After a very hectic early season schedule it was time for a little break with friends and family up on Higgins Lake. Allison, My Brother John, His soon to be bride Kendall and I were headed north with the Clacka in tow.
After a late night around fire pit with some Michigan Micro Brews John and I headed into Grayling to visit the guys at the Old AuSable Fly Shop as well as lunch at Spikes.
If you haven’t stopped by the OAFS since Andy took over you owe it to yourself to do so. The shop has a new energy and has quickly emerged as one of the top shops in the state.
The staff is “EXSTREAMLY” knowledgeable when it comes to all things trout on the Manistee and AuSable River systems. Check them out www.oldausable.com
They feature many of the products we use on a daily basis here at Schultz Outfitters… Scott, Scientific Anglers, Ross, Simms, Patagonia and much much more!
Support your LOCAL Fly Shop!
Saturday night found us meeting up with a good friend and Schultz Outfitters client Andrew Walawender on his home waters of the North Branch. With 2 weights and Sulphurs in hand the bugs were popping and so were the brookies.
I stopped at a dozen to take in the evening sights and sounds. Between the three of us around 40 Brookies and Browns were landed by the time the bugs stopped. No big fish but it was a lot of fun hanging with my brother and Andrew.
John Skipping a brookie to hand
Me acting a fool with Brook Trout Man
Andrew with a little brown that ate a Rusty Spinner
Sunday we spent the majority of our time burning up gas on a 35 foot Baja and playing washers until 3AM. Big Thanks to Ace Hardware in Grayling for stocking 7/8″ washers for our game.
Monday morning had us up early for a 7AM start on the mainstream. We had the place to ourselves and the fish were on the chew. Overcast skies and temps in the mid 70′s kept the fish pounding streamers until 11am. We boated around a dozen trout between 13 and 18″. All on a new bugger variation that I tie with Greg Senyos Shaggy Dub available through Hareline Products.
Average Trout from a short Memorial Day float
My Bro with a dandy AuSable Brown Trout
Same 18″ Brown with the Hero pose!
Crazy water levels this spring! Were still getting it done on a daily basis.
Due to a cancellation on the 25th Aaron, Eirik and I had a chance to float together. The two fish below were the best of the day. Unfortunately I was on the sticks when they were caught.
Way to be Aaron!!!
Aaron with “Sandy” a solid 17″ smallie on the BC Leech
Aaron getting the day going 100ft from the launch with a rare 31″ Main River Pike
Same fish cooler photo!
Regulars Rich Wilkins and son Nathan joined me for a high water float. A few fish were brought to hand despite the raging river. Here’s an average size early season smallie held by Nathan.
Peter Fink of Ann Arbor holds one of many Pike caught on a recent float
Bob Turrill from Boulder, Colorado holds one of several Bass he caught with us
As you can see we’ve been BUSY!!! Our home waters of the Huron, Flint & Shiawassee are setting up for a great season with plenty of water.
If you haven’t booked up a date with us make it a point to do so. Mid June, July and August are PEAK dates. Eirik and Aaron have open dates.
Hex and White fly hatches will be here before we know it!
Mike Schultz open 2011 dates
August 9, 15, 17, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29 & 21
September 1, 6, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 15, & 16
Last year we experience GREAT fishing through mid October
Best,
Schultzy
Schultzy
Related Posts:
- The Big Bass Bite is ON!!!!!
- High Water + Hard Work = BIG FISH!!!
- The Hits Just Keep on Coming! Smallies on the CHEW!
