The Old Au Sable Fly Shop Fishing Report What a wonderful, mild beginning to March.  Temperatures have given us highs in the forties and even a beautiful stretch of fifties.  The trend has begun a slow melt of ice and snow that is much welcomed as winter winds down. Who knows what the coming weeks will hold? We could very well see snowstorms and big rains, but for now the promise of a gradual run-off is very much exciting.  We’ve had a nearly five year run of long, sustaine...

By: Jeff Gardner   Category: Blue Gills, Brook Trout, Brown Drakes, BWO, Dry Fly Fishing, Fishing Tips, Fly Fishing Community, Fly Fishing School, Fly Tying, Grouse Hunting, Hex, ISO, Michigan Reports, River Reports, Steelhead, Thunderstorms, Tourism, Trico, Weather

March 14, 2019 The Old Au Sable Fly Shop Fishing Report It’s been a winter that will live in infamy. This one had it all - many, many sub-zero mornings that creaked and popped the porch boards and tree trunks, huge snowfalls and white-outs, and snow days that will have the kids doing math until the fish rise in July.

By: Jeff Gardner   Category: Fishing Tips, Fly Fishing Community, Michigan Reports, River Reports, Steelhead, Streamer Fishing, Tourism, Weather

November 7, 2017 The Old Au Sable Fly Shop Fishing Report Anglers are moving those brown trout around in fair numbers.  The bigger streamers seem to be garnering attention but smaller flies in the three inch range are the best bet—you simply target more fish.  The rivers are in much better shape than the deluge last week left them and the clarity is such that black, olive and copper are all great color choices.  Wading is still an issue but the strong of heart and weak of m...

By: Andy Partlo   Category: Deer Hunting, Fly Fishing Community, Grouse Hunting, Michigan Reports, River Reports, Steelhead, Streamer Fishing Tags: Michigan Deer Hunting Camp

September 28, 2017 The Old Au Sable Fly Shop Fishing Report I spent a week in Wyoming chasing Sage Grouse.   It’d been too long since I’d visited the West.  The Wyoming grasslands were spectacular with wide vistas and rolling hills and flat topped buttes dripping with green draws and drainages.  Seemingly everywhere

By: Jeff Gardner   Category: Dry Fly Fishing, Grouse Hunting, Michigan Reports, River Reports, Steelhead, Streamer Fishing, Tourism, Uncategorized

July 12, 2017 The Old Au Sable Fly Shop Fishing Report   With Guide Donnie   The shift into the Summer t...

By: Andy Partlo   Category: Brook Trout, Brown Drakes, Michigan Reports, Steelhead, Streamer Fishing, Thunderstorms, Tourism, Weather

November 4, 2016 The Old Au Sable Fly Shop Fishing Report. Hate to see October slip by.  I wish there were at least two of them.  I’d say six, but there’s no sense in getting greedy, I guess. That...

By: Jeff Gardner   Category: Bow Hunting, Brook Trout, Deer Hunting, Dry Fly Fishing, Fishing Tips, Fly Fishing Community, Grouse Hunting, River Reports, Steelhead, Streamer Fishing

October 1, 2016 The Old Au Sable Fly Shop Fishing Report Spent three fine Fall days sitting on the Fly Shop bench.  It’s shoulder lowering to take a few days and spend them in the woods and waters of Northern...

By: Jeff Gardner   Category: Bow Hunting, Brook Trout, Deer Hunting, Fishing Tips, Fly Fishing Community, Grouse Hunting, River Reports, Steelhead, Weather

We're happy to announce that Dennis Potter will be at the shop over the opening weekend. Below is the schedule on what Dennis will be covering. Make sure to stop by, you'll take your fly tying to a new level after seeing Dennis do his magic.

By: Jeff Gardner   Category: Fly Fishing Community, Fly Tying, River Reports, Steelhead, Streamer Fishing, Tourism, Uncategorized

April 1, 2016 The Old Au Sable Fly Shop Fishing Report April first means it’s time to belly-up for a new Michigan fishing license. Cost is eleven dollars for seniors and twenty-six for youngsters.  Kids don’t need a license until they age up to

By: Jeff Gardner   Category: Fishing Tips, Fly Fishing Community, Fly Tying, River Reports, Steelhead, Streamer Fishing, Tourism, Uncategorized

The Old Au Sable Fly Shop Fishing Report. When you work in a fly shop, you’re fortunate enough to be surrounded by some real fishy folks and skilled guides. I was lucky enough to fish with two of them this past week on a steelhead trip to the Manistee.  One of my guides, Donny, and I met early, rubbed our eyes and filled the coffee cups before we headed down the road to meet top steelhead guide Jamie Clous for a  trip on his winter grounds—the Manistee River.

By: Jeff Gardner   Category: Fishing Tips, Fly Fishing Community, River Reports, Steelhead, Streamer Fishing, Tourism