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Michigan Fish In
Gates Lodge, Grayling, MI is the rendezvous location, 6/24 - 7/1, 2018. As Kaboom mentioned in a post under Fly Anglers above, if you want reservations at Gates Lodge for this event, you need to make them early. This location fills up fast! However, there are several motels/lodges in the town of Grayling that have been used by some in the past and quite comfortable. Prices for food and lodging are very reasonable at most locations in the area.
So far this year, conditions are good and the catch rate is improving with the weather. One option is to sign up here if you intend to join us this year.
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Great idea to post this here! Looking forward to seeing everyone at the Fish-In. Bringing a friend who retired this year to fish the "Holy Waters". Looks like we'll be staying at the Camp Grayling Campground. If you're active or retired military this is a great, low cost option. Nice sites, generally not too rowdy as it's a military family dominated facility. Within 15 minutes or so from "Gates" and right between both the Manistee and the Ausable watersheds. Michigan in late June is delightful. Looking forward to seeing everyone in a few weeks.
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Good to hear from you Joe. Looks like there are only 5 plus one maybe who are currently responding. You, your friend, Brad, Bill, myself and possibly Marco. Hopefully, we can interest a few others as the dates get closer. If the general consensus is to do something at my house again, I'm up for it. That will be up to Brad. Of course, my buddies, Don and Duane who you all met last year will likely attend any social and possibly fish as well.
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John
I am willing to have another meet and greet. I will get with Joe and see what we can come up with. More details as we get things together.
Brad
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Update on the Meet and Greet....
This will take place on Monday, June 25. The location will be JonCampbell's home located off of Whirpool Rd. I will let John post the actual address to his home. Turn on Whirpool Rd and go down to the last road on the right, turn right and John's home is about 1/4 to 3/8 of a mile on the left. There is parking across the road from the house.
Anyone in the Grayling area that reads this is welcome. Come on out and make yourself known, we would love to meet you!
We will try and get started around 4:30 pm. Meet everyone, have a drink or two, tell some lies and then try and eat around 6:00 pm. That will give us time to hit the water after dinner.
We will be having venison burgers, brats, potato salad, and all the trimmings. Please bring your own beverages and throw in a chair if possible. All of the plates, utensils and cups will be furnished. We plan on breaking out the finest paper and plastic that money can buy!
If you plan on coming, just let me know so we will have food for all.
See you all on the 25 th.
Brad
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Sure wish I was able to get up there this year. Last year great and meet was a good time Sound's like this great and meet will be a good time. Those that do show up will have a good time.
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As Brad mentioned, Whirlpool Road is off North Down River Road to the south. Come all the way down Whirlpool Road and take the last possible right on to Snow Road. There is a sign there that states Private Road/Snow Road. My address is 618 Snow Road. All houses are on the river and we are the fifth one. It is a tan house on the river side and a tan garage on the other. Park in the open area in front of the garage door. Parking on the grass is fine. By the way, the speed limit on the road is 15 MPH. You'll see way. We are right on the river, so you can't miss us. Look forward to seeing you folks. Thanks to Brad and Joe for the arrangements.
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Looking a bit better herebouts as to my ( sans wife- she's travelling East with daughter)) attendance. As always, I look forward to a few good days astream and a few sips of distilled spirits with friends around Gates Ausable Lodge firepit.
For those interested, there is a gravel pit near McMasters bridge very suitable for honing ones skill with any firearm one may own. I always, and will again, take advantage of this .
In any case, if the creek don'r rise, I'll be there and probably staying at the luxurious 5 star Super 8 in town.
Mark
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Fished the Whirlpool many times over the years back in the 60's and early 70's. Fond memories.
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Actually, not much has changed over the years. I am told Whirlpool road was not paved back then, but nice paved road now. Someone on this site asked about Castwell's memorial bench at Gates lodge the other day. I floated by Gates yesterday and the Granite bench was shining in the sun. So, all is good. Sure wish you guys could find your way back here from MT for the FI:)
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Brad and Joe,
Looks like I'll have three (3) locals attending the meet and greet. All good guys and solid fly fishermen. Also, I'll have some spirits for Marco:>)
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Sounds good John. If my count is correct looks like we will have about 9 folks attending. Looking forward to meeting everyone.
Brad
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Well, reservation at aforementioned hostel confirmed. I'll be arriving early evening on the 24th and fishin till the 29th. Looking forward to seeing y'all and putting some lip pain on a few denizens.
John, thanks in advance for the "spirits" consideration and rest assured I will not arrive empty handed in return.
Mark
Having stated all above, my "usual signature" would be inappropriate.
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Mark,
Nice catch! Hopefully, the rivers will reward you appropriately.
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Meet and Greet
Brad and Joe,
We have plenty of plates, cups an flat ware for the event. Don't bother about that. I'll have a grill and the fire pit will be blazing to ward off the flying things. I'll also have some soft drinks and/or mixing material. Hope the weather cooperates.
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John, Brad,
Since this is a meeting of like minded dudes who may have traveled 100 to 500 miles to get TOGETHER, let's COMMUNICATE as to what WE are going to be doing and where we will be fishing on EACH day rather than "HI" at the meet and greet and then "you're on your own". Many of us , I include myself, have a clue as to what the "Holy waters" are capable of. I've seen pics of grins holding 25" Browns , but NOT in my hands.
COMMUNICATION will spell the success or failure of this MIFI and those to follow. We don't need to fill our creels or hook that 25" but lets do stuff "TOGETHER". There will only be 6 or 9 of us and THAT should not be a challenge.
Mark
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"That being said ............................." AGAIN, inappropriate in this context, for which apologies are extended.
Mark
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Mark,
What makes you think we don't communicate?:>) Seriously, some do fish together in their favorite spots, but no necessarily in the AuSable. The Manistee an Black rivers are also worth a day or so. The only way you will get a 25"er is with a guide further down stream in the big water, NORMALLY. I have a friend coming who know the North Branch very well and another who has some spots on the South Branch that he may reveal. Yes, let's talk. Personally, at my age, I like fishing with someone else in shouting distance.
I haven't seen any Hex at my place yet, but there have been some reports further down stream. The hot flies in the Holy Water change daily, but right now, Yellow Sallys, Purple Haze, Skunks and sulfurs are doing well. I see a few nymph fishermen come by. Wouldn't hurt to have a weighted dropper on a Skunk. I caught one the other day on a dropper. There should be a good crowd of locals here on Monday who fish more than I do with good information. See you on Monday if not before.
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John,
I'm looking forward to it .
Mark
BTW My cell # is 312-513-8708 ( well known to all IRS , lower credit card interest and Nairobi prince millions awaiting me scammers)
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It is highly unusual that any brown that big will be caught in the light of day. Are they in the Holy Waters? Absolutely. I have seen them. Are they easy to catch? NO! Like John says, night fishing with a guide is almost a must. Good luck getting a guide this time of year on such short notice. I lost the big fish syndrome many years ago. If I catch one, fine. If I don't, fine. I would rather catch 30 smaller fish than pound the river all night for maybe one fish. I have done this on many occasions this time of year on the Holy Waters. Catch 30 fish, that is.
Hey John, when you say skunk, do you mean the original version, or the newer updated version. I would guess 16-18 on sizes? I am in Grayling right now attending the Rodmakers at Grayrock. Sam Sure was by this morning with the fishing report. Sounds like isos in the evening right now. Not many hex around at the moment, but with the warmer temperatures later next week, that will change. Should be down at Gates Sinday afternoon.
See you all soon,
Brad
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Sorry, I didn't mention Isos, but yes, they are hatching in late evening around 8pm. Don't overlook the Beetles. I call them lightning bugs, but they are plentiful around the river right now.
I tie a version of the Madsen Skunk, but with a flash body. I think that's what Gates is pushing also. My rubber legs are generally barred black and white whether it matters or not, I don't know. I have plenty of them tied, so no need to go buy them if you don't tie. I know most of you tie your own. I have been using a size 12-14, but have to go smaller in a few weeks. We'll be home this weekend, so anybody is welcome to drop by.
For Mark, yes, there is plenty to talk about and strategies to be formulated. By the way, Sylvia has all the eating utilizes; plates, cups, etc. Just need to bring folding chairs if you have them. I have a few extra. Monday is supposed to be a beautiful day and evening.
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Hey John,
I'm here and I finally made it. "Gertrude" as I've named my "trusty" Garmin GPS apparently had a mind of her own adding about 40 miles to my trek. BUT, it's the destination and not the journey ( I know :>) ) that remains in my mind. Also, a NIX on the cell # I published earlier. IPhone died and refuses to take a charge. Unfortunately while I had a business conversation with several clients whose contact numbers died along with the phone. Called the 800 # of ATT from the motel to get the numbers of my last 5 outgoing calls so that I could reconnect with them later from my motel phone. That info is always available if one can prove his identity by reciting the numeric code set up when one initiated the service 25 years ago. Well...................................I am now totally incognito and possibly minus a few clients. Perhaps the fishing will temper my frustration. I am an optimist by trait.
Mark
Did stop by Spike's for an EXCELLENT burger . Also brought a few things to throw on the grill if there's room.
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Mark,
Just read your message. Sorry to here about your misfortunes. Hopefully, your luck will change. See you tomorrow afternoon.
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Well, the MIFI is officially over. The weather cooperated, the fish cooperated somewhat, but who cares. I had a GREAT time and Lord willing, look forward to more of same in the future.
Personally I'd like to thank Brad for again arranging the outing, Joe B for his culinary artistry, John and Sylvia Campbell for hosting the "meet and greet" at their beautiful streamside home. John, especially, for providing me with SEVERAL home tied offerings with an implied guarantee ( they worked on the South Branch). I'm sure I speak for everyone when I state, we ALL enjoyed the event and would certainly urge more FAOL'ers to join us next year.
Mark
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Thanks Mark. Turns out there were 14 of us at the meet and greet. Joe and Brad did a super job with the Brat and Bison Burgers. It was good seeing all the out of towner who were you of course, Brad, Joe, Bill and Joe's friend Kit. Wish the fishing conditions had been better, but you never know what nature will bring. I saw the first Hex this year out our front lawn last night. They generally hatch earlier farther down river. Hopefully, we'll have more to attend next year and I'll certainly look forward to it. Best regards to all!
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Well John,
It's happening again. As usual, about 10 or so days after leaving a very enjoyable, as was the 2018 MIFI, outing , REALITY and reality set in. Instead of only having to think of where to fish, what/where to eat and with whom to spend the evening watching the embers , there's "will IT be done on schedule"?. Needless to say, my choice will always be the former. I'm now in a mild state of depression that usually passes, thankfully, in a few days with no obvious long term residuals. It's only about 70 days to our annual Jackson Wyoming trip after which plus 10 or so days, it'll be Deja vu all over again :>).
See y'all and hopefully many more, next year.
Mark
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John,
Addressed to you again since you're the "resident reporter", how're the conditions, hatches etc. I'm tempted to return with wife ( tossup between Grayling and Viroqua WI) . Viroqua is much closer but I have a familiarity comfort factor for Grayling ( plus Spike's and You and Sylvia).
This would be the in-be-tween trip, to wit: MIFI- Wyoming which will happen Sept 25.
Since I still , like you, work in my field, all "plans" are " if all goes well". But having said all that, I'd try REAL HARD to make them happen.
PLUS, I never did get a taste of those "down home squeezins" you once mentioned :>).
Mark
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As was once written, "...the best laid plans..............", just got a work order for a school project to be completed before school starts so............
It was a nice thought. Already had reservations at the Super 8 for 5 days and canceled them with a heavy heart.
Looks like it'll be MIFI 19'
Mark