North Branch of the Ausable River over the 4th, and the "Holy Waters"

[Milesawayfrom]

I had a two week trip up to Michigan over the 4th of July holiday and had a chance to wet a hook. I spent four days at a cabin located three miles from the river. We had two morning trips on the North Branch, and one awesome night on the famed "Holy Waters" section (sorry pics didnt turn out). We spent about three hours fishing muddlers and huge mouse patterns during the night. Between two of us, we managed 8 to hand, all being over 18", and the best being around a 26" long, skinny brown. It was a great time and a hell of a challenge to set the hook based on only the sound of these monsters slapping the water. Sounds similar to someone throwing a rock in. I would recommend everyone I know to try this if given the chance! As for the north branch, we had a lot more fish (40 of so by myself), but the size was definately a lot smaller. Lots of brookies in this section, and a few browns mixed in. The biggest here was a 15" brown caught on a light cahill. Lots of bugs hatching throughout the day and you had to keep up with what the fish were taking or you would not have any action at all. Size was key here too! I threw a size 18 bwo at a fish saw him come up and look at it two times and turn away. Changed to a size 22, and caught him first cast. Amazing how picky these fish seem to be. Anyway, here is a few fish pictures that I took. Sorry about the quality, but it is a challenge to take a pic a hold the fish and my rod at the same time. Enjoy! :cheers:

[S.Trutta]

Sweet man.....good to hear the Au Sable treated you well....its either hit or miss for the most part. Bugs on the water REALLY makes it easier to locate feeding fish, but I guess that really applies to everywhere. I'm really interested in the mousing you guys did, thats real big on many of those Michigan waters with big browns, especially on the PM. Never have been out that late.....but it makes me thinks about how some of GA's bigger browns would react to a nice late night meal?? Next time your up that way swing down to fish the Big Sable and the Pine, fish arent as big, but we caught more and didnt see anybody else around. If you have time swing by the PM flies only water as well.


Rich

[Jackster]

Dang Gabe... I was there the same week!
We missed the big bugs (the hex) by a week but there was plenty of other bugs out to work with.
The North Branch had clouds of trico's every morning which the brookies just chomped on. That hatch was done by mid-morning then it was off to bigger waters and Spikes Burgers!
The entire week we saw maybe two hexes. Mousin' was good to us too at night. Ain't it grand they didn't litter the rivers with big ol' boulders and shoals to trip you up?
Saw plenty of Isonychia's (white glove howdys) at dusk and took advantage of them.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y217/Tytelynes/Howdy1_Web.jpg

Did you get to Gates Ausable Lodge at all? That's where we stayed. The cooking there is the best and the local ties in the fly shop are the best I've seen anywhere!

Here's a link to some of the craziness we did between fishing:
http://www.flyanglersonline.com/ldy/

[Milesawayfrom]

I tried loading the pics up, but I had a problem with my camera connection. My computer isnt receiving the signal. I will find a way to post them in the next few days.

Jackster, I did make it to the Gates. Just stopped in to see what was happening on the water (bug notes, etc.). Crazy that someone on the board was up there at the same time. Small world! I did catch those "Isonychia's" and took advantage too. Those bright white bugs on the water at dusk made it easier to see! The tric's were great in the morning too. It's crazy how aggressive those brookies are! What part of N.C. are you from? I cover a lot of streams up there and I am always looking for newer water and fishing partners. Any suggestions? PM me if any come up.

Rich, I am fairly new to the "up north" area of Michigan. If you dont mind, tell me a little bit about Big Sable and the Pine. Also, not familiar with the pm flies only. I would love to do a little exploring next time up. Just PM me with any help. Thanks guys!

I'll try to post the pics soon. Darn camera :hammers:

[Milesawayfrom]

A little brookie
http://s177.photobucket.com/albums/w216/Milesawayfrom/?action=view&current=9972G006074.jpg

Nice North Branch run
http://s177.photobucket.com/albums/w216/Milesawayfrom/?action=view&current=9972G006071.jpg

N. Branch Brown
http://s177.photobucket.com/albums/w216/Milesawayfrom/?action=view&current=9972G006062.jpg

A little better Brook
http://s177.photobucket.com/albums/w216/Milesawayfrom/?action=view&current=9972G006058.jpg

Gotta love the colors on this little guy
http://s177.photobucket.com/albums/w216/Milesawayfrom/?action=view&current=9972G006057.jpg

Another beauty
http://s177.photobucket.com/albums/w216/Milesawayfrom/?action=view&current=9972G006055.jpg

Little brown
http://s177.photobucket.com/albums/w216/Milesawayfrom/?action=view&current=9972G006034.jpg

I hope this works!