Weekly Fishing Report - August 12, 2025

Here’s your weekly fishing report (as of early August 2025) for the Au Sable and Manistee Rivers near Grayling, Michigan:

Au Sable River (Grayling area)

Water Temperature: Around 65 °F, a good range for trout activity.
Recommended Strategy: Fish early mornings and evenings when the water is cooler—it’s the best time to catch trout.
Best Techniques: Dry flies and “dries and droppers” setups are proving effective during this warm period.
Recent Local Insight: An earlier report from early July noted excellent conditions—brown and brook trout were abundant. Mayflies, caddisflies, and small nymphs worked especially well in riffles and bends. Anglers reported multiple catches in single outings.
Takeaway: For now, stick with dry fly tactics during cooler parts of the day, and consider pairing with a dropper for added coverage.

Upper Manistee (fly-only section):
- Weather & Conditions: Air temps in the upper 80s to 90s, with some recent rain and cooling periods expected later in the week.
- Top Patterns:
  - Mornings: Streamers, tricos (in shaded areas).
  - Midday: Terrestrials like hoppers, beetles, rubber-legged flies.
  - Evenings: Light Cahill patterns, mouse-imitations after dark.
- Important Notes: Water temps are rising into the upper 60s–70s °F—play trout quickly and release gently. A 2025 all‑species fishing license is required.
Mainstem Manistee (broader region):
- Fishing Outlook: A summer of fine brown trout, smallmouth bass, and pike—with improving conditions as nights cool.
- Key Spots: Both above and below Tippy and Hodenpyle Dams are fishing well.
  - Water Temps: Around 70–71 °F downstream of Tippy Dam.
  - Effective Gear:
    - Fly anglers: Streamers, beads, nymphs.
    - Spin anglers: Crankbaits, spinners, beads.
Takeaway: On the Upper Manistee, adapt your approach throughout the day—start with streamers, transition to terrestrials, and finish with evening patterns. On the mainstem, both fly and conventional techniques are paying off for trout and bass.

River / Section	Highlights & Water Temps	Best Times	Top Techniques & Patterns
Au Sable River	Water ~65 °F	Early morning, evening	Dry flies, dries + droppers; match hatches (mayflies, caddis)
Upper Manistee River	Hot air temps; water rising to 60s–70s	Mornings → midday → evenings	Streamers/tricos (Morn.), terrestrials (Mid), mouse/Cahill (Eve)
Mainstem Manistee River	Water ~70–71 °F below dams	All day, with morning advantage	Streamers/beads/nyphs (fly); crankbaits/spinners (spin)

Keep an eye on hours when temperatures are lower—cool water means more bite.
Vary patterns throughout the day to align with insect activity and trout behavior.
If you prefer guided insight or regular updates, consider contacting us!
Also, the Michigan DNR publishes a statewide weekly fishing report