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- SPRING FISHING
- SPRING?
- FEBRUARY 19, 2010
- ICE HOLES AND HANGNAILS
- HARD WATER
- BURRR!
- RUSTY
- HAPPY HOLIDAYS
- WINTER
- SEPTEMBER 10TH
- SUMMER SHOWS UP
- THE WHITE FLY
- SUMMER
- WHITE FLIES
- 24 HOURS A DAY FISHING EVERYWAY
- TRICOS, HOPPERS, AND MAMMALS
- INDEPENDENCE WEEKEND
- HEX
- ANY HEX YET?
- CHANGING ON THE FLY
- THE GREAT DRAKE CHASE
- SULPHURS AND MARCH BROWNS
- CADDIS, HENNIES, AND SULPURS . . . OH MY!
- MAY 14, 2009
- MOTHER'S DAY CADDIS 2009
- HURRAY, HURRAY, THE FIRST OF MAY
- OPENING DAY 2009
- APRIL 16, 2009
- APRIL 1, 2009
- MARCH 13, 2009
- MARCH 2, 2009
- FEBRUARY 6, 2009
Spring Fishing
March 11, 2010
Burtons landing last Sunday . . . check out the lack of snow.
Well folks, fishing wasn’t quite as good this last week as I would have expected with the warmer weather. The water is low and clear and the higher temps haven’t created any run-off. Couple that with the high skies and it makes for tough conditions. But things are beginning to change. The ground frost is starting to break loose so the AuSable River is creeping up near median flows. You can click the link to check stream flow. Rising water combined with the forecast cloudy, rainy weather should make fishing better this weekend.
It’s a strange Spring, though. I’ve never seen a winter this mild in Northern Michigan. We will likely see very little run-off this year and, if the forecast holds, Spring dry fly fishing on the AuSable and Manistee should start early. Folks have already been seeing little black stones, midges, and we've got some big black stones crwling around the shop. I’ve also heard a few anglers have spotted the occasional rise. Now I’m not saying there is a huge dry fly opportunity but maybe. It does sound like the river is coming to life. Certainly the anglers seem to be stirring.
Haven’t really found much time to fish lately. I’ve been busy getting the shop together and getting ready for the Rod show. If there’s one time of year I can’t really do a bunch of playing around, this is that time . . . the shop is just too important and we have so many flies and so much gear coming in this year that a re-fit is in order.
By the time opener is here we’ll have just about any fly you can think of. Already we have nearly 70 different Hendrickson patterns and over 60 Sulpher patterns. Makes me excited. My heart jumps a little just thinking about it. And the gear is beginning to show up. The Scientific Anglers should be here anytime and I’m sure we’ll all string new lines. I love opening those boxes of goodies that come in the big brown truck. Even the dog gets excited when UPS shows up, though I expect that has more to do with the inevitable cookie. So I’ve been busy. Always an excuse.
Plus the sunny weather has made the streamer fishing down right tough. Nymphing has been producing the best results for the patient bobber watchers and I’ve heard nymphs anywhere for 12’ to 18’s in the usual suspects (pheasant tail, hare’s ear, prince, red fox squirrel tail, etc . . . ) have worked on some level. While the nymhing should remain solid, the streamer fishing truly should pick-up from now through the weekend. Clouds rolled in last night and the forecast is calling for rain this weekend. I’d love to fish this weekend. But since I can’t, I’m going this afternoon. Fox and I’ll hit a beat somewhere later today.
That’s it for me. I’ve got to button a few things up so that I can get my waders wet this afternoon. I’ll see many of you this weekend in the flatlands but for those of you that want to fish, Joey will be here in Grayling and the shop will be open if you need anything.
Be well,
Andy
