Au Sable River

Au Sable River. . , In northern Crawford County, where the Kollke and Bradford Creeks converge, the Au Sable River begins its 138-mile journey to Lake Huron. The Anishnaabek called the river Mudaubeebetonagnce, which means "flowing from the interior to the lake." French explorers called it the Rivière Au Sable, or "river to sand." , , During Michigan's white pine logging era (1870-1920), the river's current carried logs to sawmills. The Au Sable River later helped Grayling become a beloved recreation destination for anglers and , , Au Sable Riverboat , Special flat-bottomed boats used for fishing, Au Sable riverboats have roots in Northern Michigan's logging industry. Similar vessels were used to supply wanigans (cook rafts) during log drives on the river. , , In the 1870s, river guide Rube Babbit and likely others began to customize the boats for fishing. Though they weigh 300 to 400 pounds, the Au Sable riverboat's flat bottom allows for easy navigation with a pole or punt stick. Traditional construction includes cedar or pine planks. The watercraft are still used and handmade by people in the Grayling area. , , Excellent Trout Fishing , The Au Sable River and [its] tributaries traverse all parts of the county, offering an abundance of water, [and] furnishing some of the best trout fishing in Northern Michigan. , Perry F. Powers, A History of Northern Michigan and its People, 1912 , , The Au Sable River is a world-renown trout fishery. Some people refer to the river's main stretch between Burton's Landing and Wakeley Bridge as the "Holy Waters." This area is one of the United States' premier fly-fishing destinations. , , Au Sable River Canoe Marathon , First held in 1947, the Au Sable River Canoe Marathon is the longest nonstop, canoe-only race in North America. Its 120-mile course starts in Grayling and ends in Oscoda at Lake Huron. , , The event begins in the evening with competitors carrying their canoes in a foot race to the river. Spectators follow the race by travelling from bridge to bridge throughout the night and during the following day. , , The marathon is one of three races that comprise the Triple Crown of Canoe Racing. It draws elite racers from North and Central America. , , The Founding of Trout Unlimited , In 1950, George Griffith was appointed to the Michigan Conservation Commission. Later, industrialist George Mason, a fellow trout fishing enthusiast, saw Griffith in the lobby of a Grayling hotel and told him, "You have a grand opportunity and a great responsibility. I think you can live up to some of them." , , In 1959, 16 fishermen gathered at Griffith's home on the banks of the Au Sable River near Grayling, and founded Trout Unlimited. They wanted to ensure that wild and native trout could prosper in their native habitat. , , Trout Unlimited has since grown into a leading non-profit that works to conserve, protect and restore cold water fisheries and watersheds throughout the United States. , , Lower right image caption: George Griffith and George Mason on the Au Sable River.