This first aid class is designed to prepare snowmobilers for emergencies that occur on the trail. When snowmobile accidents occur, help is normally delayed. Are you prepared to provide the first aid needed until it arrives?

Students will learn basic first aid and how to handle emergency situations specific to snowmobiling. All students will receive National Safety Council First Aid textbooks and completion cards.
Topics Include:
Bone Fractures and Dislocations
Soft Tissue Injuries
Cervical Spine Injuries
Hypothermia and Frostbite
Proper Trip Planning
Nighttime Emergencies


Our Next Class:
Saturday December 13, 2008
9:00 AM-1:00 PM
Ramada Inn of Grayling
$45.00
Call 989-213-5647

Room rates of $50 per night

Our instructors are experts in the field of EMS and have years of experience. The skills they will be teaching you are techniques they use on a daily basis.

Contact us to schedule a class for your group.

Emergency North
Saginaw, MI
Telephone: (989)245-3233
Email: jack@emergencynorth.com
Website: www.emergencynorth.com

Hartwick Happenings, November 2008
November Park Info
Hunting and Fishing Licenses Available
Re-inventing the Big Wheel
Snowshoe Building Workshop
Winter Lecture Series
2009 School Field trip Reservations
Winter Trails Day
Special Events and Programs
Join the Friends of Hartwick Pines
Internet Contacts

November Park Information
The Logging Museum is now closed for the season, but the Michigan Forest Visitor Center remains open for you to visit. The Visitor Center is closed on Holidays, so it will not be open on November 11 (Veterans Day) and November 27-38 (Thanksgiving Holiday), however the restrooms will remain open. As everyone in Michigan knows, November 15 is the opening of the firearm deer season and much of the park is open for hunting. However, for people wanting to take a stroll through the Old Growth Forest, the Old Growth Trail, visitor center and museum area is closed to hunting so it is a safe area for walkers and hikers. For hunters we have park maps that show what areas of the park is open or closed to hunting available at the Visitor Center. The campground is still open until November 23rd. It will close until April after that.
For more information, please call (989) 348-7068.

Hunting and Fishing Licenses Available at the Visitor Center
Are you planning on hunting or fishing at Hartwick Pines? Now you can purchase your licenses at the Visitor Center. The machinery is now up and running and Visitor Center staff Craig Kasmer and Tina McFalda are trained and authorized to sell licenses. For more information, please call (989) 348-2537 or email kasmerc@michigan.gov.

“Re-inventing the Big Wheel”
To many residents and visitors of Michigan, Hartwick Pines is the “Big Wheel” park with our highly visible set of Michigan Logging Wheels at the front entrance of the park. We have another fine set of wheels at the Logging Museum as well. Hartwick Pines is not the only place to see logging wheels, as there are a few other sets scattered around northern Michigan. Now you don’t even have to go searching for a set of wheels thanks to Brauer Productions of Traverse City. Brauer Productions has released an excellent 50 minute documentary film
“Re-inventing the Big Wheel” of Traverse City resident Bill Steffler restoring a set of big wheels in the 1980s that was on display at Clinch Park in Traverse City. The original footage has been restored and is narrated by Mr. Steffler. The Friends of Hartwick Pines is one of the sponsors of this film and there are even a few Friends members in the film of a weekend assembling the wheels at a Traverse City area blacksmith shop. This 50 minute DVD is on sale at the Friends of Hartwick Pines bookstore at the Michigan Forest Visitor Center for
$12.95. A premier of the film is planned for November in Traverse City and we will send out more details as they appear.

Snowshoe Building Workshop
December 13th and 14th. This will be a pre-registration class to lace a pair of snowshoes. It will take two days to lace the shoes and they will not be ready to use right away. Come back later in the winter to use your new snowshoes at one of our guided snowshoe hikes. They’ll also make great Christmas gifts for someone special. An additional workshop will take place on February 28-March 1. Call (989) 348-2537 for more information or email Rob Burg at burgr@michigan.gov or Craig Kasmer at kasmerc@michigan.gov. Workshop fee is $160 per person.

Winter Lecture Series
The Hartwick Pines Logging Museum will be sponsoring a second season of historical talks this winter. Join us for a casual afternoon talk about a variety of Michigan, logging and forestry, and other relevant historical topics from December to March. Each program will take place on a Sunday afternoon at 2pm in the auditorium of the Michigan Forest Visitor Center. Programs topics are The Legacy of the CCC in Michigan (December 21), Winter Logging: A Visual history of Logging in Northern Michigan (January 18), The History of Michigan’s State Forests with special guest Bill Botti and a book signing (February 15) and The Salling, Hanson and Company and logging at Hartwick Pines (March 8).
There will be free refreshments at all of the programs. For more information, please contact Rob Burg at (989) 348-2537 or email burgr@michigan.gov.

2009 School Field trip Reservations
We will begin accepting field trip reservations for the spring field trip season beginning on January 5, 2009. Hartwick Pines State Park offers a variety of history and natural history based educational programs for teachers and classes trying to meet the new Grade Level Content Expectations (GLCEs). Spring field trip programs begin on May 1 and run until the end of the school year. We do offer specialized programs and outreach programs in the winter season as well. This year during the Maple Syrup Program, we will also offer school field trip opportunities to learn about the Native American history of maple syrup making. Call for dates and additional information. To make your school reservation for the May-June field trip season, please call (989) 348-2537 between 8am and 4:30pm Monday-Friday (except holidays) starting January 5. We will only be taking reservations by telephone.

Winter Trails Day
Hartwick Pines State Park will be a host for events for the 2009 Winter Trails Day on January 10. This will be a day of snowshoeing activities and demonstrations. If you are interested in snowshoeing, but not sure how to start, this is a good program to attend. There will be free tryouts of snowshoes -both traditional wood snowshoes and modern styles, guided hikes and indoor programs. Activities will run from 10am-3pm and there will be refreshments and door prizes. For more information please contact Rob Burg at (989) 348-2537 or email burgr@michigan.gov.

Winter 2008-2009 Special Events and Programs Schedule

November
November 11: Visitor Center will be closed for Veterans Day.
November 27-28: Visitor Center closed for Thanksgiving Holiday.

December
December 13-14: Snowshoe Building Workshop. 9am-4pm both days. Fee and
registration required. At the Visitor Center.
December 21: Winter Lecture Series. 2pm. The Legacy of the CCC in
Michigan.
December 24-25: Visitor Center will be closed for Christmas Holiday.
December 31: Visitor Center closed.

2009
January
January 1: Visitor Center closed for New Years Holiday.
January 3: Cross Country Ski by Lantern Light. 6-9pm.
January 10: “Winter Trails Day” Snowshoe exposition and programs.
10am-3pm.
January 17: Cross Country Ski by Lantern Light. 6-9pm.
January 18: Winter Lecture Series. 2pm. Winter Logging: A Visual
History of Logging in Northern Michigan.
January 19: Visitor Center closed for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Holiday.
January 24: Guided Snowshoe Hike. 1pm.
January 31: Cross Country Ski by Lantern Light. 6-9pm.

February
February 7: Guided Snowshoe Hike. 1pm.
February 14: Cross Country Ski by Lantern Light. 6-9pm.
February 15: Winter Lecture Series. 2pm. The History of Michigan’s
State Forests with Bill Botti. Book signing following the program.
February 16: Visitor Center closed for Presidents Day Holiday
February 21: Guided Snowshoe Hike. 1pm.
February 28: Cross Country Ski by Lantern Light. 6-9pm.
February 28-March 1: Snowshoe Building Workshop. 9am-4pm both days. Fee
and Registration required. At the Visitor Center.

March
March 8: Winter Lecture Series. 2pm. The Salling, Hanson and Company
and logging at Hartwick Pines.
March 28: Maple Syrup Day. 10am-4pm.

April
April 22: Earth Day

May
May 1: Logging Museum opens for the season.

July
July 4: Independence Day. Historical Celebration at the Logging Museum.
July 18-19: Wood Shaving Days. 10am-4pm both days.

August
August 8: Forest Fest. 10am-4pm.
August 22-23: Black Iron Days. 10am-4pm.

September
September 7: Labor Day. The Labor of Logging-at the Logging Museum.
2pm.
September 19: “An Evening in the Logging Camp” Lantern program.
7-9pm.

October
October 17: “Critters in the Moonlight” Halloween program. Time to
be announced.
October 31: Logging Museum closes for the season.

December
December 12-13: Snowshoe Building Workshop. 9am-4pm both days. Fee and
registration required. At the Visitor Center. TENTATIVE
December 20: Winter Lecture Series. 2pm. TENTATIVE
(Outdoor events in winter will be weather-dependent.) Program schedule
subject to change; call the Michigan Forest Visitor Center at (989)
348-2537 for more information.

The Friends of Hartwick Pines State Park
The Friends of Hartwick Pines State Park is a non-profit organization
that works with the park and museum to help present programs and special
events and to raise money to fund these programs. The Friends of
Hartwick Pines sponsors two annual festivals each summer: Wood Shaving
Days in July and Black Iron Days in August. The Friends Group also
operates the bookstore inside the Michigan Forest Visitor Center. Many
of the programs that we provide to our park guests would not happen
without the support of the Friends of Hartwick Pines State Park. Some
of the benefits of being a member of the Friends Group include a 10%
discount in the Michigan Forest Visitor Center bookstore and a Hartwick
Pines patch each year (usually designed by a member of the Friends
Group). If you want more information about the Friends of Hartwick
Pines or would like to become a member, please send an email to
friends@hartwickpines.org. The Friends of Hartwick Pines is
developing a new website: www.hartwickpines.org that will information on
the group and its programs added to as they become available.

Internet Contacts
Hartwick Pines State Park and Logging Museum are jointly operated by
two agencies of the State of Michigan: The Department of Natural
Resources and the Department of History, Arts and Libraries. Each
department, has a website for Hartwick Pines. Visit these websites for
more information on the park and museum and also for other offerings by
our two departments.
Hartwick Pines State Park: www.michigan.gov/hartwickpines
Hartwick Pines Logging Museum: www.michigan.gov/loggingmuseum
DNR: www.michigan.gov/dnr
HAL: www.michigan.gov/hal

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 29, 2008
Make Reservations Now For Farm Lantern Tour

Wellington Farm, USA is now accepting reservations for what has been billed as “The most unique Christmas Experience in Northern Michigan.” Billed as “The Farm By Lantern Light” the full evening activity includes a sleigh ride, a visit to the historic farm and a full length play all rolled into one. Seating is very limited so reservations are an absolute must. “The Farm By Lantern Light” will take place on December 12, 13 and 14. The first performance begins at 6:40 p.m. with additional performances beginning every 20 minutes there after. Twelve people are admitted to each performance. The entire performance lasts about two hours. During the course of the evening, participants will board a horse drawn sleigh and be transported back in time to the year of 1932. Following the sleigh ride, visitors will stroll through the farm trails, all beautifully lit by kerosene lanterns. During the course of their walk, visitors will visit each building at the farm complex and in each building another scene of the play, “A Place Called Wellington” will be presented. The play is based upon an event which took place in Wellington many years ago. Now that event has been woven into one of the most heart-warming Christmas stories presented anywhere in Michigan. A wonderful family event! Reservations can be made by calling 888 653 3276 or visiting the website at www.wellingtonfarmpark.org.

Wellington Farm, USA is a 60-acre living history museum depicting life as it was lived in a rural, mid-western farming community during the Great Depression. The farm is located at 6944 S. Military Road, Grayling, about half-way between Higgins Lake and Camp Grayling. The farm is easily accessed from both I-75 and US 127. Wellington Farm, USA is owned and operated by Wellington Farm Park, Inc. a 502©3 non-profit corporation.

Hartwick Pines State Park and Logging Museum

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Rob Burg
(989) 348-2537 or burgr@michigan.gov

Snowshoe Building Workshop at Hartwick Pines

(October 28, 2008) Winter is fast approaching and it is time once again to think about winter recreation such as snowshoeing. Hartwick Pines State Park near Grayling will be again hosting a snowshoe building workshop on December 13th and 14th. This is your chance to build your own pair of snowshoes to be used during Michigan’s winter months. We will be holding two 2-day workshops this winter. The first workshop will be on Saturday and Sunday, December 13th and 14th from 9am-4pm and the second one on February 28th and March 1st, also from 9am-4pm. Both workshops will be held at the Michigan Forest Visitor Center at Hartwick Pines.
This is your chance to build your own pair of wood framed snowshoes. Snowshoe styles available will be the Huron Snowshoe (46 inches long by 12 inches wide, has a tail on it) and the Green Mountain Bearpaw (36 inches long by 10 inches wide, with no tail). While building your shoes, you will learn about the history of snowshoes, their use and why they are a popular pastime in Michigan. Also provided are detailed instructions to finish your shoes if they are not completed at the class. The workshops are very informal: wear comfortable clothes and bring along a sack lunch. The park will provide a variety of hot beverages.

Because of limited space, reservations are required for all classes. Reservation deadline for the December workshop is December 3. Please call the Michigan Forest Visitor Center as soon as possible. Total cost is $160.00. A $25 deposit is required to secure your spot, and the remaining due at the workshop. For additional information and to have a registration packet sent to you, please call (989) 348-2537 or email burgr@michigan.gov.
There will be several other programs offered at Hartwick Pines this winter. These include Cross Country Skiing by Lantern Light on January 3, 17, 31 and February 14 and 28 and guided snowshoe hikes on January 24, February 7 and 21. We will also be hosting a “Winter Trails Day” Snowshoe exposition and program on Saturday, January 10 from 10am-3pm. If you are new to snowshoeing, come out and tryout a variety of snowshoes and go along on guided snowshoe hikes and attend a number of winter nature programs. We will also be presenting a Winter Lecture Series of historical topics on four Sunday afternoons, December 21, January 18, February 15, and March 8. For more information, please call (989) 348-2537 or visit us on the internet at www.michigan.gov/hartwickpines and www.michigan.gov/loggingmuseum .
The Logging Museum is a field site of the Michigan Historical Museum, a part of the Michigan Historical Center/Michigan Department of History, Arts and Libraries. The Department of History, Arts and Libraries is dedicated to enriching quality of life for Michigan residents and strengthening the economy by providing access to information, preserving and promoting Michigan’s heritage and fostering cultural creativity. The department includes the Library of Michigan, the Mackinac Island State Park Commission, the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, the Michigan Film Office and the Michigan Historical Center. To learn more, visit www.michigan.gov/hal.

NEWS FROM: GRAYLING VISITORS BUREAU FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
P.O. BOX 217 October 19, 2006
GRAYLING, MI 49738
CONTACT: ILENE GEISS-WILSON, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
(800) 937-8837
WEBSITE: WWW.GRAYLING-MI.COM

Make Grayling your snowmobiling headquarters and you’re in for a blizzard of fun all winter. Why?
If you’re out for memorable scenic views of northern Michigan in winter the whole family can enjoy, they’re there.
If you’re looking for well-marked routes made for groups, they’re here.
If you love to rack up miles on your machine, and are looking for a central location that links to routes that will take you from one end of the state to another, they’re here too. For those reasons and lots more, thousands of riders head to Crawford County and Grayling for trips they can relive long after the last snow is off the trail.
Located in the center of northern Lower Michigan, Crawford County features more than 200 miles of groomed trails within its boundaries alone,” says Keith Miles, board member of the Au Sable Valley Snowmobile Association and the Grayling Visitors Bureau.
There are 14 motels that are members of the Grayling Visitors Bureau, 12 of which are open year-round and “sled-friendly.”
The association partners with other groups to groom trails all winter and also publishes an excellent annually updated map that not only details routes in Crawford County but also in parts of Roscommon, Kalkaska, Ogemaw, Antrim and Otsego counties. Trails are clearly marked, as are locations for gas, plus points of interest. Numbers correspond to locations of restaurants, motels and other area businesses catering to ‘bilers listed on the back side. And, while the map has a $1.50 face value, Miles says most motel operators offer it free to guests, as do
many other county businesses. Visitors can also link to trails at the Visitors Bureau website, www.grayling-mi.com.

“All of the trails are signed and numbered so well, that if you’re ever concerned about getting lost, that’s not an issue,” Miles says. “Another unique thing about Crawford County is the predominance of two-track trails that also are legal to ride on. There are hundreds of miles of those and with a map like ours and a
little advice from your motel operator, you can get out and away from the weekend crowds.”
Miles estimates close to 70 percent of the county is state and federal land. “We’re finding quite a few guests returning because we turned them on to those trails and they love them,” he said. All designated trails are groomed six days a week once there is sufficient snow.
The biggest departure trailhead is just west of Grayling off M-72. From there, routes radiate both north and south to tie with others that run in nearly every direction. Here’s a look at a few ways ‘bilers can romp in Crawford County snow this winter:
• If you’re a crowd lover, he says, come on weekends, and usually you’ll find plenty of company at the M-72 lot. Weekdays are less crowded.
• For a true scenic ride that will give you a taste of the area’s vast forestland, head north through stretches of beautiful hardwoods and pines near the banks of the Manistee River to the Blue Bear Trail that heads west, crossing the Manistee River on Cameron Bridge Road. From there, you can point your sled towards Kalkaska or north towards Starvation Lake
• If you’re looking for more solitude, head for the Lovells Trail head off Lewiston Grade Road. It meanders along an old railroad grade northeast to Lovells, where you can fuel up your body and your sled, and continue north to Gaylord, or east to Lewiston or south towards Mio or even St. Helen and the West Branch area. On a typical trip, riders can head north to Gaylord from Lovells, then head south to return to Grayling for a 60-plus-mile loop. Miles adds that there are many areas snowmobilers can “free range” through hundreds of acres of National Guard lands open to riding.
Miles says the Visitors Bureau website provides regularly updated, accurate trail condition reports, and even offers reports emailed to riders who sign up for the free service.“Our trail reports come direct from our groomer drivers and it doesn’t get better than that. We take pride in giving out very accurate information and if anything, we’re conservative with our reports,” Miles says.
Riders up for longer jaunts can head to areas like Atlanta, Hillman, the Boardman and Jordan river valleys and Indian River and be back to Grayling at sunset.
There are dozens of great restaurants to choose from in the Grayling area, and weekend entertainment is available, including at the Grayling Ramada Inn.
Riders coming up for area events such as Houghton Lake’s annual Tip-Up Town USA celebration can ride the entire distance from Grayling by hopping on the through-town snowmobile route and following their trail map south.
The Grayling Visitors Bureau reminds snowmobilers to ride safely responsibly and avoid alcohol on the trail. It not only affects judgment but can contribute to hypothermia. Always carry a tool kit, trail maps, waterproof matches, cell phone or GPS unit, emergency food and an extra key. Use extreme caution when crossing lakes and rivers. Always travel with a buddy and let friends know where you will be and when you will return.
In the event of an emergency, the Au Sable Valley Snowmobile Association maintains an Emergency Trail Location system throughout Crawford County.
Signs designating the route you are on, followed by a location number are at all road crossings and along the trails. They’re matched with GPS coordinates that allow Crawford County Emergency Services to find you. Just dial 911 and tell the operator you are in Crawford County, and give them the number on the sign.

For more on accommodations and other things to see and do in the Grayling area, contact the Grayling Visitors Bureau, (800) 937-8837, or www.grayling-mi.com.
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Make It Grayling for the North’s Best Casual Adventures!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 6, 2008

Contact Dennis Fox, 517-373-3714 or Mary Dettloff 517-335-3014

New Public Hunting Lands Maps Available Online

Department of Natural Resources officials have announced the creation
of a new collection of maps on the agency’s Web site that identify all
lands that are open to public hunting in Michigan.

Hunters can click on a particular county and see not only the state
forest, wildlife management, and parks and recreation lands open to
hunting that are administered by the DNR, but also all federal lands as
well as private lands that are open to the public through the Hunter
Access Program (HAP) or the Commercial Forest Act.

“Compiling a database of all lands open to public hunting was a
recommendation of the Hunter Recruitment and Retention Work Group,”
said DNR Director Becky Humphries. “It took a lot of effort from our
staffs in the Wildlife, Parks and Recreation, and Forest, Mineral and
Fire Management divisions to get this accomplished, and we are very
pleased with the results.

“Our work group identified access as a potential hurdle to would-be
hunters,” Humphries continued. “Now hunters can find access to land
with the click of a mouse.”

To find the maps, go the DNR Web site at www.michigan.gov/dnr and click
on “Publications & Maps.” To see a Crawford County map, go to DNR Crawford County map

The DNR is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use
and enjoyment of the state's natural resources for current and future
generations.

Grayling Is Heart of Michigan’s ‘Cross Country Country’
NEWS FROM: GRAYLING VISITORS BUREAU
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
P.O. BOX 217 Oct.19, 2006
GRAYLING, MI 49738

CONTACT: ILENE GEISS-WILSON, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
(800) 937-8837
WEBSITE: www.grayling-mi.com

Grayling Is Heart of Michigan’s ‘Cross Country Country’

Whether you like to be challenged on the trail or are just out for a relaxing schuss with the family, you’ll find your passion in the more than 75 kilometers of cross-country ski routes waiting to be explored in Michigan’s Crawford County and the immediate area, including one that’s ready even when there’s no natural snow.

Grayling-area trails put you at the center of the Lower Peninsula’s “cross-country country,” winding through incomparable scenery from wilderness trout streams to historic virgin white pines that recall the state’s lumber baron past.
Within a 20-minute drive of downtown Grayling, for example, are three pristine trail experiences unique in the state, according to ski outfitters Dick Fultz, operator of the Cross Country Ski Shop in Grayling, Bob Frye, who with wife Lynne, operate Cross-Country Ski Headquarters a few minutes south of town near Higgins Lake, with the state’s only cross-country trail featuring machine-made snow, and David Forbush, who has attained a national reputation for grooming on his 37-kilometers of trails at Forbush Corners Ski Area near Frederic, just north of Grayling.

“The trails in our area are just fabulous and Grayling is a great central location,” Fultz says. “Within a 30-mile radius of town, you could ski a different system every weekend of the season.” To help you decide on trails to try during your visit, Fultz, Frye and Forbush compiled their own “Top 10 List” of local ski routes, so you can spend all day, or a few hours enjoying the Grayling area’s snowbelt from first snow to spring thaw.

Best beginner trail—In Bob Frye’s opinion, his own store-side ski trail featuring the state’s only guaranteed snow for cross-country is tops for beginners.
It’s part of CCHQ’s 19-plus-kilometers of trails. Doubled in length to two kilometers, it’s flat and a great place to check out new equipment and ski when there’s no natural snow. Also check out the lighted .8-mile loop at Dick Fultz’ shop behind the Grayling Ramada Inn, while Forbush says his 1 kilometer Pancake beginner loop is a good place to start, or brush up on your technique.

Best expert trail—Forbush Corner’s seven-kilometer “Roller Coaster” trail is very technical with lots of hills, and that’s known for its hairpin climbs. “David Forbush grooms it really well and for a lot of advanced skiers it’s worth the cost,” says Bob Frye. Forbush says its difficulty has been honed down, giving it a
broader appeal. Fultz’ vote is Hanson Hills’ Yellow loop, a tricky five-mile path winding through the Au Sable State Forest. Hanson Hills is run by the Grayling Recreation Authority, with 35 kilometers of pathways.

Most scenic—Frye, Fultz and Forbush agree that for sheer northern Michigan beauty, you can’t beat the Mason Tract Pathway. Located between Grayling and Roscommon, this nine-mile trail runs through the George Mason Wilderness Tract, given to the state by the widow of the auto magnate it’s named after. Parking lots are on Chase Bridge Road, south and east of Grayling off M-72, and near Canoe Harbor State Forest Campground off M-72. Follow the well-marked
trail along Au Sable River’s South Branch through untouched forest as it meanders towards its eventual meeting with the river’s main stream beyond Canoe Harbor. The trail also features two loops. Forbush likes Roller Coaster, due to its elevation—portions are at 1,300 feet above sea level, and scenic sugar maples and older pines. Others include the skier-set Wakeley Lake Pathway east of Grayling and trails at North and South Higgins Lake state parks.

Best short trail—Among the 18 miles of routes in Hartwick Pines State Park, the Old Growth Trail winds through the majestic 200-foot-tall pines and past a replica logging camp. Or, try the three-mile Au Sable River Footpath, a skier-set trail that twice crosses the East Branch of the Au Sable River. Snowshoers can also try the Old Growth Trail.

Longest—The 12-kilometer (about 8.4 miles) Red Loop at Hanson Hills, a real lung-burner that loops around the Hanson Hills system.

Hilliest—Hanson Hills’ 12-kilometer Red Loop again is a great title contender. Others include Forbush Corner’s aptly named Rollercoaster and Screamer, a hill on the West Trail system, along with Stinker, that adds 2.5 kilometers. “Stinker is like going up a wall. We groom it going downhill because you can’t get the groomer up it,” Forbush says. Both systems are groomed for both classic and skating and rentals are available.

Flattest—Cross-country Ski Headquarters’ Tall Pines Trail runs through a stand of Norwegian pines, a great route for families with younger skiers who may be uncomfortable on hills. Other great family-oriented routes include the Mason Tract Pathway.

Best night skiing—At Cross-Country Ski Headquarters, ski all trails at night by borrowing LED headlights available at the shop. Some Hartwick Pines ski trails also are lighted on special occasions, and a lighted beginner trail is at the Cross Country Ski Shop.

Best overall ski experience—Because of the variety and closeness to downtown Grayling, Hanson Hills, three miles away, and Forbush Corner, seven miles north off I-75’s Frederic exit get the vote. Forbush Corner is considered one of the top privately owned systems in the Midwest because of its outstanding grooming. Trails are single track set with skating lanes adjacent, with the Midwest’s largest
cross-country only equipment fleet. It often is one of the first natural snow systems open.

Best time of week to ski—State trails are groomed each Friday morning and privately run trails are groomed as needed. But whether you like to stay on groomed tracks, or break trail through the woods, anytime is a great time to try the wealth of cross-country ski trails in the forest and hills of the greater Grayling area.

Ski rental is available at Cross Country Ski Headquarters south of Grayling on County Road 100 (989-821-6661; www.crosscountryski.com, 19 kilometers of trails on premises); at Grayling’s Cross Country Ski Shop, behind the Ramada Inn off
Business I-75, (800-889-7456; www.xcskishop.com, 5 kilometers of trails on premises).

Rentals also are available at Forbush Corner, just east off I-75 exit 264 (989-348-5989; www.forbushcorner.com, 37 kilometers of trails on premises and a ski shop. It’s open weekends only.

Choose from more than 14 motels as well as bed and breakfast accommodations in Grayling offering extremely reasonable rates. Restaurants are also plentiful in the Grayling area, and there is weekend entertainment at the Grayling Ramada Inn. For more on accommodations and other things to see and do in the Grayling area, contact the Grayling Visitors Bureau, (800) 937-8837, or www.grayling-mi.com.
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Make It Grayling for the North’s Best Casual Adventures!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sept. 29, 2008

Contacts: Sherry MacKinnon 517-373-1263 or Mary Dettloff 517-353-3014

Michigan’s 2008 Kirtland’s Warbler Population Reaches Another Record High

Department of Natural Resources officials today released annual survey information indicating the state's population of the endangered Kirtland's warbler is the highest number of birds recorded since monitoring began in 1951, with 1,791 singing males observed during this year’s census.

The 2008 population exceeds the goal for de-listing that was set in the Kirtland’s Warbler Recovery Plan. The number of singing males biologists, researchers and volunteers in Michigan observed 1,791 singing males during the official 2008 survey period, up from 1,697 males observed in 2007. The lowest numbers were recorded in 1974 and 1987, when only 167 singing males were found.

The Kirtland's warbler survey is conducted each year over a 10-day period during the first two weeks of June, when the birds are establishing their nesting territories. Male warblers are detected by listening for their songs. The songs can be heard at distances up to one-quarter mile, providing an excellent way to detect the birds with minimum disturbance.

The 2008 survey was a joint effort by the DNR, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Michigan Department of Military Affairs and citizen volunteers. This year, singing males (numbers in parentheses) were found in 12 northern Lower Peninsula counties: Alcona (207), Clare (141), Crawford (288), Grand Traverse (2), Iosco (192), Kalkaska (10), Montmorency (11), Ogemaw (627), Oscoda (209), Otsego (40), Presque Isle (5), and Roscommon (25). Surveyors identified 34 singing males in five Upper Peninsula counties: Chippewa (12), Delta (10), Luce (1), Marquette (6), and Schoolcraft (5). In the U.P., additional effort is made to locate females and several were observed with the males, indicating nesting activity.

For a second consecutive year, singing and mated males were observed outside Michigan. Nine birds were heard in Wisconsin and one male with a female was found in Ontario. Both of these reports are of particular importance as they represent documented breeding of Kirtland’s warblers outside the known breeding population stronghold.

Although Kirtland’s warblers have begun to expand into new areas, the core of the population remains dependent on northern Michigan's jack pine barrens ecosystem for nesting habitat. The warblers nest on the ground and typically select nesting sites in stands of jack pine between four and 20 years old. Historically, these stands of young jack pine were created by natural wildfires that frequently swept through northern Michigan. Modern fire suppression programs altered this natural process, reducing Kirtland's warbler habitat. The result was that the population of Kirtland’s warblers declined to the point that they were listed as endangered.

To mimic the effects of wildfire and ensure the future of this species, the DNR and its partners at the state and federal level manage the forests through a combination of clearcutting, burning, seeding and replanting to promote warbler habitat. Approximately 3,000 acres of jack pine trees are planted or seeded annually on state and federal lands, primarily for the purpose of providing habitat for Kirtland’s warblers.

"New habitats are continually developed to replace those that become too old for Kirtland's warbler nesting,” said acting DNR Endangered Species Coordinator Sherry MacKinnon. “Through continuing management, we expect there to be sufficient habitat to support the warbler population through the foreseeable future.”

Elaine Carlson, DNR wildlife biologist, emphasized how the habitat management program has produced benefits that extend well beyond the recovery of a single species.

"In addition to generating habitat for the Kirtland's warbler, the jack pine management program provides valuable forest products as well as habitat for a variety of plants, songbirds, game animals and other wildlife," Carlson said.

For more information on the Kirtland's warbler, contact the DNR Wildlife Division, Natural Heritage Program, Box 30180, Lansing, MI 48909, or visit the DNR Web site: www.michigan.gov/dnr.

The DNR is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state's natural resources for current and future generations.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact Person: Terry
Phone: 231-263-0231
Email Address: watershedartproject@gmail.com

WATERSHED ART PROJECT PREPARES FOR 2009

(Grayling, Michigan – September 8, 2008) The next event for Watershed Art Project will be the 2008 Christmas Walk Juried Art Exhibition. The opening reception for the show will coincide with the downtown Grayling Christmas Walk on November 15, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. The show will be displayed in the newly renovated 203 Michigan Avenue owned by Kelly Yousoufian. Ms. Yousoufian, a concert harpist, will be playing the harp as she did for the 2007 show. This event will mark the opening of “Apollo’s Lyre” and “Winner’s Circle Art Gallery” showcasing harps and fine art.
The 2nd annual Partnership Rendezvous will be held at Apollo’s Lyre on February 7, 2009, at 3 p.m. The event is open to all interested persons and serves as a partnership drive as well as a time to evaluate previous activities and brainstorm for the future. Entertainment and refreshments will lighten the event for those already tired of winter and give artists and patrons the opportunity to get to know each other better. Watershed Art Project’s success depends in part on the input of those it serves.
As trout season opens and the northern woods shrugs off winter the Spring Art Walk seeks to showcase both professional and student artists. The best of the area’s student artists from our local school districts will be featured in the 2009 spring event. Professional artists will be hosted by many of the Michigan Avenue businesses in downtown Grayling. The “Winners Circle Art Gallery” at Apollo’s Lyre will host a collection of all participating artists’ works to be juried for special awards and recognition.
In July the Garden Club and Watershed Art Project will join together "En plein air" Garden Walk. (En plein air is a French expression which means "in the open air", and is particularly used to describe the act of painting outdoors.) Each garden on the garden walk will showcase one or more artists who will be demonstrating his or her media. A juried art show featuring floral and garden images will be hosted at Apollo’s Lyre as part of the garden walk.
The Fall Art Walk will take place on the first weekend in October. This will be similar to the Spring Art Walk with the addition of the annual hands-on activity painting the 2009 Mystery Mural. The image for the Mystery Mural will be selected from the entries in the previous juried art activities. The 2008 Mystery Mural which has been installed on Radio Shack on Michigan Avenue, downtown Grayling, was taken from a painting of the Kirtland's Warbler by local wildlife artist Kim Diment.

Old U.S. 27 may soon be designated as a Heritage Route, the first step in including the old road in the National Scenic Byways program.
The old road was first designated as U.S. 27 in 1926. At its longest, U.S. 27 stretched from St. Ignace to Miami. The expressway from Lansing to Grayling was called U.S. 27 until 2001, when it was renamed U.S. 127.
The project is the brainchild of car enthusiast Craig Parrish of Lansing. He has been involved with the preservation of the former U.S. 66, which once stretched from Chicago to Los Angeles.
Today, parts of the road in Illinois, New Mexico and Arizona, designated as Historic Route 66, are designated as National Scenic Byways. ”We‘re trying to get 27 the same status,“ Parrish said. ”Old 27, the north-south road, was like Route 66 in its heyday.“
Parrish said he now has the endorsement of every city and county except one that Old 27 passes through in Michigan, and he‘s expecting a resolution endorsing the project to come from that county (Cheboygan County), shortly.
Once he has that, he said, he‘s hoping the Michigan Legislature will endorse the designation. Parrish said State Representative Joan Bauer has introduced the resolution, with State Senators Michelle McManus, R-Lake Leelanau, and Tony Stamas, R-Midland, co-sponsoring.
He said he‘s convinced that car enthusiasts would love to have a clearly marked, historic route to travel, much as they do on Historic Route 66. Parrish believes that could boost tourism.
He‘s organizing the second classic car tour of Old 27 for August 19-24, 2008. Participants in this event can travel from Coldwater to Cheboygan, or join for only portions of the tour.

A new 60th Anniversary book commemorating 60 years of the AuSable River International Canoe Marathon is now available for purchase at The AuSable River International Canoe Marathon website

NEWS FROM: GRAYLING VISITORS BUREAU FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
P.O. BOX 217 September 2008
GRAYLING, MI 49738

CONTACT: ILENE GEISS-WILSON, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
(800) 937-8837
WEBSITE: WWW.GRAYLING-MI.COM


Birders Flock to Grayling For Spring Viewing

The Kirtland’s Warbler. Bald Eagles. Trumpeter Swans. Woodpeckers and whippoorwills. Hawks and hummingbirds. They’re all part of the natural beauty of Grayling and Crawford County, which is making the county the focal point for northern Michigan birding from spring through fall.
“Birding is considered the most popular outdoor pursuit in America, and Grayling is birder-central for Michigan,” says Ilene Geiss-Wilson, Executive Director of the Grayling Visitors Bureau. “From Michigan’s rarest bird to the majestic bald eagle, the Crawford County area has loads of species as well as locations to see them.”

The Grayling Experience
Birding in the Grayling area and entire Au Sable valley can be a hugely rewarding experience for birders looking to add to their life-lists, says Peg Ridgway, past president of the Michigan Audubon Society. Since Grayling is the heart of Au Sable River Country, and the Au Sable Valley harbors some of the best bird viewing opportunities in the state, it’s only a natural choice to make the city a key role in developing future northern Michigan birding opportunities.
Here’s a sampling of the current opportunities awaiting birders on a visit to the area this spring:

Kirtland’s Is King
Michigan’s rarest songbird, the Kirtland’s Warbler, calls more than 150,000 acres of state and federal forestland home near Grayling in one of the most pioneering and successful endangered species management stories in the United States.

Again next year, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the Michigan Audubon Society will offer birders a chance to see these tiny singers up close and personal on daily tours. Tours will take place starting at 7 and 11 a.m. May 15-July 4 from the Grayling Ramada Inn. You’ll first see a movie about the tiny
endangered songbirds, which live only in five- to 15-year-old jack pines in the sandy plains surrounding Grayling. Led by a FWS/Audubon guide, birders will then travel to sites known to have warblers, says FWS spokesperson Chris Mensing. Tour-goers will hike more than a mile over uneven sandy ground, which can be
challenging for those with trouble walking. No special provisions are made for photographers, and no attractors can be used to disturb the nesting birds.
At last count, there were an estimated 1,697 singing males. Thanks to wise habitat management, which includes a vigorous cowbird-trapping program, the number of warblers has increased ten-fold since only 167 males were counted in 1987 and 1974. Cowbirds are enemies of Kirtland’s and other species, laying eggs in their nests that when hatched, displace Kirtland’s young.
Habitat has been increased over the decades by appropriate use of controlled burns and more recently, clear-cutting and re-planting. Currently there are 153,000 acres in the Huron-Manistee National Forest, neighboring state forests and Fish and Wildlife Service lands managed on a rotating 50-year cycle to cut and replace swaths of trees so the birds will always find suitable nesting. Each year about 2,700 acres are developed into nesting habitat so 38,000 acres are available to birds at any time. For tour information, call (517) 351-2555, or go
to http://midwest.fws.gov/EastLansing/tour.html.

Other Birding Opportunities
The tiny Kirtland’s Warbler isn’t the only species to attract thousands of bird-watchers to Grayling. Check out this list of places to go and birds to add to your life list on a visit to the area:

Hartwick Pines State Park--Located just north of town, it is a top destination, says park interpreter Craig Kasmer. “One of the simplest and easiest ways to birdwatch here is along the Old Growth Trail,” he said. Walking amongst the majestic old-growth white pines along the trail is not only akin to meditating on foot. It’s also home to more than 40 bird species, mainly songbirds. Expect to see warblers such as the Nashville warbler, black-throated green, pine, black burnian and northern parula. Other species commonly seen include evening grosbeaks, juncos, pileated woodpeckers, vireos, flycatchers, tanagers and others that call the 10,000-acre park home. Other great birding trails include the Mertz Grade and Au Sable Trails. The latter meanders through dense forest, crossing the Au Sable River’s East Branch twice. For more information,call the park at (989) 348-2537.

Au Sable and Manistee Rivers—These twin streams that rise from the highlands north of Grayling also are excellent birding choices. There are numerous public access sites to visit, and great opportunities on both rivers for canoe or kayak trips from a few hours to a few days. Along the way, expect to view herons, geese and several duck species, kestrels, woodcock, bald eagles and others that call the river valley home.

Deward Watchable Wildlife Site—This relatively undiscovered natural viewing area is near the headwaters of the Manistee River. It was named for 19th century lumberman and innovator David Ward, who besides operating a lumber camp here, maintained what was then reportedly the world’s second largest orchard.
There are several fisherman paths that lead from the parking area to the river, varying from one-eighth- to ¼-mile long. Glimpse views of bald eagles, redtail and broadwing hawks, in addition to loons, geese, grouse and woodcock. The area can also be canoed via the Manistee. From Grayling, go north on Old U.S. 27 to County Road 612. Head west to Manistee River Road. Go north to the Cameron Bridge area and the site.

Dyer Red Pine Natural Area—Originally spared from lumbering to collect seeds for state nursery programs, it is a 20-acre tract of red pine, jack pine and oak. More migratory birds make their home here, and birders can walk throughout the tract that also is close to Kirtland’s Warbler habitat. To find the area, take I-75 Business Route through Grayling to North Downriver Road. Head east to Wakeley Bridge Road.Turn left and continue on the paved portion east about 1½-miles
where the road makes a 90-degree turn north. The unpaved two-track road leading straight ahead is Dyer Truck Trail. Drive in, park, and enjoy.

Mason Tract Pathway—This more than 12-mile pathway through the dense valley floor of the South Branch of the Au Sable leads from just north of a parking area at the river’s banks at Chase Bridge to end near Canoe Harbor Campground. The trail is for hiking only and provides beautiful views of the river and birds that range from waterfowl to woodpeckers, both downy and pileated, whippoorwills,
grouse, hummingbirds and many others.

W.J. Beal Plantation—This area was named after a Michigan State University botany professor and was an 1888 experiment to reforest the region with a variety of trees. More than 40 types exist in this small setting. “Supercanopy” birds including warblers also make the red pine, spruce, dogwood, birch and other species home. To find the plantation, head east from Grayling on M-72 to Industrial Drive, and head south, or right, to the plantation area.

Rayburn Estate—Willed to the State Department of Natural Resources Forest Management Division by its former owners, this prime example of river habitat offers great views of the Au Sable River’s Main Stream, a picnic area, and a bridge across the river. Multiple canopy birds are common here, from river kingfishers, ducks and other water birds, to tree-dwellers like warblers. To find the Rayburn, lead east on M-72 from Industrial Drive and the Beal Plantation about one mile. Look for a stone arched driveway on the north side of the road. Turn in and follow it to the parking lot.

Wakeley Lake Quiet Area—This unique area surrounds one of the best catch and release panfish lakes in the state. Federally managed, it’s reached via a trail from a parking area just north of M-72 near Canoe Harbor Campground on the Au Sable’s South Branch between Grayling and Luzerne. A five-mile hiking and bike trail winds around the lake, including a portion on a boardwalk over wetlands. Loons, eagles, ducks, geese and at the lake’s north end, a heron rookery, are just a few of the species birders will see, along with lakeside animals that include wood and painted turtles.
There is limited walk-in lakeside camping. For more information, call the U.S. Forest Service Mio Office, (989) 826-3252.

Hanson Hills Recreation Area—Operated by the Grayling Recreation Authority within a 20,000-acre forest tract, the area features 1,000 acres and more than 35 kilometers of hiking and biking trails meandering through the pine and oak hills on the city’s western edge. Numerous songbird species also are present, says Director Justin Andre. For general information on the recreation area, call (989)
348-9266, (888) 876-2196, or www.hansonhills.org.

Still more birding opportunities are available along the Crawford County Pathway, a paved biking and hiking route from Grayling to Hartwick Pines State Park.

Make It Grayling for the North’s Best Casual Adventures!

For more information on the river and how to see it and its wildlife, plus other fun in Crawford County, contact the Grayling Visitors Bureau, (800) 937-8837, or www.grayling-mi.com.

NEWS FROM: GRAYLING VISITORS BUREAU FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
P.O. BOX 217 April 3, 2006
GRAYLING, MI 49738

CONTACT: ILENE GEISS-WILSON, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
(800) 937-8837
WEBSITE: http://www.grayling-mi.com

An Au Sable Canoe Trip Can be Magical
Two side-by-side liveries offer paddling and lodging

The soft sound as a paddle dips into rippling water, and the mini-whirlpool it fleetingly leaves as it lifts, before you once more plunge the blade.

The soft breath of a cool morning breeze creeping from under ancient cedars sweeping over the water. The scent of pine and cedar perfuming the air. The sight of ducks, mink, bald eagles, deer, seemingly oblivious to your quiet passing. The laughter and company of good friends and family, and the discoveries that always await around the next bend.

Those images, and more, are what canoeing on Michigan’s favorite paddling stream, the Au Sable River near Grayling, is all about.

Whether it’s a 2 ½-hour jaunt, a five-hour day trip, or an overnight riverside campground stay, it’s an experience you, your friends, and family will remember and want to repeat, like so many do annually.

Two liveries have anchored the banks of this storied stream for more than 60 years. They are almost side-by-side: Borchers Canoeing and Bed and Breakfast, and Penrod’s Au Sable River Resort, on the city’s east side.

Borchers was founded in 1932 by Ernie Borchers—who also originated the Borchers trout fly—and has been owned and operated the last 15 years by Cheri and Mark Hunter. Penrod’s, begun by the Penrod family in 1939, has been operated by the Humes family since 1969, and is currently overseen by Jim Humes. He welcomes the generations of canoeists who come here each season for good family fun.

“You leave your life behind and listen to the water, see the ducks, watch a fish jump out of the water and feel the sun on your face. It’s a magical way to share an outing with the family,” says Cheri Hunter of Borchers.

“We will have three generations of one family standing in our office and the grandfather will tell us ‘I went years ago and now my son and grandson are coming with me.’ People come to have a good family experience and that’s what we provide,” she says.

“The nice thing about this trip,” Humes adds, “is that this river is very forgiving. It’s about a four- to five-mile-per-hour current and most of the stream is from 2 to 4 feet deep so it’s good for novices and families.”

Borchers operates a medium size fleet of canoes and open kayaks. Kayaks are fast becoming a popular way to tour the stream. Penrod’s has a similar number. Hunter and Humes described a typical trip down the river.

After shoving off from the dock, the Au Sable turns gently as Grayling disappears from your stern and you glide past riverfront cabins. About 90 minutes downstream, stop for a picnic lunch after you slip under the bridge announcing the old Rayburn estate, now owned by the State of Michigan. The lodge is gone but a climb via stairs to the top rewards with a great view of the river and use the picnic tables for lunch. There also are portable restroom facilities placed there each summer as a courtesy to paddlers. Near the Rayburn property, you’ll pass the entrance to Mud Creek. Keep to the right to avoid backtracking out of
the Mud Creek wetland.

Between Rayburn and Canoe Camp access, cedar trees, named “sweepers” by the locals because they stretch over the river from both banks, providing shade for the river’s trout and other wildlife and for their ability to knock unsuspecting canoeists into the river. Here the river’s bottom turns gravely and the current picks up a bit. Watch for mink scurrying along the river banks along with beaver, deer, and overhead, bald eagles, kingfishers and ducks.

Burton’s Landing marks the start of the famed “holy water” stretch, so-named by fly fishermen because it is revered as holding some of the top trout fishing in the United States. Here, Hunter says, is where canoeists can practice the river etiquette they learned at the dock prior to their trip: share the river, particularly when approaching fishermen.

From there to the take-out point immediately below Stephan Bridge, you’ll pass islands, more homes, riverside campgrounds and more incomparable Au Sable scenery.

That's as far as most weekend paddlers get before landing and meeting their shuttle for the ride back to town. However, both Penrod’s and Borchers can arrange longer trips, including five-day camping adventures the length of the river to Oscoda. Many river runners now prefer kayaks, she added. “They are very maneuverable and it’s very relaxing to be in your own watercraft and go wherever you want.”

Trips start at $25 and up on weekdays, $30 and up on Saturdays in July and August. Kayaks start at $18 per craft. Rates vary by trip length and there are volume discounts. Reservations are wise in July and August. Canoes come with cushions, a Coast Guard-approved PFD and paddles, but Hunter says, life jackets are encouraged, especially for non-swimmers, and are required for children age 6 and under and recommended for those 12 and under.

“We encourage the use of life jackets,” she adds. As at all Grayling-area liveries, an alcohol policy is strictly enforced. One-six-pack of beer is allowed per canoe, and no glass containers or Styrofoam coolers are allowed.

Once your trip is over, you can enjoy a bed and breakfast experience at Borchers or a night in classic riverfront cottages at Penrod’s. Borchers has six guest rooms, with a full breakfast that often features Borcher Pie, a puff pastry with eggs and cheese and served with ham and mini-cinnamon rolls. Penrod’s offers 12 cabins, including some with two bedrooms and fireplace. Penrod’s also rents mountain bikes.

For more information, call Borchers at (989) 348-4921, or (800) 762-8756, or go to http://www.canoeborchers.com. For Penrod’s, call (989) 348-2910 or (888) GO-RIVER, or go to http://www.penrodscanoe.com. For more on the Grayling area, contact the Grayling Visitors Bureau, (800) 937-8837, or http://www.grayling-mi.com.

Make It Grayling for the North’s Best Casual Adventures!

NEWS FROM: GRAYLING AREA VISITORS BUREAU FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
P.O. BOX 217 March 10, 2006
GRAYLING, MI 49738

CONTACT: ILENE GEISS-WILSON, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
(800) 937-8837
WEBSITE: WWW.GRAYLING-MI.COM

Grayling-area welcomes back trout anglers for another season

For the dedicated fly fisherman, trout season is the equivalent of opening day at Detroit’s Comerica Park, the Super Bowl, the NCAA basketball tournament and the World Series, combined.

“Armed with the essentials, thousands of anglers head to Grayling, Michigan trout angling’s nirvana, to experience the magic of fishing the Au Sable and Manistee Rivers, two of the most storied trout streams in the Eastern United States,” says Ilene Geiss-Wilson, Grayling Visitors Bureau Executive Director.

Often, anglers come armed with hundreds of fly patterns to try to “match the hatch,” by using trout flies that imitate the mayflies, caddis flies and stone flies that the brown, brook and rainbows of the rivers feed on. However, with a little knowledge of entomology, they can zero in on some basic patterns and lighten their loads.

First, a little bit on trout fly nomenclature for the neophyte angler. A nymph is the underwater stage of a mayfly. Nymphs can live on stream bottoms or vegetation up to two years. A “dun,” in troutspeak, refers to the mayfly just-hatched from its nymph stage. They float on the river’s surface usually with blue-gray wings that appear like sails before flying into the trees. In the “spinner” stage, flies return to the water to lay their eggs and die to complete their life cycles. Caddis and stoneflies live under water as well. Caddis larvae build tiny homes out of sticks, stones and other flotsam. Stonefly nymphs live on the river
bottom.

Caddis emerge like mayflies, but their wings are folded against their bodies like a tent. Stoneflies crawl out of the water onto stones, trees or pilings to emerge as winged insects and also have folded wings. All three are harmless to humans.

One common trait to remember, Geiss-Wilson says, is that flies usually hatch and trout usually surface feed most actively during the most pleasant time of the day—or night. However, trout consume a majority of their food as it drifts by as nymphs or emerging mayflies, caddis and stone flies. Armed with that knowledge, here’s a brief timeline of major Grayling-area fly hatches.

Now-mid-May—Hendrickson fly. Created to imitate the first major mayfly hatch of the season. When water temperature reaches the mid-50s in late April to mid-May, flies generally emerge in afternoon with the egg-laying “spinner” stage falling on the water around 5 p.m. and tied in hook size 14 to 16. Try the Au Sable’s Main Branch and the Manistee.

Emerging at the same time is the mahogany dun or blue dun, a larger (size 12 to 14) fly that often hatches into June, along with gray-black-bodies caddis flies in sizes 16 to 18, and dark-bodied stone flies.

Late-May-early June—Smaller “sulphur” mayflies predominate in afternoon and evenings, so named because of their greenish-yellowish bodies, usually in hook sizes 16 to 18. Early- to mid-June also starts the height of the season with the emergence of the brown drake mayfly, usually on hook size 10 to 12. Along with the mahogany, this is the first major evening hatch, often from dusk to late evening. Best rivers include the Au Sable’s North and South Branches and the
Manistee.

Also emerging is the green-bodied caddis fly and “yellow sally” stonefly, with a yellowish body, generally in sizes 18 to 16.

Mid- June to mid-July—Along with an appearance by flies with common angler names as the ginger quill and light cahill, the king of Michigan’s mayflies arrives on the scene. The giant Michigan mayfly (hook sizes 4 to 8, usually on a longer-shanked version) is the largest to hatch on the Au Sable. Living for two years in muddy banks, it finally emerges and the river’s largest trout lose all abandon to gorge on these flies. Often, you’ll hear big fish actually slurping or sipping in flies as they float by or gather at log jams, which make great trout feeding stations. Also called fish flies in some parts of Michigan, they both hatch and lay eggs in late evening to early morning.

Flies usually emerge from late evening to early morning and anglers often look like miners going to work because of the lights they wear to find their way.

Best rivers for the “hex” hatch include the Manistee and the Au Sable’s South Branch. Also emerging in mid-morning is the blue-winged olive in hook size 16-18.

July and August—Flies will be active in both early morning and evening. In the morning, look for the tiniest flies to emerge, in hook size 22-28, and known as tiny white-winged blacks, or “tricos.” Emerging in evening is the pseudocloeon or tiny olive, in hook size 24, along with mahogany, snow and gray drakes mayfly.

Caddis and stoneflies to emerge in the afternoon and evenings include cream and yellow varieties in hook sizes 12 to 16.

Along with the right flies, many anglers head for their favorite retreats, from riverside bed and breakfasts to motels, which pepper the region. Here are just two.

Hard by the banks of the Au Sable’s North Branch, Fuller’s North Branch Outing Club has been catering to trout anglers since the early 20th century. It’s been given a rebirth under the loving care of the five-member Fuller family. Todd Fuller escaped the corporate sales world to help run the bed and breakfast. “It took about two years to restore it to where we were comfortable to have guests,” says Fuller.

The fly shop originally was a general store built by local lumberman T.E. Douglas, who arrived here in the 1890s to make his fortune. As lumbering waned, he looked for a new business and looked at the trout-filled North Branch. “In 1903 Douglas added six rooms off the back of the store and began promoting the Au Sable as a fishing destination,” Fuller says. Douglas opened the Douglas Hotel in 1916, welcoming anglers from across the world. Henry Ford, Thomas Edison,
Nash, the Dodge brothers, Harvey Firestone and other famous Americans were frequent guests. The hotel closed in the 1960s, and the Fullers bought it in 1996.

Today, Fuller’s features 12 guest rooms. The common area has 8,000 square feet of maple floors accented by sugar pine molding. Windows are original hand-blown glass. Exterior is all original pine clapboard, left the way T.E. Douglas intended. “The only television is in one sitting room. There are no phones, so it’s a step back in time, a getaway from the buzz,” Fuller says.

“Of the rooms, the Douglas Suite is one of the most popular. The Douglas family lived there,” Fuller explains. The room with private bath features a porch overlooking the river. Each room is decorated differently and in a different theme, from hunting and fishing, to one even featuring old license plates and auto names to honor the auto magnates who stayed here.

Guided fishing trips are available aboard traditional Au Sable River drift boats, and there’s a full-service fly shop selling custom-built North Branch as well as Sage rods. Instruction and rental equipment for never-ever fly anglers also is available. Non-anglers can try canoeing, or renting a mountain bike. For more information, call Fuller’s at (989) 348-7951, or go to www.fullersnboc.com.

If there ever was a quintessential trout angler’s riverside motel, Gates Au Sable Lodge is it. Founded in 1970 by the late Calvin Gates Sr., and now run by son Rusty Gates Lodge is just six miles east of Grayling. “We’re off the beaten path. It’s nice to sit down to dinner and watch the river go by, and kids love trying to feed the fish in the bread hole,” says Rusty. The “bread hole,” got its name from kids tossing crumbs into the whirlpool, where huge trout slurp them up.

Seventeen rooms feature TV and two double beds. A front door on each leads to a mini-patio and the river a few false casts away. There are benches, picnic tables and fire pit on the grounds. Rusty’s wife, Julie runs the knotty pine Hungry Fisherman Restaurant, which serves homemade meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Guest enjoy meals looking at the river and bird feeders visited by multiple species including hummingbirds. There’s also a full-service fly shop with guide service and instruction available and a meeting room.

Gates Au Sable Lodge is six miles east of Grayling. Take M-72 east. Go north on Stephan Bridge Road to the riverside. The lodge is on the right. For information, call (989) 348-8462, or go to www.gateslodge.com.

For more on accommodations and other things to see and do in the Grayling area, contact the Grayling Visitors Bureau, (800) 937-8837, or www.grayling-mi.com.

Make It Grayling for the North’s Best Casual Adventures!

The Icehouse Quilt Shop is located in a building that was owned by the Pennsylvania Central Railroad during the earliest railroad days. This landmark was used to store ice for the dining cars of the trains. Ice from nearby lakes was cut into blocks, transported to the icehouse and stored for use during the warmer seasons. As refrigeration was invented and automobile travel replaced trains, the original purpose of the icehouse became obsolete. No longer needed to store ice, the building was used to store beer, feed, and building materials. In the
1930's, Rasmussen Lumber leased the building from the railroad to store lumber. This use continued by DuBois Lumber until Dave Wyman decided to turn the old icehouse into a retail shop. The icehouse was connected to an adjacent building which had been a clothespin factory.
Opened since 1980, the Icehouse Quilt Shop offers patrons the unique opportunity to experience a bit of Grayling's heritage. Various classes are available at the Icehouse. From wallhangings to large quilts, and wearable art jackets, vests and tote bags. Several times a year "guest teachers" fly in to teach cloth doll workshops. Hand quilting or machine quilting, there's a class just right for you. Their knowledgeable staff, who are quilters and crafters, await your questions. Call for more information at (517)348-4821and sign up today.
The Icehouse Quilt Shop has several events planned. They are all open to the public. Some events are offered for a fee.