| Dry Fly Plate | Wet
Fly Plate |
| Streamer Plate | Terrestrial
Plate |
| About the Fly Tyers |
First tied in 1922 by Leonard Halladay of Mayfield, Michigan, this pattern was the tried ‘n true favorite of Boardman River regular, Charles F. Adams of Lorain, Ohio. Adams had so much success that Halladay named the pattern after him. Originally tied in spent-wing fashion, it is tied here as an “under-para,” a pattern designed by noted author Chauncy Lively. Tyer: Chauncy Lively
Stoneflies abound on the Au Sable in springtime beginning
with the giant blacks in late March, the yellows in April and May, and a smaller
black in May and June. The fly represented here imitates that smaller black
stonefly, Acroneuria nigrita, and has the unceremonious common name of Yellow-bellied
Mattress Thrasher, a favorite of AuSable guides. Tyer: Rusty Gates
The name “blue-winged olive” loosely refers
to many of the genera Baetis and Callibaetis imitations. However, an important
Au Sable hatch, the Emphemerella lata, is also—albeit confusedly —called
blue-winged olive. Tied here in an under-para pattern, lata begins emerging
in early July and can provide exciting mid-summer dry fly fishing on the Au
Sable. Tyer: Chauncy Lively
An Au Sable original, this pattern was created by
Anne Schweigert of Roscommon, Michigan. Au Sable guide Ernie Borcher later modified
the pattern by adding grizzly hackle to the existing brown. It is a versatile
early season fly, imitating E. subvaria, E. invaria, and Leptophlebia cupida
(Borcher’s Drake). Tyer: Rusty Gates
Beaverkill fly tyer Roy Steenrod first tied this fly
in 1915 with an upright mallard flank wing to fool trout feeding on E. subvaria.
Its namesake is one A.E. Hendrickson, a customer of Steenrod’s. Dark Hendricksons
imitate the E. invaria. The spinner pattern shown here was designed by North
Branch resident Chauncy Lively to also imitate invaria. Tyer: Chauncy Lively
Crowned the “grand old fly” by Pennsylvania
angler Hiram Brobst, this pattern was originally tied in the 1920s with a red
floss body instead of the present olive green seen today. Its name derives from
its popularity as a reliable caddis imitation on the Henryville section of Brodhead’s
Creek in Pennsylvania. It imitates several caddisflies on the AuSable. Tyer:
Dennis Potter
Perhaps no other Michigan hatch is as fabled as the
“Hex Hatch.” Originally and erroneously called the Great Michigan
Caddis hatch, Hexagenia limbata is a mayfly. Over the years, scores of patterns
have been developed to imitate the nymphs, duns and spinners of this June/July
emergence. The dun pattern here is designed by Calvin “Rusty” Gates,
Jr. Tyer: Rusty Gates
“Mahogany” (Isonychia sadleri) and “White-Gloved
Howdy” (I. bicolor) hatches are annual June events. Trout can sometimes,
though, feed exclusively on the spent spinners, even while an emergence is occurring.
The goose biot-wrapped spinner featured here and enhanced by AuSable angler
Dennis Potter is an effective producer during this time for both species. Tyer:
Dennis Potter
A popular dry for Au Sable anglers, this fly was created
by Clarence Roberts, a noted conservation officer for the Michigan Department
of Natural Resources. The “Bobby D” is a versatile pattern, imitating
Ephemerella dorothea, E. invaria and even Ephemera simulans in its smaller sizes,
and is a perennial favorite as a Hex pattern as well. Tyer: Rusty Gates
Au Sable guide and lodge owner Rusty Gates has been
tying this pattern since 1978. Its spent wing and rusty brown deer hair body
was first meant to imitate Isonychia, but has been successfully adapted to the
E. subvaria, Ephemera simulans (brown drake) and sadleri (mahogany dun) hatches.
Tied in its largest size, 6, Rusty’s Spinner is a proven Hexagenia spinner
pattern. Tyer: Rusty Gates
Emphemerella dorothea emerges on the Au Sable in May
and June. Like the ambiguous “blue-winged olive,” “sulphur”
refers to not only dorothea but E. subvaria and rotunda as well. However, the
“pale evening dun” dorothea hatch is unmistakable on warm nights as
the duns are quite visible in the twilight. Tied here as an under-para dun pattern.
Tyer: Chauncy Lively
From July to October, the little white-winged black
mayfly, Tricorythodes stygiatus, is ubiquitous along most gravelly stretches
of the river. The hatch usually occurs mornings when the sun warms the riffles,
and the spinner fall occurs that same morning before noon. Fish can feed voraciously
and exclusively on the “Trico.” Tied here as a parachute. Tyer: Dennis
Potter
Here used to represent the emerging Brown Drake, the
Sparrow, developed by innovative tyer Jack Gartside, is the perfect study in
the effectiveness of flies tied with materials that seem to animate them. The
combination of pheasant hackles used in the collar and also the head made of
the super-soft pheasant “aftershaft” feather give this fly uncanny
movement in the water. Tyer: Norm Hyams
Some species of caddis spend much of their lives in
a worm-like existence moving about the river’s bottom in search of food
and shelter. The green rock worm, as it is often called, is an available trout
food throughout much of the angling season. This simple, sparse pattern is a
valuable fly and should be included in any fly fisher’s arsenal. Tyer:
Dennis Potter
The Au Sable is renown for its prolific caddis hatches. One of the most effective ways to fish a caddis hatch is to fish the pupal stage of the hatch. The pupa pattern here imitates a caddis as it swims frantically toward the surface to begin the adult stage of its life. The small wings and well segmented abdomen are very prominent on the naturals and also on this imitation. Tyer: Dennis Potter
This buggy-looking nymph is one of the all-time favorite patterns fished by the dedicated nymph anglers of the AuSable and the world over. Its effectiveness as a simulator pattern has become legend. It is most likely taken as a mayfly nymph when fished deep but it can be a great producer no matter where in the water column it is fished. The hare’s ear is a must for any serious fly fisher. Tyer: Norm Hyams
Regarded by many anglers as the best hatch of the year, the “Henny” is the first sizable mayfly to hatch on the AuSable each spring. Although the actual emergence normally takes place during the relative warmth of afternoon, the nymphs are active well before the hatch. The Hendrickson nymph fished deep in the runs and riffles can often produce very large trout. Tyer: Norm Hyams
The giant mayfly, Hexagenia Limbata, is the largest of all mayfly species. The Au Sable system produces probably the largest population of these big insects anywhere in the country. Traditionally hatching at dark, the Hex nymph becomes active well before the emergence begins. Large trout can be fooled by a good imitation, such as this style developed by Mark Freeman of Battle Creek. Tyer: Dick Wilson
This delicate, little Cahill is one of the old traditional wet flies that is fished even today. Although many contemporary anglers shun the older style flies and wet-fly angling methods, these pretty patterns can save the day if properly fished. The Light Cahill represents a number of creamy-to-yellow colored mayfly species and other aquatic insects in the Au Sable. Tyer: Dick Wilson
Undoubtedly the most famous pattern developed by English
river keeper, Frank Sawyer, the “PT Nymph” is commonly used and very
deadly. Tied today in many variations and sizes from the original, it is a wonderful
pattern to represent the vast number of mayfly nymphs that inhabit the rich
waters of the AuSable River system.
Tyer: Dick Wilson
The Au Sable has a large population of scuds and sow bugs which both resemble tiny shrimp. Found primarily in weed beds in the main current and under cover along the shore margin, scuds are often washed into the river flow where they are readily consumed by the waiting trout. This pattern, with its soft plastic shell back and ribbing of monofiliment, is both realistic and durable. Tyer: Dennis Potter
The soft hackle fly has a rich history dating back almost five hundred years and is still one of the most popular wet flies on the AuSable and other waters. Popularized by Sylvester Nemes in his book The Soft Hackle Fly, these simple-to-tie-and-fish patterns are well suited to the shallow, even flows of the AuSable. The sparse body and undulating hackle collar are appealing to selective trout. Tyer: Dennis Potter
The cool, clear waters of the Au Sable provide excellent habitat for a number of stonefly species. In stretches of stream where the bottom is chiefly gravel and small rock, and the current is relatively swift, the population of stoneflies can be staggering. A weighted stonefly nymph pattern rolled through this type of water can produce some great fishing all year, including winter. Tyer: Norm Hyams
Originated by the late Au Sable river guide, Earl
Madsen, the “Skunk” is still a favorite of many anglers and guides.
The wet fly version represented here is one of the old standby “dredgers”
that is drifted deep. It has the distinction of being one of those “killer”
flies that represents a variety of foods that drift in the current, but the
pattern itself resembles nothing in particular. Tyer: Dick Wilson
This version of the versatile marabou streamer imitates the black nose dace, one of the most common minnows found throughout the Midwest and East. The tinsel body and marabou wing are common to many flies dressed to represent small forage fish and trout fry. The flashy body has a very prismatic appearance while the marabou wing adds the necessary movement to simulate a real fish on the move. Tied in different sizes and color variations, the marabou streamer is a valuable addition to the streamer fisher’s arsenal. Tyer: Fred Vargas
Another favorite Au Sable streamer developed by Dan Byford. Most
Zonker tyers today have dropped the traditional body of silver mylar tubing
and instead tie the pattern using tinsel braid, a more durable material that
also saves time. The rabbit strip that serves as the wing or top of the fish
is held fast by a few wraps of copper or steel wire, gives this deadly streamer
both shape and lively movement. The Zonker is one of the few streamers that
can be effective when it is fished fast or dead drifted through deep holes--with
the occasional, tempting twitch. Tyer: Bear Andrews
Bob Clouser’s popular streamer, named by him as the “the Deep Minnow,” has earned the reputation for catching fish—big fish—everywhere, although it was first tied as a Susquehanna River smallmouth bass pattern. This variation of the Clouser Minnow calls for combed ram’s wool for the body instead of the traditional wisps of bucktail. A favorite streamer for fishing the Au Sable year round, the slim profile allows the Clouser to be fished shallow or deep. It is a very realistic “let the trout see it” pattern. Tyer: Dennis Potter
This lovely little bucktail streamer was unnamed and mostly unknown until John Alden Knight of Williamsport, Pennsylvania popularized it in his writings in the 1930s. He first used the pattern for “square tailed trout” or what we know now as brook trout. It was then known as the Red and Yellow Bucktail. The fly was so effective that it was christened the Assassin, later to be renamed the Mickey Finn. As is the case with many of the more gaudy streamers, the Mickey Finn is best fished with a fairly active retrieve so the fish do not get a good look at it. Tyer: Fred Vargas
One of the true classic patterns of vintage fly tying and fishing. The Gray Ghost was first tied in July 1924 by Came Stevens, a milliner by trade. Ms. Stevens apparently was a self-taught tyer and very protective of the technique she used when dressing the Gray Ghost and some twenty other patterns she invented. The Ghost was initially tied to imitate a species of smelt that inhabits the Rangeley Lakes region of upstate Maine. Au Sable anglers love the pattern because it’s not only pretty, but it’s very effective in the runs along the main branch as well as the deep bends along the South Branch. Tyer: Bear Andrews
Developed by Russell Blessing and popularized by Barry Beck, the wooly bugger has likely been responsible for more trout being caught than any other modern streamer. Tied in a multitude of colors and sizes, this “daredevil” of flies is a good choice when the angler cannot decide what fly to use. A favorite cliche is, “when in doubt, use a wooly bugger.” The version here is tied with a peacock body replacing the traditional chenille to give the fly the natural sheen that trout cannot resist. Tyer: Dennis Potter
One of the most versatile and popular streamers on the AuSable and throughout the world, the Muddler was developed in the mid-1930s by Don Gapen of the Gapen Fly Company at Anoka, Minnesota. The original pattern was designed to represent the multitude of sculpins found in the Nippigon watershed. Today, the Muddler is tied in different sizes and can be used as a wide-range streamer, fished dry as grasshopper, and in a pinch can make a good drake emerger. Tyer: Fred Vargas
The Spruce was designed around 1920 and was first called the Godfrey Special. In the early days it was primarily used for summer and fall runs of cutthroat trout in Oregon and may have been tied to represent an insect living in the local spruce stands. The pattern is a popular streamer during the late summer and fall seasons on the Au Sable. Its red floss and peacock-wrapped body coupled with strands of badger hackle serving as the wing, coerces territorial brook trout into often savage strikes. Tyer: Bear Andrews
The late Chauncy Lively, a founding director of the Anglers, developed this representation of one of the species of Robber Flies. Moving from Pennsylvania to the Au Sable’s North Branch in 1984 (and having fished the Au Sable since the mid 1950s), Chauncy was fascinated by this large terrestrial, which he had seen numerous times floating dead in the back eddies. The long abdomen and robust thorax are the hallmark of this fly, which preys upon other insects. There are times during the warm summer months when fish will move several feet to take a Robber Fly. Tyer: Dennis Potter
Basic foam rubber has been an important tying material for terrestrials since the 1970s. Because many terrestrial imitations lack several buoyant wraps of hackle, foam helps keep the fly afloat. One of many rubber imitations, this pattern owns a characteristic oval shape and silhouette that is its most important feature. During August, Au Sable trout key in on the egg-like shape of the various flies and beetles that become trapped in the surface film. The Rivergod Rubber Bug contains all of the key features that the trout may see: oval outline, delta wings (typical of a drowned fly or beetle) and legs. Tyer: Dennis Potter
First tied by Earl Madsen on the Au Sable’s Holy Water, the
venerable Skunk is one of the great terrestrial imitations. Every angler has
his or her idea of what the Skunk represents, but it is usually found among
the terrestrial flies in most fly shops. The heavy elk hair wing and rubber
legs make this fly a great floater capable of imparting lots of surface action.
Often a simple twitch, just enough to make the legs “kick,” will bring
a vicious strike. A testament to its staying power, the Skunk is still one of
the most popular flies used during the terrestrial season on the Au Sable. Tyer:
Dennis Potter
Not many Au Sable anglers have had the opportunity in recent years
to experience the “green worm hatch,” but when the inchworms are heavy,
the trout can go on a feeding frenzy. Summer trout become more opportunistic
than in the early season and the noise and sight of plump caterpillars hitting
the water is often a dinner bell to the waiting trout. This pattern is tied
with dyed deer hair, but inchworm flies are also constructed of foam, balsa
wood, cork and yarn. Most seasoned Au Sable anglers will have a few inchworm
patterns available to slap on the water when the worms are hanging around. Tyer:
Dennis Potter
Master tier and angler Ed Shenk is credited with the development of this cricket pattern for Pennsylvania’s chalk streams. However, its utility has made it a popular cricket imitation on the Au Sable for years. The black budded or yarn body, crow or goose quill wing, and spun hair head and collar give this terrestrial the look of many crickets that live along the banks of the more shaded runs of the Au Sable. As with many cricket and hopper patterns, a noisy presentation, tight to the bank or log jam, often draws a bold, solid strike. Tyer: Dennis Potter
The Pest is another of the rubber bugs now so popular on the Au Sable and other rivers throughout the country. The Pest incorporates yellow closed foam for the back, high visibility wings and a few turns of grizzly hackle making it a very visible, yet durable pattern. The belly of the fly is constructed of peacock hurl, one of nature’s most iridescent materials. This is another pattern that has the general shape of many different bugs that the trout see regularly during the warm summer months. Tyer: Dennis Potter
Bees, wasps and hornets can also be an important staple of a trout’s diet as the mayfly and caddis hatches wane in late summer. Often seen flying in vegetation close to the water, many of these insects are on the lookout for one of their favorite prey, caterpillars. This puts them in close proximity to the river and invariably many get trapped in the surface film and drown. This Yellow Jacket is a low riding, foam bodied fly with high visibility wings. Tyer: Dennis Potter
The key to the effectiveness of most terrestrial insect imitations is that they ride low in the water. High-riding, heavily hackled patterns are usually not as effective for the Au Sable’s easy currents. The Rivergod Hopper is a foam bodied fly designed to ride low, float well, give a natural silhouette, and offer great action with round, rubber legs. The slightest twitch imparted by the angler makes this fly look very much like the real thing, struggling to get off the water and back on solid ground Tyer: Dennis Potter
Years ago, terrestrials were used regularly both as live bait and imitations. Ants are an important pattern, for the naturals are abundant along the river at certain times. Cinnamon-colored ants have been known to swarm as early as June, and fish key in on the tiny insects. This pattern is a simple, low riding, durable imitation with a dubbed body, high visibility wing and finished with a few wraps of hackle. The wing is for the visibility to the angler as well as silhouette feature for the trout. Tyer: Dennis Potter
The Anglers of the Au Sable Commemorative Flies series would not be possible were it not for the following artists who have given so freely of their time and expertise in helping produce this limited edition:
Chauncy Lively first fished the Au Sable in 1952 with his wife, Marion, at the invitation of Paul and Martha Young. He and Marion fell in love with the river. After many years and countless trips to the area from their home in Pittsburgh, the Livelys settled into a newly built home on the North Branch in 1984. Chauncy was a tireless worker for conservation organizations and fishing publications over the years. He was the fly tying columnist for Pennsylvania Angler since 1953, and the Angler’s Riverwatch since 1988. He wrote extensively for American Fly Tyer and numerous other magazines. His book, Chauncy Lively's Flybox, took the art of tying trout flies to new heights. His flies, exquisite and having a certain distinction all their own, are displayed in museums around the country. Chauncy was also a director of the Anglers. He died in February 2000 at the age of 80. See a biographical sketch on the late Chauncy Lively.
Calvin “Rusty” Gates Jr. is well known throughout
the Midwest flyfishing community. Through his business, Gates Au Sable Lodge,
which he operates with his wife, Julie, Rusty has built a deserving reputation
as an accomplished fly tyer, fishing guide, conservationist, and all-around
spokesman for the Au Sable. It was in Mary’s Hungry Fisherman Dining Room
that Rusty convened the first meeting of six fly fishers concerned about the
mounting threats to the Au Sable. That September 1986 gathering spawned the
first official meeting of the Anglers of the Au Sable in January 1987.
Rusty is largely credited with founding the Anglers, now six hundred strong,
and is the group’s most visible member. He has served as President and
a director of the Club since its inception.
Rusty’s Spinner, the Hex pattern featured in
this display, and many other patterns are the creations of Rusty Gates. Like
most skilled tyers, he is not bashful when designing new and unique patterns,
and when they are proven astream, there will usually be a couple of dozen available
for sale atop his display case shortly after.
Dennis Potter has been fishing the Au Sable since
1975, and like the Livelys, he and his wife, Karen, were enamored with the area.
They bought a cabin on the mainstream in 1987. He fishes the mainstream more
than most and has named many of the trout that have made his acquaintance along
the beat below his cabin.
Dennis has been a stout advocate for his “home water,” the Au Sable.
He served as a founding director and as the first vice president of the Anglers.
He has also been a key contributor to the success of the West Michigan chapter of Trout Unlimited and served as that chapter’s president in 1991. Fly tying for Dennis is a labor of love. Like Rusty and Chauncy, he is an innovator with his own unique style of tying. His flies have been featured at numerous flyfishing venues and in fine fly fishing shops around Michigan.
Few people today can claim to be not only a professional fly tyer, but a professional fly fisher as well. Dennis is fortunate to get paid to do what he loves, having founded the Riverhouse Fly Company this past year after retiring from the appliance wholesale business.
Norm Hyams is passionate about the arts, theatre, the symphony and snow skiing. But at no other pursuit is he more passionate than fly fishing and fly tying. Norm is a task master of a fly tyer and has even written a book about fly patterns and their origins which he someday hopes to publish. Norm is a former restaurateur and once operated a widely acclaimed fine dining establishment in the Cleveland area.
Though he hails from Cleveland, Ohio by way of New York City, Norm has been a frequent visitor of the AuSable for many years and can spin many yarns about its fly fishing characters and rich history. His bag pipe performances at Gates Au Sable Lodge during Saturday evening of Opening Weekend are legendary. Norm is a founding director of the Anglers of the Au Sable. He was also one of the first Americans to fish for salmon in Russia after the fall of Communism.
Dick Wilson is a consummate fly fisher who has plied
the waters in Alaska, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Idaho and Florida, not to mention
Michigan. He has been fishing the Au Sable for over twenty years and is active
in many fly fishing organizations, including the Anglers of the Au Sable, Trout
Unlimited and the Michigan Chapter of the Brotherhood of the Junglecock, an
organization which teaches adolescent boys and girls how to fly fish. When he’s
not busy with fishing, tying or talking about the two, Dick owns and operates
an executive search firm in Grand Rapids.
Fred Vargas moved to Michigan in July of 1988 with his new wife in search of work. His adjustment to small town life was successful and he and his family bought a home in downtown Montague. His brothers-in-law introduced him to fishing, and he discovered he was drawn to the art of fishing with flies. After the misfortune of a car accident, Fred was forced to take up a new career, and he began tying flies in 1991. An excellent tyer of streamers, he presently ties for several well respected Michigan fly tackle shops, including those serving the Au Sable. When not tying hundreds of dozens of flies each season, Fred works as a sales associate at Great Lakes Fly Fishing in Rockford, Michigan. He also teach fly tying and guides fishers down the Muskegon River.
Jeffrey “Bear” Andrews has been a fly fisher and tyer for almost 30 years. He began tying as a boy and started producing flies commercially in 1977. Bear estimates he ties between 1,500 and 2,000 dozen flies a year—making his professional tally close to a half million flies! Bear is a fly fishing MVP. For the past 5 years he has raised money for the Federation of Fly Fishers’ Conservation Fund through his unique and, some say, crazy, 24-hour fly tying marathons.
Bear’s flies have appeared in numerous fishing
texts, works of art and fly plates such as this throughout the U.S. Besides
tying commercially, Bear also teaches several levels of tying courses. He is
past president of the FFF Red Cedar Fly Fishers and the Michigan Brotherhood
of the Junglecock, where he still serves as a director. He is currently a columnist
of Michigan Out-of-Doors, writing the monthly “Michigan Fly Box.”
Bear has a wife, Liz, and a daughter and son—all fly fishers like dad.
Don Prys owns and operates the Prys Gallery in Ada,
Michigan. He is an accomplished artist, working in many mediums. He is also
an expert framemaker.
Since moving to Michigan from Santa Barbara, California in 1987, Don has been
an avid supporter of Michigan wildlife and fisheries conservation. He regularly
works with conservation groups on art projects for fund raisers, as he is with
this Au Sable Commemorative Series. Don has also donated many pieces of his
own work to organizations for fund raising efforts.
There is still one complete set of four shadowboxes (Fries, Wets, Streamers, Terrestrials) available for purchase. There are also some single shadowboxes available as well. The complete set is on display at Gates Au Sable Lodge. For information on pricing and availablility, please contact Dan Drislane at ddrislane@globalbiz.net.
© Copyright 2001, Anglers of the Au Sable, Inc. All rights reserved. Last modified April 25, 2001