Summer 2014 Number 69 THE RIVERWATCH THE QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER OF THE ANGLERS OF THE AU SABLE

tHe riVer - robert tHomPSon’S maSterPieCe on tHe au Sable riVer floWS to all tHe riGHt PlaCeS. tHe eXPanSion - anGlerS and tHe national Guard Come to a QuiCK aGreement. tHe HatCHerY - tHinGS are far from Clear aS to WHetHer it Can funCtion WitHout HarminG our riVer? from tHe editor it’S CleanuP time aGain Once it gets kick-started – I think * * * * * In recent years the fi ght has been against Brown Drakes usually do it – the sea- dr. JoHn riCHter fracking. Dr. Richter put in long hours son just rushes by, and the next thing educating folks throughout the region He was to the Jordan River what Rusty you know it is time for the Fall Clean- about what might happen if the practice was to the Au Sable, and just like Da’ up. “Cleanups” is a better word around becomes widespread. He took a hard Gator, he left us too soon. Dr. John this region, three to be exact. Here is line on it. This left him and the FOJ Richter, who passed away in May, out on the left fl ank almost completely the pertinent info: was like many of us, a native of down- alone while the majority of conserva- September 6th, Anglers of the Au Sa- state who heard the siren song of “Up tion organizations sought centrist posi- North.” A veterinarian by trade, he ble Cleanup, 10 AM, Gates Au Sable tions. It showed his passion and cour- moved to East Jordan in 1984, and fell Lodge, George Alexander Memorial age to do what he thought was right, in love with the river fl owing at its core. Lunch at Noon. Contact Josh Greenberg realpolitik be damned. 989-348-8462/ [email protected]. In 1990 he helped to found the Friends His work brought accolades: East Jor- of the Jordan River Watershed and dan Citizen of the Year (2008); Envi- September 6th, Au Sable Big Wa- served as President for many years. ronmentalist of the year (2008) from ter Preservation Association, 8 AM Under John’s direction the FOJ helped the Northern Michigan Environmental (Boats), 9 AM (Walkers), Comins Flats, prevent drilling for oil and gas in the Action Council (NMEAC); and the BBQ Noon. Contact Thomas Buhr at Jordan River Valley – a place so charm- Clarence Kroupa Lifetime Achieve- 989-745-4957/ [email protected]. ing and sweet it could be right of out ment Award from that same organiza- Tolkien – and stopped the harebrained th tion in 2013. September 20 , The Old Au Sable Fly scheme to inject leachate from Bay Shop, 9 AM. Contact Andy Partlo Harbor into a well located in Alba, not I had the pleasure of interviewing him 989-348-3330/[email protected]. far from his beloved Jordan River. from time to time about things over the

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direCtorS Don Boyd, Grayling, MI Thomas Buhr, Luzerne, MI Dick Daane, Ann Arbor, MI (Emeritus) John Dallas, Troy, MI Alan Diodore, Grayling, MI PreSident Dan Drislane, Emigrant, MT (Emeritus) Jay Gleason, Huntersville, NC (Emeritus) Bruce Pregler, Rochester Hills, MI Josh Greenberg, Grayling, MI firSt ViCe PreSident Karen Harrison, Frederic, MI tHe riVerWatCH Tom Baird, Diamondale, MI Mark Hendricks, Grayling, MI Bruce Johnson, Rochester, MI The RIVERWATCH is a quarterly publication SeCond ViCe PreSident Terry Lyons, Perry, MI of The Anglers of the Au Sable, a non-profi t John Bebow, Milan, MI corporation dedicated to the protection of the Ed McGlinn, Farmington Hills, MI (Emeritus) Au Sable River, its watershed and surrounding treaSurer Tess Nelkie, Tawas City, MI environs. Dues are $25 per year. For member- Pat Dwyer, Rochester, MI John Novak, Grayling, MI ship please contact: Andy Richards, Kalamazoo, MI SeCretarY The Anglers of the Au Sable John Russell, Traverse City, MI Joe Hemming, Beverly Hills, MI P.O. Box 200 Don Sawyer, Okemos, MI Grayling, MI 49738 Jim Schramm, Pentwater, MI www.AuSableAnglers.org Jim Shifl ett, Grand Ledge, MI David Smith, Grayling, MI Front Cover Photo Credit: John Walters, Vanderbilt, MI www.respectmyplanet.org David Waymire, Charlotte, MI Lance Weyeneth, Gaylord, MI

2 fraCKinG letter enVironmental GrouPS PreSS State to ProteCt miCHiGan’S Clean Water, PubliC HealtH from fraCKinG (Editor’s Note: At press, Anglers of the Au Sable signed on to this emissions during any stage of the fracking process would be letter addressing the new set of regulations regarding the form of detrimental to air quality and public health. mineral extraction known as fracking. Much remains to be decided on this matter. Please check the Anglers’ Homepage for updates. We “Any process that could increase the levels of pollution in will cover developments on fracking in depth in RIVERWATCH 70.) the air we breathe should raise a red fl ag for Michigan deci- sion makers,” said Wibke Heymach, Program Manager for ANN ARBOR -- The Michigan League of Conservation Moms Clean Air Force Michigan. Voters (LCV), Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council, Moms Clean Air Force Michigan, and more than 25 environmen- “Without strong enough safeguards against fracking on the tal and conservation organizations called for stronger safe- books, we put air quality and the health of future generations guards for Michigan’s clean water and public health against of Michiganders on the line.” hydraulic fracturing, or fracking. In a letter sent to the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), the - Charlotte Jameson, MLCV groups pressed for more rigorous fracking rules that ade- quately protect the quality and quantity of Michigan’s fresh- water. Today is the fi nal day for public input on the draft of mlCV nameS anGlerS the rules released by the DEQ earlier this year. adVoCate of tHe Year “Oil and gas development, including high volume hydrau- lic fracturing, puts Michigan’s waters resources at risk – Former Michigan State Football Coach George Perles – threatening our health and economic viability,” said Jenni- yes, it’s come to that now – once said, “Keep your head fer McKay, policy specialist for Tip of the Mitt Watershed down, play hard, and good things will happen.” Anglers’ Council. “The administrative rules currently proposed by herculean effort at the end of last year to stop the mineral the DEQ contain signifi cant defi ciencies and are insuffi cient leases on the Holy Water was just such an example. to adequately protect Michigan’s lakes, streams, and rivers.” And it’s being celebrated. The Michigan League of Con- Groups are asking the DEQ to require more in-depth evalu- servation Voters (MLCV) has named AOTA the 2014 Ad- ation and monitoring of water levels and water quality be- vocate of the Year. fore, during and after fracking operations begin, and public disclosure of chemicals prior to drilling. Alongside the let- “The Anglers of the Au Sable have shown time and again ter, the Michigan LCV submitted 2,227 public comments to a deep commitment to protecting one of the most vital the DEQ on behalf of members across the state. The strong waterways in Michigan,” said Lisa Wozniak, Executive turnout and widespread opposition to the proposed rules at Director for MLCV. “Their dedication to preserving the DEQ public hearings in Grayling and Lansing earlier this Au Sable River stopped oil and gas leasing efforts that month, and the outpouring of public comments demanding threatened Michigan’s Holy Waters. Their tenacious that fracking operations be held to the highest standards of work is so critical in the Great Lakes State where clean safety refl ect a groundswell of support for getting our state’s water lies at the heart of our way of life and our economy. rules right. That is why, at MLCV’s annual Innovation in Conserva- tion Awards Dinner this year, we are proud to recognize “If we want to maintain our ‘Great Lakes State’ image and the Anglers of the Au Sable with our ‘Advocate of the our natural resource economy, we must address the unprec- Year’ award.” edented threats that our waters face from fracking,” said Jack Schmitt, Deputy Director for Michigan LCV. “The MLCV will host the second annual Innovation in DEQ should not ignore calls from every corner of the state Conservation Awards Dinner on Thursday, October 2nd at to toughen up on rules for fracking operations and put into the Westin Book Cadillac in Detroit. MLCV will present place safeguards that truly protect our clean water and our awards to honorees to celebrate their achievements on public health.” behalf of Michigan’s land, air, and water and to highlight their leadership as conservation champions. This year, in In addition to risks posed to Michigan’s freshwater, frack- addition to Anglers, MLCV is pleased to recognize re- ing could lead to increased air pollution. Methane, the main tiring Congressman John Dingell and retiring Senator component of natural gas, is a powerful greenhouse gas and Carl Levin with ‘Lifetime Achievement’ awards. contributor to high ozone levels. The release of toxic air

3 CamP GraYlinG eXPanSion HoW anGlerS QuiCKlY fouGHt off a maJor au Sable-maniStee inVaSion We all knew the Hendricksons would come late this spring, of anglers in the middle of mayfl y hatches. And with just a but by the fi rst of May there were plenty of riverside jitters. quick glance at the maps we could see that private property We needed warm nights and spinner falls to get over the owners far and wide were likely to fi ght tooth and nail to frostbite of the polar vortex. What we didn’t need was an- keep infantry troops from training nearly in their backyards. other war to protect the river corridors. We got one anyway. At our June meeting, the Anglers board approved a sharply On May 1st, DNR forester Susan Thiel shook River Coun- worded letter to Governor Rick Snyder and top offi cials in try out of late-winter slumber with a bombshell email that the DNR and the Michigan Department of Military and Vet- quickly found its way into the hands of Anglers of the Au erans Affairs. We cited additional emails we had obtained in Sable board members. Thiel’s email to her colleagues which DNR fi sheries biologists strongly opposed the new throughout the DNR said: expansion zones. We noted that taxpayers had already in- vested in the proposed military lands for recreational pur- The military had its sights set on 50,000 additional acres of poses – and questioned the legality of turning over those state land in Crawford County. recreational lands to the military. We expressed our amaze- The military wanted the land for infantry training. ment that such a major Camp Grayling expansion could be mapped out in draft form by the DNR without one word of The DNR had drawn detailed maps for the proposed land public knowledge or input. deal, including handing over both sides of the Manistee River from M-72 to CCC Bridge, the sensitive wetlands of And, we warned state offi cials to quickly reconsider before the Connors Marsh area north of the main branch of the Au they sparked a major, expensive, and long public contro- Sable, and more sensitive areas adjacent to the North Branch versy. in the Kellogg’s Bridge area. braCinG for battle Some 6,000 of the acres in the mapped military giveaway And that’s exactly what we expected - a long fi ght. After were specifi cally purchased in years past with state and fed- licking the stamps on our letters, we started drafting battle eral funds for recreational purposes only. plans. It wouldn’t be long before we’d start a major media Perhaps hundreds of privately owned parcels fell within or campaig. We were mapping out a strategy for rallying prop- next to the proposed additional military land giveaway. erty owners. And we were considering our legal options. (As we’ve had to do too many times on too many issues over the Plans were in the works to cut a verbal deal between the years. But when we go to court, we’re usually loaded for DNR and the military by early July. bear.) anGlerS of tHe au Sable SWinGS into aCtion In short, there was no way we were going to stand by while This news was a red alert. Anglers of the Au Sable respond- the corridors of two of the best wild trout streams in the east- ed immediately. We convened meetings of numerous river ern United States were essentially given away to the mili- conservation groups in the Au Sable and Manistee river cor- tary. Rusty Gates would’ve been up in arms. So were we. ridors. We met with Susan Thiel to gather more information. tHe PHone Call tHat CHanGed eVerYtHinG (An initial request for the DNR’s military land giveaway maps was denied. But we quickly obtained the maps any- And then, in mid-June, we received a phone call from Gen- way from sources within the DNR who were every bit as eral Gregory Vadnais, the top military offi cial in Michigan concerned as we were.) and the head of the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. A quarter-century after Anglers fi rst came to prominence fi ghting Camp Grayling intrusions into River Country, General Vadnais told us he was standing down and imme- Thiel’s email and the DNR’s new maps felt like a sneak at- diately walking away from the DNR’s expansion maps for tack. Most troubling of all, the Camp Grayling expansion Camp Grayling. Vadnais said that once he reviewed Anglers appeared to be under discussion completely behind closed written concerns he completely agreed with our major con- doors. The maps suggested a virtual military takeover of the tention – the lands mapped by the DNR were completely remaining public lands in Crawford County. It didn’t take incompatible with military use for all the reasons Anglers of much imagination to envision troops training right on top the Au Sable cited.

4 CamP GraYlinG eXPanSion

Instead, General Vadnais said he would explore only one fi cials. To that end, Anglers is deeply grateful to General small sliver of land in Frederic Township to connect some Vadnais for his quick and thorough response and the strong existing Camp Grayling territory. respect he demonstrated for the extremely valuable natural resources of the Au Sable and Manistee river corridors. A major land use war turned into a quick and complete river victory overnight. Anglers’ President Bruce Pregler said it best in our press release announcing the military’s decline of the DNR expan- WHat We learned sion maps in late June: “We are extremely pleased to receive The potential threats to River Country never end. In the past General Vadnais’ response to our June 9 letter. The general year, Anglers of the Au Sable has fought off surface frack- took seriously – and agrees with – our conclusion that Draft ing wells in the Holy Water and a proposal to allow gold Expansion Zones 2, 3, and 5 are mainly recreational lands, prospecting in trout streams. We continue to monitor and sensitive river corridors, and sensitive wetlands that are sim- oppose massive fracking water withdrawals in the Manistee ply incompatible with military use. We are very grateful to and Au Sable watersheds. We’re working to tighten regula- General Vadnais and other state leaders for their rapid con- tions and consider our legal options to protect the Au Sable sideration and response. In the end, we fi rmly believe their should the Grayling Hatchery expansion for commercial fi sh decision to decline Draft Expansion Zones 2, 3, and 5 is ex- farming come to fruition. And we’re working with Roscom- actly the right decision for the river corridors our organiza- mon County offi cials who control the Lake St. Helen dam tion is duty-bound to protect.” to stabilize fl ows and protect against extremely low water in We’ll never know exactly what was said in June among offi - the South Branch in summer months. cials in the DNR, the governor’s offi ce, and the Department The work literally never ends. To succeed, we must have of Military Affairs once they received our letter strongly op- many friends and contacts within the DNR and the rest of posing the DNR’s Camp Grayling expansion maps. We can state government to stay on top of development plans and only report what we heard as second-hand rumors. We were attack terrible ideas like the Camp Grayling expansion in told of a conversation in which military offi cials asked other the river corridors before such ideas even get off the ground. high-ranking offi cials who Anglers of the Au Sable is and why they should be worried about us. The rumored answer We continue to talk to DNR offi cials about Camp Grayling. was: “Anglers of the Au Sable has more lawyers, more pas- Top offi cials acknowledged to us in early July that the DNR’s sionate members, more resources, and more media reach expansion maps, and the aggressive timeline outlined in the than you can imagine.” May emails, were a mistake. The military’s 10-year lease for state lands is coming up for renewal. We’re watching it If that conversation did indeed take place, we like the mes- closely. sage. And we’ll keep working every day to maintain that image and protect the rivers our members hold so dear. And we work hard every month to maintain respectful and professional relations with state and local government of- - John Bebow, 2nd Vice President SonG of tHe morninG ranCH dam remoVal laWSuit HaS ended It was June 23, 2008 when the catastrophe on the Pigeon was part of the ruling by former Judge Porter in the 1984 River occurred. For those who remember, it was when Gold- lawsuit. The primary purpose MITU/PRCA entered into this en Lotus (Song of the Morning Ranch) discharged tons of lawsuit was to ensure complete dam removal, so the Pigeon sediment from their impoundment due to faulty dam man- River can fl ow freely, and to ensure this type of catastrophe agement. This resulted in a fi sh kill of over 500,000 trout. would never occur again. That sediment discharge was the third such occurrence in The original settlement was eventually contested. With tire- 51 years. less work and persistence, MITU/PRCA, the State of Michi- Since that date the DEQ & DNR conducted an environmen- gan, and Golden Lotus have now reached fi nal agreements tal investigation resulting in a lawsuit between the State of regarding the Song of the Morning Ranch Dam Removal Michigan and Golden Lotus. Michigan Trout Unlimited case. This took an incredible amount of legal work, science (MITU) and Pigeon River Country Association (PRCA) work, negotiating, and old-fashioned hard work. also joined the lawsuit with the State of Michigan. MITU/ On April 3, 2014, almost six years later, all parties affi liated PRCA fi led a nuisance claim against Golden Lotus, which

5 SonG of tHe morninG ranCH

Lawsuit Ended continued... with the case appeared in court to enter the agreed upon and signed fi nal docu- ments before Judge Allen. It is very exciting for everyone involved, and long overdue, to complete the law- suit, which is a necessary process. Now the real work begins. The new Collaborative Agreement, an agreement between Golden Lotus, MITU and PRCA, lays out all of the conditions, monitoring, sand removal efforts and work to be completed. As a result of these agreements, a Steering Committee will be established to make critical decisions as they arise during the dam removal. Huron Pines has been named, and they have agreed to be the project manager for the dam removal and associated projects. So, what is next for the Pigeon River? First, the drawdown of the impound- ment will start this spring. Due to light organic sediment, being the top layer in the impoundment, the drawdown will be relatively slow. The Sediment Man- agement Plan 1 will be implemented, in- cluding how the sediment will be man- aged once some of these sediments are transported when the Pigeon River has increased fl ow through the impound- ment. As vegetation seeds are prevalent in the sediment, vegetation growth will commence as the dewatering occurs and the new surface is exposed to oxy- gen and sunlight. This new vegetation growth will stabilize the newly exposed sediment. The second phase of the project, which will start following the drawdown, will Then and Now - The Song of the Morning Ranch Dam only served to impede one of consist of removal of the dam structures, Michigan’s most historic rivers. Thanks to the Michigan Council of Trout Unlimited, it is now part of that history. Check our website for further updates on this issue. installation of a replacement bridge over the river (spanning the natural width of this positive outcome for the Pigeon River without the con- river, which is estimated at 35 feet), and removal of sand tinued support of our members like you. We are pleased to- from the river. day to report the dam removal process will begin this spring, and the Pigeon River will forever be better because of it. The Golden Lotus Dam is the most signifi cant element im- We will continue to provide more information and details pacting the health of the Pigeon River. This nearly six year about this project. long legal process has taken incredible resources to see through, and MITU would not have been able to effectuate - John Walters – MITU Vice Chairman, Anglers Director

6 GraYlinG fiSH HatCHerY GraYlinG fiSH HatCHerY A new threat to the Au Sable River has emerged: mas- Furthermore, documents produced indicate that this project sive expansion of the Grayling Fish Hatchery on the East may be signifi cantly underfunded. The DNR/DEQ should Branch. The Harietta Hills Trout Farm, owned by Dan Vo- have conducted an analysis of HHTF’s fi nances. AOTA is gler, proposes to increase production at this obsolete facil- unaware of any such investigation. Such an investigation ity from under 20,000 pounds of fi sh per year, to 300,000 would give the DEQ some insight into HHTF’s ability to pounds. This massive expansion has caused concerns about properly operate the hatchery, perform its testing obliga- phosphorus discharges in the river due to increased amounts tion and complete any cleanup or contamination caused by of fi sh food and feces, insuffi cient monitoring of those dis- HHTF operations. What good are restrictive requirements if charges and the operations of the facility, substandard waste the tenant is unable to properly operate the hatchery, conduct management, and as a result, creation of conditions condu- testing or cleanup due to fi nancial constraints? In addition, it cive to symptomatic whirling disease in the river system. came out that MDARD had interfered with the DNR in the performance of its duty to protect the river. At the request Vogler appears to have the backing of the Michigan Depart- of the Mason Griffi th Chapter of TU, the DNR was going ment of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD), to conduct some baseline water quality tests above and be- which sees use of Michigan’s waters for aquiculture as the low the hatchery, so that the effects of increased production “next big thing.” He has now obtained an NPDES discharge could be assessed in the future. When he learned of this test- permit from the Department of Environmental Quality, ing, Vogler complained to MDARD, which prevented the which does not adequately address the concerns we have DNR from conducting the tests. They were ultimately con- raised. The Department of Natural Resources has essen- ducted by DEQ, much later than originally planned. Finally, tially been frozen out of the process, much to the chagrin of the economic costs of the proposal had not been considered. career fi sheries personnel. Vogler promises the addition of two jobs to the local econ- When the Anglers of the Au Sable became aware of this pro- omy, and that he will keep the hatchery open as a tourist at- posal last year, we began monitoring the situation. Early traction. The economic risks to the local economy and prop- this year we were tipped off that the project was still in the erty values from the project have never been factored in. works, and that that MDARD was pushing for a sweetheart On May 6, 2014, a hearing was held on the permit. Long deal on the permit. After seeing the proposed permit, it was story short: minor revisions were made to the permit. It is apparent that action was required. We consulted with sev- still unsatisfactory in a number of respects. The phospho- eral experts. Steve Sendek, retired DNR fi sheries biologist, rus limit is too high; there are no limits on carbon, nitro- expressed initial concerns, and we also spoke to Bryan Bur- gen or dissolved oxygen depletion; the monitoring remains roughs, the executive director of Michigan Trout Unlimited far short of optimal; and there is still no waste management and co-chair of the Water Use Advisory Council. We were plan, although Vogler is required to submit one soon, albeit referred to Dr. Ray Canale, who was extremely helpful. Be- after the permit was issued. fore he retired he was a professor of environmental engi- neering at the University of Michigan, and more important- We are currently monitoring the situation, consulting with ly, he was the Plaintiff’s expert in the Platte River hatchery our experts, and considering our options. In addition, litigation. He currently serves as the court appointed moni- MGTU has retained Dr. Luttenton to conduct phosphorus tor of that operation, and a nationwide expert on hatcheries monitoring above and below the hatchery, as a check on the and their chemical discharges. Finally, we consulted with results reported by management. In the meantime, MDARD Dr. Mark Luttenton of Grand Valley State College, a stream is continuing to explore expansion of aquiculture in Michi- biologist and ecologist, who has many years of experience gan, including hatcheries on rivers and pen raised fi sh in the on the Au Sable. Great Lakes. We are sure to see additional developments in the near future. The experts confi rmed our fears regarding the proposed per- mit: (1) the limits on phosphorus in the proposed permit were Let me make this very clear: Our position is not to too high, (2) the waste management program was essential- shut down the hatchery. It is to make sure that it is ly non-existent, (3) the monitoring regime proposed by the done properly, with good protective standards, a DEQ was totally insuffi cient and subject to bias and ma- sound protocol for monitoring, a satisfactory waste nipulation, (4) this would lead to degradation of the waters management system, and any other necessary safe- of the Au Sable, (5) the result would probably be increased guards. In other words, we don’t want to ban the algae growth and a reduction in the diversity of macro inver- hatchery, but we want it done right! tebrates (including the fl ies we all know and love), and (6) whirling disease could possibly reach symptomatic levels. - Tom Baird, First Vice President

7 tHe riVer interVieW

Q & a: inSide tHe mind of tHe maKer of ‘tHe riVer’ moVie Chicago-based fi lmmaker Robert Thompson has earned na- it was the perfect cool, drizzly fall weekend and the fi shing tional acclaim for fi lming a world-record muskie on a fl y was ridiculously good...but I had no idea at the time just rod, chronicling the lives of punk-rocking trout bums in the how good it was. My third cast ever with a streamer pulled Driftless Region, and capturing haunting scenes of the Mid- a 17-inch brown out of a sweeper in the Holy Waters...And western hex hatch. In late April he released his most ambi- that was the way the weekend went. I had no idea what I was tious fi sh fl ick yet… It’s actually a three-movie DVD called doing and I caught a ton of fi sh...And some nice ones. “The River” and based on Michigan’s storied Au Sable. Knowing what I know now, I would have tried to appreciate Anglers of the Au Sable sponsored the movie and its world it more, but at that time I just assumed my fi rst experience premiere at the Rialto Theater in Grayling on the opening the norm. I’ve been trying to duplicate that fall weekend night of trout season. After two years of fi lming and plenty for 12 years...and haven’t come close. I think that weekend of river adversity along the way, “RT” as he’s known in river happened for a reason. Had I gone up there and the fi shing country, sat down with fellow Au Sable trout bum and An- sucked, maybe I wouldn’t have come back...Who knows? glers 2nd VP John Bebow to talk about the project… But that is the Au Sable...insanely unpredictable. “The River” is quite a title. Camera-carrying anglers have featured hundreds of rivers. Why is the Au Sable You spent two years fi lming “The River.” Why? THE river? I wanted to give myself the best chance at getting the foot- Well, if I was to be completely honest I didn’t name it The age I needed, especially from a fi shing standpoint. I mean all River, implying that the Au Sable is THE river. It’s how I rivers are unpredictable, but this one can be downright cruel. and others refer to it in conversation... “Are you heading to I knew I could probably spend fi ve years trying to get all the the river this weekend.” Also, I’ve never been terribly cre- hatches and would still probably miss one or two so I said ative when coming up with names for my pieces...so it was I’ll give it two seasons and what I get is what I get. the best I could do. Honest answer... It also made it a little tougher because I spent April and May You’ve shot fi lm all over North America, and you live in of the fi rst year shooting The Brothers Brown so technical- Chicago, but you seem especially rooted on the Au Sable. ly I didn’t start shooting The River until June of 2012 and Why? that only gave me one shot at April & May...So of course I missed a few things. Also, 2012 was a very early, low wa- I’m a Michigan kid, growing up not too far from the Au ter year...almost a drought year. And 2013 was a late, high Sable. So that may have something to do with it. The Au water year. That did not help so the shooting schedule be- Sable was the river that really cemented my addiction to fl y came very much a scramble as dates had to be shifted and fi shing...for better or worse! I also think when you look at moved around. it from a historical perspective, starting back in the logging era and coming forward to present day, there is probably no This is the fourth DVD I’ve done and the challenges are al- other river in the country that has the history and traditions ways the same… Finding the time to dedicate to the project this river has. I’m not saying it’s the best river, but there is and being a one man band. I would love to have a month or no shortage of history to it and it’s that history that makes whatever to just work on something but that isn’t going to it interesting...at least to me. I mean, this was a river full happen. I make the most of the weekends I have and what- of Grayling at one time...Kind of hard to wrap your head ever happens, happens. around. So, is this a fi shing movie or a conservation movie or a When did you fi rst fi sh the Au Sable? How’d that go? bug movie? We have a family cabin not too far from the Au Sable so I Hopefully all of the above. As usual with my stuff there is actually fi shed it a couple times as a kid with spinners and no narration so it’s all told fi rst person. I interviewed about such. It wasn’t until I picked up a fl y rod 11 or 12 years ago three dozen people for this, which is another reason I needed that I “rediscovered” it. It was a late fall weekend I’m guess- two seasons. Those interviews drive the story along and it’s ing around 2002 and it was probably my second or third weaved together with a season of fi shing starting in the snow outing as a fl y fi sherman. I took a four-hour, on-stream in- in February and ending in late October. The story line jumps structional lesson through Gates Lodge because I didn’t re- around a bit but the fi shing is shown linearly throughout a ally know what I was doing...Probably still don’t. Anyway, season.

8 tHe riVer interVieW

This DVD actually features three fi lms. One of them, had a knack for that kind of stuff. “The Brothers Brown,” was in the Fly Fishing Film Tour But as it relates to the fi lm, it’s very tough to talk about that in 2013. Then you have the main fl ick. And then there’s a river without talking about Rusty Gates. He was the ulti- third feature on bamboo rod builder Bob Summers. Tell mate river keeper, maybe to a fault. There are many who us about him and how your feature on him developed? will moan and groan about situations and sit on the sidelines, Well, it’s kind of interesting how that came to be. I inter- then there are those who will actually do something about viewed a guy named Jay Stephan Sr. He’s probably one of it...make the phone calls, mobilize, delegate, raise funds and the original Au Sable long boat builders. I think he was 88 drag someone’s ass into court...That was Rusty. Tough to say when I interviewed him. His health was failing and unfortu- if we’ll ever see another one like him... nately he died about six months ago. Anyway, during that in- So, does this movie offer hints on how to fi sh the fi nicky terview he said he’d made a couple boats for George Griffi th Au Sable? What’s your advice to anglers heading to who is credited as being the founder of Trout Unlimited and Grayling, Michigan for the fi rst time? those early TU meetings were held at George’s camp called “The Barbless Hook” on the Holy Waters of the Au Sable. In short, no. I’m not big on how-tos or getting into a lot of technical stuff...Just doesn’t interest me. The Au Sable is a I knew that Bob Summers now has George’s boat, and I HIGHLY pressured river so if I had advice for someone fi sh- was interested in how that came to be. I reached out to Bob, ing the river for the fi rst time it would be lower your expec- briefed him on the project and my interview with Jay, and tations. I do think it’s a river that you have to pay your dues he gave me the green light to swing by his shop in Traverse on. It seems to do things on its own terms and you learn to City, Michigan. So originally I went into it thinking I would roll with it. I don’t think there is a secret code to crack...But just get an interview with Bob that I could use in the main I do think there can be a little luck involved as well. piece. The Au Sable also is a river of intrigue… Lots of conser- It wasn’t until I spent some time with him, learned a little vation and political battles… Lots of different clubs and more of his relationship with George and found out that they fi shing camps… Lots of secret fi shing holes and fl y shop were fi shing buddies on the Au Sable system for the better whispering about where it’s hot and where it’s not… part of 25 years that something clicked. Then when he told Maybe a few rivalries… How do you think your movie me that they had done a fi lm together in the late ’70s or early will be received among Au Sable loyalists? ’80s that really peaked my interest. I was eventually able to track the fi lm down and get my hands on it and that is when I think like anything there will be those who love it and those I decided to expand the piece into its own short. who will hate it. That’s just part of the deal. There will be those who will question why this person is in it and why that Not to mention, Bob has quite a history in his own right. The person isn’t. It’s a judgment call on my part, rounding up guy started with The Paul H Young Rod company in Detroit those that I think will best tell the story. Sometimes it works right out of high school and has been a revered rod maker out great, other times it doesn’t. You have to have thick skin, for 40+ years. I think it’s a great piece and adds a nice fl avor especially if you’re going to put yourself out there... I’m to the DVD. used to it. The Au Sable is a river of legends… Bob Summers is just I like to think I did the best job I could and if it ends up be- one of them. This river is also the birthplace of Trout Un- ing a miserable failure it wasn’t because of lack of effort. limited. And it was home to Rusty Gates. Did you know However my gut tells me it will go over fairly well, espe- Rusty before he died in 2009? How does your fi lm deal cially with The Brothers and Summers... A little something with the legend of “Da Gator,” as he called himself? for everyone. I don’t know what it was or what I did but Rusty was gra- So, now that your latest project is in the bag, what’s next cious enough to invite me into his world outside of his fl y for you and your camera? shop. So yes, I was fortunate enough to be able to call Rusty a friend. That’s a very good question. I was honestly leaning towards retiring from the fl y fi shing fi lm thing because I think I’ve There is a lot I miss about Rusty since his passing in ‘09, done about all the pieces I’ve wanted to do… all that inter- the biggest of which is Hex Camp at his cabin. Some of my ests me. fondest memories of being on the river came during those years. However, just when I think I’m done a couple interesting ideas fell in my lap recently, both Midwest things as I like And in reality it was Rusty who brought all of us together. to do, so we’ll see. But in the near future, no I don’t see me He basically created the social group I still hang with... He schlepping a camera around a river anytime soon.

9

HoW to buY tHe riVer tHere iS Still PlentY of time and manY WaYS to buY tHe riVer letterS to tHe editor It’s the perfect gift for birthdays, holidays and just plain anything. The RIVER is a From time to time The RIVER- great fi lm and part of the proceeds goes to Anglers of the Au Sable to take care of WATCH receives letters from mem- it. So here are some places to buy more copies. bers about a wide range of subjects. retail: In my time as editor I have pub- lished every one of them to my best The River DVD (standard) $30 The River DVD (BluRay) $35 recollection. I encourage anyone to miCHiGan retail outletS: send a letter about any subject relat- ed to the Au Sable, fi shing, conser- Gates Lodge (Grayling) Schultz Outfi tters (Ypsilanti) vation, bird hunting or the outdoors. It will get published, but there are Old AuSable Fly Shop (Grayling) Little Forks Outfi tters (Midland) some guidelines for submissions of Fullers NBOC (Lovells) Pere Marquette Lodge (Baldwin) letters or any type of article. AuSable Angler (Mio) RW Summers Company They are as follows: (Traverse City) Nomad Anglers 1. We will correct for typos, gram- (Okemos & Grand Rapids) mar and inappropriate language. otHer midWeSt outletS (tHat rt dealt direCtlY WitH): 2. Profanity, vulgar language or slanderous statements will be ex- Chicago Fly Fishing Outfi tters Driftless Fly Fishing Company cised if the piece is accepted at (Chicago) (Preston, MN) all. We will fact check any infor- Lunds Fly Shop (River Falls, WI) mation presented as such. online: 3. We’d prefer that letters or articles not exceed 1000 words, but if thirdyearfl yfi sher.com BluRay $38 shipped you check with us fi rst we may standard $33 shipped be able to wave this restriction if space allows. 4. Letters or op-eds do not have to agree with the offi cial positions Your WaterSHed needS Your HelP. of Anglers of the Au Sable, but responses to diverging opinions Over the past 7 years, the Upper Au Sable River Watershed Monitoring Proj- are likely to be presented as well. ect has sampled and scored 6 sites on the major tributaries of the watershed. We do this twice each year on sites that are 300 feet in length and score them 5. You may submit as many pieces according to the quality assured MiCorps protocol. The results have con- as you wish. Hard copy or email sistently showed that our river is indeed healthy with very good water and is fi ne. abundant biota. What we sometimes lack, is people. It takes 4-6 volunteers 6. Photos are welcome as well. to adequately monitor each site. During our most recent monitoring event, June 7th, we were forced to omit one site, the Big Creek at North Down River Send letterS to: Road. On that day, I just happened to stop in at Gates Lodge to share a ride RIVERWATCH with a volunteer and right there was all the “potential help” a watershed PO Box 300 monitoring project could ever hope for. Eager fl yfi shers were everywhere; Luzerne, MI 48636 sorting gear, swapping stories, planning their evening outings and perhaps just wondering in what truly meaningful way they could contribute to the Send emailS to: resource. Here’s an idea: become a volunteer. It will take about 2 hours out of your day, put you right into the river and the watershed will realize a direct [email protected] benefi t. Interested? Please become a volunteer. The project leader is Tom Dale; email him at [email protected].

12 betSY HemminG on anGler etiQuette fiSHinG niCe WitH otHerS “Fly-fi shing is becoming a combat sport,” an Au Sable Back to our angler quoted above. After a good belly laugh angler and friend said recently, his tongue fairly fi rmly in about the whole situation, our friend mentioned that when cheek. The comment closed out a conversation about a deli- he fi rst started fi shing the Au Sable, he bought a book about cate river issue – fi shing etiquette. Yes readers, I will tackle the river, which included a section on fi shing etiquette. He this sensitive topic as we near that time of year when loca- carried it with him and followed it religiously, even to the tion really matters, at least in our neck of the river: Hex point of climbing the banks to avoid an angler in the river. hatch. He did admit that those days are over as it’s pretty hard to scramble the river banks in many places, and he may have The provocative quote above was precipitated, innocently alluded to the fact that the body wasn’t as willing and able and appropriately enough, by a great fi shing story. We all as in past years. But then the horror stories of really bad love great tales of glory starring the Au Sable, not to men- behavior entered the conversation, including noisy races to tion those that fall in the downright amusing category. This get to favored fi shing spots, vessels nearly whacking anglers story was one of the latter, told by my always-entertaining in the middle of the river, even a motored canoe heading angling husband Joe. But it had a philosophical bite to it for upstream through fertile water at prime time. sure, excuse the pun. Well, I was intrigued with this whole conversation – so Joe hosted three dear friends and fellow anglers to a few intrigued that I visited my very dear friend Google and days of fi shing during the hex hatch a couple of years ago. searched for fl y fi shing etiquette. And darned if I didn’t fi nd None had fi shed the famous hex hatch on the Au Sable, and a few bursts of insight: Joe was eager to introduce them to it. Timing and weather were perfect, and the conditions were absolutely ripe for the “I’ve always fi shed by one motto: respect the fi sh and the magic hex to appear. The special night had arrived – the fi sh will respect you… When it comes to your fellow angler, one and only night they would have at the river house -- and take that same, respectful approach. Follow the golden rule these gentlemen were getting ready to fi sh. My husband and the good deeds you dish out will come back to you next cooked a lovely dinner of grilled steak and other manly food time you’re on the water. If you’re fi shing a stretch with a items, to prepare the crew for the adventure to come. Joe friend who doesn’t fi sh as often as you do, and doesn’t know was ever mindful of the time, as he wanted to get his boys the fi shery like you do, give them a fi rst shot at a fi sh on your into the river at just the right place, as dusk emerged. favorite stretch of water… And share a cold one afterward.” – Brian Milne, Fly Fishing Etiquette, About.com Just as they sat down to their steak and red wine, Joe saw a lone angler, wading upstream, seemingly making his way “Don’t walk along the skyline above a pool where some- to the very spot that he had carefully identifi ed for his pals. one is already fi shing; it is frustrating to have spent some Now he had a dilemma on his hands. It’s a public body of time stalking a rising fi sh under the bank only to have some water, of course, and Joe is very aware of that. But of all chump come gawping over the bank top… SHUT any farm the stretches of river, this fellow had to pick this very spot. gates that are shut before you get there and leave OPEN any Struggling with the etiquette issue, Joe fi nally walked down farm gates that are open before you get there… If you wear to the dock and very politely explained the situation to the a hat bedecked with reservoir lures don’t be surprised if you angler, and requested that he move just a tad up or down excite the suspicions of other members about what fl ies you stream. While not appearing particularly amused, he did so, have been using!” – Rules from The Darley Dale Fly Fish- and Joe was able to introduce his friends to this special fi sh- ing Club, founded in 1862, Derbyshire, England. ing paradise. Then I found a treaty on fl y fi shing, amazing on several In Joe’s defense, he asked a number of people – river guides fronts, fi rst because it was written in 1496 (yes more than and fellow anglers -- about what they would have done in a 500 years ago) and also because it was written by a woman. similar situation. Frankly, he received a wide array of in- My imagination runs wild thinking about a female angler puts, from “I would have done the same thing” to “Wow, from 1496. Interested readers can search for “A treatyse that is way out of line.” In this particular conversation, it of fysshynge wyth an Angle” by Dame Juliana Berners. was concluded that Joe faced a unique situation in wanting The treaty concludes with some signifi cant thoughts about the best for his guests, and that he asked nicely. If he did the duty of the angler, specifi cally to protect the fi sh in all this regularly, that would be another matter. I won’t mention ways possible and to avoid any base actions. Heeding these that he occasionally dives into his fi shing gear and bolts into words, the author suggests, will allow the angler to avoid the the river when sensing another angler nearing. No, I won’t. many vices in life. There you have it.

13 SCHramm & WaYmire

Fishing Nice continued...

My takeaway from all of this is that while etiquette of the tracted in numbers just a tad under the cloud of hex on a old days may have tapered off a tad, it’s still an essential warm summer’s eve. So play nice out there, remember the part of the fi shing trip. And in favored waters such as our golden rule and fi sh on. beloved Au Sable, it’s not surprising that anglers will be at- - Betsy Hemming,Columnist for The RIVERWATCH Jim SCHramm named riVer CHamPion bY ameriCan riVerS orGaniZation Jim Schramm, longtime Anglers’ Director, has received yet recent years he has cut back on his long trips for the MHRC, another commendation for his service to conservation. This but because of his expertise on Hydro issues he was asked to time it was from the American Rivers Organization. Jim has take on the responsibility of working on the Boardman River been named one of their Champions. dam removal project. Without his efforts it is likely that the removal of these dams would never have happened. Anyone associated with Anglers of the Au Sable for any pe- riod of time is well aware of Jim Schramm’s many accom- All of this is in addition to his ongoing efforts on our behalf plishments. Terry Lyons, who has worked with Jim for over of the Anglers, FFF, GLC, and other local clubs around the 20 years on protecting our woods and streams, sums up his state. legacy: There is no way to adequately express our gratitude for all “Since the early 1990’s Jim has traveled around the state of his efforts. He would likely shrug it off and mention oth- and to Washington DC on behalf of the Michigan Hydro Re- ers he has worked with anyway. It is gratifying to see him licensing Coalition (MHRC). Since he does not fl y, this of- recognized by a prominent nationwide river conservation ten resulted in being on the road for up to a week. Many of organization. the trips in state were to the UP and required an overnight Many thanks are greatly deserved.” stay. Without his attendance at the meetings he travelled to there would probably not be a MHRC any longer. -Terry Lyons, Director During his trips to DC he managed to negotiate funding for (Read more about Jim’s accomplishments here: www.americanriv- the MHRC that kept us afl oat fi nancially for a lot of years. In ers.org/rivers/rc-schramm) WaYmire JoinS anGlerS’ board Once again we landed a good the outstanding and diverse fi shing oppor- one. David Waymire was ap- tunities available. His father in law showed pointed to our Board in Febru- him how to fl y fi sh, hooking him right in ary of this year. David is partner the heart. at Martin Waymire, one of the When he’s not in his Lansing offi ce, you can state’s most aggressive public fi nd David living up to his motto, “Nobody relations fi rms. His expertise is has more fun than Dave.” He relaxes with public policy, working with a Marsha, his wife, and the family dogs and number of the state’s largest cor- horses in Charlotte, skis with his daugh- porations as well as non-profi t ter, Emma, in Colorado, rocks out at con- clients on issues involving gov- certs across the country or casts a fl y from ernment agencies and political decision-making, including his drift boat or in his waders…because, as Robert Traver ballot proposals. He’s a former reporter, and a Northwestern famously said, “I love the environs where trout are found, University graduate. David has won numerous awards as which are invariably beautiful.” a reporter and in public relations, including the “Oscar” of public relations, the Silver Anvil (twice!). David brings much to the table. I look forward to working with him protecting and enhancing the Au Sable and Man- His father taught him a love of fi shing and the outdoors. istee Rivers for many years to come. When he moved to Michigan in 1980, he quickly embraced - Bruce Pregler - President 14 mio PlantinGS mio fiSH Plant During a recent vacation up (captive fi sh maintained for at our cabin we got wind of easy acquisition of eggs and a fi sh plant that was about sperm) as well as outdoor to occur at Mio. I was up at rearing facilities and a state- the river with my wife and of-the-art effl uent treatment 14-year-old daughter. Think- system. The hatchery also ing that this would be a nice has an isolation building to experience for our daughter, allow the staff to monitor let alone for my wife and I, the disease status of the fi sh we jumped at the opportu- prior to moving them to the nity to watch it happen. hatchery proper. This new facility cost $11 million; it We were warned that the sure sounds like properly DNR in planting fi sh is very building and running a fi sh timely and we should not be hatchery is not a cheap op- late. When we showed up at eration! I must admit I did the boat launch at Mio, the Future Dreams - Somewhere in this gush of water is a 20-incher to have pause to refl ect on the DNR truck from the Oden come, maybe more than one. suffi ciency of funding for Fish Hatchery was already the Grayling Fish Hatchery. there and making initial preparations to plant the fi sh. I had the pleasure of meeting the DNR technician Jason who was The old hatchery building has been transformed into a visi- planting the fi sh. Jason had brought his wife Melissa with tor’s center. According to the website, the visitor’s center him. Jason and Melissa in fact live at the Oden Fish Hatch- is complete with a replica of the wolverine fi sh transport ery together with their three children, ages 16, 14 and 11. rail car and has extensive exhibits on watersheds and fi sher- The family has lived there for the last 13 years. Talk about ies history, as well as a viewing chamber of a stream sec- a great place to raise kids, let alone trout. tion allowing the public to see what happens underwater in a stream. The Oden State Fish Hatchery is located at 8258 Jason informed me that we were going to be planting 14,000 South Ayr Road in Alanson, Michigan. Make sure to check rainbows that were each approximately 1-½ years old. Ja- out the website. I think a road trip to Alanson is in the near son has been doing this for 16 years. The average length of future for my family. these fi sh is 8 inches. Jason explained that over the sum- mer, they will double their size to 16 inches. Only about 5 According to a recent article in Crain’s Detroit Business, the to 10% of these fi sh will survive to an adult age, ultimately DNR Fisheries Division stocks approximately 40 million reaching 20-25 inches in length. The rainbow trout that sur- adolescent fi sh of various species at 800 locations across the vive will spawn in three to four years. state. That is a lot of fi sh! Crain’s reports that as many 40% of fi sh caught in 2014 will come from Michigan’s fi sh hatch- On this particular day, the DNR was also planting trout at ery system. There are six hatcheries in the state including Cummins and at McKinley with two other trucks. The fol- Oden. lowing week, the DNR was going to plant at two other spots on the river. I would say that if you ever have the opportunity to watch the DNR in action in planting trout, you should certainly do Jason informed me that every spring the DNR plants at fi ve so. It is quite a sight, watching 14,000 rainbows pour into different sites or more. This year, they are just planting rain- the Au Sable. What was interesting was so many of the fi sh bow trout. Intrigued by the volume of these fi sh plants, I did trying to get back up the tube and into the truck and go back a little research. to Oden, the only home that they have known. According to the DNR website, the original Oden State Fish This particular Thursday afternoon at the Mio boat launch Hatchery was established in 1921 and continued to operate was very peaceful and quiet. In fact it was serene. I know until 2002 when the complex was completely renovated, thus there is no one that would describe this particular boat ramp creating one of the most advanced fi sh culture facilities of its in the same manner on a hot Saturday in August. But this kind. This hatchery is a major rearing facility for both brown day was perfect. and rainbow trout. The website goes on to explain that the facility has production buildings for rearing and broodstock - Joe Hemming, Director

15 WallaCe on Winter tHiS miCHiGan Winter This Michigan winter’s Cicely-plus snow piles It may not actually be spring yet but would have Dr. Joel Fleishman looking twice. open water was the fi rst sign the The towering size of our endless piles resolved back was broken on this very any doubt that the snow we remember from grumpy old man winter for this childhood really was that big, not like the myth old man. of large drinking fountains in elementary Busy the next morning with school. We will always remember this winter various client emergencies, even through any coming dementia haze. real and perceived, and that af- But there was a fi rst for me this winter in ternoon scuffi ng then varnish- early January when I arrived at my cabin. ing the guide wraps on my new While unloading I heard--or rather didn’t bamboo, it wasn’t until the late the next hear--something that was always there: the afternoon that I ventured down to the river, river. The North Branch fl ows fast and strong, armed for battle—from waders to rod with a tail- a symphony of tones, as it rushes to its nearby biter olive streamer as ammunition. confl uence with the Main. Its sound is as much a part of the Starved for new water of the winter’s many snows by the landscape here as the pine scent and seemingly unnaturally ice that had covered it so completely, the water level had bright star light. Yet this winter it had frozen over complete- dropped as foot or more below the remnants of the almost ly somehow. The quiet was deafening. Weeks, then months three foot thick shelf ice. I stood for the longest time, not passed without even a sliver of open water. scouting the river for fi sh as usual, but trying to imagine the After snow-blowing yesterday, both at home twice and the sounds and sights of the massive chucks of ice breaking then offi ce twice, what seemed like yet another eight inches, I rolling down the river tumbling, colliding, pounding the was still on top of the week’s work. Weather.com said Gray- shore ice, scraping the gravel bottom, dragging and push- ling would be 45 degrees on Friday (so fi shable), I needed ing debris at will. Although I had only been away a week, I another day at Duane’s to fi nish work on my new bamboo missed that show. Only a winter like this one could give us rod, and Bonnie had to work late Wednesday and Thursday. such a dramatic spring. So I loaded up and headed Up North for a couple of days, You can guess the one remaining sign of spring I stalked knowing I could work from the cabin, or at least I convinced now. It was not from the easy, slow water but from the myself I would. heavy, churning current mid-river. And it struck with force Just south of Saginaw the temp dropped to single digits, but and fury, pulling line for the instant before I lifted the rod there was no snow on the roads and it was clear there hadn’t tip for the set, causing him to jump from the water and then been any. As I drove, I puzzled over where I would fi sh and fi ght and fi ght as though it were June, as though this brown when. A little open trout water this year---Keystone or down trout was unaware he was supposed to be lethargic with below the dam at Mio, where I waded a week ago, had been winter’s cold, like the rest of us. The instant I released him, my forced substitutes for two months. Neither had been pro- he darted away full speed. It was spring for him, too. ductive the last two months. - Neil Wallace, Member The season’s snow pack on my wooded driveway had melted Editor’s Note: Neil’s story, as well as John Bebow’s on the next now and then frozen again leaving a thick, slick sheet of ice, page, fi rst appeared in the new AOTA Fishing Page. Want to check making the steep hill down to the cabin particularly tricky. it out? Go to our Home Page and put your cursor on Data Li- Trickier was carrying my unloaded gear over crunchy snow brary for the dropdown menu. It’ll be right there! Hey! This is and ice without falling. As I paused at the door to fi nd my not one of those boring, sketchy Fishing Reports that are all over key in the dark, everything went quiet----except the river. the Internet and always say the same thing - THEY ARE JUMP- ING IN THE BOAT BUT ONLY ON OUR FLIES OR WITH OUR I looked out over the rail to see it was open and not just a GUIDES!!!!!!! No, we actually talk about the activity, the whole little. thing from the days they really did jump in the boat to the days So the next day I could fi sh the convenient, familiar nooks when the damn boat sunk at the landing (PLEASE SEND US THESE STORIES!) and everything in between. We also post pho- and log jams of the North Branch, hoping to renew acquain- tos, just not of big fi sh. Let’s cut the ego and BS out and get back to tances with certain brown trout that stalk these waters on why we go fi shing in the fi rst place. Send your stuff to tombuhr@ occasion. prodigy.net.

16 beboW on HennieS ode to tHe HendriCKSon Ah, the Hendrickson. At fi rst breath, it sounds so distin- egg-laying after hours of wasted energy hovering just inches guished. Like it has advanced degrees, the pedigree of a blue above the current. We’re talking about clouds of dainty hotty blood one percenter, and over-engineered rooms all fi lled spinners here, dancing for you, yellow eggs all aglow on with the fi nest vino in the basements of its multiple estates. their butts behind their smooth mascara-colored bodies, un- til the sun fades and the girls wave goodbye with wings all Actually, Hendrickson is an ancient Scottish name with its a-winking, untouched as they whisk away right back into the own family crest. Well, that’s nifty. But, with apologies to cool cedars of despair on the opposite bank. The cabin boys proud Scots in waders, in and I witnessed it again last my little part of the world year on Tax Day, but we’re the Hendrickson is noth- too old and bruised to fall for ing but an oaf living off those hollow fl irtations. We the reputations of far more just sat there in blue jeans, ethical mayfl ies. chewing cigars on the deck, Up here in northern Mich- and fl ipped off the last lin- igan, the Hendrickson gering prostitutes. opens the annual parade By mid-May, the wild- of river bugs. (Unless you fl owers will pop after two count the Black Stonefl y, straight weeks of warmth which is more like the fat and the homeless guy who old impotent afternoon hangs out at the gas station drunk who waddles out in your one-stoplight town in front of the St. Paddy’s will tout an armload of morel Day band in the middle of mushrooms. And you’ll head Main Street.) The Black to the river, hours early, on Stone is a harmless lout a warm morning, so hope- wallowing in low expectations, but this Hendrickson is ful you won’t even check the weather forecast. In your silly some kind of shifty combination of cheerleader-temptress, bliss, you’ll give a sideways glance to the Brown Drake box cuff linked personal injury attorney, and class clown. and count the days ‘til that Memorial Weekend spinner fall. The males appear fi rst, if at all, and never on any kind of Then you’ll grab handfuls of sulphurs and popcorn caddis, schedule approximating a working man’s calendar. Oh, drive to a favorite bend an hour from town, wader up, and sure, you’ll get phone calls from your upstate buddies when jump in the current with your four weight and prissy CFO you’re in rush hour traffi c on a balmy Tuesday night in reel. early April: “We had henny sailboats all over the place to- Within moments, a fresh north wind will suck twenty de- day!” But on a Saturday or Sunday? Fuhgettaboudit. Stay grees out of the thermometer. The sun will die behind a home and buy Powerball tickets instead. Oh, those week- purple sky to the west. Ice pellets – nature’s own buckshot end emergers are out there in the currents somewhere, but – will pelt the back of your neck. there’s always an east wind or a torrential Friday night rain that turns the streams to chocolate by hatch time on Satur- And in the middle of the season’s last snowstorm, the browns day. You can even try to wire this thing with some kind of and brookies will erupt and you’ll be nothing but a glower- contrived mid-week business meeting up north and catch a ing chaperone at the Henny Prom. The males and females warm breeze out of the south. Trust me, the water temps will will disco and fall by the thousands into the river, all around linger in the forties and those Henny males will shrivel back your untouched sulphur, as your other fl y box, a veritable into their shucks with a bad case of the shrinkage, and the housing project full of unemployed Hendrickson males and river, unbroken by trout snouts, will convince you the Silent females, sits in a dark corner of your downstate bedroom. Spring has fi nally arrived. Meantime, back at the offi ce the Goodbye, Hendrickson. boss will look at your empty cubicle and wonder if it’s fi - nally time to let you go. You can fl y your pretty pregnant butt all the way back to Scotland for all I care. Then you have the indecisive and chronically disoriented females who, almost without exception, immorally abort - John Bebow, Second Vice President

17 CarloS & don tWo friendS of riVerS One of the side benefi ts Unlimited is the stuff of of fi shing is to meet legend. He was the spirit some mighty fi ne peo- of the chapter, a liv- ple. That was defi nitely ing embodiment of the true for Carlos Fetterolf love for coldwater and and Don Buchanan, the wild places it fl ows both of whom died last through. An avid fi sher, March. I’m a better he never let the short- man for knowing them, comings of old age stop but diminished by their him from another trip passing. to the river with a lucky Carlos Fetterolf may friend or two in tow. A well have been the nic- marvelous man, he pro- est guy in the world. vided a perfect example Seriously! To know him of a life well led. was to really like him, Don was a kind man with and it didn’t take long. wonderful wit. Carlos had the gift of in- “Don had long been in- stantly disarming some- volved in community one, making them feel Carlos Fetterolf loved The Rifl e River. A picture of him and a fi shing buddy affairs, serving on the at ease, accepted and are depicted on this sign designed by Huron Pines to help promote etiquette Webster Township Plan- liked. It was genuine. on that popular river. ning Commission when “Carlos was the Best!” he lived in Dexter. When Observed friend and fi shing guide, Mike Bachelder. “He al- he moved to his dream house on the Manistee River, he af- ways had a joke to tell, was full of information and had a fi liated with the Adams Chapter of TU, and was instrumen- lifetime of great stories to tell.” Mike spent over 20 years tal in developing and managing a township park,” said long- guiding Carlos on adventures on the Rifl e and Au Sable riv- time friend and fi shing buddy, Mark Delany. He fi shed all ers. over the country with Don, including sub-Arctic Quebec for Those who met him in the last 15 to 20 years would prob- giant Brook Trout. “Don always said, ‘When there’s no ac- ably guess that he was an old-timer who loved the outdoors, tion, tie on a black Woolly Bugger.’” especially fi shing, and had a million stories to tell ranging While he traveled to many spots with his fi shing buddies from charming tales to hold-your-gut funny stemwinders – over the years, Don was really a “Manistee Guy.” His place the life of any party. of the sister stream to the Au Sable, The River House, was What most people didn’t know was that Carlos de la Mesa sacrosanct to him. He was a member of the Upper Manistee Fetterolf was a World War II veteran, All American College River Association - he took over as President of UMRA af- Soccer player and Masters level aquatic biologist who was ter Joe Kutkuhn passed away, a daunting task - and the Ann dedicated to the protection of the Great Lakes and rubbed Arbor Chapter of Trout Unlimited. Yes, he and Carlos were shoulders with all the legendary conservationists of the mid- friends and sometimes fi shed together. century era, including the founders of Trout Unlimited. In my active days in AAATU, as it was called back then, He was there for many key conservation outcomes in the Don used to help me organize and mail out their newslet- 1970s and 1980s while working for the Canada-United ter, The Reel News – sometimes Carlos was there as well. I States Great Lakes Fishery Commission (Executive Secre- loved his fi shing stories and observations on carving walk- tary, 1975-1992), Michigan DNR (Chief Environmental Sci- ing sticks – another passion. Don Buchanan was an easy- entist) or U.S. National Academy of Sciences (science co- going guy who was easy to like. Just like Carlos, he gave ordinator for the Water Quality Criteria that would be used back, but more often at the boots-in-the-water level. in the Clean Water Act). Carlos was involved in every ma- Whether or not Carlos and Don were members of Anglers jor water-related conservation association for professionals of the Au Sable doesn’t matter. Through their actions and (e.g., North American Benthological Society, International love of riparian environs they were brothers in arms, kindred Association for Great Lakes Research) and often served a spirits. If you met either one you’d know that immediately. term or two as the president. He received a cluster of awards Like the rivers that we cherish, life fl ows on. I’m grateful from entities such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. He for spending a portion of my journey with Carlos and Don, consulted to various groups well into his retirement. and I’m not alone in that sentiment. Carlos’s tenure with the Ann Arbor Area Chapter of Trout - Thomas Buhr, Editor

18 fun WitH PollS

Editors Column continued... last decade or so. It was always infor- poor or fair compared to 44% believ- in his own party. mative and refreshing. Dr. Richter was ing it was good or excellent. Not too A fi nal point of interest is the gen- all about the resource. surprisingly this broke down along erational differences for this question. political party identifi cation. Fifty-six There’s a short list of environmental Folks in the 18-29 years of age catego- percent (56%) of Republicans ranked leaders that I use as examples to strive ry favor the environment (60%) over the quality of the environment today for in my work. Rusty was one, Joe the economy (30%) by a two-to-one as good or excellent compared to Inde- Kutkuhn was another, and John Richter margin. That is wiped out and reversed pendents (45%) and Democrats (35%). was there, too. He was the best of us, in the 65+ years of age category where Where one sits on the political, and and will be missed. the economy (50%) is favored over the likely ideological, spectrum is a signifi - environment (39%). The seniors are Memorial contributions may be sent to cant determinant for viewing the health the only ones who do not prefer the en- Friends of the Jordan Watershed Center, of the environment. vironment, although the gap narrows in P.O. Box 412, East Jordan, MI 49727. A majority also believed that protec- each age classifi cation. * * * * * tion of the environment (50%) should Some Green folks would say, “See! We fun WitH PollS be prioritized over economic growth are winning the hearts and minds of our (41%). As recently as 2011 there had youth. The future is ours!” Maybe, but We looked at the Public’s perceptions been a 18% difference in the other di- what is likely happening here is not an of fracking in RIVERWATCH 68. Now, rection, 54% favored economic growth awakening by our young people but let’s take a gander at their overall views over environmental protection (36%). the opposite effect. As people go off of the environmental. These results What happened to create a 27-point net into the working world, get married, should provide evidence as to whether swing in opinion? Likely an improv- buy houses, have kids, and worry about we are swimming against the tide or ing economy is the answer. Americans providing a good life for their family rolling along its rising waters. It never had long favored protecting the envi- then the importance of a sound econo- hurts to know what others think about ronment over economic gain until the my grows. the things you hold dear. Great Recession of 2009 when fi xing a Gallup took a look at public opinion on moribund economy became crucial. However, as the economy becomes sta- ble or robust, concerns for the environ- several environmental factors in an an- Now that the economy is on a mend ment again become paramount. These nual poll conducted last March. Over the country seems to be returning to a results fi t very well with many theories three days 1,048 respondents, 18 years fairly entrenched belief concerning en- regarding post-modern social attitudes. or older, were randomly selected via vironmental protection. The gap in the As basic needs are met and less of a landline or cell phone. The selection early 1990s was as high as 52-points worry, individuals become more aware process was weighted to refl ect the (environment-71%, economy-19%). of broader issues, the wellbeing of the latest census fi gures for proper demo- It did narrow considerably during the environment being part of that list of graphic representation. The standard years of Bush 43. error for the results was +/- 4% points. concerns along with social justice and Of course the differences regarding civil rights. Half the sample (50%) felt that the political party identifi cation are obvi- It would appear from the reading of quality of the environment was getting ous, Republicans are much more pro- these results that environmentalists worse while 42% believed it was get- economy (59%) than environment would be well advised to hope for a ting better. This is a trend that began (32%), but there are some interesting good economy. In those periods, pub- when Barack Obama became Presi- trends. The fi rst is the narrowing of the lic opinion is favorable, or more favor- dent. The disparity was much more gap since 2011 (economy 74%, envi- able, to the environment, although to be pronounced during the Bush years – ronment-19%). This is a 28-point net sure those opinions may be mitigated 42% at one point. The ascendency of swing and mirrors the overall results by specifi c concerns. Still, given the a Democrat to the Presidency – that for this question. More interesting is desire to infl uence policy outcomes it party is believed to be pro-environment that prior to “W” becoming President helps to have a rising tide at your back. – appears to be enough to narrow the a majority of Republicans prioritized It makes it easier to cover more water gap although the overall perception re- the environment over the economy. and possibly catch more fi sh. mains the same – it’s getting worse. The difference was 60% to 34% as re- When asked to rate the quality of the cently as 2000! A President can set the - Thomas Buhr, Editor environment today, 55% said it was agenda and change the tune, especially

19 Anglers of the Au Sable P.O. Box 200 NonProfit Organization U.S. Postage Grayling, MI 49738 PAID LUZERNE, MI Permit No. 4

Editorial Offices Calendar - Summer 2014 The RIVERWATCH P.O. Box 300 September 6th, Luzerne, MI 48636 Anglers of the Au Sable Cleanup, Our organization is officially Email: 10 AM, Gates Au Sable Lodge, [email protected] affiliated with the Federation of Fly Fishers (FFF). We strongly George Alexander Memorial Lunch Editorial Staff encourage you to join the FFF. at Noon. Contact Josh Greenberg Since 1965, FFF and its Councils Thomas Buhr, Editor 989-348-8462/[email protected]. have been and continue to be the Mark Hendricks, Assistant Editor only organized national and September 6th, Ashley Jardina, Assistant Editor regional advocates for fly fishing. Au Sable Big Water Preservation Five dollars of your FFF dues Mercy Huizar, Graphic Designer Association, 8 AM (Boats), 9 AM are returned to the FFF Great (Walkers), Comins Flats, BBQ Noon. Email: [email protected] Lakes Council (GLC) Contact Thomas Buhr at 989-745- Contributors to be used for local efforts. 4957/[email protected]. Tom Baird, First Vice President th John Bebow, Second Vice President September 7 , Anglers Board Meeting, 10 AM, Thomas Buhr, Editor Gates Au Sable Lodge. Betsy Hemming, RIVERWATCH Columnist th Joe Hemming, Anglers’ Secretary September 20 , Manistee River Cleanup, Charlotte Jameson, MLCV The Old Au Sable Fly Shop, 9 AM. Terry Lyons, Director Contact Andy Partlo 989-348-3330/ Bruce Pregler, President [email protected]. John Russell, Director Neil Wallace, Member John Walters, MITU Vice Chair/Director