More from Arkansas

Here's a little more from the boys in Arkansas.  Alex's clients Brad and Joel just got back and had a great time.  Joel said to me in an e-mail:

Yes, Arkansas was awesome.  Very nice thing going down there.  My Dad and I both just kept topping our previous best, seemed like the very next cast.  Definitely hard core fishing.  As I type this, the ligaments in my left middle finger twinge with every keystroke.  None the less it was everything we had hoped for, and we are both well aware of the difference between what we hope for and what the Forces usually dictate.  Alex was great to fish with.  My Dad and I really enjoyed his enthusiasm and camaraderie as well as sense of humor.  He flat out worked hard for us and we both really appreciated his ass whoopins! 

Father and son with a 27 



Fly Contest

The tyers have certainly been busy.  It's amazing what some real winter weather does for fly production.  Two weeks ago I was in a bit of a panic about the tyers' lack of progress.  All that changed with about 16 inches of snow and subzero temperatures.  Here's a pile of  flies Sam wrapped up in only five days last week.

These are size ten drakes.  Any idea how many?  I'll give you each 3 guesses and the contest will stop on March 1st or when someone gets the correct answer.    We'll toss in a hint here or there if you need it.  I tell you now that the number doesn't land on an even dozen.  It's more that 100 and less than 1000.

Please post your guesses as a comment.  Winner gets an Old AuSable Fly Shop gift certificate.  Good Luck!

Original Painting of Your Hunting Dog

Here's something pretty cool.  I've got an artist that will do original, unframed, paintings of your favorite gundog for only $175.  This is real, local, folk art.  I'm certainly going to commission a piece with my old Red Setter.  I challenge you to find a better price for an original, commissioned piece of artwork.

-31 this morning

Cold enough this morning to freeze our bells off.  31 below with no wind chill factor.  I don't remember a day this cold.

Check out the steam coming off the river . . . takes some serious freezing temps to do that.  Stay warm.

Arkansas?

Well Alex is down there in Arkansas  . . . says he's trout fishing and getting 'em pretty good.  I don't know.  Doesn't look like a trout or a drift boat to me.  But it does look pretty fun.

New Rental Cabin

I'm pretty excited.  The Old AuSable Fly Shop is currently able to offer a premium rental on the Au Sable River's "Holy Waters".  Located only 8 miles from town the cabin rests 25 feet from the river and sleeps up to four anglers (two bedrooms with a double bed each and a futon for your mother-in-law)

This cabin sits on a completely wadable stretch of river that is situated among some of the best pools in the Holy Waters.  Check out the link http://www.oldausable.com/services-86.html .

Huron Pines and the AuSable North Branch

Huron Pines is doing some pretty cool work on the Au Sable River's North Branch this year.  Here's a link you should check out. http://www.huronpines.org/project/90  

It's Show Season

The Old AuSable is kicking off the show season with "The Indiana Fly Fishing Show" this Saturday January 8th in Indianapolis.  These shows are a great way to spend a wintry Saturday afternoon, meet new folks, and re-connect with old friends . . . hope to see you there.   Here's a link http://www.freewebs.com/reelwomen/indianaflyfishingshow.htm

Shep

Glen Sheppard passed away.  Hard to know what to say.  There are few people I respect more. Shep was the ultimate steward of Northern Michigan's natural resource.  He will be missed. He loved the Au Sable River.  Follow the link. http://www.freep.com/article/201101051308/NEWS06/110105045

Burrrr!

Wow.  What a difference a few days make.  The New Year's thaw not only provided some great  fly fishing opportunities but totally melted all the snow that fell in November and December here in the Au Sable River Valley.

That's all changed now.  There's still not enough snow for snowmobilers but we've had enough lake effect snow to cover the ground with a couple inches of the white stuff.  And gone are the mid-forty degree temps we experienced last week.  I woke up to 0 degrees this morning. 

If you're headed this way and need a hands-on weather update, just give the shop a call or shoot an e-mail.

Have a great and happy new year!