In 1996, as in previous years, the riparian zone of the Au Sable was a dynamic system. A riverbank is never static and all three branches of the river were blocked many times. Bernie Fowler and I, with help from Craig Perry and Charlie Weaver, responded to many calls and tried to keep the river navigable, while keeping it as natural as possible and at the same time create new trout habitat.
The canoe liveries have cooperated very well by notifying us of problems and in some instances have sent employees to help. We always try to get to any downfall as early as possible in the morning so that canoeists would not be tempted to merely "clear a path."
Steve Sendek of the Michigan DNR and Brian Benjamin of the Huron Pines RC&D have been extremely helpful with advice and ideas as to how to position a fallen tree to maximize the potential trout cover and to produce optimal currents so as to prevent silting.
An example of the cooperation with the DNR occurred on the Mainstream. Just down from Townline Road a large red pine, possibly two and a half feet in diameter, fell from the south bank with a top resting on the north bank. Bernie and I cleared a ten-foot channel along the shallow north bank as a temporary measure. It was apparent, however, that this was not a good final resting place for the big pine. Little cover for trout would be created and the shallow channel would quickly silt in.
We wanted to swing the tree parallel with the current along the southern bank. This would provide more trout cover, keep silting to a minimum, and protect the bank from further erosion. Due to the size of the fallen tree there was no way our hand-operated "come-alongs" were going to swing the pine.
In a few days Steve Sendek arranged to have a DNR 6x6x6 forest fire-fighting truck with a large power winch come to our aid. Permission of the land owner had been obtained and the truck arrived as scheduled. Bernie and I attached the cable from our canoe and in a half hour the tree was anchored where we wanted it to be.
Moving trees, as illustrated by the case above, is one of the main problems this volunteer "Woody Debris Task Force" faces. Thanks to the generosity of several organizations we now are far better prepared to accomplish this in an easier and safer manner. Pledges from the Mershon and Mason chapters of Trout Unlimited, the Au Sable River Property Owners Association, and the Grayling Canoe Livery Association have enabled Brian Benjamin to purchase for our use a portable cable winch that is easily transported by hand or in a canoe. Powered by a chain saw and mounted on a chain saw frame, the winch has a 125-foot cable and is capable of pulling up to 8000 pounds. Bernie, Brian, and I tested the winch recently and were able to pull a large beaver-cut aspen twenty feet into the river without putting on our waders. This is a welcome piece of equipment and we thank the above organizations and Bill Halliday who graciously gave his time to coordinate the pledges and purchase.
As I write this the temperature is fifty degrees, the snow is melting, and when the river banks get saturated we will lose some more of the big pines and cedars that have been like friends over the years. We will try to give them a good and final resting place. If you want to report an obstruction on the river call: George Alexander at 517-348-8858 or Bernie Fowler at 517-348-8466. RWOL
© Copyright 1997 - , Anglers of the Au Sable, Inc. All rights reserved. Last modified: February 20, 2002
