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A Manistee River Prize
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These two "Sister Rivers" are unique in that they have the most stable and constant flow of any rivers in the world. They essentially are spring creeks that flow south on a more or less paralell course for nearly 30 miles before the AuSable heads east into Lake Huron, and the Manistee goes west to Lake Michigan.
The constant flow rate is gentle, and river depths average two to four feet, making wading very easy. However, these rivers usually are fished from AuSable Longboats--which originally were used in the late 1800s and early 1900s to transport freight to the numerous logging camps in northern Michigan.
These boats are slightly less than 24 feet long, with a flat bottom, low gunnwales, and nnarrow beam. They draw hardly any water, and are extremely stable craft.
The primary angler fishes from the bow, while a second angler fishes from the middle of the boat, or waits his turn in the bow. This is predominantly dry fly fishing, and Michigan is blessed with nearly 30 different hatches of caddis, mayflies, and stoneflies. In addition, from mid-summer through fall, the brown trout and brook trout are gorging themselves on grasshoppers, beetles, and ants.
Of course, the most spectacular fishing occurs from mid-June through just after July 4. That's "Hex" time--when the giant mayfly Hexagenia limbata emerges from mudbanks from about 10pm through about midnight.
Huge brown trout--we call them Bowling Balls, because when they feed it sounds as if someone has thrown a bowling ball into the river--can migrate as much as four miles a night in search of The Hex Hatch (much like we anglers do!). These are fish in the 25-inch class, and the largest that one of my anglers caught was a 30-inch, eight-pound brown!
During a full-blown "blizzrd" of hatching duns, mixed with spentwings, you might be surrounded by more than a dozen large fish slurping these large bugs. I've had plenty of "First-Timers" cry out in shock, saying "I never thought there could BE so many big fish in one place!"
During regular daytime fishing, large numbers of smaller fish are common, with brook trout ranging to 10 inches (large for this system), and browns to 14 or 15 inches, with larger fish rising to hoppers in the middle hours of hot days in mid-July through October.
Location:
The AuSable River and Manistee River begin approximately six miles apart in the foothills of Michigan's Northern Highlands, midway between the villages of Waters and Mancelona.
Inclusions:
Full-day trips include lunch and beverages. Rods, reels, flies and waders can be provided. A Michigan fishing license is required, but not provided. They can be obtained online through www.michigan.gov/dnr. A 24-hour license (resident or nonresident) is $7. Yearly resident license is $28, non-resident is $42. Accomodations:
We reccommend Twin Pine Lodge (www.twinpinelodge.com) on the banks of the AuSable's Holy Water (flies-only and no-kill). It's one of the river's old-time lodges, with turn-of-the-century charm yet extremely affordable rates. Individuals or groups are welcome. It's easy to reach, but has a "remote" feel.
There also is a Holiday Inn and Days Inn on Grayling's main street just at Exit 254, along with a dozen more "mom-n-pop" motels
Transportation:
There are General Aviation airports in Grayling (Scott McNamara Ford 989-348-3242 rents vehicles) and Gaylord (Enterprise Rent-A-Car 989-731-9726).
Commerical air service goes into Traverse City (40 miles west), Pellston (40 miles north), or Grand Rapids (180 miles south).
Directions:
The town of Grayling, in Crawford County, is in the northern tip of Michigan's Lower Peninsula, about 50 miles south of the Mackinaw Bridge. Drive time from Metro Detroit is approximately four housrs using I-75. Use Grayling Exit 254. Drive time from Lansing is about two and one-half hours. Use US 27, merge with I-75 and take Exit 254. Drive time from Grand Rapids is about three hours. Use US 131 to Kalkaska and turn east on M-72 and it's about 20 miles to Grayling. Nearby activities and attractions:
Hartwick Pines, just north of Grayling, is the largest stand of virgin white pines remaining in Michigan's Lower Peninsula. In addition to foot paths through the forest, there is a re-created logging camp and a visitors center with photographs and a history of Michigan's logging industry through the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) era.
Fort Michilimackinac, 50 miles north of Grayling in Mackinaw City, is a re-creation of a settlement in the 16th-century Northwest Territories. The Fort's cannon guarded the Straights of Mackinaw. Period costumes and various "day-in-the-life" enactments are ongoing.
Mackinaw Island is reached by fast ferry boats from Mackinaw City. The Island has an airstrip, but only emergency vehicles are allowed on the island. Transportation is by horsedrawn wangons or sleighs, bicycle, or on foot. The Grand Hotel is where the motion picture Somewhere in Time was filmed.
Casino gambling in Traverse City (40 miles west of Grayling).
Otsego County (adjacent to Crawdord County on the north) has more than 70 golf courses, some designed by Jack Nicklaus, Pete Fazio, Greg Norman, and Arnold Palmer. Most of these courses are heavily wooded, with beautiful scenery.
Season:
June 15 usually is the "kickoff" to Michigan's Hex Hatch. That's followed by Isonychia, caddis, stoneflies, blue wing olives, sulphurs, and a host of hoppers, beetles and ants.
Fishing can be excellent through the end of October, when northern Michigan's "Color Tour" is absolutely spectacular!
Water/Weather Conditions:
Water temperatures in the Manistee and AuSable usually don't rise above 65 degrees.
Ait temps, however, can drop dramatically at night, even during July and August. Fleece and rain gear are useful.
Equipment Used:
A 9-foot 5-weight rod is most commonly used on float trips. Using a 3-weight or 4-weight is fine. A 6-weight is good for Hex. Rates:
Full Day Half Day
Riverboat Two Anglers $325 $225
One Angler $225 $175
Wade Trip Two Anglers $225 $175
One Angler $150 $100
Deposit:
A booking is considered firm upon receipt of 50 percent of the total for number of days and boats (additional guides can be arranged for groups) requested. Checks, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express are accepted.
Deposits are not refundable if cancellation is made less than 30 days prior to the booking.
Other information:
Capt. Tony Petrella is licensed by the United States Coast Guard, and is fully insured. Capt. Tony also is a Certified Casting Instructor for The Federation of Fly Fishers and has taught fly casting to thousands of men, women, and children.
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