Myself and a couple of friends will be in Northern Michigan, fishing the AuSable River by day and drinking fine wine by night, if that interests anyone?? We will be staying at the North Branch Outing Club, an historic B&B in Lovells. May 30-31 (weekend after Memorial Day).

Sounds like you know how to do it, Redhawk!

I grew up fishing the AuSable, mostly the South Branch and downstream (Red Oak to McKinley Bridge). I got my brother in law "hooked" about twelve years ago, now he has his own fly rod company out of Clarkston. He is up there all spring and summer; I never get time lately with my little family here in Frankenmuth.

Hopefully you'll get some early brown drakes...that is one of my favorite times to fish the AuSable. The brown drake hatch down near Mio is usually enormous.

That is a nice invitation, by the way...

I, too, grew up fishing the AuSable and running up and down the sand dunes along its banks. Anyone ever go out to the Dam Store? Great place for a kid as they could say "damn" and not get in trouble Also, the mexican restaurant next door KICKS some serious ass!

We may catch early Brown Drakes, or the tail end of the Sulfur hatch (or both). Either way, we should have rising trout.

Are you going to prepare a shore lunch and match some wine with it?

OK, the event came and went. Myself and two fishing buddies tearing up the river by day, and drinking tasting well into the night. We decided to do a mini vertical of Montrose--'89, '90, '96, and threw in a '99 Ridge Monte Bello for kicks. I had grilled a few lamb racks the night before, which went well with the wines.

The fishing was spotty. There was little bit of a sulfur hatch Friday on the North Branch, which I missed as I stayed on the Holy Water of the mainstream and got fogged in. The fog lifted just enough for a few sulfur spinners to fall for me, but not the best of nights. Saturday turned cool--no hatches. Beats working anyday, though.

quote:

Originally posted by Redhawk:
We decided to do a mini vertical of Montrose--'89, '90, '96, I had grilled a few lamb racks the night before, which went well with the wines.

NICE!

Well, at least the wine didn't let you down!

I'm hoping to make it up for a night or two in the next couple of weeks. My brother in law is really itching to hit the drakes.

quote:

Originally posted by WineTrooper:
Well, at least the wine didn't let you down!

I'm hoping to make it up for a night or two in the next couple of weeks. My brother in law is really itching to hit the drakes.

If you want to go some evening, let me know.

i grew up fishing a different ausable river in the adirondack mtns of new york!

LP, I've fished the Ausable, Esopus, and Beaverkill with my father who grew up in the area.