The Future of Fly Fishing
Anglers’ mission statement is clear: To preserve, protect and enhance the Au Sable River System for future generations of fly fishers.
Without future generations of fly fishers to cherish and enjoy the trout fishing and natural beauty of the river provides, we will not be able to protect it from other uses that threaten it.
That’s why Anglers has long worked to introduce young people to fly fishing and the river, with our sponsorship of fishing workshops, youth-oriented fishing contests and writing competitions that allow young people who live along the river to express their feelings. Here are some of the activities we have under way.
Angler’s of the Au Sable Fisheries Scholarships
Each year, Anglers of the Au Sable awards two college scholarships; one at Lake Superior State University and the other at Michigan State University. The scholarships are given to undergraduate students in the Fish and Wildlife Management Programs at each university. The students are chosen for their exemplary performance by the colleges’ faculty. Our goal is to support the natural resource managers and scientists of the future. The recipients of the Anglers of the Au Sable Fisheries Scholarships are featured in the Riverwatch each year.
Au Sable River Words Contest
The Contest
The Au Sable River Words Writing Contest is the product of a love of great words and the belief that those words can convey powerful ideas and enable people to seek a better understanding of today’s challenges. The contest, which began in 1998, is open to tenth, eleventh, and twelfth graders from Grayling, Roscommon, Oscoda, and Mio-Au Sable High Schools. The topic of their entries must be based on the theme “Au Sable River Words.” There are three writing categories: Fiction, Non-fiction, and Poetry. The contest’s theme is intentionally broad, designed to encourage the entrants to be creative.
For fiction and poetry entries, any story or prose that pertains to the Au Sable, conservation, adventure, personal relationships, encounters, conservation reflections, personal values, and life experiences is suitable. For non-fiction, real-life experiences, natural encounters, studies (scientific, economic, or otherwise), reports on projects, and even personal opinions are all worthy subjects.
First, second, and third place winners are chosen from each category (poetry, fiction, non-fiction) for each participating high school. The three winners from each category receive an honor certificate plaque. First and second place school winners from each category move on to the interschool judging. One overall winner and one runner-up from each category is chosen. The overall winner from each category receives a Kindle Paperwhite e-reader, and the runner-up is awarded a Kindle e-reader. All winning entries are published in The Riverwatch for members to enjoy.
NOTE TO SCHOOL REPRESENTATIVE: Send your school’s submissions to: Au Sable River Words Writing Contest, c/o Tess Nelkie, 406 South 12th Avenue, Tawas City, MI 48763. (All school entries from one school must be sent in one parcel.)
Youth Fly Fishing Camp
Each year, the Anglers of the Au Sable sponsor a teen at the Kalamazoo Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited’s Fly Fishing Camp. The four-day Michigan Youth Trout Camp is held at the Ralph A. MacMullan Conference Center on Higgins Lake in Roscommon. The camp teaches students about all aspects of streams, trout, and fly fishing.The Camp is open to boys and girls ages 12 to 16 years old. Applicants must submit a one-age essay as to why they wish to attend the camp. This essay is submitted to the Anglers of the Au Sable. For more information contact: tessnelkie@gmail.com.