CONSERVATIONISTS AND ANGLERS HONOR THE LIFE OF LEGENDARY MICHIGAN RIVER KEEPER RUSTY GATES
 

GRAYLING, MICHIGAN -- Celebrated conservationist and fly-fisherman Calvin "Rusty" Gates Jr. died on December 19, 2009 at his home on the banks of the Au Sable River in Grayling, Michigan after a lengthy battle with lung cancer. He was 54 years old. Gates served as president of the Anglers of the Au Sable from its inception in 1987 until 2009. During this time he and his organization won several landmark legal cases in coldwater conservation.


"Rusty was a true treasure," said Rebecca Humphries, Director of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. "He loved the Holy Waters of the Au Sable and shared that love with countless individuals. He taught us that it is our duty to respect the resource and to protect it. His love of the river lives on in all of us. I have been truly blessed to know Rusty."


Gates was the proprietor of Gates Au Sable Lodge, and an iconic fly-fishing personality. Rusty's father Cal Gates Sr. moved his family to Grayling in 1970 and, along with his wife Mary, purchased the lodge on the banks of the Au Sable River. Cal Sr. had taught high school music, and Rusty played trombone in high school. But soon his passion for fly-fishing occupied most of his time. He began tying flies professionally at the age of 17, as well as guiding. At first Gates' flies were sold in the corner of the restaurant at the lodge, but soon demand was great enough that the Gates family added a full-service fly-shop to the lodge. Eventually Rusty bought the lodge and operated it with his wife Julie, who ran the restaurant.


"Of all the strong conservationists in our world, Rusty was one of the toughest. He was tireless, and he was like a missile in his precision and deadly accuracy. Yet he never, ever, wanted credit for anything--just for the various groups he worked with, especially the Anglers of the Au Sable," said Tom Rosenbauer, winner of the 2001 National Outdoor Book Award, and Marketing Director for the Orvis Company.


Gates Lodge is a place where thousands of anglers gather annually during fly fishing season from April through autumn. Rusty and Julie could be found there at all hours, tending to the smallest details of fly tying and gourmet cooking. With classical music playing in the background, the fly shop buzzed with patrons' latest stories from the nearby woods and waters. Coffee flowed freely as anglers bent over the dozens of boxes of flies, hoping to pick correctly for the day ahead. Rusty Gates presided over the daily scene with eagle eyes, a wry grin, and measured words. Fishing tips from this master were earned, not purchased. This tradition, while changed forever by Rusty's passing, will continue in 2010 as Gates Lodge remains in business under the leadership of fly shop manager Josh Greenberg, who has worked for Rusty for the last 15 years.


"Rusty proved that people don't fill their gas tank to fill their fry pan. They put on their waders to nourish their soul. Rusty did that for all of us, and our great-great-great grandkids. Sure, they won't know it, but when one of them flips an Adams, or a Trico, over a rising brown in 2109 it will have Rusty's name etched on it," said Glen Sheppard, author/editor of the conservation newspaper The North Woods Call.


The quiet, unassuming Gates' soon gained recognition for his expertise in fly-fishing, as well as his honesty and willingness to defend the resource. He developed a number of fly-patterns that became standard Au Sable fly patterns, introduced scores of people to the world of fly-fishing, and began to combine angling and conservation in such a way as to involve himself in some of the most influential coldwater issues in Michigan. In 1995 he was awarded the coveted Fly Rod and Reel Magazine "Angler of the Year" award for his conservation and cultural contributions to the sport of fly-fishing.


"Rusty Gates was a brave, smart, tireless champion of wild trout and the beautiful, magic places they abide. He lead by example; and he has touched and inspired us all," said Ted Williams, noted Conservation Editor for Fly Rod and Reel.

In a legal case that would define his commitment to the Au Sable River, in 2003 Gates, as President of the Anglers of the Au Sable, challenged a US Forest Service lease that would allow exploratory drilling for gas below the famed Mason Tract section of the South Branch of the Au Sable. With the odds stacked against them, the Anglers prevailed in their case against the Forest Service, forever altering how the business of gas and oil exploration would be conducted in the fragile areas of Michigan.


"While Rusty will mainly be remembered for his role in protecting the Au Sable, he changed forever the way we look at and work to protect our water resources and wildlife. We owe it to Rusty to carry on his work and make sure children in every generation to come will be able to share the wonder and joy in Michigan's wild places that are his legacy," said Michigan Sierra Club President Anne Woiwode.


Calvin "Rusty" Gates, Jr. will be missed by the many who knew him. He was an intensely private man who could, when needed, organize hundreds of people around a cause. Considered by many as one of the most talented fundraisers and recruiters they'd ever met, Rusty will be remembered for his uninhibited love for the river and the river valley, and his steadfastness in doing what he and many others considered right and necessary for the resource. He is survived by his wife Julie, their children, and a large extended family.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Anglers of the Au Sable. To make contributions to the Anglers, please go to their website at www.ausableanglers.org and follow the directions on the front page

Arrangements are posted on the Gates Lodge web site -- www.gateslodge.com.

 

Media Tributes to Rusty

Traverse City Record Eagle -- http://www.record-eagle.com/local/local_story_356074232.html

Detroit News -- http://www.detnews.com/article/20091222/SPORTS07/912220334/Rusty-Gates-was-champion-of-Au-Sable

Detroit Free Press -- http://www.freep.com/article/20091221/SPORTS21/912210343/1058/SPORTS10/Calvin-Gates-staunch-defender-of-Au-Sable

Bay City Times/Mlive.com -- http://www.mlive.com/mudpuppy/index.ssf/2009/12/legendary_northern_michigan_ri.html

Chicago Tribune -- http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-obit-gates-22-dec22,0,7890674.story

Lansing State Journal -- http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/article/20091221/NEWS01/312210011

9 & 10 News -- http://www.9and10news.com/category/story/?id=193060
 

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DNR and DEQ Will Merge in 2010

MERGER  

What You Should Be Concerned About By This Action

Merger_Concerns

As many of you know, the Governor recently issued an Executive Order to merge the Departments of Natural Resources and Environmental Quality. Although we support the recombination of the Departments, Michigan Trout Unlimited is greatly concerned with several elements of Executive Order 45. Several items proposed in the Executive Order are not good for natural resources management. Unless pressure is put on the Governor by the legislature to fix it, sound science based natural resources management will be set back decades. Below you will find information about the negative aspects of the Executive Order. The problems and corresponding bullet points can be used as “talking points” when you call your legislators. For more detailed information about the Executive Order and MITU’s position please visit www.michigantu.org.

Why overturn Executive Order 45

1) The Governor will now appoint the Director instead of the Natural Resources Commission (NRC)

a) This increases the political nature of the position

i) Science based management is critical to our natural resources, a Director appointed by the Governor may not have a strong natural resources background.
ii) Having a Director appointed by the Governor could cause significant changes in Natural Resource Management with the election of each new Governor, it is important to have continuity and consistency in management.

b) Decreases transparency in the hiring of the Director

i) When the director is hired by the bi-partisan, citizen represented Natural Resources Commission a wide search for candidates is conducted and information about the candidates is made public.
ii) If a Director is appointed by the Governor information about possible candidates will not be available and the candidate will not have to move through the Natural Resource Commission for approval.

2) The Water Resources Conservation Advisory Council (WRCAC) is abolished

a) The WRCAC is responsible for addressing shortcomings in Michigan’s water withdrawal law and making recommendation on them to the legislature, without this council our water law will quickly become outdated and ridden with glitches. Having the best water withdrawal law possible is crucial to the health of Michigan’s coldwater streams.
b) Abolishing the WRCAC does not save money from the state budget, all representatives on the council volunteer their time and expenses.

3) The department name should remain Department of Natural Resources (DNR) rather than being changed to the Department of Natural Resources and Environment (DNRE)

a) Changing DNR to DNRE on every decal, patch, sign, webpage, and stationary that currently exists will waste a large amount of time and a very large amount of money.
b) This simple alteration in name (keeping it as the Department of Natural Resources) is prudent in these hard economic times.

What to Do - Contact the Speaker of the House, your state Representative and Senators!

Telephone calls to Representatives and Senators are best, but emails are great too. Call your legislator and use the points above to express why you do not support Executive Order 45 as it is currently written. It would be especially helpful if you could contact the Speaker of the House, your representative, and your senator.

Please contact the Speaker of the House directly to voice your opposition to Executive Order 45. Call or email Andy Dillon at: 888-737-3455 or andydillon@house.mi.gov.

Click here to find your state Representative and click here to find your state Senator.

It is very easy to call your legislators and they really listen to feedback from their constituents. It is very important we let our legislators know we do not support Executive Order 45 as it is written . Forward this email to any sportsmen and women you know as well as anyone you know that cares about Michigan’s natural resources management, encourage them to at least send a quick email to their legislators stating that Executive Order 45 is not supported by those who care about natural resources in Michigan!

Sincerely,

Dr. Bryan Burroughs
Executive Director
Michigan Trout Unlimited