June 2005 - Day 5

Time: 4:00pm - 1:00
Type: Brook / Brown
Lengths: 6" - 15"
Amount: 10
Setup: St. Croix Legend Ultra 8.5ft / 5wt
Fly: Brown Drake Nymph #10
Iso Nymph
Roberts Yellow Drake #12 ***
Brown Drake #12
Location: South Branch Au Sable
Weather: Hot and Stormy

Comments: Our first trip to the South Branch!!!

While dodoging several severe thunderstorms, we explored many of the access points in the Mason Tract (See this link for more info on the drilling). Hail and downed trees couldn't keep us from exploring this gem in Northern Michigan.

We visited the Fishermen's Chapel for the first time. It's really buried in the woods, but well worth the trip. Just a nice place to relax.

Found a site near Upper High Banks that looked promising. We had to share the site with one of the biggest beavers I've ever seen, but he seemed to be in a good mode. During the early part of the day the fishing was slow with a few small trout taking our nymph. Once evening hit, the Drakes were on and the big boys came out to play! Though we didn't land any of the really big fish, a 15" brown is a nice fish any day! I filled my waders when I tripped over a rock while landing this beauty. Wow, was that a blast! We'll be back!