Ausable Idiot Redux

[frogge]

Hey,
I got to the Ausable for the first time this season today. I fished a great looking section below town but could get anything resembling a hit. I was using a dual nymph set up. I saw a few mayflies coming off but no rises. I tryed a little green machine above a zebra midge. And then tried a rubber legs above the zebra midge. fiddled with shot untill I was hanging up and losing flies.

I then drove to the pool by the 86 bridge. Fewer people on the water than I would have expected. I think I passed the stocking truck on my way up. I saw a couple of browns under the bridge. Couldn't interest them but did catch one of there mates below on the midge.

A fellow then showed up and started mortering the hole just below me with metal. I always worry about putting the fish down so I was mildly annoyed. On his third cast he landed a nice brown. I was even more annoyed. I kept an eye on him since this is in the catch and release section. Must not have debarbed his hooks cause it took him forever to get the poor thing unhooked.

I made lemonade by checking out the same area with streamers after he left. Caught an additional nice brown. A French Canadain showed up and allowed as how this was his first time fishing. He was using a Hendricson imitation. I hadn't seen any surface activity and I hope I didn't steer him wrong. I showed him how I had fished the pool and gave him a zebra midge and a dumbell eyed wooly bugger. I even had him cast my outfit a few times before I had to go. My part for international relations.

If anyone has any hints of what I might have done differently in the pocket water below Wilmington, I'm all ears. I find I have confidence if I can see fish. I don't have any confidence when I can't see fish either rising or in their lies. Thanks,Frogge.