Hendrickson’s! They’re here! A few sporadic Hendrickson’s started showing up the middle of last week, and with the air temp sky-rocketing the last few days (it was 77 degrees at on point today), the water temp has followed suit as well.
This weekend will be stellar for hatching, and hopefully some catching too! In the last 17 years of living on the upper AuSable, I’ve never seen so many up and down water levels as I’ve seen this year. There has been a lot of food flushed into the river, so it remains to be seen how hungry the big trout will be in the next few days. There have been a lot of reports pouring into the shop of a lot small fish feeding, but the bigger ones are holding out. I believe that cooler temps, and cloud cover is going to be key, and with this hatch, a little drizzle of rain doesn’t hurt either!
Try using Hendrickson patterns such as the traditional upright divided wing made of Woodduck flank feathers, Borcher’s (local pattern), or a Mahogany drake. All flies should be in the size #14 range, and if you’re fishing below the Mio dam, I’d fish a size #12 as the Hendrickson’s appear to be a bit bigger down there.
Be sure to stop by the shop this weekend to say hi. We look forward to seeing all the familiar faces we became acquainted with this past season, and certainly welcome any new customers!
-Ron and Ronda
