Fishing Report

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Warmwater Tour Begins With Fireworks (Literally).

The Fishing Report

OK, Why would a conservation group do a fishing report? Well, first off, why not? We are, by and large, a group of fishers who have adopted this stretch of river for our own to nurture and protect. We like the idea of fishing reports. Good honest information is hard to come by and we think that our report has a number of good things going for it. For one, we're not selling anything! So there's no reason to exaggerate. If the fishing is not any good we'll let you know. For another, we are very concerned that the population of salmonids below Mio Dam is not abused. It's tough enough for a trout to live in this tail-water at times. We support catch and release, but have no problem with folks keeping a few as the rules allow. The biggest concern is to leave the trout alone on days when the water temperature is 70 degrees or above - The 70 Degree Pledge!

So bookmark this report if you enjoy fishing the Big Water. We have folks, usually several, on this reach each day, and they know what's going on. You're welcome to contribute as well, just send a report and pictures to tom@asbwpa.org. We'll see that it gets included.

Violator Protocol - If you see a violator on our water do the following: (1) Get a picture or a good description of the offender, a boat number or a car license plate is also useful. (2) Write down where you saw them (3) When you saw them (4) Call the Hotline at 1-800-292-7800 (5) DO NOT CONFRONT THEM - LEAVE THAT TO THE PROFESSIONALS!

Use this formula for fishing and hunting violations as well as littering.

July 5, 2008:

'Tour Underway; Hex Around, But Fading; Mio Water OK For Now

Yes, there's still Hex. I sat on one of the best spinnerfalls all year on Thursday. Two hours of tons of bugs and NOT ONE FISH EATING FOR 600 YARDS!!! It can be like this later in the hatch. Best bet for the Big Bug: Get upstream and commit. You may see nothing, hear nothing, but if it goes you're likely to have it to yourself. The Hex Hatch just doesn't turn off, it fades to a trickle, but can go for weeks. Another option is to head west, young man, to the Manistee and beyond. It's just starting on the rivers over there.

Water temps at Mio are OK and it is a great time to fish there. Get out the 4 or 3 weight, take your kids, siblings or significant other and let them experience the joy of fly fishing when it is at its easiest. The Olive spinnerfalls have been fantastic the last few nights.

Isos, Slate Wing Olives, and Cahills are taking over. Fish are eating them. It will be better if we get the water temp cooler. Last week, on 64 to 66 degree temps the fishing was the best it's been all season for numbers of scrappy planters and sophomores.

The river is in great shape as far as water level.

Watch for stone flies #8 to #2 becoming the dominant nighttime bug below Mio now that Hex are over there.

Give folks some room out there!

Use that thermometer to find the coolest water, the most and best fish will be in those areas.

The Warmwater Tour is underway although hampered by the 4th Weekend. Robb Smith and I nearly got blown out of the water by all the fireworks on Friday. The warming weather and waxing moon will get bass, bream, croppies, walleyes and pike going. The bulk of the spawning is over so now all they do is eat. Go out in the evening and stay till about 11 pm. Start with wooly buggers, crawfish or baitfish streamers and switch to poppers as it gets dark for bass. Smaller poppers for 'gills work all day but the better action will be at dusk. Big 'gills often come out to the center of the lake and feed on bugs, small minnows. Use wire leader for pike and 'eyes or plan on buying more flies.

We'll be providing more information on the 70 Degree Pledge and why it is important in the near future.

Well played, my friend!

Not the biggest of Hex fish but this brown was a worthy adversary. I had to cast around a tree to get him in a near pitch black corner. He was quickly released and will hopefully grow to giant size in a year or two.

Moron Alert!!! We had a guy on Sunday (5/25) run through us at 10:30 with three Q-Beams and an engine running while we were casting to fish. He ignored our calls to cut the lights and engine while yakking on his cell phone. This represents the worst of fly fishing and the American experience. The guy is, politely, a MORON!

Many of us use high powered lights to help us down the river, some use engines to cover long distances or outrun storms. No problem, but here are some tips: (1) Use your light sparingly. If you see folks fishing turn it out until you get past them. Never shine a high powered light in someone's eyes; (2) If you are motoring and see folks fishing cut the engine and oar by them. Once you are by, say 100 yards, you may resume using the engine. (3) Try not to run engines through gravel beds because you are destroying critical habitat.

Please report folks who violate these conditions. It is against the law to harass fishers and what this guy did fits that definition. A stern talking to by a DNR Law Enforcement Officer will likely "educate" him.

Go Fishing!

Check our Bug Report below to get a roster of possible players.

BUG REPORT

Here's a list of what should be around right now:

Stoneflies: Here comes the big one! Pteronarcys dorsata, the Midwestern Salmon Fly, or THE REALLY BIG STONE!!!!! They run size 2 to 4 and hatch in the evening or morning while spinning at night. When you see those "one and done" major feeds, it is usually to these guys. You can't miss 'em flying around, B-52s!!! Put 'em on while waiting for the Drakes or Hex.

We've started seeing more Yellow Sallies, along with their cousins the Green Gerties. These are the little yellow and green stones, Alloperla candata and Allopera imbecilla respectively. They both run 14 to 20 and will be around for the rest of the season. They hatch in the daytime and spin at night.

The Big Golden Stone is out there too. Paragentina media is 6 to 8 and hatches at night, often when we cannot get a fish to eat a Hex or Iso, they may be on this bug.

This time of year if you can match the size of the stone to the ones being taken it can make for a wonderful day. Don't forget to use these in the nymph stage as well.

We Got Next!

As Hex fade below Mio stoneflies become the dominant big bug both day and night.

Mayflies: We've seen some really tiny guys flying around out there and weren't always sure what they might be. Some were midges no doubt and to be honest; WE DON'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT MIDGES!!! So let's talk olives for starters.

The one that gets it started in the spring is the Baetis vagans which sound like something out of Star Trek. They run #16 to #18 and will be around till Labor Day, on and off. They fish well as nymphs too. Very often we will think a fish is eating a larger bug, say a Hennie or Iso, when they are eating these or some other BWO. Drives me crazy!!! They must taste great (certainly less filling).

The most common Sulphur (Ephemerella dorothea) is out and about and will be around to confound the Drake and Hex hatches to come. For now, however, it is a welcome bug. A size #16 as a dun and nymph, perhaps an 18 as a spinner. This one hatches later in the day, even at or after sunset. You can have simultaneous emergence and spinnerfall.

Of more importance is the Light Hendrickson, a very underrated bug. The Light Hennie (Ephemerella rotunda) is a little smaller than its darker namesake (14) and hatches typically later in the day (many of the Sulphur clan hatch during our dinner hour). The spinner fall is at dusk and into the darkness. It can be the best ticket in town to a big fish until the Brown Drakes.

A close cousin of the Light Hennie is the Ephemerella invaria. You can get 'em confused, I did in my bug report, but this one is a tad smaller than the Light Hendrickson (14-16). It will be found at the same time.

We have seen American March Browns (Stenonema vicarium). Why they call it a March Brown when it hatches in late May is beyond me. The mysteries of fly fishing. Anyway, the March Brown never hatches in huge numbers below Mio but because of its size (12-14, 10 as a nymph) it can bring up better fish that are pissed off at the Sulphur "Finger Food."

Brown Drakes are out there (Ephemera simulans) waiting for their moment. This is a fast hatch, as short as five days, but we've seen it last almost three weeks in spurts before. The Drake is the biggest Mayfly yet (10-12) and almost all of the airborne activity is after dusk. This is also the first real swimming nymph of the season. Drake nymphs are excellent for swinging wet, droppers on streamers or as streamers themselves. Much of the hatching will be late, after midnight as the J.J. Cale song goes.

Unfortunately, there are Black Quills (Leptophlebia cupida). These are meaty bugs (#12) that we have all seen hovering above us in the evening in huge squadrons. I use to think they were Isos. Here's the problem: BQs rarely hatch or spin on the water. They often climb on rocks or logs to hatch and lay eggs in mid air or by tapping the water. Yes, they do die, and it may be worth carrying some, but I don't know of anyone who has ever done well on them around here.

Here come the Isos! We are likely seeing the Isonychia sadleri right now (aka. the Maroon Drake), but upriver above the Dam they insist that the bicolor starts first (aka. the White Gloved Howdy). They are both 10-12 and love to hatch in fast riffled water. No nymph swims faster. This is the friendliest of hatches, perfect for the novice. One can swing nymphs and catch a bunch. One can pitch emergers and duns and do the same, a drag drift is a bonus. The evening hatch starts around 8:30, they spin after dark, usually right before the Hex.

Alright, we'll put 'em up. The Big Bug After Dark, Hexagenia limbata. This is the one that drives fish and fishers crazy. They run from #2 to #8 and prefer to hatch and spin on warmer nights. Spinning usually starts around 10 pm, but can happen earlier if cooler or later if warmer. You're just going to have to get to your spot and wait. The hatch can occur at the same time - in which case a Roberts Yellow Drake should cover both life stages - or a bit earlier. Look to this coming weekend for better conditions.

A cousin of the March Brown (fading) is the Light Cahill Stenonema canadense (actually the former is often referred to as a Dark Cahill.) The standard size for a LC is #12, but there are plenty of #14s out there, especially as the season goes on. Cahills hatch all day, but never in big numbers. They spin at twilight and, because of their creamy color, are easy to fish. This is a very underrated bug for big fish, probably because it spins after dark when most of the better fish feed.

One of the most fun hatches to fish has just started as well. The Slate Wing Olive Ephemerella lata is our biggest BWO, a #16 to #18 and some people swear that they see them in bigger sizes. Slate Wings come in huge numbers and can be counted on to spin at night. This is a great hatch for beginners and to use a 3 or 2 weight rod on.

The Iso, Slate Wing Olive and Light Cahill make up the summer fishing from Hex to White Fly.

Caddis: Because I have spent so many years on the Big Water below Mio I have not learned as much about caddis as I should. In recent years I've made up for that because, even below Mio, caddis catch fish. We have not seen a lot of caddis yet, but soon they will be everywhere. The leader-off hitter for Team Caddis is the Little Black Caddis (Chimarra aterrima or Chimarra augustipennis). The size is #16 to #18 and these guys will be around till September. Caddis are usually the reason why you can't catch rising fish, especially if it appears that there are no bugs present. The pupa are rising very quickly to the surface and trout are picking them off. Use a pupa nymph, let it swing down and across and gently lift it at the end. You'll get action, may miss a few, but it'll keep you entertained until "other stuff" happens. Caddis also lay eggs around the time many of the popular early spring spinnerfalls occur.

Another major caddis hatch just around the corner is the Medium Brown Sedge (Brachycentrus americanus or numerosus) (#14-#16). It'll be around till mid summer. The key with caddis early in the season is size and, to a lesser extent, color. This is an even better choice for the emerging pupa technique.

New caddis include the Rhycophila family (aka., Green Rock Worm, 10-14 as larva and 16-18 as adult) and the Hydropsyche bunch (common moniker, Net Building Caddis, 14-20). Lots of sub species here.

Add the White Miller (#14-16) to the mix of caddis as well. These fall in the Nectopsyche genus and there's a zillion of 'em. They are often called popcorn caddis and are especially effective in spent or downwing patterns.

Don't care about caddis, you say? I had a stone-cold pig eating spent caddis that I could not catch because I had only one variation. If I'd prepared properly there'd likely be another fish on this page. The old saw that caddis don't matter below Mio is not true - learn these bugs!

The caddis have gotten off to a mixed start due to the cooler temps.

What About Streamers!?

As the river warms, falls, and clears it is best to go small and natural. Sizes should be 4 to 8, tans and naturals, McCune Sculpins, Trick or Treats, JJ Specials, Led-Eye Sculpins, Woolly Buggers, keep it simple.

The crawfish bloom is underway, but probably off to a slow start due to the weather.

The Rifle River is flashing with the periodic rain. Mike Bachelder is THE GUIDE on the Rifle (989-345-3234). Check with him. He also knows the Au Sable very, very well.

Too Close For Comfort!

Jeff Boks took this picture of a tree that was exploded into pieces by lightning so close he felt its heat. This is the time of year when thunderstorms can pop up everyday.

Practice Lightning Safety

For More Info On Staying Safe Go To:

www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov/

www.lightningsafety.com/nlsi_pls/lst.html

www.health.state.ny.us/environmental/emergency/weather/lightning/

Mmmm, net good, but Hex better

This "spoon-nose" tasted some net before going his merry way.

Man, am I tired!

This 24 inch male takes a breather after being subdued by Chris Elkins last week.

Hexy!

Hats off to Big-Fish John Elkins for letting Chris Walle and me fish to this brown while he worked a bigger fish downstream. John is the "Gentleman of the River" in addition to being one of the best trophy fishers on the river. Nobody is more generous and practices better river etiquette. (Photo credit: John Elkins www.BigFishJohn.com )

Yeah, But The Trout Looks Good, Too.

Mike Bachelder is Michigan's most photogenic guide, even his foot (right) captivates the trout after being released.

Does it come with a strap?

Carlos Fetterolf shows the latest in steelhead accessories. (Photo Credit: Mike Bachelder, 989-329-2678)

I have to remember to take my meds

I go crazy for fishing the Rifle! (Photo Credit: Mike Bachelder, 989-329-2678)

Premature Smallmouth

This one came sooner than expected. (Photo Credit: Mike Bachelder, 989-329-2678)

Rifle Trifecta

Lots of mid-teens, but only if they get released. (Photo Credit: Mike Bachelder, 989-329-2678)

HENDRICKSON HALL OF FAME

Thanks to John Elkins www.BigfishJohn.com and Jeff Boks for the use of their photos. The first two are from John and Jeff is holding that giant while sporting an ASBWPA hat (soon to be available for purchase - No, not the fish, the hat!)