Build the skills before the trip.
Practice casting, knots, rigging, presentation, and fish care so the river is not the first place you try everything.
Upper Au Sable Trout Confidence System
Upper Au Sable River Intelligence.
Prepare for fly fishing. Understand this river. Build a day that fits your experience.
How to use River Intelligence
Start with what you need for today’s trip.
River Intelligence gives you a clear path from preparation to the first cast. Begin with the first-day guidance, then open maps, lessons, and references as questions come up.
Understand the Upper Au Sable.
Check current conditions, river sections, seasonal context, access, regulations, local reports, and the practical details that shape the day.
Choose a plan that fits you.
Follow the recommended first-day plan or choose another section and learning goal as your skills and familiarity grow.
Follow the recommended first-day plan.
Begin in water selected for manageable access, useful casting room, repeatable presentations, and a realistic opportunity to connect with trout while you learn the system.
Open the first-day plan →Plan a day around your goals.
Compare river sections, current conditions, access, seasonal context, and the skill you want to practice before choosing where to go.
Explore planning options →Before You Go
Prepare the essential skills and gear, check the official rules, and understand fish-care expectations before beginning the on-river path.
Prepare →One recommended path
Follow this path for your first trip.
Begin with Before You Go, then move through Start Here and Check Conditions. Use the recommended Day Plan for a first visit and the River Map when you are ready to compare sections.
1Before You GoPractice and pack.2Start HereLearn the box-centered field path.3Check ConditionsUnderstand the day.4Recommended Day PlanPrepare for the first outing.
River Intelligence library
Open the information that answers your next question.
The detailed lessons stay grouped by the job they help you complete.
Plan & Prepare
Before You GoStart HereCheck ConditionsRiver MapDay PlanRead the River
Read WaterObserve ActivityChoose & Fish
Choose the Box SectionFind It in the BoxRiggingHook Set & Fish CareAdjust & Learn
Make AdjustmentsField NotesReference & Community
ConservationRegulationsGlossaryStay, Restock & LearnTrout TalesUpper Au Sable interactive map
Choose a river section and see how it fishes.
The map shows seven sections with water character, access, current conditions, beginner fit, regulations, and a practical starting plan.
Open the Interactive Map
Physical + digital
Use the box on the water and River Intelligence to understand why.
The box keeps the starting process in your hands. River Intelligence adds maps, current information, deeper lessons, replacement support, and Upper Au Sable context.