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Membership

To learn more about becoming a member of the ASBWPA please click here The Membership Page

CHECK OUT OUR FRIENDS AT THIS LINK!

The ASBWPA Friends Page

Mission

The mission of the Au Sable
Big Water Preservation Association is to conserve and watch over the reach of river from Mio Dam to Alcona Pond and support the best interests of the entire Au Sable River system.

Current Concerns 

River clean-ups including providing dumpsters and service at landings as well as coordinating clean up activities throughout the season with other organizations.

 Protecting the trout population through suitable stocking, law enforcement and fishing regulations.

Streamside restoration including erosion control and the placement of large woody debris.

 

Water quality including temperature, stream flow and purity.

 

Angler responsibility through proper catch and release, line recycling and restraint when conditions warrant.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How Green is your candidate?  Find out his or her voting
record on environmental
issues at this site -
www.votetheenvironment.org

 

Learn how to stop junk mail and the waste of paper at these sites - www.junkmailstopper.com

 

www.stopthejunkmail.com

 

Time to Nominate stretches of water for new fishing regulation classification

Click_Here_To_Learn_More


What about those Asian Carp!?

Those_Pesky_Carp!!!  More_On_Carp 

Update_as_of_2-5-10

     As many of you are aware, the situation with Asian Carp invading the Great Lakes has been frustrating, with Federal agencies and the Supreme Court failing to take action to prevent the colonization of these fish into the Great Lakes. 

   On January 21st, Senator Debbie Stabenow and Representative Camp both introduced a legislative bill, “the Carp Act”, that would force the US Army and federal agencies into action.  The bill makes mandatory, numerous actions that are wise and justified - but have not yet occurred.  They are actions necessary to stave off the unimaginable damage that Asian Carp will have on the ecology and economy of the Great Lakes.  We can be thankful for the leadership our delegates are having on such a difficult issue.

   Please send your comments of support for this legislation to our congressional delegates - you can reference it as “the CARP ACT” (#CAM10024).  Thank you for taking the time to support this important effort.  From here on out we are all going to have to help work for more good news and progress on this issue.

   Attorney General Mike Cox has created a website, www.stopasiancarp.com, for citizens to sign an online petition, the results of which will be used to show Illinois and federal authorities that they must look at the needs of the entire Great Lakes basin.


Anglers Gets Favorable Appeal Ruling

in Kolke Creek Case

    The Michigan Supreme Court has agreed to hear the Anglers of the Au Sable's appeal in its case against Merit Energy and the DEQ regarding Kolke Creek. Anglers filed its request with the Michigan Supreme Court last summer.  

   In addition to the issues raised in the Anglers' request to appeal, this Order paves the way for conservation groups in the state to submit opinion briefs on the following issues:

  1. Whether Merit Energy Company, defendant in the underlying case, could be granted the right to discharge water on land owned by the state;
  2. What test should be applied to determine whether and the extent to which Merit may discharge water;
  3. Whether the plaintiffs (Anglers of the Au Sable, Mayer Family Investments, LLC, and the Nancy A Forcier Trust) have a cause of action under the state’s environmental protection law against MDNRE
  4. Whether the Nestle and Preserve the Dunes court cases were correctly decided.

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
 


Yes, Virginia, There Is A Cougar

DNR Verifies Cougar Tracks, Confirms Location of Trail Camera Photo in Eastern Upper Peninsula

On_The_Prowl


The Latest on Sulfide Mining

Babette_Welch's_Pure_Michigan_Pure_Water_Article


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

To Learn More About Buying Patrick Bevier's "Ode for the Au Sable Angler" Picture Please

Click_Here


To Learn More About Fishing in General Go To:

FISHING_IN_MICHIGAN  

While you're at it check out this story for info on Hexavalent Chromium

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/27/AR2009062701289.html?hpid=sec-health%3Cbr%3E

Alba Injection Well Put on Hold

Alba_Well

Alba_Well_Timeline_of_Events


Mostly Bad News on Sulfide Mining

Latest_on_Sulfide_Mining

If that's not bad enough read this...

Kennecott_is_bad_news!


Latest on Water Withdrawal

http://www.record-eagle.com/opinion/local_story_213195108.html
 

http://www.detnews.com/article/20090806/OPINION01/908060336/1008/Despit
 

 

Clean For Now - In addition to myriad mayfly species Perry Creek boasts a great diversity of stonefly, caddis, dragonfly, and dobsonfly nymphs.  (Photo: Patrick Bevier)


The Cleanup of Perry Creek
Needs Your Help!

Write Governor Jennifer Granholm (PO Box 30013, Lansing, MI 48909) and Ask Her to Use Stimulus Money to Finish the Job.  If DEQ Acts Soon We Can Avoid Any Problems on the Trophy Water.

Learn More About Perry Creek-Hoskins
Hex_Chrom


 

Just a click away...

There are plenty of conservations problems to solve on the Au Sable and through the state.  Learn about them on our Issues page.  We are also providing archival info on the following issues:  Mio Regs, Mason Tract, Kolke Creek, Water Withdrawal, Axiom, Sulfide Mining, Hydro and much, much more in the near future!!!

Check out the latest from Huron Pines,
The Sierra Club, and much more on our News page.

Set up your schedule by looking at our Calendar of events

You never know what will be the
hot spot or hot fly on our Fishing Report

Learn more about the next cleanup at our Clean Update

See pictures of our latest work projects on the Git Er Dun Page

 

CURRENT MOON

Adopt A Beat Sign-Up Starts Now !!!

Go To ADOPT-A-BEAT

READ_MORE_HERE


Consumers Has Big Plans For Mio Dam

HYDRO

Go To Page 4


70 Degree Website Up and Running

TAKE_IT!

 

(Courtesy of Michael Paulus, Deploy Creative www.deploycreative.com)

Captain Eli Barlia of Ecotemp Industries (www.ecotemp.net)
Has Developed Environmentally
Safe Thermometer
to Aid in Taking
70 Degree Pledge

*     *     *

READ_MORE_HERE 

New Website Dedicated to 70 Degree Pledge Coming Soon!

Take The
70 Degree Pledge

When the morning temperature at Mio Dam is 70 degrees or more then I will not fish for trout on that stretch of the Au Sable River, Mio to Alcona Pond.  If I choose to fish that day, it will be on other streams with cooler water, further downstream for warm water fish such as smallmouth bass, or on the many lakes in the area.  If I catch a trout I will let it go immediately.  When the temperatures fall below 70 degrees at Mio Dam I may consider fishing the stretch again, but will do it early in the morning, at twilight, and at night.  I will use a thermometer to fish runs with cooler water so the trout have a better chance at surviving catch and release.  I recognize that this is a necessary practice during the hottest part of the summer, late June through mid August, and I am helping the fishery when I do it.


HERO OF THE WEEK!

Jim Schrot of the Michigan Fly Fishing Club has been helping us gather members and spreading the word about our work.  We are very grateful to him.

THANK YOU!


Contact
 

Send correspondence to
ASBWPA
PO Box 300
Luzerne, MI 48636
989.745.4957

EMAILHERE