Sunday, 25 April 2010 - Save the date!!

Event:  The Celebration of the Life of Rusty Gates
Time:  11 am with food and drink starting approximately noon
Place:  Gates Au Sable Lodge - casting field
Everyone welcome!  
Come prepared for the weather.  There will be a tent and chairs.

This event is being organized and funded by the Anglers of the Au Sable.

 

Act Now!  Support the Anglers Recommendation for the Au Sable and Manistee River Gear Restrictions

View Anglers Board of the Directors recommendations to Michigan DNRE for gear restricted waters here!

   The Au Sable just lost the best friend it ever had. Calvin “Rusty” Gates Jr., Da Gator to his legion of acquaintances, passed away on 19 December 2009. Things in this beautiful valley will never be the same.

 
Once in a lifetime there is someone that touches your life in so many ways. Rusty Gates was one of those people. His spirit and tenacity had an affect on everyone involved in environmental causes, from hikers to hunters to the many of us who came here to cast a fly far and fine. He was a fighter and it was the good fight that he chose to engage; catch and release on the Holy Waters, National Guard noise pollution on the North Branch, oil wells on the South Branch, and toxic chemicals on the Big Water. Da Gator led the way. A tap on the shoulder, a glance from those blue/grey eyes, a short conversation; that was usually all it took. We set to our tasks with a brio, partly from the cause, partly not to let him down.

He had all the connections and could accomplish more in a phone call than anyone else could do in six months of work. Where would we be without him these last 20 plus years?

A man of character and courage, he brought both, as well as his wry sense of humor, to his final battle. In the end, only his body gave out, Rusty’s spirit remained indomitable.

Rusty Gates has left us as a leader, but left a legacy as big as the river. The vigilance that he began will go on!

 Please see the discussion forum where you can leave your memories. To access the forum, go to the members only tab in the upper right hand corner.  There is an option for discussion forum after you sign in.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, 23 December 2009.  

Memorial contributions can be made to the Anglers or Heartland Hospice, PO Box 667, West Branch, MI 48661

To make a contribution to the Anglers:

1.  Go to the Anglers website:  www.ausableanglers.org
2.  At the top menu go to the "Membership" pull down menu
3.  The last option is "Make a Donation"
4.  There is an option for a memorial gift "In Honor Of"

The second option is to send a check with a notation that this is a memorial gift.  Send to:  Anglers of the Au Sable, 403 Black Bear Dr., Grayling, MI 49738

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

John Russell of Great Lakes Images is the official photographer for Anglers of the Au Sable.  Our sincerest thanks to all that have contributed pictures.  With this note we acknowledge each and every one of you and appreciate your contribution.