Jack Hise and Mike Flannagan have cooked up the latest
FAOL Fish-In. This one should be a real winner.
The site is just outside Grayling, Michgan, split
between the Kneff Lake State Forest Campground and
the Gates Au Sable Lodge.
The Kneff Lake site is on a small, 14 acre, spring-fed lake
with a sandy beach. The lake contains rainbow trout and
has a planted population of grayling that reside in
the lake. This is one of the very last places in the
Midwest that an angler can still manage to catch a
grayling on a fly. These are very delicate fish and
the regulations are strictly catch and release, so if
you do manage to catch some of these fish, please handle
them very gently and release them immediately.
Between tent and non-tent sites, Kneff Lake has a total
of 26 campsites, all with table and fire ring. There are
flush toilets and water, but no other facilities. Plan
to be self-contained. Jack has some portable showers
which will be available.
Gates Au Sable Lodge will
be the headquarters for those not camping. JC and the LadyFisher
already have their reservations, there are only 14 rooms, so
make your reservations early. Excellent meals and a full
service fly shop are also on premise. The Lodge is located
right on the river, about 6 miles from the Kneff Lake campground
on the same road. There are two more good campgrounds on the
rivers for those who may prefer them. Keystone Landing is
on the mainstream of the Au Sable, and Canoe Harbor is located
on the South Branch of the Au Sable, (Mason Tract).
The Au Sable river is famous for its hatches, and over
100 miles of water. There are also many other streams
with trout in the immediate area. Plus the possibility
of steelhead or salmon an hour or so drive away.
JC and I have also offered to do a free casting class one
afternoon for those interested in improving their casting.
(Most of the hatches will be morning and evening at that
time of the year.)
Events
JC & LF will be holding casting lesson's and demo's Wednesday afternoon,
open to all, no charge of course.
Wednesday evening (dark) JC's slide program at Gates Lodge.
Eric Austin will hold a fly tying lesson.
deleo will bring some bamboo rod's to tryout.
At least one trip to Spike's Keg-O-Nail's for their famous burger!
If I can talk ohiotuber into it we will do a pancake breakfast one morning!
A Friday Evening Cook-Out. Bring your own meat and a dish to pass.
I've booked two afternoon float trips with one of our member's "Capt Tony."
Gate's Lodge (sponsor) also offer's float trip's.
Saturday afternoon lawn at Gates Lodge, Casting Competition, (see below.)
Another Lodge is holding room's for us so there is still time
to find lodging on the river.
I suggest a Google search for "Au Sable River, Michigan" to
find place's to eat, visit, etc.
For information on Lodging, float trip's and canoe/kayak rental
contact me via email.
Thing's are filling up fast for the summer so don't delay too long.
Casting Competition
We did this for a NY Fish-In once and it worked out very well.
One group (men, ladies kids, etc) Each use own rod and line.
Rods no longer than 9ft. 1 inch. 6 weight or under. No shooting
heads. Leader must be at least 9 feet with a fluff on
the end. The object is to have fun with 'our' personal fishing
gear. Timed event. Five minutes, as many casts as you can lay
down in that time. The course will have a 'width' measured at
the end. Casts must be within it. Your longest cast scores.
I strongly encourage everyone to attend, either to watch as
their favorites tears his shorts trying for the longest cast
which is indeed well worth the price of admission, which
to watch is free. Or to enter, which will cost five dollars.
Yes, five big smackers, but wait, there is more! The money
will go into a 'pot' for any expenses incurred by the guys
putting on the FI. Next, each person who signs up and 'must
actually cast' will be given a number. The matching number
will go into a hat.
When the event is over, the longest three casts will be 'recognized'
with a cheap ribbon and we will draw ONE name from the hat. He
will win, on the spot, a new fly rod! REDington has just donated
a WayFarer 5wt. 6pc, 8.5ft, $239.00 travel rod. (Thank you
Redington!)
The contest is not official in any way, just a fun event of
the FI, but you will see some great casting. I know there are
several shooting at me in the contest. Should be a blast.
Yes, we will need 3 or 4 guys to help. A long tape, 4 stakes,
a 8 foot square of carpet or something to stand on and cast
from, an old stop watch. Probably do this Saturday about noon.
For more information of the AuSable including the flies,
click on the book photo at the right which will take you
to our Great Rivers section and excerpts from the book.
You will also find a link on the Gates AuSable Lodge
website for the hatches.
As with all FAOL events, everyone is cordially invited.
There are no registration fees. Everyone is on their own, FAOL
does not make reservations or arrangements for you. You are welcome
to come for the whole week, or just a day. Whatever works for you.
Families are welcome as well.
For those attending from out-of-state, you can purchase
your fishing license on-line. Just click on the "e-license"
graphic above.
While it is ideal for all of the Fish-In folks to be in the
same location, it just wasn't possible this time. We hope
folks will feel free to travel back and forth to both
locations. They really aren't that far apart.
It's a great time, and an opportunity to make new friends,
and to put faces on names. The fishing should be great,
there are lots of places to access the rivers. We'd love
to have you join us.
If you do plan on making it to the Michigan Fish-In 2006, drop us an
email
publisher@flyanglersonline.com and we'll put your name on
the I'm Going List! Please designate MICHIGAN Fish-In. ~ LadyFisher
I'M GOING LIST!
|
