Rusty Gates passed away this evening. Funeral arrangements have not been finalized.
Printable View
Rusty Gates passed away this evening. Funeral arrangements have not been finalized.
I just checked into my email at the last minute before turning in for the night. This was the news I was hoping wouldn't come yet. I am so sorry to hear it.
The Ausable River and the State of Michigan lost a good man. To me, he will always be the "River Keeper". The guardian of the AuSable.
It was the words in his book and in the fishing reports, that brought me back to my old home waters...this time with a fly rod and instead of a canoe. ( I used to canoe the AuSable and Manistee in my youth). I enjoyed going into the shop and talking with him over a morning coffee, picking up little pieces of wisdom. I will miss him.
I also know I can find him again, in spirit, when I'm fishing the "Holy Waters" of the Ausable. I'll hear his voice in the splash of a fish, the sound of the river and in the voices of the woods.
God speed my friend.
Anglers of the AuSable...Remembering Rusty Gates
http://www.ausableanglers.org/i4a/pa...x.cfm?pageid=1
Balled of Rusty Gates:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rx_Fst7uCCY
River Of Sand:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URHppoKdeUM
Michigan has lost a great conservationist. He will be missed both for himself and for his stewardship of the Au Sable.
My condolences to his family and friends. I know he meant a lot to FAOL.
Is posted here on the Bulletin Board under Fly Anglers OnLine. I will close this one just to keep everything in one place.