Anglers members have come through huge to spice up the live auction by sharing their special places with the club. We're proud of each and every one for their contributions to make our 20th Anniversary Celebration a pretty special night.
The island house is located on secluded “Deals Beach” and can accommodate four persons – a great spot to take the family! This is a fully furnished house; complete with state of the art kitchen, spacious living room with TV and surround sound stereo system, two bedrooms, and a large deck with outdoor grill - talk about the pure pleasures of island living with all the comforts of home!
It is a great spot for swimming, snorkeling, and fly fishing. Bonefish abound here in the turquoise waters of the Caribbean. Several fine restaurants as well as grocery and liquor stores are only a few miles away. Car, boat, kayak and bike rentals are available along with fishing guides and snorkeling/diving tours of the island. Plenty of points of interest to visit including Deans Blue Hole, a 663’ blue hole believe to be the deepest of its type.
Sunset Breeze is located halfway between Stella Maris & Deadman’s Cay. A perfect time of year would be late winter/early spring as the waters warm up and the fish come in closer to shore. That’s generally snow melt time up north, before the traditional trout opener. Chase the bonefish, or take the wife someplace special… nothing like a sandy beach and lots of sun! Make sure your passport is good and spend a week in the Islands!
There may not be a better spot in North America for inshore saltwater fishing! It’s all there, from snapper to tarpon, snook to sea trout. Marco Island is the scene for “Moon Over Marco” each May – an annual madness centered on the pursuit of the Silver King and his backcountry cousin, ol’ Mr. Linesides.
Backcountry fishing is what it’s all about with Chokoloskee and the 10,000 Islands to the south and the endless grass-flats of Charlotte Harbor to the north. The immediate neighborhood ain’t all bad either with Rookery, Addison and Gullivan Bays as well as the legendary Indian Key Pass.
Saltwater angling is about catching a variety of fish, maybe a dozen different species in a single trip. It’s also about big surprises; a double-digit snook coming out of a twist of mangroves, a 100 pound tarpon striking as you lift your fly out of the water, a bull red smoking your backing in another of the many passes.
This weeklong stay comes from a hard core Au Sable veteran and founding member of the Anglers of the Au Sable, Mike Phelps. During the 70’s, Mike would take off fishing from the Lodge downstream. He might wade all the way to Shaw Park, about four miles of river, then turn around and fish his way back home! For years, Rusty floated Mike during his annual spring visits to the Au Sable. Salt or sweet-water, he’s a hardcore fisherman.
This is a typical two-bedroom condo with all the amenities. Anyone that has never fished saltwater, and has it on the agenda, this is the trip for you!
This B & B, on the banks of beautiful Shupac Lake, located just north of the historic town of Lovells and close to the North Branch of the Au Sable. This private home on the waters edge is perfect for a summer or fall weekend get away for up to three guys or two couples.
Glen and Martha Eberly are the gracious hosts for this special package. They are a couple of the nicest folks on the globe, always a smile on their faces. Included is breakfast both days, plus a cocktail pontoon boot cruise on the lake. And get this! Glen will provide a guided wade trip on the North Branch for some spectacular Au Sable fishing.
There is also an angling opportunity to fish for monster rainbows in Shupac Lake, just out your front door! Rumor has it the best drop off is right out front of this place. Sorry no smoking or pets. This would make for an awesome summer weekend trip, or spectacular fall color outing.
Long Key Two Bedroom Condominium
Outside your front door lies an exclusive stretch of beautiful white beach. Imagine yourself at this two-bedroom condo just a double haul from the turquoise water of the Florida Keys. The flat out front will harbor monster bonefish of double-digit size. Or walk the beach to the Long Key State Park a mile away, scanning the water for the ghost of the flats.
This is historic ground. The condo sits on the site of the former Long Key Fishing Club. In the years 1910 to 1935 this massive 75-room guest hotel, along with thirty some cottages, was a serious fishing destination for some of the wealthiest families in America. The guest list included Herbert Hoover, Franklin Roosevelt, Andrew Mellon, William Hearst, Charles Kettering, and other notables. The unnamed Labor Day storm of 1935, a hurricane of 185 miles an hour proportion destroyed the lodge.
Its first president was Zane Grey. It was here that he wrote many of his best novels. A dentist turned cowboy, hence the western novels, he also wrote many fishing books. The “Bonefish Brigade,” which described his fishing companions at the Long Key Fishing Club, may be the rarest of his fishing books, and recently sold for $2,200 dollars on ebay.
This condo is first class. Three separate balconies with beautiful views of the ocean, plus a large great room, living area, and combined kitchen. Two bedrooms, king size master suite, and two queens in the spare room, both with their own bathroom facilities are also part of the package. Tennis courts, freshwater pool, and a nice dock if one were to rent a boat, which is a great option for anglers wishing to adventure out. It is conveniently located between Islamorada and Marathon, two historic bonefish towns.
History located half way between Lovells and Dam 4 on the North Branch. You’ll step back into history in this guest cottage at Whispering Pines Lodge. A weekend getaway will provide seclusion and solitude on this fabled portion of the AuSable North Branch.
Relax and reflect on all the Au Sable has to offer amidst the comforts of home. Amenities include two bedrooms, combined living area with wood stove, complete kitchen and enclosed porch; all just steps from the rivers edge.
Imagine early June during the famous drake hatches or mid-July dawn while rising trout sip a blanket of Trico spinners. You’ll be wading with the ghosts of the turn of the century Chicago fishers. We'd like to thank Jim & Jo Knox for their generous donation.
Great room inside historic Club Thunderbird. Located in the heart of the Mainstream "Holy Water" stretch, this historic log lodge is a landmark here on the Au Sable. Complete kitchen facilities, screened in porch overlooking the river and enough room to comfortable sleep ten to twelve. Special thanks to the owners for their generous gift of a long four day weekend. Would make for a great gathering anytime of year.
This lower North Branch vacation home is located downstream from Flashlight bend, yet above the Red Dog Club.
This is a part of the river where a canoe is seldom seen, and you have the ability to fly fish in totally wadable private water.
A generous full week’s stay is included. This modern three bedroom log home would make an awesome family vacation site.
Full kitchen, grill, two complete baths, great room and screened in porch just steps from the rivers edge.
Time of availability to be mutually agreed upon. But almost any time period will be an option.
For more information, please Contact Rusty Gates, 989-348-8462 or gator@gateslodge.com
© Copyright , Anglers of the Au Sable, Inc. All rights reserved. Last modified: March 28, 2007