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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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:)
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:>)
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.
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.
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,
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.
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