Au Sable River - South Branch - Michigan
Fly Fishing River Report & Conditions
Au Sable River – South Branch - Water Flow Chart
Au Sable River – South Branch - Weather report & radar
Au Sable River – South Branch - General hatch chart
| Month | Hatch | Time of Day | Recommended Fly Sizes | Popular Fly Patterns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Nymphs and Midge | Morning and Evening | 20-22 | Buzzer Midge, Zebra Midge |
| Winter Stonefly | Afternoon | 16-18 | Little Black Stonefly, Ghost Stone | |
| February | Nymphs and Midge | Morning and Evening | 20-22 | Buzzer Midge, Griffith’s Gnat |
| Winter Stonefly | Afternoon | 16-18 | Little Black Stonefly, Ghost Stone | |
| March | Nymphs, Midge, Early Black Stonefly | Morning, Evening, Afternoon | 14-22 | BH Prince Nymph, Buzzer Midge, Black Stonefly Nymph |
| Blue Winged Olive | Afternoon | 18-20 | Blue Winged Olive Dun, Pheasant Tail Nymph | |
| April | Blue Winged Olive, Hendrickson, Early Black Stonefly | Afternoon | 14-20 | Hendrickson Dry Fly, Blue Quill, Black Stonefly Nymph |
| Caddis | Morning and Evening | 16-18 | Henryville Special, LaFontaine’s Olive Deep Sparkle Pupa | |
| May | Sulphurs, March Browns, Gray Drake | Afternoon and Evening | 12-16 | PMD Sparkle Dun, March Brown Dry Fly, Gray Drake Spinner |
| June | Hexagenia Limbata, Brown Drake, Isonychia Bicolor | Evening | 10-12 | Hex Dry Fly, Brown Drake Spinner, Iso Dun |
| July | Tricos, Terrestrials (Ants, Beetles, Hoppers) | Morning and Afternoon | 18-22 for Tricos, 10-16 for Terrestrials | Trico Spinner, Dave’s Hopper, Chernobyl Ant |
| August | Terrestrials (Ants, Beetles, Grasshoppers), Tricos | Morning and afternoon | 18-22 for Tricos, 10-16 for Terrestrials | Parachute Black Ant, Dave’s Hopper, CDC Trico Spinner |
| September | Terrestrials, Blue Winged Olive | Morning and afternoon | 18-20 for Blue Winged Olive, 10-16 for Terrestrials | Blue Winged Olive Dun, Hopper Juan, Chernobyl Ant |
| Isonychia | Evening | 12-14 | Iso Parachute, Iso Dun | |
| October | Blue Winged Olive, Terrestrials | Afternoon | 18-20 for Blue Winged Olive, 10-16 for Terrestrials | Parachute BWO, Ant Acid, Half and Half Hopper |
| November | Nymphs, Midge | Morning and Evening | 18-22 | Zebra Midge, Black Stonefly Nymph |
| December | Nymphs, Midge | Morning and Evening | 18-22 | Griffith’s Gnat, Zebra Midge, BH Prince Nymph |
Au Sable River – South Branch Access Points
The South Branch of the Au Sable River provides ample opportunities for fly fishermen to practice their sport. Several access points on the river give convenient entrance to prime spots:
1.
- Returns Access
- Chase Bridge Access Site
- Smith Bridge
- High Banks
- Canoe Harbor
Au Sable River – South Branch Fishing Spots
The Au Sable River – South Branch provides promising spots steeped in scenic beauty for fly fishing.
Key spots include:
- Connors Flats:This gravel bottom presents plenty of large rainbow, brown, and brook trout. Trout love the numerous bugs that populate the area.
- The Mason Tract:This 10-mile stretch is ideal for peaceful fly fishing. The wildlife sanctuary with mostly wadeable sections is home for good-sized trout and whitefish.
- Deward:The diverse bottom here caters to both wading and boat fishing experiences. Ample of trout and graylings are present.
- Roscommon: This spot is best visited in the spring and fall. The clear and wadeable waters are full of feisty trout measurable in pounds.
- South Branch at Chase Bridge: Public access, peaceful setting, prolific hatches, and trout-packed waters define this place.
Au Sable River – South Branch Local Fish Species
- Brown Trout – The Brown Trout is a prized catch amongst flyfishers due to its elusiveness and fighting spirit.
- Brook Trout – The Brook Trout is a native species to the Au Sable River and a delight to catch due to its vibrant colors.
- Rainbow Trout – Rainbow Trout are less common in the Au Sable River but are a thrilling catch due to their acrobatic leaps.
- Atlantic Salmon – Introduced to the Au Sable River, Atlantic Salmon have thrived and present a fantastic catch opportunity.
- Northern Pike – While not the main target for fly fishing, Northern Pike are found in the Au Sable River and can be a fun challenge to reel in.
- Smallmouth Bass – The river’s slower sections are perfect habitats for Smallmouth Bass, providing a great variety for flyfishers.
- Walleye – Walleye are less commonly targeted in fly fishing but they are a sporty fish found in the Au Sable River.
- Whitefish – Whitefish can be found in the Au Sable River and are often targeted during winter months.
About the Au Sable River – South Branch
The Au Sable River – South Branch is a darling rivulet with an intriguing past. It’s a major tributary of the otherworldly beautiful Au Sable River in the U.S. state of Michigan. 300 miles in length, it’s noted for being remarkably scenic and hosts a variety of fish species, making it a hotspot for fishing, canoeing and bird-watching.
Historically, the Au Sable River system was a significant pathway for the Ojibwa people who migrated seasonally between their summer fishing villages and winter hunting grounds. Used extensively in the logging era, it played a critical role in transporting the logged timber to mills and markets.
Today, the South Branch is adorned with charming towns along its banks such as
- Roscommon
- Higgins Lake
Community Contributions
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No updates submitted for this river.
