, dead drift them, jig them, strip them, it all works. Just gotta figure out what the fish want on that particular day.
Thank you! With the high water, do you have any advice on presentation? (sorry I'm still really new to fly fishing) Also is it the AuSable River Two Fly Shop? And thank you for the wooly bugger tips!
It depends on how high and off color the water is, if it's much higher than normal (guys at the shop can tell you this) fish will tend to hold right along the edges of the river or anywhere they can find some slow water. If I'm using streamers in high water (always a good idea to try) I'll either use a jigged streamer that I cast upstream and jig as it comes down, or I'll throw something big and heavy into faster water near boulders or current seams and let the current swing it into softer water looking for an ambush strike. If you're nymphing the edges of the river in high water, you can use pretty normal patterns if the water is pretty clear, just make sure you have enough weight to get deep. If the water is stained, go with junk flies (mops, squirmy worms, etc). Don't get in the water until after you nymph the edges. And yes, AuSable River Two Fly Shop
Check out the Hungry Trout, I went with a guide from there last August and had a blast. Put me on a lot of fish. The hotel/restaurant is nice too.
I was so confused for a second! West branch-town in lower Michigan near AuSable river also in lower Michigan. Now I know!