Fly Fishing the Au Sable River

Michigan's Au Sable, birthplace of Trout Unlimited, is a fly-fishing-only legend famous for its Hex hatch.

2 shops nearby

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When to fish

April–September

Best months: April–September

Best
Off-peak

Hendrickson: April–May. Sulphur: late May–June.

Today's conditions

Where to fish

Along the Au Sable River

The Holy Water (the fly-fishing-only stretch from Burton's Landing to Wakeley Bridge near Grayling) has canoe landings and public access; much of the river is floated by riverboat or waded.

The water

Freestone

Key hatches

Hendrickson
Brown Drake
Grannom
Gray Drake
March Brown

Hatch calendar

Conditions

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6-day forecast

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Forecast from the National Weather Service ↗

Hatch calendar

Months each hatch is active on the Au Sable River, with hook sizes and local timing notes.
Hatch · hook	M	A	M	J	J	A	S
Hendrickson(mayflies)hook #12–14April–May	March	April	May
Brown Drake(mayflies)hook #8–10June			May	June
Grannom(caddis)hook #12–14			May	June
Gray Drake(mayflies)hook #12–14			May	June
March Brown(mayflies)hook #10–12			May	June
Pale Evening Dun(mayflies)hook #14–18			May	June
Sulphur(mayflies)hook #16–18late May–June			May	June
Tan Caddis(caddis)hook #14			May	June
Blue-winged Olive(mayflies)hook #20–22				June	July	August
Light Cahill(mayflies)hook #14				June	July	August
Mahogany Dun(mayflies)hook #12				June	July	August
Trico(mayflies)hook #20–24				June	July	August	September
White Fly(mayflies)hook #12–14					July	August	September