Books and Video

Seasons on the Au Sable

by Rusty Gates

Three miles downstream from Grayling, Michigan, is the Holy Water, a stretch of the Au Sable River that is some of the most storied trout fishing water in the country. One man, perhaps more than any other, has adopted this magical place as his own, nurturing, protecting, and sharing its secrets with generations of anglers over the years. His name is Rusty Gates.

In Seasons on the Au Sable, Rusty imparts his substantial knowledge of how to fly fish this blue-ribbon trout fishery. And he should know. The Gates Au Sable Lodge is nestled along the banks of the Holy Water, and his legendary fly shop is a cast away from the Main Branch.  His book begins with the most important month of the year�April, the season opener!  It follows the progression of insect hatches that occur in northern Michigan, many unique to the Au Sable. Along with Rusty�s stories and personal reflections on the river, the book includes practical advice such as which flies to use, the best time of day to fish, and what impact weather may have on hatches and fish activity.