The Au Sable is a fabled place. The Holy Waters. The South Branch. Grayling. Lovells. Mio. Oscoda.
For generations, the best anglers in the world have come to the Au Sable – the river of sand – to fish. First for grayling. Today for brown trout, rainbow trout, brook trout, smallmouth bass, Atlantic salmon and steelhead.
The river is a precious place. Humans have tried to destroy it, scraping the trees off its shores, floating them down its length, gouging the river bed, leaving more sand to infiltrate in and cover critical spawning ground. Taking too many fish. Dewatering parts through fracking. Proposing fish farms in its headwaters. Running tanks and troops through its fragile waters. Allowing pollution. Dumping trash.
In 1986, Calvin “Rusty” Gates gathered a few friends and started Anglers of the Au Sable to protect its cold clear waters and the fish that provide outstanding sport. Today, we have more than 1,100 members, from around the nation.
We have been recognized by the Michigan Environmental Coalition and the Michigan League of Conservation Voters for the work of our volunteer board and the many members who weigh in to help address threats and enhance the river habitat.
Thanks for visiting Anglers of the Au Sable. We are all about about fishing and conservation, about preserving the pristine waters that are enjoyed by all, and is dedicated to ensuring the next generations can enjoy the amazing resource that is the Au Sable River.
Stay awhile and learn more about us and the river. And join us. We can’t protect the river without your help
Calendar of Events
February 2021
The Au Sable River Words Writing Contest will run from February 1 – March 31, 2021.
February 13-14, 2021
DNR free fishing weekend (no license required)
March 31, 2021
Au Sable River Words essay deadline
April 24, 2021
Trout Season Opener
April TBA 2021
Harietta Hatchery fin clipping project; three days, seven people needed each day. Contact volunteer coordinator Bruce Rhoden at blrohen@aol.com for more information or to volunteer.
May TBA 2021
Weather permitting, North Branch Insect Survey, 10-12 people needed. Contact volunteer coordinator Bruce Rhoden at blrohen@aol.com for more information or to volunteer.
May 9, 2021
Mother’s Day
May 31, 2021
Memorial Day
June
T.U. Youth Trout Camp – cancelled
June 5, 2021
Board Meeting
June 13-14, 2021
DNR Free Fishing Weekend (no license required)
June 20, 2021
Father’s Day
June 2021
Volunteers welcome for the North Branch and Big Creek West Branch Habitat Projects.Contact volunteer coordinator Bruce Rhoden at blrohen@aol.com for more information or to volunteer.
July 4, 2021
Independence Day
July 24-25, 2021
AuSable Canoe Marathon
July 2021
Volunteers welcome for the North Branch and Big Creek West Branch Habitat Projects.Contact volunteer coordinator Bruce Rhoden at blrohen@aol.com for more information or to volunteer.
August 1, 2021 *
Post-race Clean-up (Youth Activity)
August 7, 2021*
Kids One Fly (Box) “Competition”
September 6, 2021
Labor Day
September 11, 2021
Au Sable River Cleanup and Annual Membership Meeting. Contact Josh Greenburn at Gates Lodge for more information.
September 12, 2021
Board Meeting
September TBA, 2021
Manistee River Cleanup
September/October TBA, 2021
Cedar Tree Planting below Mio
October 2021
North Branch Redd Survey
December 4, 2021
Board Meeting
- Subject to Covid-19 Restrictions and Cancellations