By Rusty Gates
On September 6th, The Anglers once again hosted the immense task of cleaning up the river. Volunteers came from as far away as Chicago, Cleveland, Toledo--virtually all across the midwest to wade their favorite sections of stream with nothing more than poking sticks and garbage bags. Over 150 true and loyal friends of the Au Sable contributed to a successful effort.
If you haven't participated before, you'll find the process simple and everyone "catches" a limit. The "pickers" wade a stretch and fill the bags with everything that is used ( and misused ) on the river. Hats and sunglasses, socks and tennis shoes, canoe paddles and float cushions, cassette players and tapes, bottles and cans, cans, cans. When a bag is filled or just gets too heavy, it is placed on the bank or a log jam for collection by follow-up crews in river boats.
The entire South Branch, from Roscommon to its junction with the Mainstream, was combed by teams of three to five Anglers covering consecutive sections either reserved in advance, or assigned during the pregame pep talk. The Mershon Chapter of Trout Unlimited ( Saginaw ) gets a big hand for taking care of the upper stretch. The following river boat was swamped within the first mile and a half and had to stop and unload its cargo.
Perhaps this gives you an idea of how much "stuff" is in the stream due to heavy commercial canoe traffic.
The Tingstad family from Roscommon braved the cool morning to wade au natural (well almost--in shorts and sneakers) on the stretch below Chase Bridge. The Mason Tract crews that took the time to inspect what looked like landing spots were able to find assorted debris at virtually every site. Downstream from any sweeper structure that might impede the novice canoeist, the banks were heavily littered. Our special thanks to Gary Sorenson for his frog man impersonation. He cleaned the deeper South Branch holes, via diving mask and fins, and had a full day's workout.
The Mainstream was waded from Burton's Landing to Conners Flats. The upper end of this stretch was covered by the Mason Chapter of Trout Unlimited from Grayling. A special thanks goes to all the students recruited from Grayling High School. Their river cleanup hours apply toward the community service time needed for graduation. Various teams were paired up with consideration for special requests for any one stretch. Anglers often meet others who share similar affection for a beloved piece of water.
The North Branch crews started at Dam 4, lead by the Lovells Hook & Trigger Club. Various teams started at points further downstream and continued on to the junction with the Mainstream. The North Branch was the cleanest of all the branches due to the almost nonexistent commercial canoe traffic it receives throughout the summer months. Kudos to the property owners along the way who so graciously allowed crews to enter and exit the stream on their properties.
Tired but happy crews were served lunch throughout the afternoon thanks to the culinary skills of master chef George Alexander and aspiring assistant John Novak. Fresh sweet corn from down state was delivered that morning by Dennis Goodwin, and we thank him for his contribution.
The Anglers and the River would like to thank all the groups for sending teams to make "operation clean sweep" such a success. We extend our gratitude to the Mershon Chapter of Trout Un-limited, the Mason Chapter of Trout Unlimited, the Michigan State Council of Trout Unlimited, the Lovells Hook & Trigger Club, the North Branch Property Owners Association, the Red Cedar Fly Fishers of Lansing, the North Branch Boys of Toledo, the Au Sable River Property Owners Association, the Oxbow Club, and all the property owners along the way who allowed crews to enter and exit the stream at difficult access points. Special thanks to the river guides and other boat owners who volunteered the use of their watercraft as garbage scows.
Plans are under way for the September 12, 1998 clean up. This is the first Saturday after Labor Day weekend. I hear continually from participants how much they enjoy putting something back into the stream they take so much pleasure from during the course of the season. Maybe, just maybe, an awareness of what a precious resource we enjoy will rub off on a wider range of users. RWOL
© Copyright 1997 - , Anglers of the Au Sable, Inc. All rights reserved. Last modified: February 4, 2002
