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River Report - April 1, 2021

The Old Au Sable Fly Shop Fishing Report

The chives and garlic are sprouting in my garden, turkeys are strutting, and the fish are biting more aggressively all the time.  The Ides of March are past and April is upon us.  Of course, we woke up on April Fool’s day to a light covering of snow—fitting.  T.S. Elliot wrote, “April is the cruelest month, breeding lilacs out of the dead land, mixing memory and desire, stirring dull roots with spring rain”.  Well, that doesn’t sound all that bad to me!

Spring is rolling along and folks are brimming with excitement.  I feel rejuvenated—young again.  I’ve been doing this stuff for a long time.  It gets easy to start taking things for granted and to, frankly, get burned out.  I’ve buttered both sides of that bread the last few years.  But after last year, I’m as hungry as ever to hunt the best fishing on the River and to simply sit in by the currents and let all of it, from clouds in the sky and the breeze in the trees to swooping whippoorwills and cedar wax wings, wash over me.  I want to sink into the waters.

I’m even ready for mosquito bites promising a great trout, evening rise.

This year, I’m busting out the brim hat when I’m on the River.  I’m pushing fifty and am happy to look my age.  Baseball hats are for baseball and my sports days are well behind me.  I’m only going to run to the water.

Al Borchers had a couple of great guide trips this past week highlighted by nice brown trout slashing with killing attacks on streamers and some fine fish finning into the net.  The only thing that’s going to be tough this year is working while the fish are biting.  I am openly lazy and would always rather be messing around outdoors.  I take no shame in knowing my limitations and reservations.  Is a Go Fund Me Page out of the question?

I’m in a good mood.  Optimism, as an outdoorsman, is a fantastic trait and I’ve found it in the Spring sunshine and the promise of an early season to come.

I can’t wait to share it with you all.

Andy