SW Michigan isn't known for producing trophy trout. Not that you can't stumble upon a giant pushing the 2 foot mark, but it usually doesn't happen. Go north for the big boys. 12 inchers are solid fish down here and you must adjust your expectations accordingly. That being said, I've spent plenty of days on the AuSable and went home with a picture or two of a 12 inch trout!
Its been warm the last few days, over 80 degrees. Rexman has been talking of the huge hennie hatches up north, so I thought tonite may provide some hatch activity. I haven't fished many hatches down here, so I was a little surprised when there really weren't any big bugs to speak of on the water. A few caddis and of course the friendly black flies. A hendrickson dry quickly produced this healthy brown, despite the lack of bugs on the water.
Working my way upstream, I came across a ledge of rocks creating a hole which looked to be 2-3 feet deep. I began fishing the tailout and noticed a bigger trout actively taking bugs on top. After about a dozen drifts he crushed my fly and I briefly hooked up. Definitely a solid fish and I know where he lives for next time!
I continued to fish upstream and hit a dry spell. Tried a couple other bugs with no luck. Finally tied on a Royal Wulff attractor with a #16 copper john dropper in a last ditch attempt. Almost immediately I hooked, landed, and released 2 browns on the Wulff and another on the copper john. Why would they attack the gaudy attractor fly and not the hendrickson? Hell, I don't know. I went home having hooked up with over a half dozen trout on a weeknight in SW Michigan, can't complain about that!
Missed ya,, good post!
ReplyDeleteFinally a post! Gotta love those attractors. Makes no sense...Maybe flashy flies are kinda like flashy cars are to us, a status symbol. :)
ReplyDeleteRexMan
I'm not sure Rexman, but I definately should have switched it up sooner. Forgot the buggers that day, some good holes in there that I'll be dredging up next time. Tight lines. A.O.
ReplyDeleteGreat post. Love the determination. Stumbled across your blog and now following. Well done.
ReplyDeleteChecking out your site. Love it!
ReplyDeleteColoradocasters & WildFisherWoman,
ReplyDeleteThanks for checking out A.O. and leaving comments! Tight Lines!
Good to see you're back at it bro. There's nothing better than being able to get out fishing during the week.
ReplyDeleteWell, maybe winning the lotto so all we have to worry about is fishing all week. I guess that would be better.
Nice brown! I need to try your side of the state pretty soon. But the walleye and smallies are hard to deny over here right now.
Hey Pete,
ReplyDeleteYou bet its good to be back at it! Nice new fish porn on your blog BTW...you guys have been crushing them.
A.O.