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Gates Lodge

Gates Lodge Picture Our lodge is located on the banks of the Mainstream of the Au Sable River east of Grayling in Michigan's beautiful north country. The currents are gentle, flowing over a shallow gravel bottom, allowing one to wade the center of the stream and cast to both banks. To fly fishers this is heaven, hence its name, the "Holy Water." This stretch is flies only, catch and release, and internationally known for its fly hatches. There are more than 100 miles of prime trout water in the Au Sable system and many times that with other streams in the region. The lodge is centrally located, and the other branches are just minutes away.

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Fishing Conditions

7/28 Fishing conditions are very good, and will be even better after a few of the cold nights that are forecasted. We're not covering our vegetable gardens yet, but we are sleeping in a bit before getting our daily dose of tricos. The rivers are not receiving heavy pressure right now -- there were only a few cars on the Mason Tract today. A small box of flies, quick-dry pants, sunglasses: go fishing!

Bugs, Flies, and River Conditions

The Orange sedge has arrived. Jon heard fish rising on the South late last night. This is fly the fish eat all night, and that you can fish all day. Easy to see and fun to fish, pitch it up into the shade and along the wood. In the evening, work the slow water in the middle and tail end of the pools. You can catch big fish on this fly, and it's a lot easier to see than the ever shrinking olives.